Chamber and committees

Net Zero Technology Centre will continue to be in receipt of funding from both Scottish and UK Governments through the Aberdeen City Region Deal until 2026-27. Discussions continue between Governments and the centre around its operations once Deal funding concludes. The economic impact NZTC has made to date within the region and the role it plays in the wider energy transition will be a feature of those discussions. This is alongside value for money considerations and the evolving delivery landscape in North East Scotland.

An interim evaluation of all Deal projects, including NZTC, is currently being carried out by regional partners. This will evaluate progress towards projects achieving objectives and outcomes as specified in approved business cases. An evaluation will also take place following conclusion of the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

There is significant uncertainty in the economic outlook and economic forecasts can be subject to revision. The Scottish Fiscal Commission provides the official forecasts for the Scottish economy. Their latest forecast from December projects Scotland’s economic growth to strengthen to 1.5% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026. The forecast will be updated in May. In March, the Office for Budget Responsibility revised down its UK growth forecast for 2025 to 1%, half the 2% forecast previously in October 2024.

The Scottish Government continues to support a just transition for Aberdeen and North East Scotland as outlined in the answer to S6W-36119 on 10 April 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36120 on 10 April 2025, there is significant uncertainty in the economic outlook and economic forecasts can be subject to revision. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

EY’s independent forecasts set out their estimates of future GVA growth across different parts of the UK. They forecast that Aberdeen’s GVA will grow on average 0.9% per annum between 2025 and 2028. The pace of growth in the region is largely expected to be impacted by their assessment of the long term decline in North Sea oil production and its impact on growth in the UK mining and quarrying sector.

The Scottish Government continues to support a just transition for Aberdeen and North East Scotland through the Aberdeen City Region Deal and Just Transition Fund (JTF). Through the Deal we are providing up to £125 million over 10 years to strengthen and diversify the regional economy. JTF is another 10 year programme supporting projects and communities to create jobs, support innovation and secure a highly skilled workforce. From this, £75 million has been allocated to date.

This is in addition to our recently completed Energy Transition Fund, protecting jobs, skills and knowledge in the region while supporting the creation of new jobs. Meanwhile, Aberdeen City has also benefited from £12.9 million Scottish Government regeneration investment since 2014. It will additionally benefit from our £400,000 commitment to support Our Union Street over 2024-25 and 2025-26.

All while we continue working with regional partners and UK Government to support the North East Scotland Investment Zone. This will include funding of up to £160 million over 10 years and the ability of the region to benefit from 100% retention of non-domestic rates. It will give partners the opportunity to invest in regeneration and infrastructure to support further growth within the Investment Zone.

There are no plans to review our nuclear policy or to revise the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4). The Scottish Government’s position on traditional fission nuclear energy is clear: we do not support the building of any new nuclear power stations in Scotland under current technologies.

The experience of families will inform the forthcoming focused review of FAIs in relation to deaths in custody.

The operation of FAIs is a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service rather than for the Scottish Government. The experience of families will inform the forthcoming focused review of FAIs in relation to deaths in custody.

The Scottish Government has acknowledged that there are concerns about the operation of the FAI system. In January of this year, following publication of the determination of the FAI into the deaths of Katie Allen and William Brown at Polmont Young Offenders Institute, the Scottish Government announced a focussed, independent review of the FAI system. This review is to look at the efficiency, effectiveness and trauma-informed nature of investigations into deaths in prison custody.

The Scottish Government has acknowledged that there are concerns about the operation of fatal accident inquiries. In January of this year the Scottish Government announced a focussed, independent review of the FAI system. This review is to look at the efficiency, effectiveness and trauma-informed nature of investigations into deaths in prison custody.

The Scottish Government supports the independent judiciary's careful examination of matters in FAI determinations and believes that valuable learning is offered through the process.