Chamber and committees

Non-domestic rates liabilities have not yet been finalised for 2017. The revaluation by independent Assessors will update the rateable value of non-domestic properties, in line with rental values. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation for the 2017-18 rates poundage and any changes to reliefs in due course, having considered the revaluation effect across sectors.

On 28 September, along with Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, I met with the Japanese Consul General and a range of Japanese businesses based in Scotland to discuss the impact of the EU Referendum.

The Scottish Government has not estimated the specific impact of the introduction of tariffs on raw construction materials following the Brexit vote. As the UK Government has not yet set out its approach to trade post Brexit, it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate. However, whilst there may be some import substitution, it is clear that any increase in tariffs on raw materials from the EU or the rest of the world will push up costs for public infrastructure projects, including housing.

Scotland currently has 14 products that are registered under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme:-

Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar

Stornoway Black Pudding

Scottish Wild Salmon

Shetland Lamb

Orkney Beef

Orkney Lamb

Scottish Farmed Salmon

Scotch Lamb

Scotch Beef

Arbroath Smokie

Native Shetland Wool

Teviotdale Cheese

Bonchester Cheese

We are looking at all options for ensuring the continued protection of Geographical Indications, including protected food names, and are in discussion with the current holders to determine the potential impact of any change to their status.

The construction sector and associated supply chains are a vital part of the Scottish economy and partly depend on labour from across the EU. It is estimated that in 2015 some seven thousand employees in the construction sector were from EU member states (non UK). Our priority is to protect all of Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU. The UK Government has yet to set out its preferred model to underpin the UK’s future relationship with the EU and, indeed, appears to be all at sea amidst internal wrangling over what, if any, strategy to take.

Scotland’s participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s 2014-2020 Education, Training, Youth and Sport Programme, is in line with our aims to promote Scotland as a learning nation and to increase student and staff mobility, and brings strong educational, employability, cultural and economic benefits. Scotland’s preference would be to continue full participation in Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ 2014-2020 is delivered by the British Council with Ecorys under contract to the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with and on behalf of the four nations of the UK. The Scottish Government has received assurances that the EU Referendum result has no immediate effect on learners, staff or volunteers from Scotland. The Scottish Government continues to seek assurances covering the medium and longer term.

The verdict from Scotland’s universities and from the UK’s research bodies could not be clearer – leaving the EU would have potentially devastating effects for Scotland’s higher education sector. The Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. 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.

No specific assessment has been made in relation to the living wage.

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 time charters for the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay are currently a commercial arrangement between Serco Northlink Ferries and Seatruck. The Minister for Transport and the Islands, has however met with the CEO of Seatruck on 10 November 2016, to discuss the issues around staff pay on the freight vessels. Following a constructive meeting, further work will be undertaken by Seatruck and Transport Scotland to try and resolve the current situation.

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