Chamber and committees

Scottish Ministers have long argued for a comprehensive Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU, and have therefore welcomed the commitment made at the UK - EU summit of 19 May 2025 that the UK Government and European Commission should work towards establishing a Common SPS Area by way of an SPS Agreement. It is vital that the details of the SPS Agreement to be developed should benefit all parts of the UK and reflect the interests of Scottish producers and consumers.

The UK Government has argued that there are some areas in which it will need to retain its own rules, rather than align with EU regulation. Scottish Government policy is to seek dynamic alignment with the EU where it benefits Scotland to do so – including on gene editing, where neither the EU nor Scotland currently recognise a legal distinction between gene editing and genetic modification, and Scots and EU law remain aligned. We are engaging proactively with the UK Government on the exceptions they are seeking to the SPS agreement which overlap with devolved competencies.

Where residents are notified that their home may contain RAAC, we expect their local authority to provide advice on the next steps they can take. It is the responsibility of local authorities to deal with these matters.

Clackmannanshire council assessed the status of RAAC in the blocks and its decision was to decant three of the blocks affected by RAAC.

I recognise that would have been a stressful time for residents. However, Clackmannanshire Council’s primary concern is the safety of all those affected.

Scottish Government officials were and have been in contact with the council as it takes forwards the support it was providing to residents. The Council have recently completed an options appraisal for the affected buildings which are currently subject to dangerous building notices. They are engaging with owners with the outcome of that options appraisal and on the next steps regarding remediation of their properties, which includes repairs or voluntary acquisitions. In the meantime, we expect the local authority to keep those affected up to date, provide them with advice and where possible, facilitate access to allow residents to collect personal belongings.

I convened the first meeting of the RAAC in Housing Leadership Group on 4 September 2025 which brings together senior leaders and officials of local authorities and registered social landlords that are affected by RAAC.

The Scottish Government is actively considering the recommendations from the independent review of the anaesthesia associate (AA) and physician associate (PA) roles in England. I met with the Medical Associate Professions (MAPs) Programme Board on 9 September 2025 to discuss the review and its implications for Scotland.

I intend to write to the Programme Board imminently to set out the Scottish Government's position.

The Scottish Government meets regularly at both ministerial and official level with the UK Government to discuss matters relating to the Scottish Economy, including the ongoing situation with Liberty Steel.

It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on an active investigation by the Serious Fraud Office

In line with recommendations made by the Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group following annual reviews (since 2014) of the number of specialty training places needed in order to meet anticipated future service demand and consultant need, the Scottish Government has funded two additional haematology specialty training places in 2024.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. You should request this directly from the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has commissioned independent analysis of its public consultation concerning its Service Delivery Review (SDR) which closed on 17th September 2025. This analysis will inform considerations by the SFRS Board when it takes decisions on which of the 23 options for change to pursue at the December meeting of the Board.

The SFRS proposal impacting on Marionville fire station could see the appliance based there moving to the newly refurbished Newcraighall fire station. The level of resources to provide fire and rescue services in the east area of Edinburgh would therefore remain unchanged if SFRS take the decision to close Marionville fire station.

The evacuation of people from their homes in the event of a fire is an operational matter for SFRS. SFRS have appropriate training and equipment in place to evacuate anyone who requires it.

GFG is considering its strategic options for the site and this is a commercial matter for the company.

The Scottish Government publishes details of contingent liabilities and commercial transactions in its consolidated accounts, which are available on the Scottish Government website. An annual update is provided to the Scottish Parliament as well.

Financial reports and accounts - Government finance - gov.scot

Support provided by the enterprise agencies is published in their accounts.

The Scottish Government has robust contingency planning in place to ensure that we are ready to act if necessary.