Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government values the important role our third sector plays in communities across Scotland, working to tackle tough social issues at source. We continue to invest widely in the third sector and have committed to increasing multiyear funding wherever possible.

We recognise the impact of rising operating costs across society, including on charity run venues.

While the Scottish Government does not provide any targeted funds that specifically address operational or energy costs of charity-run art venues during the winter season, we support Creative Scotland, who administer funding that focusses on the creation of cultural activity, from which a proportion of operating costs or energy costs can be included in the project budget that support applications for grants.

The Scottish Government is continuing to work in partnership with governments and football associations across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland following confirmation of the successful EURO 2028 bid on 10 October.

Funding contributions of all partners are commercially sensitive as the next phases of planning take place. The Scottish Government will undertake to notify the Scottish Parliament on developments in due course.

The bid was carefully considered by all partners and the event is predicted to generate cumulative socio-economic benefits of up to £2.6 billion across the UK and Ireland.

Firework control zones are a discretionary power for local authorities. The Scottish Government provides support to local authorities in respect of firework control zones, such as by providing funding for consulting on and designating zones.

No changes to the legislative framework concerning firework control zones are proposed at this time. However, the Scottish Government keeps the effectiveness of the relevant provisions under continuous review. For example, as local authorities take up available funding for consulting on and implementing zones, feedback is sought on the effectiveness of the legislative provisions. Statutory guidance for local authorities also makes clear that review of firework control zones is required once introduced.

Officials in the Energy Consents Unit (“ECU”) use internal process guidance to check that the data input by developers into the carbon calculator accords with the relevant information referenced in the application documentation and its environmental impact assessment report (“EIA report”). Once the data is checked, the submission is formally received and then thereafter available for scrutiny in the public domain by using the reference code published in the EIA report. The data check includes:

1. Checking that the number of wind turbines and capacity output of each turbine accords with the information provided in the EIA Report.

2. Checking that the operational period accords with the application information

3. Checking that the capacity factor is credible and backed up by evidence in the EIA report.

The Scottish Government recognises the horticultural sector’s important contribution to the Scottish population’s mental and physical health, and the environment through provision of plants and trees for public landscaping and domestic gardening. In addition, horticulture contributes to the Scottish economy, through retail, job creation and employment opportunities in green careers. That is why I welcomed the Horticultural Trades Association's Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy during the Holyrood launch event in March 2023.

The eight ‘Asks of Government’ outlined by HTA align with existing Scottish Government policy priorities, including climate change mitigation, nature networks as outlined in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the local living policy principle of the National Planning Framework 4, which proposes the development of parks, green spaces, community gardens, local food production, allotments and recreation facilities to help improve wellbeing. These highlight opportunities for the sector and Scottish Government to work together towards shared goals across a wide range of policy areas. Officials will therefore continue to take forward detailed discussions with the HTA to ensure environmental horticulture is represented in relevant government strategies.

I recently chaired the short-lived Rural Energy Consumers Working Group, Non-domestic Energy Consumers Working Group and Priority (previously known as Vulnerable) Energy Consumers Working Group. Information on each of these groups can be found on the Scottish Government website at the following links:

Energy: Rural Energy Consumers Short-Life Working Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Energy: Non-Domestic Energy Consumers Short-Life Working Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Energy: Vulnerable Energy Consumers Short-Life Working Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Scottish Government will take decisions about the allocation of funding in 2024-25 and future years subject to the outcome of the Scottish Budget process and associated approval by the Scottish Parliament.

Once the draft budget is published on 19 December we will engage closely with Creative Scotland and the wider culture sector as we develop plans for the £100m increased investment over the next five years.

The first phase of the review of the carbon calculator will assess its current operation and use and recommend any updates or improvements that may be required in a future phase.

This first phase is currently being tendered through ClimateXChange, and the intention is for it to be completed by summer 2024.

As part of the development of the Deposit Return Scheme, Zero Waste Scotland has undertaken various pieces of work for the Scottish Government. This includes impact assessments, including the Business Regulatory Impact Assessment, and managing the return point operator exemption process.

Zero Waste Scotland did not receive specific payment for performing these functions as they receive funding through annual grant awards from the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste budget.

The Scottish Government also used independent third party contractors to undertake services associated with consultation, publication of regulations and associated documents, evaluations, independent reviews and assurance. The total paid for these services was £224,956.05:

• £54,331.80 in 2018-19
• £30,758.37 in 2019-20
• £9,614.00 in 2020-21
• £88,307.64 in 2021-22
• £15,647.50 in 2022-23
• £26,296.74 in 2023-24

The General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans’ Recognition Scheme has been developed to be relevant for all staff, including locum GPs, who may come into contact with an armed forces family or veteran patient. It is hosted on Turas, which is an online training platform run by NHS Education for Scotland and accessible to all NHS staff. It can be accessed here: General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans’ Recognition Scheme – Training Website .

More information about the scheme can also be found by contacting: [email protected]