Pam Duncan-Glancy

Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Feb 2026

Vehicle accessibility legislation is set out in the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) 2000.PSVAR applies in England, Scotland and Wales and are the responsibility of the UK Government Department for Transport. The Department for Transport provides the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) with a specific fund to enforce the requirements outlined in the PSVAR. It is the responsibility of DVSA to ensure that PSVAR compliance is monitored closely and that any bus or coach operator found to be in breach of these regulations is dealt with accordingly.The Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) accelerates Scotland’s shift to cleaner, greener buses. Phase 3 of ScotZEB3 aims to maximise the number of accessible zero emission Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) operating on local public bus services. Financial support for new buses and coaches within the ScotZeb subsidy cap may include the integration of accessibility and safety systems required for public service operation, as well as modifications to provide wheelchair-accessible spaces in vehicle classes not covered by Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) 2000.

Answer · Tom Arthur · 5 Feb 2026

The draft Budget 2026-27 includes additional investment of £7.65 million to improve access to neurodevelopmental support for children and young people.We know that long waits for support are unacceptable and we are committed to improving timely access to support for children and young people with autism and ADHD, as well as other neurodevelopmental support needs.We are currently giving careful consideration to how the additional funding can be put to best use and will provide further details in due course.

Answer · Neil Gray · 28 Jan 2026

Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is still to go through a further amending stage (Stage 3), before MSPs are asked to vote on whether or not to pass the Bill. The guidance that will constitute statutory guidance will depend on the final text of the Bill, should it be passed.The Scottish Government continues to maintain a neutral position on the Bill. The Government will of course comply with the law and therefore if the Bill is passed and the resulting Act requires statutory guidance to be issued on a matter the Government will do so. Decisions around the content of any statutory guidance which the resulting Act permits or requires to be issued will only be made as part of implementation if the Bill passes, as it will need to be in accordance with the final text of the Act and informed by stakeholders’ views.

Answer · Ben Macpherson · 28 Jan 2026

Responses to the Citizen Space consultation on Support for Part-Time Study and Disabled Students were published on 9th January 2026 at https://consult.gov.scot/.An analysis report of the consultation findings will be published in spring 2026.

Answer · Jenni Minto · 5 Jan 2026

The Scottish Breast Screening Service is committed to improving accessibility and ensuring as many eligible women as possible can participate in breast screening. Guidance, developed and issued by Public Health Scotland, is followed by all health boards to ensure all reasonable measures are taken to enable women with limited mobility to attend their screening appointment. This guidance supplements the Healthcare Improvement Scotland breast screening standards, published in 2019, and the 2010 Equality Act Public Sector Duty.Screening invitation letters request that women who require additional access or support should contact the breast screening centre in advance of their appointment to discuss their requirements and what adjustments would be appropriate so that they can attend their appointment. Once a participant has made the breast screening centre aware of additional requirements, this can be recorded to ensure appropriate support is allocated in future invitations, such as extended appointment time, or hoist access into a mobile unit.It is important to note that all women, including those who are physically unable to have a mammogram, should speak to their GP if they are concerned about possible signs of breast cancer. If a woman does have symptoms, she should be referred for assessment at a symptomatic clinic.

Answer · Jenni Minto · 5 Jan 2026

The Scottish Breast Screening Service is committed to improving accessibility and ensuring as many eligible women as possible can participate in breast screening. While the NHS does not have direct input into the manufacturing of mammography equipment, careful consideration is given to the needs of women with mobility impairments or physical disabilities, during the procurement process.As part of the procurement process, the Scottish Breast Screening Service visit manufacturers to view and assess the available equipment to assess its accessibility for patients with mobility impairments and physical disability. Currently, there is no available mammogram equipment fully accessible to all women; however, the breast screening service will continue to procure the most suitable and accessible equipment that is available, in conjunction with providing guidance to all staff to ensure accessibility is at the forefront of our service. Women who are unable to have a mammogram are provided with assistance on when and how to contact a GP to ask for a breast check and further discuss possible symptoms of breast cancer.

Answer · Jenni Minto · 5 Jan 2026

The Scottish Government does not collate information nationally on the number of women who cannot undergo a complete mammography due to mobility impairments or restrictions. Individual screening centres hold this information as women are requested to contact them with details of any accessibility needs so that their visit can be planned. This ensures an appropriate appointment is allocated for those who can participate in screening, and may include extended appointment time or mobile hoist access for wheelchair users. Once the requirements are recorded, adjustments for the next appointment will be made in advance of the appointment being issued.The breast screening programme is committed to improving accessibility, and therefore continues to monitor any innovations and research that could increase accessibility for women with mobility impairments or restrictions. In addition, for women who are unable to have a mammogram but are considered at very high risk of breast cancer, an MRI can be used for screening.It remains important that women who are unable to participate in breast screening speak to their GP if they notice any possible signs of breast cancer. A GP can determine whether they should be referred for diagnostic testing using methods which are suitable for women who are unable to participate in breast screening. Details of the possible signs of breast cancer can be found on NHS Inform.