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Following the decision in the UK Budget to implement a retail-specific discounted business rate in England from April 2026, the Scottish Government has received representations from retail representative organisations including the Scottish Retail Consortium and others through correspondence and through the Non-Domestic Rates Consultative Group.

The Scottish Government recognises the report’s findings on increasing pressure on Shetland’s marine space from energy developments and will use it to inform our fisheries co-existence work.

We are committed to managing Scotland’s seas to ensure sustainable use of resources and to minimise impacts on existing users, including fishers.

Shetland’s fishing fleet and the wider Scottish sector are vital to our economy and communities, and we aim to secure a prosperous future for them while meeting net zero targets. To achieve this, we are updating the Sectoral Marine Plan for offshore wind, developing National Marine Plan 2, and commissioning work on cumulative impacts.

Fishing representatives are key stakeholders in these processes, and we will continue to engage with them through planning and consenting stages, alongside workstreams under the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council to support coexistence between offshore wind and fisheries.

The Scottish Government offers a competitive non-domestic rates regime to support businesses and communities worth an estimated £730 million in 2025-26, with nearly half of all non-domestic properties in Scotland paying no rates. This includes the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), the most generous relief scheme of its kind in the UK, which reduces the rates bill for small businesses by nearly £250 million as at June 2025.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was approved by the Scottish Parliament in February 2023, before the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act commenced. Its implementation reflects children’s rights principles, including participation and wellbeing considerations.

For individual development proposals, including national developments and cases under sections 36 or 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, applicants are not legally required to prepare a CRWIA. However, Ministers must act compatibly with UNCRC requirements.

Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a CRWIA for strategic decisions affecting children’s rights and wellbeing—high-level decisions that may impact the Government’s ability to respect, protect, and fulfil these rights. These typically include setting policy priorities, allocating resources, and policy delivery, but not routine operational decisions (e.g. many planning or licensing cases).

Strategic decisions are usually made by Ministers but can also be made on their behalf. They generally influence how the Scottish Government implements laws and policies over the long term, though urgent short- or mid-term decisions may also qualify. Strategic decisions may form part of an overarching plan. Ministers also intend to carry out CRWIAs for any changes or reviews of such decisions.

The Scottish Government, in partnership with Commonwealth Games Scotland, considered multiple venues across Glasgow for Team Scotland House. The Corinthian was assessed as the best venue based on several factors, including proximity to travel routes, security and space requirements.

As this is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise, I have asked its Chief Executive, Adrian Gillespie to respond to you directly.

The information requested is not held centrally.

We expect Health Boards to plan for their workforce in conjunction with their responsibilities under the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. The Act places duties on Health Boards to ensure that at all times suitably qualified and competent individuals are working in such numbers as are appropriate for the health, wellbeing and safety of patients, the provision of high-quality care and the wellbeing of staff.

On the 29 October I announced the establishment of the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce. The Taskforce will complement the existing audit and inspection system in place in Scotland, and provide support and expertise on implementation of policy, service standards, and improvement activity across NHS Boards. It will be chaired by the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.

The Scottish Government is also taking action as part of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce (NMT) to drive lasting change to improve retention and attraction into these professions. The NMT recommended actions are designed to have a meaningful and lasting impact on workforce wellbeing. They aim to address key issues such as workload, professional development, and workplace culture to create a more supportive and sustainable environment for Nurses and Midwives to work.

The Inverness Gull Management Plan Pilot is currently being developed by NatureScot in partnership with Highland Council. The first version of the plan is expected to be in place ahead of the 2026 breeding season. It is being designed as an adaptive framework—flexible, evidence-based, and subject to ongoing refinement through regular review.

The Scottish Government was unable to provide a definitive response to question S6W-41921, as the pilot plan will require continuous updates and adjustments. Consequently, it is not possible to confirm a date for when the plan will be fully finalised.

Given the ongoing Harbour Revision Order application process regarding establishing a new harbour authority for Oban Harbour, it would not be appropriate for Ministers or Transport Scotland officials to discuss specific details of the application with interested parties at this time. The Harbour Revision Order application process has included a formal consultation and subsequent Written Representation period, allowing all interested parties to submit their views on the proposal. Those views are currently being considered before a formal decision is made by Ministers.