Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has set up a short life working group to consider existing policies, guidance and legislation which may be impacted by the judgment. This work will position us towards a state of readiness to take all necessary steps when the EHRC’s revised Statutory Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations and updated guidance are published.

Roads Authorities in Scotland, such as local authorities and Transport Scotland can, under existing legislation, restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can be used on roads within their remit.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 allows for the making of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for specific reasons and these can have various types of restrictions such as access restrictions, time-limited restrictions or vehicle class based restrictions.

It is for each Road Authority to ensure their TROs are appropriate and fit for purpose.

Food insecurity is driven by insufficient and insecure household income. No one should have to compromise on food or other essentials.

Mid-year statistics published by Trussell on 20 November 2024 highlighted a 6% decrease in the food parcels distributed in Scotland compared to the same period the previous year (1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023) and a 5% drop in the number of parcels distributed for children.

Our “Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland” Plan sets out the nine actions we are taking to achieve our ambition to improve the response to financial hardship and to reduce the need for emergency food parcels. The actions include the Cash-First Programme, which provides ready access to emergency income when someone has no money for food delivered alongside welfare rights and income maximisation advice and support to prevent future hardship. This Cash-First approach enables people to choose the essentials they need whilst maintaining dignity. An independent evaluation of the Cash-First Programme is ongoing with the final evaluation report expected by April 2026.

However we know more needs to be done and recognise the pressure on household budgets which is why in 2025-26 we will continue to allocate over £3 billion a year to policies which tackle poverty and the cost of living.

The Scottish Government has a legal duty to review and update its Benefit Take-Up Strategy by October 2026. This is in line with regulation 9(c) of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, which states that a new strategy must be produced within 5 years of the last strategy being laid in Parliament.

Roads Authorities in Scotland, such as local authorities and Transport Scotland can, under existing legislation, restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can be used on roads within their remit.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 allows for the making of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for specific reasons and these can have various types of restrictions such as access restrictions, time-limited restrictions or vehicle class based restrictions.

It is for each Road Authority to ensure their TROs are appropriate and fit for purpose.

The Scottish Government will set out its future approach to alcohol and drugs before the end of this parliamentary term.

To develop this plan we are engaging with partner organisations, including delivery bodies and the voices of those with lived and living experience, over the summer to identify actions that will help develop and deliver a strategic plan that covers alcohol.

The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government regarding a statutory mechanism for asylum dispersal.

UK Government announced full asylum dispersal policy in April 2022. Under the policy Home Office contractors can presume that asylum dispersal properties can be procured in any local authority area across the UK.

The Scottish Government is aware that over half of Scotland’s local authorities now have asylum dispersal accommodation in their area.

The Home Office regularly publishes statistical data relating to immigration and asylum including data relating to people seeking asylum in receipt of Home Office support by local authority. Latest data publication is available online: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK

Transport Scotland are aware of the proposed industrial action by staff at the Clyde Tunnel, however no assessment has been made as the Clyde Tunnel is a local road under the responsibility of Glasgow City Council.

It would be a matter for the Council to assess the proposed impact and engage with stakeholders who may be affected.

The Scottish Government’s Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) undertakes risk based aquatic animal health surveillance where Aquaculture Production Businesses are assessed against their regulatory responsibilities with respect to aquatic animal health. This includes routine and intelligence-based inspections.

The FHI monitors international trade of live fish and shellfish using import notification systems and checks on import health certificates, ensuring imports meet the aquatic animal health requirements of the Great Britain trade unit. Where significant risk of listed disease is detected official control measures can be enforced to help reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread.

The FHI’s enforcement policy, including a range of enforcement actions, is set out in its Service Charter which is available on the Scottish Government website. The Service Charter is based upon the Scottish Government’s principles of good regulation including taking a response which is proportionate to the risk posed and the seriousness of any offence.