We are continuing to seek further information from the UK Government about consumer protections in respect of the ECO4 and GBIS schemes.

The UK Minister for Energy Consumers made an oral announcement in the Westminster Parliament on 23 January 2025 stating that 39 companies had been suspended as installers for solid wall insulation as part of these schemes.

We have been assured by the UK Government that these issues are particular to solid wall insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation 4 and Great British Insulation Scheme. However we have asked them to advise Scottish Ministers further about any concerns raised about the quality of retrofit work undertaken in Scotland as part of these schemes.

From 2024-25, Boards have started to transition to business as usual for these tests and a small amount of funding was provided to support this transition. For NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde this equated to £36,450.

The Budget we set out on 4 December 2024 will throw the weight of the government behind performance improvements with almost £200 million to reduce waiting lists and help support reduction of delayed discharge. By March 2026, we expect no one to be waiting longer than 12 months for a new outpatient, inpatient treatment or day case treatment.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have met formally with the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association on two occasions since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Officials from the Scottish Government, Forestry and Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry and NatureScot are working together with counterparts in the Swedish Government and its agencies to explore opportunities for collaboration on the development of technical skills and techniques and best practices in respect to peatland restoration.

With an emphasis on workforce planning and training, our dialogue with our Swedish partners seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our restoration efforts, while providing a platform to promote Scottish expertise with a key partner.

The International Network annual report 2023-24, published on 18 November 2024, demonstrates how our network delivers tangible benefits across the three main pillars of work set out in the International Strategy. The International Network annual report is available at the following URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-international-network-annual-report-2023-24/

We are committed to a process that ensures our work is measurable, transparent and available to the public. We will publish the 2024-25 annual report later in the year.

The Scottish Government is not aware of any examples of spray foam insulation being installed in lofts in Scottish properties as part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. Delivery guidance published by Ofgem indicates that spray foam insulation in lofts would not have been eligible for ECO4 finance.

We have asked the UK Government to advise Scottish Ministers further about any concerns raised about the quality of retrofit work undertaken in Scotland as part of these schemes.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have met formally with the Shetland Fishermen’s Association on one occasion since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have met formally with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation on one occasion since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Despite the increase in resource funding for 2025-26, the Scottish Government recognises the challenges across the college sector.

The Scottish Government has committed through its 2024 Programme for Government to review the way the culture sector is supported, which includes exploring alternative and additional funding mechanisms to grow the overall funding pot for culture in Scotland. A Percentage for the Arts scheme is one of the mechanisms that will be considered as part of this review.