Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not given the matter consideration and as per my answer to S7W-01396 on 13 July 2026.

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 Scottish Government met with the credit rating agencies in Autumn 2025, prior to the inaugural credit rating announcements. Further meetings occurred in Spring 2026 as part of the normal interim review cycle. The full range of factors considered by the agencies are available in the rating reports they each published in November 2025.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02130 on 17 August 2026. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02134 on 17 August 2026. 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.

Strategic objectives for the Bond Programme were published in December 2023. These are:

1. To ensure the Scottish Government can access diverse and cost-effective sources of capital funding and enhance Scotland’s fiscal sustainability;

2. To raise Scotland’s profile to financial investors; and

3. To develop Scotland’s institutions and fiscal disciplines.

There are a number of reasons as to why an organisation may withhold the release of information under Freedom of Information or Environmental Information legislation. However, the public can find the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s released reports at the following link - FFOI/EIR responses published by APHA - GOV.UK

In November 2025 the Scottish Government published a summary Outline Business Case (OBC) assessing the case for the Bonds Programme. This provides an assessment of the potential benefits generated by a bond issuance programme.

The Summary OBR can be accessed from Scottish Government bonds programme: outline business case summary - gov.scot

The Scottish Government has not been informed of any changes in policy or practices by the Animal and Plant Health Agency regarding the release of welfare inspection reports or incident records. Any changes are for the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the UK Government to decide.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02130 on 17 August 2026. 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.

Publishing any indicative credit spread prior to an inaugural issuance risks compromising the final pricing that could be achieved. For these reasons, the Scottish Government will not publicly comment on the potential spread of the first bond issuance.