Chamber and committees

We recognise that the offshore wind sector has the potential to bring substantial benefits to Scotland, and we are committed to maximising economic value from ScotWind projects, and to retaining investment, jobs and supply chain opportunities within Scotland.

For some components, overseas supply chains are currently more mature than in the UK. We are working with developers, the UK Government, inward investors and the supply chain to support and grow manufacturing in Scotland.

At its meeting on 16 June 2026, the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) Strategic Group discussed future priorities in light of developments, including the statutory public inquiry into group-based CSAE and the Inspectorate-led National Review of local responses to this issue. It also considered updates on the progress of its subgroups on enhancing workforce skills and training, improving the collection and analysis of data to better assess the scale of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland, and mandatory reporting.

The Group agreed to hold an extended meeting in early autumn to review progress to date, consider stakeholder views and determine future priorities and next steps. This will support a refresh of the Group's strategic approach and inform further advice to Ministers.

The remit of the Group, alongside minutes of meetings of the Strategic Group and its subgroups, are published on the Scottish Government website and available at: https://www.gov.scot/groups/national-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-strategic-group/

The ‘expansion of funded early learning and childcare to 1140 hours: 2018-2025 national outcomes evaluation’ did not analyse changes in employment among parents/carers of disabled children specifically. The evaluation did identify positive changes in parental employment across income groups.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

The scheme was put in place to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, enabling affected households to apply for £300 towards their bills. This includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable additional heating needs. The first payment was made within 24 hours of the scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

As of end of 9 August 2026, 598 applications had been received from households in the Western Isles. Of these applications, 270 have received an award of £300 towards the cost of their heating oil bills, with 322 applications having not met the eligbility criteria or had their application closed due to not responding to requests for information. Closed applications can be reopened if the applicant contacts Advice Direct Scotland.

Full details of the eligibility requirements have been available on the Advice Direct Scotland (“ADS”) website since launch, which includes noting that for discretionary decisions applicants must be in financial hardship and, in addition, meet one of the other listed criteria.

The Scottish Government is taking further steps to raise awareness of this scheme and will continue to use various channels to reach those households most in need. I would encourage anyone who uses heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat their homes in the Western Isles, and throughout Scotland, to visit the ADS website to check eligibility and, where eligible, to make an application.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria but are still struggling with the cost of living crisis may wish to be aware of the Scottish Government’s cost of living website which provides helpful information and support and can be found here: https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02285 on 21 August 2026. 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 S7W-02285 on 21 August 2026. 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.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was developed to support delivery of the Clyde Targeted Scientific Programme (TSP). It provides a framework for collaborative working, setting out shared commitments, roles and responsibilities to help achieve the programme's objectives. The MoU is a voluntary, non-binding agreement entered into in good faith. Responsibility for delivery is shared between the parties, with the Marine Directorate retaining oversight responsibilities and a final determination role.

The Marine Directorate, the Clyde Fishermen's Association (CFA) and the Working Group are currently identified as parties to the MoU. The decision to develop the MoU was agreed at the programme's inception meeting in February 2026, where discussions focused on practical arrangements for implementing the TSP, including data collection and methodology. As the initial priority was to establish the programme quickly and begin gathering data from fishing vessels, the CFA was the obvious fishing industry organisation supporting delivery at that stage given its membership and location. This should not however be interpreted as limiting participation to a single organisation. The MoU remains a live document, and the Scottish Government welcomes engagement from all active Clyde fishers, including those operating independently or through other representative bodies.

Year 1 priorities for the TSP are set out in public documents and are intended to be delivered through collaboration between fishers, scientists and technical advisers. As the programme develops and evidence gaps are addressed, opportunities for wider scientific engagement and collaboration are expected.

The MoU does not give any organisation responsibility for appointing scientists to the programme, determining participation in meetings, or restricting the involvement of other research institutions or the sharing of programme outputs. The Marine Directorate has also committed to providing annual updates to the Scottish Parliament, supporting transparency and the dissemination of programme findings.

The TSP and wider Clyde cod policy were considered by the Scottish Parliament in January and February 2026, with relevant licence conditions taking effect on 1 March 2026. The MoU did not establish new policy or create legally binding commitments. Rather, it documented collaborative arrangements to support delivery of an existing programme and formed part of its routine governance arrangements.

The Scottish Government engages with a wide range of groups relating to commercial fishing activity in Scottish inshore waters. These groups vary in purpose, duration and membership, and there is no centrally held or comprehensive record of all groups that have operated since 2020.

Membership is determined by the remit of each group and may include representatives from fishing organisations, scientific and academic institutions, environmental organisations and Scottish Government officials. Membership can also change over time as projects, programmes and areas of work evolve.

Providing a definitive list of all groups relating to commercial fishing activity in Scottish inshore waters, together with their memberships since 2020, would require extensive consultation across the Marine Directorate and parts of the wider Scottish Government. This would include teams covering sea fisheries, marine science, aquaculture, marine renewables, marine environment, licensing, compliance and operational delivery, together with a review of records held across multiple policy, research and delivery programmes.

Given the breadth of activity involved, the changing nature of membership and the absence of a central record, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

In relation to inshore fisheries management specifically, information on a number of key groups is already publicly available through Scottish Government and related stakeholder websites:

https://www.gov.scot/groups/fisheries-management--conservation-group-fmac/

https://rifg.scot/about/meetings

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02285 on 21 August 2026. 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 S7W-02285 on 21 August 2026. 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.