Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government last year consulted on potential new permitted development rights for the installation (and subsequent repair and maintenance) of underground pipework and associated apparatus for the purposes of connecting individual buildings to a heat network. The Scottish Government decided not to make changes to permitted development rights at that time. We have recently committed to further explore improving permitted development rights, including for small-scale renewable energy production.

The Scottish Government last year consulted on potential new permitted development rights for the installation (and subsequent repair and maintenance) of underground pipework and associated apparatus for the purposes of connecting individual buildings to a heat network. The Scottish Government decided not to make changes to permitted development rights at that time. We have recently committed to further explore improving permitted development rights, including for small-scale renewable energy production.

The Scottish Government has no plans to amend schedule 1 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (the EIA Regulations). Decision-makers have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of all planning applications. In cases where a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, these powers are further supplemented by the requirements and procedures set out in the EIA Regulations.

The Scottish Government has no plans to amend schedule 1 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (the EIA Regulations). Decision-makers have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of all planning applications. In cases where a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, these powers are further supplemented by the requirements and procedures set out in the EIA Regulations.

The Scottish Government takes its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, including Articles 2 and 8, extremely seriously.

While we understand that challenges remain around timely access for women in Wigtownshire, we have not identified any evidence to suggest that the current provision of maternity services is incompatible with Convention rights.

Maternity services continue to be provided for women in Wigtownshire, including local antenatal and postnatal care, scanning and the option of midwife-supported home birth for women who choose to birth locally.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to provide maternity services that are delivered as close to home as practically possible, while ensuring the safety of mother and baby. Within the policies we set, it is for NHS Boards to determine how best a service should be delivered to meet the needs of their local population.

In her statement to parliament on 11 June, the Cabinet Secretary made clear that the needs of women in Wigtownshire will be taken into consideration by the newly appointed independent chair of our national maternity services review. This work will commence after Summer and will be done at pace. We expect the review to be completed within 9 months.

The Scottish Government has reviewed the 2025 biennial workforce survey carried out by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).

Responsibility for workforce planning rests with individual local authorities and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) in their role as employers. While decisions on the day-to-day delivery of statutory services are matters for local authorities, the Scottish Government has a strategic interest in the effective delivery of trading standards services across Scotland.

Scottish Ministers have asked Consumer Scotland to develop recommendations that will inform how the Scottish Government can support the delivery of effective trading standards services that deliver positive outcomes for people and communities.

Budgets are set annually by the Scottish Parliament: The Scottish Budget Process | Scottish Parliament Website

The Scottish Budget incorporates all money expected to be received from the Barnett determined block grant, borrowing, taxes raised in Scotland and other sources of income including the expected income from the sale of shared equity, which will include from First Homes Fund. This anticipated income then provides the framework for the spending decisions made by Scottish Ministers and set out in the Scottish budget which is then scrutinised voted on by the Scottish parliament.

The Scottish Budget 2026 to 2027 includes anticipated Financial Transaction (FT) Receipts of £80 million which support the Affordable Housing Supply Programme FT budget of £163.4 million. Please refer to the Housing Tab in the supporting Level 4 Workbooks 2026-27 Supporting documents - Scottish Budget 2026 to 2027 - gov.scot.

The Scottish Government’s strategic approach is to deliver digital appointment functionality through MyCare.scot as part of the wider Digital Front Door programme. Building on existing common national digital capabilities and infrastructure, this will support a more consistent, scalable and interoperable appointments experience across health and social care services in Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises the role of developers of all sizes in contributing to new housing delivery, including both large-scale housebuilders and small and medium-sized enterprise developers.

More broadly, we continue to engage with the Construction Leadership Forum’s Skills and Workforce Group as they consider potential opportunities for government and industry to work together even more to sustain and enhance a skilled and competent workforce for Scotland, and we are working to further improve both access to the Construction Industry from Further Education and apprenticeship retention.

Through the establishment of the new national housing agency, More Homes Scotland, we will take a strategic, system-wide approach to increasing housing delivery, working with developers and others to help deliver the homes that Scotland needs.