Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the serious and escalating threat from wildfires in Scotland due to climate change and the importance of strengthening public awareness of wildfire risks and responsible outdoor behaviour and access.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) produces its own annual wildfire prevention and awareness campaign, aimed at reducing human-caused fires by highlighting these risks.

This year’s campaign was officially launched on Thursday, 5 March, alongside the Scottish Government’s Wildfire Strategic Action Plan. The key message of the campaign is that there is no such thing as a harmless fire. It includes targeted paid promotion, digital content, media engagement, and partnership working to extend its reach.

SFRS also works closely with local authorities, National Park authorities, public bodies and land managers to ensure that clear and consistent public messaging on wildfire risk is conveyed in a timely, effective and coordinated way.

In addition to the SFRS campaign, a multi-channel campaign supporting the new recreational fire byelaw in the Cairngorms National Park has promoted a “no flame, no spark” message through physical road signage, social media advertising, video and influencer activity. It has reached nearly 1.5 million individuals and generated around 4.3 million impressions, with more than 100 businesses and community groups engaging with campaign materials.

For summer 2026, this work will be continued and strengthened through coordinated national and local activity, including targeted awareness campaigns and continued promotion of safe behaviours relating to campfires, disposable barbecues and other wildfire risks.

Similarly, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority continues to deliver sustained public awareness activity through ranger engagement, byelaws, media campaigns and national partnerships with SFRS and others to ensure consistent messaging on wildfire risks. Most recently, it hosted a press conference in Balloch alongside Police Scotland to convey key public safety messages, with coverage across local and national online, print, TV and radio outlets.

These combined efforts demonstrate an ongoing, collaborative approach to strengthening public awareness of wildfire risks in Scotland.

We recognise the vital role of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in tackling wildfires and remain committed to sustaining that capability. The SFRS 2026-27 overall budget provides an additional £23.8 million, taking total funding to £436 million, demonstrating the continued support to the Service to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe. In addition, the Scottish Government’s Wildfires Strategic Action Plan sets out a coordinated approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires.

The allocation of SFRS resources to respond to wildfire incidents, including the deployment of specialist wildfire capability, equipment and staffing, is an operational matter for SFRS. The SFRS spend on its wildfire strategy has been circa £1.6 million over the course of its 3 year roll-out. As part of its strategy, SFRS has reviewed and invested in equipment, vehicles and training to strengthen its response to wildfires, particularly in rural areas.

In response to the 2025 wildfire season, SFRS has invested in equipment, including four new wildfire support units with enhanced equipment (Alford, Oban, Galashiels and Dornoch) and two new interim wildfire units (Lockerbie and Thurso), and is also delivering controlled burn training for firefighters. SFRS already has more than 30 fire stations equipped with dedicated wildfire resources, as well as several wildfire tactical advisers who can provide strategic support at incidents.

SFRS also manages the Community Asset Register (CAR) - a Scotland wide database of trained volunteers and equipment – ready and willing to respond and offer support during emergency situations, such as a wildfire incident.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00272 on 3 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.

In regards to a) Highland Main Line, I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-27087 on 7 May 2026.

In regards to (b) Far North Line, the Scottish Government granted authority and funding for enhancements to the Radio Electronic Token Block signalling system on the Far North Line and for line speed improvements at various points on the Line and the majority of these enhancements are now completed. In relation passing loops, I refer the Member to answer to question S6W-29458 on 17 September 2024.

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

Transport Scotland continually revises its programme of works against priorities in the context of available funding. This ensures it can deliver the right projects at the right time as it seeks to progress its rolling programme of decarbonisation, whilst also delivering rail passenger and freight services that meet user expectations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00272 on 3 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.

The Scottish Government estimates that initial start-up costs of More Homes Scotland will be around £2 million from 2026-27 to 2027-28.

Projected annual budgets and agency running costs remain dependent on key decisions yet to be taken through the ongoing design and wider policy development process. Further detail and updates will be provided to Parliament after the conclusion of this stage.

My officials met with Scotland Office before the pre-election period to discuss next steps. At this meeting, Scotland Office officials confirmed that they have been actively engaging with the various UK Government departments with an interest in the Order.

Now that the Scottish election has concluded, Scottish Government officials will resume discussions with the UK Government to progress agreement on the proposed section 104 Order.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on 22 January 2026, the then Cabinet Secretary for Housing, undertook extensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to inform the early design of More Homes Scotland. This included local government partners, industry experts, investors, developers, academics, and Scotland’s largest housebuilders.

The Scottish Government will continue this approach.

More Homes Scotland will launch in 2027-28 and become fully functional in 2028-29.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00477 on 3 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.