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The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) was deferred due to state aid issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption. In January 2023, the UK Government replaced EU state aid rules with its own subsidy control regime.

We continue to explore all options to implement ADT in a way that protects Highlands & Islands connectivity and complies with the UK Government’s subsidy control regime.

The Scottish Government recognises the critical role air connectivity plays in the lives of residents and communities in the Highlands and Islands, and in the promotion of sustainable economic growth across the region.

Once a solution to the Highland & Islands exemption has been identified, we will review the rates and bands of ADT prior to the implementation of the tax, to ensure they are aligned with our world-leading climate ambitions.

The UK-wide Air Passenger Duty will continue to apply in Scotland until ADT is implemented.

It is for each licensing authority to take account of the legislation and guidance, and to agree and publish a local licensing policy and fee structure.

The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a Bill on ending conversion practices in Scotland. A public consultation containing detailed proposals for legislative change will be published by the end of this calendar year. The consultation will allow us to provide clear and detailed information on our proposed approach in order to obtain views from stakeholders and the broader public.

In developing our proposals we are carefully considering a wide range of evidence and expert advice. This includes the report of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee and the report and recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group set up by the Scottish Government.

The education sector in Scotland has a wide range of different workforces with a range of different pay bargaining arrangements. Pay negotiations and agreements are at various different stages and funding arrangements across the sector vary significantly.

The Scottish Government does not maintain such a list.

Our 2018 guidance on human rights due diligence sets out recommendations on how we, our executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) should undertake appropriate due diligence on companies, including their human rights record, before entering into an investment relationship with them.

The Scottish Government appreciates the important contribution that rural music festivals such as Lammermuir Festival can make to Scotland’s music sector.

Creative Scotland provides funding for rural music festivals (classed as those not held in cities and with a focus on music) through their Regularly Funded Organisations and Open Funding streams. In 2022-23 they have supported 17 rural music festivals, using both Scottish Government and National Lottery funding to a total of £394,474. This does not include further support that is given to multi-art form festivals that include elements of music in their programming.

In addition the Scottish Government has provided £150,000 to Culture & Business Scotland for their Culture and Business Fund, which promotes collaboration between Scottish businesses and arts and heritage organisations to deliver new arts and heritage projects. Recipients in previous years have included rural music festivals.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Individual local authorities may gather this data.

The Scottish Government commissions six-monthly reports from local authorities on school counselling services which asks for number of young people accessing counselling, broken down by gender and year groups. The reports also seek information on outcomes, inward and outward referrals as well as the issues young people are presenting with.

Within the reporting form there is a free text box where authorities are encouraged to share additional information, such as information on waiting times if they have that data available. Although some authorities have reported that services are at capacity, no concerns have been raised about young people’s needs not being met.

The Cross-Sector Working Group on RAAC remains our main forum for engagement with public sector partners and key stakeholders in the private sector. Meetings provide updates on sector progress, recent UK information and topics of interest such as RAAC identification and assessment process and a presentation and Q&A with IStructE. The minutes of the meetings of that group are published on The Scottish Government Website.

Outwith those meetings, officials will also continue to engage with sector organisations on a one-to-one basis.

We have had no specific discussions of bankruptcy with local authorities and no local authorities have indicated concerns of potential bankruptcy.

We recognise the challenging environment local authorities face and that is why we are committed to a New Deal with Local Government in order to ensure the sustainability of local services.

Officials will next meet with representatives from Disability Equality Scotland on 1 November 2023.

We meet regularly with Disability Equality Scotland as part of the development of the Immediate Priorities Plan and will continue to engage with representatives as the longer-term Disability Equality Strategy is developed and implemented.