Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02777 on 15 September 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 cervical screening HPV self-sampling pilot was launched on 23 March 2026 in GP practices serving some of the most deprived communities across four NHS Boards in Scotland. The pilot is scheduled to run until summer 2027, after which a formal evaluation will be undertaken to provide meaningful insights and evidence to inform future phases of HPV self-sampling implementation.

The Scottish Government has no plans to consult on the establishment of a strategically designed network of static-gear reserves covering at least 30% of Scotland's inshore waters by 2030.

The statutory guidance accompanying the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 was comprehensively updated in 2022 and further refreshed in 2025, following engagement with stakeholders. It promotes outcomes-focused, person-centred support, community participation, and choice and control for supported people.

Alongside the guidance, a range of resources support implementation, including the Self-directed Support Framework of Standards, Learning and Improvement Framework, Practitioner Toolkit, SDS Library, communities of practice, and information for supported people and carers. Collectively, these support creative, outcome-focused planning. We do not currently consider further revision necessary, as the guidance is intentionally outcomes-based rather than prescriptive.

The Self-directed Support framework does not prescribe specific activities, allowing flexibility to meet agreed outcomes. Where sport or physical activity supports those outcomes, it may already be considered through support planning.

Information on the number of people using Self-Directed Support (SDS) budgets for sport or physical activity is not collected or held centrally by the Scottish Government. Responsibility for the planning and delivery of integrated adult health and social care services rests locally with Integration Joint Boards and their partner authorities, which hold information relating to individual support arrangements. Accordingly, the Scottish Government is unable to provide a breakdown by local authority.

The Scottish Government is pleased to announce that the consultation on proposed fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas in Scottish waters has today been launched: https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/fisheries-management-measures-for-inshore-mpas/.

Scotland’s seas are a shared resource and protecting them means safeguarding marine habitats and species while supporting long-term sustainability of the industries and communities that depend upon them. This consultation seeks views on proposed fisheries management measures that will further protect the inshore MPA network and the 11 PMFs most sensitive to bottom-contacting mobile fishing gears, which are habitats and species of national conservation importance.

The development of these proposals has been informed by years of stakeholder engagement, scientific evidence gathering and discussion with representatives from the fishing industry, environmental organisations, coastal communities, local authorities, and other interested parties.

Given the scale and complexity of the proposals, covering more than 160 sites and areas across Scotland’s inshore waters, the consultation has been extended beyond the standard 12-week duration and will run until 18 January 2027, going beyond the intended sixteen week period due to the festive period. This extended consultation will provide stakeholders and members of the public additional time to consider the evidence, reflect on the proposals, and provide informed views to help shape the future management of Scotland's seas.

I recognise that these proposals are of significant interest to those who use and depend on Scotland’s seas. The Scottish Government remains committed to working closely with fishing communities, conservation organisations and local leaders throughout the consultation process to ensure that we achieve an appropriate balance between environmental protection and the social and economic wellbeing of our coastal and island communities.

The Scottish Government continues to engage closely with the Welsh Government on areas of shared interest and mutual benefit.

Today, I was in Cardiff to meet the First Minister of Wales for discussions on issues of common interest between our countries.

During the visit, I was pleased to sign a new bilateral framework - the Cardiff Agreement - which sets out areas of shared interest and cooperation between the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

The Agreement establishes a basis for closer collaboration on shared priorities, including tackling child poverty, addressing the cost-of-living crisis, supporting sustainable economic growth, and strengthening engagement with the European Union. It also reflects both governments’ commitment to ensuring that intergovernmental relations are founded on trust and mutual respect.

The Agreement provides a structured approach to sharing expertise and best practice, building on existing collaboration between the Scottish and Welsh Governments to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland and Wales. 

The Cardiff Agreement can be found on the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/cardiff-agreement-cytundeb-caerdydd-agreement-between-welsh-and-scottish-government/.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has invested £1.6 million in its wildfire strategy over the course of its three year roll-out, which will be complete by the end of this year.

This has been used to obtain specialist equipment and support firefighter training and SFRS intend to continue to develop its Wildfire capability with enhanced equipment, vehicles and specialist Personal Protective Equipment that will continue to strengthen Scotland’s preparedness for wildfire incidents.

The SFRS budget for 2026-27 provides an additional £23.8m, noting the total SFRS budget for this financial year is £435.96 million. This clearly demonstrates the continued commitment to support the SFRS to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe. The Scottish Government will continue to discuss future budget requirements with SFRS.

Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss current and potential subsidy referrals including Ferguson Marine. Scottish Government officials met with the SAU on 2 June and 12 August 2026 to participate in routine discussions on the general requirements of the referral process.

Yes, legal advice was obtained before the announcement of the proposed direct awards and since.