Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11044 on 29 September 2022. 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 First Minister met Tony Danker, CBI Director General and Tracy Black, CBI Scotland, Director, on 22 March 2022.During the meeting the following points were discussed:

• The Chancellor’s budget statement which was due the following day;

The First Minister chaired a summit with energy suppliers and advice organisations, including Ofgem representatives, on 23 August, at which these matters were discussed at length. The First Minister subsequently wrote to the new Prime Minister, urging that she cancel any further energy price increase for domestic consumers, and work with the regulator and energy companies to put in place the funding to support this, while also underlining the pressing need for additional support for vulnerable consumers.

The Scottish Government works with the UK Government, and with local government and the wider public sector, to maximise investment in Scotland’s renewables sector. Notably, through the £75m Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government is match funding UK Government funding in two key energy transition projects:

(1) £26.3m to the Energy Transition Zone. The zone will transform North East Scotland into a globally integrated energy cluster focussed on accelerating net zero. It aims to generate 2,500 new jobs in Aberdeen and realise as much as £400m GVA.

(2) £6.5m to the Global Underwater Hub (GUH). The GUH will support the globally competitive underwater sector in the UK to accelerate the transition to net zero, drive innovation and growth and make a step change in the development and internationalisation of technology and services.

The Energy Transition Fund will protect existing jobs and create new jobs in the North East, and across Scotland by opening up opportunities through energy transition and harnessing private sector funding.

The investment will also benefit the wider Scottish energy sector and broader supply chain, working with local businesses to maximise the economic benefits, create and support sustainable jobs and contribute to inclusive economic growth across the country.

There are strong protections in Scots law for wild animals and habitats. The Scottish Government has made clear our commitment to play a full role in the international effort to tackle the twin global crises in climate and nature. We have recently consulted on our new Biodiversity Strategy and will respond to the conclusions of the forthcoming Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. We plan to introduce a Natural Environment Bill putting in place key legislative changes and statutory targets to restore and protect nature. We will introduce a right to a healthy environment as part of our proposals for an ambitious Human Rights Bill.

Scottish Government has delivered its native woodland creation targets as set in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and more recently the Bute House Agreement, and is committed to supporting further expansion of our native woodland resource. As part of the work to develop the next Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, and underpinning Delivery Plans, we are reviewing the current targets for native woodland expansion and setting evidence based targets for future years. We recently invited views on the next Scottish Biodiversity Strategy though a recent consultation exercise. The creation and management of new native woodlands will continued to be underpinned by the UK Forestry Standard, and supported through our Forestry Grant Scheme.

Protection for woodland is in place via the felling regulations under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. Where felling permission is not applicable, the Control of Woodland Removal Policy only permits removal of existing woodland where it would achieve significant and clearly defined additional public benefits including habitat restoration or public safety. Scottish Planning Policy 2014 (SPP) seeks to protect and enhance ancient semi natural woodland, together with individual trees, and encourages the creation of new woodland and planting of native trees in association with development.

As detailed in our Programme for Government, we recognise the profound impact the current cost crisis is having across Scotland. Within this, we are acutely aware of the various challenges festivals have faced in 2022, including the ongoing effects of COVID-19, rail strike action, rising inflation and rising costs across the board.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have provided a total of approximately £14.1 million in financial support to the festivals. We believe it is of vital importance to maintain an honest and open dialogue with the festivals. For example, the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development met with Festivals Edinburgh and a number of festival organisers on 18 May 2022 to assess the issues impacting festivals before the festival season, and offer support where appropriate and feasible. The Cabinet Secretary followed up this meeting on 27 July 2022 and has assured the festivals we will maintain this dialogue.

The Scottish Government will remain in discussions with festival organisers in an ongoing assessment of their situation to establish the best ways to use what levers we can to mitigate the various issues related to rising costs, while ensuring that the protection of the most vulnerable in our society remains our priority.

The Scottish Government would like to congratulate all the artists, venues, production members and organisers of Edinburgh’s festivals this year. We recognise that overall 2022 was perceived as a ‘recovery year’ for the festivals and was key in bringing back confidence to the wider culture sector, especially with regards to returning audiences.

We have aided the festivals in this recovery and have provided a total of approximately £14.1 million in financial support since the beginning of the pandemic.

Overall, whilst ticket sales were down in comparison to 2019, Edinburgh Festivals were well attended; with a number reporting that they surpassed their 2022 targets. This is a good outcome taking into consideration the many challenges it has been necessary to overcome, and the added caution in programming this year. The Scottish Government will continue to work with festival organisers to build on their success this year, and ensure their continued recovery.

The Scottish Government is committed to building HMP Highland and HMP Glasgow.

Work is underway to replace HMP Inverness with HMP Highland at the chosen site at Inverness Retail and Business Park. The initial contract was awarded in October 2021 and pre-construction work has started. HMP Highland will provide 200 places, allowing for more people to reside closer to their home in the community and enhance family contact.

The work on HMP Glasgow is also progressing. The contract for pre-construction services was awarded in July 2022. A key aim of the design is to create an environment that is inclusive and recognises the particular vulnerabilities of the population.

The Scottish Government is committed to continue working closely with cities across Scotland in tackling the global climate emergency.

A number of initiatives have been driven forward to support cities in Scotland in helping them work towards net zero ambitions. The Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund is making £200 million of grant funding available over this parliamentary term to registered social landlords in Scotland, including Local Authorities for the retrofit of existing housing stock.

Earlier this year the Scottish Government published its draft Vision for Scotland’s public electric vehicle charging network and announced a new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund that aims to double the size of the network through £60m of public and private investment.

Over £50 million per annum goes towards the Sustrans managed Places for Everyone programme that funds local authorities to create safer, more attractive, healthier places and increase the number of trips made by walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday journeys.

Although not targeted exclusively at cities, we are aiming to unlock £200m investment from local authorities in low carbon infrastructure through our Green Growth Accelerator and the long term nature of the £5 billion City Region and Growth Deals programme has allowed us to develop and apply international carbon management best practice that will result in significant net zero benefits across and beyond Scotland.