Chamber and committees

The increase in the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) balance relates to Taxpayers’ equity, which represents SFC’s investment in the university sector through low cost loans (SFC’s Financial Transactions programme) issued to universities to support them with longer-term projects since 2018.

Taxpayers’ equity is not a liquid asset which can be spent. It is a measure of the financial position of SFC from the perspective of its stakeholders showing what assets (tangible and intangible) remain after all SFC debts and obligations are met. It reflects the overall net worth of SFC which belongs to the taxpayer.

SFC’s ability to support the college and university sectors is framed by the allocation received in annual Budget Bills and SFC is required to live within the allocation set for that financial year. SFC does not hold any “reserves” of monies.

We have committed to implementing new infrastructure-levy regulations under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 by spring 2026. On 3 June a discussion paper was published setting out the research undertaken previously and seeking views on the various options for a levy. The discussion phase will run until 30 September. After that, and subject to the views received in response to the discussion paper, draft regulations will be prepared which will be subject to a formal consultation in early 2025.

Royal Assent is still awaited on the Bill, following its agreement by the Scottish Parliament on 25 April. Given the wide-ranging nature of the legislation, the Scottish Government is considering commencement schedules across different provisions rather than a final Act of Parliament being commenced in its entirety on one specific date. These considerations, across all aspects of the Bill, are being informed by stakeholders and delivery partners. This engagement includes the Implementation and Resourcing Group which was established during Parliamentary consideration of the Bill and will ensure commencement is managed well.

However, as the Scottish Government made clear to Parliament during scrutiny of the Bill, ensuring secure transport is subject to a robust and transparent framework is of key importance and we continue to engage with relevant agencies across a range of work which is underway to support that.

The Scottish Government consultation on the revised teaching guidance closed on 23 November 2023. Over 4,000 responses were received and officials are now in the process of writing up the consultation analysis report. Once that report is published, officials will revise the guidance, taking account of the consultation feedback.

SEPA are in regular communication with Petroineos and their consultant Adler & Allen regarding the continued containment and monitoring of Glen Fruin, the Fruin Water, and its tributaries.

Officers from SEPA were on site week commencing 20th May and have confirmed that the ground investigation is progressing well, hand auger samples are largely complete and borehole sampling has begun. SEPA expect to receive the ground investigation report by late June but have requested an updated timeline from Petroineos to confirm this.

The next summary report, for the period January to June 2023, will be published in the coming weeks at: Access to counsellors in secondary schools and children and young people’s community mental health services – summary reports - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Work is continuing on the 4 Day Working Week Public Sector Pilot to assess the wellbeing, environmental and productivity benefits a 4 Day Working Week could bring.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-03144 on 29 February 2024 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament .

The Scottish Government expects the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to support fair work practices, and to monitor adherence across the college sector.

As recipients of SFC funding, in line with Scottish Government Fair Work First guidance - reflected in the 2024-25 Ministerial letter of guidance to SFC, colleges must be committed to fair work practices for staff engaged in the delivery of activity associated with public funds. Inclusion of information on compliance with Fair Work First is a requirement of the accounts directions for universities and colleges and SFC encourages institutions to be fulsome in their disclosures. Where there are institutions that do not currently meet requirements around disclosure of this activity, SFC will engage with institutions with a view to ensuring that they do so in their future annual report and accounts.

I also wrote directly to College Principals on 7 June 2023 to re-state this Government’s continued commitment to Fair Work principles. I expect both employers and trade unions to work together to ensure that the Fair Work principles are adhered to across the college sector and that staff are treated fairly.

We are also making progress with the addition of trade union nominees to the college boards to further improve governance and management and to ensure effective employee voice as one of the key principles of Fair Work.

The security of fuel supplies relates to a reserved policy area, however as a responsible government we frequently engage with key industry partners and the UK Government to continuously monitor any developments in the sector.