Scottish Government consultations

 

Find and take part in consultations that interest or impact you. You can also view published responses and analysis.

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Closed Consultations

  • Herring in the Firth of Clyde: recommending the total allowable catch for 2026

    This consultation relates to the 2026 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for herring in the Firth of Clyde. The Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government is carrying out this consultation on behalf of the UK Fisheries Administrations to seek views on the level of the 2026 TAC. Read the consultation paper . The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation....

    Closed 8 July 2026

  • British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS): changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009

    The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining a competitive and resilient industrial base, but persistently high electricity prices have increasingly undermined investment, productivity and employment, particularly in manufacturing. While the long‑term solution to energy security and affordability lies in the transition to clean power, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, there...

    Closed 30 June 2026

  • Support provisions for victims of human trafficking in Scotland: published guidance

    Human trafficking and exploitation are serious crimes that cause lasting harm. People who experience trafficking may face physical, emotional and psychological trauma. Ensuring that victims receive the right support at the right time is essential to their recovery, and to Scotland’s wider efforts to prevent exploitation. The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 and...

    Closed 30 June 2026

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

What is your view on the proposal for Clyde herring in 2026?

You said

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

We did

Having considered the best available scientific information, the wider obligations and analysed all responses submitted through the consultation process, the TAC for 2026 has been recommended to the UK Secretary of State at 583 tonnes and retains the existing management measures.

We asked

Whether Scotland should amend the Renewables Obligation to implement BICS and exempt eligible businesses from ROS costs.

You said

Most agreed with alignment across Great Britain but raised concerns about transparency and supplier certainty.

We did

We will proceed with the legislative changes and work with UK Government to support an orderly introduction to the BICS scheme from 2027.

We asked

The consultation was a starting point for a discussion about possible measures that could be deployed to accelerate the build-out of housing in Scotland. Informed by research in this area, and approaches in other administrations, it sought views on four broad options:

  1. Fiscal measures to encourage timely build out of homes on allocated or consented sites.
  2. Stronger monitoring of build out rates, with powers to intervene where progress is unreasonably slow.
  3. Simplifying planning processes for smaller sites, to reduce costs and delays for SME housebuilders.
  4. Encouraging more diverse housing delivery on larger sites, to increase market absorption and speed up development.

You said

Respondents provided a wide variety of views in relation to options proposed.

102 responses were received from a wide range of stakeholders, of which 89 were from groups or organisations and 13 were from individual members of the public.