Chamber and committees

Scotland’s participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s 2014-2020 Education, Training, Youth and Sport Programme, is in line with our aims to promote Scotland as a learning nation and to increase student and staff mobility, and brings strong educational, employability, cultural and economic benefits. Scotland’s preference would be to continue full participation in Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ 2014-2020 is delivered by the British Council with Ecorys under contract to the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with and on behalf of the four nations of the UK. The Scottish Government has received assurances that the EU Referendum result has no immediate effect on learners, staff or volunteers from Scotland. The Scottish Government continues to seek assurances covering the medium and longer term.

The verdict from Scotland’s universities and from the UK’s research bodies could not be clearer – leaving the EU would have potentially devastating effects for Scotland’s higher education sector. The Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.

The Minister for Transport and the Islands met with the CEO of Seatruck on 10 November 2016, to discuss the issues around staff pay on the freight vessels currently operating on the Northern Isles ferry service. Transport Scotland officials were in attendance. Following a constructive meeting, further work will be undertaken by Seatruck and Transport Scotland to try and resolve the current situation.

Transport Scotland officials have met three times with Seatruck officials on other occasions.

Scotland currently has 14 products that are registered under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme:-

Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar

Stornoway Black Pudding

Scottish Wild Salmon

Shetland Lamb

Orkney Beef

Orkney Lamb

Scottish Farmed Salmon

Scotch Lamb

Scotch Beef

Arbroath Smokie

Native Shetland Wool

Teviotdale Cheese

Bonchester Cheese

We are looking at all options for ensuring the continued protection of Geographical Indications, including protected food names, and are in discussion with the current holders to determine the potential impact of any change to their status.

The Scottish Government has not estimated the specific impact of the introduction of tariffs on raw construction materials following the Brexit vote. As the UK Government has not yet set out its approach to trade post Brexit, it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate. However, whilst there may be some import substitution, it is clear that any increase in tariffs on raw materials from the EU or the rest of the world will push up costs for public infrastructure projects, including housing.

The Scottish Government is working with its enterprise agencies to ensure that Scotland remains an attractive place for inward investment.

Following his statement to the UK Parliament on 31 October, I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy asking that he share the details of the reassurances he has given to Nissan on tariff free access to European markets.

Non-domestic rates liabilities have not yet been finalised for 2017. The revaluation by independent Assessors will update the rateable value of non-domestic properties, in line with rental values. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation for the 2017-18 rates poundage and any changes to reliefs in due course, having considered the revaluation effect across sectors.

On 28 September, along with Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, I met with the Japanese Consul General and a range of Japanese businesses based in Scotland to discuss the impact of the EU Referendum.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04436 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

In contrast to England, where the corresponding plant and machinery exemption only applies temporarily, plant and machinery for any micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been permanently excluded from rating valuation in Scotland.

Plant and machinery for any power generation is already excluded from rating valuation where the power is mainly for distribution for sale to consumers. Notwithstanding that, plant and machinery for micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been excluded from rating valuation.