Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its position on reported calls for the introduction of a national fund to help address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on university campuses.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
Our commitment to the university sector is clear. Our overall 2026-27 investment will exceed £1.4bn, which includes a combined increase of over £55m in resource and capital funding for universities via the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) - equivalent to a 5% uplift on last year’s budget. We also continue our collaborative project between Scottish Government and Universities Scotland on the Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities launched in December 2025. This will explore options that will ensure our universities are sustainable and well positioned to respond to current and future challenges. I am grateful to cross-party colleagues for their engagement in this work, which I hope will continue as we consider these complex long-term issues.
The Scottish Government position on the responsibility for addressing the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has not changed. RAAC is primarily a building maintenance issue and responsibility lies with the owner of the building.
The SFC continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of significant sector-wide developments. Institutions are expected to take a risk-based approach to identifying, managing and mitigating any risks associated with RAAC, taking account of relevant professional guidance. The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding estate-related risks affecting the tertiary education sector and will continue to monitor the position.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it first became aware that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was present in buildings on Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
On 4 September 2023, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) provided the Scottish Government with details of institutions where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) had been identified. Edinburgh Napier University was reported as having RAAC in one building on its Merchiston Campus, with its removal planned as part of the university’s wider campus redevelopment programme.
Responsibility for the management, maintenance and safety of university buildings rests with the institution as the owner of the estate. As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the SFC engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on the Edinburgh Napier University Merchiston Campus, what assessment it has made of the extent of the presence of RAAC in buildings on campuses of other Scottish universities.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
The Scottish Government has not undertaken a separate assessment of the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within university estates.
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out any assessment of the impact on staff and students of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in university buildings and campuses.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
The Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of the impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) on staff and students within university buildings and campuses.
The safety of staff and students is of paramount importance. Responsibility for the management and safety of buildings rests with institutions as estate owners. Institutions are expected to take a risk-based approach to identifying, managing and mitigating any risks associated with RAAC, taking account of relevant professional guidance.
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any guidance has been published for Scottish universities on the steps they can take to address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on their campuses.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
Scottish Universities, as with all those with responsibility for building ownership and property management, should follow the advice and guidance on the identification, management and mitigation of risks associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) provided by professional organisations such as the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of sector-wide developments.
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Edinburgh Napier University regarding the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on its Merchiston Campus.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
Responsibility for the management, maintenance and safety of university buildings rests with the institution as the owner of the estate. Responsibility for engagement with institutions on these matters lies with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the SFC engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector.
The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding it’s assessment of sector-wide risks, issues and impacts.
Asked by: McLennan, Paul (Scottish National Party - East Lothian)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the fiduciary duty of Scotland’s local government pension funds and their obligations to community wealth building.
Answered by Gilruth, Jenny - Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
The Scottish Government recognises that the Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme (SLGPS) funds have a fiduciary duty to ensure that investment decisions are made in the best interests of scheme members and participating employers. This can include environmental, social and governance considerations.
The Scottish Government is working with local authorities and other stakeholders to develop guidance on delivering the objectives in the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026. We already have an open dialogue with the SLGPS funds to explore how increased investment into projects and businesses in Scotland might be unlocked.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats - Edinburgh Western)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact on Merchiston Castle that the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) on the Edinburgh Napier Merchiston Campus could have.
Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
The Scottish Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of any potential impact on Merchiston Castle arising from the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within buildings on Edinburgh Napier University's Merchiston Campus.
As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector. The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding it’s assessment of sector-wide risks, issues and impacts.
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.
Asked by: Burgess, Ariane (Scottish Green Party - Highlands and Islands)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether inheritance law contributes to any monopolisation of land ownership in Scotland.
Answered by None
The Scottish Government previously considered this issue through the work of the Land Reform Review Group, an independent group established by the Scottish Government to review land reform in Scotland. Section 6 of the Group's 2014 Report to Ministers considers previous recommendations by the Scottish Law Commission to remove the distinction between heritable and moveable property in succession law. The Group concluded that they were unlikely to have a significant influence on Scotland's concentrated pattern of land ownership.
The Scottish Government subsequently consulted on the Scottish Law Commission recommendations on succession law, including proposals relating to the distinction between heritable and moveable property. Concerns were expressed by a number of respondents about issues that might be encountered by land based businesses, such as farms. These issues could have an impact on their viability and, ultimately, on the rural economy. The Scottish Government decided not to proceed with those recommendations.
Asked by: Eagle, Tim (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the use of funding from the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, in light of reports suggesting that the Highland Council spent £1.4 million of its allocation of funding on operational costs between 2022-23 and 2025-26.
Answered by Brown, Siobhian - Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise
Children's Services Planning Partnerships (CSPPs) report on their Whole Family Wellbeing Funding (WFWF) activity via annual Children’s Services Reports, annual WFWF reports, and Children’s Services Plans.
Annual WFWF reports include data on the use of the funding, including the activities being delivered, the outcomes achieved and the funding allocated to each activity. This information supports our ongoing oversight of how funding is being used and the progress being made towards delivering transformational change for children, young people and families.