Chamber and committees

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The role of authorities in the planning system will be part of this dialogue. Our proposals should mean decisions are taken closer to people where that could improve local outcomes, on the services and functions most appropriate. The existing framework for local development plans remains in place at present and we are supporting their timely delivery.

The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

The possible functions of regional authorities, community authorities and the national parks will be a key part of discussions going forward.

The Scottish Government’s proposals for local government reform will not alter the constitutional, or statutory status of Scotland’s two National Park Authorities. The Scottish Government’s proposals for local government reform is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take. The relationship of regional authorities to Scotland’s two national park authorities will be taken into consideration during that dialogue.

Scotland's National Parks include board members representing all local authorities currently within their respective areas. The Government’s Proposal for Reform of Local Governance is a starting point for discussion. It is intended to facilitate debate and discussion with the objective of establishing a measure of shared agreement about the scale and the broad shape that reform could take.

Suicide Prevention Scotland recently reviewed the academic evidence on teaching suicide prevention in schools. While the findings suggest there can be benefits from suicide prevention awareness education, some studies have identified an increased risk for students. Work is underway through the Creating Hope Together Action Plan to identify and evaluate delivery models which mitigate the risks and strengthen guidance and resources for schools to ensure appropriate safeguarding, staff training and access to support services are embedded.

Resources to support learning in mental health, self-harm, and suicide prevention are available from Education Scotland, including professional learning and links to NHS Inform. There is also a comprehensive package of resources including information on support organisations, designed to help primary and secondary school staff to support the positive mental wellbeing of learners.

It is for teachers, schools and local authorities to determine how best to deliver learning and teaching on suicide prevention, in line with the Curriculum for Excellence. We expect teachers to use their professional judgement, experience and understanding of their pupils to respond sensitively to complex and challenging issues.

The Scottish Government has no plans to amend the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 as part of its proposed local government reforms. We will be required to amend both National Parks Designation Orders to reflect any changes to the local authorities within the boundaries of both National Parks.

I will be meeting with representatives from Better Buses for Strathclyde and other stakeholders in the coming weeks to discuss their views on what proposals should be considered for the Better Buses Legislation programme. In addition, my officials will be undertaking further opportunities for engagement and discussion with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the Better Buses campaign groups, on the development of the proposals for the Better Buses programme.

We are at the very start of the engagement process with regards to these proposals, and I am happy to engage with all stakeholders who have an interest in this issue.

The following organisations were invited to the first of a number of events held on 26 August 2026: Association of Transport Coordinating Officers, Confederation of Passenger Transport Scotland, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Bus Users UK, Transport Focus, Community Transport Association, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, South West of Scotland Transport Partnership, North-East of Scotland Transport Partnership, Stagecoach South Scotland, McGills, Lothian Buses, First Bus, Citylink and West Coast Motors.

The discussion enabled some stakeholders to provide views on our initial proposals and identify options to be explored further as the programme develops. A note of the meeting will be published in due course.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges facing the planning profession in Scotland and we have taken account of a range of research. The Royal Town Planning Institute’s State of the Profession 2025: Scotland report shows the aging demographic profile of the profession and the need to attract and develop future planners. Research undertaken by Skills Development Scotland and the National Planning Improvement Team’s annual Workforce and Capacity Report highlights that further action is needed to meet demand for planning professionals and ensure sufficient current and future capacity within the planning system.

We are taking action to ensure that planning services have the capacity, skills and expertise needed to operate efficiently and to increase confidence and certainty in the planning process. This complements other organisations’ investments in their professional planning teams.

Last year, the Scottish Government invested £850,000 to help reverse the decline in the planning profession by creating the following pathways into planning for 48 new student planners:

• 17 graduates joined our award-winning Future Planners Programme, undertaking a two-year programme of work-based learning.
• A further 30 students received support through our Planning Bursary Scheme while undertaking professionally accredited planning degrees.
• We are also developing talent within Government by supporting a member of staff to undertake a part-time, work-based planning qualification.

This year, a further £150,000 has been offered to Dundee, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt Universities, through our Planning Bursary Scheme, with the funding shared across the three universities to support access to RTPI-accredited postgraduate planning courses across the country.

The first cohort of Future Planners is expected to be qualified and career-ready by July 2027, supporting a pipeline of planners. We are currently developing options for a second iteration of our Future Planners Programme.

The Scottish Government is a core partner in the Partners in Planning network, which supports planning education and skills development across Scotland. This provides a forum for engagement with planning schools, Heads of Planning Scotland, COSLA, industry and other partners on the skills and workforce challenges facing the profession.

Over the past two months, officials have met with each of Scotland’s RTPI-accredited planning schools and a college provider. A key focus of this engagement has been around raising the profile of planning to attract more people into the profession, building future workforce capacity and ensuring education and training provision meets the needs of employers. We will continue to work closely with education providers to support these objectives.

We also recently endorsed the creation of a new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway into planning at Heriot-Watt University. The new course would provide an important new route into the profession, supporting efforts to expand planning education and develop the future planning workforce in Scotland.