Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government accepted the Grouse Moor Management Group’s recommendation that muirburn should be subject to tighter regulation and only be undertaken under licence.

In considering our response to the Grouse Moor Management Group report, we took into account a wide range of reports and evidence, including:

• Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Scottish Government commissioned research on the socio-economic impacts of grouse moor management.
• The recommendations of the Independent Deer Working Group.
• The Climate Change Committee report published in January 2020.

We also consulted with other Scottish Government agencies and non-departmental public bodies such as NatureScot, SEPA, and Scottish Forestry, as well as considering the evidence and views put forward by a wide range of stakeholders.

We recognise the benefits muirburn can have for certain types of land management, and although some aspects of muirburn, are already controlled, e.g. close seasons, our assessment is that increased monitoring and regulation of muirburn will reduce the negative impacts muirburn can have on biodiversity and carbon management.

In the first year of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, 2021 to 2022, we funded 64 projects supporting adults living in Dundee.

These were:

Improving mental health is a priority for the Scottish Government and we remain committed to meet the standard that 90% of patients start treatment within 18 weeks of referral by March 2023.

Public Health Scotland’s statistical release providing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Psychological Services waiting times for the quarter ending 31 March 2023 will be available on 6 June 2023.

I jointly agreed with the Finance and Public Administration Committee that the 2023-24 Scottish Budget will be published on 15 December 2022. The draft Budget (Scotland) Bill 2023-24 will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament within 7 days of that date.

While responsibility for immigration rests with the UK and we are clear the UK immigration system is not working for Scotland’s economy, public services or communities, the Scottish Government will do all we can to attract and retain people in Scotland. Last year we launched Moving to Scotland – an online resource providing information and signposting to people who have just moved to Scotland or who are thinking of moving here. In addition to Moving to Scotland we have committed to launching a Talent Attraction and Migration Service that will attract people to come and live in Scotland, help those moving to Scotland settle into their communities and support employers to navigate the immigration system. We are currently designing the service to ensure it achieves these outcomes and once we have completed this phase, will launch the service during 2023.

Migration from the rest of the UK to Scotland:

Estimates from National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that an annual average of 38,543 working-age (16-64) people have migrated from the rest of the UK to Scotland over the last five years of data (2016-17 to 2020-21).

However, over the same period, there has also been an average annual outflow (from Scotland to other parts of the UK) of 31,585 working age people – an annual average net flow (inflows minus outflows) of 6,958.

As part of our priority National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) action, an Industry Advisory Group for rest of UK (rUK) Talent Attraction, chaired by Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Minister, Ivan McKee, has been formed to share talent attraction expertise to identify and develop effective approaches to attracting talent from rUK.

The Industry Advisory Group (IAG) has met four times since being established in April 2022. The Group’s membership includes senior leaders from the Life Sciences, Tech / FinTech, Advanced Manufacturing – mechanical and electronics, Financial Services, Space and Renewables sectors, and has identified priority workstreams including; Data, Skills Shortages, Advertising and Marketing, Landing Support and Partner Support, Student Retention and Alumni; and Existing Pools of Talent.

The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns any form of hatred or prejudice, and is clear that people of all faiths and none must be supported to follow their way of life, without fear or discrimination.

I established the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group to provide collective cross-sectoral strategic leadership in the development of a new strategy, which will set out our priorities for tackling hatred and prejudice in Scotland. Importantly, it will be informed by communities with lived experience of hate crime, including religiously motivated hate crime. We are aware of the harmful impact online hatred can have on individuals and communities and this will be considered as the strategy is developed.

Furthermore, we are committed to tackling prejudice and building resilient communities within which divisive messages will not resonate, including continuing to support the important interfaith engagement work that takes place across Scotland.

As co-chair of Under2 Coalition European region, I attended the Under2 General Assembly in New York where it was announced that Scotland will continue its role as co-chair for a second term.

The General Assembly took place alongside New York Climate Week, which offered an important opportunity to meet with many counterparts, including fellow Under2 members, UN representatives including Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities, and other climate leaders.

I also hosted an investment event promoting a number of Scottish green tech companies and met with Damilola Ogunbiyi – CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, confirming Scotland’s commitment to the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact (CFE).

Renewable energy, Hydrogen development, Just Transition, Financing and Climate Justice were common themes in New York. I also took part in a Loss and Damage panel and used the opportunity to promote the conference Scotland is hosting on loss and damage next month (11-12 October).

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that transfers of interest relating to properties over 3000 hectares are counted where:

• at least one applicant in the application for registration was designated as acting in the capacity of trustee
• the transfer of interest is not classified as a full market sale according to the Registers of Scotland property market report methodology.

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that transfers of interest relating to properties over 1000 hectares were counted where:

• at least one applicant in the application for registration was designated as acting in the capacity of trustee
• the transfer of interest is not classified as a full market sale according to the Registers of Scotland property market report methodology

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that transfers of interest relating to properties over 2000 hectares were counted where:

• at least one applicant in the application for registration was designated as acting in the capacity of trustee
• the transfer of interest is not classified as a full market sale according to the Registers of Scotland property market report methodology