Scottish Government consultations

National Records of Scotland (NRS) published this consultation on the fees associated with the Scottish Register of Tartans, asking four key questions about the future of the register.

We asked respondents to provide their views on our proposals to increase the fees associated with the Register. We also sought views on a proposal to discontinue the provision of framed certificates.

Of the 30 respondents:

• 28 agreed with the proposal that NRS should recover its costs for delivering the tartans service. Two respondents disagreed. 20 respondents provided additional comments on the proposal.
• Nine had no comments on the revised fees proposed in the consultation, while 21 made comments. Many of those who made comments supported the fees as proposed.  
• 24 agreed that future fees should increase with inflation, five disagreed and one did not know. Additional comments on inflationary increases were provided by 15 respondents.
• 22 agreed that NRS should discontinue providing framed certificates, six disagreed and two did not know. 17 respondents provided additional comments.

Following analysis of all the responses, the Keeper of the Scottish Register of Tartans (the Keeper) recommends that Scottish Ministers increase the fees associated with the Register to the level proposed in our consultation paper. The Keeper also recommends that NRS should no longer offer framed certificates as part of the service.

What is your view on the proposed TAC level for Clyde herring in 2025?

A range of responses were received, as can be found in the outcome report

Having considered the best available scientific information, the wider obligations and analysed all responses submitted through the consultation process, the TAC for 2025 has been recommended to the UK Secretary of State at 583 tonnes. This is a rollover of the 2024 TAC and retains the existing management measures.

We sought views on the draft statutory guidance for public bodies in relation to the climate change duties. We asked for views on the general content of the guidance and on specific chapters, including those on equalities, implementing the three duties and reporting. The consultation opened on 24 February and closed on 23 May 2025. 

You provided us with 119 responses to the consultation. The responses came in from 108 organisations and 11 individuals. 83 of the organisational responses came from public bodies subject to the climate change duties – these are the intended users of the guidance.

Overall, the draft guidance received positive comments, with most respondents indicating that they felt the guidance clearly outlined how public bodies should implement the climate change duties and that it fulfilled its stated objectives.

Key themes in the feedback included the length and level of detail of the guidance; calls for more practical support such as tools and case studies; concerns around funding and capacity to implement the guidance; proportionality; and alignment with other relevant policies.

The views given on the draft guidance will be used to inform the final version. We will carefully consider all of the points raised and suggestions made when finalising the guidance.

We are grateful for the detailed responses provided to many of the questions and would like to thank everyone who responded.

Where permission to publish has been provided, the consultation responses are now available to view online.

An independent analysis of the consultation responses has been carried out. The consultation analysis report has been published on the Scottish Government website.