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I recognise the importance of training and qualifications standards, which was also clearly reflected in the views of stakeholders during the consultation. The Scottish Government has set out that we want that level of qualification, but we also believe that section 3 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 will be engaged by any legislation that sets out provisions for training and qualifications, especially standards for practitioners, and prevents practitioners who do not have that qualification from practising.

When I gave evidence during the session on the bill, I indicated that we have been having in-depth conversations with the UK Government about this. Earlier this month, I wrote to Karin Smyth, who is the UK Government minister who is responsible for this area of public health, and I have copied that letter to the committee. Work on this is on-going, which is why it is not included in the order.

As Gillian Mackay will be aware, the UK Government is also consulting on similar regulations for non-surgical procedures, which is why we are working closely with the UK Government to understand where it has got to on this. Work is also on-going with training providers on what the courses could be.

That is a good point: we need consistency across the country. There is a role for the Scottish Government to play in that, and there is also a role for COSLA and the providers of these non-cosmetic procedures. I hope that that will be pulled together to ensure that we have consistent regulations across Scotland.

As we have been going through this process, the importance of public awareness has been highlighted. It is fair to say that people assumed that this area was already regulated. The coverage that the committee has been creating in taking evidence and what has been in the media—whether that is radio, television or print—is all very important and has helped to move us along on this journey.

It is fair to say that a lot of the advertising for these types of treatments comes through social media, and the Scottish Government will look to share messages at the appropriate time on those same channels. I think that awareness is very important; indeed, you took very strong evidence on the issue in your evidence gathering for the bill.

11:15

What we are looking at is licensing. I will turn to Owen Griffiths to give you a response to that question.

If there is national guidance, we expect it to be followed consistently. However, as I said in response to previous questions from Elena Whitham, that will involve a collaborative approach with local authorities and COSLA to ensure that we get the right information out in the right places.

That is an important question, and we will be working with the local authorities and COSLA to ensure that, if a temporary licence is permitted, it will be for only a specific length of time, and that the guidelines set out the right procedures for firming up such licences. That will be in the interests of the local authorities as well as the consumer, because it will mean that they will get the resources to continue to monitor and regulate these matters.

I agree, and Owen Griffiths set that out clearly in his response to Mr Sweeney.

I recognise from other areas of my portfolio as well as this one the stretch that is required for environmental health officers in Scotland and the key roles that they carry out across the board.

I recognise that there will be some additional work for local authority environmental health officers and the licensing departments in processing licences. I also understand that the EHOs are currently doing an amount of work in this area without any direct resourcing, through investigating health and safety concerns. Under the order, they will have the ability to source cost recovery. It will be local authorities that will set the levels of fees for the licensing. We will provide guidance.

I see this as an important piece of public health regulation and, I hope, legislation as well. I will commit to working with local authorities and alongside Healthcare Improvement Scotland to ensure that we have the right structures.

I thank the convener and committee members for their consideration of this order, which will establish a local authority licensing scheme for lower-risk non-surgical procedures that pierce or penetrate the skin and will modify the general provisions of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in that respect.

The order aligns with part 1 of the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill, and together they will bring under regulation a wide range of procedures that we know are happening across Scotland. Such procedures can cause serious and lasting damage, and this is the first substantive step to reduce the potential harm to customers in Scotland across a range of procedures. I invite the committee to recommend approval of the instrument.

I move,

That the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee recommends that the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Non-surgical Procedures) Order 2026 be approved.

Motion agreed to.