Chamber and committees

Scottish Government funding and grant making is allocated across portfolios to various parts of the third sector to improve a wide range of outcomes. Some Scottish Government funding will be issued through third sector intermediary organisations.

Funding allocated to the third sector is not always specifically classified as such. Consequently, the information requested is not available.

The Scottish Government continues to support the promotion of improvements to Sheriffhall Roundabout as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal.

Following publication of the draft Orders and Environmental Statement, Transport Scotland received a significant number of representations, including over 2,700 objections, to the proposed scheme. Given the number of objections, a Public Local Inquiry (PLI) was held from 31 January to 8 February 2023 during which the appointed independent Reporter heard evidence from objectors and Transport Scotland (as the Promoter).

The PLI Reporter has submitted her conclusions and recommendations to the Scottish Government, and this is currently under active consideration before advice is provided to and a decision made by Scottish Ministers on whether to complete the statutory process.

Ministers will update Parliament as soon as possible, which will follow the advice of officials and is still awaited. It is only right that my officials take the appropriate time to consider the significant number of objections received, along with the conclusions and recommendations made by the Reporter, prior to providing advice to Ministers.

I am of course keen to see progress made, however, it is essential that due process is followed. The statutory right for individuals to have their say on the proposals, and for these to be fully considered, cannot be set aside.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41574 on 7 November 2025 . 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.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 (“the 2001 Act”) provides a discretionary power for local authorities to implement local road user charging schemes. It will be for local authorities to undertake any required assessments if they consider a road user charging scheme appropriate to support the outcomes of their local transport strategies. Should any local authority seek to develop any scheme, they are required under the 2001 Act to carry out consultation including with those organisations representing persons or individuals that are likely to be affected by any provisions in any proposed charging scheme.

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, Creative Scotland has awarded a combined total of over £1.33m to 59 successful projects since 2022-23 to date.

The total funding awards broken down by year are as follows:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41513 on 7 November 2025. The Taskforce will bring together work from across Government. The Scottish Government is engaging with a wide range of third sector bodies, including those representing children and young people, as well as public sector stakeholders in developing and delivering work focused on tackling online harms to children and young people. This includes the various stakeholders involved in the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group - gov.scot.

The Taskforce will be considering how engagement on the government’s overarching approach to online harm can be enhanced further to support a more joined up dialogue with stakeholders including the third sector.

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.

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, Creative Scotland has received a total of 131 funding applications since 2022-23 to date. 59 applications were successful in receiving funding, 64 applications were unsuccessful and four applications are currently pending a decision.

The total funding awards broken down by year are as follows:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653
• 10 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £229,635

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229
• 19 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £326,521

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359
• 27 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £1,087,174

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199
• 4 applications that are pending decision for combined value of £202,882

We have funded 27 restorative justice test cases. Information on individual outcomes cannot be shared due to the personal and confidential nature of the process. A report summarising general learning and outcomes from the test case project will be published soon.

The Scottish Government and COSLA are continuing to progress the longer-term reforms to the sustainable rates setting process as set out in the 2023 joint Sustainable Rates Review.

The joint 2025-26 sustainable rates guidance, published 20 February 2025, reflects the recommendations of the Review – in particular by encouraging local authorities to introduce greater standardisation in the rate setting process. Local authorities are expected to make progress towards reflecting the changes outlined in this guidance during 2025-26.

Full implementation of these changes requires more robust and reliable data to improve the sustainable rate setting process, as recommended by the Review. To support this new national ELC cost surveys are being undertaken independently by the Diffley Partnership. When the survey data is available the Scottish Government and COSLA will consider carefully with the sector its potential implications for policy, guidance and funding in future years.

The Scottish Government understands the important role that the Cumbernauld Theatre plays in its community and the wider culture sector. The Scottish Government is engaging with the Cumbernauld Theatre Trust and the theatre's other public sector partners to support efforts to secure its future and understand the options available to the Trust.