Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is committed to working closely with all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities to address the climate emergency. Scottish Ministers frequently meet with local authorities to discuss a wide variety of topics encompassing the climate emergency: such as Programme for Government; budgetary matters; a just transition; and biodiversity. It is therefore not possible to give an exact number on how many ministerial meetings since April 2019 contained discussions of local authorities climate emergency planning.

In addition, Climate Change Officials meet with COSLA on a regular basis to discuss a range of shared interests related to the climate emergency. Cabinet Secretary NETZET is due to meet representatives of Dundee City Council and Highland Council to discuss plans to respond to the climate emergency in the coming weeks.

The annual Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics publication is the main source of data used to assess territorial emissions of greenhouse gases in Scotland. Although each annual publication is accompanied by a spreadsheet containing all background data at its full resolution, it is not currently possible to distinguish between types of generation or fuels using these data.

The Scottish energy strategy, published in December 2017, confirmed the Scottish Government’s continued opposition to new nuclear stations under current technologies.

Our priority continues to be to support energy efficiency, develop Scotland’s huge renewable resource and to promote storage and flexibility. The opposition to new nuclear generation takes into account the continued operation of Torness, subject to safety cases being met.

We believe that nuclear power represents poor value for consumers. There remains considerable uncertainty around the economics of new nuclear generation, and the long-term storage of nuclear waste remains a difficult issue. The latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction delivered offshore wind at £39.65 per megawatt hour – substantially below the £92.50 awarded to Hinkley. Internal analysis tells us that in 2030 alone Hinkley could add almost £40/year to a consumer bill, whilst the equivalent offshore wind farm would reduce consumer bills by £8/year.

The First Minister announced on 17 December that funding will be made available to businesses in the food and drink chain supply chain, including food and drink wholesalers, who were affected by hospitality cancellations as a result of the additional public health measures introduced in December.

We are in the process of developing funding criteria and guidance in collaboration with the Scottish Wholesale Association, and we will ensure this information is publicised widely as soon as we can so that businesses can consider whether they may be eligible to apply.

As Alasdair Allan is aware, since becoming Transport Minister, I have been determined to ensure the views, knowledge and experience of island residents informs the delivery of ferry and other relevant transport services. I am clear that I would very much favour an island-based presence on the boards of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and David MacBrayne Ltd. I understand the disappointment that the most recent round of appointments did not address such concerns therefore I have tasked the new Chair of the David MacBrayne board with exploring how we might achieve this, as one of his first priorities.

COSLA recommended to Scottish Ministers that the flood protection schemes eligible for funding in the Flood Risk Management Strategies published in December 2015 which are not yet “legally committed” are to be paused and reviewed. Ministers accepted this recommendation and a review of these projects is being undertaken to assess their status and viability. COSLA will present the review findings to Ministers in due course. This pause and review of schemes is one element of the work being taken forward to review the current funding and distribution arrangements for flood risk management. The Scottish Government has not currently suspended any expenditure on the flooding programme.

The Scottish Government continues to prioritise funding for flood risk management. The flooding budget is increasing by 70% from £210 million to £360 million over the next 5 years. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning and delivering flood protection schemes. In recognition of the importance of reducing flood risk the Scottish Government has provided, since 2007, a total of £42 million a year through the general capital grant to local authorities to allow them to invest in flood protection schemes.

Catering and events businesses that do not operate within a fixed single venue will be supported through two routes depending on their particular business model.

• The £3 million Scottish Wedding Industry Fund, announced on 17 December 2021, will provide top-up payments to eligible businesses who have previously been supported through this funding route.

A further £19.8 million of funding to support event businesses (including supply chain operators such as catering and events businesses that do not operate within a fixed single venue) which was announced on 3 January 2022.

Scottish Wedding Industry Fund businesses will be contacted directly from week commencing 17 January 2022.

Event funding businesses will be contacted by EventScotland from week commencing 24 January 2022. For the first round of funding, top-up payments will be provided to businesses which were previously supported by EventScotland and VisitScotland under the previous Events Industry Support Fund, Events Industry Support Fund 2 or Pivotal Event Business Fund and have been adversely financially affected by the cancellation or restriction of events between the period from 8 December 2021 to 31 January 2022.

Businesses eligible for support will receive a top-up payment based on pre-COVID annual turnover within the following bands:

£10,000 - £24,999 = £2,000;

£25,000 - £49,999 = £3,500;

£50,000 - £99,999 = £5,000;

£100,000 - £499,999 = £10,000;

£500,000 - £999,999 = £25,000; and

£1,000,000 + = £50,000.

The Scottish Government is currently working with EventScotland and the Event Industry Advisory Group to determine the best way of distributing the remaining funding to support to those event businesses continuing to experience cancellation or postponements in February and March, or who may have previously not had access to COVID-19 event funding support. This will include ensuring that businesses who can demonstrate eligibility for both the Scottish Wedding Industry Fund and the events funding are appropriately funded.

The Scottish Government recognises and supports the Safe and Together model as a positive approach in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children living with domestic abuse. The principles of this model are central to the priorities of Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls. That is why, from October 2021, through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, the Scottish Government funded 12 organisations and joint organisation partnerships approximately £2m to deliver the Safe and Together model and training across 11 local authority areas.

On 2 September 2021, the Scottish Government published revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland. This non-statutory guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations of everyone who works with, or comes into contact with, children and young people, families and carers in Scotland.

The National Guidance includes a strengthened section on domestic abuse, providing detailed support for practitioners working with families affected by domestic abuse. This includes guidance on the Safe and Together model which highlights aspects of domestic abuse-informed practice in the protection of children.

The Scottish Government has not provided direct or specific funding for businesses damaged by Storm Arwen.

I appreciate that the aftermath of Storm Arwen will have created difficult operating conditions for affected businesses. Information on available business support offered by public sector organisations can be found at the Find Business Support website - https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/

Following Storm Arwen, the Scottish Government activated the Bellwin Scheme to provide additional revenue support to local authorities to assist with immediate and unforeseen costs that meet the scheme’s qualifying criteria.

For the 2021-22 tax year, the Scottish Fiscal Commission forecast that there will be 417,800 Scottish taxpayers in the Higher Rate band, and 18,000 in the Top Rate band.