Chamber and committees

CalMac has been and continues to work with the Raasay community to introduce such maintenance in a way that minimises disruption, including consideration of different scheduling options and possible relief vessels.

Depending on the procurement route taken, the current intended target date for this procurement is autumn/winter 2026-27. The timescales for completing the Corridor Action Plans will be confirmed following procurement and appointment of consultants. Further details are available at: South West Scotland Strategic Corridor Improvements | Transport Scotland

As part of the new CHFS3 contract, CalMac is introducing an increased programme of regular maintenance across the network. This is intended to improve reliability and resilience by reducing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can cause significant disruption to island connectivity.

CalMac has been working with the Raasay community, as with communities across the network, to introduce such maintenance in a way that minimises disruption.

Engagement with stakeholders during development of the Corridor Action Plans will be an important part of the process. It is anticipated that a wide range of engagement techniques and formats will be used to ensure that all individuals and organisations are able to participate in the process. Further details are available at: South West Scotland Strategic Corridor Improvements | Transport Scotland

The development of the Corridor Action Plans will be informed by the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), the Design Manual for Road and Bridges (DMRB) and Transport Scotland business case guidance. Potential interventions will be assessed against a range of criteria including road safety, journey reliability, resilience and economic connectivity, alongside environmental impacts, affordability, value for money and deliverability. Further details are available at: South West Scotland Strategic Corridor Improvements | Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government is currently exploring the use of LiDAR for wildfire risk mapping via a fellowship with the University of Edinburgh and via research commissioned as part of the Scottish Government’s ENRA research programme. Outputs from this research will be used to inform next steps in using LiDAR data and developing LiDAR data products, including the potential for a wildfire risk map for Scotland. The next ENRA research programme is currently being commissioned which includes questions on improving understanding on the wildfire risks associated with different land uses.

The Scottish Government engages with the Welsh Government on wildfire response and policy.

We take all reports of poor water quality at bathing waters seriously. SEPA, Scottish Water and other relevant bodies continue to work together to understand the source of contamination at the bathing water at Kinghorn Harbour and identify any necessary actions to improve water quality.

Following an appeal against SEPA’s 2024 enforcement notice, the reporter determined that the notice was not valid, as it did not meet the requirements of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. This finding was issued in February 2025.

The 2024 enforcement notice required Scottish Water to carry out investigative work. Scottish Water had already begun the scoping, resourcing and implementation of this work prior to receiving the revised enforcement notice in September 2025. In addition, SEPA continued to sample and investigate pollution sources between February 2025 and September 2025. This would suggest that the decision to overturn the enforcement notice had no material bearing on the reports of high levels of E.coli identified in the Kinghorn Harbour bathing water.

The Corridor Action Plans will identify and prioritise potential interventions and establish a phased pipeline of short, medium and long-term measures to inform future investment decisions. Timescales for completion of the plans will be confirmed following procurement and appointment of consultants. The Scottish Government intends that any transport improvements identified through the A75 and A77 Corridor Action Plans will be reported through updates to the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline and subject to the annual budgetary processes and Capital Spending Reviews. Further details are available at: South West Scotland Strategic Corridor Improvements | Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government has received clear and unambiguous assurance that the voluntary run parental group, Queer Milk, is not training men to lactate and feed infants. Any claim to the contrary is untrue.

Queer Milk is a small, volunteer-led peer-support group for LGBTQ+ parents and carers. The group forms part of LGBT Health and Wellbeing's wider community wellbeing programme, which aims to reduce social isolation, support mental wellbeing, and provide opportunities for peer connection. The Scottish Government does not directly fund Queer Milk.

It is important to be clear that Queer Milk is not a clinical service. The group does not prescribe medication, induce lactation, provide medical treatment, offer clinical advice on infant feeding, train individuals to breastfeed or replace professional healthcare services.

Any media reports, organisations or individuals claiming the contrary is false.

The future of the Mackintosh building is of great importance to the Scottish Government and to me as Culture Secretary.

Following conclusion of a long running insurance matter, I met with the Glasgow School of Art to discuss their plans to invest in a significant enabling project, funded by an insurance settlement, and provide a platform for future rebuilding.

The clear preference of the Scottish Government is for the building to be faithfully reinstated, and we have welcomed the Glasgow School of Art’s commitment to exploring every opportunity with the support of partners for a faithful reinstatement. While the Glasgow School of Art are owners and custodians of the building, the Scottish Government will continue to engage closely with them on their plans. No request for public funding has been made, however we will work with the Glasgow School of Art and other partners to secure a prosperous future for the Mackintosh building.