Seòmar agus comataidhean

Responses to the Citizen Space consultation on Support for Part-Time Study and Disabled Students were published on 9th January 2026 at https://consult.gov.scot/.

An analysis report of the consultation findings will be published in spring 2026.

The criteria used in the evidence report gate check process for Local Development Plans are set out in relevant legislation and Scottish Government guidance. These include the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, the Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2023, National Planning Framework 4 (February 2023), and the Scottish Government’s Local Development Planning Guidance (May 2023).

Each gate check submission is different and the reporter’s role is to consider the evidence before them. As a result, whilst each reporter undertakes the gate check assessment using the same criteria, some differences in the content of decision reports/letters are to be expected.

In relation to assessing proposed housing land targets, the guidance advises that the appointed reporter is expected to consider whether there is sufficient information to establish the indicative Local Housing Land Requirement (LHLR), and whether the evidence provided is presented in a transparent and understandable way.

Pages 62–64 of the LDP guidance outline the types of evidence that planning authorities may wish to present when proposing an indicative LHLR. This can include:

• Minimum All-Tenure Housing Land Requirements (MATHLR) set out in National Planning Framework 4;
• Any more recent Housing Needs and Demand Assessment (HNDA);
• The Local Housing Strategy;
• Evidence on ineffective stock or windfall assumptions; and
• Any other up-to-date evidence or policy considerations.

The reporter considers the sufficiency and clarity of the methodology and figures used, as well as any stakeholder comments, rather than applying any fixed weighting to individual criteria. Where the evidence is not sufficient or clearly explained, the return of the evidence report to the authority allows issues to be addressed before decisions are taken on housing land allocation in the proposed plan.

The Scottish Government is absolutely clear on the value of cultural cinema, and we are continuing to engage with Screen Scotland and others to ensure that cultural cinema is protected for Scotland's audiences today and in the long term.

I am pleased that Screen Scotland, our dedicated public agency for screen, has supported cultural cinema – including the Edinburgh Filmhouse and the Aberdeen Belmont after the collapse of their previous parent company, CMI – with funding as well as expert advice and support.

The budget for 2026-27 includes £12m funding for Screen Scotland. We have also funded, and continue to fund, Creative Scotland to support their regularly funded organisations, which include a number of cultural cinemas.

Additionally, the budget provisionally allocates up to £500,000 to support cultural cinemas in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. These cinemas have made representations to the Scottish Government in relation to the need for support to allow them to continue, or restart, their vital work as cultural cinemas.

The Level 4 Workbook as initially published contained a range of options for spend against my portfolio. Officials therefore updated the published workbook without Ministerial approval, and I instructed the workbooks to be reinstated as originally published.

The Scottish Government has received a range of feedback from planning authorities on the clarity and consistency of the evidence report gate check process for Local Development Plans. Planning authorities have raised concerns which have been shared directly with Planning Officials and me, about perceived contradictions and a lack of clarity in the various sources of guidance. Planning authorities are unclear what constitutes sufficient evidence which causes uncertainty and makes evidence report preparation more resource intensive and time-consuming than expected. These issues were highlighted both through ongoing engagement with Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) and in discussions with individual councils.

I took part in the gate check summit on 8 December, during which planning authorities reiterated these concerns and noted that aspects of guidance produced by PARD and the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) appeared unclear or inconsistent. This feedback has informed subsequent work to produce updated and clearer guidance for authorities, and I continue to engage with Planning Officials on this matter.

From the DPEA perspective, having a small, dedicated team of reporters contributes to consistency in assessments. DPEA has also adapted the format of gate check reports and letters to improve clarity and focus on key issues. Pre-submission meetings have been offered to all authorities which allow those working on evidence reports to seek guidance on matters of uncertainty. Additionally, follow-up meetings have been held with authorities after the return of evidence reports to support understanding and next steps.

The Scottish Government places great importance on community sports and leisure facilities, such as swimming pools. They are crucial to the wellbeing of all our country and are essential in providing opportunities for our children and young people to learn to swim.

This universal offer will provide swimming tuition for primary school children in Scotland, based on the School Swimming Framework, which addresses poverty related barriers to access.

The Scottish Government’s policy towards local authorities’ spending is to allow local authorities the financial freedom to operate independently. As such, the vast majority of funding is provided by means of a block grant.

The Scottish Government recognises the financial challenges that local government are facing and that is why the 2026-27 Scottish Budget provides record block grant funding of over £15.7 billion for local government, an increase of 2 per cent in real terms compared to 2025-26.

In 2026-27, Aberdeen City Council will receive over £528.1 million to support day to day services, which equates to an extra £33.2 million or an additional 6.7 per cent compared to 2025-26.

While it is for local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, we will work together to find collective solutions about issues that matter to the people of Scotland.

As noted in my response to Mr. Marra’s PQ, reference S6W-43092 on 27 January 2026, the Scottish Government is absolutely clear on the value of cultural cinema, and we are continuing to engage with Screen Scotland and others to ensure that cultural cinema is protected for Scotland's audiences today and in the long term. For that reason, the budget for 2026-27 provisionally allocates up to £500,000 to support cultural cinemas in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

We have had representations over a number of years from Screen Scotland, the Aberdeen Belmont, the Edinburgh Filmhouse, and the Glasgow Film Theatre, in relation to the need for support to allow their work as cultural cinemas to restart, continue, and operate sustainably into the future.

Discussions will take place with all of these organisations to ensure that the proposed funding is disbursed fairly, to best ensure the protection and growth of cultural cinema in Scotland.

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 recognises the importance of the maritime sector to the people and economy of Scotland, including the value of short sea shipping routes.

Ports in Scotland are independent commercial bodies. Ministers have no involvement in the day to day running or commercial decisions of a port. It is the responsibility of individual ports to identify potential new routes and any necessary infrastructure improvements; including the business case and funding to support this and an assessment of any consents that may be required. The Scottish Government is open to discussing with port operators and other stakeholders what, if any, support it may be able to offer for the movement of freight.

Freight Facilities Grants of over £25 million have been made to Scottish ports since 1997. This has enabled ports to purchase shore based handling equipment, has allowed piers and berths to be built or refurbished and enabled rail lines to be built into ports.

The Scottish Government welcomes the BMA’s decision to call off industrial action following intensive and constructive talks. This has prevented the cancellation of operations and disruption to patient care. The 2026-27 budget provides for pay deals including for resident doctors. The final cost will be managed within the overall Scottish Government budget in recognition of our support for resident doctors through offering the same pay deal which nurses and NHS support staff accepted, including additional investment in contractual reform over the two year period it covers.

Products listed in the current National Procurement framework meet the ISO11948-1 Rothwell Absorption Capacity for Incontinence Pads.

Products to acute settings are fulfilled via the NSS National Distribution Service as a delivered price. This is 5% higher than products supplied directly by the supplier to community and care home settings. However, the supplier charges and invoices Health Boards for delivery.

Products fulfilled via the National Distribution Service do not differentiate between patient groups as the delivery is to wards, departments and other end points. National Procurement conducts a quarterly meeting with the framework provider, Ontex Healthcare and any local KPIs are managed by individual health boards.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43133 on 27 January 2026. 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.