I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11081 on‎ 29 September 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

Scottish Ministers are required by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to review the National Outcomes within five years of their previous publication. The 2015 Act stipulates the consultation requirements, including its period, consultees, and requirement to consult with and lay a final report in the Parliament.

I confirmed to the Finance and Public Administration Committee our plans for the review of the National Outcomes on two occasions ( 21 September 2021 and 31 May 2022 ) explaining that the external engagement for the Review will commence in 2022, with the aim of laying the statutory report in Parliament during the third Parliamentary term in 2023.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11081 on‎ 29 September 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 National Collections are an important part of Scotland’s culture. As part of setting and reviewing annual budgets for grant in aid, the Scottish Government maintains close contact with National Museums Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland about their cost and revenue, in order to continue to ensure that their permanent collections remain open to the public free of charge.

In the 2022-23 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government renewed its commitment to explore how to ensure the interests of future generations are considered in decisions made today.

Ministers and officials have been engaging with a wide range of organisations interested in embedding wellbeing and sustainable development principles in decision-making. I have met with several key stakeholders to support this work and will continue to do so in the coming months.

The Scottish Government is considering the case for a Scottish future generations commissioner as part of a package of measures to embed the interests of future generations in the creation and delivery of policy. This may include placing duties on public bodies to account for the impact of their decisions on wellbeing and sustainable development.

This work is being taken forward as part of the development of the Scottish Government’s proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill.

We intend to set out more detailed proposals later this year.

The Scottish Government would like to congratulate all the artists, venues, production members and organisers of Edinburgh’s festivals this year. We recognise that overall 2022 was perceived as a ‘recovery year’ for the festivals and was key in bringing back confidence to the wider culture sector, especially with regards to returning audiences.

We have aided the festivals in this recovery and have provided a total of approximately £14.1 million in financial support since the beginning of the pandemic.

Overall, whilst ticket sales were down in comparison to 2019, Edinburgh Festivals were well attended; with a number reporting that they surpassed their 2022 targets. This is a good outcome taking into consideration the many challenges it has been necessary to overcome, and the added caution in programming this year. The Scottish Government will continue to work with festival organisers to build on their success this year, and ensure their continued recovery.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11081 on 29 September 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

As detailed in our Programme for Government, we recognise the profound impact the current cost crisis is having across Scotland. Within this, we are acutely aware of the various challenges festivals have faced in 2022, including the ongoing effects of COVID-19, rail strike action, rising inflation and rising costs across the board.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have provided a total of approximately £14.1 million in financial support to the festivals. We believe it is of vital importance to maintain an honest and open dialogue with the festivals. For example, the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development met with Festivals Edinburgh and a number of festival organisers on 18 May 2022 to assess the issues impacting festivals before the festival season, and offer support where appropriate and feasible. The Cabinet Secretary followed up this meeting on 27 July 2022 and has assured the festivals we will maintain this dialogue.

The Scottish Government will remain in discussions with festival organisers in an ongoing assessment of their situation to establish the best ways to use what levers we can to mitigate the various issues related to rising costs, while ensuring that the protection of the most vulnerable in our society remains our priority.

The earliest date for implementation of this bill, as with all other bills, is wholly dependent on the agreed bill process and how quickly that can be completed, and meet Parliament’s as well as the Scottish Government’s requirements for appropriate bill scrutiny and consideration. Once the local visitor levy bill is introduced to Parliament, the bill timetable will be agreed and the earliest implementation date will become clearer.

From 24 October 2022, the requirement to book seats in the Historical Search Room has been removed. No further requests are being taken for bookings and all currently active requests will be allocated a booking prior to‎ 24 October 2022. The maximum current waiting time for active requests is around 6 weeks.