Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on13 September 2023. 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-21029 on 13 September 2023. 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

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) currently have ample PPE stockpiled and approved for medical use and that is supplied to NHS Boards as required.

Social care providers operate independently of Scottish Government and we do not, therefore, hold information centrally on the availability of PPE for them. It is for employers to provide appropriate PPE where it is required based on assessed risk.

SFRS carried out a thorough assessment of all its buildings in 2019 and identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in 14 fire stations. These are: Crewe Toll (Edinburgh), Cumbernauld, Dalkeith, Galashiels, Hawick, Helensburgh, Huntly, Liberton (Edinburgh), Livingston, Marionville (Edinburgh), Milngavie, Portree, Stewarton and Tranent.

Where the presence of RAAC is confirmed in a public building, we expect the owner to take appropriate measures to assess and manage any risk identified in line with the guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers. Mitigating measures are in place at all 14 fire stations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21303 on 27 September 2023. 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 current arrangements for religious and belief celebrants, and civil registrars, to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership allow couples to choose from a wide range of options for their ceremony to satisfy both the requirements of the law, and of any religion or belief.

These arrangements were broadened under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act). Couples can now have their marriage solemnised by a celebrant from a belief body as an alternative to having a civil or a religious ceremony. Intended civil partners also have the same options as those who wish to marry.

The Policy Memorandum that accompanied the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill in the Parliament set out the Government’s reasons for rejecting the option of opening the solemnisation of marriage to celebrants with no link to a religious or belief body at paragraph 28.

This remains our position and we have no plans to change the law.

Council Tax is a local tax and the responsibility for the administration of the system, including the application of any reductions, rests with each individual local authority.

Properties that are incapable of being occupied, that are undergoing, or which have undergone, major repairs or structural alterations are exempt from Council Tax for up to 12 months. Local authorities also have discretionary powers to reduce the Council Tax liability of unoccupied properties by up to 50% for an unlimited period.

Screen Scotland’s Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland in 2021 report, published this August, shows the continued exceptional growth of Scotland’s screen industry, which contributed £627bn total GVA to the economy in 2021, and generated 10,940 FTEs of employment.

While Glasgow and Edinburgh account for the largest shares of economic impact, nearly £264m of that total GVA was generated elsewhere across Scotland, with nearly £175m GVA, and 2,980 total FTEs, in the fours areas named in the question.

The report clearly demonstrates the direct and indirect value of the screen sector to other key parts of Scotland’s economy, including hospitality and tourism, which is driven by titles like Outlander , set across Scotland’s uniquely beautiful landscapes.

To ensure the benefits of the sector’s success continue to be felt nationally, Screen Scotland are undertaking a range of strategic work, including: developing the network of Local Film Offices and liaisons across Scotland, who provide local, expert advice to incoming productions; through their Screen Commission, providing advice on locations and facilities across Scotland to domestic and international productions, to ensure that areas outside the central belt are considered and made accessible; supporting a range of skills and training programmes outside the Central Belt, including Stornoway, Aberdeenshire, and West Dunbartonshire, as well as through the Professional Development Fund, which is open to support travel and accommodation for anyone in Scotland to attend training to develop their career.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the continued growth of our screen sector nationally, including by incentivising productions to come to Scotland; encouraging the development of new studio space and infrastructure; increasing skills provision, and; pressing public service broadcasters to increase production from Scotland, so that the sector can continue to grow sustainably as part of the wider creative economy.

The Programme for Government 2023 committed to deliver secondary legislation to enable councils to apply up to a 100% premium on Council Tax rates for second homes. Subordinate legislation will be laid later this year to enable local authorities to charge a premium for second homes from 1 April 2024. Once this has been approved by Scottish Parliament guidance will be issued to local authorities.