Chamber and committees

Section 13 was commenced on 9 February 2026. The legislation requires that a set of standards for through care support be published within two years of that commencement date. Since commencement, officials have been engaging with the organisations named in the legislation to support the development of these standards. A full 12-week consultation on the draft standards is planned for early 2027.

The Local Government funding formula provides a complex but objective assessment of need and uses the most up to date information for the full range of indicators, including biodiversity and greenspace.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). This includes work to improve healthcare professionals’ education and awareness. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

The regulation of animal use in scientific procedures, including the collection and publication of statistics, is reserved to the UK Government under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Responsibility for official statistics on animal procedures remains with the Home Office.

While the Scottish Government does not hold data on the number of scientific procedures conducted in Scotland, we continue to assess progress through developments in alternative methods, advances in research practices, and engagement with organisations that promote the 3Rs, such as the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

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 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.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cost of Living Crisis resulted in the planned actions from the Tenement Condition: Workplan for 2021 not being completed.

However, we have since progressed recommendations of the Scottish Parliament Working Group on tenement maintenance by instructing the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) to undertake a law reform project on mandatory owners associations for tenement properties.

Officials are now undertaking further scoping work following receipt of the SLC report and recommendations and other relevant information on the current arrangements to common repairs in tenements in Scotland.

The Scottish Government does not receive routine notifications from the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) regarding investigations, compliance issues or enforcement activity relating to licensed establishments operating under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Any oversight, inspection and enforcement functions under the 1986 Act are the responsibility of ASRU, acting on behalf of the UK Government.

Accordingly, the Scottish Government does not hold information on individual investigations, compliance concerns or enforcement actions undertaken by ASRU.

The Scottish Government did not receive any specific Barnett consequential funding because of the UK Government’s introduction of a local news fund. This is being funded from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Spending Review allocation.