Chamber and committees

As I set out in my statement to Parliament on 2 June, we will launch our consultation on a legislative approach to restrictions on mobile phones in schools within the first 100 days of this government.

In line with Scottish Government consultation guidelines, the consultation will run for a minimum of 12 weeks. The Scottish Government will publish an analysis of responses thereafter.

The fund has been refocused to target low and middle-income households with a total income of £50,000 or less, as they are less likely to able to meet the upfront cost of installation. Eligibility criteria is reviewed on an annual basis.

While responsibility for managing and maintaining the school estate sits with local authorities, Scottish Government officials continue to engage closely with The Highland Council and remains clear about the importance of ensuring facilities meet relevant standards and provide a safe environment for pupils and staff.

The Council met with parents of Rosebank Primary School pupils on 15 June to discuss the issues raised, including concerns about toilet provision. A further meeting is scheduled for 29 June, where the Council will provide an update on current arrangements and outline its assessment of the improvements it intends to deliver as part of a planned improvement programme for the school.

In the interim, the Council is also exploring the installation of temporary toilet units to help address current pressures. The Scottish Government expects the Council to continue to assess provision carefully and to ensure that both interim and longer-term arrangements meet relevant standards and guidance, with the welfare of pupils and staff remaining the priority.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of community ownership in Scotland, which is why, in 2026-27, we have provided over £7 million of funding to support the Scottish Land Fund. This has allowed those communities to then generate a further £60 million in additional funding, from various sources, as a result of owning assets.

The Scottish Government has set out clear objectives for the Just Transition Fund – to support the North East and Moray in transitioning to a net zero economy and mitigate the economic and social challenges associated with reducing dependence on carbon-intensive industries. These objectives are reflected in the criteria for the Fund this year which are; jobs, skills and economic opportunities; communities and place; people and equity; environment, biodiversity and adaptation.

Whilst the UK Government is yet to share any detailed impact assessment with Scottish Ministers, we are continuing to work closely with the UK Government to assess the costs and benefits of the deal, including the implications of recently announced implementation measures and pilot programmes.

When the impact assessments are made available, we will consider the implications the price changes for medicines will have on the NHS in Scotland.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including queries relating to the management of Holyrood Park, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to her question in writing.

Employment law and the Employment Tribunal system are both reserved and administered by His Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS). The Scottish Government has not made representations to the UK Government regarding scheduling matters, waiting times, the impact of waiting times, or the time taken for employment tribunal claims in the reserved tribunals to conclude.

The Scottish Government does not centrally hold information on these matters. Information regarding these subjects may be held by HMCTS, who can be contacted at [email protected].

The future investment on maintenance at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful in the next five years is estimated in the table below. These figures exclude funding for construction or development of the medium-term and long-term solutions, which will be determined through annual budget processes. These figures are provisional and are subject to change, for example due to unpredictable landslip events, findings from geo-hazard assessments, competing priorities, etc.

The Scottish Government recognises the positive impact that Instrumental Music Instructors play in supporting young people to learn a musical instrument.

I am aware that a range of music stakeholders representing Instrumental Music Instructors (IMIs) have advocated for IMI’s to be registered as Instrumental Music Teachers for some time. That is why we recently undertook a consultation exercise to understand the implications of this change and gather information from a range of partners on the consequences of this change in their respective areas. Following the conclusion of this consultation period I will be reviewing the information gathered with my officials, recognising the complexities which do exist when considering a change of this kind.