Chamber and committees

Onshore wind is Scotland’s largest source of renewable electricity and will remain central to delivering net zero by 2045.

Building on our ambition for a minimum of 20GW by 2030, deployment beyond that point will be shaped by range of factors, many reserved to the UK Government. These factors including future route to market arrangements, network planning and connections reform, and the co-commissioned Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP).

The Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to take all steps necessary for Scotland’s onshore wind resource to be used to its full potential.

The Scottish Government is aware of the growing sales and ownership of non-traditional and so-called exotic pets but that the full details of this are not easily gathered. We are also aware of campaigns by NGOs as well as SAWC’s historical reports, recommending the introduction of a permitted or positive list system for the keeping of pets in Scotland.

While we acknowledge reports of certain negative welfare outcomes associated with exotic pet ownership, we equally acknowledge that with the right owner education, such species can often be kept under good welfare conditions and in certain cases some species may be kept and bred for important conservation purposes.

At this time, we have no plans to introduce a permitted/positive list system, but we will continue to hold discussions with stakeholders and consider any and all relevant information in this area.

We continue to work closely with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations, where it is practical and sensible to do so, on how best to achieve measures that improve sow welfare.

This work is ongoing and there is currently no specific timetable for the completion of the consultation.

Water bodies may be monitored for different purposes, such as public health or assessing the status of the water environment.

Areas where large number of bathers are expected to use the water are designated as Bathing Waters for the protection of public health. Designated Bathing Waters are monitored during the bathing water season for bacteria that indicate the potential presence of pathogens that may be harmful to human health.

SEPA also undertakes wider, routine monitoring for the protection of Scotland’s water environment for a range of parameters, including some chemicals. The EU recently made changes to its list of Priority Substances, including the addition of 25 new substances and the Scottish Government is currently reviewing these changes and considering any action which Scotland might take.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01542 on 4 August 2026. 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 Scottish Government is committed to giving the people of Scotland the information they need to make an informed choice about their constitutional future. The publications, ‘A Fresh Start with Independence’ and the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series set out this government’s proposals for how Scotland could become independent, and what Scotland could do with the powers of independence. The UK’s approach to managing public finances means that it is paying higher interest rates than other comparable countries.

The full powers of an independent country will give Scotland the opportunity to develop a new economic model, one that is tailored to our circumstances, opportunities and strengths. When Scotland becomes an independent country, our fiscal policy would be designed to support improved economic competitiveness and resilience, underpinned by the principle of fiscal sustainability. As with any independent country, the macroeconomic framework would evolve over time to adapt to changing economic circumstances, but with all fiscal levers in the hands of the people of Scotland.

However, fundamentally, the benefit of an independent Scotland is that decisions about Scotland are made by those who live there and they will be the ultimate arbiters in deciding policy matters with Independence just like other independent states.

The Scottish Government’s consistent position is that Scotland’s onshore wind capacity should continue to play a central role in delivering a secure, affordable and decarbonised energy system.

We are continuing to engage closely with NESO and the UK Government as the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan is developed and are making the case directly that this plan should make full use of Scotland’s renewable energy resources.

The Scottish Government’s engagement is informed by a wide range of evidence, including industry analysis such as the report commissioned by the Scottish Onshore Wind Developers Forum.

Four of the six measures provided for in the Act have been implemented. These are:

• A prohibition on providing or making available fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to children;
• A statutory aggravation for courts sentencing offenders where fireworks were used to attack emergency workers;
• New discretionary powers for local authorities to designate firework control zones; and
• New offences of possession of pyrotechnics in public places and at designated events.

Two remaining measures have not yet been commenced. These are:

• A firework licensing system: whereby anyone who wishes to buy, use or possess fireworks will be required to apply for a licence. As part of the licence application process, applicants will be required to complete a mandatory training course on the safe, lawful and appropriate use of fireworks.
• Restrictions on the days fireworks can be supplied to or used by the public.

Implementation of these measures has been paused in light of the significant challenging financial context and operational and resource implications associated with their introduction. The position remains under review as the Scottish Government continues to consider in the context of how existing measures are impacting the nature and pattern of disorder.

It is not within the power of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a complete ban on the sale of fireworks as this is reserved to the UK Government and Westminster Parliament.

As set out in our recent consultation, Water services: investing in and paying from 2027, the Objectives for Scottish Water for 2027-33 require it to provide public-facing access to data on overflows from all intermittent discharges in its network, taken from monitors and supplemented by hydraulic modelling, by 2033.

Scottish Water has co-created a monitoring prioritisation methodology with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) which can be found at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/-/media/scottishwater/document-hub/key-publications/improving-urban-waters/edmmethodology.pdf.

Scottish Water currently has over 2,000 overflow monitors in place (some 50% of overflows). It publishes near real-time spill data online and has provided monitors on all its sewer overflows within 2km of a designated bathing water. During the bathing season SEPA makes daily bathing water quality predictions at selected bathing waters across Scotland. These are available online and from electronic information signs at certain bathing waters. There is also advice on How to Swim Safely in Scotland’s Outdoor Waters on NHS inform.

The Scottish Government recognises that the Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme (SLGPS) funds have a fiduciary duty to ensure that investment decisions are made in the best interests of scheme members and participating employers. This can include environmental, social and governance considerations.

The Scottish Government is working with local authorities and other stakeholders to develop guidance on delivering the objectives in the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026. We already have an open dialogue with the SLGPS funds to explore how increased investment into projects and businesses in Scotland might be unlocked.