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South Lanarkshire Council was last directly contacted on 25 October, in regards to their road assessment for 20 mph speed limits. In addition a representative from South Lanarkshire Council was present at the 20 mph task group meeting, held on 2 November. They were updated by email on 11 December on the most effective route to implement national 20 mph speed limits by 2025.

The Scottish Government is not responsible for the design of low traffic neighbourhoods; local authorities are responsible for management and maintenance of local roads and paths in their area under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Low traffic neighbourhoods guidance provided alongside the Place Standard Tool on the “Our Place Scotland” website. Local authorities should undertake an equality impact assessment prior to any changes to ensure the needs of our most vulnerable people are taken into account.

The Scottish Government will also launch consultation early in 2024 on new draft guidance to support Inclusive Design for Town Centres and Busy Streets.

On Thursday 9 November, during Portfolio Question Time at a Meeting of Parliament, relating to a question on Social Housing Waiting Lists (Support for Local Authorities) I responded to a point made by Mrs Downey MSP, as follows:

“I will make a number of points on that. When I go round speaking to local authorities and housing associations, I find that the biggest barrier to building more houses just now is inflation. Construction inflation has been around 15 to 20 per cent, which has meant that the £3.5 billion budget that we had set aside has effectively been cut in value by £700 million.”

I referenced this effective cut in value of £700 million based on construction inflation figures being between 15 to 20 per cent; 20 per cent of £3.5 billion equating to £700 million.

An evaluation of the Scottish Government shared equity schemes (Help to Buy, Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) and New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE)) was published in June 2020. The evaluation can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/evaluation-scottish-government-shared-equity-schemes/

The LIFT scheme continues to contribute to the Scottish Government’s 110,000 affordable homes target.

Any decisions on future funding should be determined by The Scottish Government’s budget announcement on the 19 December.

I informed the Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee on 19 December 2023 that I have received the Islands Connectivity Plan Strategic Approach Paper and the Vessels and Ports Plan. I am now taking some time to ensure that they reflect the issues raised in the Committee's recent inquiry into "A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland" and issues that communities have raised with me directly. I intend to publish both documents early this year.

The full text of my letter to the Committee is available here: Minister for Transport (parliament.scot)

The most recent Adult and Child Disability Payment statistics show improvement, with more applications being processed in the last quarter than at any time since the benefits were launched – underlining the strong progress Social Security Scotland are making.

The most recent published statistics show the average processing time for Scottish Child Payment and Adult Disability payments had both reduced, but we recognise there is more to do.

It was announced in the budget that we will invest £6.3 billion in social security benefits and payments, over £1 billion more than in 2023-24 – our single biggest increase on record in social security funding.

Social Security Scotland now administers 14 benefits to the people of Scotland, helping deliver our national mission to tackle child poverty and inequality, treating people with dignity, fairness and respect, and ensuring people receive the benefits they are due. 94% of clients rate their overall experience of receiving benefits as good or very good.

We will set out our approach in the Housing Bill when this is published, which will be according to the vision and principles set out in our New Deal for Tenants consultation published in December 2021.

Our Programme for Government published in September 2023 recommitted to the introduction of a Housing Bill this parliamentary year, to include the introduction of long-term rent controls for the Private Rented Sector.

The Scottish Government supports Zero Waste Scotland to provide guidance to all kinds of organisations and individuals to tackle food waste. In 2023, Zero Waste Scotland published the Food Waste Monitoring Tool Kit for schools and worked with Education Scotland to produce the Food for Thought Programme which is a whole school teaching resource for primary and secondary schools.

The Schools (Scotland) General Regulations 1975 set out the requirements upon schools and education authorities in relation to registration of admissions.