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Ministers and Scottish Government officials have discussed matters relating to the forthcoming Visitor Levy Bill with a wide range of stakeholders including the Association of Scotland's Self Caterers, UK Hospitality, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the B&B Association, the Scottish Guesthouse and B&B Alliance, the European Tourism Association, Edinburgh Hotels Association, COSLA and individual councils, Visit Scotland and also a number of other relevant organisations and individuals covering a broad range of interests ranging from companies operating significant visitor attractions to Police Scotland.

The £20 billion finance gap figure for nature-related outcomes in Scotland was reported in research by the Green Finance Institute in 2021. The finance gap is defined as the difference between required spending and committed/planned spending to deliver desired nature-related outcomes, for 10 years from 2022. Given the complexity in determining this figure and the volume of related evidence, £20 billion is a central estimate within a range of models. Optimistic assessments of the gap suggest the figure could be £15 billion while more pessimistic models suggest it could be £27 billion. The main component costs for the central estimate include climate mitigation through bio-carbon (£9 billion) and protecting and restoring biodiversity (£8 billion). The report makes clear the assumptions made in reaching these estimates. This work and the report were steered by an independent project board comprising public, private and third sector organisations from across the UK. Scottish public sector representation was provided by NatureScot and Scottish Forestry.

The Scottish Government and relevant agencies will continue to monitor and refine estimates as natural capital markets mature and our work in this area develops.

The partnership is actively exploring alternative models of ownership with the Scottish Land Commission and has already held two workshops to explore these opportunities. In addition, existing routes to community ownership remain open across the whole of Scotland, not just in this area, through Asset Transfer Request and Community Rights to Buy. The Scottish Government also continues to support community ownership through the Scottish Land Fund, which will be doubled to £20m by 2026.

The Climate Change Committee, an independent statutory body, published their report on Voluntary Carbon Markets and Offsetting in October 2022, concluding that high-integrity carbon credits purchased by businesses can play a small but important role in supporting the transition to net zero.

Establishing a values-led, high-integrity market for responsible private investment in natural capital is a commitment of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, and the Scottish Government is working to ensure that this is one of a number of measures used to achieve a just transition. In support of this, our Interim Principles for Responsible Investment in Natural Capital make clear that investments should create benefits that are shared between public, private and community interests.

Following discussions with the operator, Serco NorthLink Ferries, it was clear that the associated works required in order to change the date mid-contract would have a cost and impact to all customers.

We will however seek to revert to the previous date that would open the bookings from October, noting that the previous delays were to allow funding to be found to freeze the fares due to the cost of living crisis.

No direct funding has been provided from the Scottish Government to community organisations, third sector organisations and educational facilities with the explicit aim of promoting an understanding of Scotland’s role within the British Empire.

Following the motion passed by the Scottish Parliament showing solidarity with anti-racism in June 2020, funding was provided to Museums Galleries Scotland for the Empire, Slavery and Scotland's Museums project, which was run by an independent steering group, and included a national consultation on attitudes to museums and racism. The Scottish Government provided £100,000 in 2020-2021, with a further £142,000 in 2021-2022 to complete the project and begin follow up work.

We will fulfil our commitment to introduce the Visitor Levy Bill in the current Parliamentary Year.

Details of the responsibilities of the Minister for Independence can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at: Minister for Independence - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot ) .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16876 on 25 April 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to contact the member directly with an answer to his question. I can confirm that Historic Environment Scotland would be happy to arrange site visits for the member to discuss matters with its experts.