Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not have any plans to raise awareness of digital legacies or to make provision for their digital accounts and assets after they pass away. The Scottish Government encourages all individuals to consider taking professional advice and make a will. Digital assets take many forms and will vary from one individual to another. Solicitors are best placed to offer advice tailored to a person’s specific circumstances and the Law Society of Scotland offers training and advice to its members on digital legacies and digital assets.

As of the end of day 30 September 2024, the amount of journeys made by young people under the Young Persons’ (under 22) Free Bus Travel Scheme since its launch, was (a) Inverclyde – 2,578,637, (b) North Ayrshire – 4,719,775, (c) West Dunbartonshire – 2,986,088 and (d) East Dunbartonshire – 2,251,144.

Journeys are based on the local authority in which the card was issued, therefore some journeys will have been undertaken outwith the local authority area.

The Scottish Government will not bring forward any legislation in relation to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

For the 2014 Games, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2008 Act was passed to support Government Guarantees in relation to street trading, advertising, ticket touting, and transport and provide for the acquisition of land for facilities and the funding of the Organising Committee. However, a key condition of the Scottish Government’s support for the 2026 Commonwealth Games is that Scotland will only act within its existing legal framework. This condition has been clearly communicated to both Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation and is accepted by all parties.

The Scottish Government is committed to keep The Promise by 2030 and has recently set out further detail on activity underway in our Promise Implementation Plan Update 2024.

This includes a continued commitment to introduce a Promise Bill by the end of this parliamentary session, dependent on wider pressures on the Parliamentary legislative calendar. The Scottish Government continue to work with partners, including The Promise Scotland and COSLA, to identify areas where a legislative direction may support delivery of The Promise. There are a number of public consultations underway which, where appropriate, will inform any legislative change required. This is supported by a programme of engagement and participation with the care experienced community which is being led by Who Cares? Scotland and Barnardo’s.

Discussions are ongoing so no formal impact assessment has been undertaken.

Discussions are ongoing so no formal impact assessment has been undertaken.

During the 2024 calendar year up until 10 October 2024, 88 Control Test Inspections have been conducted by Agricultural Wages Inspectors (AWI). This figure is in addition to 9 complaint cases raised directly by agricultural employees, that AWIs have investigated in 2024.

As of 1 October 2024 the number of valid cardholders under the Young Persons’ (under 22) Free Bus Scheme was (a) Inverclyde – 11,793, (b) North Ayrshire – 20,581, (c) West Dunbartonshire – 14,156 and (d) East Dunbartonshire – 14,569.

The data refers to the number of young people with a valid card but does not include products which either start in the future or have expired.

The Scottish Government will be contributing to a UK wide report on compliance to the Aarhus Compliance Committee very shortly. The report will detail significant progress towards addressing concerns previously raised by the Compliance Committee.

Our “Vision for Justice in Scotland: three-year delivery plan” contains an action to engage with key stakeholders to inform and shape future legislative proposals in relation to the reform of legal aid. Those proposals will build upon the recommendations of the independent strategic review undertaken by Martyn Evans and upon subsequent public consultations. Discussions on legal aid reform will commence this year and will include environmental stakeholders.

The Scottish Government does not offer support for individuals whose lease did not meet the criteria to convert under the Long Leases (Scotland) Act 2012.

Individuals with leases which did not convert should consider making contact with their landlord to establish whether they would be willing to consider ending the lease. Tenants should be aware that the landlord will be seeking compensation and the level will be dependent of the circumstances of the lease. Any such discussions will be a private matter which the Scottish Government will not be able to intervene or assist with. Advice from a legal adviser may be required.