Chamber and committees

There is evidence of the benefits of large herbivore impact on biodiversity outcomes in some circumstances from a range of contexts, including in the UK. The Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan includes an action to explore how best to support optimal herbivore densities to enhance biodiversity outcomes in the uplands. We have funded the James Hutton Institute to research the effects of different domestic grazing regimes on biodiversity at the Glen Finglas Woodland Trust site for over 20 years. The results show variable benefits to biodiversity from different grazing regimes with ‘winner and losers’ under each type of grazing. Our approach is therefore to support such interventions in nature restoration projects in the right circumstances, on a case by case basis.

NHS Highland is responsible for the operational management of the GP walk-in pilot site in Invergordon, including opening dates and securing staffing. We are clear that any site must be safe and sustainable- NHS Highland informed us last month of a delay due to recruitment and my officials are in regular contact with NHS Highland to ensure that there are no further delays.

NHS Highland is responsible for the operational management of the GP walk-in pilot site in Invergordon, and I understand it is due to open this summer.

The option to electrify the Maryhill Line has been previously been considered as part of wider reviews of Scotland’s railway infrastructure to identify routes that could benefit from electrification. Assessments that were previously undertaken in the 2010’s identified that the required works would require a number of overbridge reconstructions and track lowers throughout the route.

While electrification of the Maryhill Line does not form part of the current rail investment programme, it remains an option for future delivery alongside a number of other potentially valuable schemes.

The Audit Scotland report identifies a number of challenges in progressing our reform activity. We accept Audit Scotland’s findings and we are working to develop and agree actions with our justice partners to respond to the recommendations.

A scheme to replace fire-damaged tiles at the M8 Charing Cross Underpass is currently in development, following a vehicle fire in April 2025 that caused damage to a section of the underpass’ tiled lining. Works are programmed to commence in October, with completion expected by December 2026.

The Scottish Government are not currently planning to undertake further research in this area, as evidence of the potential benefits in the right circumstances already exists.

Audit Scotland’s follow-up report recognises significant progress in reducing the court backlog since its peak in 2022. This reflects targeted investment from the Scottish Government and positive collaboration across justice partners.

On body worn video, decisions on operational deployment are rightly for the Chief Constable, based on policing priorities and operational need.

However, it is important to be clear that body worn video is not new or untested technology. Its benefits are already well established across policing in other parts of the UK and internationally. It can improve the quality of evidence, support earlier guilty pleas, reduce demands on officer time, and enhance transparency and public confidence in policing.

It also has clear benefits for officer and public safety, helping to de-escalate incidents and provide an accurate record of interactions, which is of particular value to victims and witnesses.

Police Scotland has now completed the rollout to the first planned tranche of 10,500 devices and is considering next steps. This has been made possible through record Scottish Government investment of over £1.7 billion in policing for 2026–27.

The Scottish Government will continue to support Police Scotland and justice partners to ensure that this technology delivers its full potential, including contributing to a more efficient justice system and improved outcomes for victims.

Information in that format and to that extent is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Providing the information would put a significant pressure on civil service staff and would require securing information from third parties, as well as extensive manual analysis. The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

I refer the Member to the Parliamentary Questions Guidance.

The Member may find the following publications helpful:

CP5 delivery plan - 2018/19 update;

CP6 Delivery Plan Update – Scotland's Railway;

Scotland-CP7-Delivery-Plan-Year-2-update.pdf

The Scottish Ministers’ High Level Output Specification (HLOS)

Scotland CP7 delivery plan

The Scottish Government recognises the workforce pressures across the criminal justice system identified by Audit Scotland, including the impact that the increasing volume of serious and complex cases is having on the system.

Recruitment and retention are operational matters for individual justice bodies. The Scottish Government is supporting partners through funding, workforce planning and reform, and will continue to work with partners to improve system capacity, agree clear priorities and responsibilities, and assess the resources required to support sustainable reform.