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Details of all Ministerial engagements are proactively published by the Scottish Government. The information can be accessed at the below link: https://www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/.

The subsidy provided to ScotRail from 2017 to 2022 is contained within Transport Scotland’s annual report and accounts which is published on Transport Scotland’s website. The hyperlinks listed below cover the financial years from 2017 to 2022.

For financial year 2022-23 this information will be published on the website once audited. Future years will be published once budgets are agreed.

Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 | Transport Scotland

Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2021 | Transport Scotland

Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2020 | Transport Scotland

Transport Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19 | Transport Scotland

Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2018 | Transport Scotland

Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2017 | Transport Scotland

Planning authorities are required to determine planning applications in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise, so ensuring all relevant planning matters are considered before a decision is made. The Scottish Government does not have the power to direct planning authorities to proceed to determine all wind farm applications located within the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array Consultation Zone.

Applicants for planning permission do have a right to appeal to the Scottish Ministers, or to a local review body, where their application is not determined within statutory timescales, or any extension to such timescales they may have agreed with the planning authority. Details can be found in paragraphs 4.2, 4.90 to 4.96 of Planning circular 3/2022: development management procedures - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The Scottish Government is in the process of reforming the Eskdalemuir Working Group, refining its membership with the aim of developing a guidance document for development of onshore wind within the Eskdalemuir Consultation Zone.

From April 2023, adult social care workers delivering direct care in commissioned services will see their pay increase to a minimum of £10.90 per hour; in line with the Real Living Wage rate for the 2023-24 Financial Year. This represents a 14.7% increase for these workers in the last two years.

To increase the minimum pay rate for these workers from £10.90 per hour to £15 per hour could cost up to an additional £1.1bn. To increase pay to £15 per hour for all social care workers could cost up to an additional £1.7bn. There have never been greater pressures on public finances and the Scottish Government have continued to call on the UK Government to provide additional funding, including to take into account inflation. However, in the absence of this, we are having to make difficult choices.

There has been no change to the planned operational lifespan of either MV Glen Sannox or Hull 802.

We are supporting the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland and Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) to implement the recommendations of the Future Planners Project Report.

The Future Planners Project Report, commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by HOPS and RTPI in 2022, explored the options available to support the growth of entrants into the planning profession in Scotland. The Report recommended that the RTPI lead on introducing a planning apprenticeship scheme over the next 3 years. We are currently supporting the RTPI to promote the case for creation of a planning apprenticeship scheme.

The Health Finance Directorate has not written to NHS Boards stating that all capital investment projects should be paused. The Directorate does however, engage regularly with all NHS Boards, including NHS Lothian, on the overall funding position for both capital and revenue budgets. The replacement of the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion remains a government priority and the Scottish Government engage regular with the NHS Lothian team on project timescales.

Decisions about applications for working capital loans from the Scottish Government are a matter for the CEO and Board of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) (FMPG). Should Scottish Ministers approve any working capital loans in the future for FMPG then Parliament would be updated at that time.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament, with support from members of all parties. The UK Government's use of section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Bill proceeding to Royal Assent represents an unprecedented challenge to the Scottish Parliament's ability to legislate on devolved matters.

The Scottish Government has provided detailed responses to questions from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in a letter of 5 February, is now considering the reasons given by the UK Government for its use of the section 35 power, and will update Parliament on next steps in due course.

The Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth met with the appointed administrators for M&Co on 19 January 2023 and offered his support, including via Government engagement with Scottish Enterprise. He also met with Katy Clark and Neil Bibby MSPs, and offered to support engagement with local authorities if it would be helpful once there was clarity about when stores will close.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with local authorities, commercial and community partners via its Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) Forum and its Retail Industry Leadership Group (ILG). The TCAP Forum established jointly with COSLA brings together stakeholder expertise across the public, third and private sector to help to progress key actions. The sector-led Retail ILG has been established to drive, and support delivery of the actions set out in the Retail Strategy for Scotland. Both the Action Plan and Strategy aim to put town centres at the heart of decision making.