Chamber and committees

Plant and machinery for any power generation is already excluded from rating valuation where the power is mainly for distribution for sale to consumers. Notwithstanding that, plant and machinery for micro-generation relying on a solar power source has since 2009 been excluded from rating valuation.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04456 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt.

The analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.

Evidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after 10 years.

The Scottish Government is pursuing all options to retain our relationship with Europe, access to the single market, and all the advantages that brings.

Legal advice is procured via a Collaborative Framework which commenced on 1 August 2015. The Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD) provides the Scottish Ministers with their legal advice. In respect of legal advice which is procured, Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate manages the overarching Framework and SGLD manages the contracts it lets under it.

The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave the single market. As part of this, the Scottish Government is considering the potential risks and implications of the UK leaving the EU across a range of sectors.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking an extensive analysis to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU, and the impact on Scotland. In all its work the Scottish Government is exploring ways to protect Scotland’s national interests. This work draws on evidence from a wide range of sources, including in-house analysis, stakeholder feedback, and advice from the Standing Council on Europe. Some of this analysis has been published in the reports I referred to in answer to question S5W-04193 on 15 November 2016. The First Minister has also announced that proposals for maintaining membership of the Single Market for Scotland, even if the rest of the UK leaves, will be published in the next few weeks.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Where the Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD) does not provide legal advice to the Scottish Government then the Scottish Government procures its legal advice from existing legacy contracts awarded under SGLD Frameworks (e.g. the SGLD Legal Services Framework 2007 and 2011) as well as the Scottish Government Collaborative Framework Agreement for Legal Services 2015 (the SG Collaborative Framework). The spend under each Lot since May 2016 shows the spend under existing legacy contracts as well as the Scottish Government spend under the SG Collaborative Framework.

Framework 2015

Framework 2011

*AIB contract included within Lot 3 although was contracted under Lot 3 and 5.

Framework 2007

The Scottish Government is exploring all options and will table specific proposals in the coming weeks to protect Scotland’s interests and keep us in the Single Market, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave.

The Scottish Government receives legal advice on this and other EU matters on an on-going basis and will continue to do so as appropriate as it explores all options to protect Scotland’s interests and relationship with the EU.

The Scottish Ministerial code is clear that Ministers must not divulge either the source or content of legal advice. However, this will not undermine Scottish Government commitment to provide regular updates to the Scottish Parliament on the work undertaken in response to the result of the EU referendum.

The Scottish Ministers are currently considering all available options to promote fair work practices, including payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts. Under the current devolution settlement, responsibility for matters relating to employment rights and duties, including the National Minimum Wage, are reserved to the UK Government. The Minister has written to the UK Government to urge them to take action on the National Minimum Wage in respect of seafarers rates of pay.