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The Scottish Government continues to support Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) through targeted funding streams aligned with its commitment to delivering public transport at a regional level. While the Verity House Agreement sets out principles for collaboration and funding between central and local government, it does not explicitly reference RTPs, as funding priorities under the Agreement are determined by individual councils. It is the responsibility of Local Authorities to determine their funding priorities.

The Scottish Government is providing Scotland’s seven regional transport partnerships (RTPs) with up to £15.5 million of capital grant funding from the People and Place Programme (total value £23.4 million, split between resource and capital).

The primary focus of the capital funding is to provide a programme of sustainable and active travel behaviour change interventions on a regional basis to encourage people to travel actively and more sustainably. In addition to the direct capital grant funding, RTPs can apply to the Tier 2 Active Travel Infrastructure Fund for both Design and Construction, and they worked with local authorities in receipt of Bus Infrastructure Fund awards.

There are no plans to amend the current criteria of the People and Places programme to include park and ride facilities as eligible capital projects.

The following data is extracted from the Public Health Scotland (PHS) Costs Books reports. The most recent published data is from the financial year 2023-24.

The total cost of chartering MV Alfred, from the commencement of the charter in April 2023 to the end of September 2024, amounted to £16.2m. From October 2024 onwards i.e. the beginning of CY9, costs are estimated to be in the region of £1m per month. The current charter agreement with Pentland Ferries will conclude at the end of December 2025.

The Scottish Government provides funding and support to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO) in recognition of its importance to Gaelic through its key role in adult and Gaelic learning and Gaelic medium teacher education. The duty on Scottish Ministers through the Scottish Languages Act to conduct a review of the status of SMO is welcomed as a way of informing further and future actions. It is the intention to commence the duty on Ministers to undertake a review of SMO in due course and before the end of the Parliamentary term, subject to the parliamentary process and timetable.

The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.

Spending on postage is an operational matter for individual NHS Boards to consider, as such, the information should be sought directly from each Board.

Since the question, S6W-00259, was answered in 2021, the Scottish National Centre for Craniofacial Surgery for Children & Young People in Glasgow has introduced craniofacial endoscopic strip craniectomy with helmet therapy.

Endoscopic strip craniectomy (ESC) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure offered as a treatment choice for children who meet specific clinical criteria presenting to the craniofacial clinic under 16 weeks of age. It is estimated that approximately 20 endoscopic procedures will be undertaken in Glasgow per year.

As a result of the introduction of ESC in Glasgow, NHS National Services Scotland’s National Services Directorate, who commission the craniofacial service, have no plans to review the pathway to Great Ormond Street Hospital for craniofacial therapy.

The referral pathway guidance was last revised in 2023, reflecting the changing landscape and improving specialist expertise within NHS Scotland, and the Scottish National Centre’s understanding of the need to operate within the critical window. This guidance is next due for review in July 2026.

As previously noted to Mr Eagle on 4 September 2025, the First Minister and the President of the European Commission did not discuss Scottish Independence when they met on 26 July 2025.

Ferguson Marine is currently focused on developing its long-term strategy and actively pursuing future commercial contracts. The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to supporting the yard to competitively bid for future contracts and to securing a sustainable, long-term future.

The Hughes report was commissioned by the UK Government and was concerned in the first place with patients in England. But patients across the UK were affected by transvaginal mesh and by valproate, and this is acknowledged by the UK Government. The Scottish Government is unable to reach a view on the report until the UK Government sets out its position on the UK-wide aspects, including regulation.

Scottish Government Ministers stand ready to discuss the report with UK Ministers, and with Ministers from the other Devolved Governments. The Cabinet Secretary and I have offered to meet with the UK Government on three occasions since the July 2024 UK General Election. While the UK Government has agreed to a meeting in principle, and liaison between officials continues, no arrangements have been made and no proposals that could be discussed among Ministers have been offered. Ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland have also sought meetings.

We will keep the Parliament informed of significant developments as the Government is acutely aware of the cross-party interest in this important issue.