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The high cost of energy prices combined with inflation is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable consumers, including those living with disabilities.

We were disappointed that the UK Government did not answer our calls to extend the Energy Bills Support Scheme as part of its Spring Budget Statement. The removal of the support scheme means a typical household’s annual bill will increase by around 19%. That is why the First Minister recently announced that our Fuel Insecurity Fund will be increased to up to £30 million in the next financial year to support the most vulnerable households in Scotland. In addition, our winter heating payment has been launched, providing a stable and reliable annual £50 payment to around 400,000 low-income individuals. This benefit is an investment of over £20m each year which is more than double the £8.3m provided on average by the UK Government in each of the last 7 years.

Following the progress made at the Scottish Government energy summits held last year, we continue to work with energy suppliers to explore ways to mitigate the impact of rising energy costs on those who are struggling to pay their bills and heat their homes.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website . The spreadsheets include a wide range of information including details of the organisation/individuals Ministers met along with the subject discussed.

Officials across the Scottish Government regularly engage with gender equality stakeholders as part of the policy development process. Officials work closely with the Young Women’s Movement as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to advancing gender equality and our work to increase the participation of women in politics and eradicate violence against women and girls.

The Covid Recovery Strategy, published in October 2021, set out a joint vision between the Scottish Government and Local Government for Scotland’s recovery which focused on reducing systemic inequalities, tackling poverty and supporting people and communities most affected during the pandemic. The strategy set out three priority outcomes: to increase financial security for low income households; to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people; and to create good, green jobs and fair work. The Covid Recovery Strategy also set out an overarching ambition to reform public services, in line with the principles of the Christie Commission, so that they are person-centred and outcome-focused.

The Covid Recovery Strategy included over 70 actions which were funded through existing portfolios and the Scottish Government has made progress towards our Covid Recovery outcomes by, for example: increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week; doubling the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £20 million; providing local authorities with additional funding for Discretionary Housing Payments; investing at least £50 million in 2023/24 in a Whole Family Wellbeing Programme; and investing in the Green Jobs Fund and Green Jobs Workforce Academy.

The Covid Recovery Strategy Programme Board met for the first time in January 2022 and was co-chaired by the former Deputy First Minister and the COSLA President. The Board includes representatives from Local Government, business organisations and the third sector and has overseen the collaborative and joint delivery of the Covid Recovery Strategy. It has ensured progress towards the three Covid Recovery outcomes and overarching ambition of public service reform. The Board met most recently in January 2023 and minutes are available on the Scottish Government website .

The Covid Recovery Strategy programme is due to conclude in the summer of 2023, although the Scottish Government will build on this programme to continue to deliver for people across Scotland. The priorities of the Covid Recovery Strategy align with the 2023/24 Scottish Budget which focuses on tackling child poverty, transforming the economy to deliver a just transition to net zero, and achieving fiscally sustainable public services.

The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role local authorities play in communities across Scotland. Through various published strategies and plans, as well as sponsorship of our public bodies, we support and empower local authorities to act on behalf of the communities they serve.

Examples include our Culture Strategy, which celebrates the diversity and excellence of Scottish culture – past, present and future. National Planning Framework 4 approved by the Parliament in January 2023 recognises Scotland’s rich heritage, culture and outstanding environment as national assets that develop local economy, identity, and boosts health and wellbeing

Historic Environment Scotland has published a suite of documents on its website covering management of traditional buildings. It supports local communities through its Heritage and Place programme of area-based funding that aims to contribute to the development of vibrant and sustainable places in Scotland, through community-led regeneration of the historic environment. The Culture Collective programme, administrated by Creative Scotland with over £10m of Scottish Government funding to date, supports projects that celebrate local social history, and empowers communities to shape and share the story of their place.

The Scottish Government’s grant in aid to Historic Environment Scotland in 2023-24 is to support the priorities agreed by Ministers in its corporate plan, Heritage for All, and enables HES to invest in fair staff pay, in running and maintaining its properties, in giving grants to the heritage sector and in fulfilling its advisory and regulatory functions.

The public sector reform agenda announced as part of the 2023-24 budget is to ensure public services remain sustainable and are best placed to deliver improved outcomes. Guidance has been issued to Historic Environment Scotland and other public bodies around key themes including where savings, improved performance and improved service delivery can be achieved by working together.

Updated Fair Work First guidance was published on 24 March, that supports public sector grant managers and recipients to pay at minimum the real Living Wage and provide appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, within the limits on devolved competence, from 1 July 2023.

Local authorities are statutorily responsible for taking forward flood protection schemes and other actions to reduce flood risk. In 2016, agreement was reached between Scottish Ministers and COSLA on a new strategic funding plan for flood protection. The agreement guarantees that until 2026 the level of flooding capital grant in the local government settlement is set at a minimum of £42 million per annum. 80% of the available £42 million is allocated to prioritised flood schemes and the other 20% is allocated between all 32 councils to take forward other flood risk management actions.

The Programme for Government published in 2020 included a commitment to invest an extra £150 million in flood risk management over 5 years in addition to the £42 million per annum. This funding will also be distributed to local authorities through the general capital grant. We are working with partners on the best way of allocating this additional funding.

Invites to join our Accessible Housing and Independent Living Stakeholder group were sent in October 2022 and the group had a productive first meeting on 3 November 2022, giving constructive feedback to our Housing for Varying Needs review.

a) Membership of the group includes the following:

• Age Scotland
• Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers
• Carers Trust
• Care & Repair Scotland
• Chartered Institute of Housing
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Disability Equality Scotland
• Health and Care Directorate
• Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living
• Glasgow Disability Alliance
• Hanover Housing Association
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Housing Options Scotland
• Homes for Scotland
• Housing Support Enabling Unit
• Motor Neuron Disease Scotland
• Our Positive Voice
• Regional Networks Tenant Representatives
• Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
• Scotland’s Housing Network
• Scottish Association of Landlords
• Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities
• Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
• Scottish Older People’s Assembly.

b) The Terms of Reference have yet to be agreed in detail by the group, but its purpose is to advise on the relevant commitments in the Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 strategy document in relation to Housing for older people and disabled people.

The second meeting in 2023 of the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group was scheduled for 30 March. Following the announcement of the SNP leadership contest, this meeting was postponed and rescheduled for 20 April 2023.