Fergus Ewing

Answer · Gillian Martin · 25 Mar 2026

Any application for a marine licence would be accompanied by environmental information to enable consideration of likely effects on the environment (including the historic environment). This would then be subject to public consultation and a range of statutory and non-statutory consultees including Historic Environment Scotland would be invited to make representations on the application. All representations made to Scottish Ministers are considered during the decision-making process.

Answer · Gillian Martin · 25 Mar 2026

I can confirm that Offshore Solutions Group sought a screening opinion, from the Scottish Ministers which is currently undergoing statutory consultation in line with the environmental impact assessment regulations, including with Historic Environment Scotland. Following, and in consideration of the representations received, Scottish Ministers will determine whether or not a marine licence application for the proposed works must be supported by an environmental impact assessment report. This decision is based on the likelihood of significant effects on the environment. To maintain the integrity of our well-established marine licensing process, it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to comment further on live casework.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart · 19 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government remains steadfast in our commitment to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls and to supporting specialist services that provide vital support to victims and survivors of gender based violence.The commissioning of domestic abuse services is a matter for local authorities. However the Scottish Government strongly encourages local authorities to utilise the joint COSLA and Scottish Women’s Aid’s guidance on good practice in commissioning specialist domestic abuse services.I wrote to the Chief Executive of Highland Council on 11 February 2026, highlighting concerns raised in relation to funding proposals for women’s aid organisations in the area, including Inverness Women’s Aid, requesting Highland Council consider engaging with the organisations concerned and cross-party MSPs in the Highlands, to better understand the challenges and how they can be resolved.Through the Scottish Budget we have provided a 5% increase to the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, bringing total investment in the fund to almost £46 million over 2026-2028. This will increase the support Inverness Women's Aid receives through the fund to around £230,000 each year over 2026-2028, subject to annual budget processes. Our fund managers, Inspiring Scotland, are actively engaging with Inverness Women’s Aid to offer support.

Answer · Shona Robison · 24 Mar 2026

As part of the record funding package for Local Government, in 2026-27, Highland Council will receive £665.1 million to fund local services which equates to an extra £32.3 million or an additional 5.1% compared to 2025-26.The vast majority of funding available to councils is provided by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government with the Scottish Budget also providing Councils with full discretion over decisions on Council Tax. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on the maintenance of roads and bridges, on the basis of local needs and priorities.

Answer · Neil Gray · 20 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government’s Service Renewal Framework and Public Service Reform Strategy set out long-term transformation to support sustainability.This includes restructuring national NHS Boards by merging NES and NSS into Public Services Delivery Scotland, streamlining once-for-Scotland support and governance.Health Boards in the East and West are required through sub-national arrangements to develop joint plans that improve equity and access across their populations.We are strengthening integration authorities and progressing Single Authority Model development with three local partners to explore alternative governance approaches.Any further structural changes will be for an incoming administration to determine.

Answer · Ivan McKee · 20 Mar 2026

The Permanent Secretary is responsible for the Scottish Government’s operational arrangements, including its hybrid working policy.Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working are expected to aim for working 40% of their contracted hours in person, either at a Scottish Government workplace or another agreed location, such as attending Parliament or working with stakeholders. This can include meetings, collaboration, training, fieldwork, or official travel, and may vary where a reasonable adjustment or agreed exemption applies.Attendance is normally considered over a four-week period, and line managers monitor this to ensure arrangements meet business needs and align with the policy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government does not expect to make any further announcements regarding the A9 Dualling Programme before the end of the current Parliamentary session. Regular progress updates and details of planned traffic management works are available on our dedicated A9 Dualling Programme website at the following link: www.a9dualling.scot.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville · 20 Mar 2026

An official-level Operational Working Group meeting chaired by the Home Office takes place regularly and is attended by Scottish Government officials and local delivery partners, most recently on 16 March. Notes of these meetings are held by the UK Government.The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice also wrote again to the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 13 February 2026.