To support the Committee’s scrutiny of the draft 2026/27 budget, I am writing to you to confirm that the allocation proposed for ESS in the draft 2026/27 budget will enable it to: • deliver its statutory duties: tracking developments in Scottish, UK and international environmental policy and regulation; actively examining the issues of most environmental concern; conducting analysis to scrutinise the implementation of environmental law; and investigating issues identified in this work alongside concerns raised by the public • meet its staff costs within the framework defined by public sector pay policy and its wider operational costs, such as its office accommodation • recruit additional staff to support its new...