Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the replacement of University Hospital Monklands, Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Belford Hospital, and Barra and Vatersay Community Campus are strategic priorities. The 2026-27 Budget provides the necessary funding to allow the development of the business cases.

It is usual for the business case process, construction and commissioning to take a number of years and there will be greater clarity on timeline once the business case process is complete.

Our planning assumption is that the projects will take 5-7 years to complete.

In Public Health Scotland's report published on 09 December 2025 they state that 998 Scottish residents started a residential rehabilitation placement in 2023-24 and that "... the data submissions suggest that the Scottish Government has already come close to meeting, and possibly has already met, its 2026 target in financial year 2024-25 (at least 993 individuals)." We look forward to the publication of the statistics for 2025-26.

Police Scotland has stated that it investigated reports of suspicious behaviour and found no evidence of criminality. The safety and wellbeing of pupils in school and in the community is of the utmost importance. Responsibility for the safe operation of schools rest with local authorities, who work closely with Police Scotland to assess and respond to any risks, provide reassurance to pupils and communities, and ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

In our manifesto we committed to implementing the stepped care approach to support for adults with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD, as proposed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This will expand support to meet people’s needs, whether or not they have a diagnosis, and make accessing support easier by shifting care to community services.

Within the first 100 days of this Parliament, we will meet with stakeholders to agree a route map and timeline for implementation.

The £2 bus fare cap is currently being delivered as a 12 month pilot and has been successfully rolled out across the Highlands and Islands. A local authority based model was developed as part of the process of establishing the pilot, and the Scottish Government will undertake a formal evaluation of the pilot with partners and bus operators to assess its impacts and identify lessons learned. These findings will inform the development and design of future schemes, including consideration of how a national bus fare cap could be implemented.

The proposal to directly award Ferguson Marine four new vessels are subject to completion of detailed legal, commercial and subsidy control assessments, including engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority. This due diligence is currently underway within the Scottish Government.

The proposed approach is intended to establish a credible and sustained pipeline of work for the yard. This is expected to support its long-term financial sustainability, alongside strengthened governance, enhanced assurance arrangements, and a programme of yard modernisation.

It remains an unwelcome reality that communities across Scotland experience health, quality of life and even life expectancy differently depending on their circumstances.

The Highland Council has confirmed that the new Nairn Academy campus will open to pupils following the October holidays in 2026. This decision was taken following a short delay to the completion of construction works and to allow sufficient time to for the Council to ensure the building is appropriately handed over, supporting a smooth transition for pupils and staff, and minimising disruption during term time.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust continue to engage with the Council, which has confirmed that no further delay to the school’s opening is anticipated.

Seven provisions of the Act are now in force. Implementation planning continues on the remaining 16 sections, working closely with key partners such as Social Security Scotland and the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to ensure the necessary technical and operational arrangements are in place to deliver the efficiencies and improved services to clients that will be achieved under the provisions. A consultation period will close on 10 June for section 18 (Information for Audit), which allows Ministers to request information to estimate the levels and the monetary value of fraud and error in the system, with regulations to follow shortly thereafter.

We are committed to ensuring that people who have suffered strokes receive the best possible care and recognise high quality, person-centred rehabilitation as a key component of this. An increased focus on rehabilitation is also a key component of our Stroke Improvement Plan, published in June 2023 and that is why we have included the investment of up to a million pounds to support Technology Enriched Rehabilitation Gyms.