Non-domestic rates liabilities have not yet been finalised for 2017. The revaluation by independent Assessors will update the rateable value of non-domestic properties, in line with rental values. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation for the 2017-18 rates poundage and any changes to reliefs in due course, having considered the revaluation effect across sectors.

The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission's commitment to extend free access to Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces, and the associated 120M WiFi4EU scheme. We exploring how Scotland’s potential benefits can be maximised.

The Scottish Government’s Public Wireless Programme, established in 2015, has already delivered improved Wi-Fi coverage in Scotland. The Programme provided just under £1M of grants in 2015-16 enabling local authorities to extend, or introduce, free Wi-Fi services across a range of buildings used by the public such as libraries, community centres and sports facilities. In tandem, the Programme has created best practice guidance in collaboration with public organisations to ensure wireless broadband projects are developed sustainably and genuinely match local needs.

The information requested can be found in SPICe. The relevant BIB number is 58279.

It is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities. All areas of Scotland now have more consistent access to a range of national and regional resources as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.”

It is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities. All areas of Scotland now have more consistent access to a range of national and regional resources as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government is opposed to the physical punishment of children. The Scottish Government does not, however, wish to see parents unnecessarily or unreasonably criminalised and we have no plans to bring forward legislation to repeal existing legal defences for parents in relation to physical punishment. There are already restrictions in this area. Section 51 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it illegal to punish a child by way of a blow to the head, shaking or the use of an implement. In addition, section 51 of the 2003 Act lays down a range of factors for the courts to consider when determining whether other forms of physical punishment are lawful. As indicated in paragraphs 214 and 215 of the Policy Memorandum for the then Bill (http://www.parliament.scot/S1_Bills/Criminal%20Justice%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b50s1pm.pdf ), these factors were laid down by the European Court of Human Rights.

The balance of funding has been reallocated within existing funding programmes in 2016-17 for both the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) and the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (ABS). As part of a call to use unallocated ABS funds, including the balance of SEEP funding, 21 councils received additional ABS funding (see funding breakdown below). Further Information on LCITP can be found here http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Action/lowcarbon/LCITP

Reallocation of unused SEEP and HEEPS: ABS funding

1) Total allocated funding exceeds the £4.9m remaining from SEEP as it includes additional unallocated HEEPS: Area Based Schemes funding

The current First Minister's personal love of reading and her commitment to improving literacy levels for children and young people across Scotland have been key factors in driving the development and launch of this initiative. While not the only factor that may affect success of initiatives like this, the Office of the First Minister can also bring a significance and profile that a reading challenge might otherwise not achieve - the success in the uptake of the Challenge in the short time since the launch is an indicator of this. The initiative was named the First Minister's Reading Challenge without consideration or rejection of alternatives.

Following discussions with the First Minister, an Advisory Group was set up to help develop the detail of the First Minister's Reading Challenge. The group includes representation from education, libraries, authors, booksellers, parents and community reading groups.

The Advisory Group agreed a process by which the Scottish Book Trust would compile a non-mandatory book list, which would be used as inspiration for those taking part in the Challenge. This list was compiled following consultation with children, teachers, librarians, community groups and the First Minister, who suggested a favourite book from childhood, Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton. The resulting '100 places to start your reading journey' was agreed by the Advisory Group and by the First Minister.

The Advisory Group also recommended an expanded range of ways to take part in the First Minister's Reading Challenge, with detail including specific criteria then developed by the Scottish Book Trust, in addition to those originally announced on World Book Day. This gives schools and pupils flexible options that mean they can take part in the way that is best for them. This was agreed with the First Minister and resulted in the seven elements recently launched by the First Minister.

It is for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to allocate and manage their annual budget according to local and national needs and priorities. The £2 million allocated to Police Scotland as part of the Scottish Government stimulus package, announced in the Programme for Government will assist Police Scotland to make improvements to the police estate.