The purpose of the ScotRail Peak Fares is broader, to find out whether such a measure helps move people from car to rail use, but also to help passengers facing cost of living pressures. We know that price and simplicity is crucial for people when choosing how to travel.

Many passengers will enjoy significantly reduced fares, with fares that are available all day, every day, which will hopefully encourage more people to reduce their car use and to use more public transport instead, in line with our Programme for Government commitment to encourage a shift towards sustainable transport.

The Scottish Government Brussels office was established in 1999 and staffing records covering the entirety of its existence are not held. The currently held information on staffing numbers, job titles and pay grade is outlined below.

1. Staffing numbers

18-19 – 16

19-20 – 17

20-21 – 17

22-23 – 17

23-24 - 17

2. Job titles and pay grade

Director

Deputy Director

Senior Policy Adviser Energy and Marine – SG A-C band*

Senior Policy Adviser Research and Innovation - SG A-C band

Senior Policy Adviser Trade, Economics and Inclusive Growth - SG A-C band

Head, International Justice Cooperation Unit - SG A-C band

Senior Policy Adviser Political, EU Institutions and Engagement - SG A-C band

Marine Planning and Strategy Manager - SG A-C band

EU Policy Officer - Trade & Economic Development - SG A-C band

Policy Adviser - Environment & Transport - SG A-C band

Policy and Communications Officer - SG A-C band

Events and Visits Manager - Country based staff (CBS) A-B band

Policy Officer: European Parliament and Bilateral - CBS A-B band

Executive Assistant to Director and Deputy Director - CBS Administrative Officer

Finance, Administrative Support Officer - CBS Administrative Officer

Corporate Services - CBS Administrative Officer

Policy and Communications Support Officer - CBS Intern

The staffing profile of the office has remained in place for the period covered by point 1), except for the addition of the 'EU Policy Officer - Trade & Economic Development' post in 2019-20.

* Please note we are unable to provide a small amount of the information you have requested relating to the specific pay grades of each member of staff. This information is personal data of a third party, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018.

The Scottish Government Office in China has operated with 4 members of staff since its establishment in 2005. Provided below are details of salary scale and job titles:

The Scottish Government Office in Copenhagen has operated with 3 members of staff since its established in 2022.

Provided below are details of salary scale and job titles for Scotland House London from 2017-18:

The Scottish Government Office in Dublin has operated with 3 members of staff since its establishment in 2016.

The Scottish Government Brussels office was established in 1999 under a Labour government. Information on any launch events held at that time are therefore not held.

It is not possible to provide an accurate cost for the Paris office launch event, as the majority of costs were met by FCDO and recharged to the Scottish Government; these costs cannot now be disaggregated from other sums recharged at the time associated with establishing the office.

The Scottish Government Office in Paris has operated with 3 members of staff since its establishment in 2018.

The 2024-25 Scottish Budget is a budget built on our values - setting out, in tough times, to protect people, sustain services, and take pragmatic steps to addressing the climate emergency. All budget decisions are subject to robust assessment in line with the Fairer Scotland Duty Act of 2018, which requires Scottish Ministers, when making strategic decisions, to reduce the inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage.

We a re keenly aware of the pressures facing them as a result of the current financial climate. The funding in the budget for the Third Sector will continue to prioritise investment in key infrastructure organisations and programmes that provide critical support to help the wider sector navigate the challenging financial climate.