Chamber and committees

Scottish Government welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to the impact economy. The PfG published earlier this month announced the development of a new Social Economy Strategy, enabling the future development of social enterprises and other forms of socially oriented business models. This work will be led by the Scottish Government's Economy Directorate, demonstrating Scottish Governments commitment to the social economy being at the heart of our wider economic growth. In developing the new social economy strategy Scottish Government will ensure that their is alignment with the Third Sector Partnership Agreement that is being progressed within SG communities.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of improving awareness and understanding of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome PoTS among healthcare professionals to reduce delays in diagnosis and variation in the advice and support that patients receive.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has completed a rapid evidence review on PoTS, and an interim signposting document has been developed to guide clinicians to current evidence-based resources for the management of PoTS in adults with Long Covid and post-viral syndromes. While PoTS is not limited to these contexts, this resource may be helpful where it is clinically relevant. The document is available on the NHS Scotland Long Covid Network website at: https://www.nn.nhs.scot/longcovid/for-professionals/.

I am grateful to the Scottish Law Commission for its detailed report and recommendations. The Scottish Government recognises the important of ensuring that tenement buildings are properly maintained, and that owners are supported to plan for and fund repairs.

Policy officials are currently undertaking further scoping work, including reviewing the SLC report, giving sufficient time to explore issues as well as engaging with key stakeholders in order to develop proposals.

As you will be aware, tenement maintenance was a manifesto commitment during the 2026 Parliamentary Election and we have committed to reform the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004.

The Scottish Government has recently consulted on Nephrops Fisheries Management Plans: Proposed West Coast of Scotland Nephrops and North Sea Nephrops Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

The draft plans recognise the potential use of Functional Unit (FU) management for Nephrops stocks and propose to undertake an in-depth options appraisal for FU management of Nephrops.

We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will work with stakeholders as part of our co-management approach in order to further explore and address the complexities of FUs.

The Scottish Government recognises that a highly skilled early learning and childcare (ELC) workforce is central to delivering high-quality outcomes for children and families.

Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are employer-led and designed to align with current and future skills needs. They provide one route into the sector, alongside other pathways such as college qualifications, Modern Apprenticeships and university-based study.

We continue to monitor demand for GAs through engagement with employers, labour market intelligence and consultation with organisations such as the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). This helps to ensure that provision remains responsive to the needs of the sector and supports the development of a skilled ELC workforce.

Since NHS Grampian moved to Stage 4 of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework for finance, leadership and governance in May 2025, a range of support measures have been put in place commensurate with the Board’s financial challenges. This includes a Scottish Government-led Assurance Board, which provides enhanced oversight and support to NHS Grampian, monitoring progress against key financial and operational challenges while strengthening financial governance. It continues to work closely with the Board's leadership team to support recovery planning and help return the Board to a sustainable financial footing.

NHS Grampian remain on track to meet key financial targets in 2026-27.

The Scottish Government, together with the other UK nations, is planning to evaluate the impact of the policy, including on the incidence of neural tube defects and on population health more widely. It is important that both the anticipated benefits and any potential adverse effects are considered as part of this evaluation.

The level of folic acid fortification will be kept under review as part of the evaluation of this policy. Work is underway to identify and establish appropriate baseline and post-implementation measures so that the impact of fortification can be robustly assessed, including any emerging evidence relating to groups who may be at increased risk of adverse effects.

The legal responsibility lies with parents to ensure their children receive a sufficient education. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people, including those from Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, have access to the support they need to achieve their full potential.

Local authorities have primary responsibility for ensuring that Gypsy/Traveller children can access education and remain engaged in learning. The Scottish Government supports this work through funding the Centre for Education for Traditionally Nomadic Communities (STEP). STEP works with local authorities to promote flexible and culturally responsive approaches to attendance and engagement, including Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children and young families maintain links with their school and continue their education while travelling.

Management of the progress of criminal cases is an independent matter for Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the judiciary. In individual cases, effective judicial management of the progress of a criminal case is an important element of the role of the judiciary. Where trial dates are sought to be moved by either the prosecution or the defence, the judiciary will consider carefully whether a move of date is in the interests of justice. The length of time a case waited for trial and the number of times a trial may have been moved back are relevant factors the judiciary will consider in any request to move a trial date. The judiciary must ensure the overall fairness of a trial when making decisions about moving trial dates and the Scottish Government has no direct role in such decisions.

The Scottish Government has noted the publication of the UK Government’s “Our Place to Give” strategy with interest. We recognise the significant history of philanthropy in Scotland and welcome the opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s Third Sector through meaningful collaboration with philanthropists and charitable foundations.

We are committed to developing a Third Sector Partnership Agreement in collaboration with the sector and other partners, including independent funders. The Partnership is an opportunity to build on the relationship between Scottish Government and the Third Sector, recognise the third sector’s role and reset how Scottish Government, the third sector and partners work together to design and deliver policy and services that meet the needs of the people of Scotland.