Chamber and committees

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

On 11 November 2021, Royal Scottish National Orchestra held an introductory meeting with the Minister for Culture, Europe and international Development. The Minister discussed how Royal Scottish National Orchestra was dealing with Covid-19 restrictions, education and accessibility as well as long-term recovery and audience confidence.

On 11 January 2023, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, along with the other four 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 Royal Scottish National Orchestra receive direct funding from Scottish Government. Scottish Government officials have met regularly since May 2021 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as part of normal grant management processes.

There have been no such discussions held by the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

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 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.

My predecessor as Transport Minister met with airline representatives in May and was pleased to note an ongoing recovery in passenger numbers and the extent to which Scotland’s route network has recovered

I will continue our engagement with aviation stakeholders in order to deliver the Scottish Government’s commitment to working with Scotland’s airports to help restore lost connectivity, and grow international connectivity, while not returning to previous levels of emissions. Our overall ambition is for Scotland to be as well connected as peer nations and regions. I welcome recent route launches to Beijing, Atlanta and Calgary which demonstrate a growing confidence in the Scottish aviation market. Transport Scotland, working in partnership with VisitScotland and Scottish Development International, continues to work with airlines to promote Scotland and grow our international connectivity for business, tourism, exports and the wider economy.

In terms of domestic connectivity, we continue to provide funding to support the operations of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). In 2022-23 we provided £62 million of funding, which helped to enable the operation of commercial air services by keeping HIAL’s airport charges lower than they would otherwise be. In addition we continue to support lifeline routes between Glasgow and Campbeltown, Barra and Tiree.

The Scottish Government has held the following meetings with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland since May 2021. No agreed outcomes were recorded for these meetings:

• 1 June 2021: Introductory meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 22 and 28th February 2022: Annual forum between Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Scottish college and university officials (including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) – To provide SAAS operational and policy updates to help support students in higher education.
• 24 March 2022: Meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Committee of Scottish Chairs (including Nick Kuenssberg, Chair of Board, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 12 May 2022: Meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 23 and 28 February 2023: Annual forum between Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Scottish college and university officials (including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) – To provide SAAS operational and policy updates to help support students in higher education.

The Scottish Government recognises the invaluable contribution of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) to Scotland’s research and innovation. As Scotland’s National Academy, the RSE meets regularly with a wide range of Scottish Government ministers and officials. Given the number of these meetings that take place across Government it is not possible to detail the outcomes of every meeting.

In recent months, however, I have met with RSE’s Chief Executive and RSE researchers to discuss shared priorities for Scottish research and innovation and the contribution of our Further and Higher Education sector.

The Scottish Government is progressing the Fair Fares Review to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares that supports the future long term viability of a public transport system that is accessible, available and affordable for people throughout Scotland – including our ferry services. The Fair Fares Review will report by the end of 2023 and we will continue a meaningful and constructive approach to engaging with stakeholders throughout the process.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website . The spreadsheets include a wide range of information including details of the organisation/individuals Ministers met along with the subject discussed.

Scottish Government Officials from the Directorate for International Trade and Investment have regularly met with the SDI since May 2021 as key partners to showcase Scotland’s strengths globally, boost inward investment and to achieve our export growth ambition. In addition, officials across a range of portfolios engage with the SDI as part of the policy development process and this will continue.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19714 on 12 July 2023 for details of the programme for the £5 million pledge for the loss and damage funding.

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