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The provision of facilities at fire stations is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). In April 2025 SFRS introduced new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Fire Contaminants covering all fire stations to help protect firefighters and staff from the potential harm from fire contaminants. SFRS continues to invest in improved facilities including separation of clean and dirty areas within fire stations. There are variations of the standard of facilities available at fire stations across Scotland with only basic facilities being available in some of the seldom used rural stations. However, procedures are in place at all fire stations to allow for decontamination. This includes crew’s being directed to a nearby hub station or other local arrangement for access to showers where these are not available in their home fire station.

NHS Golden Jubilee Hospital continues to work with West Dunbartonshire Council and Vital Energi on this project. A technical assessment has been carried out and discussions between the parties are continuing.

The Scottish Government has supported the hospital with its efforts to reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions with capital funding of
£1.1 million in 2026-27 for the installation of electronically commutated (EC) fans and LED lighting.

The Member may wish to contact ScotRail regarding any discussions it has had with the UK Government Department for Transport. The Scottish Government does not hold any details of any such meetings.

National Railcards are managed and administered by the Rail Delivery Group under UK Government rail industry rules, and the terms and conditions, including the minimum fare, are set at a national level.

Six civil servants each played a role in the delivery of the We are Scotland campaign, in parallel with a number of other projects and responsibilities.

The average length of time for scheduled drydocking is 20 days for small vessels is and 30 days for major vessels.

Further emergent works have been identified since MV Glen Sannox entered dry dock.

MV Glen Sannox is scheduled to return to service on Monday 23 February.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to rail freight growth, with industry targets, and focussed network interventions to support rail freight capacity. In addition in 2025 Scottish Ministers awarded two freight facilities grants including a grant of £3,000,000 to enable the construction of rail freight terminal near Inverness to facilitate the movement of finished goods to the UK market by rail.

The budget announced in Parliament in January 2026 did not contain any funding support for MSRS due to the on-going pressures on Scottish Government finances, particularly in respect of revenue funding. The Government’s commitment to supporting rail freight remains. The potential reintroduction of a budget for MSRS will be considered should circumstances allow.

Taking freight off congested roads and moving it by rail or water can have environmental and wider social benefits but it can be more expensive. Freight Facilities Grant is available to assist with the extra costs generally associated with moving freight by rail or water by offsetting the capital costs of providing the required freight handling facilities. Within the draft budget under consideration by the Scottish Parliament is a budget for £2.5 million for Freight Facilities Grant in 2026-27.

The footbridges between Junctions 21 and 23 are complex structures, which have taken longer than expected to design repairs for. Once the suspended spans were removed, previously hidden defects in the concrete were discovered. This required further testing and changes to the repair approach. Repair work on the suspended spans is continuing off-site. Work on site is expected to restart in the summer, and the footbridges are now expected to reopen in autumn 2026.

Ministers have confidence in the leadership of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board.

It is important to be clear that significant leadership changes have been made: appointment of a new Chair (2023), new Chief Executive (2025), and new Medical Director (2024). It is the expectation of the Scottish Government that, under their leadership, clinical quality, safety, and good organisational culture will be continue to be of the utmost importance.

The Member will be aware that this matter relates to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, established by the Scottish Government. It is right that the inquiry’s independent chair Lord Brodie be given the time and space to consider all of the evidence and get to the truth for families.

The Scottish Government expects NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s current leadership to consider the Inquiry’s full report when published, and to fully implement any recommendations made.