Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government takes a whole population approach to tackling alcohol-related harms, in line with the World Health Organization’s focus on affordability, availability and attractiveness of alcohol. Our 2018 Alcohol Framework contains 20 actions to tackle alcohol related harm.

We want everyone in Scotland to eat well and have a healthy weight to help reduce the impact of a range of diet-related ill health conditions including liver disease. We continue to implement the wide-ranging actions set out in our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan . This includes our commitment to restrict less healthy food promotions and improving the availability of healthier options when eating out as outlined in our Out Of Home Action Plan .

We also continue to support NHS boards to deliver adult, children and young people’s weight management services in line with our Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Early Detection and Intervention Framework and Public Health Scotland’s National Standards .

Energy retail policy is reserved to the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government is fully aware of the challenges that some consumers with prepayment meters faced when trying to access the Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers. We would urge anybody in this position to contact Advice Direct Scotland who will be able to help redeem vouchers ahead of the UK Government’s deadline of 30 June 2023.

The Scottish Government is very disappointed that the UK Government did not choose to extend the Energy Bills Support Scheme – a decision which has left many vulnerable households struggling to pay their bills and heat their homes.

The disproportionate impact of high energy prices on fuel poor households across Scotland will be a key focus of my early ministerial engagement with the UK Government

Transport Scotland is undertaking a National Speed Management Review to support a range of policies that help our Government’s national outcomes and indicators. These include related policy drivers such as better road safety and health outcomes, promotion of active travel, climate change mitigation, place making and economic growth.

The review covers comprehensive analysis of all types of speed management policies and initiatives in Scotland as well as a review of what has been introduced in other countries throughout the world.

The process will also include a stakeholder and public consultation later this year to consider their views of whether any changes to speed limit policies, including HGV speed limits and speed management measures should be introduced as part of our speed management plan.

The Scottish Government has been clear in its communication with partners and stakeholders that the Emergency Alerts System is fully funded and owned by the UK Government; and that the Scottish Government has agreed to participate in a trial coordinated by UK Government, recognising that the content of any alerts issued in Scotland is likely to be in relation to devolved matters.

Police Scotland’s tweet of 19 March 2023 included a link to a post on the main Scottish Government account which directed viewers to the dedicated UK Government Emergency Alerts web pages.

The introductory paragraph on those pages states: “Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.”

The Scottish Government continues to engage with UK Government and other UK nations, Scottish partners and stakeholders to ensure that the information about the trial is accurate and shared widely.

The Scottish Government recognises the role that the private rented sector plays in meeting Scotland’s housing need. However, tax is just one of a wide range of financial, regulatory and other considerations that landlords will need to consider when making their investment decisions.

The Scottish Government continuously monitors and considers all available data regarding the impact of LBTT and the ADS on the housing market. Furthermore, I would note that the Scottish Government is continuing to support the emergence of the large-scale private rented sector through the exemption from ADS for purchases of 6 or more properties.

Increasing the ADS is expected to raise an additional £34m in 2023-24, with the ADS forecast to raise £165m in total. This rate increase protects opportunities for first-time buyers and raises vital revenue to support high national priorities, including education and health.

It is for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to scrutinise Police Scotland's quarterly performance reports. This is done as part of the Authority's quarterly Performance Committees, the most recent of which took place on 19 March.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials meet with Police Scotland, as well as partners with a role in the accountability and governance of policing of such as the SPA, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner on a regular basis. I look forward to meeting and working with them all in my remit as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans was invited to address the 2023 Scottish Police Federation Biennial Conference in person on 29 March 2023. While the Cabinet Secretary was not able to attend in person, he provided a pre-recorded address to the conference, which was attended by two Scottish Government officials.

Local authorities are responsible for administering their payroll operations and ensuring any tax is paid at the correct rates.

His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection of Scottish Income Tax and all technical guidance relating to the correct tax treatment of earnings. Any teacher who is concerned about this issue should contact their employer and engage with HMRC.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission recently investigated the use of electronic dog training collars at our request. We will consider their findings carefully as part of our ongoing commitment to improve and enhance animal welfare.