Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government would advise that the question does not take into account section 8(4)(b) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. While the summary conviction can carry a fine up to £50,000 the legislation also allows for a fine on conviction on indictment to which no maximum is provided.

Funding allocation to research by Scottish Universities in 2024-25 is £54,787. The National Mission is further supported by research undertaken at national and local levels by national boards such as Public Health Scotland and Health Improvement Scotland and third sector partners.

In October 2024, Chief Scientist Office (CSO) announced Phase 2 of the Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge. This £5 million partnership between CSO and UK Government Office for Life Sciences funds 7 innovation projects to address the rising issue of drug-related deaths. CSO contribute £500,000 to this partnership.

In addition, we provided funding of £52,500 to the University of Edinburgh to host the Drugs Research Network Scotland to deliver knowledge exchange activities through an annual conference and regular webinars and to monitor ongoing research activities.

Priorities for the Scottish Government are:

• national implementation of the Scottish Epilepsy Register,
• further adoption of successful approaches to improving services through the neurological conditions network,
• continued improvements in provision of ‘social support’ and psychological services for people with neurological conditions,
• continued development and adoption of condition specific care pathways,
• continued development and adoption of approaches to workforce planning and training for nursing, pharmacy, neuropsychology allied health professionals, and neurophysiology.

This work will be considered as part of the development of the Long Term Conditions Strategy due to be published later this year. Any required funding will be considered during the 2025-26 budget deliberations.

The largest proportion of funding has been awarded to projects that improve services for all or more than one neurological condition, including services for carers. Direct investment was also made to projects for the following specific conditions:

• Acquired Brain Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Epilepsy
• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
• Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures
• Spina bifida/ hydrocephalus

A full list of projects funded through the Neurological Framework can be found here.

The Scottish Government has set out its commitment to giving people information about independence. A range of civil servants across the Scottish Government provide input to developing and communicating this information.

This information is not held centrally by either Scottish Government or Public Health Scotland (PHS).

It is the responsibility of local authorities, health boards and health and social care partnerships to manage and provide appropriate services in their area, and to engage with their communities on how this is provided.

The patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes provide financial assistance for patients and authorised escorts travelling to hospital appointments, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

The focus of the schemes is the provision of financial support to those on low incomes in receipt of certain benefits and residents of the Highlands and Islands, recognising the access challenges faced by these patient groups. However, Health Boards also have the discretion to reimburse patient travel expenses where it is viewed to be an extension of treatment costs and deemed to be clinically necessary. This allows flexibility within the schemes for Boards to provide support, where appropriate, to those who need it but would not otherwise qualify.

Where travel is necessary, Health Boards are expected to support patients and their families in identifying and accessing available support. NHS Boards provide advice on eligibility and assistance available with bookings and advance payments, where necessary.

The investigation following the fire at Shore Recycling in February 2023 remains ongoing and is being led by the Health and Safety Executive. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) cannot comment on the findings until the investigation is concluded. SFRS continue to engage with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as necessary.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-33187 on 23 January 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.

Transport Scotland’s trunk road maintenance budget is not allocated on a route or part-route basis. It is distributed based upon need and prioritisation of schemes developed from regular inspections and condition surveys.