Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35156 on 27 February 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 operation of licensing committees is a matter for independent Scottish local authorities.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-35156 and S6W-35159 on 27 February 2025. This information is not held centrally. 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.

As set out in answer to Parliamentary Question S6W-34995 on 27 February 2025, the implementation phase of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has now begun, and two Implementation Delivery Groups are being established to oversee swift delivery of all 44 recommended actions. One group, chaired by the Interim Chief Nursing Officer, will meet at the end of February and then recurrently every 6 - 8 weeks. A further Implementation Delivery Group will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and will meet in Spring and then every six months. These two Groups will ensure that priorities are clearly defined, progress is measurable, and key milestones are met. A detailed work plan and timeline to guide the delivery of the recommended actions will be agreed in Spring.

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

As set out in answer to Parliamentary Question S6W-34995 on 27 February 2025, the implementation phase of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has now begun, and two Implementation Delivery Groups are being established to oversee swift delivery of all 44 recommended actions. One group, chaired by the Interim Chief Nursing Officer, will meet at the end of February and then recurrently every 6 - 8 weeks. A further Implementation Delivery Group will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and will meet in Spring and then every six months. These two Groups will ensure that priorities are clearly defined, progress is measurable, and key milestones are met. A detailed work plan and timeline to guide the delivery of the recommended actions will be agreed in Spring.

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

We review YouthLink Scotland’s No Knives, Better Lives programme regularly to consider how it can continue to help prevent violence and reduce its harm. Part of this work has included the creation of the Quit Fighting for Likes Campaign, developed by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, YouthLink Scotland No Knives, Better Lives and Medics Against Violence. Launched on 11 September 2024, the campaign provides a suite of resources aimed at frontline practitioners to help engage young people in conversations to help them understand the impact and harms caused around the filming and sharing of violent incidents.

The campaign, including the accompanying practitioner resources, remain available to access on the websites of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and YouthLink Scotland No Knives, Better Lives. It is intended that the campaign will be re-run again after the school summer holidays.

The following organisations were prescribed as rural housing bodies in the following years. Please note that there is no requirement to notify Scottish Ministers when a rural housing body is wound up or ceases to operate.

2004

Albyn Housing Society Limited

Barra and Vatersay Housing Association Limited

Berneray Housing Association Limited

Buidheann Taigheadais na Meadhanan Limited

Cairn Housing Association Limited

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Dunbritton Housing Association Limited

Fyne Homes Limited

Isle of Jura Development Trust

Lochaber Housing Association Limited

Muirneag Housing Association Limited

Orkney Islands Council

Pentland Housing Association Limited

Taighean Ceann a Tuath na’Hearadh Limited

The Highlands Small Communities’ Housing Trust

The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust

The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust

The North Harris Trust

Tighean Innse Gall Limited

2005

Buidheann Tigheadas Loch Aillse Agus An Eilein Sgitheanaich Limited

Ekopia Resource Exchange Limited

Rural Stirling Housing Association Limited

West Highland Housing Association Limited

2007

Colonsay Community Development Company

Community Self-Build Scotland Limited

Dumfries and Galloway Small Communities Housing Trust

Fyne Initiatives Limited

2008

Argyll Community Housing Association

HIFAR Limited

North West Mull Community Woodland Company Limited

West Highland Rural Solutions Limited

2009

Craignish Community Company Limited

The Highland Housing Alliance

2013

Down to Earth Solutions Community Interest Company

West Harris Trust

2014

Yuill Community Trust C.I.C.

Mull and Iona Community Trust

2017

Kilfinan Community Forest Company

Dormont Passive Homes (Scotland) Ltd.

2019

Arran Development Trust

2023

Argyll and Bute Council

Hebridean Housing Partnership Limited

Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn

2024

Shapinsay Development Trust

Tayvallich Initiative Ltd

As patient care and service delivery are the statutory responsibility of local healthcare providers, it is for relevant NHS Health Boards to facilitate and respond to complaints regarding services. Whilst making clear the high standards of care we expect, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment upon or direct individuals’ care and treatment.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

However, I have contacted the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland who maintains the property registers in Scotland. They have searched the registers and identified 783 titles that narrate a rural housing burden.

A more detailed breakdown of these figures can be requested directly via Registers of Scotland.

Transport Scotland completed the second Strategic Transport Projects Review which sets-out the Scottish Government’s priorities for future capital investment, including new investment in the trunk road network.

Alongside the design development process of any major transport capital project there is a need to develop the appropriate level business case. These project specific business cases are developed in line with the Guidance on the Development of Business Cases in Transport Scotland, the latest transport scheme assessment and evaluation criteria and the Scottish Public Finance Manual. These cover the 5 Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance criteria of Economy, Climate Change, Environment, Health, Safety and Wellbeing and Equality and Accessibility as well as any Transport Planning Objectives and the process checks that projects remain in line with the initial assessment on which decisions were made.

A pre-publication version of the report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour was submitted to myself, COSLA and Police Scotland just before Christmas. The report has since been finalised and was published on Tuesday 25th February 2025. It is available at Report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour. Along with our lead partners, COSLA and Police Scotland, we are considering the recommendations and support for local community safety and multi-agency prevention work. We plan to provide a comprehensive response in the Summer with a progress update by Easter. I am grateful to the Group for their work and to all who contributed.