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We have assessed the strong evidence that the earlier the stage cancer is diagnosed the better the outcomes are for those affected, irrespective of age, cancer type, race or any other protected characteristic.

This has informed our Earlier Cancer Diagnosis vision as part of the Cancer Strategy for Scotland 2023-2033 and initial three-year Action Plan for Scotland 2023 – 2026. The vision is to reduce later stage disease by 18 percentage points in 10 years’ time (2033), making clear our ambition to reduce inequalities in access to cancer care and improving outcomes for anyone diagnosed with cancer.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of early diagnosis of cancer or serious illness and would expect any patient presenting with potential symptoms to be assessed as quickly as possible.

The Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRG) for Suspected Cancer support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist.

A clinical review of SRGs has been completed with updated guidance published on 6 August 2025. These include a nationally agreed non-specific symptoms referral criteria for the first time to support primary care to ensure that the right people are on the right pathway at the right time.

A new primary care cancer education platform – Gateway C – was launched in 2024 in NHS Scotland, funded by the Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme and supported by NHS Education for Scotland (NES).

Gateway C provides innovative and tailored information to support earlier cancer diagnosis efforts and enable effective decision-making. This free online platform is accessible to all primary care clinicians including pharmacists, dentists, and optometrists.

Further to this, we have continued to invest in our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services. They provide primary care with access to a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss and fatigue. We opened another service in NHS Forth Valley in 2025, bringing our national total to six.

As set out in the answer to S6W 40658 on 2 October 2025, the introduction of opt-out group proceedings in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC). Under the 2018 Act , opt-out procedures can only be introduced through rules of court made by the Court of Session on the recommendation of the SCJC.

The Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018, as introduced, provided only for opt-in group proceedings. However, at Stage 2, non-Government amendments were accepted by the Justice Committee to allow for both opt-in and opt-out procedures, with the type of procedure to be determined by the court in each case. These amendments were supported by all opposition parties and were not overturned at Stage 3.

While the Scottish Government did not oppose the principle of opt-out proceedings, it had concerns about the complexity of implementing such a model without further analysis. The Government’s preference was to introduce opt-in proceedings first, with opt-out to be considered following post-legislative scrutiny. As a result, a full policy analysis of the opt-out model was not undertaken at the time of the Bill’s passage, on the understanding that detailed analysis and stakeholder engagement would be carried out prior to implementation. This remains the Government’s position

The Scottish Government is aware of the growing interest in the potential introduction of opt-out group proceedings in Scotland, particularly in relation to competition matters. While there have been no formal bilateral discussions with the UK Department for Business and Trade specifically on this issue, the Scottish Government continues to monitor developments in UK-wide competition litigation, including the operation of opt-out collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in England and Wales.

I also further refer the member to the answers to question S6W-40658 on 2 October 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.

The Scottish Government remains open to considering well-developed proposals for Safer Drug Consumption Facilities (SDCF). However, a mobile facility would be difficult to deliver while still being able to meet the criteria previously set out by the Lord Advocate in relation to what she would consider in terms of a proposal for an SDCF and for which she would be able to offer a statement of prosecution policy.

The only existing Statement of Prosecution Policy from the Lord Advocate in relation to a safer drug consumption facility applies only to the operation of a fixed facility, mobile units are not currently within scope.

The position of the Scottish Government is that any intervention proven to save lives and reduce harms, such as an inhalation room, should be considered on its merits.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that any changes to the operation of group proceedings under the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018 are subject to appropriate scrutiny and transparency.

The development of rules for group proceedings, including any proposals to introduce opt-out procedures, is the responsibility of the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC). These rules are made by the Court of Session under powers conferred by the 2018 Act.

Once approved by the Court of Session, rules of court are laid before the Scottish Parliament in accordance with the negative procedure. This means that Parliament has the opportunity to scrutinise the rules and, if it considers it appropriate, annul them within a specified period. This process ensures that the Parliament retains oversight of significant procedural changes to the civil justice system.

In addition, the Scottish Government will continue to engage with stakeholders and the Parliament throughout the development of any new procedures. Ministers are also required under the 2018 Act to report on the operation of group proceedings, which provides a further mechanism for parliamentary scrutiny and debate.

I also further refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40659 on 2 October 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.

Responsibility for ICT provision rests with individual organisations, including NHS boards, local government, and non departmental public bodies who determine the most appropriate and cost effective arrangements for their operational needs.

In line with Scotland’s Digital Strategy, the Scottish Government promotes the use of shared digital and data services across the public sector. This reduces duplication, strengthens data security, supports value for money, and provides citizens with a consistent digital identity through shared platforms such as myaccount - mygov.scot and ScotAccount - mygov.scot.

An exercise to collate information on data centres and associated staffing was carried out some years ago, however these findings are now outdated. I have instructed officials to gather current information to enable us to inform opportunities for cost savings as part of the Public Service Reform strategy.

Until this work concludes, we do not hold a current central record of the number of self-sufficient ICT structures with dedicated data centres, nor the professional staff supporting them.

We have laid before Parliament today an annual progress report against our Heat in Buildings Strategy, the fourth since its publication in 2021: www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806431168.

I can confirm that both Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) will begin the process of establishment and operation from the end of 2025.

Implementation of the Education (Scotland) Act is supported by a Scotland Act section 104 Order (SAO) to be passed by the UK Parliament. Based on current information, we expect this to be completed before the end of this calendar year, though this is subject to UK Parliament timetabling.

Qualifications Scotland will be established as a legal entity on 1 December 2025, with Shirley Rogers appointed as Chair and the Board being established by transitioning selected current members of the SQA to Qualifications Scotland and the recruitment of new members. Recruitment of members to the Learner and Teacher Interest Committees and the Strategic Advisory Council will also begin in December.

From 1 November 2025, HMIE will begin phased establishment, pending the passage of the SAO by the UK Parliament. During this time, HMIE will operate increasingly independently as part of Education Scotland, with a new website and business support functions and will begin to develop and establish its Advisory Council. Subject to successful recruitment, a substantive appointment to the role of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland will also be confirmed during this period.

The focus for both bodies during this process will be to ensure continuity of service and to establish critical business functions in accordance with the legislation. This will ensure they are ready to deliver meaningful change which puts our children, young people, and adult learners, their teachers, practitioners and school leaders at its heart once they are fully operational.