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As previously committed to, the Scottish Government’s consultation on the updating of the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 will commence before the end of this year; the revised regulations will be introduced thereafter.

The Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship is based around the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which reaffirms the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction, and stresses the importance of their equal participation in all efforts for the promotion of peace and security. By bringing together women activists from a range of conflict affected countries the Fellowship facilitates sessions focussing on conflict resolution, mediation, reconciliation and dialogue methodologies with an emphasis on inclusivity and sustainable conflict resolution. The Fellowship also includes workshops on personal self-care strategies for those living in conflict areas and involved in conflict-based work.

The Fellowship has been held 3 times a year since 2015 in Edinburgh and online during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has built up a fantastic network of over 360 women from 33 countries across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Latin America. These women are a diverse group, working in an equally varied range of professions related to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

The Fellowship is delivered by Beyond Borders, with grant funding from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund. Applications were recently sought by Beyond Borders for their October 2025 Fellowship Programme, with the requirements being experience or interest in working on conflict and peacebuilding. Applicants were asked to (a) complete an online form submission on the Beyond Borders website, which seeks to test applicants’ motivation, experience, knowledge, and to assess their understanding of the Women Peace and Security agenda in their own countries, and (b) submit a CV/Resume/Professional Biography, copy of passport, and Letter of Recommendation. There is no definition of a “woman” included within the criteria at this time.

The Scottish Government has been clear since the April 2025 judgement of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Ministers that it accepts the judgement of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers that it accepts the judgement.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37406 on 19 May 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.

Programming decisions are the responsibility of individual cultural organisations - the Scottish Government does not and should not have any role. All cultural organisations, whether in receipt of public funding or not, must operate within the wider framework of the law, including equalities legislation.

All cultural organisations in receipt of public funding must ensure that funding is not used for party political purposes. They must also operate within the wider framework of the law, including equalities legislation.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38163 on 17 June 2025, on the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights report as regards to the provision of maternity services in rural areas.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to provide maternity services that are delivered as close to home as practicable, balanced with ensuring the safety of mother and baby. Within the policies we set, it is for NHS Boards to determine the model of service delivery best suited to meet the needs of their local areas and population.

Maternity services continue to be provided for women in Wigtownshire, including local antenatal and postnatal care, scanning and the option of midwife-supported home birth for women who choose to birth locally. Women who require more complex maternity care continue to be supported by the full clinical team at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Responsibility for the design and delivery of local services lies with NHS Boards and Integration Joint Boards in line with their duties to deliver safe, effective and sustainable care. NHS Dumfries and Galloway has reaffirmed its commitment to the delivery of safe, high-quality maternity care for all families in Wigtownshire.

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.

The Scottish Government has no decision-making role in the allocation of funding through Creative Scotland. It is for Creative Scotland to allocate funding based on its assessment of the artistic and cultural merits of proposals it receives and to ensure that funding is used appropriately. Creative Scotland has no role in the programming decisions of funded organisations.

Scottish Ministers strongly support artistic freedom of expression. It is of particular importance to the culture sector, which provides a platform for debate and engagement on important issues. It is vital that artists and cultural organisations are free to explore and convene dialogue on any issue. Clearly, not engaging in respectful dialogue and debate with those with whom we disagree is counterproductive and does not support freedom of expression.

The Scottish Government supports the culture sector to make its own decisions relating to artistic or cultural judgement. How individual cultural organisations engage in public debate is a matter for them, as are their programming decisions. Artists and cultural organisations are free to explore and convene dialogue on any issues whilst having regard to relevant legislation, such as the Equality Act.

Any preparations in relation to the proposals for the opening of a Scottish Government office in Warsaw have been undertaken by officials with the Directorate for Culture and External Affairs as part of normal business.

The opening of a Scottish Government office in Warsaw is currently under review given ongoing budget pressures.