Chamber and committees

We regularly monitor the performance of the organisation, including our managers, and have a comprehensive offer, in line with our Leadership Development Strategy, to develop the capabilities of managers at all levels to deliver ministerial priorities.

These issues are not caused by Social Security Scotland systems. They are being caused by the way DWP systems are sharing information about Carer’s Allowance and Carer Support Payment awards, which is impacting a small number of carers’ wider support including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Universal Credit. We are engaging with DWP who are continuing to investigate. DWP have issued advice to Local Authorities and Universal Credit staff setting out how to access the correct data to administer their benefits. Any carers who are experiencing problems or have any concerns with their Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction should contact their local authority, or contact DWP for any concerns with their Universal Credit, who can investigate their award and correct any issues.

Scottish Government considers industry involvement and engagement an important component in preventing the spread of Ips typographus into or within Scotland. Regular discussions are held with industry representatives from the nursery sector, growers and processing sector through the scheduled Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group and the Scottish Forest and Timber Technologies Industry Leadership Group.

Extensive surveillance and trapping is conducted across Scotland to monitor for the presence of these beetles. Following the trap finding in Scotland an intensive trapping programme has been underway to catch any residue beetles and prevent a breeding population from establishing in Scotland. There is no evidence that Ips typographus has become established or spread in Scotland.

The Solway Cost and Marine Pilot Project (SCAMPP), business justification case was assessed by the Scottish and UK Governments using HM Treasury Green Book guidance. Appropriate due diligence was undertaken and, following further work by the project development partners to clearly articulate its economic and environmental benefits and demonstrate value for money, it was endorsed by Scottish and UK Government on 20 February 2025. This will allow the research element to proceed.

Investment Zones in Scotland are being jointly delivered by the Scottish and UK Governments. The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government regarding the proposed Investment Zone for the North East region. Weekly progress meetings are held between officials from both Governments to discuss the development of proposals and implementation of the Investment Zone. Additionally, the Scottish and UK Government jointly participate in scheduled fortnightly meetings with the North East Regional Economic Partnership, and more often where required, to ensure continued collaboration.

The Scottish and UK Government jointly developed an evidence-led and objective place selection methodology for Investment Zones, adapting the approach taken by the UK Government in England when selecting Investment Zone regions.

As part of the place selection process, financial modelling was undertaken to assess the potential economic benefits of the proposed Investment Zones. This analysis considered a range of factors, including wellbeing economy need, employment growth, and the attraction of inward investment. The modelling also examined the anticipated fiscal impact, including potential revenue generation and cost implications for both governments. The place selection methodology was published on 18 August 2023.

In addition, the Scottish Government regularly engages with regional stakeholders including the North East Regional Economic Partnership to ensure that the Investment Zone continues to align with local economic priorities and maximises benefits for businesses and communities within the region. Further assessment and refinement of the financial modelling will continue as the Investment Zone proposals are developed through the Gateway process, to ensure its long-term success.

The Cass Review only considered services offered by NHS England, and the report’s 32 recommendations are made to NHS England. As such, NHS England holds responsibility for implementing these recommendations.

The Scottish Government did, however, commit to closely consider the Review’s findings in the context of NHS Scotland services. Accordingly, the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland convened a multidisciplinary team to consider the Review’s recommendations and how they might be applicable to Scotland, which published its findings on 5 July 2024. The Scottish Government has accepted this report and its recommendations.

A “Task and Finish” group, supported by the Scottish Government’s Chief Operating Officer’s Directorate, has now been convened to design a sustainable model for young people’s gender identity services, and the work of this group will be shaped by the multidisciplinary team’s recommendations. Additionally, as recommended by the report, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ended self-referrals to the Sandyford Gender Identity Clinic in August 2024, and the health board is taking forward work to move young people’s gender identity services into a paediatric clinical setting.

The Budget includes a new investment of £4.5 million to deliver specialist support for ME/CFS, Long Covid and other similar conditions. We are exploring whether bringing clinical and third sector stakeholders together to seek further consensus and clarity around the status and implementation of the NICE guidelines on ME/CFS would help deliver this specialist support and, if so, consideration will be given to whether Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), or another organisation, is well placed to facilitate this work.

Since 2020 the Barrhead Line has been electrified (23 single track kilometres) and electrification and enhancement of the line to East Kilbride is underway with a planned completion of December 2025.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is a Competent Authority (CA) as defined in food law for the delivery of Official Controls (OCs) for all approved meat and poultry plants. FSS have a daily presence of Official Veterinarians (OVs) and Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) who operate in these plants to oversee animal health and welfare and protection of public health. They also undertake a series of audits, unannounced inspections, and where required enforcement actions to ensure compliance with food law.