Seòmar agus comataidhean

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
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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 new Subsidy Control Act, 2022, has not yet commenced. It is expected to come into force in the next few months. Scottish Government has not raised specific sector-based, or employer-based issues with the UK Government, other than relating to Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture which, in a departure from provisions within the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, are included in the Act. Engagement between the Scottish Government and UK Government, is regular at official level, has focused on the Scottish Ministers’ concerns with the provisions and the development and implementation arrangements for the new Act, including the statutory guidance.

Scottish Government has been represented by a wide range of officials throughout, including those from the Subsidy Control team.

I am aware of the Recovery and Wellbeing village project being developed by Blue Triangle in Partnership with Hamilton Accies and local partners. Officials recently met with colleagues from the project to discuss these developments further. The Scottish Government acknowledge that there is no one size fits all approach to rehabilitation, it is for this reason I support the development of treatment and recovery services with varying models of care, including those of a residential nature and those in community settings such as this initiative. Officials will continue to engage with the project team going forward and I look forward to receiving detailed feedback for further consideration.

Many cities in Scotland have set ambitious net zero targets and are developing robust plans to deliver them. All 32 of Scotland’s Local Authorities signed Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration in 2007 and 28 Scottish Local Authorities have recognised or declared a climate emergency.

The Cities Commission For Climate Investment (3Ci) continues to work with selected local authorities to launch local place-based Net Zero pilots by providing technical assistance and support for project identification, design, investment structures and other key elements.

Glasgow and Edinburgh have bid to be a part of the European Union's 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities mission and NetZeroCities project. The Scottish Government recognises that involvement in such a Mission presents a real opportunity to enable all of our seven cities to benefit from Scotland’s involvement in this hugely important Mission.

The Scottish Government welcomes the billion pound transformation of Glasgow’s Buchanan Street Quarter which will see Scottish Government officials working with Buchanan Galleries owner Landsec and Glasgow City Council to transform Glasgow’s famous shopping street with a multi-purpose shopping, residential and office quarter.

The Scottish Government regularly engages with BEIS and Ofgem and National Grid ESO to discuss the arrangements under which all generators, both existing and new, access and use the GB electricity system.

National Grid ESO regularly assess the need for investment in our electricity system. The latest assessment has identified over £21bn of transmission network investment needed in GB. This vital investment will minimise constraints on the system while supporting new connection of generation to meet 2030 targets and maintain system security.

This is a reserved issue and Scottish Government has no powers to change the regulations in respect to electricity network access. It is vital that industry, government, and the regulator work together to enable timely delivery of these investments while ensuring that UK regulatory levers drive down costs and increase benefits for customers and communities.

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 and other Scottish Government Ministers engage regularly with the Federation of Small Business (FSB) Scotland to discuss all issues affecting small businesses.

The First Minister last met representatives of the FSB Scotland on 19 May 2022 at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards UK. A discussion with Martin McTague, FSB National Chair and Colin Borland, Director of Devolved Nations at FSB included the importance of small businesses to Scotland's economy, the significant support and work that FSB do in dialogue with Scottish Government and the success of Scottish businesses, including the Scottish 2022 winner at the UK-wide Federation of Small Business Awards.

More recently on 31 August 2022, I met with Stacey Dingwall, Head of Policy for Scotland and Andrew McRae, Scotland's Policy Chair FSB during a visit to Amity Fish Ltd, Peterhead. Issues discussed included business rates, energy costs and skills.

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.

I met with Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority on 11 April 2022, during my visit to Orkney. The purpose of that meeting was to provide an update, following previous meetings, on the progress of the Orkney Harbours Masterplan. During the discussion, we specifically focussed on the work underway to develop and enhance the Scapa Deep Water Quay and Halston Pier, both of which will provide new opportunities for use by the Offshore Wind sector.