Chamber and committees

As a result of the pre and post-election period, we were not able to issue decisions to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) but the processing of applications have since recommenced, and letters to applicants who had been awaiting decisions are being issued.

In total, as of 5 August 2026, there were 281 applications awaiting approval and these are being prioritised by officials.

We are not aware of any delays in making payments in respect of submitted claims.

Rural rail lines are a lifeline for remote communities and this is reflected by the level of financial support provided by the Scottish Government to ScotRail to operate services on these routes. Approximately one quarter of the total cost to operate Scotland’s Railways is committed to servicing all rural lines, despite services on these lines accounting for a much lower percentage of the annual patronage.

ScotRail regularly reviews its services in order to meet passengers’ needs. This includes services in rural areas, taking account of passenger demand and passenger feedback when assessing current provision and considering future timetable developments.

There have been two meetings between the minister with responsibility for energy and representatives of the Scottish National Investment Bank since 2024.

11 January 2024: Meeting between Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy and the Bank to discuss strategic priorities.

12 March 2024: Meeting between Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy and the Bank. Introductory meeting with Chair and Chief Executive of the Bank to discuss the Bank’s progress to date and ambitions for the future.

You can find information about Ministerial engagements on the Scottish Government website at the following link:

Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot

This information is not held. Public Health Scotland (PHS) holds data on MRI and CT activity through aggregated monthly returns submitted directly by NHS Boards. As this data is not collected or held at an individual week or weekend level, PHS is unable to report the number of MRI or CT scans carried out at weekends.

PHS statistics relating to the eight key diagnostic tests are published with data up to 31 March 2026 and can be found using the following link:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/nhs-waiting-times-diagnostics/diagnostic-waiting-times-waits-for-key-diagnostic-tests-26-may-2026/.

The following table sets out the Environment and Forestry Directorate, Strategic Research Funding provided by Scottish Government to our Main Research Providers, The James Hutton Institute, Moredun Research Institute, Scotlands Rural College and The Rowett Institute by theme for the period 2022-27:

Scottish Government is continuing to work with Defra on the UK wide PFAS Plan, published on 3 February 2026, which adopts an evidence-led approach based on understanding PFAS sources, tackling pathways and reducing exposure. It specifically recognises the potential environmental and human-health implications of PFAS and other emerging contaminants in sludge.

The Plan records existing Chemicals Investigation Programme monitoring of PFOS, PFOA and PFBS in treated sludge and provides for further work on the fate of contaminants, improved analytical methods, treatment options and wider evidence gaps. Findings from the current phase of the Chemicals Investigation Programme are expected from 2027.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of healthy soils for food production, climate resilience, biodiversity and Scotland's wider natural capital. We are developing soil indicators and options for soil monitoring through the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Strategic Research Programme, including work towards a Scottish Soil Monitoring Framework. Proposals are also being developed for the next Strategic Research Programme (2027-2032) that will continue this work.

The Scottish Government remains committed to alignment with the European Union where possible and meaningful to do so. We are monitoring the implementation of the EU Soil Monitoring Law and will consider its provisions and underlying principles, alongside Scottish evidence and policy priorities, as we develop our approach to soil monitoring and assessment.

Public sector organisations are expected to provide food that reflects the Eatwell Guide and complies with applicable nutrition standards and regulations. This may include plant-based or other dietary options, as long as nutritional standards are maintained. Although the Scottish Government does not set specific expectations on promoting plant-based foods, it recognises the significant contribution that healthy food makes to wellbeing. Responsibility for procurement and supply chain choices rests with individual organisations. Through local Good Food Nation Plans, Local Authorities and Health Boards can set out clear, locally relevant approaches to promoting a Good Food Nation, including through their food provision, in ways that best meet the needs of their communities.

The Scottish Government does not currently produce a breakdown of annual take-up rates by age group. Where breakdowns are published for specific groups, this is led by user demand and requires the ability to robustly estimate the number eligible for a benefit in each group.

The Scottish Government publishes annual estimates of take-up for devolved benefits where a robust methodology is available. The most recent publication did not include benefits specifically targeted at older people. We do not currently publish take-up estimates for disability benefits, including Pension Age Disability Payment, but continue to explore how these could be developed.

For reserved benefits, we are reliant on DWP data. Analysis published in October 2025 shows that Scotland had the highest Pension Credit take-up rate in Britain in 2023-24, but this does not allow changes over time to be measured.

The Scottish Government has supported and used modelling to inform planning across the wider Trauma and Orthopaedic specialty.

This includes modelling undertaken through the Performance Management and Assessment Tool (PMAT), which considers demand and capacity across the full Trauma & Orthopaedic waiting list to support delivery planning and Scottish Government targets. However, this modelling is not undertaken specifically for hip and knee replacement services.

In addition, work has been undertaken with the University of Strathclyde through the Centre for Sustainable Delivery to model aspects of orthopaedic demand and capacity. This work was conducted at whole-specialty level rather than at the level of individual sub-specialties such as hip and knee replacement surgery.

Separately, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, which is the largest hip and knee replacement centre in the UK, employs a Clinical Fellow who undertakes modelling relating to arthroplasty demand through the Scottish Arthroplasty Project.