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The Scottish Government does not hold this specific data.

There are two key performance indicators outlined in the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 that relate to the return of deposits. The return of any undisputed deposit, is to be completed within 5 working days.

A tenant can start the reclaim process for a deposit return at any point on or past the date on which their tenancy ends. In cases where a landlord has commenced the reclaim process first, a tenant has 30 working days to advise whether or not they agree to the proposed return amount. In either situation, where a tenant or landlord does not agree with the proposed return by the other party, there is a dispute resolution system in place.

If neither the tenant or landlord commences the repayment process, the tenant can log on to their deposit account and request a reclaim at any point. There is no statutory time limit on a tenant being able reclaim their deposit and currently any funds that are considered to be unclaimed are held indefinitely by the tenancy deposit schemes in a designated account.

There are currently no plans to introduce a policy of cancelling student loans of newly qualified doctors if they commit to working in the NHS for a period of five years. Medical students fall within the same category as all other undergraduate students in relation to paying back loans.

The Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) is intended to bring about a number of benefits from the removal of freight from roads to other modes of transport. These include environmental and social effects including improved public health through reduced local air pollution; increased road safety through reduced volumes of heavy vehicle traffic; improved traffic flows through reduced congestion; and lower overall emissions from moving freight from heavy goods vehicles to lower-emitting forms of transport.

The proposals in the Bill stem from the work and recommendations of the Scottish Land Commission. It found the most pressing land reform issues were in rural areas in relation to the scale and concentration of land ownership and the resultant impact on local communities.

While there will only be a small number of landholdings in the Central Scotland region which will meet the threshold tests in the Bill, the proposals allow for the amending of these thresholds in future, should monitoring suggest this is justified.

As outlined in our NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 annual progress update, published 18 December 2024, our five National Treatment Centres are expected to deliver an additional 20,000 procedures per annum once fully operational.

However, with the 2025-26 Budget proposing an additional £100 million to target long waits, coupled with efficiencies, we will see activity and capacity increase accordingly. Work is underway with Boards and partners to finalise plans and I would expect to see National Treatment Centre capacity increase to well over 30,000 procedures annually.

Growing the economy is one of the Scottish Government's top priorities, and Scotland's regional economies, and Regional Economic Partnerships (REPs), are key to delivering this. We are committed to building a resilient and equitable economy where all regions can thrive and contribute to national prosperity.

This includes supporting our regions to develop their own regional economic strategies. These are led by the regions themselves, allowing the aims and priorities to specifically respond to regional needs and opportunities. Many REPs now have published and well-established strategies, setting their direction cohesively, and strongly demonstrating their plans for economic growth which enables clearer prioritisation and decision-making when seeking targeted support.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.

In addition, the Scottish Government commissions ‘The Trauma and Orthopaedics National Planned Care Performance’ Team in the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) to support both scheduled and unscheduled orthopaedic service delivery through the implementation of sustainable improvements in NHS Scotland. Further details can be accessed at https://www.nhscfsd.co.uk/our-work/planned-care/planned-care-specialties/trauma-and-orthopaedics/

It provides support to all regional Health Boards and regularly engages with local Clinical Management teams, including Clinical Directors and/or Orthopaedic Leads, around a number of orthopaedic performance and improvement workstreams. Policy officials and the CfSD leads meet weekly and feedback/follow up these discussions.

The team meets with all health boards either monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or as needed.

All Clinical Management Teams are also invited to attend the Scottish Orthopaedic Services Delivery Group (SOSDG) which is the established T&O delivery group. This is run quarterly on the 1st Thursday in March/June/September/December and has been in place for circa 15 years.

Finally, Scottish Government officials and the CfSD national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and/or Acute Directors from all mainland Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including T&O. Meetings with island Boards are generally on a bimonthly basis.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.

Scottish Government officials do not routinely engage with speciality clinical directors in territorial boards. They do meet with the Scottish Association of Medical Directors with representation provided by the Executive Medical Director for each board, both special and territorial rather than individual clinical directors.

In addition, the Scottish Government commissions the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) manage a Rheumatology Specialty Delivery Group, which includes nominated multi-disciplinary representation from all Health Boards providing Rheumatology services.

Finally, Scottish Government officials and the CfSD national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and/or Acute Directors from all mainland Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including rheumatology. Meetings with island Boards are generally on a bimonthly basis.

The principles of a health service free at the point of need are sacrosanct, and we are protecting this through our Budget which will provide a record £21.7 billion for health and social care. This includes £200 million to clear waiting list backlogs and improve capacity – ensuring nobody waits more than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case treatment by March 2026. We will deliver over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year.

We have already made significant progress against our investment of £30m in 2024-25 to drive targeted action to address the longest delays. To the end of January, Boards are reporting delivery of 75,500 against a plan of 64,000 appointments and procedures, including hip and knee replacement surgeries.