Since May 2021, Ministerial oversight of the National Library of Scotland (NLS) has been led by the Minister for Europe and International Development until January 2022, then the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development from January 2022 until May 2024. I took over Ministerial oversight of NLS in May 2024.

In that time period, I have not attended any board meetings of NLS. However, the Ministers and I have met when required with the Chief Executive as is normal convention for non-departmental public bodies.

I have attended one board meeting of Creative Scotland since May 2021 which took place on 27 September 2023.

However, as part of normal management relationships between Scottish Ministers and non-departmental public bodies, I have regular meetings on a quarterly basis with the Chief Executive and the Chair of Creative Scotland.

Since May 2021, Ministerial oversight of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has been led by the Minister for Europe and International Development until January 2022, then the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development from January 2022 until May 2024. I took over Ministerial oversight of NGS in May 2024.

In that time period, I have not attended any board meetings of NGS. However, Minister and I have met when required with the Chief Executive as is normal convention for non-departmental public bodies.

Since May 2021, Ministerial oversight of the National Museums Scotland (NMS) has been led by the Minister for Europe and International Development until January 2022, then the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development from January 2022 until May 2024. I took over Ministerial oversight of NMS in May 2024.

In that time period, I joined the NMS Board of Trustees pre-meeting session on 8 June 2022. Ministers and I have met when required with the Chief Executive as is normal convention for non-departmental public bodies.

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) are an independent Third Sector organisation that is funded by the Scottish Government. Since May 2021, Ministerial oversight of the Museums Galleries Scotland has been led by the Minister for Europe and International Development until January 2022, then the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development from January 2022 until May 2024. I took over Ministerial oversight of NGS in May 2024.

In that time period, the I have not attended any board meetings of MGS. However, the myself and Ministers have met when required with the Chair and Chief Executive to discuss appropriate matters.

The Scottish Government is committed to forging a constructive relationship with nations across the UK and collaborating on issues of mutual interest. The First Minister meets a range of people from across the UK and abroad and is supported in doing so by civil servants as appropriate.

The meeting on 30 October 2025 was requested by Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, and covered the close relationship between Wales and Scotland, and the challenges both countries face, such as tackling child poverty.

This engagement was separate and distinct from any engagement that may take place between Plaid Cymru and the SNP, which is not supported by the civil service.

Since May 2021, Ministerial oversight of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has been led by the Minister for Europe and International Development until January 2022, then the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development from January 2022 until May 2024. I took over Ministerial oversight of HES in May 2024.

In that time period, I have not attended any board meetings of HES. However, the Cabinet Secretary and Ministers have met regularly with the Chief Executive as is normal convention for non-departmental public bodies.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) is a non-ministerial department of the devolved Scottish Administration. The NRS Chief Executive is supported by an advisory board in the effective discharge of their statutory responsibilities. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Ministers to attend these meetings.

In the last twelve months, I have met the NRS Chief Executive on 11 separate occasions. The NRS Chief Executive also provides me with routine written updates.

Scottish Ministers do not routinely attend Architecture & Design Scotland board meetings and I have not attended any board meetings of the body since May 2021. Most recently, I met with the Architecture & Design Scotland Chair and Chief Executive in November 2024. A senior official in the sponsor directorate attends the Architecture & Design Scotland AGM on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Officials also regularly attend A&DS board meetings as requested as an observer.

Scottish Government’s grant conditions require all funded youth organisations to comply with the clauses as set out in their grant letter. Clause 4.7 requires them to: have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place to protect vulnerable adults and children which comply with current national guidance in Scotland; report all and any cases of suspected abuse or malpractice relating to anyone involved in delivery of the agreed Activities or any beneficiary of these Activities to Scottish Ministers and the relevant authorities immediately; and provide, upon request, copies of their policies and procedures.

It is a legal requirement for people carrying out regulated roles with children or protected adults to be in the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. Organisations must not offer a regulated role to an individual without confirming scheme membership.

Disclosure Scotland carried out a major public communications campaign earlier this year to ensure that stakeholders, including youth groups, understand that the PVG Scheme is now a legal requirement for people doing regulated roles with children and protected adults.

In 2025-26, the Scottish Government are providing grant funding to Youth Scotland to deliver capacity-building for youth workers and volunteers through training and workforce development. This includes further development of a suite of online resources including safeguarding policies and procedures.