Chamber and committees

Our new, nationwide voucher scheme for Scotland - launching later this summer - will ensure that any property that was unable to access superfast broadband by 31 December 2021 can do so through a voucher led solution, including in the region of 200 remaining properties not covered by the £133 million contract for the Reaching 100% (R100) South lot.

Our new online checker will provide, for each address, information on the R100 rollout and any local commercial roll-out, and signpost eligible customers to our voucher scheme, either for use in funding an interim solution for addresses where the gigabit per second speed infrastructure, in the form of the R100 full fibre rollout, is programmed after December 2021, or for a higher value voucher for providing a long term solution, i.e. where the specific address is known not to be receiving investment through either a commercial programme or our own R100 South Lot.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission will be setting up smaller working groups to consider the welfare issues identified in its work plan, including animal sentience and the welfare of deer and wildlife. If appropriate the Commission will seek to co-opt in to these groups relevant industry representatives and experts so that they may contribute to the work of the Commission and ensure that the views of industry are fully considered.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission will be setting up working groups to consider the welfare issues identified in its work plan, including abattoir provision and mobile slaughterhouses. If appropriate the Commission will seek to co-opt in to these groups relevant industry representatives and experts so that they may contribute to the work of the Commission and ensure that the views of industry are fully considered.

The remit of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (the Commission) is primarily to provide expert, independent advice on wild and companion animal welfare. It will also provide scientific and ethical advice to government on related matters. The provision of advice to Ministers on livestock welfare generally falls to the UK AWC. Where however there are specific issues of relevance to Scotland and the Scottish livestock sector, the Commission may be asked to consider them and provide advice to the Scottish Ministers.

The Commission will specifically look at:

• how the welfare needs of sentient animals are being met by devolved policy
• possible legislative and non-legislative routes to further protect the welfare of sentient animals
• research requirements to provide an evidence base for future policy development

The recruitment of the Members appointed to serve on the Commission was conducted in accordance with the principles of merit, integrity, diversity and equality set out in the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments. Applications were welcomed from anyone with the appropriate mix of experience and expertise and from all sectors. Those appointed to serve on the Commission comprise of a range of experts from different disciplines relevant to animal welfare, including some with farm livestock knowledge and experience.

The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) in Scotland has been deferred to allow for issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption to be resolved. As such, the current UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates and bands continue to apply in Scotland.

EU State Aid rules remain in force during the transition period. The ongoing uncertainty regarding level playing field negotiations between the UK and EU is such that the likelihood of any future alignment with State Aid rules, and consequently the implications for future policy decisions, is unknown.

The Scottish Government is committed to helping businesses with the impact of the pandemic and has put in place a package of business support measures worth over £2.3 billion.

The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) in Scotland has been deferred to allow for issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption to be resolved. As such, the current UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates and bands continue to apply in Scotland.

In May 2019 the Scottish Government announced that reducing ADT was no longer compatible with its new emissions reduction targets. The Scottish Government will accordingly engage with HM Treasury’s forthcoming consultation on APD reform, to find a solution for aviation that remains consistent with our climate ambitions.

The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) in Scotland has been deferred to allow for issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption to be resolved. As such, the current UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates and bands continue to apply in Scotland.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission’s most recent illustrative forecast from February 2020 – produced before the COVID-19 lockdown began - estimated a Scottish share of APD for 2020-21 of £297 million, though noting significant uncertainty. This illustrative forecast has not yet been updated to consider the impact of the pandemic – the SFC expects to produce its next forecasts including the effect of COVID-19 later this year.

The answer to S5W-30141 refers to the determination of planning applications.

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP, 2014) sets out policies which reflect Scottish Ministers’ priorities for the operation of the planning system and is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. Paragraph 34 states that:

“Where a plan is under review, it may be appropriate in some circumstances to consider whether granting planning permission would prejudice the emerging plan. Such circumstances are only likely to apply where the development proposed is so substantial, or its cumulative effect would be so significant, that to grant permission would undermine the plan-making process by pre-determining decisions about the scale, location or phasing of new developments that are central to the emerging plan. Prematurity will be more relevant as a consideration the closer the plan is to adoption or approval.”

Scottish Planning Policy (2014) sets out development considerations in and around designated sites, which all planning authorities and National Parks need to take into account in their development plans and decision making on planning applications.

National Parks are designated under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 and have four aims; to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area; promote understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public; and to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities. Planning policy is clear that these aims should be pursued collectively, but that where is a conflict between them, then greater weight must be given to the first aim.

Planning authorities are required to consider any valid application submitted to them.

Under planning legislation, applications are determined in accordance with the development plan for the area unless material planning considerations justify a departure from it.

It is for the planning authority to identify relevant material planning considerations on a case-by-case basis, and what weight to attach to each material consideration in determining the application.