Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.

The Scottish Ambulance Service launched its demand and capacity programme in 2019, to ensure they are working as effectively as possible by having the right resources in place to deliver the most appropriate care. This has resulted in the recruitment of an additional 1,388 staff and the introduction of 52 additional ambulances in the first three years. The increase in staffing and resources, coupled with alignment of shift patterns to patient demand profiles, was designed to improve patient safety and staff welfare.

Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.

We recognise the critical importance of ensuring that patients can access targeted cancer medicines promptly when associated genomic tests are required.

The development of a sustainable and more reactive funding model for genomic testing is a core commitment within the Genomics in Scotland strategy. Work to develop new funding mechanisms continues to progress, however, this process takes time and significant negotiation across Scottish Government and the entirety of the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering equitable access to genomic tests associated with Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved medicines without unnecessary delay.

Following discussions facilitated by the Scottish Government between the Scottish Ambulance Service and trade unions, a working group has been established to seek to resolve the complex issues surrounding rest break compliance. The group will meet fortnightly, with an oversight group established which includes representation from the Scottish Government. This oversight group will meet regularly to monitor the progress of the working group.

A reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) was appointed to examine the proposed development in January 2025 and following our recent recall for ministerial decision on the appeal, will now produce a report to Ministers, with recommendations, instead of the reporter making the final decision.

This remains a live appeal, and it would not be appropriate to comment on any specific issues that may be involved in the consideration and decision-making process.

I can assure you that all submitted information and relevant issues will be thoroughly reviewed before a final decision is made. In reaching a decision, Ministers are required by law to have regard to the development plan and to all relevant material factors, including all submissions made by parties involved in the case and all representations made.

In my role as Planning Minister, I will take the decision on the Lomond Banks planning appeal.

The Scottish Government considers that it is entirely appropriate. The Scottish Ministerial Code recognises that I am responsible for taking decisions on behalf of Scottish Ministers collectively on planning cases. In responding to questions in the Parliament on 20 May 2025, I pointed to the reporter’s earlier consideration of the appeal and explicitly noted on several occasions that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the case; and I did not do so. A decision will be made in a fair and impartial way which takes into account all relevant legal requirements and maintains the integrity of the planning process.

As Planning Minister, I have had discussions with the Chief Planner and the Chief Reporter in respect of the role of Scottish Ministers as part of the decision making process for this appeal and to explain procedures. I have had no discussions with Scottish Enterprise or with the Park Authority or with representatives or consultants of the appellant. At all times, the Scottish Government is mindful of the principles in the Scottish Ministerial Code.

The following table sets out the planning applications called in by the Scottish Ministers which have yet to be determined, along with the dates the applications were notified to the Scottish Ministers before they were called in. Decisions by Scottish Ministers will be made on these cases in due course.