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The provision and procurement of uniforms and equipment is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The Frontline focus review of tools of the trade Report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, (HMICS),identified a number of areas where Police Scotland can make improvements, including in the provision of uniforms. Police Scotland has stated its intention to take account of this review and listen to its officers and staff, to ensure they get the uniform and kit they need to deliver for communities.

The Scottish Government’s record £1.64 billion investment in policing is helping equip officers with modern tools like body worn video, ensuring they have the right resources to keep communities safe.

Transport Scotland already operates in line with key recommendations and best practice of the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry in the delivery of major transport infrastructure projects, as evidenced by its excellent record on projects such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the Queensferry Crossing.

It is unclear where the figure of a net loss of over 30,000 private landlords since the COVID-19 pandemic has come from.

The most recently published figures show a reduction in registered landlords of 6,644 from January 2022 to July 2025, although it should be noted that the number of registered properties has increased in during the same period. The latest Scottish Landlord Register data shows the number of registered properties for rent in Scotland between August 2022 and July 2025 has increased by 2.9%. Over the same period, the number of registered landlords has decreased by 2.4%.

While these changes may point to some landlords choosing to leave the sector, the evidence suggests that their properties are remaining in the sector, or new properties are being offered for rent.

It should be noted that there are some limitations to the administrative data from the landlord register, including the time-lag in landlords deregistering properties that are no longer available to rent. These statistics should therefore be treated with some caution.

Police officers in Scotland remain the best paid in the UK, at the minimum and maximum salary points for basic pay at all ranks compared to counterparts in England and Wales.

The recruitment and retention of officers are operational matters for the Chief Constable, with oversight provided by the Scottish Police Authority.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40236 on 16 September 2025 regarding the planned lung screening pilot. 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.

While this will be the first NHS-led pilot within Scotland, the LungScot study generated valuable evidence and insights into identifying individuals at high risk of lung cancer. These findings contributed to the work of the Scottish Expert Advisory Group for lung screening. A research project briefing has been published by the Chief Scientist Office for the phase of the study conducted within NHS Lothian, with key findings included. A full report regarding the wider study will be published at a later date.

Following the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation for a targeted lung cancer screening program, the Scottish Government established a Scottish Expert Advisory Group for lung screening to provide advice on the scoping, implementation, establishment and delivery of a targeted lung cancer screening programme within Scotland. The group concluded that it would take 7-10 years for a full programme to be implemented due to the complexities of establishing a screening programme of this size. These complexities were recognised by the UK NSC.

As a first step in implementing a national programme, the Scottish Government is funding a lung screening pilot which is anticipated to begin in 2027. The pilot will invite eligible individuals in areas experiencing the highest levels of socio-economic deprivation, as evidence shows that they are at higher risk of lung cancer, and have poorer outcomes. It will allow the NHS to test potential delivery models and understand the impact on existing services, and it will provide valuable evidence regarding the best strategies to address screening inequalities.

The Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 introduced the ability for the Scottish Ministers to instruct the early release of specified groups of prisoners where is it "necessary and proportionate" to do so in response to the effects an emergency situation is having or is likely to have on a prison or prisons generally, to protect the security and good order of prisons, or to protect the safety and wellbeing of prisoners and staff.

This allows the Scottish Ministers to take action that would support the safe operation of our prison system during an emergency, and to protect the safety of prison staff and prisoners. This would never be an action that we would take lightly, and the emergency early release power would only be used if it was considered absolutely necessary and proportionate to do so, in line with the legislation.

The Victim Notification Scheme is the means by which victims can indicate that they wish to be informed of information regarding the release of a specific prisoner.

There are currently no plans to introduce direct dermatology referral pathways from community optometry and pharmacy.

Our Digital Dermatology programme has provided GPs across Scotland with access to a new app which allows them to securely use their own mobile device to attach an image to a dermatology referral. This has the potential to significantly reduce the dermatology waiting list by diverting 50% of patients each year either back to their GP with advice or direct to treatment through the creation of a digital triage process in secondary care.

The following table provides data on proceedings and convictions for ‘having an article with a blade or point’. It is not possible to disaggregate these figures by the specific type of weapon involved.

The most recent information on proceedings and convictions is available for the financial year 2022-23.

Number of people prosecuted in Scottish courts for crimes related to having an article with a blade or point, where main charge, 2013-14 to 2022-23.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned by any planned job losses in the North East.

We continue to monitor and consider a range of evidence in relation to Scotland’s energy sector. As part of this approach, we review reports on employment from industry, trade unions and other bodies. We have also commissioned and published independent analysis on Scotland’s Energy System and Just Transition. This analysis considers the economic impact of Scotland’s oil and gas industry, including in terms of employment, during the transition to net zero. A partial update of the baseline data underpinning this analysis was published in April 2025.

The fiscal regime for offshore oil and gas is reserved to the UK Government. However the Scottish Government have been calling on the current UK Government for an expedited end date to the EPL that was introduced by the previous UK Government. At the time of introduction we were clear that this levy singled out a key sector in the Scottish economy and could put jobs at risk.