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The Scottish Government and licensing authorities have agreed a specification for the collection of data relating to short-term let licensing applications. This is available to view at Short-term lets: data collection specification - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Quarterly statistics relating to this information were published on 30 August and 20 November 2023, which provide trends for short-term let licensing applications and licences including types of let, types of property, and the application status. It also shows the number of any licence applications refused and indicates the reason for the refusal, including if the applicant is not a fit and proper person or the premises is judged to be unsuitable. The next publication, covering the period 1 July to 30 September 2023, is expected to be published in April 2024.

The recent ClimateXChange Report shows potential for businesses in the sector, the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill will underpin increasing demand in sector giving more confidence to businesses to invest which will be supported by other action such as that set out in Supply Chain Delivery Plan.

NatureScot undertakes a rolling programme of monitoring of the natural features for which our protected areas have been designated. This programme of Site Condition Monitoring looks at around 5,500 such features on nearly 1,900 protected areas across Scotland on a 10-year cycle. This includes all National Nature Reserves (NNRs). The assessment includes recording negative impacts on these natural features, which includes ‘recreational’ pressures where they occur.

The published Official Statistics for 2023 ( https://www.nature.scot/doc/proportion-scotlands-protected-sites-favourable-condition-2023 ) indicated that a total of 308 Sites of Special Scientific Interest features are impacted negatively by a ‘recreational’ pressure. 47 of these features were on NNRs. There are 35 reported instances of recreational activities impacting bird features on NNRs and two impacting otters. Overall, 118 instances of negative recreational impact on birds occur on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and four in relation to otters. Further information on pressures and feature condition can be found at https://informatics.sepa.org.uk/ProtectedNatureSites/ . Recreational disturbance is the fourth most common negative pressure recorded on protected areas after invasive species, over-grazing and water-management.

Where there are potentially significant pressures that have been highlighted or suspected, NatureScot may put in place targeted monitoring to assess likely impacts and inform interventions. On NatureScot managed NNRs examples include monitoring access around breeding terns and seal haul-outs on Forvie NNR, bird numbers and incidents of waterborne access at Muir of Dinnet and Loch Leven NNR and breeding success of black-throated divers at Beinn Eighe NNR. This has informed the development of Local Access Guidance for these sites to manage pressures, for instance by restricting access to certain areas/zones at the most sensitive periods. At present, no specific access measures are considered necessary for otters.

The effectiveness of these measures are reviewed each year with changes made as required in accordance with the recently revised guidance prepared by the National Access Forum on “Managing public access in areas of wildlife sensitivity in Scotland” : https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/doc/guidance-managing-public-access-areas-wildlife-sensitivity-scotland .

This proposal is contained within the current public consultation Delivering net zero for Scotland's buildings - Heat in Buildings Bill: consultation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . A draft business and regulatory impact assessment has been published to support this consultation Heat in Buildings Bill consultation: business and regulatory impact assessment (partial) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

This draft impact assessment and a range of other relevant impact assessments will be developed and then finalised based on the outcome of the consultation. Further development of proposals will then occur and will be the subject of detailed final impact assessments.

The First National Assessment of Potential Heat Network Zones (2022) found that up to 340,000 homes may be located in areas suitable for heat networks in future. This included over 11,000 homes in rural areas, and more information can be found in the First National Assessment here: First National Assessment of Potential Heat Network Zones (www.gov.scot)

Local authorities finalising their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES), which will identify heat network opportunities across Scotland.

Information on public sector support available to businesses in Scotland can be found on FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot.

The Scottish Government supports various cultural and educational initiatives across the Highlands and Islands which safeguard the living heritage of Gaelic communities. Our support of cultural venues such as Cnoc Soilleir in South Uist and the Islay Gaelic Centre provide innovative modern facilities for the celebration of local Gaelic heritage. As an example of this, Cnoc Soilleir recently hosted the first Gaelic Climate Convention exploring the intersection of local Gaelic culture and actions against climate change.

The Scottish Government funds Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Dìleab project which showcases the cultural history of the Outer Hebrides and creates opportunities for intergenerational learning. The online archive Tobar an Dualchais is a vital resource for accessing Gaelic songs and traditions collected by the School of Scottish Studies since the mid-20th century. Its benefits can be seen, among other places, in the inspiration it provides contemporary Scottish musicians to adapt traditional Gaelic music for a modern audience.

Through initiatives such as these, and our funding of the work done by bodies like Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, MG Alba and Stòrlann, the Scottish Government is working to ensure that the living Gaelic heritage of the Highlands and Islands is protected. Our ongoing work on the Scottish Languages Bill and the Scottish Government response to the Report on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic will build on this important work.

The general Intangible Cultural Heritage principles of transparent collaboration, open communication, mutual respect and inclusivity are echoed across the Scottish Government, as well as across the work delivered by our public and national bodies.

The Scottish Government delivers support for cultural and heritage organisations through the sponsorship of our public bodies. In turn, Historic Environment Scotland and Creative Scotland deliver grant programmes to support many varied heritage, traditional skills and cultural practices.

Museums Galleries Scotland, the national development body for Scotland’s museum sector, also distributes grant funding for the Scottish Government to support accredited museums in Scotland which can also showcase Intangible Cultural Heritage and living heritage.

Overall, more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record. 13 posts were advertised in General Psychiatry at ST4 level and 8 (or 61.54%) filled successfully. These figures are accurate as of 25 July and pertain only to the initial recruitment rounds of 2023; end-year data for all UK nations and specialties will be published by NHS England in the coming weeks. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities. Examples in Psychiatry include:

• We continue to fund uplifts in Core Psychiatry, therefore bolstering the supply of trainees who can go on to apply for higher specialty training posts at ST4 level. 10 posts were added in 2022, 15 in 2023 and another 12 will be added in 2024.
• A new working group was established in May 2024 to consider how we can better support the recruitment and retention of both trainee and consultant grade psychiatrists. The group is working to produce a set of actions/recommendations on how we can make psychiatry a more attractive place to work. There have been three meetings of the group so far and discussions to date have been constructive. This work involves SG, NHS Education for Scotland, various Health Board representatives (including trainee doctor representatives) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The Scottish Government acknowledges the profound impacts and hardships inflicted by the October storms on local communities. The Government has been working closely with affected local authorities on a package of support to help people whose homes and businesses were flooded. This package includes extending the Bellwin scheme’s application window to help all Councils, including Argyll and Bute, cover eligible expenditure for urgent repairs.

The Scottish Welfare Fund also provides emergency support to those on low incomes in Scotland, including in Argyll and Bute. Support may be provided through the provision of Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants, including to those who have experienced a disaster situation, such as a flood. Residents can apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund through their Council.