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The Culture and Creativity in Learning Group will support the delivery of the actions in the ‘Culture Strategy for Scotland: Action Plan’, published in December 2023.

We are working closely with the Culture and Creativity in Learning Group in early 2024 to develop a shared workplan.

We are currently in the early stages of establishing a Fair Work Task Force for the creative and cultural sector. The first date will be agreed in due course.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing. However, information on sites participating in Historic Sundays is available on the Historic Environment Scotland website at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/some-of-scotland-s-most-iconic-heritage-sites-set-to-offer-free-admission-this-winter/ .

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

The Scottish Government continues to keep fares comparatively lower on average than across the rest of Great Britain, as we have done for over a decade. ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper provide fares offers throughout the year. For example cheaper advance fares, ‘Kids for a quid’, and Highland Railcard which offers residents 50% reduction on specified routes.

We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, but it comes against the backdrop of real constraints in the total block grant from the UK Government. If we did not implement this increase, we would need to consider alternatives such as reducing services and cutting back on investment in the railway and its people.

The increase has been delayed from the traditional January increase until April, follows a below inflation increase last summer and a period fare freezes for flexi-pass and season tickets.

We have previously answered two FOIs on website visits to the Building a New Scotland Papers:

• Unique online visitor statistics: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Building a New Scotland webpage visitors: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Paper title: Social security in an independent Scotland

Main paper URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-independent-scotland/

Main paper publish date: 6-12-2023

Main paper views in first month (all pages): 4,670

Easy read URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-new-scotland-social-security-independent-scotland-easy-read-version/

Easy read publish date: 6-12-2023

Easy read views or download link clicks in first month: 269

Audio URL: https://soundcloud.com/scotgov/building-a-new-scotland-social-security-in-an-independent-scotland/s-XUJSNClgEUv

Audio publish date: 6-12-2023

Audio link clicks in first month: 7

Community language landing pageURL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-independent-scotland/documents/

Translation publish date: 6-12-2023

Translation downloads in first month:

Arabic: 2

Bengalii: 0

Bulgarian: 1

Cantonese: 0

French: 4

Gaelic: 0

Hindi: 0

Italian: 0

Mandarin: 0

Polish: 0

Punjabi: 0

Romanian: 0

Russian: 0

Spanish: 2

Ukrainian: 0

Urdu: 2

BSL YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnYAdwlHIXE

Date BSL Version Published:6-12-2023

Views in first 30 days: 8

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/ .

Visits are not recorded by parliamentary or constituency region.

Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence provides opportunities across school education for children and young people to deepen their understanding of culture and identity in Scotland (and the wider world) and this can be found in areas such as history, expressive arts, literacy, English and social studies. Within social studies for example is a specific commitment to develop understanding of the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, and an appreciation of local and national heritage within the world.

Colleges operate independently of Government, and as such, it is for them to decide on the shape of their curriculum, taking into account the needs of the region and communities they serve.

Similarly Universities, as autonomous institutions, are responsible for their own course provision and it is for them to decide how to distribute the allocation of funded places between faculties and courses. However the Scottish Government is supportive of post-school provision that promotes Intangible Cultural Heritage principles, such as the Cultural Heritage Futures interdisciplinary degree delivered by the University of Edinburgh.

As the member is aware, the Gaelic and Scots languages contain a wealth of cultural and artistic expression which make an important contribution to Scotland’s diverse linguistic heritage, rich cultural life and to our Intangible Cultural Heritage. These forms of expression are protected and promoted by a number of bodies and institutions in Scottish public life and this support enables schools, colleges and universities to have access to these resources. A wide range of bodies are involved in this task and in relation to Gaelic and Scots, Fèisean nan Gidheal, Tobar an Dualchais, Scots Language Centre and Dictionaries of the Scots Language are among the bodies that have a key role.

Museums Galleries Scotland, the national development body for Scotland’s museum sector, also distributes grant funding provided by the Scottish Government to support accredited museums in Scotland, including those hosted by Scottish universities, which can also showcase living heritage.

The general Intangible Cultural Heritage principles of transparent collaboration, open communication, mutual respect and inclusivity are intrinsic to the way the Scottish Government operates. From the National Performance Framework values to the Programme for Government’s key priorities of equality, opportunity and community, the Scottish Government is committed to transparency and respect as we work with and for all the people of Scotland.

Scotland’s strategy for the Historic Environment “Our Past our Future” sets out a national mission to sustain and enhance the benefits of Scotland’s historic environment, for people and communities both now and into the future. Be that through the Intangible Cultural Heritage of local stories, traditions, rituals, crafts, customs, music, poetry and languages Gaelic, Scots, as well as the languages spoken by Scotland’s migrant communities which are all essential to understanding and passing on our shared living heritage.

However, Intangible Cultural Heritage does not exist independently from the people who create and enact it, and who identify with it. Therefore, it is important that our local communities take the lead to shape our Intangible Cultural Heritage and lead from the ground up to define and share cultural practices and customs.