Seòmar agus comataidhean

Further to the response provided in question S6W-35293;

The Scottish Government publishes local authority analysis using a three-year pooled data set to ensure sufficient sample sizes. As set out in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2023 Key Findings Report (available at Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings - gov.scot) the lack of SHCS data for 2020 and the enforced changes for 2021 cause issues with the production of this analysis for two reasons.

Firstly, there is no SHCS data for 2020 so we cannot produce a three-year average for the 2019 to 2022 survey years. Secondly, the data from the 2021 external+ SHCS is not directly comparable with that from other survey years due to the methodological differences and it would therefore not be appropriate to combine it with the data for 2022 or 2023 to produce a multi-year average.

With the publication of the 2024 SHCS key findings report, on February 24th 2026, we will have a three year pooled data set (2022-2024), and a Local Authority level analysis will follow.

We have pre announced these statistics for publication in May 2026 and will confirm the date in due course.

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.

The Scottish Government recognises the value and positive impact of Foundation Apprenticeships for our young people.

A report on the number of Foundation Apprenticeships funded by Skills Development (SDS) can be accessed here:

https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/zxfjjm3q/sds-fa-progress-report-july-2025.pdf. This provides information on the number of starts up to 2024-25 and further data will be available at the end of academic year 2025-26.

The report does not include a breakdown by occupational group, however, SDS can provide a more detailed breakdown. I would encourage Mr Kerr to contact them directly.

It is worth noting that the Scottish Funding Council also funds the delivery of Foundation Apprenticeships through colleges.

The Scottish Government is aware of the development of Modern Service Frameworks in England for major conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. For clarity, these are being developed by the UK Government but have not yet been formally introduced.

In Scotland, our policy is guided by our own strategic frameworks, including the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. Together, these set out our shared long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services.

This work is underpinned by a ten-year programme focused on prevention, person-centred care, strengthened community services, digital innovation, and addressing the root causes of poor health.

The National Framework for Adult Support and Protection (ASP) Learning and Development in Scotland provides a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary resource to ensure that all those involved in supporting and protecting adults are appropriately trained and skilled for their role. It prioritises workforce development and underscores the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and partnership across professional groups. The Framework aims to support a consistent approach across Scotland which can be adapted for local use to enhance existing local training approaches. An implementation plan has been developed and will be delivered by the by the National ASP Coordinator and supported by the multi-agency National Learning and Development Network. This includes work with early adopter sites to provide feedback and a multi-agency review on its use 10 months following publication. Colleagues in learning and development roles within multi-agency local partnerships are in a unique position to support best practice. They can develop the knowledge and skills required in practitioners across all organisations and services, promoting multi-agency, multi-service shared learning.

I refer the member to answer to questions S6W-43676 and S6W-43744 on 24 February 2026.

Assessments of respiratory prevalence and emergency hospital admissions are produced and published by Public Health Scotland. These official statistics include data for every NHS Board area, as well as national level figures. The Scottish Government draws on these official statistics rather than undertaking separate board-level assessments.

Public Health Scotland data shows that respiratory conditions are a major contributor to unplanned hospital demand. Emergency inpatient activity accounts for almost half of all hospital admissions nationally, reflecting sustained pressure on acute services. Longer term projections indicate that unplanned acute inpatient admissions for respiratory conditions are expected to rise by around 23% between 2024 and 2034, confirming the growing burden of respiratory illness across Scotland. A link to PHS data can be found at: Projecting future demand for health and care services in Scotland (2024-2034) - Long term service demand projections in Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises these pressures and is taking action. We recently published the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, the Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework in which we outline our shared, long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services to ensure they are more sustainable, preventative, and equitable.

Our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland has supported national work to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, care and support for people living with respiratory conditions. Through the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, national pathways are being developed for severe asthma, COPD, sleep apnoea and interstitial lung disease. Work is also underway to improve access to pulmonary rehabilitation, a key intervention for people with chronic respiratory conditions.

This work supports resilience across the health system throughout the year, including during periods of increased pressure. Prioritising prevention, early detection and supporting effective long term self-management helps reduce avoidable exacerbations which often drive urgent and unscheduled demand during winter.

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.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people with respiratory conditions including obstructive sleep apnoea receive the best possible care and treatment to enable them to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives.

Our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland has supported national work to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, care and support for people living with respiratory conditions. Through the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, national pathways are being developed for severe asthma, COPD and interstitial lung disease, with specific innovations underway to improve the diagnosis and management of sleep apnoea.

Work is also progressing to improve access to pulmonary rehabilitation, a key intervention for people with chronic respiratory conditions, supported by a new digital first model being developed in partnership with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.

We also recently published the Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework in which we outline our shared, long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services to ensure they are more sustainable, preventative, and equitable.

We know many people are still waiting too long for appointments and treatments for conditions such as sleep apnoea and this is not good enough. We are determined to do more and this year we have allocated more than £135.5 million of additional funding to health boards to help tackle the longest waits for planned care. This funding means thousands more appointments, operations and procedures are being delivered this year compared to 2024-25.

To build on this progress, extra funding of up to £20 million is being made available to health boards for the last quarter of the year, with the focus on Boards and specialities with long waits.

We will continue to work with clinicians, national delivery partners and the third sector to ensure that people with obstructive sleep apnoea can access timely diagnosis, effective treatment and ongoing support as part of safe, high quality respiratory care.

The Scottish Bird Gathering General Licence is applied in accordance with Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/263 article 4(4) and 6(2), and with article 4 of The Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (Scotland) Order 2007 and is therefore subject to a Risk Assessment carried out by the Animal and Plan Health Agency (APHA). As such, there is no legal requirement to carry an Equality Impact Assessment, or Economic Impact Assessment, on the impacts of the licence.

The licence measures are designed to regulate the gathering of birds in Scotland to ensure that such events do not significantly increase the risk of the transmission of the avian influenza virus.

Furthermore, the risk-based nature of the measures applied in the general licence means that the licence is amended on a regular basis to meet the varying risk of incursion from avian influenza, and so any equality or economic impact assessment undertaken would be temporary in its conclusions. The most recent risk assessment on which this licence is based is published on GOV.SCOT.

It is recognised that failure to control and eradicate avian influenza in Scotland could have the most profound economic impact on the poultry, game and bird show sectors. It is important to note that Scottish Bird Gathering licensable activities and requirements can differ from those applied in England and Wales (as is currently the case) and keepers are always advised to make themselves familiar with the relevant licensing measures.