Chamber and committees

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

UK commercial fishing licences provide general authority for the registered vessel to fish in the UK EEZ, subject to specific conditions detailed in the licence. The UK Fisheries Act 2020 sets out the ‘equal access objective’, stating that, "access of UK fishing boats to any area within British fishery limits is not affected by- (a) the location of the fishing boat’s home port, or (b) any other connection of the fishing boat, or any of its owners, to any place in the United Kingdom."

UK fishing licences may also be retained as an "entitlement" which means that that there is no active fishing vessel linked to the licence entitlement at that time. That entitlement may be re-activated in the future by being transferred or sold and then attached to an active UK vessel.

The information provided in the following table is the number of "active" UK licences - i.e. where a fishing vessel is linked to the licence - as of 1 January in each year. As noted above, whilst UK fishing licences permit activity in all UK waters, the number of active UK licences is not necessarily representative of UK vessels' fishing activity in Scottish waters.

The reduction of the working week for Agenda for Change staff was agreed in partnership between the Scottish Government, Agenda for Change Staff Side representative groups and NHS Scotland employers, and the implementation of the first 30 minute reduction has been overseen in partnership through a sub-group of the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee. The Implementation Sub-Group agreed guidance at the beginning of the process which was published as NHS Scotland circular PCS(AFC)2024/2, and this continues to be updated as required.

The guidance provides a set of overarching principles, but it is recognised that the specifics of how the reduction will be achieved are best discussed and agreed locally through NHS Board partnership structures. The guidance makes clear that the reduction should only be implemented when this can be done safely. Where staff continue to work their previous hours, there is provision for payment of a Transitional Allowance until the reduction can be achieved.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering medium and long term solutions to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible. Following identification of a preferred option last year, the next step for the permanent solution, which is the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option, is progressing at pace and will conclude with the publication of draft Orders for comment, currently expected by the end of this year. As with all infrastructure projects, delivery of the scheme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory authorisation procedures and thereafter a timetable for construction can be set.

At the same time, improvements to the existing Old Military Road (OMR) through the Glen Croe corridor are being made to make it a more resilient diversion route until the long term solution is in place.

Funding is included in the 2024-25 Budget to continue to deliver the medium term solution and progress the essential preparatory work on the long term solution.

Funding to construct the long term solution to the landslip risks will be determined annually as part of the annual Scottish Budget setting exercises. However, this scheme is a priority for the Scottish Government, noting it is a key recommendation in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Highland Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Argyll and Bute Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Moray Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

The most recent Instrumental Music Survey published in December 2023 shows the number of pupils participating in free instrumental music tuition is at a record high since the survey began (61,175).

Local Authorities are responsible for the delivery of free instrumental music tuition in their schools. They review the instruments offered, and therefore instructors required, on a regular basis to ensure this meets pupil demand in terms of what sort of instrument young people want to learn and the needs of schools.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Shetland Islands Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Orkney Islands Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.