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It is not for the Scottish Government to issue immediate instructions or temporary guidance to public bodies or services, and we are not responsible for monitoring or enforcing compliance with the Equality Act 2010. That is the statutory role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Each public body should consider the impacts of the Supreme Court ruling and prepare for the updated Code of Practice from the EHRC.

As an independent non-departmental body, the Care Inspectorate operates at arm’s length from Government and issues its own guidance independently from the Scottish Government to maintain its role as an impartial and objective regulator.

As the Care Inspectorate is an independent non-departmental body, it operates at arm’s length from Government. The Care Inspectorate issues its own guidance independently from the Scottish Government to maintain its role as an impartial and objective regulator.

The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland a competitive destination for business and talent. While key tax powers such as Corporation Tax remain reserved to the UK Government, we use our limited devolved powers to deliver a fair, progressive tax system that raises significant revenue. Tax and economic policy decisions made by the UK Government have a direct impact on Scottish finances and the delivery of our priorities, including economic growth.

Since the introduction of Scottish Income Tax more taxpayers have come to Scotland than have left. In 2021-22, the latest year of data, net migration of taxpayers was positive across all tax bands and almost all age groups. We closely monitor the impacts of our policy decisions on taxpayers, businesses, and the economy using a range of evidence such as real time economic data, formal evaluations and engagement with stakeholders, including the business community. We are also committed to directly supporting businesses including maintaining the Small Business Bonus Scheme at the rates and thresholds introduced in 2023-24. This scheme remains the remains the most generous scheme of its kind in the UK.

The average time taken to determine planning applications not subject to processing agreements for the first two quarters of 2024-25 in Scotland was as follows:

• for local developments: 11.1 weeks in Q1 and 11.9 weeks in Q2; and

• for major developments: 35.5 weeks in Q1 and 35.2 weeks in Q2.

Statistics for the average length of time to determine planning applications subject to processing agreements are not held centrally. For those applications, statistics are published on the number and percentage of decisions meeting the timescales agreed through processing agreements.

The average time taken to determine planning applications for Q1 and Q2 of
2024-25 for each local authority can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/planning-application-statistics-2024-25-april-2024-september-2024/.

The planning application statistics for Q3 and Q4 of 2024-25 and the annual statistics are not yet published. These will be available on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/collections/planning-statistics/.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of staff currently employed in local authority planning services.

However, each planning authority in Scotland has recently participated in the new National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF), which is being led by the National Planning Improvement Champion. The performance assessments for 22 authorities are available at: https://www.improvementservice.org.uk/products-and-services/planning-and-place-based-approaches/national-planning-improvement/national-planning-improvement-framework/improvement-action-plans-and-performance-assessments. The reports include information on the number of staff in individual authorities.

The Scottish Government recognises the financial and capacity pressures on the planning system and is taking forward a package of changes to provide authorities with additional resources. Planning fees were increased in line with inflation last December, and further changes are due to come into force this month. Through the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan, we are coordinating skills development across the planning sector in Scotland.

In addition, Scotland’s National Planning Hub is providing additional surge capacity and resource to help authorities to respond to current challenges, and to enable them to accelerate their activities this financial year.

We are also supporting an increase in planners coming into the profession, particularly through direct recruitment and training in our Future Planners programme, and a trebling of the planning bursaries we are offering this year.

Funding has been identified in the 2025-26 budget for a potential contract start on NIFS Freighter replacements. The outline business case work has identified a Freight Flex option as the preferred concept for the two replacement vessels, with higher freight capacity, higher operating speed, and ability to carry up to 200 passengers. CMAL will be progressing a two stage competitive procurement starting soon with a view to signing contracts in early 2026, subject to relevant processes and approval of the final business case.

The delivery of two new vessels for the NIFS routes from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland will support the communities and businesses using this service for years to come, providing additional capacity, particularly during the peak summer and livestock movements periods.

The Scottish Government is grateful for the latest advice from the Climate Change Committee on Scotland’s Carbon Budgets.

We will carefully consider the Committee’s advice before bringing forward regulations to set carbon budget levels for Scotland. This will include consideration of the target setting criteria set out under the act, and an assessment of whether the pace of decarbonisation is appropriate for people, sectors and businesses across Scotland. Any carbon budgets proposed via secondary legislation must provide an achievable pathway to net zero in 2045.

Work is ongoing on the development of the next Climate Change Plan which will cover the period 2026-2040. Parliament will be updated once the new timetable for the next Climate Change Plan is finalised. The forthcoming Climate Change Plan will outline policies and proposals which will set out in further detail how we intend to deliver action to tackling climate change across all key areas of the economy, including land use. It will, of course, be subject to all necessary impact assessments to ensure rural and island interests are fully considered.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to continuing to support our agricultural industry with both the core role of sustainable food production and in terms of integrated land use, we are also in the process of developing our Land Use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan. This plan will focus on the wider livelihoods, skills, health, and wellbeing of those who live in and rely on Scotland’s land and agricultural sector for their livelihoods and wellbeing, as well as focusing on supporting thriving rural and island communities.

Scotland has a strong record in attracting foreign direct investment and our Inward Investment Plan (IIP) plays a central role in supporting this by targeting key sectors including HealthTech, energy transition and advanced manufacturing.

Scotland’s IIP outlines a plan for Scotland to be a leading destination for inward investment aligned with Scotland’s values of fair work, net zero and inclusive prosperity. It takes an evidence-led approach to identifying Scotland’s strengths, aligning these with current and projected global investment flows, and set out a series of actions to attract high quality inward investment to Scotland.

The Scottish Government and Enterprise Agencies work closely with both domestic and international businesses to secure and grow their operations in Scotland, ensuring long-term economic benefit and job creation.

ZeroAvia’s recent investment at Glasgow Airport, is one example of how our approach to inward investment, aligned with our values and net zero goals, is delivering real results, and creating high-value jobs. Scotland remains the top UK location for inward investment outside of London for the ninth year running, securing a record 142 projects in 2023 – a testament to the strength of our strong investment approach.

The Climate Change Committee’s projection of a 36% reduction in cattle and sheep numbers by 2045 is based on UK-wide dietary modelling and does not reflect Scotland-specific market dynamics. The Scottish Government has no policy to reduce livestock numbers and is committed to supporting the sector to improve productivity, resilience and emissions intensity.

Alongside exploring options such as improved breeding and methane-reducing feed products, the Scottish Government is supporting rural communities to integrate new income streams alongside existing farming enterprises, including through tree planting and bioenergy crops.

We are also investing £40 million annually through the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme to help improve beef herd efficiency, implementing calving interval conditionality. This support enables farmers to reduce emissions intensity while maintaining production – ensuring that high-quality Scottish beef continues to be produced sustainably..