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We recognise that managing agents undertake a range of valuable services to support apprentices and employers. This includes pre-assessment, support materials, pastoral care and the delivery of final assessments (where appropriate).

The role, responsibilities and funding arrangements for managing agents are being considered as part of our work on apprenticeship reform. We are committed to working with Colleges Scotland, managing agents and key agencies including SDS and the SFC, to ensure that apprenticeship funding is sustainable for the future and focused on supporting apprentices to train and progress.

It is important that we retain all of the very best elements of the current system while maintaining best value for public funding.

It is important to expand the sources of income into the college sector, which is why the Colleges Tripartite Alignment Group, comprised of Colleges Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council, has been exploring the perceived barriers to income diversification and how to overcome them.

It is important to live in a society where human rights are sacrosanct. Hate crime is the term used to describe behaviour which is both criminal and rooted in prejudice, or which is intended to stir up hatred. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 provides greater protection for victims and supports people to feel safe. Its commencement was welcomed by the UN Human Rights Committee, in their 8th review of UK performance under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Hate Crime Act includes rigorous safeguards on free speech, and protection for freedom of expression is embedded in the Act. It does not criminalise anyone who wishes to debate, discuss or criticise any matters in a non-threatening or abusive manner, and is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 10 which protects everyone’s right to freedom of expression.

The City of Edinburgh Council will be implementing 9 Firework Control Zones in Edinburgh at Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield, and Sighthill between 31st October to 9th November 2025.

Glasgow City Council will have 3 Firework Control Zones in Govanhill, Pollokshields and Broomhouse from 1st to 10th November 2025.

There are maps of the Firework Control Zones within each council’s website. These are available at Firework control zones – The City of Edinburgh Council and Fireworks Control Zones (FCZ) - Glasgow City Council.

An industry led EID pilot has directly engaged with 18 auction marts, 14 abattoirs and 425 farms from across Scotland, as well as those across the border. The pilot has concluded its findings with a report published in 2023, highlighting improved Health and Safety as one of the many advantages of ultra-high frequency (UHF) due to reduced animal handling. The Scottish Government also meets regularly with the Bovine EID Industry Stakeholder group, which includes the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).

2021: a registered slaughter facility that was owned and used specifically on an individual farm closed.

2022: no closures

2023: a small commercial abattoir that dealt mainly in private kill closed

2024: no closures

2025: no closures

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producers Pilot Fund (SPPF) received £180,000 in initial funding, followed by £1 million allocated for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

To date, £581,488 has been distributed: £273,209 in 2023–2024, £274,657.74 in 2024–2025, and £33,621.26 so far in 2025–2026.

This year, we have committed additional allocations including £200,000 for the Practical Training Fund, £500,000 in capital investment, and £55,000 to support the Small Producer Info Hub. Applications have already been received from several abattoirs, with combined value of £236,000, and ministers remain open to further submissions.

None.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producer Pilot Fund (SPPF) has not provided direct funding for the construction of new small-scale abattoirs. Instead, it is designed to support small producers by offering flexible financial assistance and connections to local food supply chains, abattoirs, and small businesses across Scotland.

The SPPF is a pilot support mechanism co-designed with the Ministerially appointed Small Producer Steering Group. It aims to strengthen local supply chains and improve access to private kill services, by empowering small producers to play a key role in realising our Vision for Agriculture.

The Scottish Government understands that distance to an abattoir can be a challenge in some places. There are a number of factors at play, including Scotland’s geography, reflected in the fact that Scotland’s population density is 70 per square kilometre and 9.2 in the Highland council area, compared with 395 in England and Wales. Travel from Scotland’s islands to a mainland abattoir is also a consideration. We recognise these challenges which is why our Small Producers Pilot Fund plays a key role in facilitating access to abattoirs across the country and especially in rural and island areas. This has included funding for private kill coordinators to support the efficient transport of livestock, as well as support for groups seeking to undertake feasibility studies. Throughput is of course vital in this regard to ensure that plants are fit for purpose and have a viable future.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) regularly monitors college student numbers, including headcount, enrolment and full-time equivalent students. SFC publishes this information on an annual basis through its College Statistics 2023-24 - Scottish Funding Council.

Colleges receive funding from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) based on the number of credits they deliver. The SFC increased the credit price from 2023-24 which is an increase to the investment in each individual student.