3. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any plans it has to provide financial support for high street rejuvenation. (S6O-02759)

The refreshed town centre action plan, which was published last year, is a call to action, both locally and nationally, to support the rejuvenation of our town centres, and it reaffirms our commitment to the town centre first principle.

In 2021, we established the place-based investment programme, which we deliver in partnership with local government to accelerate our ambitions for town centres, place, 20-minute neighbourhoods and community-led regeneration. We have invested £70 million this year to support projects across the country through that programme.

City centre economies are facing significant challenges, and Glasgow is no different. Currently, a £5.7 million investment in redeveloping Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street is under way, thanks to the city region deal funding. However, there has been a recent decline in the number of hospitality businesses operating in Glasgow. What additional investment similar to the funding that has been announced for Aberdeen’s Union Street is being considered by the Scottish Government to boost the hospitality sector and the night-time economy in Glasgow city centre?

I am aware of the challenges that some in the hospitality sector are facing, so we have established an industry leadership group with the tourism and hospitality sector to understand its unique needs. Glasgow City Council has benefited from a range of investments. For example, in addition to the investments that were made through the city deal, the council has already received a direct allocation of more than £9 million from the place-based investment programme, and the council has discretion on how it uses that money. We continue to work closely with Glasgow, holding quarterly leadership meetings with the Scottish Cities Alliance.

Last week, the First Minister and Mr Gray and I met all eight city leaders to further reinforce our aims to encourage investment and strengthen the prosperity and wellbeing of our cities.

I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests. Town centres act as vital commercial hubs, places for businesses to locate and places for the provision of employment. Although we must rebalance and rejuvenate town centres, does the minister agree that commercial purpose must remain at the heart of town centres?

The member is absolutely right. Across the piece, we are all looking at how town centres can have a new vision for the future, with potentially more people residing in them, increasing footfall and ensuring that they remain vibrant. However, I absolutely agree that a commercial basis for our town centres is crucial. That is at the heart of the town centre action plan.

A survey from Scotland’s Towns Partnership this summer showed that people want to shop locally for ease and for the sake of the planet. However, many retail properties in smaller towns and villages have poor insulation and high energy costs. What more can be done to support the rejuvenation of high streets in small towns and villages to enable more people to shop locally?

Many of the small properties that the member is talking about already benefit from substantial support from the Scottish Government, but we need to consider what more we—the Scottish Government and local government colleagues—can do working in partnership to ensure that our town centres remain vibrant and sustainable. Footfall is crucial to that, but the points that the member makes about sustainability, particularly given the incredible increases in energy costs, are an important factor to consider.