Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government takes the issue of RAAC very seriously and over the past two years has been actively supporting efforts to address RAAC in residential settings. This has included:

• convening the RAAC Cross Sector Working Group and the RAAC in Housing sub-group,
• working closely with the Scottish Housing Regulator,
• engagement with the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); and
• pressing the UK Government for cross-UK action.

I am of the view that public representatives in local authorities, Scottish and UK Governments need to work together and reach resolutions for people affected by RAAC. To that end, I convened the first meeting of the RAAC in Housing Leadership Group on 4 September, which brings together senior leaders and officials of Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords that are affected by RAAC to specifically address issues relating to RAAC in residential settings, to share knowledge and best practice and to be solutions focused.

The following tables presents the total number of personal injury collisions on the A84 and A85 between 1 January 2023 and 13 August 2025 (latest date for which data is available for serious and slight collisions and 31 August 2025 for fatal collisions), broken down by month and severity. The Scottish Government does not hold information relating to damage only accidents (i.e. not involving an injury).

Personal Injury Accident Statistics: A84

The former Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan MSP, made several representations to UK Ministers asking for a dedicated RAAC Remediation Fund for Scotland, but the UK Government has refused to do so.

In June I wrote to the UK Government Deputy Prime Minister stressing the need for the UK Government to take the lead in putting in place financial arrangements on a cross-UK basis for RAAC remediation, noting this issue has its origins in the pre devolution era. Regrettably, the reply from the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the UK Government had no plans to set up any RAAC scheme or fund to address RAAC in residential settings.

Following the UK Deputy Prime Minister’s resignation from government I will be engaging with her replacement as Housing Secretary.

The presence of RAAC across the nations of the UK emphasises the need for a UK wide approach to this issue, and I continue to urge the UK Government to set up a national RAAC remediation fund.

Since 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2024 the Scottish Government has invested over £28 million on the on the maintenance and safe operation of the A84 and over £80 million on the on the maintenance and safe operation of the A85.

The A84 and A85 are part of the Scottish Trunk Road Network in Scotland. The A84 runs approximately 29 miles (47 km) from Stirling to Lochearnhead, where it connects with the A85. The A85 stretches approximately 87 miles (140 km) from Oban on the west coast to Perth.

Transport Scotland assesses the safety performance of the trunk road network on an annual basis by screening all locations where three or more personal-injury accidents have occurred in a three-year period. In addition, accident patterns and rates in the form of Route Accident Reduction Plans (RARP) are also considered. This ensures that full consideration is given to accidents that may be spread along a corridor. Further investigations are then carried out and, where appropriate, mitigation measures are prioritised for delivery. This robust, evidence-based approach ensures that the funding available is prioritised for those locations with the potential to deliver the greatest ‘casualty-accident’ savings. It is by using the evidence in this way that available funding can be optimised to best support the delivery of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework and our overarching vision of a future where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads. Through this process a number of schemes are being progressed.

On the A84 there is a scheme programmed for construction this financial year, involving new signs, new footpath and associated crossing points for the bus stops for school pupils at Kincardine in Menteith Primary School. In addition, a Vehicle Restraint System (Safety Barrier) is currently under design for the A84 between Kildean and Craigforth. This is programmed for construction in 2026-2027. Road safety investigations are also programmed in 2025-2026 including the section of the A84 between Kilmahog to Lochearnhead.

On the A85, signing improvement schemes will be undertaken between Tyndrum and Dalmally, including Tyndrum junction. Vehicle Activated Signs to warn road users of vehicles turning at junctions will also be installed at Dalchonzie and Crieff. A double white centre line system to the east of Glen Lochy, new Vehicle Restraint Systems between Aribea to Arrivain and Lochan Na Bi Culvert and Dunbeg will also be delivered.

Locations being investigated and/or designed in 2025-2026 include collision investigations of the A85 between Lochearnhead and Lix Toll, between Comrie and Perth and Kinross Council Boundary. These works are programmed to be completed by the end of the 2025-2026 financial year.

The Scottish Government has committed to implement 20 mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so as set out in the Programme for Government by 31 March 2026, making our streets feel safer and encouraging active travel.

In 2025-2026, on the A85 trunk road, 20 mph speed limits have been introduced in St Fillan’s, Methven and Crianlarich, and on the A84 in Strathyre. 20mph speed limits are programmed to be introduced on the A85 trunk road in Oban and Connel.

Transport Scotland will continue to monitor road safety on the A84 and A85 and progress investigations and improvements as appropriate.

The Scottish Government continues to support the development of our ports including the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.

I have personally engaged with the UK Government and prospective ferry service promoters; Transport Scotland officials continue to liaise with Forth Ports and other interested parties on the issue. However, no detailed discussions have taken place on specific port infrastructure requirements and costs which are primarily matters for Forth Ports and potential service providers.

The Scottish Government and its agencies have supported a number of maritime initiatives across Scotland, including the establishment of a Green Freeport at Forth Ports, which includes the Port of Rosyth. This involves both seed capital funding, along with businesses locating within the ports being able to access a package of devolved and reserved tax incentives.

We will continue to work with potential service providers and Scotland’s main ports to explore opportunities for new commercial ferry services, so that Scottish exporters and passengers have more direct routes to and from Europe. However, the Scottish Government cannot subsidise routes in ways which would be anti-competitive beyond considering the availability of limited start-up grant funding opportunities for freight initiatives.

The Scottish Government continues to support the development of our ports including the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40003 on 8 September 2025. 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.

Broadcast rights are ultimately a matter for the event owner, Amaury Sports Organisation, but the Scottish Government will continue to work collaboratively with all partners to develop opportunities to maximise exposure of the event, and ensure it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

The Scottish Government worked collaboratively on arrangements for the recent visit of President Trump to Scotland, and recognises the hard work of the police officers and police staff who delivered this complex and large-scale operation, which ensured a safe and secure visit by the President.

Operational decisions around the planning and delivery of the operation, and the deployment of police officers, were for the Chief Constable. Police Scotland is still determining the costs of this complex policing operation, and they do not expect the final costs to be available until later in the year.

The Scottish Government is engaging with the UK Government to explore the options for funding the costs incurred by Police Scotland and wider public sector partners including the Scottish Government, in supporting the Presidential visit. In the interests of openness and transparency the Scottish Government has committed to making details of the costs publicly available, once they are known.

Public Health Scotland collects data provided by NHS Health Boards on child health reviews as part of the Universal Health Visiting Pathway. These reviews, which take place at 13-15 months, 27-30 months and 4-5 years, cover the following domains:

1.Speech, language and communication development

2.Emotional/behavioural development

3.Personal/social development

4.Fine motor development

5.Gross motor development

6.Vision

7.Hearing

8.Problem solving development

The 4-5 year review was first introduced in April 2017 and implemented by Health Boards between April 2017 and 2020. Therefore, data is only available for all Health Boards for the past 5 years. The latest available data is published by Public Health Scotland here: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/early-child-development/

Coverage for the 4-5 year review has increased substantially, from 23% in 2017-18 to 76% in 2023-24. Therefore, comparisons between these time periods need to be made with caution.

Further detail on the Universal Health Visiting Pathway is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/universal-health-visiting-pathway-scotland-pre-birth-pre-school.