Chamber and committees

The membership list for the Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce was published on gov.scot website in February 2026 and can be found here Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce - gov.scot.

Officials across the Justice and Environment and Forestry Directorates are currently working with stakeholders before taking the required action needed to commence section 61 of the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Act. This work will be completed in due course.

The Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) pay supplement was replaced following a review with a new Government Digital and Data (GDD) pay supplement aligned to the UK Civil Service profession framework. Pay supplements are temporary measures, subject to regular review, and are retained, amended or withdrawn based on evidence of recruitment and retention pressures. The review concluded that pay supplements should continue to be applied where there is evidence of recruitment and retention challenges linked to market conditions. As a result, roles where higher external salaries create difficulties in attracting and retaining suitably skilled staff continue to attract a pay supplement at an appropriate market rate.

The Scottish Government does not hold this operational information. The member may wish to contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service directly, as the Service is responsible for the deployment and operation of its vehicles.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on average waiting times for autism assessments at either national or parliamentary region level.

We are, however, aware of challenges and significant waiting times for autism assessments in some areas of Scotland. We continue to work with NHS Boards, COSLA and wider partners to improve access to neurodevelopmental support.

The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce considered miscarriage services at its meetings on 26 February and 25 March. The minutes of the Taskforce have been published on the Scottish Government website (Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce - gov.scot)

Ministers are currently considering the role and remit of the Taskforce and how it works alongside the independent review of maternity services which commences in September 2026.

The Scottish Government does not hold this operational information. The member may wish to contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service directly, as the Service is responsible for the deployment and operation of its vehicles.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken a feasibility study for a Demolition Levy. The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce a Demolition Levy and while the Scottish Government share concerns around carbon emissions from demolition and the preservation of the built environment, the Scottish Government believes the most straight forward response would be for the UK Government to address any VAT imbalances which disincentivise reuse, retrofitting and refurbishment.

The decision on whether care payments should be backdated due to processing backlogs rests with the relevant local authority. Where an assessment has been completed and a decision has been made on a person's eligibility and support needs, local authorities should consider the circumstances of any delay in implementing support. This includes considering whether support was provided within a reasonable period following the assessment and, where appropriate, whether backdating of payments is justified.

The Scottish Government does not hold this operational information. The member may wish to contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service directly, as the Service is responsible for the deployment and operation of its vehicles.