Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government convened a meeting on 24 July with Board Chief Executives and Medical Directors to discuss the current situation in NHS Highland to ensure the risks are being mitigated and the system is working collaboratively to do this.

Whilst this is an operational issue for NHS Highland the Scottish Government remains in close contact with the Health Board at this time.

This is an operational decision for NHS Highland.

The Scottish Government wants people diagnosed with cancer to be treated as close to home as clinically possible. We recognise that NHS Scotland’s oncology capacity has been increasingly tested and continue to work with NHS Boards to limit the need for travel where possible and clinically appropriate.

Transport Scotland and its Operating Company, Amey, worked collaboratively to develop the most effective approach for delivering these works. Each project must achieve an appropriate balance between safety, efficient delivery, minimising impacts on local communities, and ensuring value for money in the use of public funds. To reduce disruption as far as possible, a range of options was considered before a preferred approach was identified. This involved maintaining access across the bridge throughout the works by keeping one lane open during daytime hours and limiting full closures to overnight periods only. Where overnight closures are necessary, a Standard Incident Diversion Route is implemented. This route is assessed and agreed by Police Scotland, Moray Council, and Amey. It is important to recognise that both the traffic management arrangements and the works themselves operate within a dynamic environment that can change on a daily basis. While no traffic management solution can completely eliminate delays, Amey will continue to monitor traffic conditions closely and make adjustments to temporary signal timings where appropriate. The aim is to achieve the best possible balance between traffic flow and project delivery, minimising impacts on all stakeholders while ensuring the works are carried out safely and efficiently.

Transport Scotland worked closely with its operating company, Amey, to develop and deliver the scheme, including the associated traffic management arrangements. Throughout the planning process, careful consideration was given to the potential impacts on local communities and businesses, with every effort made to minimise disruption. Ahead of the works, Amey implemented a comprehensive communications campaign to raise awareness of the project and inform road users and businesses of potential delays. Mobile Variable Message Signs were deployed on the trunk road at Elgin and Keith for more than two weeks prior to the commencement of works. In addition, details of the overnight road closures and diversion routes were shared in advance with local MSPs and elected members. Information was also disseminated directly to residents and stakeholders through letter drops, local print media, social media campaigns, email alerts and Traffic Scotland communication channels.

The Tax Advisory Group (TAG), which was chaired by the previous Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, met from July 2023 and concluded with the previous parliamentary session.

Engagement remains an important part of policymaking, and I plan to engage with Parliament and wider stakeholders on tax policy including as part of Budget processes.

We have a strong record of engagement on tax policy beyond TAG, including the first Scottish Government conference on tax in September last year, and meetings with a range of organisations as part of the Budget process. Our second Tax Conference is planned for 24 September 2026.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01691 on 10 August 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

This matter is under active consideration by the Scottish Government, and Parliament will be kept informed of the outcomes of those considerations – including the potential for planning guidance – in due course.

The Scottish Government is engaging with the Society for Chief Officers of Trading Standards Scotland (SCOTSS),Trading Standards and Police Scotland to assess the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms available to Trading Standards in Scotland to tackle the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products and is considering the closure order mechanisms available to Trading Standards in England and Wales.

The provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for firefighters is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). SFRS is responsible for ensuring that appropriate PPE is available to support firefighters in carrying out their duties safely, including when responding to wildfire incidents.

The Chief Fire Officer has provided assurances to the Scottish Government that firefighter safety is an absolute priority and that both the specialist wildfire PPE and the existing standard PPE available to firefighters are safe for operational use when responding to wildfires.

Scottish Ministers expect SFRS to keep its operational equipment and PPE requirements under review and to have appropriate arrangements in place to assess the suitability of equipment for the risks faced by its workforce. This includes considering any requirement for additional or enhanced PPE in response to emerging operational risks such as wildfires.

Launched in 2023, SFRS’s wildfire strategy is supported by a £1.6 million investment in vehicles, equipment, and training to help respond to wildfire incidents around the country. SFRS remains committed to continual improvement of wildfire capability, informed by operational learning, staff feedback, evolving risk and technological development.

The Scottish Government is responsible for making secondary legislation under the 1964 Harbours Act such as Harbour Revision and Harbour Empowerment Orders. Harbour authorities are independent bodies and it is their responsibility to ensure compliance with legislation and codes of practice. Harbour authorities are responsible for taking their own legal advice in relation to these matters.