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The Scottish Government has not used external auditors or an independent review to consider whether the (i) Housing to 2040 strategy, (ii) 110,000 affordable housing supply target and (iii) Affordable Housing Supply Programme are achievable.

We have been supporting the Scottish Prison Service and other partners in delivering an improvement in the GEOAmey contract that has resulted in early positive signs, with a slowdown in staff attrition and improved staff numbers.

The Criminal Justice Board has been engaged with issues relating to the contract and, as Teresa Medhurst, the Scottish Prison Service Chief Executive, stated at the Criminal Justice Committee in November 2023, all options remain under consideration in relation to prisoner escort arrangements in Scotland.

The Scottish Prison Service will continue to monitor the performance of the contract carefully to ensure target thresholds are met, so we can have a level of service which meets the needs of our justice system.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24135 on 16 January 2024. 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 Scottish Government has no plans to begin an immediate and urgent external review of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. We have recently confirmed plans for a 2024 review of the 110,000 homes target focused on the timeline for delivery.

Whilst I welcome the outcome and the specific agreements secured at COP28, as global action is needed to reduce emissions and the impacts of climate change, Scotland’s own climate ambitions exceed those required by the Paris Agreement. I welcomed the COP text’s explicit reference to transitioning away from our current reliance on fossil fuels, in a manner which is just, alongside the specific target to triple renewables and to double energy efficiency by 2030. Scotland, as a world-leader on renewable energy, is prepared to continue to play its part in meeting these crucial targets.

Scotland remains absolutely committed to reaching net zero by 2045. Whilst this legal commitment goes faster than the rest of the UK, we have been clear that we will seek to work collaboratively with all administrations in the UK to implement mutually beneficial policies and we continue to call on the UK Government to match our ambition by acting on reserved matters that directly affect Scotland’s ability to reduce our carbon emissions.

The Scottish Government has long identified the intrinsic importance of Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) for local communities and as part of our national identity. We therefore support and welcome UK Government finally deciding to notify their intention to ratify ICH on 23 December 2023 and will continue to encourage, support and collaborate with our four nations colleagues as the ratification process proceeds.

As the member will know, Scotland has been a vocal proponent of ratification and is considered to be ahead of the other nations as we already have an online ICH inventory https://ichscotland.org/ as a result of collaborative work between Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and Creative Scotland.

Regarding analysis of the estimated total value of Scotland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, as ICH is by definition intangible and is very much community led such analysis would require that the definitions/approaches/ assessment frameworks needed to undertake this analysis would need to be developed.

At present this formal analysis has not taken place but will no doubt form part of the collaborative work of the 4 nations group which will be working together before and after the UK Government ratifies ICH.

As formal ratification work continues, the Scottish Government remains committed to supporting ICH in our local communities, whether through increasing access to traditional skills, providing ways to experience or participate in the performing arts or supporting community art projects. We will also continue to support our public bodies, national performing companies and agencies to ensure all people in Scotland can access ICH.

National Planning Policy 5d) makes clear that, where development on peatland, carbon-rich soils or priority peatland habitat is proposed, a detailed site specific assessment will be required to identify: i) the baseline depth, habitat condition, quality and stability of carbon rich soils; ii) the likely effects of the development on peatland, including on soil disturbance; and, iii) the likely net effects of the development on climate emissions and loss of carbon.

Through our Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2022, we have committed to assess the operation of, and if necessary update or replace, the carbon calculator. Whilst the review is ongoing, the existing carbon calculator, in its current form, can continue to be used by applicants and decision makers to support the carbon assessment of wind farm developments.

Creative Scotland received applications from 361 cultural organisations with a total ask of £96m per year for their Multi Year Funding programme, which will commence from 2025-26.

The Scottish Government expect the £96m indicative request figure for the Multi Year Funding Programme to reduce once Creative Scotland has assessed applications and completed necessary due diligence.

The outcome from Stage One of the Multi Year Funding process will be announced at the end of February 2024.

We are increasing funding to the culture sector by £15.8m next financial year to £196.6m. This is the first step on the route to investing at least £100m more annually in culture and the arts by the financial year 2028-29. In 2025-2026 we aim to provide an additional £25m to the culture sector.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24265 on 15 January 2024. 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-24138 on 16 January 2024. 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 .