Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government works with the UK Government, and with local government and the wider public sector, to maximise investment in Scotland’s renewables sector. Notably, through the £75m Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government is match funding UK Government funding in two key energy transition projects:

(1) £26.3m to the Energy Transition Zone. The zone will transform North East Scotland into a globally integrated energy cluster focussed on accelerating net zero. It aims to generate 2,500 new jobs in Aberdeen and realise as much as £400m GVA.

(2) £6.5m to the Global Underwater Hub (GUH). The GUH will support the globally competitive underwater sector in the UK to accelerate the transition to net zero, drive innovation and growth and make a step change in the development and internationalisation of technology and services.

The Energy Transition Fund will protect existing jobs and create new jobs in the North East, and across Scotland by opening up opportunities through energy transition and harnessing private sector funding.

The investment will also benefit the wider Scottish energy sector and broader supply chain, working with local businesses to maximise the economic benefits, create and support sustainable jobs and contribute to inclusive economic growth across the country.

There are strong protections in Scots law for wild animals and habitats. The Scottish Government has made clear our commitment to play a full role in the international effort to tackle the twin global crises in climate and nature. We have recently consulted on our new Biodiversity Strategy and will respond to the conclusions of the forthcoming Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. We plan to introduce a Natural Environment Bill putting in place key legislative changes and statutory targets to restore and protect nature. We will introduce a right to a healthy environment as part of our proposals for an ambitious Human Rights Bill.

The First Minister chaired a summit with energy suppliers and advice organisations, including Ofgem representatives, on 23 August, at which these matters were discussed at length. The First Minister subsequently wrote to the new Prime Minister, urging that she cancel any further energy price increase for domestic consumers, and work with the regulator and energy companies to put in place the funding to support this, while also underlining the pressing need for additional support for vulnerable consumers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11044 on 29 September 2022. 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

I am aware of the Recovery and Wellbeing village project being developed by Blue Triangle in Partnership with Hamilton Accies and local partners. Officials recently met with colleagues from the project to discuss these developments further. The Scottish Government acknowledge that there is no one size fits all approach to rehabilitation, it is for this reason I support the development of treatment and recovery services with varying models of care, including those of a residential nature and those in community settings such as this initiative. Officials will continue to engage with the project team going forward and I look forward to receiving detailed feedback for further consideration.

I met with Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority on 11 April 2022, during my visit to Orkney. The purpose of that meeting was to provide an update, following previous meetings, on the progress of the Orkney Harbours Masterplan. During the discussion, we specifically focussed on the work underway to develop and enhance the Scapa Deep Water Quay and Halston Pier, both of which will provide new opportunities for use by the Offshore Wind sector.

In the 2022-23 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government renewed its commitment to explore how to ensure the interests of future generations are considered in decisions made today.

Ministers and officials have been engaging with a wide range of organisations interested in embedding wellbeing and sustainable development principles in decision-making. I have met with several key stakeholders to support this work and will continue to do so in the coming months.

The Scottish Government is considering the case for a Scottish future generations commissioner as part of a package of measures to embed the interests of future generations in the creation and delivery of policy. This may include placing duties on public bodies to account for the impact of their decisions on wellbeing and sustainable development.

This work is being taken forward as part of the development of the Scottish Government’s proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill.

We intend to set out more detailed proposals later this year.

As detailed in our Programme for Government, we recognise the profound impact the current cost crisis is having across Scotland. Within this, we are acutely aware of the various challenges festivals have faced in 2022, including the ongoing effects of COVID-19, rail strike action, rising inflation and rising costs across the board.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have provided a total of approximately £14.1 million in financial support to the festivals. We believe it is of vital importance to maintain an honest and open dialogue with the festivals. For example, the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development met with Festivals Edinburgh and a number of festival organisers on 18 May 2022 to assess the issues impacting festivals before the festival season, and offer support where appropriate and feasible. The Cabinet Secretary followed up this meeting on 27 July 2022 and has assured the festivals we will maintain this dialogue.

The Scottish Government will remain in discussions with festival organisers in an ongoing assessment of their situation to establish the best ways to use what levers we can to mitigate the various issues related to rising costs, while ensuring that the protection of the most vulnerable in our society remains our priority.

The Scottish Government would like to congratulate all the artists, venues, production members and organisers of Edinburgh’s festivals this year. We recognise that overall 2022 was perceived as a ‘recovery year’ for the festivals and was key in bringing back confidence to the wider culture sector, especially with regards to returning audiences.

We have aided the festivals in this recovery and have provided a total of approximately £14.1 million in financial support since the beginning of the pandemic.

Overall, whilst ticket sales were down in comparison to 2019, Edinburgh Festivals were well attended; with a number reporting that they surpassed their 2022 targets. This is a good outcome taking into consideration the many challenges it has been necessary to overcome, and the added caution in programming this year. The Scottish Government will continue to work with festival organisers to build on their success this year, and ensure their continued recovery.

Scottish Government has delivered its native woodland creation targets as set in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and more recently the Bute House Agreement, and is committed to supporting further expansion of our native woodland resource. As part of the work to develop the next Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, and underpinning Delivery Plans, we are reviewing the current targets for native woodland expansion and setting evidence based targets for future years. We recently invited views on the next Scottish Biodiversity Strategy though a recent consultation exercise. The creation and management of new native woodlands will continued to be underpinned by the UK Forestry Standard, and supported through our Forestry Grant Scheme.

Protection for woodland is in place via the felling regulations under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. Where felling permission is not applicable, the Control of Woodland Removal Policy only permits removal of existing woodland where it would achieve significant and clearly defined additional public benefits including habitat restoration or public safety. Scottish Planning Policy 2014 (SPP) seeks to protect and enhance ancient semi natural woodland, together with individual trees, and encourages the creation of new woodland and planting of native trees in association with development.