Chamber and committees

As a result of the pre and post-election period, we were not able to issue decisions to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) but the processing of applications have since recommenced, and letters to applicants who had been awaiting decisions are being issued.

In total, as of 5 August 2026, there were 281 applications awaiting approval and these are being prioritised by officials.

We are not aware of any delays in making payments in respect of submitted claims.

In 2025-26 the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) received 1,063 applications, of which 777 were approved and 154 were rejected. The remaining 132 applications have a variety of statuses including still to be assessed, withdrawn, or offer letters have been issued but have yet to be returned by the applicant.

Since April 2026, 156 applications have been approved and offered contracts, with 61 of those already accepted. A further 50 applications have either been withdrawn or rejected.

The Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan supports our target to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, at least 10% of which will be in rural and island areas.

From 24 March 2022 to 31 March 2025, we supported delivery of 5,890 affordable homes in rural and island areas towards the target. Overall during this period we supported delivery of 28,536 affordable homes across Scotland towards the target, meaning that delivery in rural and island areas is around 20%.

Delivery of affordable homes in rural and island areas is primarily supported through the local authority area Resource Planning Assumption element of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Demand-led funds, such as the £37 million Rural and Island Housing Fund and the £25 million Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund are a key and additional part of our approach working with local authorities, as the strategic housing authorities, to address specific rural housing issues where they arise.

Rural rail lines are a lifeline for remote communities and this is reflected by the level of financial support provided by the Scottish Government to ScotRail to operate services on these routes. Approximately one quarter of the total cost to operate Scotland’s Railways is committed to servicing all rural lines, despite services on these lines accounting for a much lower percentage of the annual patronage.

ScotRail regularly reviews its services in order to meet passengers’ needs. This includes services in rural areas, taking account of passenger demand and passenger feedback when assessing current provision and considering future timetable developments.

The Scottish Government is aware of the risks that sky lanterns and helium balloons can pose to wildlife, livestock and marine animals through ingestion and entanglement. That is why we will continue to work with Keep Scotland Beautiful and other partners through delivery of the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy to prevent all sources of litter, raise awareness of their environmental impacts and encourage responsible behaviours that help protect Scotland’s natural environment.

Grants awarded through the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme are not paid at the point that the applications are approved. Payments can only be made once the successful applicants have completed the works and submitted their claim, which is then assessed by scheme officials.

Information about how the Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant scheme will operate will be set out in due course. Funding for the Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant will be considered as part of preparation for the Scottish Budget 2027-28.

This is an operational matter for NHS Tayside. The Scottish Government has not conducted an impact assessment on this matter.

Information regarding ministerial engagements is available on the Scottish Government website and I would refer the member to the following pages:

https://www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/.

The minister with responsibility for energy met with Highlands and Islands Enterprise on the following occasions:

• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Chair and Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise on 12 July 2024 to discuss economic development.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise on 23 July 2024 to discuss the space sector.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work delivered a virtual speech to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise All-Staff Conference on 29 August 2024.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Maree Todd MSP on 14 August 2024 to discuss early learning and childcare.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met Natalie Don MSP and the Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise on 14 August 2024 to discuss rural childcare provision.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work recorded a video for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise all-staff conference on 11 September 2024.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Chair and Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise on 26 September 2024 to discuss the agency’s work.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met Highlands and Islands Enterprise on 10 October 2024 to discuss transport.

Information regarding ministerial engagements is available on the Scottish Government website and I would refer the member to the following pages:

https://www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/.

The minister with responsibility for energy met with Scottish Enterprise on the following occasions:

• The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy met Scottish Enterprise on 28 February 2024 to discuss the wellbeing economy.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work visited the Scottish Enterprise Clean Heat Supply Chain and Investment Conference on 27 March 2024 to discuss heat in buildings.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Interim Chair and Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise on 22 May 2024 to discuss economic development.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met Scottish Enterprise on 10 July 2024 to discuss energy and the Just Transition.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Chief Executive and Interim Chair of Scottish Enterprise on 23 July 2024 to discuss health and the economy.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work held a phone call with the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise on 12 August 2024 to discuss the economy.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Interim Chair and Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise on 28 August 2024 to discuss the economy.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the President and CEO of NFI Group, the President and Managing Director, Group Finance Director and Group Marketing Director of Alexander Dennis Limited, and the Chief Executive and Account Manager of Scottish Enterprise on 5 September 2024 to discuss the economy and net zero.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Interim Chair and Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise on 5 September 2024 to discuss the agency’s work.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work met the Business Response Team Leader and Digital Transformation Specialists Team of Scottish Enterprise, and the Head of Enterprise and Business of South of Scotland Enterprise, on 31 October 2024 to discuss business resilience.
• The Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work recorded a video for Scottish Enterprise Backing Ambition 2024 and St Andrew's Day on 28 November 2024.
• The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy met Scottish Enterprise and Crown Estate Scotland on 13 March 2025 to discuss offshore wind.