Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland is not currently able to approve the opening of the M80 overbridge at Robroyston. This is because the developer has still to complete all outstanding construction works, carry out a Principal Bridge Inspection, and finalise a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit. Responsibility for completing these actions, and therefore enabling the footbridge to open, rests with the developer.

The Scottish Government has made continued progress on its review of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). Work has focused on engaging with key stakeholders to identify current strengths and opportunities to support the development of the AKIS. This includes activities to better support knowledge exchange and the flow of knowledge and innovation between stakeholders in the AKIS and to understand how to better co-ordinate the AKIS in Scotland.

While the Scottish Government continues to monitor commercial delivery plans to inform eligibility for publicly subsidised intervention, it does not have the power to mandate publication of these commercial plans. We will however continue to publish build plans for publicly subsidised interventions through our address checker which can be found at: Faster broadband in Scotlandhttps://broadbandchecker.service.gov.scot/.

As part of the National Action Plan for relationships and behaviour in schools, the Recording and Monitoring Short Life Working Group are developing a set of principles to underpin recording and monitoring of behaviour in schools. The Principles will support consistency in approach and process in recording and monitoring across Local Authorities and schools. These principles are expected to be published in Summer 2026.

The telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, regularly publishes information in relation to full fibre and gigabit-capable broadband coverage in Scotland as part of their Connected Nations updates. The most recent update was published on 13 May 2026 showing coverage figures for January 2026. An interactive report is published alongside, including local authority area breakdown of full fibre coverage, which can be found at: Connected Nations update: Spring 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS publishes prison numbers on a quarterly basis via the Prisoner Information Page (PIP), the most recent of which can be found here: Public Information Page

Additionally, SPS publish Prison Population Data Reports which illustrate the population in custody broken down by custody type, gender, and age, the most recent of which can be found here: Prison Population data 12 June 2026.xlsx.

Scotland is a high confidence, stable and attractive destination for investment. Building on these strong foundations, the Major Projects Office will coordinate, package, and accelerate nationally significant projects involving private sector investment, serving as a single point of contact to identify projects that are in the national interest and assist with ensuring that these are built faster. The Major Projects Office will commence operation later this year, with further detail on project criteria and engagement with relevant delivery bodies to follow.

The insolvency of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) is an ongoing legal process. The Scottish Government appreciates the challenges that this has created for the staff affected and for Glasgow’s cultural community more broadly.

The Scottish Government’s preference is to see 350 Sauchiehall Street re-open as an important asset to both Glasgow’s and Scotland’s culture and creative sector.

Creative Scotland, as owner of the building, continues to work on an open process for its future with the intention to sell the building as a cultural asset.

The former Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, met Juergen Maier, interim Chair of GB Energy, and Dan McGrail, CEO of GB Energy, on 14 May 2025. A range of matters were discussed, focusing on how the Scottish Government, public bodies and GB Energy can work together to progress opportunities for Scotland’s businesses and communities.

I met Dan McGrail at the Global Offshore Wind conference on 17 June and we discussed GB Energy’s priorities in Scotland, the need to align with existing delivery mechanisms and the importance of support for our supply chain.

The Scottish Government has spent a total of £2,577.32 in the last 5 financial years with Dance Ireland for the purpose of Supporting Dance Ireland/ Dance base Exchange Programme. £2,577.32 in Financial Year 2024-25 is the only expenditure.