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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-33369

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the priority to "advocate the importance and prominence of new entrants in the sector [including] ensuring new entrants’ and the next generations’ interests are represented in future governmental and non-governmental policy" as set out by the council members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group for 2024-25 has been achieved and, if so, by what method.

The FONE is a collaborative group dedicated to supporting agricultural new entrants and the next generation of Scottish farmers and crofters. Each of the members looks to ensure that their organisation is giving due consideration to new entrant opportunities and further support they can provide.

The group’s success can be evidenced by the 8,272 hectares of land that have been made available to new entrants since 2016. This represents a combined effort from public bodies to maximise new entrant opportunities on public land.

Question reference: S6W-33786

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the rural economy in Scotland of the UK Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025, which comes into effect on 5 February 2025.

Whilst Firearms fees is a reserved matter, the Scottish Government is supportive of this recent increase in contributing towards full cost recovery for Firearms Licensing in Scotland. Police Scotland and stakeholders representing Scottish certificate holders were engaged in the 2022 consultation on the Firearms Fee review.

This is the first increase in Firearms Licensing Fees since 2015 and although these increases will cost those in rural communities more than urban areas due to the nature of rural life in Scotland, the impact on the rural economy is still uncertain. I understand the UK Government have committed to reviewing the licensing fees annually with comprehensive reviews every 3 years. These reviews will involve the Fees Working Group which consists of key stakeholders such as Police Scotland and shooting organisations representing Scottish interests.

I would suggest if people or organisations have concerns, these should be raised at the UKG Fees Working Group, to ensure the voices of all those affected are heard.

Question reference: S6W-33129

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 23 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government which ideas suggested by the Young Islanders Network in relation to the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan were included in the final report.

The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan includes an action for Scottish Government to engage with Youth Scotland and the Young Islanders Network (YIN) to co-develop ideas to encourage young people to move to, or remain within our island communities.

Since publication, as part of this engagement the Scottish Government’s independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population have met with a cohort from the YIN, to gather their input into a forthcoming report on the mobilities of young working age people in rural and island areas. It is envisaged that recommendations from this report will be considered by Scottish Ministers after publication, and where appropriate these will inform the development of future interventions to support population attraction and retention in rural and island areas.

Additionally, engagement with the YIN around the development of the next National Islands Plan (NIP) has already been conducted by Scottish Government officials, highlighting that the next NIP plans to have an overarching focus on population attraction and retention. This engagement will continue prior to publication and delivery of the next NIP, planned for later this year.

Question reference: S6W-33133

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 23 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has committed to maintaining the £8 million of funding for Scottish Innovation Centres that it announced on 17 January 2024, into the 2025-26 financial year.

Higher Education Capital Funding, which includes the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) core funding for research and knowledge exchange has increased by £11.4m (3.2%) to £368.3m for 2025-26. This will enable us to continue to protect our core grant funding and portfolio of research, knowledge exchange and innovation investments, including Innovation Centres, delivered via the SFC

Scottish Government continue to work with the SFC and the sector on implications and allocation of this budget in line with the usual process. Final allocations are expected to be announced in late May.

Question reference: S6O-04262

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to Police Scotland to increase visibility in remote and rural communities and deliver the community policing model, as outlined in the Chief Constable's 2030 vision for safer communities, less crime, supported victims, and a thriving workforce.

Question reference: S6W-33135

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28686 by Jim Fairlie on 19 August 2024, whether it will provide an update on when NatureScot will make a bracken map available.

As noted in the response to question S6W-28686, the Scottish Government is progressing work to develop a bracken mapping layer for Scotland. Officials are liaising with NatureScot and Natural England. The intention is that the map will complement a wider Bracken Strategic Framework, which is being developed for the UK, to aid decision making. There are a number of limitations to be worked through and therefore I am unable to give an indication of timing at this stage. I would be happy to provide an update to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in due course.

Question reference: S6W-32732

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 22 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on (a) foreign travel, (b) foreign accommodation and (c) other expenses associated with official overseas visits for the (i) Lord Advocate and (ii) Solicitor General in the calendar year, 2024.

All costs associated with overseas visits undertaken by the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General in their roles as heads of the systems of prosecution and deaths investigation are paid by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service budget.

In the calendar year 2024 the costs associated with overseas travel for the Lord Advocate, all of which are associated with ongoing criminal investigations and casework, are as follows:

Flights	Accommodation
£4,427.40	£434.67

The Lord Advocate did not undertake any overseas trips in her capacity as a Scottish Minister.

The Solicitor General made no overseas trips in the calendar year 2024.

Question reference: S6W-33128

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 21 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met with the Young Islanders Network to discuss the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (i) prior to and (ii) since its publication.

Taking a partnership approach, Scottish Government, at both a ministerial and official level, engaged with a broad range of stakeholders during the development of the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (ADAP). This engagement was led by the-then Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, who was the lead Minister for the development of the ADAP.

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands has portfolio responsibility for the Scottish Rural & Islands Youth Parliament (SRIYP), of which the Young Islanders Network are a key member. Ms. Gougeon attended the inaugural SRIYP in November 2023, where delegates worked together to agree a series of priority statements or asks of Scottish Government. These 10 priorities (including housing, transport and skills, education and employment) strongly align with the delivery priorities outlined within the (ADAP).

Ms. Gougeon has met with the SRIYP network twice since November 2023 and remains in close contact with the Network. This includes a parliamentary event in January 2024, where SRIYP delegates were supported to attend with £20k of Scottish Government funding. The group met with relevant Ministers to present their 10 priorities, which were later discussed at a parliamentary debate hosted by Ms. Gougeon and the Deputy First Minister. Following this, an online meeting in November 2024 was hosted, where Ms. Gougeon provided an update to attendees on what action Scottish Government has taken across their 10 priorities.

Question reference: S6W-33131

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to each local authority through its Coastal Change Adaptation Fund in each year since 2022-23.

The direct distribution funding is targeted using the risk profile developed through Dynamic Coast research. Since year two, all coastal local authorities can apply for case study funding. The distribution methodology is discussed and agreed through COSLA’s formal financial governance process including recommendations from the jointly attended Settlement and Distribution Group and approval from COSLA Leaders.

The information is available at: Dynamic Coast - Coastal Change Adaptation

Question reference: S6W-32721

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many productions organised by Scottish Ballet have taken place in (a) the Highlands and Islands region and (b) nationally in each year since 2021.

Financial year	No of productions in Scotland	No of productions within Highlands and Islands	Details of engagements in Highlands and Islands
2021-2022	2	2	All in Inverness
2022-2023	3	3	All in Inverness
2023-2024	3	3	Inverness, Orkney & Lewis
2024-2025	3	2	All in Inverness