Chamber and committees

The Hill, Upland and Crofting Group last met in March 2021 and the work of the group is completed. I am grateful for the work they undertook in very short order which has informed our work on Agricultural Reform, the National Test Programme and issues being considered by the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board.

Historic Environment Scotland is currently undertaking a prioritised inspection programme on each Property in Care affected by High Level Masonry issues. Access restrictions, while regrettable, remain necessary to prioritise the health and safety of staff, contractors and visitors. Each assessment will study the condition and impact of climate change on the site and will inform a subsequent programme of repairs and conservation work at affected properties.

I understand from Historic Environment Scotland that there are no further sites due to be closed due to High Level Masonry issues in the next 12 months.

The amount of resource allocated to each property in care is determined by Historic Environment Scotland under its operating plans.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to grants and awards for conservation repairs, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

Information on grants that have been awarded can be found online on the Historic Environment Scotland website at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/grants-awarded-by-us/

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12534 on 12 December 2022. 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/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12534 on 12 December 2022. 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/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government is not responsible for meeting the cost of conducting repairs for the MS Victoria or the MS Ambition. Any faults or repairs are handled by ship staff and owners.

The information requested is not centrally held. The latest Youth Music Initiative evaluation can be found here , which demonstrates the programme’s lasting impact on young people’s attainment and wellbeing.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role Active Play has in providing children with the opportunity to develop physical skills in their early years and to encourage a long-term relationship with physical activity.

Current funding of the Active Play Development Project is for 2022-23 for delivery of Active Play programmes across two local authority areas, Glasgow and Highland. The evaluation of the current Active Play Development Programme will help inform future funding decisions, which will be subject to the Scottish Government’s budget for 2023-2024.

In 2021-22, £1,200,863 was made available to Access to Music Making and Strengthening Youth Music Funds. Of this, £1,116,575 funded Access to Music Making and £84,288 funded Strengthening Youth Music.

In 2022-23, £574,466 has been available to both funds to date, of which £544,467 has been allocated to Access to Youth Music and £29,999 has been allocated to Strengthening Youth Music. A second application round for 2022-23 is currently open. Decisions will be communicated in March 2023.

The Scottish Government has extended the contract for the MS Victoria in Leith by 5 months. The estimated cost of extending the contract is around £9.4 million.

This will ensure those on board do not have to relocate during the festive period and will allow local authority partners to support more people into longer-term accommodation.