 Mae'r gymgymeth y cwestiwn yn perffolio'r cwestiwn. Mae'r cwestiwn yn gweithio'r economi, IEM, ferfwyr ac energig. Rwyf i ddweud mydweud am gyda hynny'n gweithloedd y cwestiwn yn cyflaesio i'w tawdd y cwestiwn. Rwyf i ddweud mydweud hynny'n gweithwyr i cynnwys hwnnw, wrth gwrthwy硬 i ddweud y cy Weinidol, a i gweithleri'r cyflaessu i ddweud cwestiwn. Mae'r cy manifold i ddweud ei g Oprah wneud o ran gwyllteiddiad gyngor o'r gwahol. Oeddanttu should. May I ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the fuel insecurity fund is supporting residents in the Cunningham South constituency? Minister Gilliamamisu? Each fuel insecurity fund partner is distinct in the sentences, in that is the use of funding, targeting support measures and approaches to the local area. Cunningham Housing Association has received £154,000 in the past year as part of the Scottish Federation for Housing Association support. Sцыw Mam yw siw scars Gray Daerlly-Wadiwyr roi Gweithreth corw sessu Unweddardsg Ben Endslow i会 밖에isgyn y Fars tightlyrau wedi datblyg. Fyheg Lywodraeth ni i ff mariad dry Chelyser Cymrelog dros howe amCon² players says oÙn Gwyrd, Maethol i Fan Gwata dai'r Stywnf problodau yn boatsred os ferstiw y gwiriau eieverraeth fydd yn rhaglau parelli i'r gyfer y union gwaith Iwo. while key energy policy levers remain with the UK Government, we welcome that the SNP-Scottish Government continues to support people facing unprecedented rises in the cost of energy. Do the minister agree with me that the Tories at Westminster have so far failed to take the necessary steps to ensure households never would experience an energy crisis like that again? Join with me in calling for them to put this energy and cost of living crisis front and centre of their work? Minister? I agree with Ruth McGuire. We consistently called on the UK Government to take action of the sort that she mentions, while we are doing all that we can with our powers to support as many people as possible during this cost crisis. It really is the source of the problem that is the biggest problem, and only the UK Government has the fiscal and policy leavers to truly address this unacceptable situation. Until they do so, we can only step in when there is crisis and mitigate the situation for households. First, by prioritising meaningful targets of support in energy bills to those who need it most, that is why we continue to call for a social tariff to be introduced to the most vulnerable in our society. In fact, I had a meeting with the UK Minister, Amanda Soloway, on exactly that this week. Secondly, what we are doing is we are finally making the necessary energy market reforms to permanently break the link between the price of electricity and the cost of gas and ensure that people of such a renewable energy vaccination in Scotland do not have to endure the situation again. To ask the Scottish Government what further discussions it plans to have with the UK Government regarding lifting the 100 kilowatt deployment cap on its feed-and-tav scheme for renewable energy generation from community and farm-owned micro hydra schemes in Scotland. The Scottish Government continues, as I have said, to meet regularly with the UK Government on a range of issues to do with the energy market and tariffs, in particular. We are engaged in a range of issues, including support schemes for renewable energy generation projects across both the commercial and community sectors. The Scottish Government's support remains through our community and renewable energy scheme. It cares to help communities to assess their priorities for net zero, including potential opportunities for energy generation. Constituents have shared their frustration at being able to produce 40 per cent more electricity than the current cap, but being unable to export it as doing so would see them lose all of their feed-and-tavs. In the face of the climate and energy crisis, does the minister agree that the UK Government should enable Scotland to do all that it can to harness its potential for renewable energy, especially from community and farm micro hydra schemes? I absolutely agree, and I think that they are missing a trick, because, cumulatively, some of the community energy schemes could be generating a huge amount of renewable electricity. Both Scotland and the UK's net zero ambitions depend heavily on an energy system that supplies affordable, resilient and clean energy. Expanding community and locally owned renewable energy projects will be key to realising a fair and just transition. That is why we continue to press the UK Government to implement reforms to the energy markets that better support community and local projects. We continue to take our own action through schemes like CARES, which has supported progress towards our ambition of two gigawatts of community and locally owned energy by 2030. The member will be pleased to hear that we are almost halfway towards achieving that target. Public bodies could play a much bigger role in supporting community schemes by using per purchase agreements in the national framework agreement for the supply of electricity, but in written answers to me, the cabinet secretary has confirmed that no such agreements are in place. What is the Scottish Government doing to support public bodies in community groups who wish to create micro hydra or other renewable schemes and generate an income from it? I have referred to Ms Boyack to my earlier answer about the CARES scheme, which is doing exactly that. Today, CARES has helped over 900 organisations and provided over £60 million in funding to communities and has supported progress towards our ambition of two gigawatts, as I have said. At the end of last year, there was an estimated 908 megawatts of community and locally owned renewable energy capacity that is estimated to produce nearly 2,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy annually. We want to see that go up, so I would recommend that the bodies that Sarah Boyack has been speaking to get involved with CARES and if there is anything further that we can be doing, then of course write to me and make suggestions that I am always willing to listen. To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with trade unions to ensure that it includes workers' voices in its policy development. The Scottish Government ministers meet STUC regularly, reflecting the important role that unions play as key social partners in sustaining effective democracy in society and contributing to economic competitiveness and social justice. Our strategic relationship with the STUC is underpinned by a memorandum of understanding that includes commitments to including the STUC in relevant policy development and for the First Minister to meet the STUC biannally to discuss current issues. The STUC and affiliate trade unions have engaged in a number of recent policy developments, including our national strategy for economic transformation, advancing fair work and adult social care, our retail strategy and our refreshed fair work action plan. Mark Griffin. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Last week in its response, supporting my bill for unemployment injuries advisory council, the fair work convention said that it was pleased to see the principle of effective voice underpinning the bill, which would put the voices of trade unions at the heart of the council and the new benefit. Does the cabinet secretary agree that workers know their workplaces best? They know the illnesses and diseases that they face at work, so will the Government listen to the fair work convention that they established and support the bill so that we can secure workers' voices in this new benefit? We will obviously respond to Mark Griffin's proposals in due course, but in principle we continue to work not just with the STUC but also with the fair work convention to ensure that, as Mark Griffin points out, we have effective worker voice across all elements of society and advance that as best we possibly can. That is a job that I am taking forward with ministerial colleagues across Government. A couple of brief supplementaries first, Ivan McKee. The Scottish Government's tourism and hospitality industry leadership group has a trade union representative as a full member of the group, and that has been seen by all parties as a positive development in sharing a focus on fair work within the sector. Can I ask if the Scottish Government has looked to other industry leadership groups where there is scope for trade union representation? Yes, trade unions are working with the Scottish Government alongside the fair work convention, which is tasked with promoting fairer workplaces and encouraging employers to engage in a fair work agenda. Unites membership of the tourism and hospitality industry is important for ensuring effective voice in strategic-level discussions with industry. Trade unions are an essential and integral partner in supporting our industries to adapt and innovate to future challenges and opportunities. Trade unions engage across a range of industry sectors, including the retail ILG, as trade union representative with the GMB and USDO, as full members of the group, which is promoting all aspects of fair work across the sector with the retail industry, and the construction leadership forum Unite is a full member of the forum. Trade unions are also engaged in the construction accord, and we will continue to play an important role. The Labour Party was a movement grown out of trade unions with the purpose of supporting workers' rights. However, Sarkir Starmer's Labour Party has moved so far to the right, they are content to leave Scottish workers' rights in the hands of a right-wing draconian Westminster Government. Can the cabinet secretary provide an update on the Scottish government's continued attempts to guarantee, protect and strengthen workers' rights in Scotland, and join me in calling for Scottish Labour politicians who are serious about tackling employment issues to commit to devolving employment law to Holyrood immediately? Yes, the discomfort from the Labour benches on the different track that has been taken between Scottish Labour and its Westminster leaders is quite something to behold, and it continues. We are pursuing the devolved levers that we have to promote fairer work across Scotland. Our commitment is demonstrated through our fair work first approach in procurement and public sector grants and our broader support for fair work practices. We are clear in our position to the trade union act 2016 and subsequent anti-trade union legislation from Westminster vehemently opposed those measures. Most recently, the minimum service levels act, which we find abhorrent and will continue to encourage UK Government to guarantee, protect and strengthen workers' rights. Unfortunately, our efforts in this regard have yield little results. If Labour and Scotland are serious about tackling employment issues, they should join us in calling for the devolution of employment law short of independence immediately. To ask the Scottish Government how the investment announced in the 23-24 programme for government will contribute towards a move to a wellbeing economy in the central Scotland region. The actions set out in the programme for government will drive our transition to a fair, green and growing wellbeing economy, providing opportunities for people to realise their fuel potential and businesses to thrive. They will ensure that prosperity and investment is shared across our communities and regions, and that includes investing £2.2 billion in 23-24 to address the impacts of climate change and deliver a just transition to net zero, a pay-up lift for care workers and childcare workers to £12 an hour and a £15 million package to support enterprise and entrepreneurship, which will create new opportunities to start, scale and sustain businesses here in Scotland. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Many projects across my central Scotland regions, such as those that are delivered through the Falkirk Fc community trust and the Motherwell Fc community trust, can contribute greatly to the wellbeing of their communities, including providing lunches to children, taking part in football camps, employability schemes and mental health support. How can the Scottish Government ensure that practical as well as financial support is provided to projects that deliver positive outcomes like those? I thank Gillian Mackay for that question. Scottish Football has a really strong track record of delivering on national and local outcomes through projects and programmes such as cashback, the SAMH changing rooms extra time mental wellbeing programme and out-of-school childcare at Aired United. I must also welcome the incredible diamonds of the community in Airdrie and my constituency for the work that they do as well. The breadth and diversity of the communities that our football clubs service is considerable many within areas of significant deprivation and we continue to work with the Scottish FFA to improve the wellbeing of communities across Scotland. We have invested £36 million over two years in our communities mental health and wellbeing fund with approximately £3,300 grants to local projects across Scotland and £22,000, £23,000, £15,000 local community football mental health and wellbeing projects have received over £150,000 including £10,000 to the Falkirk Foundation and just over £30,000 to the Motherwell Football Club community trust. A further £15 million is committed in £23,000, £24,000 and we are providing local authorities with £15 million a year for community-based mental health support. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to support the tourism sector. Mr Richard Lockhead. The Scottish Government does of course recognise how vital tourism is to our economy and working with Visit Scotland, we are actively promoting Scotland as a tourist destination through targeted campaigns to domestic and international markets and recent events that have helped to promote Scotland to international audiences such as the UCI World Championships have been very successful in attracting not just competitors but visitors from around the globe and a key component of our national strategy for economic transformation is Outlook 2030, the tourism policy and supporting that sector will help us achieve the responsible and sustainable goals for Scotland to be a world leader in 21st century tourism. I recently met with a number of tourism businesses that operate in the national park and they told me that the current situation is unsustainable and heading towards crisis. Hospitality businesses in England and Wales can receive up to 75 per cent non-domestic rates relief. The Scottish Government, we know, has received funding based on this policy but have chosen not to pass any relief on to the struggling Scottish sector. Will the minister agree to meet with the national park destination management group to hear their concerns first hand and why in the midst of a cost of living crisis does he not think that this relief is justified at this time? I'd be delighted to meet the group that the member mentions in her question as I'd be very keen to hear their views. I do have to say that just to put things into perspective, of course, notwithstanding the big pressures facing the businesses that Jackie Baillie mentions, that the survey in August 2023 of the sector said that the biggest concerns for businesses in the sector were firstly energy prices, secondly inflation and third interest rates. The member will be aware that this Government, this Parliament does not have responsibility for those issues, they are UK Government issues. Of course, the new deal for business and the working groups within that, the report will be published shortly, has been looking at some of the issues that the member mentions, relations to rates and other issues. We are very keen to help the hospitality sector in Scotland as much as we can, but we also need to help from the UK Government elsewhere as well. A number of supplementaries, I hope to get them all in, but they will need to be brief. First, Murdo Fraser. Right now, the tourist sector is united in raising concerns about the licensing of short-term lets due to commending on 1 October, and affecting not just self-catering units but letting breakfasts, guest houses, home chairs and swaps. Given the concerns and the unintended consequences of the regulations that are coming in, should the Scottish Government, if it really is listening to business, not now pause the introduction of the regulations and give time for a proper and thorough review of what is going wrong as a result of this policy? I listened very closely to the housing minister's statement to Parliament yesterday and talked about topical questions on the subject. He gave an up-to-date report on where things are and that he is listening closely to stakeholders. I want to put on record the very valuable role that self-catering, bed and breakfast and similar short-term let accommodation play in the Scottish economy and the tourism sector as well. The Government, and indeed this had support from across all the chamber and all the parties, is trying to balance some important factors here because we have to take into account consistency of standards across that sector and the impact on neighbourhoods and communities. That is why all parties at Westminster and, indeed in the past, all parties in this chamber and, indeed, Governments around the world right now are looking at regulating short-term lets. Even San Francisco hosts the global headquarters of A and B that has had to introduce stringent regulation of short-term lets. It is quite right that we look at this. There were three consultations and the businesses have until 1 October to apply. Thank you Minister. We now have Emma Harper. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can the minister provide an update on the steps being taken within the powers currently available to the Scottish Government to support the tourism businesses that have reported staff shortages due to the loss of freedom of movement? Minister. I thank Emma Harper and, among the other issues that I mentioned, are impacting on tourism hospitality in Scotland. The fourth issue that is often mentioned, of course, is the impact of Brexit and the impact that it has on the shortage of labour and skills, particularly in rural Scotland and particularly in west of Scotland and the islands. Those are big issues. I met ironically this week with the industry-led tourism and hospitality skills group to see what more we can do as a Scottish Government, not only to put pressure on the UK Government to do the right thing in terms of immigration and rural visas, but also in terms of making tourism hospitality an attractive career option for young people of Scotland. The practical implications of short-term lets licensing applications are posing a threat to the emergence and growth of tourism in Shetland. A combination of a shortage of qualified trades and long travel times to islands is making it very difficult for some accommodation providers to complete necessary work and get certification for their applications, putting businesses at risk. I have raised that issue with the Minister for Housing and the Council who are aware of the issues but are unable to identify a solution. How is the Scottish Government working with local authorities to ensure that local needs are addressed for the licence of requirements? I will pass on to the member's comments that is often raised with me by tourism businesses on the islands and across Scotland is that they cannot recruit staff sometimes because there is nowhere for them to live. There is nowhere for them to live because of second homes, because of houses and properties that are bought over for tourism purposes, short-term lets and other reasons. That is one of the reasons why we are looking at those issues. I will say to Peter Swisher that the key worker housing policy that we are developing at the moment and the forthcoming rural plan will say a lot more about that. The First Minister has already announced substantial resources towards a key worker housing plan. I understand that that is a big issue in Shetland because I remember that on my own visit there and we are very serious about addressing those issues. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Clyde mission regeneration programme. On 28 August, the First Minister confirmed that the leadership of the Clyde mission will move from the Scottish Government to local authorities in the Clyde city region and Argyll and Bute. This Government is committed to empowering our regions to drive economic development focused as much on wellbeing as it is on growing our economy. The Scottish Government remains a partner in the Clyde mission investing £1.5 million in a new master plan alongside previous investments of £13.6 million and a commitment of £25 million to new heat decarbonisation projects. A total Scottish Government investment will top £40 million. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Ensuring that Glasgow's communities are better connected is the perennial discussion that I have with my stakeholders in the constituency. The pedestrian bridge that will connect Partick in my constituency and Govan across the river will go a long way in achieving that connection between the communities that are cut off from each other. What further projects does the Government foresee that will better connect communities and improve the lives of those who live in them? I agree that connectivity between communities is crucial and that the new bridge connecting Govan and Partick is a very exciting project. There are other similar projects in Glasgow such as the recently open side hill pedestrian bridge. The project, funded by the Glasgow city region deal that the Scottish Government supported, has huge potential to improve the connections between communities for work and leisure. I am also aware of the £2.3 million of Scottish Government investment in regeneration of the Govan graving docks, which will be used to deliver new green space and address existing barriers to access for the community to the riverfront. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding ensuring access to the national grid for community energy schemes in Scotland. The Scottish Government has long understood the value of community energy in engaging Scotland's communities in the journey towards net zero and in delivering the economic and social benefits to local areas that are part of our just transition. We regularly discussed the availability of good connections with the UK Government, the electricity system operator, the relevant network companies and Ofgem, making clear that the network must support the connection and delivery of clean power to communities, homes and businesses across Scotland. I was pleased that the minister accepted my invite to visit the Pennpunt community micro hydroscheme in Dumfries and Galloway during recess. It is clear that such schemes are crucial in supporting our renewable energy output in providing green power at local level and our crucial inner fight against the climate emergency. However, the UK Government seems unwilling to adopt those schemes to the national grid. Can the minister confirm that an independent Scotland will have a focus on those schemes, providing low-cost power through a national grid of our own? I want to thank Emma Harper for the invitation to visit the Pennpunt community energy scheme. The Scottish Government has been clear that increased renewables, which are lower costs than gas-fired power or nuclear, in conjunction with long-duration storage technologies, will be key to meeting our net zero ambitions. Although the rules and regulations relating to electricity networks are reserved for the UK Government, an independent Scotland would seek to maximise our vast renewables potential. That would not only support energy self-reliance and ensure that we generate enough green electricity to power Scotland, but we would also mean that exporting increasing amounts of low-carbon energy to our neighbours and supplying new markets such as the emerging hydrogen economy. I wonder if the minister recognises the opportunities that are to develop off-grid local energy systems such as using wind power and solar power to develop green hydrogen, which in turn could power big business and transport. Can I ask what support the Government is giving to those opportunities and how it will promote them? I just want to point out our hydrogen strategy, but I will mention some of the visits that I had over the course of the summer. We have put in quite a lot of money, particularly in the innovation, around the small electrolyzers. Down in the south of Scotland, I met a company that was doing just that. They were looking to diversify from the larger electrolyzers to have small units that would allow farms, for example, to be generating their own hydrogen. I would recommend that we write to Brian Rittle what he has seen me afterwards, and I can point him to that company. You can do your visit of your own. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact that any future devolution of employment law to the Scottish Parliament would have on its long-term labour market strategy. Securing the full range of powers in relation to employment law will enable the Scottish Parliament to implement policies that will best meet Scotland's distinct needs. In building a new Scotland, a stronger economy with independence, we outline plans to offer comprehensive employment rights, including flexible working, parental leave and unfair dismissal claims on day 1 of employment. Those powers would create fairer workplaces, enhance workers' rights in Scotland and help to shift the curve on poverty and deliver upon our shared ambition for a wellbeing economy that is fair, green and growing with a just transition to net zero. I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer. Is it not the case, cabinet secretary, that just like the SNP Scottish Government, the STUC has been campaigning for the devolution of employment law precisely to ensure that workers are better protected? Would this not be the better path, cabinet secretary? Cabinet secretary, absolutely. The STUC and the Scottish Government have long shared the view that employment power should be devolved to Hollywood. Both parties continue to press the UK Government for the full devolution of employment powers in order to protect and enhance workers' rights and hopefully bring Labour in Scotland on that journey, who have consistently blocked the passage of employment law being devolved to this Parliament. In building a new Scotland, we set out the protection Scotland could introduce if it had full employment law powers. For example, we proposed repealing unfair labour laws like the UK Trade Union Act, legislating to ban fire and rehire and properly resourcing the enforcement of a Scottish national minimum wage. However, policy coherence with the full suite of powers of independence, including on powers of our migration, means that we can ensure that we have a migration strategy and labour policy that is joined up and ensures that we address the needs of the economy in Scotland. That concludes portfolio questions on wellbeing economy, fair work and energy. Now, I move to the second portfolio, which is finance and parliamentary business. Again, a reminder that members who wish to ask a supplementary question should press the request to speak buttons during the relevant question. A further reminder of the time requirements of questions up to 45 seconds, responses up to one minute, which will again be rigorously enforced. On that basis, I call question number one, Daniel Johnson. Challenge accepted. To ask the Scottish Government what change in public sector full-time equivalent headcount has been in the last 12 months across all devolved areas. Full-time equivalent employment in Scotland's devolved public sector increased by 2,910 over the 12-month period to match 2023. That represents a 0.6% increase to a total full-time equivalent of £463,200. Local government showed the largest increase in level of employment, increasing by 1,620 over this period. Clearly, it is for individual public bodies. In dialogue with the respective trade unions to determine the target operating model for their workforce is ensuring that plans are affordable and reflect our stated commitment to no compulsory redundancies. Indeed, it is their priority, but between 21 and 22, we saw an increase in four and a half thousand civil servants in terms of headcount. That is almost twice as much as the headcount increase in the NHS, which was less than £2,500. At a time when police fire and FE workers were flatlined or declined, what does that tell us about this Government's priorities when it is prioritised increase in bureaucracy in the number of spin doctors rather than front-line doctors and nurses? I do not accept that, and I think that that does a great disservice to the hard-working civil service. I am sure that the civil service unions will be paying attention to what Daniel Johnson has just said. Of course, what Daniel Johnson has not taken account of are impacts of events such as the EU exit, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has meant that we have had to ensure that the civil service response is able to cope with them. Having said that, the workforce going forward has to, of course, be affordable. In partnership with the trade unions, we have already agreed work to be taken forward to make sure that the operating model for the civil service delivers efficiency and can meet the needs of the organisation in a way that is sustainable and affordable, and we will be taking that work forward as I say in partnership with our trade union colleagues. I am sure that the Deputy First Minister agrees with me that it is critical that resources are deployed on the front-line of service delivery and in supporting the Government's agenda of tackling poverty rather than in support activities. What has been the change in core Scottish Government headcount and costs over the past three years and what work has been done to minimise those costs to ensure that maximum resources are applied to delivering the Government's agenda on the front-line? In terms of the figures, I will not repeat those and I can certainly write to Ivan McKee with more detail on the figures. Within the 22-23 financial year, the size of the core Scottish Government decreased as enhanced recruitment controls were applied to reflect the changing economic and financial context. Effective prioritisation meant that the Government was still able to deliver on its key priorities, including our Ukraine response, obviously, our on-going net zero and new Scotland commitments, and addressing the cost of living crisis through our social security policies. The Scottish Government continually monitors the cost of its operations to ensure that resources are aligned to our programme for government commitments, and I am happy to write to Ivan McKee with some of the detail figures. Question 2, Christine Grahame. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, to ask the Scottish Government what impact recent public sector pay settlements are having on the provision of services. This Government values the vital role of the public sector and the people who deliver these services. We support fair work principles and partnership approaches with trade unions through collective bargaining arrangements. However, our budget has been hit by inflation and, in 2022-23, we directed £900 million to fund higher pay awards. Despite the pressure and the lack of consequentials from the UK Government, agreed pay settlements for NHS staff, teachers, firefighters and others provide evidence of the success of our approach to provide fair settlements and maintain high-quality public services and avoid costly industrial action. Christine Grahame. I fully support the Scottish Government helping folk cope with the UK cost of living crisis by negotiating these settlements within its fixed budget. However, with no control over inflation, running currently at 8 per cent, is it not crystal clear that the constraints of devolution are there for all to see eating into those other budgets to the amount that the Cabinet Secretary has just disclosed? We need to be independent of this failing UK sooner rather than later. Of course, I agree completely with Christine Grahame's last point. Meantime, the Treasury could support the cost of pay deals, but it refuses to do so. The UK Government, the Tory Government, seems to have a very high threshold for industrial action. That is not something that the Scottish Government supports. We believe that going forward in partnership and we absolutely recognise the cost of industrial action for public services and the people who rely on them. The executive of Scottish Water has been awarded a pay rise, which unions have highlighted as £50,000 above the Scottish Government's current policy and public sector pay, whilst lower-paid staff are in dispute over their wages. Will the minister listen to unions who are calling for a view of public sector pay policy, including excessive executive pay at the top? Of course, pay rises are a matter for public bodies, but we would expect them to abide by public sector pay policy. It is important that the leadership positions within public bodies lead by example. That is something that we reinforce through our sponsorship teams, and we will continue to do that. However, the performance of Scottish Water in its operation of delivery and as a financial model is doing a lot of very good work. Nevertheless, in times of constraint, that should be recognised by everyone, particularly those in leadership positions. To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with communities in the north-east Scotland region on any increases to and reform of council tax. In partnership with COSLA, we are seeking views on the potential proposals to increase the charges on council tax property bans E2H. The fairer council tax consultation closes on 20 September 2023, and we will take into account the views of all respondents and stakeholders, including those from the north-east. I thank the minister for that answer. I have been contacted by several constituents who are pensioners and are concerned about the possible changes to council tax bans E and above. With the cost crisis and a fixed income, they are already not looking forward to winter. Can the minister say more about the options for change and what the timescale will be, what more can be done other than the council tax reduction scheme to tackle pensioner poverty, and can he provide a timeline for the much needed and long-awaited comprehensive overhaul of council tax? That consultation is seeking views on whether those in properties in the highest band should be making a greater contribution only when they can afford to do so. The council tax reduction scheme ensures that nobody has to pay a council tax bill that they cannot be expected to afford, regardless of their property band. In addition, the consultation paper also seeks views on whether the council tax reduction scheme should be expanded to protect those in lower incomes for any increases. The Scottish councils have been treated fairly throughout the UK imposed austerity, but we recognise the challenging environment that they face, and that is why we are continuing and committed to a new deal with local government in order to ensure the sustainability of local services. Obviously, the member will be aware that the working group is working in collaboration with COSLA and other partners, and they will be looking at what other options might be brought forward. The proposal that COSLA and the Scottish Government are consulting on just now is one that could see significant additional funding to all the services. The minister should know that there are up to 80,000 low-income households that could face rises of up to 22 per cent as a result of the proposals that he has brought forward. Why, in the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, does this Government think ordinary Scots should put the bill for this Government's failure to fund local services? It is impossible and impractical to suggest that we continue to invest in local services but do not look at how we are going to face the cost of living crisis and the cost of the crisis. Mr Marra talks about 80,000 houses paying 22 per cent in the proposal, which is in the consultation that has been consulted on, relates to band H. Indeed, there are just over 30 properties in that band. I think that it is really important that we look at this in the round. If Mr Marra has other suggestions on how we can raise funds for local services across the piece, please bring them forward, but you cannot say no council tax rises, no income tax rises, no VAT. Is that a song, perhaps? Question 4, Alasdair Allan. I think that it is a song, minister. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the local government empowerment minister in July, whether it will provide an update on what discussions he has had regarding the roll-out of the island's cost crisis emergency fund. Thank you. I was delighted to announce the launch of the £1 million island's cost crisis emergency fund on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands during my visit to Shetland this summer. Shetland Island Council immediately welcomed the announcement, commending the greater flexibility that it provided to support businesses, as well as communities, and I know that it was welcomed in other island communities, including the members and the Presiding Officers. The current cost crisis and its effects on our island communities continues to be a key priority for the Scottish Government and will be discussed in further detail at the upcoming island strategic group in October. I thank the minister for his answer. The welcome additional support for island communities through the cost of living crisis recognises the higher costs incurred by islanders, including energy bills. What is the minister's view on the UK Government's decision to scrap the energy bill support scheme from last winter, meaning that many of my constituent's bills will actually be even higher than they were? The October energy price cap, coupled with the UK Government's scrapping of the energy bill support scheme, will see average households paying more this winter. That will negatively impact people and businesses in Scotland, and we know that those who are already facing far higher costs than the average household on Scotland's islands. That is why the UK Government should not have ended the energy support scheme despite repeated calls from the Scottish ministers to the chancellor to extend the scheme. He has failed to do so, leaving our island communities exposed to higher energy bills. I take this opportunity once again to call on the UK Government to provide the support that people and businesses across all of Scotland will need this winter. To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated from its 2023-24 budget to community justice services for the purpose of supporting women with a history of offending and substance abuse. The Scottish Government is investing around £134 million in community justice services in 2023-24. That is made up of around £123 million to local authorities, with the remainder in direct funding for third sector services. Local authorities have autonomy to direct most funding, according to local needs. That may include supporting services for women with a history of offending and substance abuse. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response, and I refer to my register of interests as I am a member of Unite the Union. Turning point 218 in Glasgow is a lifeline service for women, but today Unite the Union has called for an urgent review over an £850,000 budget cut by the Government and the City Council that could force the centre to close and make 30 workers redundant. Will the cabinet secretary agree to review the community justice services budget and this funding crisis with a view to saving the service, saving lives and saving jobs, and to keep the Parliament updated? The first thing to say is that we have not reduced the overall funding available for community justice services across Scotland, nor have we asked local authorities to reduce any specific funding within that. Decisions about the commissioning of individual community justice services are a matter for local authorities. Community justice funding is primarily based on a local model, where we provide the funding to local authorities who then commission the services according to local needs. Where services are reviewed and changed, that is a matter for the local authority. Even where aspects of that funding are targeted at more specific needs, as is the case of the funding that is currently provided to the 218 service, the commissioning and management of those services, including any re-tendering, is a matter entirely for the local authority, and we do not get involved in those decisions. I am sure that Glasgow City Council will be able to discuss the detail and the reasons for that change from the review of that service with the member if she would want to take them up on that opportunity. Thank you. Question 6 has not been lodged. Question 7, Fulton MacGregor. To ask the Scottish Government how much it is allocated to local authorities from its 23-24 budget to prevent the closure of local services in light of rising energy and running costs, including to prevent the closure of swimming pools. Despite the most challenging budget settlement since devolution, the local government settlement increased by £793 million, nearly £13.5 billion in 2023-24. The vast majority of that funding is provided as a block grant and is for local elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to allocate those resources across their communities. However, the fiscal environment for councils, as it is for the whole of the public sector, is unquestionably challenging, and that is why we are committed to a new deal with local government in order to ensure the sustainability of local services. I thank the minister for that response. This Tory-inflicted cost of living crisis is affecting not just individuals but community hubs, assets and sports centres, including swimming pools. As we all know, swimming pools are vital in teaching people to the life skills of swimming as well as being invaluable community resources. Recognising that the Scottish Government is currently operating with one hand tied behind its back, can I ask what other steps are being taken to work with local authorities to ensure swimming pools remain at the centre of their communities? First of all, it is really important that we do not overlook the fact that councils are democratically elected to make decisions on the priorities in their local communities. However, on the specific issue around the swimming pools, the Scottish Government will continue to work with Sport Scotland, our national agency for sport, on the Scottish Swimming Facilities Project to accurately understand the current facilities provision and predict the landscape in the short, medium and long term to ensure sustainability of those important facilities. We all know the benefits of physical activity in general, but swimming in particular as a life-saving skill. Consequentials were added to the Scottish Block Grant after the UK Government announced the 63 million swimming pool support fund. How much of those consequentials were passed on to local authorities? What additional funding has been provided to support swimming pools in Scotland? To confirm all of the consequentials that have come to the Scottish Government, has been allocated. The Scottish Government has worked really hard to ensure that the local Government gets a fair settlement. It is ironic that the member comes to this chamber on the day that another English council goes bust in Birmingham after one Labour council, but to be fair to the Labour Party, that council joins several Conservative councils across England. This morning on GMS, Jonathan Carr West was asked whether the chief executive of the UK-based local information unit was asked if that could happen in Scotland. He said that Scottish councils have not seen the same sustained austerity that English councils have seen over the past 13 years. We have seen a squeeze on local government funding in Scotland over the past couple of years, but we are starting from a safer place. We want to enter into a fair agreement with local government working in partnership to make sure that we can deliver better services for the whole of Scotland. We will do that across the board. The Tories need to get on board if we want to spend no money. To ask the Scottish Government for an estimate on the number of people whose council tax bills have risen this year. Council tax is a local tax set and administered by individual local authorities. Each council has capacity to set the council tax rate. It is appropriate for the local authority area, while council tax was increased in each council area. In each case, it was below the rate of inflation at that time, according to CPI. It provides a generous package of discounts, reductions and exemptions, including the council tax reduction scheme, which is based on the ability to pay and benefits over 450,000 households, including over £380 at March 2023, who pay no council tax. Minister, the highest rates of council tax are now disproportionately paid by pensioners, also with nearly one in 10 now paying the highest rates of income tax. I will ask again, as the minister did not quite answer constructively the question placed by Michael Marra, but given its damaging rise of council tax of 22.5 per cent, which is nothing more than a raid on pensioner incomes, will the SNP reconsider this as it is threatening to push thousands of people out of homes that they have lived in for decades just to make up for the SNP's gutting of local government funding over the years? I think that I am going to go back to the quote from Jonathan Carr West this morning on GMS when he said that he does not want to minimise the Scottish councils. Many of our members in Scotland who, while feeling the pinch of it now, are having to make some tougher decisions than Hither 2, but they are starting in a much more comfortable place than English local authorities that have had more than a decade of real savage cuts. The member has a brass neck. A couple of supplementaries, first, Kenneth Gibson. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can the minister advise how average council tax in Scotland compares to England under the Tories and Wales under Labour? Thank the member for the question. Council tax is considerably lower in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. Every Scottish household benefits from cheaper council tax, and the average council tax bill in Scotland is £604 less than the average in England in 2023-2024. The average ban in Scotland— Minister, could I ask you to resume your seat a second? I know that there is a lot of interest in this issue, but it will be helped if we can hear both the questions and the answers and we do not have the front benches shouting at each other. Minister, if you could resume. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Every Scottish household benefits from cheaper council tax, and the average council tax bill in Scotland is £604 less than the average in England in 2023-2024. The average ban in Scotland is £648 less than in England and £463 less than in Wales. Research published last month by the Taxpayers Alliance found that, as a proportion of average income Scotland has the lowest council tax bills in the UK. The SNP position on the council tax has changed quite significantly over the past 16 years. It has moved from abolishing it to freezing it to the biggest hikes ever. I have sat through endless cross-party talking shops in this Parliament on reform of the council tax, but there has been absolutely nothing done. When will the SNP deliver its promise from 16 years ago to abolish the unfair council tax? The member will be aware that the joint working group working with COSLA is looking at options in terms of local government finance, but there is an option being consulted on right now that will bring extra money in to local government that will make the regressive council tax fairer. I hope that the member and his party will support that extra funding for local government. That concludes portfolio questions on finance and parliamentary business. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item of business to allow front benches to change. Thank you.