Seòmar agus comataidhean

This is an operational matter for Crown Estate Scotland. I have asked their Chief Executive, Ronan O’Hara, to respond to you directly.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

Data on ELC placements may be held by local Councils. It is the responsibility of each Local Authority to plan for, and manage, ELC placements in line with their statutory duties in relation to funded ELC delivery, including having regard to the statutory guidance on cross-boundary placements.

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).

The SCJC is an independent body established by the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Act 2013, and as such Scottish Ministers are not responsible for its operations.

The SCJC Group Procedure Working Group established to investigate the introduction of an opt-out system for group proceedings publish updates of their work online, which can be found here:

https://www.scottishciviljusticecouncil.gov.uk/council/group-procedure-working-group

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) already carry out regular lithium-ion battery fire safety campaigns, most notably alongside Glasgow City Council highlighting the need for proper use and disposal (here). SFRS also have dedicated advice on their website. The Scottish Government will consider if more should be done and support any further safety campaigns across Scotland alongside SFRS and Local Authorities.

Dutyholders (the employer, as well as any other person who may have control to any extent of any part of the premises) are responsible for complying with the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the associated Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to ensure the safety of others from fire. This includes ensuring a fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent assessor. However, SFRS do work with dutyholders in relevant premises to achieve compliance in fire safety through partnership working, providing advice and support when requested.

It should be noted that SFRS base their auditing programme around high risk premises with sleeping accommodation – this includes care homes, hospitals, hotels and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) which can include student accommodation.

SFRS remains the enforcing authority for general fire safety legislation in non-domestic premises, including vape shops, and its audit programme is informed by risk-based criteria, for example this includes where a complaint about a premises is received or a previous fire has happened.

The Scottish Government recognises the progress being made at SaxaVord as the UK’s first fully licensed spaceport and the important role it can play in supporting Scotland’s ambition to develop a thriving space industry.

We are supporting the continued progress of the space sector through a range of levers. Our Cluster Development Programme is being established through collaboration across the public sector, academic, and industry to build excellence in areas where Scotland has strong assets such as Advanced Manufacturing within the Space sector. And through the activities of our Space Trade and Investment Envoy and Scottish Development International, we are promoting Scotland’s space capabilities to a global audience. We will also continue to work in partnership with the UK Government to leverage a greater share of available funding for space projects in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is confident that establishing sovereign launch capability from Scotland’s spaceports, including SaxaVord in Shetland, will help accelerate the growth of our space sector and strengthen Scotland’s position as a key player in the space economy.

The policy was implemented on 3 September 2025 after the First Minister’s statement to Parliament. Scottish Government officials have undertaken consultation with stakeholders and full operational guidance was issued in December 2025. This operational guidance outlined the applicable defence related sectors. This policy is under continuous review because it is a pause, but remains in place at the present time.

The in-principle agreement between the Fire Brigades Union and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on an expanded role for firefighters in Scotland includes a significant uplift in pay in exchange for carrying out the new duties. The challenging fiscal position has meant that the increases in funding provided to SFRS since 2022 have been in support of front-line services but have been insufficient to provide additional funding to support the expanded role proposals. Whilst a broadened role for firefighters remains a priority in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland, the overall funding position means there are currently no detailed negotiations taking place.

The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 requires Scottish Ministers and listed authorities, as set out within the Act, to promote, and facilitate the promotion of, use and understanding of BSL within their services and functions. The BSL National Plan 2023-29 makes clear that for public services to be truly accessible for BSL users, there should be awareness around the culture of BSL and enabling people to access services using their own language. Actions within the plan support the delivery of this ambition. It is the responsibility of listed authorities under the Act who deliver services to make sure these are accessible to BSL users in line with their legal duties.

The Scottish Government does not have a regulatory function over BSL local plans under the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015. We fund British Deaf Association (BDA) Scotland and the Health and Social Care ALLIANCE Scotland (the ALLIANCE) to support listed authorities in the delivery and monitoring of local plans. BDA provide that vital community engagement and lived experience expertise to local plans, whereas the ALLIANCE operate a BSL network for listed authority for sharing best practice and working together towards solutions. This approach gathers data and intelligence on how outcomes are being delivered in practice.