Chamber and committees

Based on the 16 projects that submitted Supply Chain Development Statements (SCDS) updates in 2026, Scotland’s share of total commitments in each category is Development 62%; Manufacturing & Fabrication 20%; Installation 36%; and Operation 70%.

This information can be verified on the Crown Estate Scotland supply chain dashboard https://crownestatescotland.com/supply-chain-information

The Scottish Government is leveraging private investment into the offshore wind supply chain and ports infrastructure through our strategic investment – to date we have unlocked almost £900m of investment into projects with the potential to support up to 5,000 jobs.

Our enterprise agencies are providing targeted development support and connecting our supply chain companies with offshore wind projects and principal suppliers and contractors, enabling them to bid for - and crucially to win - work in renewables.

Where levers are reserved, such as with the Clean Industry Bonus, the Scottish Government continues to urge the UK Government to consider all available options to bolster the expansion of domestic manufacturing, support order book certainty for suppliers, and avoid the offshoring of economic opportunities from our energy transition.

At its meeting on 16 June 2026, the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) Strategic Group discussed future priorities in light of developments, including the statutory public inquiry into group-based CSAE and the Inspectorate-led National Review of local responses to this issue. It also considered updates on the progress of its subgroups on enhancing workforce skills and training, improving the collection and analysis of data to better assess the scale of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland, and mandatory reporting.

The Group agreed to hold an extended meeting in early autumn to review progress to date, consider stakeholder views and determine future priorities and next steps. This will support a refresh of the Group's strategic approach and inform further advice to Ministers.

The remit of the Group, alongside minutes of meetings of the Strategic Group and its subgroups, are published on the Scottish Government website and available at: https://www.gov.scot/groups/national-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-strategic-group/

The figures contained within the Supply Chain Development Statements (SCDS) are expected to change across the term of the lease options as projects mature and the supply chain develops.

Compared with the last updates in 2023, developers have maintained or increased their commitments in Scotland with only two projects reducing commitments. The CampionWind project has returned its site option to Crown Estate Scotland as has Arven South.

We continue to work with CES, developers and industry to identify trends which can help Scottish Government and our delivery partners target support where it can have the greatest impact and maximise value to Scotland.

We recognise that the offshore wind sector has the potential to bring substantial benefits to Scotland, and we are committed to maximising economic value from ScotWind projects, and to retaining investment, jobs and supply chain opportunities within Scotland.

For some components, overseas supply chains are currently more mature than in the UK. We are working with developers, the UK Government, inward investors and the supply chain to support and grow manufacturing in Scotland.

The ‘expansion of funded early learning and childcare to 1140 hours: 2018-2025 national outcomes evaluation’ did not analyse changes in employment among parents/carers of disabled children specifically. The evaluation did identify positive changes in parental employment across income groups.

Our approach to expansion will involve close collaboration with local authorities, including on provision for children with additional support needs, to ensure that the needs of all children are met.

We expect all women giving birth in Scotland, including those living in rural and island communities, to be supported and safe. The recent Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection of acute maternity services at the Balfour Hospital in NHS Orkney showcased many areas of good practice and highlighted the resilience and adaptability of island boards.

On the 11th of June, the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Care made a statement to Parliament setting out the plan for an independent Review of Maternity Services. The principles of this Review include a focus on: maternity services in rural and island areas across Scotland and the experiences of women living there. This review will be fast paced and forward looking.

I have also commissioned a survey of all remote, rural and island maternity services earlier this year. The responses from this, alongside national audit data, will form part of the Review and ensure future service provision takes into account the needs of those living in rural and island communities.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

The scheme was put in place to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, enabling affected households to apply for £300 towards their bills. This includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable additional heating needs. The first payment was made within 24 hours of the scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

The scheme has been managed by Advice Direct Scotland (“ADS”). Details of the eligibility criteria and the application process have been made available on the ADS website since the launch of the Scheme. Additionally, ADS have utilised the heating oil and liquid petroleum gas supplier network and have contacted over 1,600 third sector organisations to raise awareness of the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.

ADS are also assisting individuals with any queries that they may have on the scheme or in making an application and I thank them for their on-going work.

We are now taking further steps to raise awareness and will continue to use various channels to reach those households most in need.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

The scheme was put in place to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, enabling affected households to apply for £300 towards their bills. This includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable additional heating needs. The first payment was made within 24 hours of the scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

As of end of 9 August 2026, 598 applications had been received from households in the Western Isles. Of these applications, 270 have received an award of £300 towards the cost of their heating oil bills, with 322 applications having not met the eligbility criteria or had their application closed due to not responding to requests for information. Closed applications can be reopened if the applicant contacts Advice Direct Scotland.

Full details of the eligibility requirements have been available on the Advice Direct Scotland (“ADS”) website since launch, which includes noting that for discretionary decisions applicants must be in financial hardship and, in addition, meet one of the other listed criteria.

The Scottish Government is taking further steps to raise awareness of this scheme and will continue to use various channels to reach those households most in need. I would encourage anyone who uses heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat their homes in the Western Isles, and throughout Scotland, to visit the ADS website to check eligibility and, where eligible, to make an application.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria but are still struggling with the cost of living crisis may wish to be aware of the Scottish Government’s cost of living website which provides helpful information and support and can be found here: https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot

Under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004, education authorities are responsible for identifying and meeting the additional support needs of children in early learning and childcare (ELC) settings. In line with the National Standard, we expect local authorities and settings to work together to support children with additional support needs to access their funded ELC hours. The Funding Follows the Child approach enables families to access provision in the public, private or third sectors.