Chamber and committees

2021-22 – Forty-two

Today, the Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce a cap on the price of selected essential food items. The consultation seeks views on whether such an approach could help improve food affordability for households facing cost of living pressures, particularly those on lower incomes.

Environmental performance is regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and this would be a matter for them to investigate.

Scottish Water’s recently published annual report and accounts for 2025-26 reported that environmental pollution incidents were reduced from 199 in 2024-25 to 191 in 2025-26. There were only two serious environmental pollution incidents in 2025-26, down from four in 2024-25.

The consultation on proposed fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features will launch in the coming weeks.

Extensive engagement with all stakeholders has been undertaken throughout this process. We have worked closely with the fishing industry to refine the proposals and to understand the potential socio-economic impacts. This engagement will continue throughout the consultation period with 26 in person events across Scotland and 15 online sessions.

The Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics are based on local authorities' audited accounts. The most recent published statistics report that the Scottish Local Government Pension Funds held £67,085 million net assets as at 31 March 2025. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-local-government-finance-statistics-2024-25/pages/6--pensions/.

Separately, the Funds are currently undertaking routine triennial valuations using data as at 31 March 2026, which must be completed by 31 March 2027.

The Scottish Government Bonds Programme was developed following a recommendation from the independent Investor Panel that Scotland should consider issuing debt in capital markets to diversify funding sources, strengthen investor engagement, raise Scotland's profile with investors and establish a market track record.

The Scottish Government Bonds Programme was developed following a recommendation from the independent Investor Panel that Scotland should consider issuing debt in capital markets to strengthen investor engagement, raise Scotland's profile with investors and establish a market track record.

The Critical Success Factors were designed to assess the extent to which options would support the programme's strategic objectives and satisfy requirements relating to value for money, affordability, achievability and deliverability. The Outline Business Case also considered wider economic benefits associated with increased investor engagement and investment in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has taken significant action to support the Build to Rent sector.

During the previous Parliament the Scottish Government brought forward regulations which exempt mid-market rent and build-to-rent properties from any rent control restrictions, introduced using powers in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025. Laying these regulations demonstrates our commitment to providing policy certainty which the sector made clear was required.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with both Real Estate: Scotland and providers to monitor how the sector is responding. Ministers will continue to work closely with industry to ensure the conditions are in place to support continued investment in more quality homes.

The Scottish Government notes the conclusions of the report, including its estimates regarding capital flows, but does not agree that they provide a robust assessment of the Scottish Government Bonds Programme or its economic impacts.

The Scottish Government Bonds Programme was developed following a recommendation from the independent Investor Panel that Scotland should consider issuing debt in capital markets.

The Outline Business Case concluded that a multi-year bond programme could represent value for money and deliver a number of strategic and economic benefits, including strengthening investor engagement, raising Scotland’s profile with investors, supporting investment in Scotland and establishing a market track record.

The Scottish Government does not agree that a wholesale bond issuance is inconsistent with the principles of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026.

The Scottish Government Bonds Programme was developed following a recommendation from the independent Investor Panel that Scotland should consider issuing debt in capital markets to strengthen investor engagement, raise Scotland's profile with investors and establish a market track record. The Outline Business Case concluded that a multi-year wholesale bond programme could represent value for money and identified potential economic benefits associated with increased investor engagement and investment in Scotland.