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Following the collapse of a school roof in 2018, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), alerted NHS Scotland Assure to the issue and the following steps were then taken:

• May 2019 - The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), alerted Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) to the issue in May 2019, this was circulated to NHS Scotland
• February 2020 – paper presented by NHS Scotland Assure to the NHS Strategic Facilities Group outlining a proposal for identifying and managing RAAC across the NHS estate
• May 2021 – NHS Assure gather a local assessment of RAAC from each local NHS Board, and conclude that a national survey programme would be best;
• November 2022 – a lead adviser is appointed and the desktop survey programme starts.
• December 2022 – NHS Scotland Assure commissioned a survey team to establish the extent of RAAC across the NHS Scotland Estate and the condition it is in.
• January 2023 – Desktop review begins
• July 2023 – Phase 1 Discovery survey work begins
• April 2024 – Discovery survey programme complete (except for several revisits and several later additions)
• May 2024 – three pilot detailed surveys commissioned to inform a programme to undertake a detailed survey of all buildings with RAAC in the NHS Estate.
• June 2024 – two pilot detailed surveys completed to inform a Phase 2 Survey Programme
• October 2024 – Scottish Government commissioned an Annual Inspection Programme to complete annual re visits required during the 2024/25 financial year
• November 2024 – Annual Inspection Programme commenced
• November 2024 – procurement of a Phase 2 Survey Programme

It is the NHS Boards responsibility for any actions identified in the Survey reports to be undertaken timeously.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the net zero economy. Together with our enterprise agencies, we have invested £75 million in the cutting-edge National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility, which is actively supporting low-carbon and green manufacturing.

We are also committing £2.9 billion of capital for activities that will positively impact our climate goals and support domestic manufacturing in green sectors, including over £300 million in energy efficiency and clean heat measures and £150 million to anchor our offshore wind supply chain.

Our Enterprise Agencies play a key role in supporting our low-carbon, green manufacturing sector, for example through funding streams and links to Business Energy Scotland and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 places a duty upon all local authorities to enforce the new parking prohibitions. It is for each local authority to determine how best to enforce these prohibitions in their area. Transport Scotland annually collates figures on income and expenditure and Penalty Charge Notices issued, which now includes pavement parking. The most recent report was published in December 2024 and can be found at the following link: Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) Report 2023-2024 | Transport Scotland

Transport Scotland facilitated a Parking Standards Group with representatives from all 32 local authorities, in advance of the 2019 Act becoming law. During these meetings, in depth discussions were held around the enforcement of the new parking prohibitions. Transport Scotland also issued detailed guidance to all local authorities providing them with a procedure to follow to enforce the prohibitions This guidance also addressed any subsequent queries raised by local authorities.

Officials are in ongoing discussions with SCOTS and COSLA in respect of the funding mechanism for the relevant costs associated with the new prohibitions. Once those discussions have been concluded we will be in a position to reimburse any further eligible costs incurred by local authorities.

The safety of the rail network is a reserved matter under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. The rail infrastructure in Scotland is owned and managed by Network Rail. The Scottish Government has fully funded Network Rail to meet its obligations as specified by the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and Scottish Ministers expect Network Rail to manage the rail infrastructure in a manner which provides a safe and reliable railway for the people of Scotland.

Senior Officials from the ORR and the Managing Director of Network Rail Scotland have confirmed to senior officials at Transport Scotland that this matter is being addressed within Scotland, a point also reflected in the Chief Inspector’s recent letter to Network Rail on this matter:

“…..Scotland can substantiate a recovery of examinations and structural assessments within [2024-29]” Control Period 7, CP7.

The letter itself can be found here: Non-compliance with structure examinations - Letter to Network Rail dated 11 February 2025

This information is not collected centrally by the Scottish Government and is an operational matter for NHS National Services Scotland, National Services Division (NSD).

Gender reassignment surgeries, as a treatment option for assessed gender dysphoria, are highly specialised and are carried out within the framework of a four-nations contract managed by NHS England. This contract is managed on NHS Scotland’s behalf by NSD.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the retirement ages of GPs.

The Scottish Government does not collect or hold information on how many individuals may seek regulated independent healthcare provided transgender chest surgery.

Regular updates will be provided by Transport Scotland to Ministers to ensure appropriate action is taken to address concerns at the Shawhead Flyover. The current position is that Transport Scotland has asked its maintenance contractor (Scottish Roads Partnership) to assess several options for works at the junction to improve driver confidence. This work is underway. In addition, Transport Scotland has also asked Police Scotland for the junction to be assessed by their Police Camera Safety Team in the next site selection exercise, which is due to begin in April.

As promised in the Scottish Parliament debate on Young Carers Action Day on 14 March 2024, I have tasked my officials with looking at the feasibility of the Scottish Government committing to the Young Carer Covenant. The Covenant’s overarching principles are cross policy in nature, and touch on many aspects of the Scottish Government work.

This work is ongoing. I will write to the member to advise her of the outcome.