Chamber and committees

We welcome the start of Hainan’s direct service between Edinburgh Airport and Beijing which we have promoted through our social media channels in China, with over 500,000 impressions to date. We wish Edinburgh Airport and Hainan every success with this service. The Scottish Government’s engagement with China continues to support political, economic, cultural, education, and social relationships with the people of China in keeping with the values of Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to developing the economy of the Highlands and Islands to its full potential. We are working with partners including local authorities, businesses and our enterprise agency and supporting a broad range of activities backed by significant Scottish Government investment to achieve that aim.

Through the Growth Deal programme we are investing £242.5 million across the Highlands and Islands over the next 10 years to grow the economy. This will fund projects on a range of themes including renewable energy, housing, transport, skills, tourism, culture, marine, space and aerospace to drive sustainable economic growth.

Our enterprise agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is providing specialist advice, training and funding to help businesses respond to economic opportunities. The agency also supports the development of infrastructure, including business and industrial premises in rural locations. During 2022-23, HIE approved £63.2 million for 489 projects and secured £35 million of investment for the region’s economy.

In January this year we confirmed Inverness and Cromarty Firth as one of Scotland’s Green Freeports. With access to up to £25 million in seed capital, up to £1 million in revenue funding, and a package of customs and tax incentives, Green Freeports will create internationally competitive clusters of manufacturing excellence. With a focus on renewable energy, wind and hydrogen, the Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will create up to 25,000 jobs and attract £2.6 billion in inward investment to the region.

These initiatives and many others we are supporting will drive sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands for the benefit of people and communities.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra has met with Scottish Ministers on three occasions since May 2021.

On 9 November 2021, Scottish Chamber Orchestra held an meeting the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions

On 10 May 2022, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine, Neil Gray visited the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh for an introductory meeting and to discuss support for the culture sector as it recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

On 11 January 2023, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, along with the other National Performing Companies, met with the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture to explore how their international tours could further enhance the reputation and brand of Scotland overseas.

As a National Performing Company, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra receive direct funding from Scottish Government. Scottish Government officials have met regularly since May 2021 with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as part of normal grant management processes.

National Theatre of Scotland is one of Scotland’s five National Performing Companies and has met with Scottish Ministers on two occasions since May 2021.

On 28 September 2021, National Theatre of Scotland held an introductory meeting with the Minister for Culture, Europe and international Development, where the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions and support for the culture sector were discussed

On 11 January 2023, National Theatre of Scotland, along with the other National Performing Companies, met with the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture to explore how their international tours could further enhance the reputation and brand of Scotland overseas.

As a National Performing Company the National Theatre of Scotland receive direct funding from Scottish Government. Scottish Government officials have met regularly since May 2021 with the National Theatre Scotland as part of normal grant management processes.

Scottish Ministers have met with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) on three occasions since May 2021.

On 4 August 2021, Ms Gilruth, then Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development met with SLIC for an introductory meeting. The outcome of the meeting was to update the Minister on progress against the Public Library Covid Relief Fund, the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) for year 2021-22 and Scotland’s Public Library Strategy 2021-2025.

On 15 December 2022, Mr Gray, then Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine, met with SLIC for an introductory meeting. The outcome of the meeting was to update the Minister on progress against PLIF for year 2022-23 and Scotland's Public Library Strategy 2021-2025.

On 22 February 2022, Mr Gray met with Cllr Kelly Parry (Midlothian) and SLIC. The outcome of the meeting was to seek wider understanding of Midlothian Council’s plans with regards to their public libraries.

As SLIC receive direct funding from the Culture and Education portfolios of the Scottish Government, officials have met SLIC regularly since May 2021 as part of normal grant management processes.

Scottish Opera is one of Scotland’s five National Performing Companies and has met with Scottish Ministers on two occasions since May 2021.

On 7 October 2021, Scottish Opera held an introductory meeting and tour of the Scottish Opera studios with the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, where the importance of their outreach and community engagement work was discussed.

On 11 January 2023, Scottish Opera, along with the other National Performing Companies, met with the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, to explore how their international tours could further enhance the reputation and brand of Scotland overseas.

As a National Performing Company the Scottish Opera receive direct funding from Scottish Government. Scottish Government officials have met regularly since May 2021 with the Scottish Opera as part of normal grant management processes.

The Scottish Government Ministerial team has met with National Library of Scotland (NLS) on several occasions since May 2021. The meetings were as follows:

30 Nov 2021 Jenny Gilruth as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development met with the NLS Chair and the National Librarian.

4 My 2022 Neil Gray as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for refugees from Ukraine had an introductory visit and tour of the Treasures galleries at the George IV bridge National Library site.

6 Dec 2022 Angus Robertson in his role as Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture met the Chairs of NMS and NLS at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the future of Scotland's National Collections.

31 May 2023 I, as newly appointed Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, had an introductory meeting with the NLS Chair and the National Librarian.

8 June 2023 I attended at the launch of the Folktales exhibition at George IV bridge National Library site.

As a public body in receipt of grant-in-aid officials have met regularly with the National Library of Scotland since May 2021.

The Local Partnership Forum North last met on 15 June to discuss a range of measures to enhance safety across the north of Scotland. Since then a range of additional targeted safety camera resources have been deployed at locations across the region, including the North Coast 500, to encourage good driver behaviour and enhanced levels of speed limit compliance.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19744 on‎ 17 July 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

This information is publicly available and published online. I refer the member to the following websites: Creative-Communities-Funded-Orgs-by-Local-Authority-for-webpage-1.pdf (inspiringscotland.org.uk)

Creative-Communities-Programme-2021-22.pdf (inspiringscotland.org.uk)