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Under the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015, the Scottish Government has a British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan in place for 2017 to 2023 with 70 actions across ten long-term ambitions. The Scottish Government published the BSL Progress Report on 27 October 2021, which provided an update on the implementation of the National Plan. It shows progress on a range of fronts, including education, BSL/English interpreting, and public life. The report outlines how Scottish Government has funded BSL Partnership organisations to engage with and support public bodies in developing their BSL plans and notes important developments such as the decision that Scotland’s 2022 census would ask 'can you use BSL?' for the first time.

We will develop a new BSL National Plan for 2023 to 2029, which is due for publication in October 2023, and will undertake engagement and consultation to inform priorities.

We continue to progress the preparation stages on the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme with a view to completing the statutory process. This includes the significant work required to prepare for publication of made Orders, including the Compulsory Purchase Order, in the coming weeks. Subject to no legal challenge being received, the Scottish Ministers will then have the relevant powers to acquire the land necessary to construct the scheme.

Delivery of the scheme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets. It is not possible to set a firm programme for delivery of the scheme until statutory consents are completed.

The Scottish Government has used the powers at its disposal to build a fairer and more progressive Income Tax system in Scotland that raises vital additional revenue for the Scottish Budget. This has helped us commit to investing £2 billion for climate action in the 2022-23 Budget, alongside a clear commitment in the Resource Spending Review to prioritise public spend to deliver climate action over the course of this parliament.

We are committed to working across society to deliver lasting action that secures a just transition to a climate resilient, net zero Scotland - one that delivers on our social, economic and climate goals to build a better and more equal Scotland. Our Framework for Tax, published in December 2021, sets out our goals for a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland for everyone. Amongst other strategic aims, the Scottish Government has committed to use the tax levers at our disposal to deliver a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and support new, good green jobs, businesses and industries for the future.

Decisions on tax policy for 2023-24 will be set out in the Scottish Budget, which will take place on 15 December. We will reflect on the recommendations in this report, alongside engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, in setting our tax policy for the year ahead.

There are no plans for setting geographic limits on the concentration of wind farms. The Revised Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 8 November 2022 and is the product of extensive engagement and collaboration.

NPF4 will be a significant step forward towards achieving a net zero Scotland. The revised energy policy supports renewable energy projects in principle, setting out that the only areas where wind energy is not supported are in National Parks and National Scenic Areas. Each individual development proposal will be subject to an assessment of its impacts on a case by case basis. Criteria for assessing proposals are included in policy and the impacts on communities, nature and other receptors remain important considerations in the decision-making process.

After competitive tender, a contract was awarded to Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP to obtain expert independent advice on the implications of VAT on the NCS and associated Care Boards. This work is ongoing. No decisions have been made at this point and a full understanding of the impact of all options will be considered.

Transport Scotland are conducting a transparent evidence – based review of the A96 corridor which will report by the end of this year.

Together with the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, I recently invited the COSLA President, Vice-President, and Resource Spokesperson to join a working group to consider meaningful short-term changes to Council Tax, reflecting the current circumstances created by the cost crisis; and approaches to longer term reform including the development of effective deliberative engagement on sources of local government funding. The creation of this Working Group was set out in the Shared Policy Programme between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party and will see Ministers working with local government to consider reforms, rather than this being remitted to a newly created body separate from either central or local government.

I can confirm that the total spent to date on the A96 Corridor Review is £2,121,858.42.

After competitive tender, a contract was awarded to Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP to obtain expert independent advice on the implications of VAT on the NCS and associated Care Boards. This work is ongoing. We will engage with the wider sector and HMT prior to any decision being taken which would have a VAT impact.

We awarded a contract through a competitive tender for independent VAT advice from Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP. This was through Public Contracts Scotland.