Chamber and committees

The Cabinet Undersecretary and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which we spoke about the shared challenges that the COVID19 pandemic had brought to the culture sector and our Culture Strategy for Scotland, setting out our vision on how to protect and empower culture.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Director and I had a constructive meeting in December last year during which we discussed language learning in Scotland.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Minister and I had a constructive meeting last year in Paris during which we discussed culture, heritage and sports diplomacy.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Secretary of State and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which we spoke about areas of collaboration with Spain, in particular depopulation, culture and the challenges of the cost of living crisis.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Director General and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which we exchanged views on the depopulation challenges that both Scotland and Spain face and, following from the work done recently by officials in the Scottish Government’s Population and Migration team, proposed a policy exchange so that we can learn from the expertise in both countries.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussion. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Canadian Ambassador to the EU and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about trade and cultural links between Scotland and Canada, as well as both countries' energy and climate change priorities.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Belgian Minister of Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and the Green Deal and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about the circular economy, wellbeing economy and climate governance policy matters.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Financial support for travel to hospital is available for patients and authorised escorts, in line with eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

We continue to work with Boards to build on the significant innovation seen throughout the pandemic, in order to limit the need for travel where possible and clinically appropriate. For example, through increased use of digital and technological solutions such as Near Me to improve flexibility of care.

Where travel is necessary, Boards are expected to support patients to identify and access support available, taking account individual circumstances and ensuring patient care is at the centre of all decisions.

Ofcom’s Connected Nations report for 2022 – published on 15th December – indicates that over 99% of all properties across Scotland can access a reliable broadband connection, with less than 1% unable to access broadband of at least 2 Megabits per second (Mbps).

Ofcom figures also show that gigabit-capable broadband access across Scotland has increased substantially in recent years from just 10% at the start of 2020 to 62% in September 2022. This is, in large part, a direct result of the policies we have put in place to improve Scotland’s digital connectivity, despite telecommunications being reserved to Westminster. The Scottish Government’s investment in the R100 programme is also now delivering full-fibre, gigabit-capable connections at pace in some of our most rural communities.

In the south of Scotland, the additional £36 million investment we announced in August 2022 will extend full-fibre broadband access to a further 2,637 properties across Scotland – including 1,149 properties through the R100 South contract on top of the 20,740 properties already within contract build plans.

The R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme – offering vouchers worth up to £5,000 for properties not within R100 contract or commercial build plans – remains available. We are seeking to drive demand in a number of ways – sharing case studies and updates online; working with public sector partners, including local authorities, to raise awareness of the scheme locally; and liaising with suppliers registered to the scheme to encourage them to proactively identify opportunities for voucher-funded projects.

We also continue to urge the UK Government to ensure that their investment in Project Gigabit is targeted at the hardest-to-reach properties in Scotland, thus extending gigabit coverage even further into rural Scotland and eliminating the need for some of those properties to require a voucher at all.