Chamber and committees

The Scottish Budget 2025-26 confirmed that the Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a Public Health Supplement at this time.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31606 on 4 December 2024. 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 part of its exploration of the possible introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement, the Scottish Government has considered the independent analysis carried out on the impact of the previous Public Health Supplement that was in place from 2012-2015.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31366 on 5 December 2024. 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.

It is crucial that we continue to prioritise surveillance to better understand and respond to emerging drug trends. RADAR reports and other surveillance measures play a vital part in providing us with an early warning and to alert services and people who use drugs.

RADAR aims to monitor drug-related harms, service usage and toxicology data to provide an early warning of emerging drug trends and identify actions to reduce and prevent drug harms and deaths.

There is also a focus on ensuring services across Scotland have treatment pathways available for all types of drugs including stimulants, and the Scottish Government work closely with all areas to support them to achieving this successfully.

The announcement of the second tranche of 2024-25 Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding totalling £4.25m was provided to all delivery stakeholders on the 27 November 2024. Area based allocations have now been issued to the 20 Local Action Groups (LAGs).

Individual MSPs can join the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. To help them make an informed choice, the SPCB will share information with Members about the Scheme and the Armed Forces Covenant. The only charity that the SPCB endorses is Poppy Scotland and the SPCB is proud to show its support to current and former members of the Armed Forces in doing so. 

We are currently considering all the issues raised in response to our recent consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill. We will confirm our decisions and the nature and timing of next steps as soon as practicable.

As set out in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has committed to introduce the Natural Environment Bill as part of the year four legislative programme. Due to parliamentary procedure, we are unable to provide the precise date for introduction. The Scottish Parliament will announce the introduction date shortly before the introductory process begins.

When introduced, the Bill will establish the framework for statutory targets to restore and protect nature. It will also include provisions to modernise the way in which national parks and deer are managed and provide powers to update environmental impact assessment and habitats legislation to support delivery of our net zero and biodiversity goals.

The foundations of the Whole Farm Plan will become a requirement in 2025 for the Basic Payment Scheme. At this stage, businesses with a share in a common grazing do not need to include the common grazing in their biodiversity audit. The Scottish Government is continuing to co-develop a proportionate approach to account for these valuable areas in the future as part of the wider Agriculture Reform Programme.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy highlights the need to mainstream positive outcomes for biodiversity across a much wider range of Scottish Government policies, although we have no current plans to take forward the activities suggested.