Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-37059

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recently published Evaluation of Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFG), which highlighted that a majority of marine stakeholders believe that the 15-year-old RIFG model is not delivering on its remit, whether it is considering other co-management models, including English IFCAs, and what the reasoning is for its decision.

At the current time the RIFGs remain our chosen mechanism for providing inshore fishers a strong voice in matters which affect them and a forum to discuss fisheries management issues. We will utilise the findings of the review to help address stakeholder concerns. This will complement changes that have been implemented to our Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) group and subgroups following their own review, strengthening our two key stakeholder engagement networks.

In the longer term, the Scottish Government’s Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement (IFMI) programme seeks to transition our inshore fisheries management to a more agile model with co-management at its heart. We recently held a twelve week Call for Evidence to gather the expert input needed to help inform development of this landmark policy. The responses and supplementary evidence received during this call will be considered alongside an internal review of other international models of inshore fisheries management, including the English IFCAs. Together these will inform the development of a new model of inshore fisheries management for Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-36303

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it appears to have dropped commitments from its Future Fisheries Management strategy 12-point action plan to (a) apply a cap on fishing activity in inshore waters (up to three nautical miles) and (b) review and revise the management of unused "latent" scallop fishing entitlements, in light of these actions not being included in the recent delivery plan update, which was published on 20 March 2025.

The Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement Programme, launched in 2024, aims to develop a more agile and regional inshore fisheries management framework. Our Call for Evidence on the programme closed on 18 February 2025 and the submissions received are currently being analysed.

This is a transformational project for inshore fisheries in Scotland, supporting delivery of locally appropriate management solutions. As such, the Scottish Government is not currently progressing proposals for a national cap on fishing activity in our inshore waters or reviewing the management of Scottish scallop entitlements.

Question reference: S6W-37060

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) reasoning and (b) supporting evidential basis is for its decision to split the Fisheries Management and Conservation Group (FMAC) into separate commercial fishing and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations, also known as eNGOs, groupings, and what its position is on how this decision impacts the principle of inclusivity in fisheries management, as set out in the Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030.

Further to the answer to S6W-36304 on 9 April 2025, the decision to split the Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) Group was taken following a review of the Group that was undertaken last year. The review found that the way the FMAC Group had been operating was hampering effective co-management. The review findings, which were in line with my officials’ observations from recent meetings, provided the evidential basis for the decision. The revised structure will enable co-management and help ensure that our fisheries management continues to be inclusive.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question reference: S6W-36760

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 30 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much in Barnett consequential funding it has received each year as a result of UK Government expenditure on cladding remediation, and how this compares to how much it has spent on its Cladding Remediation Programme.

Scottish Ministers have said they expect to spend at least the equivalent of the £97.1 million received inconsequential funding on Cladding Remediation, and will do so when it is appropriate.

The Scottish Government expects that the cost of cladding remediation work to be met through a combination of responsible developers assessing and remediating their own buildings, funding allocated through the Scottish Government budget, and receipts from the proposed Scottish Building Safety Levy.

We publish spend relating to the programme on a quarterly basis. Further information regarding this can be found at Single Building Assessment programme: spending information - gov.scot. The figures will be updated in due course to reflect Q4 2024-25 spend.

Our spending on remediation costs can only follow a full end to end process. This includes checking buildings are in scope, commissioning a Single Building Assessment, completing that robust technical assessment, identifying the works that need to be carried out, designing those works and gaining the necessary approvals, and then carrying out the remediation itself.

Investment in the programme continues with £52.2m allocated in the 2025-2026 Scottish Government budget to support delivery and acceleration.

Question reference: S6W-36306

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, since the beginning of 2022, how many meetings it has held with representatives of (a) environmental and conservation organisations and (b) the fishing industry to discuss Marine Protected Areas.

Question reference: S6W-36305

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it has assessed whether fishing gear purchased through Marine Fund Scotland has improved the sustainability and selectivity of bottom trawl fishing.

Applications for fishing gear, which is the subject of assistance through the Marine Fund Scotland, are considered against the aims of the Fisheries Management Strategy with further input where required from Marine Directorate fishing technology and science leads. Projects are also subject to Post Project Monitoring, where applicants are asked to confirm whether the gear has achieved the intended outcomes such as greater selectivity & sustainability.

Question reference: S6W-36038

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 23 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking in rural areas, particularly in the Highlands, to improve (a) mental health services for vulnerable people and (b) adult social support.

The Scottish Government recognise that people in rural areas, particularly those who are vulnerable, can experience particular challenges in relation to their mental health, wellbeing and social care support.

Decisions around the provision of mental health services are a local responsibility and are delivered through a mixture of NHS, local authority and third sector organisations. Mental Health services will vary depending the local population needs and will be guided by clinical decision making.

While we expect service decisions to be taken locally, we have invested £66 million in our Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults since 2021. The Fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention and prioritises a range of ‘at risk’ groups including those people disadvantaged by geographical location (particularly remote and rural areas) with over 900 awards being made to community projects supporting people disadvantaged by geographical location (including rural areas) since its inception.

Social care funding has been increased by this government to ensure quality care is delivered in Scotland. We expect all partners involved to work together for the benefit of people supported in care across Scotland and ensure the continuity of care for all those who need it.

While we are investing almost £2.2 billion for social care and integration we do recognise that there are particular challenges faced in rural areas such as the Highlands and despite substantial funding increases, significant these challenge remains – prevention, early intervention and reform remain critical to delivering an effective, efficient and sustainable health and social care system.

Question reference: S6W-36309

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its inshore Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features consultation, how long from the beginning of the consultation it anticipates it will take for any necessary protections to be implemented and enforced.

Developing evidence-based and effective fisheries management measures, and robustly undertaking statutory requirements, for more than 160 sites and areas within the inshore region is a complicated and challenging process. It is on a scale not previously undertaken therefore it is not possible to give a definitive timeline for how long it will take following the consultation as this will be impacted by a number of factors including: the length of the consultation, number of responses and the output of the statutory assessments. We are continuing to work at pace to ensure progress is made as quickly as possible.

Question reference: S6W-36310

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29794 by Gillian Martin on 20 September 2024, what its position is on whether it has sufficient time to consult on and adopt measures regarding inshore Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Scottish Ministers have statutory processes they must adhere to in developing and implementing fisheries management measures. As outlined previously in PQ S6W-29794, developing evidence-based and effective fisheries management measures for more than 160 sites and areas within the inshore region is a complicated and challenging process.

For inshore MPAs and PMFs, we are continuing to work at pace to robustly complete the necessary statutory social, economic and environmental assessments. These are currently all being undertaken and we are progressing them as a matter of urgency in preparation for the launch of the public consultation.

We will consult on the proposed fisheries management measures for inshore sites and areas following the completion of these assessments in line with the current Programme for Government.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question reference: S6F-04007

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 April 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2025

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on when the Scottish Government expects to respond to the Loch Long salmon farm planning application.

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