Chamber and committees

Administration costs and awards paid under the Scheme broken down by financial year since the Scheme’s inception are set out in the following table:

Applicants are asked if they are terminally ill on the application form and, if confirmed, these applications are considered priority 1 applications and are prioritised at all stages of the redress process.

Redress Scotland make a determination on a priority 1 application within six weeks of receipt. Prioritisation of applications to be determined is a matter for the Chair of Redress Scotland, as set out in the Redress for Survivors (Historical Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021).

The future investment on maintenance at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful in the next five years is estimated in the table below. These figures exclude funding for construction or development of the medium-term and long-term solutions, which will be determined through annual budget processes. These figures are provisional and are subject to change, for example due to unpredictable landslip events, findings from geo-hazard assessments, competing priorities, etc.

Spend on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful is provided in the following table. All figures are inclusive of VAT where applicable.

Transport Scotland carries out a rigorous assessment process to establish the preferred option for a trunk road improvement. The three stage assessment process is based on the standards of good practice set by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and includes engagement with stakeholders.

Five route options were assessed for a permanent, long-term solution to the landslide challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful. These options included an option along the base of the Glen Croe valley as well as an option on the opposite side of the glen, on the route of an existing forestry track, as suggested by the A83 Campaign Group. The outcome of this assessment work is set out in the published DMRB Stage 2 Route Options Assessment Report.

As requested at the A83 Taskforce meeting in October, Transport Scotland has undertaken additional design and appraisal work in consultation with the A83 Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group regarding the appraisal of two-way free flowing options for a medium-term solution and the findings from this work was presented at the last Taskforce meeting in March 2026.

I am aware of the Campaign Group’s desire to make their suggested two-way free flowing medium-term solution along the forestry track the permanent long-term solution.

I am now seeking advice from my officials at Transport Scotland on the outcome of this appraisal work and will make a decision in due course.

In relation to the long-term solution to the landslip challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful, an economic assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, which sets the standard for good practice for assessing and designing roads and is used throughout the UK. The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Stage 3 Assessment Report, which includes the traffic and economic assessment, can be found on the Transport Scotland website.

The traffic and economic assessment considers the traffic and economic performance of the preferred route option, including consideration of the ways the option improves the resilience, safety and operation of the route. The A83 is considered key infrastructure in supporting the wider national economy through; connecting businesses and communities, facilitating access to essential services, and supporting jobs and activities in industries such as healthcare, education, aquaculture, forestry, tourism, energy and renewables. Therefore, consideration of the wider economic benefits also forms a key part of that assessment.

This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Government wants people diagnosed with cancers such as leukaemia to be treated as close to home as clinically possible. We continue to work with NHS Boards, to limit the need for travel where possible and clinically appropriate. This includes through increased use of digital and technological solutions such as Near Me, to improve flexibility of care.

However, some treatments require delivery in specialist centres to ensure the best outcomes. Where travel is necessary, patients in rural areas should be fully supported in accessing these.

The Scottish Government provides the overall guidance to NHS Boards for patient travel expenses reimbursement, with NHS Boards responsible for local arrangements. In addition, the Highlands and Islands Travel Scheme (HITS) reimburses the travel costs of eligible patients who need to travel longer distances for care.

We are also committed to supporting patients to deal with the financial, emotional, and physical health effects of cancer, including those living in a rural area. We are currently working in partnership with Macmillan to deliver the Transforming Cancer Care Programme, which ensures that people affected by cancer in Scotland have access to a specialist key support worker, who can provide and signpost to emotional, financial, and practical support.

Earlier diagnosis improves outcomes, which is why we continue to invest in our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme. The programme works closely with the Scottish Cancer Coalition, including Leukaemia Care and Blood Cancer UK, to support awareness raising efforts and joint messaging where possible.

Detect Cancer Earlier’s ‘Be The Early Bird’ campaign launched in March 2023 aims to reduce fear of cancer and empower those with possible symptoms to act early.

In addition, the Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRGs) for Suspected Cancer support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist.

Further, our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS) provides primary care with access to a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss and fatigue, both of which are relevant for leukaemia.

MyCare.scot was rolled out nationally across Scotland from April 2026 and will continue to develop incrementally through the Scottish Government’s Digital Front Door (DFD) programme. Future functionality will depend on wider national digital programmes, including the Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways (DPDP) Programme and GP IT reprovisioning.