Chamber and committees

As previously confirmed to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee in the last Parliamentary session, the Scottish Government recognises the concerns being raised on this issue.

Local authorities have the flexibility to backdate applications for the council tax disregard for people determined as having a severe mental impairment. However, we are currently considering approaches which might further streamline the availability of this support, including exploring legislative changes. This requires stakeholder input to minimise the risk of unintended consequences.

Work is continuing on proposals following the Scottish Parliament election and an update will be provided when they are at a more advanced stage.

Reporting of progress to the Justice Board was based on one Vision for Justice aim per quarter, commencing around a year after publication of the delivery plan. The need to discuss higher priorities resulted in reporting being delayed.

Aim five, which includes ‘renewing and transforming the justice system’ covered a number of areas of work, so at times elements from this aim were drawn into other reporting.

Over and above reporting on the strategy aims, priority transformational change efforts – much of which comes under aim five, were reported to the Criminal Justice Board.

We recognise the findings of the Audit Scotland report and are taking the recommendations into account as we work with partners to develop the next delivery plan.

This will provide a single, cross-portfolio plan setting out shared priorities, milestones and measurable outcomes, and align the key collaborative delivery activity across the justice system over the next five years.

We recognise the findings of the Audit Scotland report and the importance of continuing to strengthen governance arrangements. The Scottish Government continues to work with justice partners to improve coordination, oversight and delivery across criminal justice reform work.

Individual areas of work remain subject to the governance arrangements of the relevant justice organisations. However, we are working with partners to strengthen system-wide coordination, including through the proposed Justice Efficiencies and Effectiveness Collaboration group, subject to the necessary resource and support arrangements being put in place.

The following table outlines how many homes are proposed to be built as part of successful applications for the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP). The VDLIP provides funding to cover capital costs associated with remediating and unblocking long-term vacant and derelict land sites. Additional funding to support the delivery of new homes, where this is part of the project proposals, is considered as a part of the application process by the independent investment panel. Funding also supports place making, infrastructure and public realm as part of wider of housing developments.

We recognise that the register of child welfare reporters is a key part of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020. It remains a priority and will improve consistency, transparency and quality in how reporters are appointed and deliver their role. To support the delivery of this, we convened a short-life Child Welfare Reporter Working Group to consider what is needed in advance of establishing the new register.

The Child Welfare Reporter Working Group last met on 19 March 2026 to consider a draft implementation plan and Logic Model. The plan is not yet finalised, and a further meeting is expected in autumn 2026.

Subject to approval of the implementation plan, delivery of the register is expected to take up to three years. This will include developing regulations, establishing operational arrangements, and making any necessary changes to court rules. Work is also underway to assess costs and ensure the register is implemented sustainably while delivering its intended improvements.

There is no policy requiring the placement of an accessible defibrillator on every public building, as there is limited evidence that legislation mandating devices in certain locations would improve cardiac arrest outcomes.

Instead, the Scottish Government and Save a Life for Scotland partners use a data-driven, localised approach to increase defibrillator availability and use.

We funded the development of PADmap - Increasing cardiac arrest survival through optimal defibrillator placement, a tool that helps defibrillator guardians identify locations where devices will have the impact. We are also funding the expansion of Cardiac Arrest Rescue Zones (CARe Zones), which support increased defibrillator placement through community engagement.

Social care reform and the implementation of the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 are a central focus for this Government. In our first 100 days, we are prioritising action to improve key areas within social care. This includes support for unpaid carers, work force conditions and access to services.

Officials are engaging with potential partners to develop a programme of work that seeks to increase investment that supports the growth and development of outcomes based commissioning through the use of Social Impact Partnerships to support interventions that:

1) prevent and stop re-offending

2) provide safe spaces for young people to divert them from anti-social behaviour and crime

The Scottish Government will keep Parliament updated regarding all progress made towards achieving this commitment.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00816 on 16 June 2026. The Scottish Government has commissioned an independent scalability assessment by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) to explore effective expansion of our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) Pilots.

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.