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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.

The Scottish Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures that were necessary to take have been particularly challenging for those with sensory loss. The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults has provided £36 million since 2021 to grassroots community groups to tackle the impact of social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities, including nine projects for people with sight loss. We have also worked with local authorities and transport providers to ensure that people with sight loss have still been able to access travel since the pandemic. In addition, Active Scotland is working to support everyone to be more active, with specific activity for people with sight loss funded through Paths for All.

Through our ‘See Hear’ strategy, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and adults who have deafness, sight loss and dual sensory loss to access the services and social care they need. See Hear is currently under review, and a refreshed strategy will be published in 2024.

Following a meeting with the Isle of Rum Community Trust on Wednesday 2 nd November, the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity has agreed that more time is necessary to work with the community to try and secure a positive future for the Castle, that can be supported by the community on the Isle of Rum.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments are not specifically allocated to wool farmers. Sheep producers in Scotland are however eligible for a number of CAP support schemes including the Basic Payment Scheme (payments total circa. £418 million), Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (payments total circa. £62 million) and the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (payments total circa £7 million).

The Scottish Government allocated £1,255,953.00 for Area Based Schemes to be designed and delivered by Orkney Council in 2022-23. The Scottish Government allocated £1,324,703.00 for Area Based Schemes to be designed and delivered by Shetland Council in 2022-23.

Since May 2022, the Sustainable and Active Travel Team has held 104 strategic conversations with local authorities on the promotion of active travel. These were primarily in relation to their Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes active travel infrastructure grant funding, and engagement with the Transformation Programme, and were mostly scheduled in advance.

The team has also had a further 12 discussions on infrastructure, behaviour change and free bikes with CoSLA and the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS). Other Transport Scotland teams including Rail, Bus Partnership Fund, and Canals have held additional project specific discussions, although we have been unable to quantify these.

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

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.

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

Rail accessibility and compliance with rail fleet accessibility requirements remain matters reserved to the UK Government.

I have however recently met with Disabled Persons Organisations, such as Disability Equality Scotland and Sight Scotland & Sight Scotland Veterans to gain an understanding of any issues being experienced by disabled rail users. Those issues will be taken forward during my monthly scheduled meetings with Scottish Rail Holdings and ScotRail Trains Ltd to consider and address.