Chamber and committees

Following the parliamentary question asked on 24 January 2022, Public Health Scotland (PHS) published a statistical report in May 2022 on inpatient deaths for patients with learning disabilities and autism at the request of the Scottish Government. The full report can be found on the PHS website:

https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/psychiatric-care-inpatient-deaths-for-patients-with-learning-disabilities-and-autism.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43267 on 29 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government has today published its analysis report and response to the Heat in Buildings Bill Consultation, available at this link Delivering net zero for Scotland's buildings - Heat in Buildings Bill: consultation analysis.

The consultation responses have directly informed the development of the draft Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill, which I intend to introduce as early as possible in the next Parliament, subject to the outcome of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election and UK Government action to reduce the cost of electricity. We will also shortly consult on proposals for heat network installation and maintenance licences.

The Scottish Government recognises that councillors are elected representatives and that local authorities are independent, statutory bodies with their own powers and responsibilities, separate from the Scottish Government.

The work by the Promise Scotland an excellent starting point for consideration of how to address challenges in our current legislative landscape. The Independent Review of Scotland’s Legislative Framework for Children’s Care will build upon that work, not replicate, and will engage widely across the Children’s services landscape. It is vital that this engagement takes place in order to produce clearer commendations on how best to make the maximum practical difference, including potential legislative change, to children and families, and those involved in the care and support of children, aligning with the principles of The Promise, UNCRC, and GIRFEC.

The Review will run until January 2027, with findings to be published on conclusion.

The first phase of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling pilot within the cervical screening programme will begin in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas within the Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Lothian health board areas. Eligible women who have never, or have rarely, attended a cervical screening appointment will be offered a self-sampling kit when they visit participating GP practices. Following this initial phase, the pilot will expand into additional GP practices and healthcare settings within these health boards.

The learning from this pilot will be used to inform the national roll out of self-sampling, which is currently in the planning stages. This work will play a key role in increasing uptake of the cervical screening programme, supporting Scotland’s ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

The Scottish Government recognise that joint and several liability for Council Tax can create very difficult circumstances for those experiencing or who have experienced abuse.

We want to understand this better, which is why we supported the inclusion of provisions during the passage of The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 which require a review of how joint and several liability for Council Tax arrears affects people experiencing domestic abuse.

As set out in Section 76(2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, Scottish Ministers must complete this review no later than the 6th of November 2026, which is the end of the period of one year beginning with the day of Royal Assent.

This review would aim to help councils navigate these complex cases with greater care and understanding, ensuring that support is available.

The responsibility for the balancing of grid lies with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Constraint payments are one component of the total costs the system operator incurs to keep the electricity system in balance. More information including data on balancing costs can be found here: Balancing costs | National Energy System Operator.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43190 on 28 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

As recognised in the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, it is necessary to maintain appropriate space for Ministers to receive advice from officials. The Scottish Government therefore would not release such material. The statement I delivered to Parliament on the 2026-27 Scottish Budget, on 13 January 2026, is available online at the following link: Scottish Budget 2026-2027: Finance Secretary's statement - 13 January 2026 - gov.scot. The status of the A9 and A96 is set out in the Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline, annexes A and B, which is available at the following link: Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline 2026 - gov.scot.