I regularly hold discussions with ministerial colleagues about matters concerning my portfolio. Independence would give control over all public spending decisions while providing the range of fiscal powers that are necessary to unlock Scotland’s full economic potential. Until the people of Scotland can choose a different constitutional arrangement, moving to full fiscal autonomy would create a fairer system, protecting public services and allowing investment in our economy. The Scottish Government stands ready to engage at any point with the United Kingdom Government on substantial new fiscal powers for Scotland, following which we will model the impact of potential policy choices.

It is not a very difficult concept to grasp, although I know that, over the years, Willie Rennie has had great difficulty in accepting, or understanding, it. We on the SNP benches believe that decisions about Scotland’s economic and social progress are best made here. Willie Rennie does not—he thinks that the major decisions should be made by people in the UK Parliament whom we have not elected.

I will keep on trying to persuade Mr Rennie of the advantages of being a normal country. It is for him to spell out how federalism would work in a multinational context, in which 85 per cent of the population live in one part of it. There is not a single example of that working anywhere in the world. I would be happy to hear Mr Rennie explain how his plans would work.

I briefly take the opportunity to congratulate everybody involved in the exhibition at the museum in Stirling. It is exactly the type of initiative that the Scottish Government’s investment in a new museums capacity and support programme would help. In relation to the collaboration between local and national museums and the organisation that will be required for such exhibitions in the future, it is a really good test case. I commend everybody who is involved in it, and Evelyn Tweed, who has been a doughty supporter of it.

There are currently no plans for the Scottish Government to undertake a review of Historic Environment Scotland.

I draw the member’s attention to Historic Environment Scotland’s recently published corporate plan for 2025 to 2028. It is a public access document that highlights that, by 2028, HES will have increased direct expenditure on its assets by 15 per cent; increased its contribution to Scotland’s gross domestic product by 10 per cent—from £1 billion to £1.1 billion—and invested at least £40 million in local communities across Scotland through its grants schemes. We can all agree that those are ambitious outcomes and programmes of work, and I am very supportive of the excellent work that the organisation is undertaking.

I agree with Bill Kidd. We face unprecedented times and events that bring into question the very survival of the values that have underpinned the international order throughout our lifetimes and provided us with the stability and peace that we have been able to enjoy.

As the spectre of war has returned to this continent, it has become more important than ever that we consolidate our long-standing relations with our neighbours in the rest of Europe. Like the majority of members of the Parliament, I believe that the best way for Scotland to take its place in the international community is as an independent member state of the European Union.

Neil Bibby is absolutely right—the role of skills and training is vital as we see the screen sector approach the £1 billion mark in terms of gross value added to our economy, which we hope it will pass by 2030. The Scottish Government is directly responsible for a number of initiatives in the area. At present, we are trying to introduce screen studies into Scottish primary and secondary schools. That will be a tremendous achievement, as other countries do not do that.

Neil Bibby raises a very specific and concerning case involving a private training centre. I am aware of the case that he raises, and I know that ministers are seized of the matter. Our priority must be to support the students who studied there and who wish to conclude their studies. I undertake that I will get my colleague Jenny Gilruth to write to Neil Bibby, letting him know what the Scottish Government is doing in that case. However, in the generality, training and skills are absolutely key to the growth of the screen sector in Scotland, and we fully support that.

The £4 million Scottish Government investment in a new museums capacity and support programme will help to embed the collaboration, innovation and organisational sustainability that is needed to enable positive, strategic change across the sector so that those vital organisations can continue to enrich our local communities now and for generations to come. Plans are currently being worked up with partners and further details will be shared in due course.

The member raises an interesting point. There are significant figures in the artistic community—one of them is Dr Bendor Grosvenor—who have been outspoken in support of wider lending from collections both in Scotland’s national museums and in museums and galleries in London. I am very keen to support the maximum amount of lending that can be supported by local galleries and museums. I would be happy to discuss that with the member, because there is definitely room to grow. I know that people in the arts sector are also of that view.

The Scottish Government understands the pressures that many businesses continue to experience. Although substantial financial pressures persist, the budget this year means that more than 90 per cent of hospitality premises are liable for the basic property rate. Offering 40 per cent relief to mainland hospitality premises that are liable for the basic property rate ensures that the vast majority of hospitality premises on the mainland will be able to benefit and will continue to offer a platform for gigs.

The Scottish Government’s concerns in relation to trade discussions have been communicated directly to the UK Government.

On what the Scottish Government is doing to support the film and TV sector, our budget for 2025-26 includes a £2 million increase for Screen Scotland to support work to attract international investment in large-scale productions in Scotland. Recently, we were able to confirm the excellent news that the Los Angeles-based animation and visualisation company Halon Entertainment is to invest £28 million in a new Glasgow studio, creating up to 250 jobs over the next three years.