The National Good Food Nation Plan - Accompanying Statement

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

6. The LGHP Committee made the following recommendations, the Scottish Government response is provided for each.

Recommendation: The Committee recognises the importance of the underlying vision of a Good Food Nation in providing a framework that extends across multiple policy portfolios, and the challenges there will be in making that cross-cutting vision a reality. Local authorities in particular will need support in delivering a Good Food Nation through the provision of guidance and appropriate resources.

7. We note the Committee’s recognition of the challenges of realising the Good Food Nation ambition. We are developing a communications plan to ensure policy areas across Scottish Government are aware of the duty to have regard to the national Plan when developing new food policy. The format of the national Plan has been carefully considered to support a cross-cutting approach to the development of food policy and to encourage policy areas to take a broad view of how their own policy area may connect to others.

8. We are also considering how best to provide support to relevant authorities in developing their local Good Food Nation Plans (“local Plan(s)”). We are engaging with relevant authorities to understand what support they would find the most useful in the development of their local Plans.

9. This work is already underway. For example we have published guidance for relevant authorities on the legislative requirements under the Act for preparing their local Plans. Additionally, we have run a workshop on those requirements to further support the relevant authorities in their planning and preparation for drafting their own local Plans.

10. We will continue to consider how we can support relevant authorities in sharing best practice as they begin the process of developing their local Plans.

Recommendation: The Committee welcomes the reassurance by the Cabinet Secretary that the Scottish Government is mindful of the pressures which a 2027 deadline for local plans would put on local authorities, particularly given that local elections will take place that year. The Committee requests that the Cabinet Secretary keeps it updated on her conclusions regarding the commencement of Section 10 of the Act.

11. We note this request and will ensure that the Committee is kept updated on the commencement of Section 10 of the Act.

Recommendation: Delivery of the Good Food Nation Plan cuts across numerous policy areas and funding it does not therefore fit neatly into traditional budget lines at a national or local level. Arguably the complexity of issues such as food means there needs to be innovation in how funding is provided in the future. The Committee therefore recommends that the Scottish Government establishes how new ways of working (such as the delivery of a Good Food Nation) will be underpinned by increased flexibility across budget portfolios.

12. The Scottish Government budget process provides clarity and accountability by allocating funding to specific budgets, and in-year decisions to move funding between budgets are supported through the Autumn and Spring Budget Revisions. As the Committee notes, the national Plan cuts across policy areas. For example, there is close working between officials from the Directorates for Agriculture and Rural Economy, Local Government and Housing and Health and Social Care Finance to consider future funding arrangements with regard to the work on both national and local Plans.

13. Where there is potential to establish new ways of working this will be carefully considered.

Recommendation: The Committee requests that the Scottish Government provides clarity at the earliest opportunity about what resources will be made available to authorities to develop and implement their local plans.

14. There have been ongoing discussions with COSLA and health boards to understand the likely resource impact of developing their local Plans. We are grateful for this input which will help inform our discussions on future budget, although it is important to note that we are working within budgetary constraints.

15. A framework for the next Scottish Spending Review was published as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and it is our intention to publish the general conclusions of the Scottish Spending Review alongside the Scottish Budget in January 2026.

16. We will provide updates on what resources may be made available to relevant authorities as information on budget allocations becomes available.

Recommendation: The Committee welcomes the Cabinet Secretary's confirmation of the role that community planning partnerships (CPPs) might play in delivering a Good Food Nation. It requests that it is kept updated about the Cabinet Secretary's proposal that guidance for CPPs could be developed.

17. We agree that Community Planning Partnerships might play an important role in delivering a Good Food Nation. To reflect this, we have included a new paragraph on community planning partnerships in the national Plan.

18. In addition, there is a specified function that requires Scottish Ministers to have regard to the national Plan when issuing guidance for the purposes of section 15(1) of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015(c). This will help us align any guidance that is developed with our Good Food Nation Outcomes. The guidance currently sets out the expectations of Community Planning Partnerships and the principles that underpin effective community planning, including co-production with the local community, collaborative leadership and a focus on prevention to reduce inequalities.

Recommendation: The Committee welcomes the Cabinet Secretary's reflection that the role of the third sector may not be adequately reflected in the Plan. The Committee recommends that the final version of the Plan addresses this.

19. We recognise the important role that the third sector plays in the food system. Many of our colleagues across Scottish Government already work closely with third sector stakeholders when developing food policy.

20. When the Scottish Ministers are carrying out their have regard duty, it is likely that interactions with stakeholders, including the third sector, will take place. This will be in relation to policy areas that are covered by specified functions and/or descriptions. We agree that the role of the third sector should be suitably recognised. We have made changes in the national Good Food Nation Plan to reflect this.

Recommendation: The Committee is concerned by the difficulties that local authorities may face in responding to legal appeals by businesses seeking to overturn planning decisions which refuse permission to site fast food outlets close to schools. It would seem that such outlets contradict the vision of a Good Food Nation. It therefore urges the Scottish Government to consider how it might best mitigate those challenges which local authorities experience. Although outwith the scope of this Committee's scrutiny, there are clearly strong links too to the Scottish Government's ambitions to improve public health and tackle obesity.

21. We note the Committee’s concern with regard to legal appeals in relation to planning decisions. It should be noted that legislation requires decision-makers to weigh up all policies and factors relevant to the circumstances of an individual situation. The judgement supporting any planning decision will be informed by principles of proportionality and reasonableness. In doing so, decision-makers need to read and consider the development plan (which includes the relevant local development plan and National Planning Framework 4) as a whole, alongside all other material considerations, when reaching decisions on planning applications.

22. As part of this process, where an application is refused the applicant has the right, depending on how the original decision was made, to a review by a local review body or appeal to the Scottish Ministers against the decision. Where any person considers that a planning authority has not acted in accordance with its statutory duties under the legislation, then it is open to that person to seek judicial review through the Scottish Courts.

23. We note the concerns raised whilst also recognising (as mentioned above) there is opportunity for planning decisions to be appealed or challenged. National Planning Framework 4 supports development that helps to improve health and wellbeing. Specifically, National Planning Framework 4 states that proposals for non-retail uses will not be supported if further provision of these services will undermine the character and amenity of the area or the health and wellbeing of communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

Recommendation: The role of local food producers will be important in delivering a Good Food Nation, but the Committee believes that there are ongoing challenges for SMEs to effectively engage in procurement processes. It therefore recommends that the Scottish Government listens to those concerns and reviews the existing guidance and support which is available.

24. SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and third sector organisations are critical to the economic, social, and environmental health of Scotland. The Scottish Government is committed to leveraging procurement rules to make it as easy as possible for SMEs to bid for public procurement contracts as well as to participate in local supply chains. Increasing public procurement spend with Scottish companies and SMEs is a long-standing Scottish Government priority where we have already made significant progress. The Annual Report on Procurement Activity in Scotland 2022-2023 shows that SMEs received 47.5% (or £7.1 billion) of the £15 billion Scottish public sector procurement spend where the business size was known.

25. Our legislation (through the Sustainable Procurement Duty in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) requires public bodies to consider and act on opportunities to facilitate the involvement of SMEs, third sector organisations and supported businesses through public procurement.

26. We have a comprehensive and joined-up package of legislation, policy, tools, systems, and guidance which together help simplify our processes and enable buyers and suppliers to access procurement information and opportunities more easily.

27. The Economy and Fair Work Committee conducted a review of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and published a report on the post-legislative scrutiny of the Act in June 2024. The recommendations included measures to improve and simplify the procurement process for suppliers. The Scottish Government are progressing a number of actions in response to the Committee’s recommendations.

28. We remain committed to providing good quality support and training and have an ongoing process of reviewing and improving our offer. We frequently meet with organisations to understand the barriers they face, and to raise awareness of our tools, guidance and initiatives to make it as easy as possible for them to bid for and win public contracts. To respond to comments from the Committee discussion around the availability of guidance, support and training we have summarised what we offer below and a summary of these resources will be set out in an Annex to the national Plan.

29. In response to a recommendation from the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, following their scrutiny of the proposed Plan, this summary will be accompanied by an outline of guidance and support available for public sector buyers.

Support and Training for SMEs and Third Sector

30. We support and promote free advice, training and resources for suppliers who wish to bid for public sector contracts.

31. We part fund the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), which delivers free training and guidance on how to submit and prepare strong public procurement bids. The training often takes the form of small group workshops to allow for focused activity. As well as these free resources, suppliers can also get in touch directly with the SDP for specific types of support outwith the group training setting. SDP also deliver free Meet the Buyer events to put suppliers in touch with public sector buyers to learn more about up-and-coming contracts. SDP also runs early engagement activities in partnership with public bodies to inform suppliers of upcoming contracts and ensure they have adequate time to prepare for specific contracting opportunities.

32. We work very closely with SDP to share resources, data and provide smarter, joined up approaches to supporting SMEs in Scotland.

33. We also engage with business through the Procurement Supply Group, SME roundtables and Supplier Surveys to stay informed of procurement issues that are affecting the market (Scotland Food and Drink and The Soil Association are members of the Procurement Supply Group).

34. The Supplier Journey provides free, online and easy to access guidance for suppliers. It provides information on all aspects of bidding, from finding opportunities and preparing bids to lessons learned. Where needed, it signposts to additional support and provides a contact facility for suppliers to engage directly with the Scottish Government.

35. We have published an Engagement Guide describing how businesses may engage with public sector procurement as well as specific guidance on public procurement for SMEs and third sector suppliers which can be accessed through the Supplier Journey.

36. Businesses may also access the Sustainable Procurement Tools which support Scottish public sector procurers to adjust to a more resource-efficient and sustainable procurement practice. The Tools include e-learning and a series of case studies from across the Scottish public sector.

37. In April 2024, we published our SME and Third Sector Procurement Action Plan which outlines the activity we will develop and undertake over the next two years to build on and further the support to increase SME and Third Sector engagement in our supply chains. In August 2025, we published an annual update to the plan which shows progress against commitments to make it easier for small businesses and third sector organisations to win public contracts. Actions included welcoming a new member from Scotland Food and Drink to the Procurement Supply Group.

38. In addition, businesses may also access other free resources including FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot which provides a central hub for general business support from across Scotland’s public sector.

39. Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is the national advertising website for Scottish public bodies. In order to bid for public contracts, businesses must be registered on the PCS portal. All contracts valued at or above £50,000 for goods and services and £2 million or more for works must be advertised on PCS. Below this value we have the Quick Quote facility on PCS which public bodies are encouraged to use. The Quick Quote facility allows buyers to identify and invite businesses registered on PCS to bid.

40. Providing free of charge access, PCS aims to make it as easy as possible for SMEs to bid for public contracts through notifications that alert suppliers to relevant contracts and enabling main contractors to advertise sub-contract opportunities, giving businesses the chance to bid for contracts, further down the supply chain.

41. Many of the contracts awarded on the Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal are won by SMEs. Our data shows that in 2024-25 almost 17,000 suppliers were awarded public sector contracts through PCS, of these 77% went to SMEs with 60% going to Scottish SMEs.

42. We have recently launched a consultation on amending the current contract thresholds in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. Any increase in the thresholds will increase the number of contracts that can be procured through simpler processes such as Quick Quote.

43. The PCS and Public Contracts Scotland Tendering Portal (PCS-T) will soon be retendered as one Source To Contract system which is looking to bring advertising, eTendering and Contract and Supplier Management into one fully integrated solution. The Statement of Requirements is currently being revised to take on board appropriate/relevant feedback received by the Technical Working Group, suppliers who responded to the Prior Information Notice (PIN) and Supplier Focus Sessions which were specifically targeted at SMEs. We anticipate that the requirement will be advertised early in 2026.

44. We will consider the national Plan in the development or review of any relevant procurement legislation or guidance.

45. When the final national Plan is published, we will promote it through existing procurement channels, highlighting the sustainable procurement legislation, policy and guidance available.

Scottish Produce

46. The Scottish Government continues to support the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership to deliver the industry-led strategy ‘Sustaining Scotland: Supplying the World’. We have committed £15 million for 2023-2026 to support the delivery of the ten-year strategy to safeguard and grow Scotland’s £15 billion food and drink industry.

47. Within this, our funding supports a wide range of activity which champions Scottish produce at both the local and international level.

48. For example, we provide support to Scotland’s 14 Regional Food Groups, covering all corners of the country with the shared aim of driving growth for local businesses in Scotland. Scotland Food & Drink and the Regional Food Groups are committed to increasing local sourcing to give consumers and visitors easier access to local produce. This means more quality Scottish products stocked by independent retailers, offered on bar and restaurant menus, and in visitor attractions.

49. Our support for the Scottish Grocers’ Federation “Go Local” programme, helps transform convenience stores across Scotland with dedicated display space for local produce. In addition, we provide support for the Scottish Wholesale Association “Delivering Growth Through Wholesale” programme which helps to support wholesalers and food producers to increase the volume of local produce being sold through food and drink wholesale channels.

50. We also promote Scottish food and drink via industry-led sector branding, known as ‘Naturally Scottish’. This branding is designed to engage producers, farmers, fishers, retailers and consumers alike to highlight their commitment to local produce and promote the authenticity that sets Scottish food and drink apart. In addition, the recent ‘Berries of Scotland’ campaign aimed to reconnect consumers with berry growers and encourage greater consumption of locally grown soft fruits, with the potential to become an annual event.

51. Food for Life Scotland recently undertook a pilot project in partnership with Wild Jura and Argyll and Bute Council to review the venison supply chain and add it to school catering menus. Venison is now on the menu of six schools on Jura and Islay.

52. These schemes have supported an increase in the number of local Scottish products stocked in Scottish retailers, and increased sales of Scottish produce in the retail sector. At an international level, through the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Export plan, we now have in-market specialists placed in key markets around the world to champion Scottish products to buyers there, working with teams in Scotland to help producers take advantage of export opportunities.

53. The national Plan already references many of the activities underway to support the Scottish food and drink sector. These schemes will play an important part in achieving our vision of Scotland as a Good Food Nation.

Recommendation: The Committee recognises that the draft Plan is just the first, and that subsequent iterations will build on the ongoing learning of both the Scottish Government and all parties involved in delivering a Good Food Nation. It will be important that the Scottish Parliament monitors the impact which the Plan is having on an ongoing basis. The Committee will therefore consider recommending to its successor committee that it undertakes scrutiny of the Plan’s impact in session 7 of the Parliament.

54. We note this consideration and thank the Committee for all their support and input into the national Plan. As the Committee highlights, this is the first national Plan, and as time passes we will ensure to continuously reflect and improve using ongoing learning and data, in line with our duty to report on progress every two years, and review and update the plan (if required) every 5 years.

55. In addition, the Scottish Food Commission will be the main oversight body for delivery of the provisions in the Good Food Nation Act. The Commission’s main functions will include; scrutinising and making recommendations in relation to the Good Food Nation Plans and progress reports; and providing advice to the Scottish Ministers, local authorities and health boards in relation to their Good Food Nation Plans. The Commission will publish the outcome of their scrutiny and parliamentary Committees may find it useful to consider this as part of their own scrutiny of the national Good Food Nation Plan.

Recommendation: Widening opportunities for community food growing should be an important component of a successful Good Food Nation. The Committee would therefore refer the Scottish Government back to the conclusions of its previous inquiry into allotments and food growing which made a number of recommendations to improve access. It has sought updates from the Scottish Government on an annual basis on what progress has been made subsequently, however it has concluded that there has been little change, which is disappointing.

56. We would like to once again thank the Committee for its work – both its initial work on the inquiry into Part 9 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, and exploring the intersection between community food growing and the Good Food Nation ambition. As noted in our initial response to the Committee’s Part 9 inquiry report and in subsequent correspondence, several of the recommendations made by the Committee relate to local authority statutory duties and actions are outside of the direct remit of the Scottish Government.

57. Since publication of the Committee’s initial report, we have undertaken a number of actions within the Scottish Government’s remit to deliver against the recommendations. This includes collaborating with Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) to deliver training workshops for local authority allotment officers.

58. The workshops provided a valuable opportunity to review Part 9 of the legislation and accompanying guidance published by the Scottish Government, and to gather feedback directly from local authority colleagues. Discussions focussed on a potential optional, standardised template for annual allotment reports and a national networking forum. This feedback directly informed the establishment of an APSE Scotland member group, a national partnership forum to enable local authorities to share expertise and good practice, with potential to enhance allotment provision.

59. We have previously committed to providing direction regarding the different legislative requirements for food growing strategies and preparing local Plans. This will be addressed through ongoing engagement with local authorities. As with delivery of allotment services and other Part 9 responsibilities, it remains the responsibility of local authorities and their elected members to decide how food growing and other related strategies play a part in their local Plans and outcomes.

60. We remain committed to working with local authorities to support and enable them to meet their Part 9 legislative duties in ways that reflect their local priorities and knowledge. We will continue to provide guidance and encouragement to empower them to deliver effectively.