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The amount of peatland restored through the Peatland ACTION partnership since 2021, broken down by local authority area, can be found in the following table.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges associated with introducing this complex area of licensing but with the help of stakeholders through the Muirburn Code Working Group we are confident that the provisions can be in place ahead of the 2025 season. NatureScot has prioritised this area of work within its licensing team and online development and design team. Progress is being made in developing an easy-to-use online application form and in providing clear guidance around identifying peatlands.

A final draft of the Muirburn Code was discussed by the Muirburn Code Working Group at their meeting on 26 February 2025. It is expected that the final Muirburn Code will be signed off for publication shortly after this meeting and the Scottish Government and NatureScot aim to make it available by the end of March 2025.

The Scottish Government has not sought formal advice on this issue. Regular discussions are held between Scottish Government officials and NatureScot regarding commencing of the muirburn licensing provisions. NatureScot are working towards putting the necessary arrangements in place to allow for commencement of these provisions ahead of the 2025 muirburn season.

A pre-publication version of the report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour was submitted to myself, COSLA and Police Scotland just before Christmas. The report has since been finalised and was published on Tuesday 25th February 2025. It is available at Report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour. Along with our lead partners, COSLA and Police Scotland, we are considering the recommendations and support for local community safety and multi-agency prevention work. We plan to provide a comprehensive response in the Summer with a progress update by Easter. I am grateful to the Group for their work and to all who contributed.

Food Safety is regulated through various pieces of legislation including the Food Safety Act 1990 and assimilated Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 on general food law, which create the regulatory framework in this respect.

In relation to public events, the Food Standards Scotland website provides specific advice on Food Safety at Community Events where those providing foods on an occasional basis may not be registered food businesses.

Please see the following table for a breakdown of how the staff budget contributed to the overall FSS’ baseline budget in each financial year since the establishment of FSS. FSS staff costs are not dependant on where staff are located but by pay grade, therefore there are no comparisons to be made between Aberdeen and other locations.

Figures are not kept in the form requested as FSS officials will work on a range of policy areas according to priorities and workloads. Four policy officials have the necessary expertise to deal with food labelling and allergen issues

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 2025. 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

If concerns are raised with Ministers regarding a medical setting, such as Skye House, the Scottish Government would direct correspondents to their NHS Health Board complaints process, as patient care and service delivery are the statutory responsibility of local healthcare providers.