Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has identified a need to amend the law in relation to standing for election and holding office as a councillor ahead of next May’s local government elections. While the law was changed on 1 August 2025 to permit foreign nationals with limited leave to remain to stand as councillors, we have identified a gap in the provisions which mean this did not apply to Commonwealth citizens with limited leave to remain. This is contrary to the aim of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill, which was passed unanimously on 17 December 2024. I therefore plan to introduce a short Bill in September to give Parliament the opportunity to remedy this issue in time for next year’s local authority elections.

We have committed to convene stakeholders within the first 100 days to agree a timeline and route-map for the development of a new national staged intervention approach to additional support needs in education.

The route-map will set out indicative timeframes for the implementation of a Scottish national staged intervention model, which will support improved identification, planning, and provision for children and young people with additional support needs.

We have had no discussions with local authorities and COSLA about replicating the Future Planners Programme.

Heads of Planning Scotland has been supportive with the current Programme, providing work shadowing opportunities and other learning and development sessions for Student Planners. We will continue to work in partnership with planning authorities and other stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions to increase resilience of the planning profession.

The McManus review of additional support for learning published in March, set out six high level and far reaching recommendations to address the evolving ASN systems challenge. The first step in implementing the recommendations will be the publication of a timeline and route map in relation to the national staged intervention model (recommendation 1 of the McManus report) and the associated 100 days commitment. Beyond that it is envisaged that the McManus report will be delivered in stages across the Parliamentary term.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01001 on 24 June 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01001 on 24 June 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01001 on 24 June 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01001 on 24 June 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00315 on 3 June 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01001 on 24 June 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.