As of 31 December 2021, all homes and business in Scotland had the ability to access a superfast broadband connection either through the R100 contracts, the demand-led R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) or commercial coverage. Our interim voucher meant that anyone whose property was in an R100 contract build plan beyond the end of 2021 had the ability to access a temporary superfast solution. We extended the availability of the interim voucher until 31 March 2022 to ensure that anyone who wanted to, could access a superfast connection through this scheme.

As of 1 December 2022, the R100 contracts had built connections to over 15,000 properties across Scotland with a further 3,800 connected as a result of contractual overspill. Over 2,700 connections had also been delivered through the R100 SBVS. This is, of course, in addition to those premises which are already connected commercially or via our legacy programme, DSSB.

No Ministerial meetings took place with the Mineral Products Association (Scotland) or representatives of the Scottish aggregates sector in 2022.

However, my Officials have had ongoing engagement with several aggregates sector associations and representatives during 2022. I look forward to building on this and engaging with the sector.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission is the independent fiscal institution for Scotland, with a statutory duty to provide the independent and official forecasts of the Scottish economy, devolved taxes and devolved social security spending.

Forecasts for the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Additional Dwelling Supplement for the period to 2027-28 are set out in Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts, published on 15 December 2022. A breakdown of the forecasts related to local authorities, registered social landlords or any other type of organisation is not available.

The call for evidence and views on the LBTT Additional Dwelling Supplement sought views on the case for extending the relief available to local authorities where properties are purchased for affordable housing purposes. The Scottish Government will publish its response to the call for evidence and views early this year and launch a consultation on draft legislation.

The public consultation on developing a Scottish tax to replace the UK Aggregates Levy opened on 26 September 2022 and closed on 5 December 2022. Over this 10 week period a total of 25 responses were received which are now being analysed, and a formal consultation analysis will be published in due course. Further stakeholder engagement, including with industry representative bodies and producers will also take place.

Industry representative organisations proposed that the consultation period be significantly extended and a working group established. Officials have met with representatives of these organisations in order to discuss their concerns, and I am carefully considering the position.

Regardless of weather conditions, Winter Heating Payment will provide a stable, reliable payment of £50 to around 415,000 eligible people on low-incomes and provide a valuable contribution towards their heating expenses during the winter months. Recognising the difficulties being faced by many due to the increased cost of living, we have made the decision to increase the payment value for 2023-24 by 10.1% to £55.05.

Separately, in response to the energy crisis we have doubled the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £20 million to ensure additional support continues to be available to people affected by the rising energy costs and struggling with their bills this winter. A further £20 million has been committed for the Fuel Insecurity Fund in 2023-24. We have also delivered Child Winter Heating Assistance, a benefit only available in Scotland, which is intended to help mitigate the additional heating costs that the households of the most severely disabled children and young people face in the winter months. For 2022-23, we have increased Child Winter Heating Assistance by 6%, to £214.10, and will further increase the payment for 2023-24 by 10.1%, to £235.70.

I have not received any correspondence from the National Farmers Union for Scotland on this matter.

The Scottish Government has undertaken reports on the economic condition of crofting, and the measures to support crofting in Scotland. The latest of these was published on Tuesday 20 December 2022, https://www.gov.scot/publications/economic-condition-crofting-2019-2022/ .

The importance of farming and crofting to our rural and island areas is fully appreciated by the Scottish Government.

I am aware that the NFU have raised an issue in relation to agricultural vehicles and CalMac’s systems. I am more than happy to meet with the NFU to discuss their concerns and to ensure systems are improved to support agricultural traffic when using the CalMac fleet, however I note I am yet to receive any formal representation from the NFU on this matter.

During 2022 and in line with Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, ScotRail undertook a review and consultation of ticket office opening hours. The aim of the review was to establish whether adaptions/changes should be made to reflect changes in travel patterns and ticket purchasing preferences and to reduce ticketless travel.

This work was put on hold until key industrial disputes at ScotRail were resolved. As this has now happened, the Scottish Government is considering the results of the consultation exercise, including any impacts on passenger safety and the needs of passengers with mobility or accessibility needs. The results of this consideration will be announced in due course however it has already been confirmed that there are no proposals for ticket office closures.

During 2022 and in line with Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, ScotRail undertook a review and consultation of ticket office opening hours and I am currently awaiting advice from my officials at Transport Scotland on this matter.

In conjunction with the Fair Work in Social Care group the Scottish Government has funded several uplifts to the minimum hourly rate for Adult Social Care staff, including the mid-year December 2021 uplift to £10.02. In April 2022, the Scottish Government delivered an additional uplift taking the Adult Social Care hourly rate to £10.50. This represents an increase of 10.5% for these workers with pay rising from at least £9.50 per hour in April 2021 to at least £10.50 per hour in April 2022.

From April 2023, adult social care workers delivering direct care in commissioned services will see their pay increase to a minimum of £10.90 per hour; in line with the Real Living Wage rate for the 2023-24 Financial Year.

Working collaboratively with the Fair Work in Social Care group will ensure we are committed to improving fair work practices across the social care sector.

The Scottish Government’s Marketing team met with health and social care partnerships Communications leads in November 2022 to discuss the upcoming Adult Social Care National Recruitment Campaign, which launches on 25 January 2023.

As part of this, a stakeholder toolkit and campaign materials are being developed and will be shared with the HSCPs to be used at a local level and support their own local recruitment activity.

Alongside the marketing for the campaign, Scottish Government have worked with HSCPs and provider representative organisations to deliver webinars for social care employers, offering advice and support for when delivering their local recruitment campaigns.

Since 2019, the Scottish Government have led an Adult Social Care Campaign Advisory Group. This group ensures that representatives from across the sector, including HSCP representatives, have the opportunity to collaboratively work together, share good practice and provide support across different localities.