Rhoda Grant

Answer · Jenni Minto · 18 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government acknowledges the Scottish Health Technologies Group recommendations regarding specialist interventions for managing chronic non-malignant pain in adults. NHS Scotland is required to consider SHTG recommendations and discussions are underway to understand how those recommendations can inform sustainable, consistent and effective service delivery across Scotland.We will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including clinical professionals, third sector organisations and those with lived experience of chronic pain as we progress ongoing delivery of the actions in our Pain Management Service Delivery Framework.We have set out the wider policy within which NHS Scotland is expected to deliver services and expect all NHS Boards, including NHS Highland, to provide high quality care that is safe, effective and person-centred. We expect that decisions about the appropriateness of treatment for chronic pain, or specific medications for pain management, will be made by the clinician in discussion with the patient to ensure the most suitable treatment is made available based on their medical history.

Answer · Jim Fairlie · 17 Mar 2026

The Nature Investment Partnership continues to engage with a range of investors, land managers and local communities to identify the most suitable approach for each potential investment site. No private finance has yet been directed through the Partnership into on-the-ground projects. More information about the Partnership is available on its webpage: Nature Investment Partnership | NatureScot.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 10 Mar 2026

We know that change is needed to ensure that we have an adaptable, flexible, affordable and sustainable legal aid system in Scotland that supports people who are facing challenging issues and problems. Consideration is being given to primary legislation in the next Parliamentary term that will consolidate the Government's recent reform to legal aid in Scotland. This will ensure continued support to people who are facing challenging issues, of course including those in rural island communities. The decision to take this forward will be for the next Government.This government has continued its investment in the legal aid system which is generally effective in delivering help to those in need, however we do recognise there are some challenges in relation to certain types of cases or locations.There are several ways in which access to solicitors can be facilitated remotely, and funding is available to allow solicitors to travel to rural and remote parts of the country to carry out work, meaning that individuals do not have to rely on local provision alone when seeking publicly funded legal assistance.The Civil Legal Assistance Office has been established and is a network of 3 offices in Scotland that helps people with civil legal problems. Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) employed solicitors can provide advice and assistance to people with particular types of civil legal problems across Highlands and Islands, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and Edinburgh and the Lothians. Further, the Scottish Legal Aid Board manage 16 regional grant funded projects to support people facing legal action. This includes in island locations such as the Western Isles and Orkney Islands.All of these services can operate across a wide geographical area and, through our ongoing reform programme, we are considering how different funding models can be used to strengthen access to legal aid where it is most needed.

Answer · Mairi McAllan · 13 Mar 2026

More Homes Scotland will bring together housing, land, planning and delivery expertise to simplify, scale and speed up the delivery of homes across Scotland, including in Highland. A design phase is underway, and an update will be provided to Parliament in March.Our record £926 million budget in 2026-27 and our commitment to multi-year funding provide certainty for affordable housing and increase sector confidence. This year, we have increased investment in Highland to £47.6 million to deliver properties for affordable housing.

Answer · Gillian Martin · 10 Mar 2026

We take pollution incidents very seriously. It is important that any investigation into pollution incidents is given sufficient time ensure a comprehensive and accurate understanding of both the causes and the environmental impacts before any findings are issued.The time required to conclude an investigation of a pollution incident will vary depending on the scale and complexity of the event, the type and volume of pollutants involved, the sensitivity of the receiving environment, the availability and quality of evidence, and any requirement to coordinate with other regulatory or enforcement authorities.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart · 4 Mar 2026

I wrote to the Chief Executive of Highland Council on 11 February 2026, highlighting the concerns raised with the First Minister in relation to funding and future operational models of domestic abuse services in the Highlands. I requested Highland Council consider engaging with cross-party MSPs in the Highlands, to better understand the challenges and how they can be resolved. We continue to encourage local authorities to utilise the joint COSLA and Scottish Women’s Aid guidance on good practice in commissioning specialist domestic abuse services.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon · 19 Feb 2026

Elements of the investigation into the suspected incident at Loch Hourn and analysis of the evidence are ongoing and, as such, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.