Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government continues to support the promotion of improvements to Sheriffhall Roundabout as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal.

Following publication of the draft Orders and Environmental Statement, Transport Scotland received a significant number of representations, including over 2,700 objections, to the proposed scheme. Given the number of objections, a Public Local Inquiry (PLI) was held from 31 January to 8 February 2023 during which the appointed independent Reporter heard evidence from objectors and Transport Scotland (as the Promoter).

The PLI Reporter has submitted her conclusions and recommendations to the Scottish Government, and this is currently under active consideration before advice is provided to and a decision made by Scottish Ministers on whether to complete the statutory process.

Ministers will update Parliament as soon as possible, which will follow the advice of officials and is still awaited. It is only right that my officials take the appropriate time to consider the significant number of objections received, along with the conclusions and recommendations made by the Reporter, prior to providing advice to Ministers.

I am of course keen to see progress made, however, it is essential that due process is followed. The statutory right for individuals to have their say on the proposals, and for these to be fully considered, cannot be set aside.

The Carer’s Assistance (Miscellaneous and Consequential Amendments, Revocation, Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 were passed by Parliament on 5 November 2025. From 15 March 2026, they extend entitlement to Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement, and Carer Additional Person Payment for 12 weeks after the cared for person dies. As a result, unpaid carers in Scotland will get over £350 in extra support when compared to people receiving Carer’s Allowance, which is paid for 8 weeks after the cared for person dies, in the rest of the UK.

The Scottish Government and COSLA are continuing to progress the longer-term reforms to the sustainable rates setting process as set out in the 2023 joint Sustainable Rates Review.

The joint 2025-26 sustainable rates guidance, published 20 February 2025, reflects the recommendations of the Review – in particular by encouraging local authorities to introduce greater standardisation in the rate setting process. Local authorities are expected to make progress towards reflecting the changes outlined in this guidance during 2025-26.

Full implementation of these changes requires more robust and reliable data to improve the sustainable rate setting process, as recommended by the Review. To support this new national ELC cost surveys are being undertaken independently by the Diffley Partnership. When the survey data is available the Scottish Government and COSLA will consider carefully with the sector its potential implications for policy, guidance and funding in future years.

The Scottish Government understands the important role that the Cumbernauld Theatre plays in its community and the wider culture sector. The Scottish Government is engaging with the Cumbernauld Theatre Trust and the theatre's other public sector partners to support efforts to secure its future and understand the options available to the Trust.

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, Creative Scotland has received a total of 131 funding applications since 2022-23 to date. 59 applications were successful in receiving funding, 64 applications were unsuccessful and four applications are currently pending a decision.

The total funding awards broken down by year are as follows:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653
• 10 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £229,635

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229
• 19 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £326,521

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359
• 27 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £1,087,174

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199
• 4 applications that are pending decision for combined value of £202,882

We have funded 27 restorative justice test cases. Information on individual outcomes cannot be shared due to the personal and confidential nature of the process. A report summarising general learning and outcomes from the test case project will be published soon.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41513 on 7 November 2025. The Taskforce will bring together work from across Government. The Scottish Government is engaging with a wide range of third sector bodies, including those representing children and young people, as well as public sector stakeholders in developing and delivering work focused on tackling online harms to children and young people. This includes the various stakeholders involved in the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group - gov.scot.

The Taskforce will be considering how engagement on the government’s overarching approach to online harm can be enhanced further to support a more joined up dialogue with stakeholders including the third sector.

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.

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, Creative Scotland has awarded a combined total of over £1.33m to 59 successful projects since 2022-23 to date.

The total funding awards broken down by year are as follows:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41574 on 7 November 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.

As referenced in the Scottish Government Programme for Government 2025-26: Building the Best Future for Scotland, the purpose of the Taskforce is to strengthen our approach to keeping children safe online, providing oversight and direction across Scottish Government and identifying what more can be done to protect children and young people. In meeting this purpose it will bring together work from across government to better effect, maximising the funding available across government to keep children safe online and help promote wellbeing through positive behaviours.