S7W-04579

Asked by: Kerr, Stephen (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the main achievements of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) in its first years of operation.

Answered by Kumar, Simita - Minister for Equalities and International Development

The AROS Host contract with the University of Strathclyde commenced in June 2025. The initial mobilisation phase focused on recruitment and building the organisational foundations needed to make AROS a reality. This included recruiting the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), wider staff team, and an Advisory Board. Co-CEOs and a senior leadership team were recruited, and came into their posts between December 2025 and January 2026.

AROS is independent of the Scottish Government and is responsible for setting its own vision and priorities. However, the Scottish Government meets regularly with the AROS host team at the University of Strathclyde and AROS leadership to monitor delivery of the host contract and discuss and track progress in implementing the Observatory’s work programme.

AROS has made good progress in its first ten months of being operational. It has developed its vision of creating the conditions in which anti-racism scrutiny, accountability, implementation and monitoring are routine across Scotland’s public sector. This includes ongoing engagement with adversely racialised communities through trusted regional organisations, partnerships with Regional Equality Councils and the establishment of regional Hubs through which AROS will operate, as well as the recruitment of a lived-experience panel. Technical scoping work is underway to establish a digital, interactive library that should improve access to anti-racism evidence; a demonstration version is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2027 which will be tested out with the lived experience panel and other stakeholders. AROS is also developing an Anti-Racism Maturity Model that will support organisations to embed anti-racism practice and strengthen accountability, scrutiny and monitoring arrangements.

Through its strategic vision and growing programme of work, AROS is developing the evidence, partnerships and infrastructure required to advance Scotland’s anti-racism ambitions. The Scottish Government is encouraged by the progress made to date and will continue to engage with the AROS Host team and AROS leadership to track progress.

S7W-04545

Asked by: Eagle, Tim (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on abolishing the six-month vacancy period required for businesses to qualify for Fresh Start relief.

Answered by None

We are committed to looking at Fresh Start relief and we are undertaking a comprehensive review of non-domestic rates which builds on our commitment to examine the impact and configuration of all our reliefs in advance of the next revaluation on 1 April 2029. This is in line with the commitment we made in Parliament on 4 June when we supported Motion S7M-00249 (as amended) on wealth taxation for public services.

We want to ensure that the system supports economic growth, remains fair and proportionate, and provides sustainable funding for high-quality local services. At the same time, we must be mindful that any changes do not encourage rates avoidance.

Decisions on non-domestic rates and reliefs for Scotland are generally made at Budget, taking into account affordability and considering all government priorities.

S7W-04246

Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh North Western)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it used to inform its decision to introduce legislation allowing local authorities to apply council tax premiums to second homes, and what evidence it holds regarding the efficiency of such premiums in increasing the availability of housing for permanent occupation.

Answered by Gilruth, Jenny - Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

The decision to provide local authorities with additional flexibility over the Council Tax treatment of second homes was informed by evidence gathered through the Scottish Government and COSLA's joint consultation in 2023 - Council Tax for second and empty homes, and non-domestic rates thresholds: consultation.

This 2023 consultation included the undertaking of an Island Communities Impact Assessment screening summary which considered the potential effects of the proposal. Its summary recognised that the additional powers would be discretionary and that it would be for local areas to assess the benefits and costs to their communities before deciding whether to introduce higher Council Tax charges for second and/or empty homes. The consultation analysis identified a range of views, reinforcing the importance of local discretion and consideration of local circumstances.

These discretionary powers were subsequently taken forward through the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, during the parliamentary scrutiny of which accompanying documents, including a Financial Memorandum, considered the potential financial implications of the measures.

Decisions on whether to apply a Council Tax premium, and at what level, are ultimately for individual local authorities taking account of local circumstances, including local housing needs. Local authorities have the power to charge the headline rate of Council Tax, apply a premium, or apply a discount.

The Scottish Government monitors the operation of the national framework through engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders and through information received from local authorities as part of established local government finance returns.

The Scottish Government publishes statistics from the data collected from local authorities, which provides information on the number and location of second homes across Scotland and helps assess trends over time. The most recent statistics from September 2025 on empty properties, unoccupied exemptions and second homes are available at Council Tax - Second Homes and Empty Properties - September 2025.

S7W-04338

Asked by: Mochan, Carol (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific measures it is taking to tackle food insecurity among older people in rural communities in the South of Scotland, in light of the findings of the Scottish Human Rights Commission's 2026 report, Economic, social and cultural rights in the South of Scotland.

Answered by Kumar, Simita - Minister for Equalities and International Development

The Scottish Government’s recognises that food insecurity is driven by insufficient and insecure household income. No one should have to compromise on food or other essentials and people should have sufficient money to access these with dignity and choice. That is why, in 2026-27 we will allocate over £1.7 million to continue to tackle food insecurity and poverty and strengthen incomes by taking a cash-first approach.

The Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act provides an over-arching framework for clear, consistent and coherent future Scottish food policy. The principles include stating that adequate food is a human right as part of the right to an adequate standard of living and essential to the realisation of other human rights.

We recognise the findings of the Scottish Human Rights Commission's report regarding the challenges that can be experienced by some people living in rural communities, including older people.

The Scottish Government funds Food Train which helps older people across Scotland stay healthy, independent, and well-nourished. Food Train's work improves health outcomes, reduces inequalities, and enables older people to live well for longer in their own communities.

To ensure we can support older people to maximise their incomes, tackle problem debt and contribute to reducing poverty, we have provided funding to Age Scotland this year (2026-27) to support their Advice Helpline. This service provides vital income maximisation support to older people across Scotland.

We are also working closely with our key partners through the Older People’s Strategic Forum on a range of issues related to age equality and older people. Through OPSAF we are currently developing work, reflecting the most up-to-date thinking and evidence, to ensure older people’s rights and priorities are embedded in our policy and decision making.

S7W-04393

Asked by: Eagle, Tim (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on inviting tenders for a priority contract to secure the provision of a dedicated wildfire management helicopter.

Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Justice

The helicopter commissioning and procurement process, which includes firefighting operations, is the responsibility of NatureScot and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, (SFRS).

The Scottish Government understands that existing arrangements for accessing aerial support continue to be available to SFRS as required. When a Wildfire Danger Assessment indicates a need for aerial support, SFRS can contact the helicopter providers to put them on standby.

There are currently no plans to invite tenders for a dedicated wildfire management helicopter, however, the Scottish Government will keep its approach to wildfire resilience under review, and consider future proposals regarding the provision of aerial wildfire support when appropriate.

S7W-04336

Asked by: Mochan, Carol (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed low water levels at Whiteadder Reservoir with Scottish Water, and what contingency measures are in place to protect public water supplies in the Scottish Borders if water levels continue to fall.

Answered by Martin, Gillian - Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs

Reservoirs are an operational matter for Scottish Water. However the Scottish Government is monitoring water levels in reservoirs across Scotland very carefully. It recognises that Whiteadder reservoir, which supplies East Lothian, is low. Scottish Water has used flexibility within the network to move some customers onto other supply networks. Assuming normal weather trends, Whiteadder reservoir is expected to be refilled by the rain over the winter months.

S7W-04262

Asked by: Day, Martyn (Scottish National Party - Falkirk East and Linlithgow)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing legislation to ensure that children have a legal right of contact with their grandparents and extended family.

Answered by Oswald, Kirsten - Minister for Victims and Community Safety

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that grandparents and family members other than parents may have in many families bringing up children, particularly following parental separation.

When the Children (Scotland) Bill (now the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 (the 2020 Act)) was introduced, the Scottish Government considered whether or not to include a presumption or right for grandchildren to have contact with their grandparents.

However, no such provision was included. A presumption in favour of a particular group of adults could cut across the driving principle of the legislation that the welfare of the child must be the paramount consideration in any contact case.

We have no plans to change the law in this area at the present time. It remains possible for any person with an interest in a child (including a grandparent, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.) to apply to the court to seek an order under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (the 1995 Act), which is the key provision in relation to contact, residence and Parental Responsibilities and Rights.

Section 16 of the 2020 Act sets out additional factors that the court must consider when deciding whether or not to make an order under section 11 of the 1995 Act. It provides that the court must consider the effect the order might have on the child’s important relationships with other people. This could include the child’s grandparents and wider family members. Section 16 is not yet in force but the Scottish Government intends to consider it as one of the provisions of the 2020 Act that could be commenced over the next year.

The Scottish Government has produced the Charter for Grandchildren as part of the Your Parenting Plan. The Charter sets out that grandchildren can expect to maintain contact with their wider family except in very exceptional circumstances.

S7W-04329

Asked by: Green, David (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Caithness, Sutherland and Ross)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many live homeless applications there were in each local authority area on Christmas Day in 2025, and how many (a) adults and (b) children these related to.

Answered by Somerville, Shirley-Anne - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing

S7W-04296

Asked by: Nevens, Kate (Scottish Green Party - Edinburgh and Lothians East)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported concerns regarding the levels of sewage discharge around Portobello beach in Edinburgh, and whether it plans to work with Scottish Water and SEPA to address the recorded levels of E.coli and intestinal enterococci at the site.

Answered by Martin, Gillian - Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs

Last year, 97% of designated bathing waters in Scotland achieved the bathing water quality standard and 82% achieved the higher standards of “Good” and “Excellent"

The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to address water quality concerns at Portobello.

Scottish Water is undertaking a £1 million project to protect and potentially improve the water quality at Portobello. This work includes detailed modelling and a “find and fix” watercourse pollution study to identify and mitigate sources of pollution as they are identified, such as misconnections, where household waste pipes have been incorrectly connected to surface water drains. Scottish Water expect to conclude the project in March 2027

In addition, last year, SEPA established a Management Group together with the City of Edinburgh Council, and Scottish Water, to provide oversight of the investigations in Portobello and Fisherrow to consider wider improvement and beach management activities.

I have also asked SEPA to consider opportunities to raise awareness of the positive role everyone can play in helping to protect water quality at Scotland’s bathing waters.

S7W-04302

Asked by: Clark, Katy (Scottish Labour - West Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with Police Scotland and survivors to ensure trust in Scotland's police force, in light of reports that  nearly 70% of Police Scotland officers currently suspended while under criminal investigation are accused of offences relating to violence against women.

Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Justice

The Scottish Government is clear that violence against women and girls is abhorrent and completely unacceptable, regardless of who the perpetrator is. Women must have confidence that allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, investigated rigorously and acted upon appropriately.

Building and maintaining public trust in policing is essential, particularly for women and survivors who need the confidence to come forward and report abuse. We will continue to work with Chief Constable Jo Farrell, Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and wider partners to support robust action where concerns are identified and to ensure victims and survivors are at the centre of policing responses.

The Scottish Government has strengthened the framework for police accountability through the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 and the Police Service of Scotland (Vetting) Regulations 2026, which introduced ongoing vetting throughout officers' careers and strengthened powers to manage risks and remove officers who cannot maintain vetting clearance. These reforms are designed to strengthen integrity, transparency and public confidence in policing.