Joe FitzPatrick

Answer · Tom Arthur · 22 Jan 2026

The Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2026-29 will be published on the Scottish Government website on 22 January 2026 at 9am.Building on progress and learning from delivering our first Action Plan, as well as insights from a range of stakeholders and partners including people with lived experience of suicide, this new 3-year Action Plan sets out the next phase of Scotland’s ambitious ten-year suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.The Action Plan sets out measures to continue to reduce suicide deaths, address the inequalities that increase risk, and ensure anyone with thoughts of suicide can access timely, compassionate support and feel a sense of hope.The Action Plan focuses on four priorities:Tackling the factors that can increase suicide risk and creating safer environmentsBuilding understanding about suicide and capability to respond across communitiesEnsuring access to timely and compassionate support which we know saves livesStrengthening foundations for effective delivery through improved data, evidence, and collaborationA link to the Action Plan is attached below and will be live at 9am on 22 January 2026.Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2026-29

Answer · Jenny Gilruth · 27 Nov 2025

It has been over a year since the extent of financial mismanagement at the University of Dundee first emerged.Since then, the Scottish Government has worked closely with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the University of Dundee to help the University chart a route to recovery, while clearly respecting its autonomy.From the independent investigation led by Professor Pamela Gillies, the Strategic Advisory Taskforce led by Sir Alan Langlands, workshops with the University, expert advice and due diligence from contractors, and expert support and advice from the SFC and scrutiny by its Board, substantial work and resource has been deployed to support the University to create a path to recover.In June, I informed the Parliament that the Government would make unprecedented use of section 25 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 to offer up to £40 million direct funding via SFC to give the University the support it needs to identify and build on its strengths, engage fully with staff, and focus on income generation as well as reducing costs.It has taken longer than anticipated to develop the stable leadership and focus required to move the university forward. This has affected staff and students directly, who have been living with instability and uncertainty in their place of work and place of learning.However, significant advancements are now underway, and I can advise parliament that the SFC has issued the University with clear, fair, proportionate and achievable funding conditions. These have been published by the SFC (Board-Approved-Conditions.pdf) alongside a cover letter (Letter-to-Acting-Chair-of-Court-Re-Conditions-of-Section-25-Funding.pdf), and shared with the University's leaders and court.The expert SFC Board undertook careful scrutiny and debate and concluded that the conditions as drafted are reasonable, feasible and justifiable, while providing essential assurance for the provision of additional public funding. Crucially, these conditions have been drafted to avoid any impact on the University's status as an independent autonomous institution.These conditions do not yet provide a firm offer of funding, as the University must be given an opportunity to consider and feedback. The SFC Board is clear that the conditions set the appropriate balance, and the Scottish Government agrees with this assessment.The University remains autonomous and responsible for its own governance and financial planning. The conditions provide an appropriate framework for this during the recovery period when it is receiving additional Government funding.Following a period of engagement a formal offer will be made, and it will be for the University Court to decide whether to accept or reject. I will ensure Parliament is kept updated as the situation progresses.

Answer · Graeme Dey · 26 Jun 2025

During my attendance at the Committee on 5 March 2025, I reiterated my continued commitment towards widening access as well as the needs of part-time students, and disabled students. I am pleased to announce that a consultation will be published today on the Scottish Government and Citizen Space websites. The consultation will seek to capture a wide range of views, especially those of our learners, to help us understand the barriers that part-time and disabled students face and explore potential solutions, as part of our continued commitment to ensure that students can access support needed whilst they study.These can be accessed via the following links:Scottish Government -https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836917717Citizen Space: Support for part-time study and disabled students: Survey for students, potential students, parents and carers - https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/support-for-part-time-and-disabled-studentsCitizen Space: Support for part-time study and disabled students: Survey for the Higher Education and Further Education sector, training providers, third sector and interested organisations -https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/support-for-part-time-and-disabled-providers

Answer · Jamie Hepburn · 20 Jan 2025

The Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill was passed unanimously on 17 December 2024 by the Scottish Parliament. As a result of amendments passed at Stage 3, it places a duty on Scottish Ministers to bring forward regulations which:must have the effect of prohibiting Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) from holding dual mandates in the House of Commons or the House of Lordsmay make provision prohibiting MSPs from holding dual mandates as CouncillorsAs a part of the Bill’s consideration, the Scottish Government committed to consulting on dual mandates in the Scottish Parliament in early 2025. The findings of the consultation will be used to inform Regulations which Ministers intend to lay before the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2025.The consultation on dual mandates in the Scottish Parliament is being published today, 20 January 2025, with a closing date of 23 March 2025. The consultation seeks views on the principles and practical issues of ending dual mandates. The consultation can be accessed here: https://consult.gov.scot/communications-and-ministerial-support/dual-mandates-in-the-scottish-parliament.

Answer · Jenni Minto · 20 May 2024

The Scottish Government welcomes publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s final report and thanks the Chair for his work in producing such a comprehensive document. The Scottish Government pays tribute to all those who have been infected, their families and support organisations and reiterates our sincere apology to those who have been infected or affected by NHS blood or blood products. A copy of the Inquiry’s final report is available online at www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/reports/inquiry-report .
The Scottish Government will consider this report fully and is setting up an Oversight Group to help consider the Inquiry’s recommendations for Scotland. That group will involve senior staff from NHS Boards and the Scottish Government, along with charities representing the infected and affected.