Seòmar agus comataidhean

Did you make a submission to that consultation?

Good morning. You just raised with the convener the response to the Fraser of Allander Institute report and the importance of the work of the short-life working group. Are you able to provide an update on the group’s work and when you expect a response to be published?

The Scottish Government proposed to consult on an online sales tax. Can you outline where those proposals are at and how the tax might be implemented? I understand that it would have to be a UK tax—or is that something that the Scottish Parliament could introduce? What discussions have there been with the UK Government on that, and is it still the intention that revenues from such a tax would be used to reduce business rates?

Yes, it would. Thank you.

You are certainly talking about policies of inclusion and diversity and the like, but my question is: have you done any economic assessment of what opportunities are being missed by not including those groups? That could lead to a better strategy that unlocks those economic opportunities.

Thank you. I have no further questions, convener.

Would it be fair to conclude that, unless a business or an enterprise brings a project to you that improves economic opportunities for these groups, you are not actively looking for that?

Steve Rogers, is converting unused commercial property in town centres into new homes commercially attractive and technically possible? Do you have any challenges with identifying owners or complex ownership structures of unused buildings?

Before I ask my question, I will make a brief observation on which you might want to comment. The word “place” is bandied around a lot. Douglas Cowan is director of communities and place, Bryan McGrath is director of enterprise and place and Derek Cowan is director of innovation and place. Why is there no consensus on where place sits in responsibilities and organisations?

What are you doing to ensure economic opportunities are available to everyone in our towns, including for older people and people with disabilities? We took some excellent evidence on that issue last week. What economic assessment do you undertake of those groups, and where are the success stories from your organisations?

Would you point to any particular success stories that you have funded or supported to direct people to? We are short of examples on the ground.