Chamber and committees

Following the parliamentary debate on 26 February, and in line with Scottish Labour’s motion, Scottish Enterprise began a review of its human rights due diligence checks.

Scottish Enterprise wrote to update me on its review on 19 June.

That letter advised that the review included a thorough appraisal of Scottish Enterprise’s existing policy, and a retrospective assessment of checks and associated grant payments. As a result, it identified a number of opportunities for improvements to ensure Scottish Enterprise’s human rights due diligence procedures continue to align with good practice and respond consistently to the current dynamic risk environment.

Scottish Enterprise will therefore seek to enhance its approach and strengthen management assurance by taking the following steps, which will be rolled out incrementally over 2025-26:

• Establishing more explicit customer checks and assurance relating to the Export Control Act 2002, as informed by international law. These will include specific customer declarations on items, activities and end use that are controlled under the UK export control regime. Scottish Enterprise will have the right to clawback grants where false declarations have been made.
• Updating its policy to enhance the existing checks it undertakes on companies who might be in receipt of Scottish Enterprise funds or other assistance. This will include reduced exemptions from checks, increased frequency of checks, and more explicit requirements to ensure these checks address changes in risk.
• Establishing an internal Senior Review Group to provide greater strategic input and support risk-based decision-making.
• Developing a new digital platform for all due diligence checks which will improve reporting and oversight more generally.
  

Scottish Enterprise’s letter also confirms that its internal assessment of past practice found no evidence that grant money had gone towards funding the manufacture of munitions.

I have written to Scottish Enterprise to thank it for its work so far, and to ask for a further report after the summer recess, once it has developed detailed operational guidance. I have asked that Scottish Government officials are involved in that work, and will provide a further update to Parliament in due course. Finally, Scottish Government officials will discuss with its other Enterprise Agencies any potential implications Scottish Enterprise’s review might suggest for their processes.

On 13 June 2025, I represented the Scottish Government at the summit meeting of the British-Irish Council hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive and jointly chaired by the First Minister – Michelle O’Neill and the deputy First Minister – Emma Little-Pengelly. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all eight of the BIC Member Administrations.

The theme of the summit focussed on “The role of AI in reform and transformation” which offered the opportunity to share and learn from the range of initiatives being taken across these islands to maximise the benefits presented by this rapidly evolving technology.

On the Latest Political Developments item, the Council reflected on international issues including the situation in Gaza as well as the concerning escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran. I also welcomed the recent trade deals with the European Union and the United States and called for better engagement with the UK Government to ensure that the deals take Scotland’s needs into account.

During the summit, I held bilateral meetings with the Taoiseach, the Tnaiste, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Northern Ireland First Minister and deputy First Minister, the First Minister of Wales and the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man.

The Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at:www.britishirishcouncil.org/resources/

43rd British-Irish Council Summit

Newcastle, County Down, 13 June 2025

Communiqué

The British-Irish Council (BIC) held its 43rd Summit meeting today, Friday 13 June 2025, hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive in Newcastle, County Down.

The Summit meeting had a thematic focus on The Role of AI in Reform and Transformation and was co-chaired by First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA.

The Role of AI in Reform and Transformation

The Council discussed the approaches of the British-Irish Council’s Member Administrations to harnessing AI technologies for public sector reform and transformation in the provision of public services across these islands.

The Council discussed the potential benefits, and the associated challenges, of the more widespread and scaled-up use of AI technologies in public administration.

Latest Political Developments

Council members reflected on significant recent developments within their administrations and discussed a number of domestic and international topics of mutual interest.

Next Summit Meeting

The Council noted that the next BIC Summit will be hosted by the Welsh Government in late 2025.

BIC Secretariat

13 June 2025

Plenary Participants

Under Scottish law all houses must meet a minimum standard to be considered fit for human habitation.

1.Developers of residential properties must adhere to specific fire safety regulations to ensure occupancy. Developers should consult the Building Standards Technical Handbook for comprehensive guidance on compliance. Building standards technical handbook April 2024: domestic - gov.scot.

2.All homes in Scotland are required by law to meet the minimum Tolerable Standard. Local Authority landlords and registered social landlords are required to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) Improving housing standards - Social housing - gov.scot which includes compliance with the Tolerable Standard. Private landlords are required by law to meet the Repairing Standard. The standards that private landlords are required to meet from 1 March 2024 are available online Repairing standard: statutory guidance for landlords - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

3.The Housing (Scotland) 2014 introduced a registration scheme for letting agents. Under the Letting Agent Code of Practice, the duties on letting agents depend on whether they manage repairs and maintenance directly for the landlord. If they provide that service for the landlord, they must have written procedures for the notification of any repairs and maintenance required. Repairs and maintenance must be dealt with promptly in line with the letting agent’s agreement with the landlord and the letting agent’s written procedures.

4.Contactors and site operators (dutyholders) involved in construction and renovation projects must adhere to specific fire safety regulations to ensure the safety of both workers and future occupants. Key legislative framework and guidelines include the Fire Scotland Act 2005 (for the safety of workers). Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) 2015; Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance and Building Standard Technical Handbooks.

The specific requirements depend on the type of structure, but key areas include alarms, escape routes, materials, and heating systems.

Fire Safety laws for all homes in Scotland, including non-traditional homes, are primarily governed by:

• The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004
• The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Guidance
• The Tolerable Standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987

The tolerable standard is a minimum standard for all houses in Scotland including houses constructed using non-traditional construction techniques. The tolerable standard sets out the basic requirements for a safe and habitable home including standards relating to electrical and fire safety. From February 1 2022, an amendment to the statutory tolerable standard requires that all houses, regardless of tenure (or method of construction), must have satisfactory provision for detecting and giving warning of fire or suspected fire.

All new build houses, including non-traditional housing must comply with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 which includes requirements for electrical and fire safety.

The mandatory tolerable standard and building regulations do not differentiate between traditional and non-traditional housing. Detailed guidance on compliance with the tolerable standard and building regulations is available on the Scottish Government website: Fire and smoke alarms: changes to the law - gov.scot (www.gov.scot);Fire safety guidance - gov.scot: Building standards technical handbook April 2024: domestic - gov.scot.