Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government understands the important role of the credit union sector in providing access to fair and affordable financial products and services to their members, including those who may be otherwise financially excluded.

The Scottish Government assesses the effectiveness of fisheries management measures using a range of scientific monitoring programmes, indicators and statutory assessments, drawing on evidence collected by the Marine Directorate (MD), NatureScot, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), academic institutions and other partners. Assessments are undertaken at both the site level, including within the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, and at wider scales.

1.Seabed condition is measured through seabed habitat surveys, habitat mapping, and condition assessments, including monitoring of protected seabed features and the effects of physical disturbance.

2.Biodiversity is assessed through monitoring of marine species and habitats including, fish, seabirds, marine mammals, and benthic and pelagic habitats. Data are collated from a range of programmes including bycatch monitoring, seabird monitoring, trawl surveys, plankton monitoring, and benthic habitat monitoring.

3.The status of fish and shellfish populations is determined on a regular cycle for those commercial fish and shellfish stocks which are the subject of quantitative stock assessments, provided either from the ICES or internally from the MD. Data for these are collated from commercial fisheries, and research-vessel or other surveys.

4.Ecosystems are measured using a range of indicators that bring together evidence on habitats, fish populations, plankton, and marine food webs. These assessments draw on several scientific monitoring programmes and contribute to wider assessments of environmental status.

All financial services providers, including credit unions, have an important role in supporting the financial resilience and wellbeing of their customers. This includes helping individuals to better understand financial products and services and empowering them to make informed financial decisions. Many credit unions already deliver tailored financial education, support and engagement activities that reflect the needs of their members and local communities.

The Scottish Government does not currently hold comprehensive data from tracking or monitoring technologies to measure the spatial extent and intensity of bottom-contact fishing activity across the under-12 metre fleet operating in inshore coastal waters.

Improving the availability of spatial fisheries data is a key commitment within the Scottish Government's Fisheries Management Strategy, including the increased use of inshore tracking devices (I-VMS) on under 12 metre vessels.

Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems support comprehensive fisheries data collection through the use of cameras, sensors and Global Positioning System technology to independently monitor fishing activity at sea. While REM is a key component of the Fisheries Management Strategy, the Scottish Government is taking a risk based and proportionate approach to its implementation, recognising that the technology is not necessary or appropriate for all vessel types and fisheries, and that alternative approaches, such as vessel tracking technologies, may in some cases provide the data required.

The regulation of financial services, including the credit union sector, is wholly reserved to the UK Government.

The Scottish Government remains committed to working closely with the credit union sector to understand its evolving needs and identify opportunities and challenges, including those associated with digital transformation. This will help ensure that support is targeted effectively to promote long term, sustainable growth across the sector.

Credit unions and financial cooperatives are important financial organisations across Scotland’s communities, offering accessible financial services and products, including to those who may otherwise be financially excluded. The activities of these organisations already support community wealth building ambitions.

Decisions regarding future repair works are operational matters for the Glasgow Science Centre. As identified in the question, the Science Centre is a subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government receives updates on its operations, as appropriate, from Scottish Enterprise.

The Scottish Government is committed to public service renewal, with further detail to be set out in the forthcoming Programme for Government. We will continue to work with public bodies, trade unions and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to streamline the public service landscape. All proposals will be assessed against their ability to improve outcomes, strengthen services and deliver sustainable value for money, and will be brought forward in due course.

The First Minister’s 100 Days Programme sets out this Government’s commitment to public service renewal. Work to reform the public service delivery landscape is already underway and will be reflected in the Programme for Government in September. We will continue to work in partnership with public bodies, trade unions and other stakeholders to develop and deliver reforms that improve outcomes, strengthen services and ensure long-term sustainability.