Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has no involvement with the procurement of replacement equipment to retain as vessel spares. This is the responsibility of the operator.

The Scottish Government’s "National Strategy for Economic Transformation" sets out our aim to make Scotland’s regions, businesses, industries, communities and public services more productive and innovative.

It is important to note that in Scotland, not everyone who is receiving Social Security benefits are out of work. Our data shows that 33% of people on Universal Credit are in employment.

However, the Scottish Government aims to improve employment opportunities for those who face barriers in the labour market. Our No One Left Behind approach delivers an all-age, place-based, person-centred model of employability support in Scotland. Services are designed local to ensure the needs of that particular demographic are met. Services are voluntary, aiming to support individuals towards the right job at the right time.

Scotland also has 2 Investment Zones designed to deliver economic growth, more high skilled jobs, investment, and future opportunities for local people, as well as 2 Green Freeports which will boost innovation and inclusive growth within communities and both will support economic transformation and stimulate employment opportunities.

In 2025-26 we will provide an additional £55.6 million in funding for NRAC parity, ensuring that all Boards remain within 0.6% of parity.

Since 2012-13, over £4 billion of additional funding has been committed to those NHS Boards below their NRAC parity levels.

Additional funding for NRAC parity, broken down by NHS Board, is provided below. Where no amount is stated, the NHS Board is within 0.6% of parity.

Between the introduction of the Baby Box in August 2017 and 31 March 2025, 7,916 Baby Boxes have been delivered to families in NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and 5,948 in the Scottish Borders. Over the past six years, the uptake rate has been over 91%. The Baby Box is offered to all parents in Scotland and provides essential items for the first 6 months of a baby’s life worth around £400.

In 2021, Scottish Government commissioned an evaluation of the Baby Box by Ipsos MORI and a link to the report can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/baby-box-evaluation/

The evaluation highlighted the positive impact of the scheme on families, particularly for first-time, younger and low-income parents.

The latest Poverty and Inequality Statistics in Scotland publication can be accessed here: https://data.gov.scot/poverty/

The publication reports that 75% of children in relative poverty were living in working households in the period 2021-24.

Currently no application for the Cross Border Connection has been submitted to Scottish Ministers by SP Energy Networks (SPEN), and it is important to note that proposals can change significantly during the development phase. As such, it is not appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on potential projects, so as not to interfere with or prejudice any decisions on projects that may come before Scottish Ministers for determination.

It is the responsibility of the Transmission Owner, in this case SPEN, to analyse the impact of their proposals and ensure the views of local communities and the relevant statutory and local bodies are fully considered as the plans develop. I would encourage anyone with views on the proposals to submit them to SPEN directly as part of this process.

Any proposals that do come forward will be subject to robust planning and consenting processes. Scotland has some of the most stringent environmental impact assessment regulations anywhere in the world, and our planning and consenting systems ensure that local communities can have their say. Our fourth National Planning Framework ensures that potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including cumulative effects, are important considerations in the decision-making process.

It is not accurate to state that 100% of proposals between 2020 and 2025 have been approved.

To clarify, the Environment Information Request response of 28 February 2025 to which the question referred, noted that, of the 7 renewable energy applications received by the Energy Consents Unit in the Scottish Borders local authority area, all were approved.

Other applications for developments located elsewhere in Scotland have been rejected during this time.

The decision whether to grant consent is taken only after careful consideration of environmental information, consultee responses and public representations.

As you know, Project Willow has identified nine alternative projects that could be developed at Grangemouth including plastics recycling, bio-refining, sustainable aviation fuel and low carbon hydrogen production, demonstrating that a long term, new industrial future at Grangemouth is achievable if the public and private sector work together in the coming months to deliver.

If all nine potential projects identified in the base case were taken forward, Project Willow could create up to 800 jobs by 2040 and contribute £600-£700m in Gross Value Added, demonstrating the transformative impact Project Willow could bring to Grangemouth.

I am committed to realising as many of these opportunities as possible which is why Scottish Enterprise and the UK Office for Investment have established an Investor Taskforce to identify and attract investors with an interest in progressing the Project Willow proposals. Protecting and promoting the interests of the workers, businesses and wider Grangemouth community, remains this Government’s absolute priority.

We fully recognise the significant efforts that have been made by Forestry Land Scotland, Trees for Life, and partners to consult with local communities and stakeholders as part of the process to apply to NatureScot for a licence to translocate beavers to Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin in Glen Affric.

It is clear, however, that there remains considerable concern about the proposal among the local community and its representatives. In light of this and given we are now in the beaver kit dependency period when young beavers are reliant on their parents and trapping and translocation is not appropriate, NatureScot plan to undertake further engagement over the summer with those most likely to be affected before any licensing decision is made.

Caledonian Sleeper currently offers accessible rooms, toilets, and designated seating areas for Persons of Reduced Mobility (PRM) in its carriages. On board ramps operated by Caledonian Sleeper staff enable passengers to enter and exit the carriages, ensuring that the facilities comply with the PRM Technical Standards for Interoperability (TSI) and UK rail safety standards.

Therefore, the Scottish Government has no plans to require Caledonian Sleeper to modify its carriages.