Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has accepted the findings of an Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland and we published our response to implementing the recommendations of the review in May 2025, which can be found here: Independent Review: Scottish Government report on implementation of recommendations – Audiology Services in NHS Scotland- all-ears.nhs.scot –

NHS Audiology has been re-categorised as a clinical priority area, and work to implement change is being progressed through National Planning and Delivery arrangements. While management of audiology services are the responsibility health boards, the Scottish Government remains focused on bringing down long waits and the 2026-27 Budget provides a record £22.5 billion for Health and Social Care.

As indicated in our 100 days prospectus, the Scottish Government also remains committed to working with its partners to determine how best to shift care into the community, alleviating hospital pressures and better supporting the people of Scotland through development of an integrated and community-based hearing service.

As outlined in our pledge over the first 100 Days of a new government and as set out in the Scottish Budget 2026-27, Scottish Spending Review 2026 and the Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline 2026, published on 13 January, the Scottish Government is fully committed to dualling the whole A96, including a Nairn Bypass. As part of this commitment the Scottish Government is already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn, including Nairn Bypass.

Investment in the trunk road network over the four year Capital Spending Review period to 2029-30 will allow the Scottish Government to make further progress on dualling the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, including the Nairn Bypass. With the land acquired for the scheme in 2025, funding is included in the 2026-27 Budget to commence the delivery of advanced works. This will include vital archaeological investigation works and other key environmental and ecological measures, along with significant work to facilitate complex Public Utility diversions.

In parallel to the advanced works, investment through the Budget in 2026-27 will also allow Transport Scotland to continue to take forward the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering the scheme and further develop the Business Case.

The Scottish Government’s preference would be to deliver the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) as one project. However, due to the continued fiscal challenges, it is planned that the Scottish Government will take forward a phased approach to delivery, starting with the Nairn Bypass, followed by the remaining sections of the scheme, from Seafield, east of Inverness, to Balloch and then on from Balloch to the Nairn Bypass.

Completion of the preparatory work, including approval of the Business Case, will enable a firm timetable for delivery to be set as part of the annual budget setting process, with a view to commencing procurement of the main works contract for the Nairn Bypass within this Capital Spending Review period.

The Capital Spending Review allows for the commencement of the construction of the Nairn Bypass in 2029-30, subject to business case approval and confirmation of funding beyond the spending review period. Delivery of advanced works for the Seafield to Balloch section of the scheme are also expected to commence during this capital spending review period.

Despite the current fiscal position and following the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, the Scottish Government will continue to progress dualling of the A96 eastwards, including an Elgin Bypass.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

There is currently no fully established national clinical pathway for Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) specifically commissioned by NHS Scotland.

The development and implementation of clinical pathways is led by NHS under established clinical governance arrangements and informed by clinical evidence and service needs.

Where proposals are put forward for pathway development, these are considered through established, clinically led processes by NHS and relevant national delivery partners.

The following table provides the A83 Rest and Be Thankful maintenance spend per year since 2007. It should be noted that The Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested because financial information prior to financial year 2013-14 has not been recorded. This is in accordance with our standard records management practice prior to the date of your request.

The M8 Woodside viaducts occupy a prominent position on the trunk road network and carry up to 150,000 vehicles per day.

No formal economic impact assessment was carried out in advance of lane restrictions being imposed, due to the emergency nature of the works. The likely impact on Glasgow and beyond was considered when installing propping rather than closing the viaduct as stakeholders expressed significant concern over the impact of lane closures, let alone full carriageway closures.

In July 2023, an assessment was made of the estimated costs to the economy of closing the viaducts which, at the time, was estimated to be in the region of £100m per year.

The economic impact of the works in their current form with 2 open lanes has not specifically been modelled but is likely to be significantly less that the full closure estimate.

More in depth impact assessments form part of the options appraisal process that is being undertaken to inform development of the permanent works solution.

Transport Scotland have a number of measures in place to ensure adequate monitoring of the ongoing costs of the works.

Amey is ultimately responsible for undertaking the viaduct propping works, acting as both Principal Designer and Contractor, under the Network Maintenance Contract (NMC) with Transport Scotland.

Transport Scotland’s Project Team manage Amey’s performance with the support of the Performance Audit Group (PAG) who ensure value for money through auditing, monitoring and reporting on the financial and NMC contract performance aspects of these works.

In addition, Turner & Townsend has specifically been engaged by Transport Scotland to provide expert project controls assistance including Cost Management services.

As you are aware, Transport Scotland has established a Project Board to provide additional governance and oversight of the project.

I am, therefore, confident Transport Scotland have robust cost monitoring in place.

The Scottish Government engages regularly with Transport Scotland, which is responsible for taking forward the M8 Woodside Viaducts Permanent Works project. Work is in progress to develop the Strategic Outline Case for the project, including consideration of a range of alternative approaches, which were the subject of a public consultation earlier this year. Feedback from that consultation will be considered alongside other factors to determine the preferred approach for the project, which will balance issues such as engineering, environmental, economic, health and safety and social value considerations. Transport Scotland will discuss the emerging findings from this assessment with the Scottish Government when this work is sufficiently advanced.

In the meantime, work continues on the temporary propping to enable re-opening of all lanes of both viaducts.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

A national 20 mph Task Group was established to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to the implementation of 20 mph speed limits across Scotland. The group last met on 24 January 2024 and guidance to support the rollout can be viewed at: The Implementation Guide for 20 mph Speed Limits in Scotland | Transport Scotland

Since then, matters relating to the delivery of 20 mph speed limits have been discussed on a regular basis with individual local authorities to allow us to monitor progress. 20 mph has also been discussed through existing road safety governance structures, including Local Partnership Forums.