Chamber and committees

As set out in our recent consultation, Water services: investing in and paying from 2027, the Objectives for Scottish Water for 2027-33 require it to provide public-facing access to data on overflows from all intermittent discharges in its network, taken from monitors and supplemented by hydraulic modelling, by 2033.

Scottish Water has co-created a monitoring prioritisation methodology with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) which can be found at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/-/media/scottishwater/document-hub/key-publications/improving-urban-waters/edmmethodology.pdf.

Scottish Water currently has over 2,000 overflow monitors in place (some 50% of overflows). It publishes near real-time spill data online and has provided monitors on all its sewer overflows within 2km of a designated bathing water. During the bathing season SEPA makes daily bathing water quality predictions at selected bathing waters across Scotland. These are available online and from electronic information signs at certain bathing waters. There is also advice on How to Swim Safely in Scotland’s Outdoor Waters on NHS inform.

The Scottish Government recognises the vital role the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) plays in keeping communities safe. The 2026-27 budget provides an additional £23.8 million from the previous year, taking total funding to £436 million, demonstrating our continued support for SFRS to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe.

The operational response and procedures relating to any fire is a matter for SFRS however, they have provided reassurances that all necessary training is provided to staff, to ensure they appropriately manage any incident, including those at waste recycling centres.

SFRS has set up a New and Emerging Risks Group that will consider, amongst other matters, lithium-ion batteries. The lithium-ion sub-group is made up of multiple internal and external partners (including Scottish Government officials) to identify any issues or concerns rising from this technology.

The Scottish Government recognises potential impact of the decision to designate an additional public holiday on Emergency Departments that continue to face significant pressures.

We proactively sought assurance through our established governance arrangements. Boards advised that the additional public holiday would be managed in line with existing public holiday protocols to ensure continuity of patient care.

NHS Boards are responsible for developing operational plans that reflect local circumstances and community needs, while remaining aligned with nationally agreed planning principles.

Our overriding priority is the continued delivery of safe, person-centred care.

Development of the Ferries Accessibility Standard is underway following engagement with ferry users with disabilities, the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS), ferry operators and representatives of port authorities. Work is on track to achieve the new National Islands Plan commitment to publish in 2026.

Work is also progressing on our commitment to open a new Islands Transport Accessibility Fund applicable to both ferries and aviation infrastructure. The new fund will open as soon as possible, subject to available funding.

Information on progress against the two commitments will be included in the National Islands Plan Annual Report to the Scottish Parliament.

The appointment of financial institutions to the framework supporting the Scottish Government’s multi-year bond programme marks an important milestone as the programme moves into its next phase.

All appointments were made through a procurement process conducted in line with procurement regulations, policy and law. On 25 June 2026, the Scottish Government announced the appointment of nine banks to a framework that will support delivery of its bond programme during this parliamentary term. HSBC, Bank of America, NatWest, and RBC were appointed as joint bookrunners for the inaugural bond issuance.

In response to the situation in Gaza, the Scottish Government has consistently advocated for peace, justice, and human rights, and will continue to do what it can to support a rapid resolution to the conflict and to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. The First Minister met Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Dr Husam Zomlot, on 27 July and discussed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. During the meeting, the First Minister announced a further £500,000 funding to support access to food, healthcare, clean water and shelter.

The Scottish Ministerial Code sets out the standards expected of all members of the Scottish Ministerial team. Paragraph 3.22 of the Code notes that ‘…Ministers should not accept gifts, hospitality or services which would, or might appear to, compromise their judgement or place them under an obligation to people or organisations that might try to influence their work in government.’ It is the personal responsibility of each Minister to determine how any activity would engage with the terms of the Code, based on the circumstances around any specific event or interaction.

NHS workforce planning is undertaken through established national and local workforce planning processes. Health Boards are responsible for workforce planning and ensuring they have the staffing required to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations.

The Scottish Government has funded 1,173 Foundation Year 1 training posts in Scotland for 2026-27, which includes the additional 72 posts announced previously. These posts have been made available through the national allocation process.

No additional places have been created in Scotland for applicants on the UK Foundation Programme reserve list. The Scottish Government has funded the number of Foundation Year 1 posts required to support medical training capacity in Scotland, while meeting the requirements of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026.

The final number of posts for the 2026-27 training year will not be confirmed until after the August start date, as applicants continue to complete pre-employment checks and General Medical Council registration requirements.

Following annual reviews of the number of specialty training places needed to meet anticipated future service demand and consultant need, the Scottish Government has funded the creation of approximately 850 additional posts across multiple specialities since 2014, including in ophthalmology.

The number of Ophthalmology Consultants working in NHS Scotland has increased by 54.7% in the last 20 years, from 86.4 WTE in September 2006 to 133.7 WTE as of 31 March 2026. Over the last decade, the workforce has increased by 3.4%, from 129.3 WTE on 31 March 2016 to 133.7 WTE on 31 March 2026.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of digital transformation in supporting efficient and sustainable local services. The Accounts Commission’s report highlights the benefits that can be achieved where councils take a strategic approach to digital modernisation and service redesign.

The Scottish Government support a range of sector-wide initiatives and in November 2025 the Scottish Government and Local Government published a joint strategic vision for digital in Scotland. The Sustainable Digital Public Services Delivery Plan was also published in 2025 and sets out the actions we will take to improve public services through greater use of digital technology, automation and service redesign. These programmes support councils to modernise administrative processes, improve customer experience and deliver better value for money.

While decisions on operational service delivery are matters for individual local authorities, the Scottish Government will continue to work with COSLA, the Digital Office and councils to support digital innovation and transformation that improves outcomes for communities and strengthens the long-term sustainability of local services.