Contract terms & conditions are focused on the delivery of the contract, and are proportionate and relevant to the contract subject matter. Procurement rules require equal treatment, transparency, and proportionality in public procurement processes, precluding the exclusion of companies who conduct their business lawfully.

Grants entered into by Scottish Ministers and any public body subject to the Scottish Public Finance Manual are subject to the principles set out in the manual and have appropriate terms and conditions applied to protect public resources.

Scottish Government officials engaged with the Competition and Markets Authority as part of its initial review. Once more details are known regarding the Authority’s formal investigation we will consider what level of engagement will be appropriate.

Since the review of the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP), we continue to implement the Town Centre First Principle and work closely with partners including COSLA and Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) to support progress on the delivery of actions outlined in TCAP. The National Planning Framework 4, published in February 2023, recognises town centres as national assets and aims to promote and facilitate development within them, including encouraging town centre living and limiting out of town retail development.

In collaboration with STP, progress towards town centre regeneration has also been showcased in a number of forums, including recent workshops on town centre living, place-based investment and the annual Scotland’s Towns conference.

Support for town centre action is backed by our multiple capital investment programmes, including the Place Based Investment Programme, Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme. However, the UK Government’s reduction in our capital budget will adversely impact the support that we can provide in 2024-25.

Following extensive engagement and consultation, and then approval by the Scottish Parliament, we published and adopted our Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) in February 2023. NPF4 signals our key priorities for ‘where’ and ‘what’ development should take place at a national level and is combined with national planning policy on ‘how’ development planning should manage change. NPF4 Policy 11 (Energy) provides support for all forms of renewable energy development onshore and offshore, including energy storage.

Following a comprehensive consultation process, we will publish our Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan by Summer 2024. It will set out our vision for a future net zero energy system that delivers affordable, secure and clean energy and provides high quality jobs and economic opportunities.

If a family cannot afford to renew a guardianship order, the local authority can offer support by providing non-legal advice on the Adults with Incapacity (AWI) (Scotland) Act 2000, suggesting independent advice sources, and conducting needs assessments for both the individual and the carer. The Scottish Government has published AWI codes of practice for local authorities. Chapter 7 highlights the responsibilities of local authorities in this domain and their duty to apply for a guardianship where one is necessary and no application is being made or likely to be made.

Last winter Scottish Government published its good practice guidance for AWI delayed discharge based on engagement with majority of local authorities. This highlighted the most efficient ways to facilitate moves of adults lacking capacity from the hospital estate to more suitable accommodation. This included the guardianship process and ensuring the adults rights, will and preference are first and foremost.

The Scottish Government does not have access to specific data regarding the maximum, minimum, or average costs for individuals renewing a guardianship order over the past five financial years.

The costs associated with renewing a guardianship order can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the complexity of the case, the involvement of legal and medical professionals, and the specific needs of the individual in question.

While we can identify certain standard fees like the £138 Court lodging fee and £95 Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) fee, additional expenses such as medical assessments and legal representation can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and preferences.

Non-means-tested legal aid is available in certain cases.

Scottish Ministers are aware of the environmental impacts of so-called fast fashion. Information and advice for consumers on tackling fast fashion is provided by Zero Waste Scotland https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/how-fast-fashion-failing-environment

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policy 11(a) sets out that development proposals for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emissions technologies will be supported. These include energy storage, such as battery storage and pumped storage hydro, and also small scale renewable energy generation technology. Battery storage can exist at a range of different scales.

Where a policy states that development will be supported, it is in principle, and it is for the decision maker to assess the characteristics of a proposed development, to take into account all relevant policies and to determine what weight to attach to policies on a case by case basis.

Following receipt of the proposed scope for the peer review, the Scottish Government asked NHS Shetland and Orkney to extend the scope to include representation from relevant patient groups involved with the previous review of the application process, which was led by NHS Western Isles. This is an important part of ensuring that concerns on the escorts approvals process can be appropriately considered.

This part of the review has not yet concluded and Officials have asked the Boards to confirm by the end of March as to when the output will be available.

The Scottish Government is in close dialogue with Creative Scotland.

Creative Scotland are reviewing this allocation as they have been clear that what has been reported simply does not meet what the funding was applied for – it is considerably more explicit in its execution that was indicated in the original application.

I can see no way where what has been described should be in receipt of public funding and I welcome Creative Scotland’s decision to withdraw the funding for this project.