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Under the Fiscal Framework with the UK Government, the Block Grant Adjustment for Social Security will be increased to reflect the costs related to the UK Government's changes to eligibility to the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales. The Scottish Government recently announced it will mirror the approach taken by the UK Government. The exact increase will be confirmed by the OBR in due course and is therefore subject to change, however this is estimated to be around £120 million. The Scottish Government does not therefore receive Barnett Consequentials for this change.

Following the parliamentary debate on 26 February, and in line with Scottish Labour’s motion, Scottish Enterprise began a review of its human rights due diligence checks.

Scottish Enterprise wrote to update me on its review on 19 June.

That letter advised that the review included a thorough appraisal of Scottish Enterprise’s existing policy, and a retrospective assessment of checks and associated grant payments. As a result, it identified a number of opportunities for improvements to ensure Scottish Enterprise’s human rights due diligence procedures continue to align with good practice and respond consistently to the current dynamic risk environment.

Scottish Enterprise will therefore seek to enhance its approach and strengthen management assurance by taking the following steps, which will be rolled out incrementally over 2025-26:

• Establishing more explicit customer checks and assurance relating to the Export Control Act 2002, as informed by international law. These will include specific customer declarations on items, activities and end use that are controlled under the UK export control regime. Scottish Enterprise will have the right to clawback grants where false declarations have been made.
• Updating its policy to enhance the existing checks it undertakes on companies who might be in receipt of Scottish Enterprise funds or other assistance. This will include reduced exemptions from checks, increased frequency of checks, and more explicit requirements to ensure these checks address changes in risk.
• Establishing an internal Senior Review Group to provide greater strategic input and support risk-based decision-making.
• Developing a new digital platform for all due diligence checks which will improve reporting and oversight more generally.

Scottish Enterprise’s letter also confirms that its internal assessment of past practice found no evidence that grant money had gone towards funding the manufacture of munitions.

I have written to Scottish Enterprise to thank it for its work so far, and to ask for a further report after the summer recess, once it has developed detailed operational guidance. I have asked that Scottish Government officials are involved in that work, and will provide a further update to Parliament in due course. Finally, Scottish Government officials will discuss with its other Enterprise Agencies any potential implications Scottish Enterprise’s review might suggest for their processes.

The consultation on licensing and regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures ran from 20 December 2024 to 14 February 2025. We received over 2,200 responses from a variety of individuals and organisations, which along with further engagement with stakeholders, have helped to shape our proposals.

The analysis and Scottish Government’s response to the consultation was published today and is available on the Scottish Government’s website at Regulation and Licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures: Consultation analysis and response - gov.scot

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38001 on 25 June 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence (October 2022) provides details on trade with the rest of the UK following Independence.

The paper outlines that any actual physical checks on goods would likely only be undertaken on the main trunk routes between England and Scotland or at rail freight terminals.

It should also be noted that the nature of the border between an independent Scotland as an EU member state and the UK will depend on negotiations between the UK Government and the EU. For example, the UK and EU are currently negotiating an SPS Agreement which would reduce border checks.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38005 on 25 June 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Scottish Government Officials and Ministers regularly engage with Scottish business representatives to inform policy. Engagement with businesses in Scotland informed the production of the BANS series, including Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence (October 2022) which details how businesses will be supported on trade.

The proposals in the paper include support services and guidance to help traders understand and comply with any new arrangements. Working with industry to identify the right focus areas, the Scottish Government would seek to bring forward a range of measures – targeted across sectors and developed in response to trading conditions on the ground. Advice and guidance would be made available to businesses, such as through websites, helplines, and government-backed stakeholder support sessions.

The Scottish Government would also establish a support service for exporters to maximise Scotland’s export growth opportunities through our new trading arrangements. We also commit to supporting businesses with administrative requirements. We know that Scottish businesses have considerable expertise in trading internationally and would be best placed to determine which support measures are the most helpful. On re-joining the EU, we would work with business to provide the right practical help as new arrangements come into force.

Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence (October 2022) provides details on trade with the rest of the UK following Independence.

The nature of the border between an independent Scotland as an EU member state and the UK will depend on negotiations between the UK Government and the EU. For example, the UK and EU are currently negotiating an SPS Agreement which would reduce border checks.

Ultimately trade with the rest of the UK would be based on the trade arrangements agreed between the EU and the UK at the time. Agreements between the EU and UK are subject to change and we welcome the renewed momentum to improve relations with the EU which may further reduce in the barriers to trade.

I refer the member to the answer to S6W-38005 on 25 June 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence (October 2022) provides details on trade with the rest of the UK following Independence.

It should also be noted that the nature of the border between an independent Scotland as an EU member state and the UK will depend on negotiations between the UK Government and the EU. For example, the UK and EU are currently negotiating an SPS Agreement which would reduce border checks.

Ultimately trade with the rest of the UK would be based on the trade arrangements agreed between the EU and the UK at the time. Agreements between the EU and UK are subject to change and we welcome the renewed momentum to improve relations with the EU which may further reduce in the barriers to trade.