Chamber and committees

To create a world-leading investment ecosystem, Scotland needs a continuum of capital able to meet the needs of companies and projects across all sectors and stages. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of strengthening domestic sources of investment and ownership alongside attracting high-quality inward investment.

The Scottish Government also recognises the value of collaboration between public sector investors, local government, economic development agencies and community organisations (including development trusts) and is continuing to consider how existing partnerships and investment mechanisms can best support these objectives. We continue to engage with the Scottish National Investment Bank, Scotland's economic development agencies, local authorities and the Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme to explore opportunities to increase investment in businesses, infrastructure and communities in Scotland.

Decisions on investment by Local Government Pension Scheme funds remain matters for the administering authorities, which must act in accordance with their fiduciary duties and the relevant statutory framework.

The Government remains committed to developing Scotland's investment ecosystem, including support for community ownership, patient capital and business growth finance.

The Local Government Settlement provided record funding of £15.7 billion for 2026-27, including a quarter of a billion pounds of unrestricted General Revenue Grant and full flexibility on council tax. The vast majority of that funding is provided by means of a block grant and it is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on community policing, on the basis of local needs and priorities.

Community policing also remains a priority for Police Scotland, and police officers will continue to be embedded in communities across the country. Scotland’s national police service allows local divisions across the country to access specialist expertise and resources at regional and national level depending on demand. Police Scotland’s executive team and Scottish Police Authority board members engage directly with individual local authority members as part of the COSLA Police Scrutiny Convenors Forum.

The Scottish Government has a long history of working with our partners across the public sector to address any challenges and to ensure that communities feel safe and continue to receive the high quality public services that they expect and deserve.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01587 on 27 July 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

PSD Scotland publishes data on the number of nursing graduates and available posts by reporting the percentage of students that have completed pre-registration education by field of practice each year and the number of vacant posts by NHS Board and sub-job family broken down each quarter, NHS Scotland workforce | Turas Data Intelligence

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that Glasgow’s transport network supports sustainable economic growth, improves access to employment and essential services, and reduces the impacts of traffic on local communities.

The Scottish Government is committed to increasing private capital investment to Scotland to grow the Scottish economy and support a just transition.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01403 on 27 July 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

Data on child and adolescent mental health services expenditure is published annually in arrears by Public Health Scotland (PHS) in the Scottish Health Service Costs Book (https://publichealthscotland.scot/healthcare-system/system-monitoring-accountability-and-quality-of-care/finance-within-the-nhs/costs-book/costs-book-publication).

The latest available data is for 2023-24 and includes a breakdown by NHS Board. It shows estimated total expenditure on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) increased by £19.4 million in 2023-24 to £134.2 million, 9.03% of total mental health expenditure and 0.82% of total net expenditure in NHSScotland (an increase on 8.78% and 0.75% respectively in 2022-23).

Publication of Costs Book data for 2024-25 has been delayed due to the local NHS board implementation of a new costing system (PLICS) over the last year but PHS expects to publish available data for mental health on 11 August 2026.

Data on mental health expenditure and child and adolescent mental health services expenditure is published annually in arrears by Public Health Scotland in the Scottish Health Service Costs Book (https://publichealthscotland.scot/healthcare-system/system-monitoring-accountability-and-quality-of-care/finance-within-the-nhs/costs-book/costs-book-publication).

The latest available data is for 2023-24. Data for 2025-26 which will determine whether the targets have been met is expected to be published in 2027.

I am pleased to announce the publication of An Infection Prevention and Control Strategy for Scotland: Vision and Priority Statements, developed in partnership with the Infection Prevention and Control Strategic Development and Oversight Group.

This is the first national integrated strategy of its kind across the UK and Ireland. Its publication underlines our commitment to safe, high-quality health and social care services for the people of Scotland. It will be underpinned by a series of three-year action plans that will be co-produced with wider partners and agreed by summer 2027.

This strategy was developed using a human rights based approach and sets a clear direction for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policy over the next decade. It has been shaped directly by the insight and expertise of key stakeholders across the health and social care landscape. At its core is a single, unifying vision: a Scotland where preventable infection is minimised for all people accessing, using or providing health and social care.

To deliver on this ambition, the strategy outlines eight priority statements essential for sustainable progress in Scotland that will guide our focus in strengthening patient and staff safety and improving system-wide preparedness. It complements our broader reform agenda and supports national ambitions to reduce health inequalities, improve population health and ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of services.

I am clear that publication marks the beginning of this journey. Meaningful change can only be achieved through the development, implementation and evaluation of action plans and informed by an extensive engagement programme with individuals, communities and organisations across Scotland.