The Scottish Government does not collect complete data on the number of fish culled at salmon farms as this information is primarily a result of commercial decisions and is not required for the Fish Health Inspectorate’s surveillance programme for aquatic animal disease. Some information relating to culled fish is provided through the voluntary mortality reporting mechanism and it may be collected during Fish Health Inspectorate visits. Culling stock may be required under the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009, such as in response to the confirmation of a listed disease

The Scottish Government’s Scottish Finfish Production Survey collects and publishes information on farmed salmon production losses as part of official statistics. It reports data on survival to harvest, representing the proportion of fish harvested for human consumption from the original input population. The proportion not harvested for human consumption are recorded as aggregate losses, which includes fish culled.

The Scottish Government does not collect and publish complete information on the number of fish culled fish on salmon farms.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43168 on 2 February 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’s Scottish Finfish Production Survey is a long running Scottish Government statistical publication produced to appropriate professional standards. Data may be checked against case information held by the Fish Health Inspectorate, including any movement records, to ensure information is consistent.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce further mandatory reporting and publication of losses of farmed salmon as the data already available are sufficient for regulatory purposes.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43168 on 2 February 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 piloted a £500,000 fund to leave in 2023, and has made £1.5 million available for a national fund to leave this financial year.

Analysis of data from the Student Awards Agency Scotland, otherwise known as SAAS, shows that approximately 740,000 students from Scotland — that is nearly three quarters of a million — have benefited from free tuition fees on higher education courses between 2007-08 and 2024-25.

Following consultation, in May 2024 the Scottish Government expanded permitted development rights to allow, amongst other measures, solar panels and replacement windows to be installed on domestic and non-domestic buildings in conservation areas without the need for a planning application.

These rights are subject to certain restrictions and conditions in order to strike an appropriate balance between tackling climate change and protecting the character and appearance of conservation areas.

Guidance on the revised and extended permitted development rights can be found in Planning Circular 1/2024: Householder Permitted Development Rights and Planning Circular 2/2024: non-domestic permitted development rights

Our recent consultation related to permitted development rights, which closed in October 2025, sought views on various options, including the potential further expansion of permitted development rights for domestic air source heat pumps. The responses to that consultation are currently being considered and a consultation report will be published in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43079 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 negotiated the new General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees with Optometry Scotland with the data available at the time. A joint review of the impact of these changes will be undertaken with Optometry Scotland in due course. These discussions are confidential in nature and for Optometry Scotland to consider how it, as the representative body, informs its membership.

Dilating the pupils of patients aged 60 and older has been a requirement of a GOS primary eye examination since 1 April 2010. It is clinically important because it enables the optometrist to inspect the retina, optic nerve and macula for early signs of age-related sight-threatening diseases that are often symptomless.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43079 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

Local valuation boards have no role in collecting non-domestic rates.