Chamber and committees

A scheme to replace fire-damaged tiles at the M8 Charing Cross Underpass is currently in development, following a vehicle fire in April 2025 that caused damage to a section of the underpass’ tiled lining. Works are programmed to commence in October, with completion expected by December 2026.

The Scottish Government’s position is that Scottish universities should consider compulsory redundancies only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

Presuming the question refers to Scotland’s universities, these institutions are autonomous bodies with responsibility for their own operational decision making, including in relation to their use of cash reserves and decisions regarding redundancies. The Scottish Funding Council is responsible for monitoring compliance of universities with Fair Work principles through annual reporting and accounts, and as part of their Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model, and considers any appropriate interventions to support compliance. The Scottish Government’s position is that Scottish universities should consider compulsory redundancies only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

Scotland’s universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own operational decision making and compliance with employment law, which remains a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998. Through its engagement with the university sector, the Scottish Government has made clear its expectation that compulsory redundancies should be considered only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

In line with its statutory responsibilities, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) continues to monitor and seek assurances from Scottish universities regarding their compliance with the SFC’s Financial Memorandum, which is required as a condition of grant funding.

We are delivering on our commitment to open GP walk-in services, with six open since the start of the year and more due to open before the end of the summer. I appreciate the hard work of the health boards to get these services up and running and I'm sure the Member will join me in welcoming the opening of these sites and thanking our hard-working NHS staff for delivering these.

I have committed to expanding the walk-in service programme and will set out how I intend to do that over the next 100 days. Health Boards previously generated proposals for walk-ins which considered the needs of their population, taking into account local issues and circumstances. Our experience will inform how we commission the next 14.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00662 on 12 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

There is currently no projected underspend in the 2026-27 Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP).

The AHSP seeks to optimise the positive impact of spend and delivery, and does so by supporting local authorities to deliver fully against its Resource Planning Assumptions (RPAs). Where local authorities are unable to deliver against its RPA the programme will seek to move funding to other areas that are able to deliver. This process is taken forward as part of normal in year programme management, in discussion with local authorities and reported on through annual outturn reports.

Any small business owner who experiences harassment or online abuse can report these matters to the police for consideration of investigation. There are a range of laws which operate that may be relevant depending on the specifics of any harassment and online abuse the business is experiencing such as the threatening or abusive behaviour offence. Operational decisions on criminal investigations are an independent matter for Police Scotland.

All businesses – wherever they are in the country – can access support from a wide variety of public sector organisations through the Find Business Support website.

A number of factors can impact on the ability of individuals to secure legal assistance, for example the type of case and the existing workload of a solicitor. Being registered to provide legal aid does not require a solicitor to take an individual case that is a matter for the individual solicitor, and it is not possible to compel them to take a case. The Scottish Government recognises that this can be frustrating and has taken some steps to provide additional support to that provided by private solicitors.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) monitors the availability and accessibility of legal services, and The Civil Legal Assistance Offices (CLAO) can provide certain types of legal service to people who are eligible for legal assistance. CLAO both offers a casework service and also refers people other sources of advice and support, including solicitors who offer services funded by legal aid.

Solicitors can take on cases in other areas and applicants are able to instruct solicitors outside their own council area. This reflects both the flexibility of the legal assistance schemes and the willingness of solicitors to travel to rural and remote parts of Scotland to provide services where local provision is limited, meaning that individuals do not have to rely on local provision alone when seeking publicly funded legal assistance.

Funding this year is provided to provide specific support to Scottish Women’s Aid of up to £160,498 and the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre of up to £239,200 to provide bespoke legal advice and representation. A series of grants of £2 million to third sector organisations across the country has been provided to support early advice and resolution in communities.

In addition, the Scottish Government is providing funding of up to £1.5 million to support up to 40 additional legal aid trainees through the Legal Aid Traineeship Fund. Further information is available on the Law Society of Scotland’s website: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/qualifying-and-education/qualifying-as-a-scottish-solicitor/the-traineeship/scottish-government-legal-aid-traineeship-fund-2026/.

The recent Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 removes restrictions which previously prevented charities, law centres and Citizens advice bodies from directly employing solicitors to provide certain legal services. Commenced on 5 March 2026, this change enables third sector organisations to deliver reserved legal services, including representation of vulnerable clients in court, without reliance on external law firms.

Legal aid fees were also increased by 13% from 1 September in regulations passed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2026. Regulations recently passed also made changes to criminal and children’s legal aid to make the process less complex, support early resolution, and guarantee timely representation for those most in need.

Finally, the Scottish Government is bringing forward a consultation on a Legal Aid Bill within the first 100 days of this parliament to explore how the legal aid system can become more responsive and user centred, and how it can better deliver outcomes in line with what we expect of a modern public service, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Responses will shape the content of the Bill and inform the timing of its introduction.