Chamber and committees

We are committed to meaningful engagement with UK Government and with the devolved governments. The Scottish Government has frequent and ongoing engagement across the Four Nations. The First Minister has been taking part on a weekly basis in four nations ministerial calls – until the UK government cabinet reshuffle last month these were chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (as Minister for the Cabinet Office) and they were also attended by first ministers from the other devolved governments. We are now re-configuring these calls with Mr Gove in his new role as Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care also takes part in weekly meetings with counterparts from the UK Government and other devolved governments. We are working extensively with the UK and Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland Executive and seeking to make decisions on a ‘Four Nations’ basis where possible and appropriate. However, it is wholly right and appropriate that we respond to the virus in a way that is right for Scotland, that works in our context and offers us the flexibility to adapt to our changing circumstances. Similarly, UK Government is entitled to make their own decisions on measures that they introduce in England, but it is important to remember that these decisions apply in England only. This includes on Plan A and Plan B.

Scottish Government officials have been, and continue to be, in daily contact with Police Scotland on recent reports of spiking. Police Scotland are pursuing every single report of spiking through a Gold command established on this issue and led by an Assistant Chief Constable - which is reaching out to universities, licensed premises, Public Health Scotland, and victim support organisations. Police Scotland have also established connections with the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure that any spiking cases are brought to their attention.

I will be chairing an urgent roundtable with partners and representatives from across the sector on 4 November to discuss how we can achieve the right balance of targeted and universal intervention.

The Electricians Working Group was established in 2017 with a membership reflective of industry, safety, and consumer interests. This group has explored the challenges of ensuring the safety of electrical installation and discussed proposals that aim to protect consumers, protect scrupulous traders, and maintain an environment that allows competition within the provision of electrical services in Scotland.

To date, this work has culminated in the publication of the Regulation of Electricians in Scotland: Research Report (7 June 2019), the Consultation (23 November 2020), and the Consultation Analysis (23 March 2021). Throughout these discussions, the UK Government has been informed of the proposals developed by the Scottish Government. Further detail on these discussions and the outcomes of the consultation are contained within responses to related questions S6W-03566, S6W-03567, and S6W-03568 on 29 October 2021

The Scottish Government continues to hold discussions with key stakeholders in relation to the improvement of the quality and safety of electrical installations in buildings. In addition to the above, officials have maintained robust engagement with Certification Scheme Providers who provide optional certification of electrical installations subject to a building warrant. In June 2021, a certification strategy was approved through the Building Standards Futures Board . Working with delivery partners, including the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland (SELECT) and the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), we will encourage greater uptake in use of certification of construction as a further means of supporting improvement to the quality and safety of electrical installations in Scotland.

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 following tables show estimates of the additional income arising from the Large Business Supplement (up to 2019-20) and the Higher Property Rate (from 2020-21) in the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, and Moray local authority areas. Please note that the Large Business Supplement applied to properties with a rateable value above £51,000, while the Higher Property Rate applies to properties with a rateable value above £95,000.

Table 1: Estimated net income arising from the Large Business Supplement or the Higher Property Rate, in Aberdeen City, 2017-18 to 2021-22, by property class (£ thousands)

There are a total of 2,603 properties in the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, and Moray local authority areas subject to the Higher Property Rate. Please note that this includes the entire local authority areas, as data by parliamentary constituency or region is not available.

Table 1 presents a breakdown of this figure by local authority and property class (data on industry sectors is not available). Property class is a classification used by the Scottish Assessors to describe the type of a property, and may not accurately reflect its use. For example, a property classified as a ‘shop’ may in fact be used to offer financial services. Properties across all classes may be eligible for rates reliefs which may reduce or eliminate their rates liability.

Table 1: Number of properties liable for the Higher Property Rate by property class in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, and Moray

The Scottish Government first announced this policy regarding trade support and promotion for fossil fuel goods and services overseas, in January 2021 in Scotland’s Vision for Trade . This was in alignment with the 2019 Program for Government commitment to ensure all support for the Oil and Gas sector is conditional on enabling a sustainable energy transition.

Our policy cover note published on October 15 2021 explains the rationale for the decision to align with the UK Government’s guidance and relevant exemptions. This decision was made following wide stakeholder engagement and responds to strong feedback from stakeholders on the importance of technical alignment in order to avoid any unintended confusion for our agencies and the industry in the practical implementation of this policy.

The regulation of financial services is reserved to the UK Government and as such Scottish Ministers are unable to directly intervene in the commercial decisions made by financial services companies or comment on individual complaints. Scottish Ministers engage regularly with their UK counterparts and we engage with the industry via the Financial Services Industry Advisory Board (FiSAB) as well as meeting regularly with representative bodies.

The Scottish Government stands ready to work constructively with the UK Government, banks and other stakeholders to ensure that customers, local communities and businesses have access to the banking facilities they require.

The following tables presents the estimated value of Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) relief as at 1 June 2021, awarded to self-catering properties, broken down by assessor and local authority, for properties receiving 100% SBBS, 25% SBBS, and other percentages of SBBS (e.g. when combined with other reliefs). These tables include all self-catering properties in receipt of SBBS relief. The Scottish Government cannot reliably estimate the cumulative rateable value for each ratepayer and can therefore not state the number of self-catering units with a combined rateable value of £35,000 in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief. However, ratepayers with a combined rateable value of £35,000 may still be eligible for SBBS relief where the individual property has a rateable value up to £18,000.

Table 1: Value (£ thousands) of SBBS relief awarded to self-catering properties by assessor area and SBBS rate, as at 1 June 2021