Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government have no plans to remove non-native species from the Forestry Grant Scheme. We are currently consulting on the future Forestry Grant Scheme and seeking views on increasing biodiversity outcomes. Non-native fast growing species are very efficient at locking up carbon quickly, and therefore make a valuable contribution as part of a mixed portfolio, to the Scottish government commitment to reach net zero by 2045. Support is currently in place for all types of native woodland creation and opportunities to create native woodland are maximised through the Forestry Grant Scheme.

Our Sustainable Forest Management practices, ensure all woodland types need to conform to the UK Forestry Standard, and also provide a wide range of other environmental, social and economic benefits such as flood mitigation, health, recreation and biodiversity benefits. In relation to economic benefits, non-native species are the key element of Scotland’s thriving forestry sector and timber industry which contributes over £1 billion a year to the Scottish Economy and employs over 25,000 people in rural areas. Therefore it is essential that we continue to plant the right tree in the right place to deliver multiple benefits and create resilient woodlands for future generations to enjoy.

Transport Scotland is undertaking a National Speed Management Review to support a range of policies that help our Government’s national outcomes and indicators. These include related policy drivers such as better road safety and health outcomes, promotion of active travel, climate change mitigation, place making and economic growth.

The review covers comprehensive analysis of all types of speed management policies and initiatives in Scotland as well as a review of what has been introduced in other countries throughout the world.

The process will also include a stakeholder and public consultation later this year to consider their views of whether any changes to speed limit policies, including HGV speed limits and speed management measures should be introduced as part of our speed management plan.

The Scottish Government is developing a Strategic Framework for Scotland’s Early Learning and School Age Childcare Profession which will set out the priorities for the sector and actions we will take to ensure a sustainable, thriving childcare workforce. We will consider the payment of SSSC fees as we develop the Framework.

Ofcom’s Connected Nations report for 2022 – published on 15th December – indicates that over 99% of all properties across Scotland can access a reliable broadband connection.

Original plans for the R100 contracts were expected to see over 112,000 properties connected to superfast broadband speeds of 30 Megabits per second (Mbps). However, in August 2022, we announced additional investment of £36 million to extend build to a further 2,637 properties – taking the total expected to receive connections to over 114,000.

As of 28 February 2023, the contracts had delivered 20,277 connections, with the vast majority being full-fibre and gigabit-capable – up to 30 times faster than our original superfast commitment.

Our R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) also continues to support those not included within contract build or commercial coverage plans. As of 1 April 2023, 3,076 connections have been delivered through the use of vouchers.

The R100 contracts, which are delivering full fibre, gigabit capable connections across the length and breadth of Scotland, are currently expected to conclude during 2027-28.

For those properties beyond the reach of the R100 contract build or commercial coverage plans, the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme – offering vouchers worth up to £5,000 – remains available to help secure a superfast broadband connection.

In an update published to their website on 2 February 2023, Ofcom’s latest figures show that full fibre coverage in Scotland has been extended to around 1.1 million properties – 41% of all properties, which is the same percentage coverage as England (source: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/multi-sector-research/infrastructure-research/connected-nations-2022 ).

This is, in large part, a direct result of the policies we have put in place to enhance Scotland’s digital infrastructure and improve digital connectivity. This includes our R100 programme, where the vast majority of connections delivered through the R100 contracts are full-fibre and gigabit-capable, delivering speeds up to 30 times faster than our original superfast commitment.

We expect all eligible premises within R100 contract build plans to have been connected by the time of the programme’s completion. As the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme is demand-led, it is not possible to know with certainty the percentage of properties that will secure a connection via the Scheme upon completion.

Marine Scotland has not received any information or indication of an increase in sea bass landed in Cumbria by fishers from England with permits to fish on the Solway Firth.

The current commercial level of European sea bass which may be caught within British fishery limits is subject to the provisions contained within The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which came into force on 1 April 2023.

There is no sea bass catch entitlement specific to the Solway Firth. The commercial level of European sea bass which may be caught within British fishery limits is subject to the provisions contained within The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which revised article 10 of Council Regulation (EU) 2020/123.

Marine Scotland has issued five commercial sea bass licences in total during the past 5 years (one each year to the same vessel (2019-2023)). The vessel is registered with our Fishery Office in Ayr.