Seòmar agus comataidhean

Funding and resources available will be published as part of the series of Action Plans.

We are considering using an evidence based process to determine which improvement work will be prioritised and details of this will form part of the Long Term Conditions Framework which we will publish in December 2025.

The Scottish Government recognises the particular challenges that people in rural and island communities can face in accessing mental health support. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has access to high-quality, person-centred mental health services, including counselling and psychological therapies.

While mental health service provision is led locally by NHS Boards, local authorities and third sector partners, based on population needs and clinical judgement, we support this through national funding, guidance and strategy.

Since 2021, we have invested £66 million in the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, with over 900 awards made to projects supporting people in rural areas. In 2024-25, we are also providing £123.5 million to NHS Boards via the Enhanced Mental Health Outcomes Framework, now baselined to give local areas greater flexibility in how services are delivered.

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2023) sets out a long-term vision focused on reducing geographical inequalities and promoting a person-centred approach. This is supported by the National Specification for Psychological Therapies and Interventions, which sets out clear expectations for consistent, trauma-informed, and accessible care across all areas.

We expect NHS Boards to follow national clinical guidelines in the delivery of counselling services. Recruitment and training of professionals are managed locally, in collaboration with relevant professional bodies. The Scottish Government will continue to consider how targeted support, including funding, can help improve access in underserved areas.

We will continue working with NHS Boards, local authorities, and delivery partners to ensure mental health services are equitable, effective, and meet the needs of all communities across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to strengthening Scotland’s national entrepreneurial infrastructure. As part of this, we have procured CodeBase to deliver the Techscaler programme, which supports the creation and growth of tech startups across the country. Through this initiative, CodeBase collaborates with a range of ecosystem stakeholders, including private sector incubators, to ensure alignment and integration within the wider entrepreneurial landscape.

In addition, our Ecosystem Fund provides targeted support to organisations that contribute to a thriving startup environment. This includes funding for projects that enhance connectivity, capability, and access to resources for entrepreneurs, thereby reinforcing the role of private sector incubators within the national ecosystem.

We have not had any engagement with OSCR concerning the proposed sale of Armadale Castle and estate by the Clan Donald Lands Trust.

Charities and OSCR are independent of government, and so it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to intervene in any complaints that have been submitted.

As committed to in the response to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee's ‘Salmon Farming in Scotland’ report (2025) (Salmon farming in Scotland: Scottish Governments response to Salmon farming report), the Scottish Government will provide an update in September 2025 on overall progress.

The Scottish Government is in discussions with NHS Boards to confirm the funding required to implement Emergency Department opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses. This includes necessary start-up costs, funding for tests and laboratory staff, other resources and support for patients.

The Scottish Government has committed to rolling out Emergency Department opt-out testing for blood borne viruses in the areas of highest diagnosed prevalence and elsewhere as the evidence develops and supports this. As this is a roll out rather than a pilot, we have not set a fixed end-date but, as with all measures, we will continue to monitor and evaluate the programme to ensure that it is effective.

The Scottish Government is in discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian to confirm appropriate timescales for commencing emergency department opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses, however it is important that preparatory work is undertaken to ensure that the roll-out is robust and well-supported. This initial preparatory work has begun and we anticipate the commencement of testing within the current parliamentary session.

During my attendance at the Committee on 5 March 2025, I reiterated my continued commitment towards widening access as well as the needs of part-time students, and disabled students. I am pleased to announce that a consultation will be published today on the Scottish Government and Citizen Space websites. The consultation will seek to capture a wide range of views, especially those of our learners, to help us understand the barriers that part-time and disabled students face and explore potential solutions, as part of our continued commitment to ensure that students can access support needed whilst they study.

These can be accessed via the following links:

Scottish Government -https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836917717

Citizen Space: Support for part-time study and disabled students: Survey for students, potential students, parents and carers - https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/support-for-part-time-and-disabled-students

Citizen Space: Support for part-time study and disabled students: Survey for the Higher Education and Further Education sector, training providers, third sector and interested organisations -

https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/support-for-part-time-and-disabled-providers

To understand the impact of Land Reform (Scotland) Bill proposals on businesses, the Scottish Government conducted a Scottish firms impact test, involving engagement with landowners, land agents and representative organisations of land-based businesses.

These stakeholders did not raise a link between pre-notification and lotting decisions and employment however some did note that additional staff and/or commissioning of advice may be required in relation to land management plans. Full detail of this assessment of anticipated impacts can be found in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill - Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment.