Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16884 on 25 April 2023. As only one member of staff is allocated to work directly for the Minister for Independence, their individual salary cannot be released.

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/questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16876 on 25 April 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Small Producers Pilot Fund will launch later this year to support smaller producers increase the proportion of food grown and processed by small farms and small holders for their local community.

In the Financial Year 2023-24 up to £1 million is allocated for the Pilot Fund. This will support small producers and design the Pilot Fund. Further annual budgets up to 2025 will be informed by its uptake. From 2025 onwards there is no funding commitment due to the loss of multi-annual certainty caused by EU Exit, and the failure of the UK Government to collectively engage in future rural budgets as they publicly committed to.

Co-design of the Pilot Fund is through an industry-led Small Producers Pilot Fund Steering Group. Working in partnership with the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS), agricultural, small holding and food industry stakeholders; this Steering Group will design a flexible funding approach that supports local food supply chains, improves access to the right training opportunities, and helps link together small producers into existing abattoirs.

Once the Steering Group’s work is concluded, Scottish Ministers will consider their recommendations before further information on the number of producers the Pilot Fund will support and eligibility criteria will be released. We are fully committed to publicising the launch of the Small Producers Pilot Fund throughout Scotland.

Details of the responsibilities of the Minister for Independence can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at: Minister for Independence - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot ) .

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to contact the member directly with an answer to his question. I can confirm that Historic Environment Scotland would be happy to arrange site visits for the member to discuss matters with its experts.

The Fuel Insecurity Fund was first established by The Scottish Government in the winter of 2020, as part of the wider Winter Support Fund, to help households struggling with their energy costs who were at risk of severely rationing their energy use, or self-disconnecting entirely.

The following table gives an overview of the Fuel Insecurity Fund’s budget and distribution since its inception:

The majority of civil servants are not allocated to work directly for individual Ministers as part of their roles in supporting and delivering the Scottish Government’s priorities. Work related to my responsibilities is no different.

I have one member of staff allocated to work in my private office.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.