Seòmar agus comataidhean

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has evolved its current deer management model, that has increased the annual cull by 35% since 2015/16. This model—delivered through a combination of Wildlife Rangers, professional contractors, and recreational stalkers—has proven more effective in reducing deer impacts on Scotland’s national forests and land (SNFL), while supporting broader land management goals and protecting public investment.

Sporting leases, often lacked the flexibility and responsiveness needed to manage deer populations effectively, the current model allows year-round culling across varied terrain using specialist equipment. Professional Rangers and contractors ensure a targeted and efficient approach.

Additionally, increasing sporting leases would significantly raise the cost of sporting rates payable by FLS to local authorities along with the increased administrative burden, especially compared to more direct delivery models.

We strongly oppose the introduction of any mandatory digital ID scheme by the UK Government.

The mandatory nature of the UK Government proposal raises multiple human rights concerns and may disproportionately impact the most vulnerable in our society. The Scottish Government believes that people should not be asked to prove who they are unless it is necessary.

When announced, the UK Government said that they will listen to a range of views on how the scheme will be delivered. We are actively working with them to fully understand the proposal and seek further information on the planned consultation, and areas which will impact the people of Scotland.

FLS does not have a policy of exclusive use of paid contractors for deer management.

FLS currently achieves its annual deer cull via:-

• FLS Wildlife Rangers (x 50), delivering 24% of cull.
• Professional Culling Contractors (x 115), delivering 74% of cull.
• Recreational Stalkers (x 50), delivering 2% of cull.

This model was developed over several years and has helped FLS facilitate a 35% increase in its cull from 30,700 deer in 2015/16, to 41,500 deer in 2024/25.

Higher culls result in reductions in deer numbers and associated deer damage impacts.

Across SNFL there are currently 23 recreational deer leases and permissions covering 24,700 hectares.

International negotiations and membership of organisations such as International Whaling Commission (IWC) are a reserved matter for the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government is fully committed to the protection of iconic marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, and porpoise. We therefore fully support the UK Government and IWC in seeking to secure a permanent worldwide ban, and in continuing to call on all countries who practice any form of whaling, to cease these operations and enforce the worldwide ban.

As part of the annual UK-Faroe Islands fisheries negotiations, officials continue to work with the UK Government and raise this topic with Faroe Islands officials.

As outlined in the UK/ Faroe Islands Fisheries Framework Agreement ‘The Contracting Parties shall cooperate with a view to achieving the objective of ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources and, in doing so, safeguarding the ecosystems in which these resources occur’

As part of the annual fisheries agreement, when Faroese vessels fish in the UK waters they must comply with all relevant UK/Scottish legislation. This includes compliance with legislation governing Marine Protected Areas and Future Catching Policy, and the protection of cetacean populations.

Through the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act (AFSA) 2007, the Scottish Government requires satisfactory measures to be in place at fish farm sites for the purposes of the containment of fish and the prevention of escape of fish. Where satisfactory measures are found not to be in place, Scottish Ministers may serve an enforcement notice. Fish farm operators are required to report the details of any circumstances which caused or might have caused an escape of fish from a fish farm site. In this case, the site operator has followed reporting protocols and reported the incident to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI). The FHI has attended the site and is conducting an escape investigation and enhanced containment inspection. In addition, the details of this incident will be published on Scotland’s Aquaculture website. Any escape of farmed fish is regrettable and we expect all farmers to minimise the risk of escapes.

We will continue to work with the sector to reduce the risk of escapes, supported by existing legislation and the FHI’s associated inspection regime. The Scottish Government supports innovation in the sector, including where it helps to reduce the risk of fish escaping from fish farms.

Decision Notices of the Scottish Information Commissioner are published on the Commissioner's website: Decisions | Scottish Information Commissioner.

For the purposes of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, ‘the Scottish Ministers’ Scottish public authority includes the Scottish Government and its executive agencies. The Commissioner's website shows the following Decision Notices issued to 'the Scottish Ministers' and executive agencies in each year since 2021:

The information sought by the Member is not available in the format requested.

Since 2014 the Scottish Government has invested over £500m in 43 Charitable Bonds. To date, the scheme has supported the delivery of more than 4,000 new affordable homes through direct loans to social landlords. This has generated £157 million in charitable donations to fund additional local authority priority projects for social rent.

Loans have been issued to Registered Social Landlords operating across a number of local authority areas. For a list of all charitable bonds and donations made (up to 2023), I would refer the member to: Scottish Government Charitable Housing Bonds: FOI release - gov.scot

For 2025-26 the Scottish Government is investing £188.7 million in high-quality active travel and bus infrastructure, with associated behaviour change programmes, supported sustainable travel integration. This funding enables local authorities to improve access to facilities for people walking and wheeling through the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund and the People and Place programme. Businesses also benefit from these investments through increased footfall and accessibility. By prioritising inclusive design and place-based solutions, we are helping communities shape their environments around people, making everyday journeys safer and more accessible.

This information is not held by the Scottish Government

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited which is a reserved responsibility of the UK Government owns the main line railway infrastructure in the UK and is responsible for the operation, maintenance and renewal of this infrastructure.

This includes the ongoing maintenance, renewal, and any upgrades, of the railway track system.

The Scottish Government engage regularly with Glasgow City Council regarding plans for the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Any decision regarding the timeline for the refurbishment of George Square is a matter for the Council.