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Official statistics on poverty rates in Scotland come from the Family Resources Survey. This is a sample survey which does not allow breakdowns at a sub-Scotland level.

However, the Department for Work and Pensions publish children in low income families local area statistics which are available at local authority level. These statistics are based on linked DWP/HMRC data on benefits and tax credits and are before housing costs. There are also estimates published by the End Child Poverty Coalition which model the impacts of housing costs on the child poverty rates produced by DWP. On both these measures for 2021-22, Aberdeen City is among the 10 local authorities with the lowest proportion of children in low income families.

There are a range of assessments made using various data sources to inform local and regional economic development and funding, as well as action to alleviate poverty. For instance, the Scottish Government established an independent Advisory Group on Economic Recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group’s report covered a wide range of indicators at local authority level including the business base, existing deprivation and income levels, digital connectivity and productivity.

Subsequently, the Scottish Government published the Wellbeing Economy Monitor which brings together a range of indicators to provide a baseline for assessing progress towards the development of a wellbeing economy in Scotland. A wellbeing economy toolkit has been developed to support decision making and prioritisation of economic interventions and facilitate the transition to local and regional wellbeing economies, including a local authority level wellbeing economy monitor. This includes child poverty estimates, along with other social, environmental and economic indicators.

The National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP) offers a range of training packages to improve the quality of endoscopy care for patients in Scotland, helping to provide the clinical capacity needed to reduce Endoscopy and Cancer waiting times. This includes:

• Immersion Training
• Basic Endoscopy Skills Courses
• Train the Trainer Course
• Upskilling for Colonoscopy
• Endoscopy Non-Technical Skills (ENTS)
• National Assistant Practitioner Programme
  

As of 31 May 2023, over 380 staff have participated in NETP programmes, helping to develop the endoscopy workforce in a coordinated ‘Once for Scotland’ approach.

On 28 June 2023, the Scottish Government published its response to the Scottish Mental Health Law Review and set out initial views on the proposals. We have taken time to carefully consider Lord Scott’s recommendations and will now establish a new Mental Health and Capacity Reform Programme. Over the summer we will be designing the Programme, working with people who have experienced the mental health system, to reach decisions about the changes that are needed in the short, medium and long-term and how to put them into practice.

One of the high-level priorities for this Reform Programme is to consider whether there are changes that can be made over the shorter term to improve the current operation of the Mental Health Act and to strengthen safeguards when it is considered necessary to provide non-consensual care or treatment. This could include the consideration of improvements to provisions around named persons.

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is part of the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS). SCTS is an independent body corporate and does not answer directly to the Scottish Government (SG). Instead, it is directly answerable to its board, chaired by the Lord President.

OPG advise that they continue to fund a dedicated taskforce to reduce the time taken to process PoA applications. They have commenced a programme to develop a new case management system, which will provide greater online capability and greater effectiveness in PoA registrations.

Professor Britton’s 2018 Investigative Review gave 46 recommendations regarding the process of establishing, managing and supporting Independent Reviews in Scotland.

We accepted and agreed with the vast majority of her conclusions and recommendations. The recommendations have already been reflected in a number of inquiries and reviews established in recent years. We are also developing guidance to support inquires and reviews that will build upon Professor Britton’s recommendations and hope to publish that shortly.

The 2021-2022 Programme for Government includes a commitment to revise the Creative Industries Policy Statement to articulate the priorities for the future development of the creative industries, in light of the impacts of EU Exit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are currently in the initial stages of scoping this commitment and we expect to be able to share more information on this work in the coming months.

There have been four official meetings with Ministers since May 2021.

On 6 August 2021 Jenny Gilruth had an introductory visit to V&A Dundee following her appointment as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.

On 28 January 2022 Angus Robertson visited V&A Dundee in his role as Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

On 23 November 2022 Neil Gray visited V&A Dundee in his role as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for refugees from Ukraine.

On 31 March 2023 the Deputy First Minister Shona Robison attended the launch of the Tartan exhibition.

As core funded organisation, officials meet regularly with V&A Dundee as part of normal grant management processes.

Royal Scottish National Orchestra is one of Scotland’s five National Performing Companies and has met with Scottish Ministers on two occasions since May 2021.

On 11 November 2021, Royal Scottish National Orchestra held an introductory meeting with the Minister for Culture, Europe and international Development. The Minister discussed how Royal Scottish National Orchestra was dealing with Covid-19 restrictions, education and accessibility as well as long-term recovery and audience confidence.

On 11 January 2023, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, along with the other four National Performing Companies, met with the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture to explore how their international tours could further enhance the reputation and brand of Scotland overseas.

As a National Performing Company the Royal Scottish National Orchestra receive direct funding from Scottish Government. Scottish Government officials have met regularly since May 2021 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as part of normal grant management processes.

The Scottish Government Ministerial team has met with National Museums Scotland (NMS) on several occasions since May 2021. The meetings were as follows:

9 September 2021 Angus Robertson in his role as Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture had a private tour of the Galloway Hoard at National Museum of Scotland.

26 October 2021 Jenny Gilruth as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development had a meeting with the NMS Chair and Director.

4 March 2022 Neil Gray in his role as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for refugees from Ukraine had a meeting with the NMS Director and Finance Director to discuss the NMS budget.

4 May 2022 Angus Robertson met the NMS Chair and Director.

1 June 2022 Neil Gray visited the National Museum of Flight and met with the NMS Chair and Director.

8 June 2022 Angus Robertson attended an NMS Board meeting.

1 Dec 2022 Angus Robertson had a phone call with the NMS Chair.

6 Dec 2022 Angus Robertson met the Chairs of NMS and NLS at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the future of Scotland's National Collections.

15 Dec 2022 Neil Gray had a budget call with the Chair of NMS budget day.

22 March 2023 Neil Gray met with the NMS Chair and Director to discuss key priorities.

27 June 2023 I, as newly appointed Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, had an introductory meeting with the NMS Chair and Director.

As a public body in receipt of grant-in-aid officials have met regularly with the National Museums Scotland since May 2021.

Scottish Government officials have held quarterly meetings with Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) since May 2021 as part of the grant management process. Officials have also met with staff from SCILT to discuss projects on an ad-hoc basis.