Alexander Burnett

Answer · Tom Arthur · 23 Jun 2026

A table containing the average daily traffic flows on the A96 in each year since 2020 has been lodged with SPICe, BIB number: 66727

Answer · Stephen Gethins · 12 Jun 2026

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00791 on 12 June 2026. 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.

Answer · Stephen Gethins · 12 Jun 2026

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00834 on 12 June 2026. 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.

Answer · Angela Constance · 9 Jun 2026

We are taking bold and ambitious action to reform and renew our health and care systems in line with our vision where people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives while recognising the financial pressures facing the health and social care sector now. The 2026-27 Budget provides almost £22.5 billion investment in health and social care services, exceeding consequentials and providing a real terms uplift to enable more sustainable and resilient services.Delivering the transformation the people of Scotland need depends on improving prevention and ensuring that health and care services are accessible, high quality, and person led. The Service Renewal Framework provides a structured approach to drive the transformation necessary to realise our vision - responding to today’s pressures but also building the foundations for long-term sustainability and improvement. Renewing Scotland’s essential public services must be rooted in a long-term vision - one that prioritises prevention and early intervention.The integration of health and social care planning is essential in ensuring services are well-coordinated and responsive to the population's evolving needs, and the report recognises the need for local collaboration in setting budgets. This means that local authorities are responsible for how they choose to invest in those services, not Ministers.

Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad · 16 Jun 2026

The vast majority of funding (97.9% in 2026-27) continues to be provided to councils by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government. This is set out in the final Annex of the relevant Local Government Finance Circular, for example, Annex K of Local Government Finance Circular No. 2/2026.It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and a number of national priorities agreed with COSLA. Many of those nationally agreed priorities entail additional funding being provided in-year by the relevant portfolio. In-year transfers are set out in the relevant chapter of the Scottish Budget, for example, Table 4.15 of the Scottish Budget 2026-27.Work continues with COSLA and local government partners to reduce ring fencing and in-year transfers where possible and over £2.3 billion of previously ring-fenced funding and in-year transfers has been consolidated into the General Revenue Grant, since 2023.The total funding provided to local government and the amount that was formally ringfenced and allocated as in-year transfers is set out in the following table, as requested. Total Funding (£m)Formally Ringfenced (£m)In Year Transfers (IYT) (£m)Total (Ringfenced & IYT)(£m)% Formally Ringfenced% Ringfenced &IYT2026-2715,999.0334.0907.71,241.72.1%7.9%2025-2615,177.1408.11,463.31,871.42.7%12.3%2024-2513,913.4384.31,574.41,958.72.8%14.1%

Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad · 16 Jun 2026

The Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Act 2026 (the Act) clarified the legal basis for local authorities to levy rates on the owners of unoccupied properties, subject to any reliefs that local authorities may choose to put in place, with retrospective effect from 1 April 2023. The Act gives effect to the original policy intention and the system as understood by local authorities and ratepayers, and applied by local authorities.The Scottish Government does not hold information on any claims for refunds received by local authorities. This matter has not however been raised specifically by local government with the Scottish Government.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth · 16 Jun 2026

As set out in our manifesto, we will work in partnership with others, including administering authorities in the Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme, to progress funding models that safeguard fiduciary duties, provide secure inflation linked returns, and can accelerate the delivery of affordable homes.Investment strategies are the responsibility of administering authorities, who make decisions in line with their fiduciary duties and the relevant statutory framework.We have an open dialogue with the administering authorities and are encouraged by signs of collaboration across these funds. We will continue working with the funds and partners to support opportunities for increased investment in projects and businesses in Scotland, including housing, within fiduciary and statutory parameters.