Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government takes matters of food security and resilience very seriously. Work is underway on the inaugural food security statement which will have regard to the recently published Rural Support Plan. That statement will build on the package of measures we are already taking to support food production including maintaining direct support for farmers and crofters in stark contrast to policies in other parts of the UK.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 (the 2024 Act) requires Scottish Ministers to make a statement on food security at least every three years, from the Act’s entry into force on 16 June 2025.

The revised Stop and Search Code of Practice (the Code) includes clear safeguards for officers for the conduct of strip and intimate searches. It requires that such searches must be conducted by a constable of the same biological sex as the detainee. It also makes clear that no officer is required to search a person of the opposite sex, even if this request is made, without the officers’ express consent. In addition, the revised Code stresses that if an officer declines to carry out this search, this decision should be respected and they should face no career detriment as a result.

Health Board Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees (ADTCs) are responsible for providing governance and oversight of medicines use, ensuring that local prescribing policies and practices are safe, effective and evidence-based.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) have met with the clinical leadership team from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), and are currently considering what, if any, actions may be required to provide assurance of the medicine governance arrangements and the prescribing practices for immunosuppressed patients in paediatric services at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).

The Rural Support Plan was laid today and will be published tomorrow.

Public bodies, as both employers and service providers, are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all relevant legal obligations. Following the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in FWS v Scottish Ministers, this duty specifically includes compliance with the Equality Act 2010. It is for each organisation to ensure that its policies and practices are legally compliant, and for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the regulator of the Act, to oversee and enforce compliance.

The EHRC’s revised Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations is currently with the UK Government for approval before it is laid in the UK Parliament for scrutiny. The Scottish Government responded to the EHRC’s public consultation on 25 July 2025 and continues to engage with the UK Government as the draft code progresses. We have been clear that, as the regulator of the Equality Act 2010, the EHRC has an important role in providing clarity for public bodies in this complex area of law, and that the Code will provide an opportunity for this clarity.

Public bodies, as both employers and service providers, are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all relevant legal obligations. Following the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in FWS v Scottish Ministers, this duty specifically includes compliance with the Equality Act 2010. It is for each organisation to ensure that its policies and practices are legally compliant, and for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the regulator of the Act, to oversee and enforce compliance.

The Scottish Government - as both an organisation and an employer - must also ensure full compliance with the Supreme Court judgment. The Supreme Court Working Group continues to coordinate and drive the programme of work required as a consequence of the judgment, including the updating of relevant legislation, guidance, and internal policies. Actions delivered by the group are published on the Scottish Government website - UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers): working group - gov.scot

The Supreme Court Working Group is part of the Scottish Government’s core business, and its work does not create additional costs for the public. Meetings are held in a hybrid format, allowing members to join either online or in person as part of their normal duties.

When members attend in person, meetings take place in existing Scottish Government buildings, so no venue costs are incurred. No catering is provided, and members cannot claim expenses for travel to their usual place of work. This means that members do not incur, and cannot claim, any extra costs for attending these meetings.

Health Boards might arrange treatment for some patients outwith NHS Scotland in exceptional circumstances. In all cases, the originating Health Board retains responsibility for funding consultation, diagnosis and treatment for their patients and we expect Scottish NHS Boards to have appropriate processes in place to enable this access.

The consultation closed on 27 October last year. Analysis of the responses has now been completed and a summary of the responses has been published on the Scottish Government Website

Respondents to the consultation provided a wide variety of views in relation to options to amend the existing permitted development rights (PDR) for the conversion of agricultural and forestry buildings to residential use.

There was limited support for, and significant opposition to, the introduction of PDR for new-build homes in rural areas.

The vast majority of respondents opposed the idea of introducing PDR for ‘town centre living’, although some respondents supported the option.

After carefully considering all of the responses received, we have decided not to make changes to the permitted development rights at this time.