Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises that reform of the legal aid system is needed, which is why we have committed to launching a consultation on a Legal Aid Reform Bill within our first 100 days.

Work continues at pace, including engagement with key stakeholders and consideration of options for reform.

The consultation will explore how the system could be more responsive and user-centred, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of publicly funded legal assistance.

We will carefully consider the responses to ensure we deliver an adaptable, flexible, affordable and sustainable legal aid system in Scotland that supports people who are facing challenging issues and problems.

That process will shape the content of the Bill and inform when it can be introduced to Parliament.

The Inclusive Parliament Review has various workstreams including a Facilities Review and a review of our Dignity at Work arrangements. The Clerk/Chief Executive commissioned the Dignity at Work Review in light of strengthened statutory duties from the Worker Protection (Amendment of the Equality Act 2010) 2023 and forthcoming requirements within the Employment Rights Act 2025. Information about the Inclusive Parliament Review is available on the Intranet.

As part of the Dignity at Work Review, all SPCB staff and Members’ staff were invited to take part in an internal survey. We also consulted with staff, trade unions, staff forums, external equalities groups and MSPs, and undertook a benchmarking exercise looking at the approach taken in other parliaments. In addition, our Independent Support and Advocacy Service invited people to give feedback on their experiences. The results from the internal survey and associated work were published on 12 March 2026 and its recommendations were endorsed by the Presiding Officer and leaders of all the political parties in Parliament on 13 March 2026.

We have made progress on a number of recommendations including:

• Updated zero-tolerance statement of all forms of unacceptable behaviour, including bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.
• An Employers’ Pledge will be introduced in June to set shared expectations of dignity, courtesy and respect across all employers in Parliament. All Members and contractors will be invited by the Clerk/Chief Executive to become signatories, and it has already been highlighted in new Members’ induction sessions.
• A refreshed “Safe to Speak up” campaign has been designed and implemented to support and encourage individuals to come forward and report any unacceptable behaviour they have experienced or witnessed. Further activity is planned over the coming months.
• Introduction of a risk assessment framework to support SPCB as an employer to identify and mitigate risks of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment, including third-party harassment, in June.
• Development of a toolkit for Members as employers to allow them to carry out risk assessments, which will be introduced by September.
• Review and update of key behavioural policies, including the development of a Prevention of Bullying and Harassment policy, which will be published by November.

In March 2026 we commissioned a Facilities Review survey to help us consider the provision, designation, and accessibility of toilets, changing rooms, and showering facilities across the Holyrood estate. Findings will be published in June. They will be used to help us identify any improvements and ensure we create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all, while also meeting our legal obligations (in terms of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, relevant building regulations and the Equality Act 2010, taking account of guidance published from the statutory regulator, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).)

The delivery of the agreed actions will be planned over the session and will be prioritised based on available resources and staff time. Further updates on progress made towards the recommendations will be published on the Intranet over the same period.

We are continuing to work with NHS Boards, local authorities, COSLA, the third sector and other delivery partners to improve access to neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and adults.

For children and young people, this includes continuing our work with COSLA and the Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopment Taskforce to deliver on the actions set out in the implementation review of the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People. Additional investment in 2025/26 is funding an ongoing project to supplement health board diagnostic assessment capacity throughout Scotland, particularly for young people approaching transition to adult services.

For adults, we will also ensure we work with partners across Scotland to take forward the proposals from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland’s 4-tier national pathway for neurodevelopmental conditions; ensuring anyone with or without a formal neurodevelopmental diagnosis can access the support they need when and where they need it. A timetable and route map for this work will be published in the first 100 days of this Government.

Information on how much money the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) has spent on employment settlement agreements (taken to mean a contract entered into by employer and employee to resolve an employment dispute); associated legal advice; and settlements in relation to employment tribunals (which account for employment dispute costs) in each of the four financial years since 2022-23 can be found at the following link: FOI - Legal Counsel and Settlements | WICS

For financial year 2021-22, there were no employee settlement agreements paid by WICS. Information on costs relating to employment disputes and associated legal advice are not held centrally.

Procurement is underway for a national artificial intelligence solution to support rapid identification of patients who would benefit from a thrombectomy procedure. A further update will be provided following the conclusion of the procurement process.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. In 2026-27 we have added £14.4 million to the record £17.6 billion of core funding to Health Boards to ensure that the ongoing costs of consumables for people currently using closed loop systems continue to be met.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care wrote to Board Chief Executives on 29 May 2026 stating her expectation that this funding is spent on closed loop system consumables as intended and asking them to confirm the steps being taken in their Boards to ensure this happens.

The Scottish Government fully recognises the pain and distress experienced by people impacted by Mr Eljamel’s practice. That is why we established the statutory public inquiry into the actions of Mr Eljamel and NHS Tayside to ensure patients obtain answers to their questions and that lessons are learned.

The Scottish Government has awarded a contract for trauma-informed support for individuals involved in the public inquiry, recognising that for some individuals the process of participating in the Inquiry could cause distress. The award of this contract was published on the Public Contracts Scotland portal in line with Scottish Government policy. Please refer to the link View Notice - Public Contracts Scotland.

The Eljamel Inquiry has also established a dedicated Support Hub to provide information and assistance to individuals affected by, or participating in, the Inquiry. This includes former patients, family members, witnesses, and others who may engage with its work. The Inquiry recognises that many individuals have experienced trauma and is therefore committed to conducting its work in a trauma-informed manner, with the aim of minimising the risk of further distress.

The Support Hub outlines a range of assistance available to those involved. This includes emotional support, including during hearings; participant support for those directly engaging with the Inquiry process; legal support; assistance related to participation in the Independent Clinical Review; and signposting to external organisations offering additional support services.

Furthermore, the Independent Case Note Review (ICR) team also provides dedicated support for former patients and their families. While this service does not directly relate to the operational matters concerning delayed hearings, it represents an additional avenue through which individuals can seek assistance. Through emailing the mailbox, individuals are able to submit requests for support, which are then directed to the appropriate team best placed to provide help. For ease of reference, a link to this information is provided below.

Eljamel Independent Clinical Review: December 2025 update - gov.scot.

The Scottish government acknowledges the important role that artificial intelligence can play in supporting the diagnosis and management of stroke and the procurement of the national solution reflects the intention to include the use of artificial intelligence in the stroke pathway.

£14 million was originally allocated to the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) in 2025-26, as the Scottish Government piloted delivering up-front capital funding to support farmers and crofters to deliver the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture. In response to high application rates, it was announced on 23 October 2025 that £7 million additional funding would be made available and a total of £21.4 million was allocated to successful applicants in 2025-26.

In 2026-27, capital funding continues to be under significant pressure, with Scotland’s capital block grant due to reduce in real terms by 0.3% per annum by 2029-30. Despite these pressures, it has been possible to allocate £14.25 million to a second round of the FFIS, slightly exceeding the level of funding initially proposed in 2025-26. This is part of the £26 million Agricultural Modernisation Fund budget, which will also fund vital support for our food production and food processing sector, small producers and agritourism.

The Scottish Government fully recognises the pain and distress experienced by people impacted by Mr Eljamel’s practice. That is why we established the statutory public inquiry into the actions of Mr Eljamel and NHS Tayside to ensure patients obtain answers to their questions and that lessons are learned. The First Minister and former Cabinet Secretary for Health have met on several occasions with affected individuals and have been clear that the Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to ensure they get the answers they are seeking.

The work of the Inquiry is continuing. The Scottish Government accepted that the decision to postpone the hearings scheduled in April and May was one for the Chair, Lord Weir. The work with core participants continues to enable progress to be made on the Inquiry.

It is important that this process takes place, allowing core participants and members of the Inquiry to come together to fully address the issues.

Most recently, Scottish Government officials met with Lord Weir, on 16 April 2026 to discuss various operational matters including those relating to Waverley Gate. Following that meeting, regular action reporting was established, with officials providing weekly updates to the Inquiry, via the Inquiry Secretariat, on progress against actions relating to the hearing suite and impact on the inquiry timeline.

The Inquiry Chair held a virtual Procedural Hearing on 14 May 2026, during which Lord Weir and Counsel to the Inquiry, further examined issues relating to Waverley Gate as well as updating Core Participants on the Inquiry plans for the next scheduled hearings in September 2026. At that hearing, the Scottish Government committed to continue to provide detailed updates on progressing the resolution to the Waverley Gate building issues.

The Scottish Government has since then continued to progress actions arising from that hearing with urgency and have provided the most recent update to the Inquiry Chair which will allow him to consider options to ensure there is no further delay to the Inquiry hearing schedule.