Chamber and committees

Responsibility for assessing security of supply rests with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator, as a reserved matter. Balancing of the grid including determining relevant costs is also a reserved matter.

The Scottish Government is confident that NESO, as the body responsible for system operability, will ensure that grid stability and security of supply are maintained as the energy system transitions.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with NESO colleagues to discuss relevant issues including security of supply as required.

The Scottish Government maintains regular contact with the UK Government regarding energy matters, including issues of supply. These engagements forma critical part of our approach to issues of resilience.

It is a matter for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the sufficiency of gas storage in the UK. However, some reporting on this issue has been misleading and inaccurate. In addition to stored capacity the UK benefits from domestically produced gas; a direct pipeline supply from Norway; and large LNG import facilities.

Planning associated with the security of fuel and energy supplies is a reserved matter. It is for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the adequacy of gas storage for Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. We remain in close contact with the UK Government on these matters.

The merits of any proposal, both onshore and offshore, are considered on a case-by-case basis and in reaching their decision, the decision maker must determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements, relevant policies and representations from consultees and members of the public.

Environmental Impact Assessment requirements for marine developments are set out in the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations). The Regulations define EIA projects as works which are either schedule 1 works or schedule 2 works likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as their nature, size or location.

Where a proposal is identified as falling under Schedule 2, a company may request a screening opinion from the Scottish Ministers. It is for the Scottish Ministers to determine whether or not an application for the proposed works must be supported by an environmental impact assessment report. This decision is based on the likelihood of significant effects on the environment.

As part of the record funding package for Local Government, in 2026-27, Highland Council will receive £665.1 million to fund local services which equates to an extra £32.3 million or an additional 5.1% compared to 2025-26.

The vast majority of funding available to councils is provided by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government with the Scottish Budget also providing Councils with full discretion over decisions on Council Tax. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on the maintenance of roads and bridges, on the basis of local needs and priorities.

The UK Government is solely responsible for decisions relating to the location of accommodation for people seeking asylum and for ensuring the suitability of these. The Scottish Government is clear that the UK Government’s asylum proposals will not deliver a controlled and humane asylum system but will undermine integration and push more people, including families with children, into poverty, destitution and homelessness; leaving our local authorities to pick up the pieces. The Scottish Government has raised our significant concerns with the UK Government.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with Home Office officials and the Minister for Border Security and Asylum to seek clarity on the projected timelines for arrivals at Cameron Barracks. It has also been repeatedly requested that sufficient notice be provided to local delivery partners, enabling them to plan effectively and mitigate any potential risks to both site occupants and the surrounding community. Despite this regular engagement, to date, substantive responses to the questions raised have not been provided.

The UK Government retains sole responsibility for selecting asylum accommodation sites. However, we acknowledge there will be concerns as to the site being centrally located in the community and the impact that it may place on local services.