Chamber and committees

Scottish Government does not hold this information.

Forecasts for the Scottish economy, including inflation, are produced by the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission. Their most recent forecasts were published on 29 May (https://fiscalcommission.scot/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Scotlands-Economic-And-Fiscal-Forecasts-May-2025.pdf).

The Scottish Government has costed the one percentage point above inflation that the Agenda For Change pay deal for 2025-26 and 2026-27 guarantees and is monitoring monthly.

The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland a competitive destination for business and talent. While key tax powers such as Corporation Tax remain reserved to the UK Government, we use our limited devolved powers to deliver a fair, progressive tax system that raises significant revenue. Tax and economic policy decisions made by the UK Government have a direct impact on Scottish finances and the delivery of our priorities, including economic growth.

Since the introduction of Scottish Income Tax more taxpayers have come to Scotland than have left. In 2021-22, the latest year of data, net migration of taxpayers was positive across all tax bands and almost all age groups. We closely monitor the impacts of our policy decisions on taxpayers, businesses, and the economy using a range of evidence such as real time economic data, formal evaluations and engagement with stakeholders, including the business community. We are also committed to directly supporting businesses including maintaining the Small Business Bonus Scheme at the rates and thresholds introduced in 2023-24. This scheme remains the remains the most generous scheme of its kind in the UK.

The Scottish Government provides funding to a range of organisations through several different funding streams. Each fund has its own set of monitoring and reporting requirements to assess that the recipient is meeting the criteria of the fund. We expect all organisations in receipt of Scottish Government funding to comply with the law.

All public bodies must comply with the law. It is not for the Scottish Government to direct public bodies in matters relating to compliance with reserved matters in the Equality Act 2010, for which the EHRC is the regulator and enforcer.

Public bodies and service providers with questions regarding how the law may affect them in their circumstances should contact the EHRC as it is the body responsible for regulating and enforcing the Equality Act 2010.

All social care workers are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council and are therefore subject to their fitness to practise rules and requirements. Social care practice is clearly complex and it is for employers and the regulator to assess whether conduct is inappropriate or otherwise in any given circumstance. Scottish Ministers and Parliament have provided legislation that allows the relevant parties to carry out their functions in accordance with best practice and the law.

For young people who may decide to seek medical support related to their gender identity, a range of support is available and is currently provided in NHS Scotland via NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Young Person Gender Service.

Individualised assessment for, and potential treatment of, gender dysphoria is carried out by clinicians in this NHS service in consultation with their patient, as informed by patient need. Assessment will be carried out in line with relevant best practice. For example, guidance set by the General Medical Council (GMC) which, as the independent regulator of doctors, publishes a range of documentation to help clinicians fulfil their professional duties.

Scottish Government centrally purchased 25,000 Chromebooks at a cost of £6m in 2020-21. A further 47,000 devices were centrally funded at this time but purchased locally. Decisions on device types were taken by each authority in line with their needs, and so SG does not hold this information. A total of £25m was provided for this investment. Additionally, we have allocated £10m in 2025-26 to continue improving digital access for learners.

Scotland has a strong record in attracting foreign direct investment and our Inward Investment Plan (IIP) plays a central role in supporting this by targeting key sectors including HealthTech, energy transition and advanced manufacturing.

Scotland’s IIP outlines a plan for Scotland to be a leading destination for inward investment aligned with Scotland’s values of fair work, net zero and inclusive prosperity. It takes an evidence-led approach to identifying Scotland’s strengths, aligning these with current and projected global investment flows, and set out a series of actions to attract high quality inward investment to Scotland.

The Scottish Government and Enterprise Agencies work closely with both domestic and international businesses to secure and grow their operations in Scotland, ensuring long-term economic benefit and job creation.

ZeroAvia’s recent investment at Glasgow Airport, is one example of how our approach to inward investment, aligned with our values and net zero goals, is delivering real results, and creating high-value jobs. Scotland remains the top UK location for inward investment outside of London for the ninth year running, securing a record 142 projects in 2023 – a testament to the strength of our strong investment approach.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the total number of reported knife crime incidents as the data we receive from Police Scotland is a simple count of the number and type of crimes and offences recorded. We do not in general hold further details as to whether any of these crimes included a knife or other bladed/pointed instrument.

There are two exceptions to this. The first are crimes of homicide, where information is available on method of killing (including by sharp instrument). Table One presents this by local authority area for the latest three years. The next Accredited Official Statistics on Homicide (for 2024-25) will be published in October.

The second area where information is held in relation to knife crime are for those types of crime that specifically reference the presence of a knife or bladed/pointed article. This includes the police recorded crimes of (i) having in a public place an article with a blade or point, (ii) having in a prison an article with a blade or point, (iii) having in a school an article with a blade or point and (iv) possession of certain dangerous knives in a private place. Table Two presents information on these types of crime. Again, this is split by local authority area for the latest three available years. The next Accredited Official Statistics on recorded crime (for year ending March 2025) will be published on the 24th June.

There are many ways in which the Scottish Government consults citizens and organisations. For example, through written consultations, which are open to anyone who is interested in contributing their views, public and stakeholder meetings, focus groups, and questionnaires. In addition, the Scottish Government engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholders, including organisations working to promote gender equality and women's rights.

We will shortly begin engaging with stakeholders and women with diverse lived experience on the development of a strategy to tackle gender inequality and realise the rights of women and girls and we will take steps to ensure that we hear the perspectives of a range of organisations that work with women and girls and advocate for their rights.