None.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producer Pilot Fund (SPPF) has not provided direct funding for the construction of new small-scale abattoirs. Instead, it is designed to support small producers by offering flexible financial assistance and connections to local food supply chains, abattoirs, and small businesses across Scotland.

The SPPF is a pilot support mechanism co-designed with the Ministerially appointed Small Producer Steering Group. It aims to strengthen local supply chains and improve access to private kill services, by empowering small producers to play a key role in realising our Vision for Agriculture.

The Scottish Government understands that distance to an abattoir can be a challenge in some places. There are a number of factors at play, including Scotland’s geography, reflected in the fact that Scotland’s population density is 70 per square kilometre and 9.2 in the Highland council area, compared with 395 in England and Wales. Travel from Scotland’s islands to a mainland abattoir is also a consideration. We recognise these challenges which is why our Small Producers Pilot Fund plays a key role in facilitating access to abattoirs across the country and especially in rural and island areas. This has included funding for private kill coordinators to support the efficient transport of livestock, as well as support for groups seeking to undertake feasibility studies. Throughput is of course vital in this regard to ensure that plants are fit for purpose and have a viable future.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producers Pilot Fund (SPPF) received £180,000 in initial funding, followed by £1 million allocated for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

To date, £581,488 has been distributed: £273,209 in 2023–2024, £274,657.74 in 2024–2025, and £33,621.26 so far in 2025–2026.

This year, we have committed additional allocations including £200,000 for the Practical Training Fund, £500,000 in capital investment, and £55,000 to support the Small Producer Info Hub. Applications have already been received from several abattoirs, with combined value of £236,000, and ministers remain open to further submissions.

The City of Edinburgh Council will be implementing 9 Firework Control Zones in Edinburgh at Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield, and Sighthill between 31st October to 9th November 2025.

Glasgow City Council will have 3 Firework Control Zones in Govanhill, Pollokshields and Broomhouse from 1st to 10th November 2025.

There are maps of the Firework Control Zones within each council’s website. These are available at Firework control zones – The City of Edinburgh Council and Fireworks Control Zones (FCZ) - Glasgow City Council.

We recognise that managing agents undertake a range of valuable services to support apprentices and employers. This includes pre-assessment, support materials, pastoral care and the delivery of final assessments (where appropriate).

The role, responsibilities and funding arrangements for managing agents are being considered as part of our work on apprenticeship reform. We are committed to working with Colleges Scotland, managing agents and key agencies including SDS and the SFC, to ensure that apprenticeship funding is sustainable for the future and focused on supporting apprentices to train and progress.

It is important that we retain all of the very best elements of the current system while maintaining best value for public funding.

An industry led EID pilot has directly engaged with 18 auction marts, 14 abattoirs and 425 farms from across Scotland, as well as those across the border. The pilot has concluded its findings with a report published in 2023, highlighting improved Health and Safety as one of the many advantages of ultra-high frequency (UHF) due to reduced animal handling. The Scottish Government also meets regularly with the Bovine EID Industry Stakeholder group, which includes the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).

At this point in the budget cycle no decision has been made on the funding that will be made available for colleges in financial year 2026-27. The Scottish Government recognises the critical role that colleges play in delivering high-quality education, is aware of the pressures colleges are facing and remains fully committed to working constructively with the sector. The College Tripartite Alignment Group has membership from a range of colleges, the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government and provides strategic direction on the pressures and opportunities facing colleges. You can read more about the Group’s activities here Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group - gov.scot.

Despite continuing fiscal challenges, the Scottish Government has increased the direct mental health programme budget for 2025-26 by 1.2% to £270.5 million. We expect total mental health spending to reach record levels – around £1.5 billion - in 2025-26. We have invested significantly in a range of mental health services, including allocating over £160 million since 2020 on community-based support for children, young people and adults. It is important to emphasise that students have access to, and benefit from, the support services provided by the NHS and in our communities.

We also continue to fund NUS Think Positive to work with colleges, universities and students’ associations to develop and promote their mental health support offer.

Our Student Mental Health Action Plan was published in September 2024. The Plan aims, through collaboration between colleges, universities, public and third sector, to join up support that is already available, embedding students into the wider communities in which they live and study. Through the Action Plan’s Delivery Group, the Scottish Government is bringing partners together to make this happen.

Colleges in Scotland operate as autonomous institutions, with governance frameworks that grant them independence in managing their operations including decisions about campus footprint, staffing, and curriculum.

This autonomy is designed to enable responsiveness to local needs and flexibility in delivering education. However, Ministers are clear that colleges are expected to ensure their strategic decisions reflect the needs of the people, the region, and the communities they serve.

In its development of the 10 year College Infrastructure Investment Plan, in collaboration with the sector and due to publish in autumn 2026, the Scottish Funding Council is looking at the whole college sector to ensure the approach to infrastructure is strategic and supports coherent provision.

It is important to expand the sources of income into the college sector, which is why the Colleges Tripartite Alignment Group, comprised of Colleges Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council, has been exploring the perceived barriers to income diversification and how to overcome them.