Chamber and committees

Data on the number of people on a housing waiting list is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Estimates of the proportion of households on a housing waiting list is published on an annual basis using data from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS). However, the SHS does not sample people living in communal establishments/temporary accommodation. Due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, SHS data is not available for 2020 and 2021.

The latest data can be found on our website Households in Scotland by housing tenure: Scottish Household Survey, 2024 - gov.scot. Previous years can be found here: Scottish Household Survey: results - gov.scot. Data for 2025 will be published later this year and a publication date will be announced on the Scottish Government’s Official statistics: forthcoming publications list: Official statistics: forthcoming publications - gov.scot.

The Scottish Government also publishes the number of applications for local authority housing on an annual basis. This can be found on the Scottish Government website here: Housing Statistics 2025: Key Trends Summary - gov.scot. Local authority level data can be found in the tables linked to this publication: Housing statistics: Management of local authority housing - gov.scot. Please be aware of the caveats stated in the publication – the data:

• Is not a complete picture for Scotland, as six councils with no local authority housing stock (so for example, Glasgow) do not provide us with data on waiting lists.
• Will include double counting, as households can apply to multiple lists.
• Will include applications where housing is no longer needed, however they may not be removed from the housing list immediately.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce congestion charges in cities.

Transport Scotland continues to work with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Glasgow City Council and other regional partners in the development of Clyde Metro. The ongoing stage of the development process, known as the Case for Investment, is being led by SPT, with Transport Scotland providing a project assurance role.

As part of its project assurance role on Clyde Metro, Transport Scotland engages with Glasgow City Council on a regular basis. Most recently, Transport Scotland officials attended the Clyde Metro Programme Steering Group on 23 April 2026, and senior officials met with the Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council on 11 May 2026 to discuss Clyde Metro.

The Scottish Government does not intend to further delay the introduction of the muirburn licensing scheme. The postponement last year of the scheme introduction has allowed for further consideration of stakeholder concerns and amendments to the muirburn licensing scheme through the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026.

Our position is that muirburn policy must balance strategic wildfire prevention, including firebreaks, targeted fuel-load reduction, and a landscape-scale, risk-based approach, with the need to protect and restore Scotland’s peatlands. The licensing scheme is intended to do this by ensuring muirburn is carried out by trained people, in line with the Muirburn Code, and only where it is safe, justified and environmentally responsible.

Recent advice from NatureScot’s Scientific Advisory Committee sets out that licensing and strict compliance with the Code are the best way to reduce risks, including wildfire escapes and damage to carbon-rich peatland soils.

Transport Scotland regularly report to Ministers on the timelines and related completion and planned readiness for deployment activities of the remaining ferries being constructed at the Cemre yard in Turkey. My initial meetings with Transport Scotland senior management have included updates on ferries projects, including these vessels.

CMAL will shortly provide a further update to the relevant Scottish Parliament committee, following on from the previous updates which were provided to the Net Zero, Economy and Transport committee.

Transport Scotland continues to work with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Glasgow City Council and other regional partners in the development of Clyde Metro. The ongoing stage of the development process, known as the Case for Investment, is being led by SPT, with Transport Scotland providing a project assurance role.

Through the Glasgow City Region Deal, £6.1 million is being provided by Scottish Government, as part of a total allocation of £12.2 million, to take forward the development of the Clyde Metro project Case for Investment – a clear sign of this government’s commitment to supporting development of Clyde Metro. This key stage, which will inform decisions around network selection, phasing and implementation, is well underway and is anticipated to be complete in 2027.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00316 on 5 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 Private Jet Tax will be implemented as higher rates of Air Departure Tax (ADT)which will apply to the carriage of passengers by air on private jet flights from Scottish airports.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00480 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 does not hold information relating to the costs of works to upgrade the Port of Rosyth to deliver a ferry service from Scotland to Europe.

The Scottish Government and its agencies continue to support the wider development of our ports and the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.

We established a Green Freeport at Forth Ports, which includes Rosyth. This involves both seed capital funding, along with businesses locating within the tax site being able to access a package of devolved and reserved tax incentives.