Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to explore innovative drug harm reduction measures. We have not undertaken a formal national assessment of the clinical efficacy or cost-effectiveness of integrating rapid testing strips into existing harm reduction networks or injecting equipment provision services, however we are aware that nitazene test strips are available from some services in Scotland.

We are aware of both the potential benefits and limitations of rapid testing strips as harm reduction tools, including their role in supporting engagement and risk reduction, alongside recognised limitations relating to accuracy and false negative results. We are working with partners including Public Health Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland to consider the evidence and inform appropriate Scottish guidance.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to undertake an evaluation of the Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF). If this position changes, the scope would include relevant stakeholders such as charities and healthcare providers.

The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) provides valuable financial support to eligible visitors of inpatients under the age of 18. There are currently no plans to extend the age range.

In addition to support available under the YPFF, young people aged between 18 – 25 years old continue to have access to the Patient Travel Expenses Scheme or the Highlands and Islands Travel Scheme. Under these schemes, patients and authorised escorts can reclaim reasonable costs of travel associated with attending hospital appointments, in line with eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken a formal assessment of the accessibility and suitability of the Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF).

However, ongoing assessment of accessibility is in place. For example, the YPFF claim form and Terms and Conditions have been translated into a range of languages to support families who may find it challenging to access information in English. Translated document are available here.

Information leaflets are available across all Health Boards, and staff are encouraged to ensure that eligible families are made aware of the support available.

The Young Patient Family Fund (YPFF) is a demand-led fund and the Scottish Government has ensured full funding against demand in each year since its launch on 26 July 2021. The 2026-27 budget has been set based on expected demand levels and the Scottish Government remains committed to provide full funding for the YPFF in 2026-27.

The Scottish Government does not provide a specific national training programme to third-sector organisations on the use of drug testing strips. However, we work closely with a range of partners, including Scottish Drugs Forum, Public Health Scotland, and local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to support the provision of evidence-based harm reduction information and advice.

The Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) website – coordinated by Public Health Scotland – includes information on the use of nitazene test strips, which highlights limitations. This information notes that the accuracy of test strips varies depending on the type and concentration of nitazene present, that not all nitazenes can be detected, and that a negative result does not guarantee that a substance is free from nitazenes.

To date the Scottish Government has not carried out any assessment of the international data regarding automated harm reduction kiosks.

We remain committed to exploring any evidence-based harm reduction measure which will help us to reduce drug-related harms and save lives. We are aware of different methods of IEP distribution across the world designed to suit their localities and encourage local areas to consider what would best suit their area.

If a local area has identified an automated vending machine as a measure which would benefit their area, Scottish Government officials would be happy to work with them on the feasibility and logistics of implementing it.

The reported figure of more than 1,200 is misleading. As of 17 September 2026, there are 730 FFIS cases where evidence has been provided and BPS payment remains on hold until verification has been completed, review has started for 533 of these cases, with further information requested from 162 farmers or crofters before verification can be completed.

Verification has not yet started in 198 cases. Of these, 162, 82%, had been received during the first 17 days of September.

The BPS payment window runs between September and June. A payment hold for FFIS does not mean the BPS is otherwise ready for payment as other processing may be required.

FFIS grant was paid in advance, and verification is required to confirm that the approved investments have been completed and the grant conditions met. Payment holds are released once the required checks are complete and compliance is confirmed.

The verification process is identifying non-compliance and protecting public funds. To date, 45 completed cases have identified more than £373,444 for recovery, while RPID continues to progress the remaining caseload.

RPID is progressing FFIS verification nationally, with evidence assessed in order of receipt and payment holds released as soon as the required verification is complete and compliance with the grant conditions is confirmed.

As of 17 September 2026, 533 of the FFIS cases currently affecting BPS payments are under review and awaiting verification. Resources and processing performance are being managed and kept under review nationally to progress the outstanding caseload.

BPS payments are not guaranteed in a particular payment run. Where an FFIS hold remains, this reflects the need to complete the required controls on grant paid in advance. Those controls are necessary to protect public funds, with more than £373,000 already identified for recovery from 45 completed cases.

The ownership and operation of gas distribution infrastructure are the responsibility of gas network operators, subject to the relevant regulatory framework.