Chamber and committees

The development and implementation of improvements to the data landscape, including the creation of a central repository for culture sector research and data, is a long-term strategic action which will be delivered in close collaboration with sector and expert partners and is currently in the early co-design stage.

We are currently in the early stages of establishing a Fair Work Task Force for the creative and cultural sector. The first date will be agreed in due course.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing. However, information on sites participating in Historic Sundays is available on the Historic Environment Scotland website at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/some-of-scotland-s-most-iconic-heritage-sites-set-to-offer-free-admission-this-winter/ .

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

We have previously answered two FOIs on website visits to the Building a New Scotland Papers:

• Unique online visitor statistics: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Building a New Scotland webpage visitors: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Paper title: Social security in an independent Scotland

Main paper URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-independent-scotland/

Main paper publish date: 6-12-2023

Main paper views in first month (all pages): 4,670

Easy read URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-new-scotland-social-security-independent-scotland-easy-read-version/

Easy read publish date: 6-12-2023

Easy read views or download link clicks in first month: 269

Audio URL: https://soundcloud.com/scotgov/building-a-new-scotland-social-security-in-an-independent-scotland/s-XUJSNClgEUv

Audio publish date: 6-12-2023

Audio link clicks in first month: 7

Community language landing pageURL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-independent-scotland/documents/

Translation publish date: 6-12-2023

Translation downloads in first month:

Arabic: 2

Bengalii: 0

Bulgarian: 1

Cantonese: 0

French: 4

Gaelic: 0

Hindi: 0

Italian: 0

Mandarin: 0

Polish: 0

Punjabi: 0

Romanian: 0

Russian: 0

Spanish: 2

Ukrainian: 0

Urdu: 2

BSL YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnYAdwlHIXE

Date BSL Version Published:6-12-2023

Views in first 30 days: 8

The Scottish Government continues to keep fares comparatively lower on average than across the rest of Great Britain, as we have done for over a decade. ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper provide fares offers throughout the year. For example cheaper advance fares, ‘Kids for a quid’, and Highland Railcard which offers residents 50% reduction on specified routes.

We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, but it comes against the backdrop of real constraints in the total block grant from the UK Government. If we did not implement this increase, we would need to consider alternatives such as reducing services and cutting back on investment in the railway and its people.

The increase has been delayed from the traditional January increase until April, follows a below inflation increase last summer and a period fare freezes for flexi-pass and season tickets.

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/ .

Visits are not recorded by parliamentary or constituency region.

UNESCO membership is reserved to the UK Government, which is the State Party to the convention, responsible for the UK’s general compliance with the World Heritage Convention and for nominating sites.

The UK Government, as the State Party to the World Heritage Convention, submitted a nomination proposal for The Flow Country in 2023.

‎As the member will know, the Flow Country is the most intact and extensive blanket bog system in the world and straddles Caithness and Sutherland. It comprises a complex set of interlinked pool systems and micro features that not only host an eye-catching flora and fauna but also play a vital role in our defence against the effects of climate change.

It is expected that a decision on whether to add the site to the World Heritage List will be taken at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting on 21-31 July 2024.

The Scottish Government has been a vocal supporter in recognising the intrinsic value of our Intangible Cultural Heritage and is pleased that Scotland already has an online inventory at https://ichscotland.org/ with ongoing collaborative work continuing between Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland and Creative Scotland.

With the UK Government’s notified intention to ratify the UNESCO convention for safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, the Scottish Government will work with the other UK nations alongside key Scottish stakeholders to develop methods to incorporate Scottish entries into a Scottish list and a UK wide list.