Chamber and committees

The £1.3 million allocated in the 2026-27 Budget is supporting the development of skills needed for the transition to sustainable and regenerative farming and food production. We are targeting that funding, on provision of training, advice and knowledge exchange for farmers, crofters, new entrants and rural businesses. The aim is to encourage businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to adopt sustainable practices aligned to the principles contained in the Code of practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Practice. Final decisions on any adjustments to allocation will be taken in due course.

The Scottish Government recognises concerns about the welfare impacts of conventional farrowing crates and remains committed to our 2021-2022 Programme for Government commitment to consult and I welcomed the commitment by the new UK Government in its Animal Welfare Strategy to consult on phasing out farrowing crates, and I have confirmed that we will consult jointly on this issue.

In developing its position, the Scottish Government has considered evidence on sow and piglet welfare, including research funded through Scotland’s Rural University College on alternative farrowing systems, alongside wider scientific evidence, stakeholder views (including a summit of stakeholders from all sides at Holyrood) and industry experience.

The Scottish Government continues to listen and work with the industry and stakeholders on how best to achieve improvements in animal welfare as well as monitoring industry information to allow us to determine how to ensure best practice is delivered.

Our enterprise agencies provide support to businesses, including horticulture businesses, through a range of mechanisms aimed at supporting business development, investment and growth. For example, Highlands and Islands Enterprise has provided support to Inverness-based root vegetable supplier NessGro to invest in advanced grading technology, software and production improvements. It has also provided advice to Nortenergy, a social enterprise which makes storm proof polytunnels to enable fruit and vegetables to be grown undercover in extreme climates. South of Scotland Enterprise has provided funding to a garden centre in its region to support energy efficiency measures.

Businesses may be able to access a combination of grant funding, specialist advisory support and investment assistance from Scottish Enterprise where projects have the potential to deliver measurable economic and environmental impact for Scotland. Businesses can also access support provided by their local authority or Business Gateway.

The Find Business Support website at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/ gives businesses an overview of all funding and services offered by public sector organisations across Scotland.

The Marine Directorate continuously reviews to ensure that its duties and functions are being discharged in accordance with all relevant existing regulatory regimes and legislative requirements. This includes all requirements under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. No dedicated review or reform of the Directorate is therefore expected in this regard as it is already considered as part of the Directorate’s business as usual approaches.

Marine Directorate - Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) has concluded enquiries into the possible pollution incident at Loch Hourn. The outcome is currently under review and findings will be confirmed by the end of August 2026.

Transport Scotland has reviewed the Detailed Options Appraisal Report for the Newburgh Transport Appraisal produced for SEStran and the Newburgh Train Station Campaign.

I expect to receive official advice soon, which will determine further action and next steps.

Please find the following tables setting out Environment and Forestry Directorate research funding provided by Scottish Government to our Main Research Providers, The James Hutton Institute, Moredun Research Institute, Scotland's Rural College and The Rowett Institute in each of the last 10 years. Also provided is proposed allocations for the Scottish Government’s 5 year Strategic Research Programme 2027-32. It should be noted that additional Scottish Government funding has and will be available in future to agricultural institutes through wider initiatives including, but not limited to, City Deals and the Just Transition fund.

Strategic Research Funding 2016-26 (£)

Scottish Government’s expectations regarding Caledonian Sleeper performance are set out in https://www.sleeper.scot/media/rerpktgb/caledonian-sleeper-grant-agreement-current.pdf.

In addition, Caledonian Sleeper agrees its business plans annually with Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH), who manages and oversees Caledonian Sleeper services on behalf of Scottish Ministers and is required to hold Caledonian Sleeper to account for meeting its agreed targets. The Member may wish to contact SRH for this information.

The Scottish Government is providing increased funding of £14.6m in 2026-27 financial year to support local authorities to maintain the School Clothing Grant. This includes a £400k inflationary increase on the previous year’s funding and represents an increase of £2.8m since 2021-22. We have committed to uprating funding in line with inflation during this Parliament.

Final decisions on tenor will be confirmed closer to issuance.