Chamber and committees

Under the North East Operating Company contract, there are no Payment Adjustment Factors applicable to delays to completion of work for unforeseen events outwith the control of the contractor, such as un-charted services and environmental/ecological issues. As such no contractual penalties have been applied for the completion of the repair and refurbishment work at the A96 Union Bridge in Keith.

The Scottish Government has increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17, investing more than £14.6 billion since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013, and £1.64 billion in 2025-26.

Decisions on how these resources are allocated, including the deployment of police officers, is a matter for the Chief Constable, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.

The total costs of overtime paid by Police Scotland to its workforce over the last five financial years are detailed in the following table.

The deployment of officers and staff are matters for the Chief Constable. Police Scotland has stated that, “The nature of policing is unpredictable, and overtime is a flexible mechanism which can help to ensure we maintain an effective service for all our communities”

The Scottish Government is investing a record £1.64 billion in policing in 2025-26, an increase of almost £90 million of additional funding from the 2024-25 budget to support police capacity and capability. Our investment in policing has enabled Police Scotland to undertake the highest level of recruitment since its inception in 2024-25. Police Scotland has stated that it has a healthy recruitment pipeline.

Police Scotland’s three-year Business Plan 2024-2027 sets out an ambitious programme of workforce modernisation which aims to bring frontline policing to its strongest possible position.

The Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) was established in 2021 as a five year commitment from 2021 to 2026 to support Local Government in delivering long term ambitions for place, town centre revitalisation, 20 minute neighbourhoods, community led regeneration and community wealth building.

The Scottish Government is currently progressing a Spending Review and, as part of this, we will consider future budget implications from 2026-2027 and how our regeneration capital programmes may be best delivered to achieve greatest impact.

The Scottish Government is providing £2 million towards the development of the Grangemouth Sustainable Manufacturing Campus as part of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal. The project is being led by Scottish Enterprise and Falkirk Council, with Scottish Enterprise currently assessing the most effective approach to move the project forward, in order to develop the project business case.

(a) Total FTE – 281.4, which includes (b) Part-time staff 64.4 FTE; and (c) 59 temporary roles.

It is important to note that as a registered charity, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh receives multiple income streams that contribute towards its headcount. This can include, for example, Scottish Government Grant in Aid, funding from research grants or self-generated income.

Information on funding provided to the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE) is available, within published annual reports and accounts. These are available at Accounts | Corporate Information | What We Do | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The Scottish Government will continue to actively engage with our partners and our farming industry through Autumn 2025 to inform the drafting of the first Rural Support Plan and to meet the requirements set out by the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 on engagement. This process will not involve the publication of a draft plan. The 2024 Act requires the Scottish Minister to lay a statement describing the engagement undertaken in respect of the plan at the same time as laying the plan. The Scottish Government intends to complete this process and publish the first Rural Support Plan in December 2025.

For further background I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39056 on 10 July 2025. 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 data for reporting period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 was published on 26 August and can be accessed here https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-annual-health-checks-for-people-16-with-learning-disabilities-2024-25/

Since 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2024 the Scottish Government has invested over £28 million on the on the maintenance and safe operation of the A84 and over £80 million on the on the maintenance and safe operation of the A85.

The A84 and A85 are part of the Scottish Trunk Road Network in Scotland. The A84 runs approximately 29 miles (47 km) from Stirling to Lochearnhead, where it connects with the A85. The A85 stretches approximately 87 miles (140 km) from Oban on the west coast to Perth.

Transport Scotland assesses the safety performance of the trunk road network on an annual basis by screening all locations where three or more personal-injury accidents have occurred in a three-year period. In addition, accident patterns and rates in the form of Route Accident Reduction Plans (RARP) are also considered. This ensures that full consideration is given to accidents that may be spread along a corridor. Further investigations are then carried out and, where appropriate, mitigation measures are prioritised for delivery. This robust, evidence-based approach ensures that the funding available is prioritised for those locations with the potential to deliver the greatest ‘casualty-accident’ savings. It is by using the evidence in this way that available funding can be optimised to best support the delivery of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework and our overarching vision of a future where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads. Through this process a number of schemes are being progressed.

On the A84 there is a scheme programmed for construction this financial year, involving new signs, new footpath and associated crossing points for the bus stops for school pupils at Kincardine in Menteith Primary School. In addition, a Vehicle Restraint System (Safety Barrier) is currently under design for the A84 between Kildean and Craigforth. This is programmed for construction in 2026-2027. Road safety investigations are also programmed in 2025-2026 including the section of the A84 between Kilmahog to Lochearnhead.

On the A85, signing improvement schemes will be undertaken between Tyndrum and Dalmally, including Tyndrum junction. Vehicle Activated Signs to warn road users of vehicles turning at junctions will also be installed at Dalchonzie and Crieff. A double white centre line system to the east of Glen Lochy, new Vehicle Restraint Systems between Aribea to Arrivain and Lochan Na Bi Culvert and Dunbeg will also be delivered.

Locations being investigated and/or designed in 2025-2026 include collision investigations of the A85 between Lochearnhead and Lix Toll, between Comrie and Perth and Kinross Council Boundary. These works are programmed to be completed by the end of the 2025-2026 financial year.

The Scottish Government has committed to implement 20 mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so as set out in the Programme for Government by 31 March 2026, making our streets feel safer and encouraging active travel.

In 2025-2026, on the A85 trunk road, 20 mph speed limits have been introduced in St Fillan’s, Methven and Crianlarich, and on the A84 in Strathyre. 20mph speed limits are programmed to be introduced on the A85 trunk road in Oban and Connel.

Transport Scotland will continue to monitor road safety on the A84 and A85 and progress investigations and improvements as appropriate.