Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has regular engagement with the environmental horticulture sector and recognises the important role of environmental horticulture in the development of green landscaping and infrastructure. Horticultural businesses and expertise are integral to the supply of trees and plants, and are well-placed to help address environmental challenges, as well as contribute to the Scottish population’s mental and physical health, through the creation of gardens and greenspaces. These benefits are set out in the Horticulture Trades Association’s Scottish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto, which the Scottish Government welcomed in autumn 2025. The Scottish Government looks forward to continued constructive work with the environmental horticulture sector to ensure that the shared ambitions for green growth and for a healthy and climate resilient nation are achieved.

Marine Directorate - Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) has concluded enquiries into the possible pollution incident at Loch Hourn. The outcome is currently under review and findings will be confirmed by the end of August 2026.

Transport Scotland has reviewed the Detailed Options Appraisal Report for the Newburgh Transport Appraisal produced for SEStran and the Newburgh Train Station Campaign.

I expect to receive official advice soon, which will determine further action and next steps.

Responsibility for school uniform rests with individual schools and education authorities.

The Scottish Government published national guidance on school uniform and clothing in 2024. It supports headteachers, school leaders and education authorities to work collaboratively with their school communities to develop affordable and sustainable uniform and clothing policies that meet the needs, circumstances and identities of their pupils.

The guidance has a strong focus on affordability and makes clear that schools are expected to do all they can to minimise costs for families, in line with wider efforts to tackle child poverty and reduce the cost of the school day. The guidance is clear that branded items should not be compulsory and that schools should not expect families to purchase them. Schools are encouraged to adopt flexible uniform policies that promote the use of pre-loved clothing to improve affordability and reduce waste.

The Scottish Government regularly engages with CalMac on ferry services. CalMac has advised that there are currently no plans to reintroduce non-landing tickets on the Mallaig-Small Isles service. With the initial decision having been made in response to growing concerns about the impact these sailings were having on the availability of passenger capacity for local residents and visitors travelling to and from the islands.

Board trajectories against the 62 day cancer standard have been requested from all Health Boards.

These will be submitted to the Scottish Government's Health & Social Care Performance & Delivery Assurance Board for review and approval by the end of August.

Once agreed, performance against the trajectories will be monitored monthly by the Scottish Government and the East and West Subnational Planning & Delivery Committees to support delivery and ensure progress is maintained.

Public Health Scotland published data on 28 July, this can be accessed online- General practice walk-in centres - month ending 30 June 2026 - General practice walk-in centres - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

The Scottish Government takes its legal responsibilities seriously and considers the requirements of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and other relevant legislation when developing marine policies, plans and management measures.

An assessment into the rising costs of horticulture businesses has not been undertaken by the Scottish Government, however, the Horticultural Trades Association has recently published a briefing outlining the ‘Cost of Doing Business’ for the environmental horticulture sector across the UK as a whole. This can be found here: https://hta.org.uk/public-affairs-policy/briefings-consultations-and-reports/stakeholder-section/stakeholder-briefings. The Scottish Government recognises the current challenges outlined in this assessment, which environmental horticulture businesses are facing, the majority of which are family-run SMEs. That is why the Scottish Government continues to offer the Small Business Bonus Scheme to help address the rising costs that businesses are facing. In addition, Scottish Government backed schemes have helped businesses reduce energy costs through grants for energy efficient equipment and renewable technologies.

Scotland's Fisheries Management Strategy highlights the importance of working in partnership with stakeholders and coastal communities to support sustainable fisheries and strengthen the communities whose livelihoods and wellbeing are closely linked to the sea. Building on the Scottish Government’s 2025 Call for Evidence, our consultation on the Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement (IFMI) Programme will explore a more regional model of inshore fisheries management, designed to support sustainable fisheries, thriving coastal communities and greater local involvement.

In developing the updated Scottish National Marine Plan (“NMP2”) we have been listening to the diversity of views shared to shape the draft plan and gather information on the different issues, opportunities and priorities for planning around our varied coastline. This is summarised in the Howell Marine Consulting NMP2 Community engagement analysis report: We are considering the recommendations from the report and exploring how an updated planning framework can support consideration of views from communities in decision-making as well as working to build a stronger evidence base to inform future spatial planning and management where possible.