Chamber and committees

Details of all external engagements undertaken by Scottish Ministers, including the First Minister, are published on the Scottish Government website and can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/.

From April 2007 to December 2025, the Affordable Housing Supply Programme has supported the delivery of 23,634 homes in Glasgow City Council area with 16,237 being for social rent.

A table showing the number of social and affordable approvals, starts and completions by local authority area can be accessed using the following link (note: this will be updated shortly with latest housing statistics up to 31 December 2025):

Affordable Housing Supply Programme: quarterly updates on approvals, site starts and completions by local authority

Homes delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme comprise homes for social rent, for mid-market rent and for low cost home ownership. These homes take various forms including; new build homes, rehabilitation projects, conversions and off-the-shelf purchases of both new and second hand homes.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting biodiversity, including addressing the decline in species such as swifts, and acknowledges the significance of initiatives such as World Migratory Bird Day.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 includes provision to introduce regulations requiring the installation of swift nest boxes in specified new buildings where reasonably practicable and appropriate. We anticipate that these provisions will be brought forward as part of a phased implementation programme. We will set out further details about the timetable for commencing and implementing the individual provisions in the Act, in due course. We will continue to fully engage with stakeholders throughout the commencement and implementation phases. This will include engagement in relation to changes to building regulations and consultation arrangements. We will ensure stakeholders and members of the public have sufficient time to prepare before we commence any provisions that would directly impact on them.

12 local authorities have completed their rollout of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads with a further 4 due to complete by September. Officials are working closely with the remaining local authorities to support delivery across Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises the impacts that disruption can have on island communities. The First Minister has announced the implementation of a £10 million Islands Resilience Fund as part of the government’s first 100 days commitments, and work is underway to deliver that pledge.

Further details will be announced in due course.

The Scottish Government is working closely with local authorities to understand their delivery plans, associated costs and implementation timelines to complete their roll out of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads. This collaborative process will inform a decision on the overall level of funding provided in 2026-27.

The Scottish Government has taken a number of steps to promote menopause resources and support, including Menopause Cafes.

For example, Menopause Café, the charity, are promoted on the Women’s Health Platform on NHS Inform and the then Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health attended a Menopause Café in October 2025 in support of World Menopause Day.

Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

The Scottish Government does not hold any information on what proportion of the local road network is currently classified as requiring maintenance or repair.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The Member may wish to contact ScotRail directly for the information.

In addition, the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) publishes statistical information on station usage on its website, which can be accessed here: Estimates of station usage | ORR Data Portal.

There is currently no fully established national clinical pathway for Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) specifically commissioned by NHS Scotland.

The development and implementation of clinical pathways is led by NHS under established clinical governance arrangements and informed by clinical evidence and service needs.

Where proposals are put forward for pathway development, these are considered through established, clinically led processes by NHS and relevant national delivery partners.