Chamber and committees

The University of Aberdeen is an autonomous institution with responsibility for its own operational decision making, including in relation to staff, recruitment and remuneration.

The Scottish Government expects the Scottish Funding Council to monitor and seek assurances that universities are compliant with the Scottish Code of Good HE Governance as a condition of grant funding, including the extent to which universities are considering value for money and the public interest, avoiding inappropriate use of funds, and seeking the views of students and staff in relation to decisions regarding senior executive remuneration. I do pay close attention to the matters the member raises in my discussions with individual institutions and the wider sector and am alert to this issue in my consideration of future funding of the sector.

The Scottish Government is currently prioritising support for those households facing the greatest barriers to EV adoption, including those in rural and island communities who often face higher travel costs. This helps ensure limited public funding is directed where it can have the greatest impact. Eligibility criteria are reviewed and updated annually.

The Domestic Charge Point Fund is currently prioritising support for households in areas classified within categories 5 to 8 of the Scottish Government's Urban Rural Classification, in recognition of the additional barriers to EV adoption often faced in rural and island communities and to help ensure limited public funding is directed where it can have the greatest impact. Eligibility criteria are reviewed and updated annually.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people living with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) receive appropriate, person-centred care, based on their individual clinical needs, regardless of sex, gender identity or other protected characteristics.

Access to assessment, treatment and support within NHS Scotland is determined by clinical need. The Scottish Government is committed to promoting equitable access to healthcare services and reducing inequalities, so that everyone can receive the care and support that is appropriate to their circumstances.

Any organisation provided with Scottish Government grant funding must comply with the terms and conditions set out by Scottish Ministers, ensuring clear accountability and assurance of propriety in the use of public funds and value for money, as per the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

SAMH will receive funding for the Nook programme through a grant authorised by Ministers under Section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. All Scottish Government grants require a formal agreement that sets out the purpose of the funding, expected outcomes, terms and conditions, and payment arrangements. These agreements are supported by robust monitoring and reporting arrangements to ensure the funding is used as intended and delivers the agreed objectives.

NHS Tayside is reforming Mental Health and Learning Disability services to provide more person-centred, accessible and community-based support. Following recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Mental Health Services in Tayside and subsequent oversight reviews, NHS Tayside has brought mental health and learning disability services under a single leadership structure, strengthening governance, accountability and partnership working. A new mental health and learning disability model of care is being developed which aims to improve access to help, provide support closer to home, strengthen support in the community and make sure care is shaped around people's individual needs and rights.

Scottish Government officials continue to closely monitor the progress of this and the overall performance of mental health services in NHS Tayside to ensure the needs of the local population are met, including those who experience auditory, visual or other sensory disturbances.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that people living with dementia and other complex mental health conditions receive high-quality, compassionate and person-centred care that meets their needs and supports them to live with dignity.

At this time, the Scottish Government has no plans to bring in legislation to prevent the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons, as there is not currently enough evidence to support an outright ban. However, the Scottish Government is aware of the risk that their release can pose in terms of animal safety and fire risk and will therefore continue to monitor and consider all options available to us. We welcome engagement with stakeholders in order to ensure the best outcome, in particular, the release of sky lanterns as a consequence of the fires we have witnessed during the past two summer periods.

While the University of Dundee is an autonomous institution and responsible for its own strategic and operational decisions, the Scottish Government expects compulsory redundancies to be considered only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

Through the Ministerial Direction issued under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) are responsible for monitoring the University of Dundee’s compliance with funding conditions published in March 2026, including in relation to meaningful engagement with staff and students, adherence to Fair Work principles and compulsory redundancy processes.

The SFC is also 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.

While the University of Dundee is an autonomous institution and responsible for its own strategic and operational decisions, the Scottish Government expects compulsory redundancies to be considered only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

Through the Ministerial Direction issued under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) are responsible for monitoring the University of Dundee’s compliance with funding conditions published in March 2026, including in relation to meaningful engagement with staff and students, and adherence to Fair Work principles. As set out in their funding conditions, the SFC will not release grant funding allocated under the Section 25 Direction to support any job losses.