Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of healthy soils for food production, climate resilience, biodiversity and Scotland's wider natural capital. We are developing soil indicators and options for soil monitoring through the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Strategic Research Programme, including work towards a Scottish Soil Monitoring Framework. Proposals are also being developed for the next Strategic Research Programme (2027-2032) that will continue this work.

The Scottish Government remains committed to alignment with the European Union where possible and meaningful to do so. We are monitoring the implementation of the EU Soil Monitoring Law and will consider its provisions and underlying principles, alongside Scottish evidence and policy priorities, as we develop our approach to soil monitoring and assessment.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges associated with emerging contaminants, including microplastics and pharmaceuticals, and intends to keep pace with developments in EU regulation.

Regulation of the practice of applying sewage sludge to land in Scotland was reviewed and amended with the introduction of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025. No change to the list of regulated contaminants (“Potentially Toxic Elements”) was made at that time as evidence produced for the review did not support it. However, with the wider environment in mind, the Scottish Government is reviewing changes that the EU has recently made to the EU Priority Substance list under the Water Framework Directive; the contaminants PFAS, microplastics, bisphenol A and pharmaceutical products have all been added to the EU list for the regulation of the water environment.

Scottish Government is continuing to work with Defra on the UK wide PFAS Plan, published on 3 February 2026, which adopts an evidence-led approach based on understanding PFAS sources, tackling pathways and reducing exposure. It specifically recognises the potential environmental and human-health implications of PFAS and other emerging contaminants in sludge.

The Plan records existing Chemicals Investigation Programme monitoring of PFOS, PFOA and PFBS in treated sludge and provides for further work on the fate of contaminants, improved analytical methods, treatment options and wider evidence gaps. Findings from the current phase of the Chemicals Investigation Programme are expected from 2027.

Public sector organisations are expected to provide food that reflects the Eatwell Guide and complies with applicable nutrition standards and regulations. This may include plant-based or other dietary options, as long as nutritional standards are maintained. Although the Scottish Government does not set specific expectations on promoting plant-based foods, it recognises the significant contribution that healthy food makes to wellbeing. Responsibility for procurement and supply chain choices rests with individual organisations. Through local Good Food Nation Plans, Local Authorities and Health Boards can set out clear, locally relevant approaches to promoting a Good Food Nation, including through their food provision, in ways that best meet the needs of their communities.

As a result of the pre and post-election period, we were not able to issue decisions to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) but the processing of applications have since recommenced, and letters to applicants who had been awaiting decisions are being issued.

In total, as of 5 August 2026, there were 281 applications awaiting approval and these are being prioritised by officials.

We are not aware of any delays in making payments in respect of submitted claims.

The Scottish Government recognises the benefits that fixed links can bring to island and rural communities. As set out in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review Recommendation 41, the next stage is to undertake further business case development to assess the viability of potential fixed links across the Sounds of Harris and Barra, and between Mull and the Scottish mainland. This work will include the assessment of the potential costs, benefits, funding options and impacts on existing ferry services.

This work is vital to ensure that the proposed projects remain value for money as set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual and before it moves to the more detailed, design development stage of any one of these three proposed fixed links.

Scoping for this business case work is expected to commence in 2026, and the work would be progressed in close collaboration with local authorities, stakeholders and local communities.

Future announcements on the progress of this work will made at appropriate points in the business case development.

The Scottish Government is also aware that Shetland Island Council is developing its Inter-Island Transport Connectivity Strategy, which includes fixed links (tunnels) as a potential alternative to the current local ferry services.

Food Standards Scotland plays an important role in supporting healthier diets across Scotland through the provision of scientific evidence, dietary surveillance and expert advice. This evidence informs Scottish Government policies aimed at improving dietary health and creating food environments that make healthier options easier.

Food Standards Scotland are a non-ministerial agency and are directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Their Board provides independent strategic direction and governance to the agency.

The Food Standards Scotland framework document sets out the objectives in relation to improving diet and nutrition in Scotland. This is achieved in collaboration with the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with Food Standards Scotland to ensure that action to improve dietary health is informed by robust evidence and expert advice.

The Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan supports our target to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, at least 10% of which will be in rural and island areas.

From 24 March 2022 to 31 March 2025, we supported delivery of 5,890 affordable homes in rural and island areas towards the target. Overall during this period we supported delivery of 28,536 affordable homes across Scotland towards the target, meaning that delivery in rural and island areas is around 20%.

Delivery of affordable homes in rural and island areas is primarily supported through the local authority area Resource Planning Assumption element of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Demand-led funds, such as the £37 million Rural and Island Housing Fund and the £25 million Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund are a key and additional part of our approach working with local authorities, as the strategic housing authorities, to address specific rural housing issues where they arise.

The Scottish Government does not have any duties under Section 8 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003. The duties under section 8 in relation to monitoring of the status of the water environment are placed on SEPA.

While house-building remains the cornerstone of our response to increase housing supply, we are using every lever at our disposal to ensure existing stock supports the housing needs of our communities. This is happening via three routes: action led by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and local authority empty homes officers to support privately owned empty homes to return to use, the conversion of empty commercial/ retail properties into residential housing and a reduction in the number of empty local authority/ social housing units.

Privately Owned Empty Homes

• Our investment of £5.7m in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership has helped return almost 13,000 privately owned empty homes to use since 2010 (a record 2,066 homes in 2024-25 alone – 10% more than the year before. Figures for 2025-26 will be available later this year).
• This investment has expanded the Partnership’s core service, boosted empty homes officer capacity (15 additional posts in 2025-26) and funded a number of national and local initiatives e.g. the new empty homes Compulsory Purchase Hub facilitated by Aberdeenshire Council and the Society of Lawyers and Administrators (SOLAR) that will support more local authorities to be able to use this power to bring empty homes back into use.
• A further £1.3m is being allocated in 2026-27 to continue the SEHP core activities, as well as to help local authorities to offer grants to empty homeowners to renovate and let their homes for affordable rents.
• We continue to work with partners to increase the delivery of more affordable homes through acquisitions, the majority of which will be for social rent. In 2025-26 90 privately owned empty homes were acquired and returned to use in this way.

Conversion of empty commercial/ retail properties

• Local authorities may choose to use Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) grant to convert empty properties into housing. A recent example is the Kingdom Group's redevelopment of New City House, a former office block in Dunfermline. This was supported by over £3 million from AHSP and transformed the building into 32 energy-efficient two and three bedroom apartments for mid-market rent.
• In addition, in 2026-27 we are providing up to £52 million in resource and capital programmes for community-led regeneration across Scotland. This may be used to transform empty buildings into homes. Some examples of this since 2019 include £800,000 to refurbish an empty commercial building in Airdrie Town Centre into four flats, £441,000 to acquire and convert a former YMCA building in central Motherwell (alongside development of adjacent vacant and derelict land) to provide 48 new town centre residential units and £400,000 to develop a vacant military site at Comlet Invergordon in the Highlands into 93 affordable homes.

Empty local authority/ social housing

• 620 void properties were supported back into use in 2024-25 and 2025-2026 through targeted use of £120m AHSP grant for acquisitions and voids.