Monday 22 March 2021

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Communities

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support the economic recovery of town centres following the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5W-35953) Aileen Campbell: We are focused on delivering the maximum support for the economic recovery of our town centres.

Grants of up to £7,500 for retailers and up to £19,500 for hospitality and leisure businesses will be paid in April to help businesses, including town centre businesses, re-open progressively. These one-off re-start grants will replace ongoing Strategic Framework Business Fund payments and will provide more money up front to help with the costs of re-opening.

We have extended 100% Non-Domestic Rates relief for all retail, leisure and hospitality premises for all of 2021-22 – this is more generous than the equivalent rates reliefs available in other UK nations.

To support sustained longer-term renewal for our towns, cities and villages, we are establishing a Place Based Investment Programme backed by £325 million capital investment over 5 years from 2021-22. The Programme aims to link and align all place based funding initiatives and progress our ambitions for community-led regeneration, town centres and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It will build on the additional £34 million economic stimulus for regeneration and towns and other funding provided specifically for town centres, smaller settlements and Business Improvement Districts in the current financial year.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to support (a) Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and (b) Hamilton BID during the economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5W-35956) Aileen Campbell: Building on over £1.85 million direct funding to BIDs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will provide more than £600,000 funding to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in 2021-22 to support economic recovery. This will support BIDs to manage continued risks caused by the effect of the pandemic, in particular those due to re-ballot during or after March 2021.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP),the Scottish Government’s BIDs support partner, is working closely with Hamilton Our Town BID to ensure the BID is aware of and benefitting from all available support. The BID has received over £46,000 in direct funding from the Scottish Government during the pandemic. STP will continue to work with the BID and South Lanarkshire Council through recovery to ensure the BID can actively support progress across its levy members and wider community.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the establishment of the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, as a result of the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003, has helped to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people in Scotland, and what its position is on whether the establishment of an Older People's Commissioner would help to promote and safeguard the rights of older people in Scotland. (S5W-35977) Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government recognises the role played by the Commissioner and their role as the guardian of children’s rights in Scotland. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body sets the terms of the Commissioner’s appointment, including the allocation of resources. The Commissioner is required to report to Parliament each year on the exercise of his functions.

With regard to the creation of a Commissioner for Older People, the Scottish Government’s position has not changed and is set out in response to S5W-32242 on 22 Oc tober 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Dundee receive the Scottish Child Payment, and (a) how many people it estimates will be eligible and (b) what the total value of these payments will be in Dundee in each of the next three years. (S5W-36226) Shirley-Anne Somerville: At present we have not published information on how many people in local authority areas receive Scottish Child Payment. More detailed information on application outcomes and payments, including at a local authority level, will be included in the next release of Official Statistics which will cover the period to the end of March and is due to be published on 11 May 2021.

Using the latest available forecasts published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission in January 2021, Scottish Government analysis estimates there could be around 4,300 families receiving the payment in Dundee in 2021-22, which equates to around 5,400 eligible children.

Subject to receiving data from the Department for Work and Pensions, it is our intention to extend the payment to under 16s by end 2022. Therefore using the above forecasts our analysis estimates that 15,500 children in Dundee could be eligible in 2022-23. In 2023-24, the first full financial year of the under 16s payment we estimate 15,000 children could be eligible.

The total value of Scottish Child Payment in Dundee could be £2.3 million in 2021-22, £3.5 million in 2022-23 and £6.1 million in 2023-24. The increase in spending in 2023-24 reflects that under 16s will only be paid for part of the previous year 2022-23.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Dundee it estimates will receive the Pandemic Support Payments of £130 for households receiving Council Tax Reduction, and when they will receive these payments. (S5W-36231) Aileen Campbell: The £130 Pandemic Support Payment will be made to households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction and certain households who are either exempt from Council Tax or have no liability, including those in temporary accommodation and care leavers. Based on the latest data available on receipt of Council Tax Reduction, from January 2021, we anticipate that around 17,950 households in the Dundee City Council area will benefit from this measure.

The Scottish Government continue to engage with COSLA and local authorities on delivery of this new payment, which will be made by the end of summer 2021. Further detail, including eligibility and payment dates, will be published on mygov.scot in due course.

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Dundee have received each of the social security benefits administered by Social Security Scotland in each year since 2016, also broken down by the total amount administered through each of the benefits. (S5W-36242) Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland was established in September 2018.

The number of carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance Supplement in Dundee City by financial year are:

Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance Supplement Total since September 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2018 Carer's Allowance 2,785 2,885 2,925 3,700 Supplement

The amount of Carer’s Allowance Supplement paid in Dundee City by financial year is:

Value of payments (£) Total since 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 September 2018 Carer's Allowance 1,125,000 1,197,000 1,884,000 4,207,000 Supplement

The number of applications authorised for payment in Dundee City by financial year and benefit are:

Applications authorised for payment 1 2020-21 (up to Total since 2018-19 2019-20 published date) September 2018 Best Start Grant/Best Start 445 3,115 1,935 5,495 Foods 5 Funeral Support N/A 125 185 315 Payment 6 Young Carer Grant 7 N/A 35 60 95 Job Start Payment 8 N/A N/A 20 20

The amount paid in Dundee City by financial year is:

Value of payments (£) 2 3 4 2020-21 (up to Total since 2018-19 2019-20 published date) September 2018 Best Start Grant/Best 155,100 859,378 716,591 1,731,069 Start Foods 5 Funeral Support N/A 205,332 359,210 564,542 Payment 6 Young Carer Grant 7 N/A 10,800 17,965 28,765 Job Start Payment 8 N/A N/A 5,650 5,650

1. Applications are processed once a decision has been made to authorise or deny the application, or once an application is withdrawn by the applicant.

2. Payments are issued once applications are processed and a decision is made to authorise the application. Data is presented by the date a payment is issued rather than date the application was received or the date of decision. 3. Includes payments that are a result of redeterminations and appeals.

4. Excludes a very small number of payments which are made manually to clients

5. Data is published up to 30 November 2020

6. Data is published up to 31 December 2020

7. Data is published up to 31 January 2021

8. Data is published up to 31 December 2020

N/A = Some benefits do not have costs in 2018/19 or 2019/20 as they were not devolved or had not launched at this time.

People may be authorised for more than one payment across more than one year or benefit, so it is not possible to sum these figures to give a total view of how many people are supported in total.

The Scottish Government routinely publish local authority level information in official statistics publications on each of the devolved benefits, at: https://www.gov.scot/collections/social-security-scotland-stats-publications/

Statistics on decisions and payments of Scottish Child Payment will be included in the official statistics publication on 11 May 2020.

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many families in Dundee will be eligible for the two payments of £100 to families of children qualifying for free school meals, and when these payments will be received. (S5W-36243) Aileen Campbell: It is anticipated that 5,422 eligible children and young people will benefit from the two new £100 Family Pandemic Payments in the Dundee City Council area, with an estimated £1.08 million to be made in awards. This estimate is based on the reported number of COVID Winter Hardship Payments issued, which, as of 5 February, were paid for 144,128 eligible children and young people across Scotland.

The first Family Pandemic Payment will be made around summer 2021, with the second payment made around Christmas 2021. The date for each round of payments will be confirmed following further discussion with COSLA and will be published on mygov.scot in due course. Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to community groups to ensure they are fully involved in their community's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether it will provide a breakdown of any such support by the (a) type of support, (b) group supported and (c) area support is being provided. (S5W-36249) Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government has provided a combined total of over £1 billion to support communities through the pandemic. This includes more than £550 million delivered through the Communities Funding Package. This investment has been allocated across councils, local services and directly to community and third sector organisations for a range of initiatives supporting those in need.

Investment for community groups and third sector organisations working locally in our communities has been delivered through a range of funds including the Third Sector Resilience Fund, Wellbeing Fund, Supporting Communities Fund and the Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme, which is being supported with a further £14 million in 2021-22. Details of these programmes and the type of support they delivered are available on the SCVO website at Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub – SCVO . Scottish Government worked with SCVO to develop the Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub supporting community groups with a single point of access for information and guidance about the pandemic and the funding available.

Further information on the distribution of the investment delivered through the Community Funding Package is available on the Community Mapping tool at: Community Funding Mapping (arcgis.com)

This additional investment has been made over and above the existing programmes supporting community-led regeneration and support for the third sector including the Empowering Communities Programme and the new £30 million Third Sector Growth Fund, announced on 21 March. The Investing in Communities Fund, part of the Empowering Communities Programme has provided essential flexibility for organisations throughout the pandemic to meet the needs of their communities and will continue to support community groups as we emerge and recover. It enables communities to decide on their own terms how to address local challenges, supporting community engagement, participation and empowerment for example through Participatory Budgeting. The Third Sector Growth Fund will focus on those organisations with the potential to grow, contributing to jobs and making a positive contribution in our communities as we go into a period of recovery.

Our Place Based Investment Programme will build on the strong partnership approach of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Town Centre Fund supported with £325 million over the next five years. This capital programme will be a key mechanism in tackling inequality and disadvantage and supporting renewal and recovery in our communities. The Programme, working with COSLA and Local Authorities, will contribute to delivering our joint ambitions for net zero, wellbeing and inclusive economic development, 20 Minute Neighbourhoods, town centres, the place principle, and community involvement and ownership.

On 18 March, the COSLA President and I issued a joint statement on progress with the Local Governance Review. The statement is accompanied by new Democracy Matters material. This outlines how ambitious new community decision-making arrangements, with potentially significant powers and resources, could work in practice. https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-governance-review-joint-statement-2/

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to Dundee from the Town Centre Fund in each year since its creation in 2019-20. (S5W-36250) Aileen Campbell: Dundee City Council has received £999,000 in Scottish Government capital funding through the Town Centre Fund. The council received £735,000 from the initial 2019-20 fund, and a further £264,000 in 2020-21 as part of the Return to Work economic recovery stimulus package announced in June 2020 to support local construction and boost jobs.

Corporate

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that Scotland maximises the potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence, and addresses the associated challenges. (S5W-36013) Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government has a vision that Scotland’s data is used systematically to improve decision-making, saving time, money and lives.

Data impacts on almost all aspects of human activity and in every sector of the economy, which means that to ignore its potential risks being left behind. Scotland is well-placed to harness the potential of data innovation, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to benefit our citizens, economy, public services and society.

That is why the Scottish Government set out its commitment to developing an AI strategy for Scotland in the 2019-2020 Programme for Government. We committed to doing so to help ensure that Scotland maximises the potential economic and social benefits of AI, and sends a strong signal to the world about our ambition.

Work began in autumn 2019 when The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI, were tasked with convening the strategy development process. This included a consultation, engagement programme and working groups, and involved hearing from and working with people and organisations across Scotland and beyond.

This open and collaborative approach enabled us to produce a strategy that sets out a vision for Scotland to become a leader in the development and use of trustworthy, ethical and inclusive AI. Through the Scottish AI Alliance, we will build partnerships to achieve this practical, tangible and inspiring vision.

“Scotland’s AI Strategy – Trustworthy, Ethical and Inclusive” sets out our vision, the principles that will guide us, and the actions that we will take to develop and strengthen our AI ecosystem over the next five years. It complements work to implement our new Digital Strategy, the recommendations of the Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review and related initiatives.

The strategy is due to be published on 22 March 2021 and will be available at www.scotlandaistrategy.com/ .

Dean Lockhart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what regular monitoring it carries out of the level of fiscal deficit. (S5W-35809) Kate Forbes: Unlike the UK Government, the Scottish Government has no fiscal deficit as it is required to balance its budget.

The Scottish Government monitors the budget management position throughout the year, with adjustments to plans given effect in Budget Revisions.

Variances of actual expenditure compared to budget are reported through the provisional and final outturn processes following the end of the financial year and in the Scottish Government’s Consolidated accounts.

Economy

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in delivering the National Islands Plan. (S5W-36078) Paul Wheelhouse: One of the first provisions introduced by the ground- breaking Island (Scotland) Act 2018 was a duty on Scottish Ministers to prepare a National Islands Plan. From April to July 2019, we consulted widely on what was important to our island communities. The result of this consultation, was the publication of the National Islands Plan in December 2019.

I am proud to say that the Scottish Government’s first Annual Report of the National Islands Plan has been laid in Parliament today. The production of this report marks a key milestone in the implementation of the National Islands Plan. I am heartened to see progress being made despite the difficulties posed by the unprecedented events of 2020.

During the pandemic, we had to re-prioritise our efforts to support our island communities. This has had a direct impact on the implementation of the Plan itself, and as such many of the previously envisaged timescales have been extended. However, despite this, I am pleased to tell you that progress has still been made towards the majority of the commitments in the National Islands Plan.

Aligned to the National Islands Plan and as required by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, we also introduced new regulations that brought the need to conduct Island Communities Impact Assessments into force in December 2020. We look forward to continuing to support the relevant authorities and our island communities to ensure that these assessments promote island proofing across the board.

Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Hardship Fund, also broken down by how many have (a) been approved, (b) been rejected and (c) yet to be processed. (S5W-35792) Kate Forbes: The Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund (CTHEHF), was administered by the enterprise agencies in Scotland. Each enterprise agency administered funds in its respective area and performance data was compiled by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of all three agencies. This data was published on 4 August on the Scottish Government website. Coronavirus (COVID-19): hardship and resilience funds statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

A table summarising the number of applications made, how many were approved, how many were rejected, and if there are any applications yet to be processed is set out below. Applications still to Applications Applications Applications be received approved rejected processed 3412* 1908** 1504 0

*excluding duplicates, entries created but never submitted, withdrawn applications, etc.

**excluding failing the bank check, did not provide sufficient information, or failing on basic eligibility

The Scottish Government continues to support businesses during these challenging times. Our approach is tailored to Scotland’s economic needs by providing support, including the CTHEHF, which was unavailable elsewhere in the UK.

Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what the average award granted by the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Hardship Fund has been. (S5W-35797) Kate Forbes: Data relating to the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund (CTHEHF) was published on 4 August on the Scottish Government website. Coronavirus (COVID-19): hardship and resilience funds statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

This data confirms that the average award granted is £12,400.

Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the reasons that applications to the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Hardship Fund have been rejected. (S5W-35798) Kate Forbes: Data for the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund (CTHEHF) was compiled by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of all three enterprise agencies. Scottish Enterprise has provided a breakdown of the percentage of applications rejected and the reason for rejection:

• 54% were rejected because the applicant business had a positive cashflow balance after 6 months. The appraisal on grant award value required the business to demonstrate, through their own supplied cashflow projection, what they thought their cashflow would be over a 6 month period. The grant was designed to support immediate hardship amongst eligible businesses, however where they demonstrated they had sufficient cash reserves no award could be made. • 26% of applicants were rejected as they were not within one of the qualifying SIC codes. • 13% of applicants were rejected because they did not have a business bank account. A business bank account was a minimum eligibility requirement for all applicants. • 7% were rejected for ‘other reasons’ . This would include the business was found no longer to be trading, was insolvent, business was not based in Scotland.

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a hydrogen production and distribution company with majority state ownership. (S5W-35806) Paul Wheelhouse: The Hydrogen Policy Statement published on the 21 December 2020 sets out the Scottish Government’s vision to develop Scotland into a leading Hydrogen Nation in the production of reliable, competitive, sustainable hydrogen and to secure Scotland’s future as a centre of international excellence as we establish the innovation, skills and supply chain that will underpin our energy transition.

The Hydrogen Policy Statement has provided the framework for the development of a Hydrogen Action Plan in 2021 which will provide further detail on the planned approach and necessary actions to implement the policy positions outlined in the Policy Statement.

In the development of the Hydrogen Action Plan, the Scottish Government will consider a wide range of options and actions to realise this vision and our ambition to reach 5GW’s of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 as set out in the Hydrogen Policy Statement.

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the proposals by the Agricultural Industries Confederation regarding a simpler and more efficient plant protection products regulatory regime, in response to the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. (S5W-35808) Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government is currently involved in the review of the UK National Action Plan (NAP) for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

The revised NAP draft, agreed by all four nations of the UK, represents our shared ambition to increase uptake of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and sustainable crop protection to minimise the risks and impacts of pesticides to human health and the environment. The public consultation closed on 26 February 2021 and the process of analysis and consideration is now underway. The Agricultural Industries Confederation’s response and those of other respondents will be fully considered during this stage of the consultation process.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a draft being circulated in September 2019, when the final version of the application guidance for the cultivation for upland productive woodland creation sites will be published, and what the reasons have been for any delay. (S5W-35823) Fergus Ewing: Scottish Forestry has been working with a range of stakeholders to develop operational guidance on soil cultivation for woodland creation in Scotland.

A final draft of this guidance is being considered by Scottish Forestry’s Customer Representatives Group at their next meeting on 17 March 2021, with the intention of it being finalised and published soon after.

The 2019 draft introduced restrictions on the use of cultivation techniques with a higher level of soil disturbance. Some members of the CRG had concerns over these restrictions and the potential impacts. In response Scottish Forestry sought assistance from Forest Research to help determine whether restrictions were appropriate. This work, coupled with Covid 19 has delayed the publication.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government when, under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework, domestic cleaners will be permitted to clean homes other than those of vulnerable people, who are unable to clean their own homes. (S5W-35853) Jamie Hepburn: The current regulations limit the entry of other people into homes for the purpose of the upkeep, maintenance or functioning of the house to where the work is essential for that purpose in level 4. These restrictions have been put in place to limit the transmission of the virus. As set out in our guidance, essential work includes domestic cleaning in support of a clean and safe living environment for people in vulnerable circumstance or living with a disability, where as a result of that vulnerable circumstance or disability are unable to clean their own home.

The Scottish Government has reviewed the Strategic Framework. As part of this, we have indicated the steps required for the easing of restrictions. As set out in the First Minister’s statement on 16 March, we expect the restrictions on working in other people’s homes to be relaxed on 26 April. The updated Strategic Framework sets out the conditions on easing, including meeting the WHO’s six conditions and all JCVI Priority Groups 1-9 having been offered the vaccine.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence it has had with (i) Sanjeev Gupta, (ii) the Liberty Group and, (iii) the GFG Alliance in each of the last two years. (S5W-35858) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the GFG Alliance both at the Lochaber and Dalzell sites, as well as at Group level, mostly via officials. I chair the Lochaber Delivery Group meeting which last met on 23 February 2021.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports a moratorium on new incinerators being built. (S5W-35859) Roseanna Cunningham: Our commitment to becoming a net-zero society by 2045 is unwavering. Scottish Ministers are fully committed to ending the practice of sending biodegradable municipal waste to landfill by 2025, in line with recommendations previously made by the Committee on Climate Change.

However, we still need capacity to dispose of residual waste while we make the transition to a circular economy in Scotland. We are working with local authorities to ensure that incineration capacity is matched to future demand, including expected progress on reducing waste and increasing recycling.

In Scotland, it is illegal to incinerate materials that have been separately collected and are capable of being recycled, and waste incineration is strictly regulated in line with EU standards under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations.

A recent report from Zero Waste Scotland report showed that the greenhouse gas emissions from Energy from Waste are, on average, lower than for landfill. Nevertheless, we will continue to work with EfW operators and developers to consider opportunities to further improve the efficiency of plants, and consider how waste infrastructure can be ‘future-proofed’ for Carbon Capture and Storage technology in line with recent Committee on Climate Change recommendations.

Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide financial support to business owners who are otherwise ineligible for self-employment support due to having begun trading after March 2020, are ineligible for universal credit and have received no business rates-based support due to operating as a sole trader on another business ratepayer's premises. (S5W-35865) Kate Forbes: We recognise the significant financial hardship that many of those who are newly self-employed have experienced over the past year as a result of being excluded from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) which is why we have introduced two separate rounds of the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund. These have paid out combined grants of £6,000 in total to support the many self-employed people in Scotland who were excluded from the UK Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) by virtue of being newly self-employed.

Limits on the amount of funding made available to the Scottish Government to provide financial support to businesses means that we are unable to contemplate further direct financial support for businesses or the self- employed without additional funding from the UK Government.

Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what financial provision it will make to support businesses that are ineligible for its Self-Employed Hardship Fund due to commencing trading prior to 1 October 2018, and whether it has considered measures such as backdating eligibility to the beginning of the 2018-19 financial year. (S5W-35866) Kate Forbes: The Newly Self Employed Hardship Fund was designed to help alleviate financial hardship for those who are newly self-employed and not eligible for the UK Government’s Self-employment Income Support Scheme. The fund closes to applications on 23 March 2021 and we have no plans to change the eligibility criteria. Based on the uptake in 2020, we expect more than 5,000 newly self-employed individuals to benefit from the fund.

Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether, in line with UK Government policy, it will re-classify garden centres and plant nurseries as essential retail premises in order to allow them to reopen. (S5W-35868) Ben Macpherson: The First Minister announced on 16 March that the impact of the current lockdown and the positive effect of the vaccine roll out give us more confidence about mapping a path out of lockdown, with a firmer indicative timeline for lifting restrictions. This means that garden centres and plant nurseries can open in line with stringent physical distancing and other hygiene measures from 5 April 2021.

We hope to move back to a levels system from the last week in April with a phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including non-essential retail. However we will continue to monitor the impact of these changes.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that pheasants and other gamebirds due to be released in autumn 2021 are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency Poultry Register, and to improve avian influenza health checks of gamebirds in place prior to their release. (S5W-35877) Ben Macpherson: There is no evidence that released gamebirds have been linked to onwards transmission of Avian Influenza. There is a legal requirement for all bird keepers with 50 or more birds to register their premises on the Great Britain Poultry Register. The voluntary registration of premises with fewer than 50 birds is highly encouraged. This includes captive game birds. Game birds are considered captive until the point of release where they become wild birds.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency carries out active surveillance through the national survey for avian influenza of subtypes H5 and H7 in domestic poultry (including game birds and poultry kept as pets). Samples are taken from a random selection of premises and are subject to serological testing for AI antibodies. Any positive results trigger further enquiries at the premises in question and further laboratory testing.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government has worked together with other UK administrations and the gamebird sector to create the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes . The code of practice provides information on good biosecurity, husbandry and inspection measures to prevent disease.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the large numbers of non-native gamebirds released into the countryside do not act as vectors of Avian Influenza. (S5W-35878) Ben Macpherson: There is no evidence that released gamebirds have been linked to onwards transmission of Avian Influenza. Gamebirds are considered captive birds until they are released and are subject to the restrictions set out in the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The new housing measures, which came into force on 14 December, remain in place and mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

Once game birds have been released they are classified as wild birds. Surveillance of dead wild birds in undertaken across GB. If you find a single dead bird of prey, gull or wildfowl species (particularly wild geese, wild ducks, swans), or find five or more birds of any other species in the same location and at the same time, then you should report these incidents to GB Dead Wild Bird Helpline.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out into the role of released non-native gamebirds in the spread of Avian Influenza. (S5W-35879) Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government has not commissioned any research on the role of released gamebirds in the spread of Avian Influenza because there is no scientific evidence to suggest that any links exist.

In addition to the active surveillance through the national survey for avian influenza in domestic poultry, including game birds kept in captivity and surveillance of dead wild birds undertaken across GB, a thorough epidemiological assessment is completed after each outbreak of Avian Influenza, these include ornithological assessments. No evidence has been found of released game birds having a role on the spread of Avian Influenza.

Evidence to date shows that Avian Influenza is mostly spread in the wild by migratory bird species such as geese, swans, ducks and other species in close contact with them including birds of prey and other waterfowl that share similar habitats.

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost SEPA to restore data, following the recent cyber-attack that it experienced. (S5W-35883) Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35327 on 1 March 2021.

No firm estimate has yet been made of the cost of fully restoring data lost during the cyber-attack.

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government by what date SEPA is expected to return to full operational capacity, following the recent cyber- attack that it experienced. (S5W-35884) Roseanna Cunningham: While SEPA has already restored a number of services, it is likely to take many months to fully recover its capacity to normal levels. This is a sophisticated criminal cyber-attack that has had a major impact on all of SEPA’s work.

Further significant steps to restore IT functionality for SEPA staff are expected towards the end of March and SEPA aims to make significant progress in its recovery by 30 June 2021. Nevertheless, there will be much work to do in the remainder of 2021-22 to fully recover from the cyber-attack.

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent cyber-attack that was experienced by SEPA has had on the agency’s ability to record levels of fly-tipping, and what information it has regarding the trend in the number of fly-tipping incidents since the attack. (S5W-35885) Roseanna Cunningham: The cyber-attack has affected the way that SEPA works. SEPA’s Dumb Dumpers phone line was switched off immediately after the cyber-attack and SEPA’s website redirects all fly-tipping reports to the Zero Waste Scotland Dumb Dumpers Stop Line online form.

However, Zero Waste Scotland records show that between 24 December 2020 and 16 March 2021, there have been 502 reports of fly tipping through the online Dumb Dumpers form.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the data that was required to be submitted to NatureScot by 31 December 2020 regarding the annual returns for licences that were granted in 2019 and 2020 to land owners and other stakeholders for beaver mitigation measures. (S5W-35895) Roseanna Cunningham: NatureScot published a summary of beaver management licences issued in 2019 in May 2020: https://www.nature.scot/naturescot-beaver-licensing-summary-1st-may-31st- december-2019

NatureScot will publish a further report covering the period 1 January to 31 December 2020 later this year, once they have completed the final checks on licence returns and a full data analysis. The report will include details of the number of dams removed, the number of beavers killed, trapped and translocated under licence in 2020, alongside details of other mitigation works. It will include an assessment against the results of a beaver population survey carried out over the winter of 2020-21 and due to report in July 2021.

Together, this package of information will include analysis of data and provide comprehensive details of the range of actions under the beaver management framework along with recommendations for future management.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many licences were issued by NatureScot in the calendar year 2020 for (a) beaver dam removal and (b) the (i) lethal and (ii) non-lethal control of beavers, also broken down by how many were subject to prior site inspection by the agency or contractors. (S5W-35896) Roseanna Cunningham: A total of 24 licences were issued in 2020. Accounting for amendments, this equates to 21 separate licences broken down as follows:

• 2 were for photography (site visit not applicable) • 1 was for mitigation and trapping for translocation (site visit not applicable) • 4 were for public safety / public infrastructure (all had site visits) • 2 were for mitigation works (both visited) • 1 was for forestry (not visited) • 11 were for agricultural damage (7 were visited, 1 of which was subsequently revoked pending a site visit).

Of the above, 9 permitted the licensed culling of beavers. The other 12 licences permitted non-lethal interventions.

*A new licence number is generated for every licence issued; this includes where amendments are made or licences renewed.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many beavers were translocated to (a) suitable habitats in existing beaver ranges in Scotland and (b) contained trial sites in England in the calendar year 2020. (S5W-35900) Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35895 on 19 March 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many flood mitigation trials deploying translocated beavers were established in the calendar year 2020. (S5W-35902) Roseanna Cunningham: No flood mitigation trials have deployed beavers translocated under licence from NatureScot in Scotland in 2020.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many licences authorising the removal of beaver dams in response to concerns regarding activities that were restricting the passage of fish were issued by NatureScot to (a) riparian and (b) land managers in the calendar year 2020, and how many licences were refused. (S5W-35903) Roseanna Cunningham: NatureScot did not issue or refuse any applications relating to the removal of beaver dams to prevent restriction of fish passage in 2020.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much NatureScot spent in the calendar year 2020 on the (a) development and (b) installation of non-lethal beaver mitigation measures. (S5W-35904) Roseanna Cunningham: NatureScot operates a beaver advice and mitigation scheme for land managers experiencing significant detrimental impacts from beavers.

The operating budget for this in the financial year 2020-21 was £91,000. However, due to the impact of the Covid pandemic the progress of some key projects has been delayed and the actual spend is therefore likely to be approximately £40,000.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what the 2021 NatureScot budget is for the (a) administration, (b) delivery and (c) monitoring of the Beaver Management Framework, and how much has been set aside for the (i) development and (ii) installation of non-lethal mitigation measures. (S5W-35905) Roseanna Cunningham: The 2021-22 total operating budget allocation for beaver advice and mitigation is £91,000. This excludes staff costs (currently one full-time member of staff at £35,000 but due to increase to two full-time staff members).

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many beavers were killed under licenced lethal control measures in the calendar year 2020, also broken down by the (a) date of each incident, (b) number of family groups of beavers that were killed, including how many were in each group and (c) sex and age of the beavers, and how many of the beavers were subject to a post-mortem by NatureScot or its agents to verify that there was compliance with the appropriate regulations. (S5W-35906) Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35895 on 19 March 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many expressions of interest or requests have been received by (a) it and (b) NatureScot since 1 May 2020 from parties in England and Wales interested in acquiring beavers for translocation to assist with flood resilience and biodiversity enhancement projects, broken down by the date of receipt. (S5W-35907) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has not received any requests or expressions of interest from parties in England and Wales looking to acquire beavers.

Requests for the supply of beavers to populate projects in England and Wales do not routinely come directly to NatureScot. However, NatureScot works in collaboration with a beaver consultant and with Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.

The following projects have been granted release licences from Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, with NatureScot agreeing that animals can be sourced from Tayside.

Number proposed; Project name-Site Dates up to 4-1-2018 to River Otter Beaver Trial, Devon 3 12-2-2020 27-3-2019 to Pickering Beaver Project, Yorkshire 2 30-4-2019 Poole Harbour Farm, Plymouth City 1-5-2020 to 6 Council 30-4-2025 1-3-2020 to Hamathey Estate, Cornwall 6 1-3-2025 1-6-2020 to Highloft Beaver Project, Cartmell Fell 6 31-5-2025 Valewood Beaver Project, National 1-1-2020 to 4 Trust 31-12-2025 Holnicote Beaver Project, National 1-4-2020 to 6 Trust 31-3-2025 1-3-2020 to 1-3- Dorset Wildife Trust 6 2025 29-6-2020 to Cheshire Wildlife Trust 6 29-6-2025 1-3-2020 to Cabilla Farm, Cornwall 6 1-3-2025 Sussex Beaver Project, Knepp 9-1-2020 to 14 Estate 9-1-2025 1-2-2018 to Forest of Dean 8 31-1-2023 Lowther Beaver Project, Lowther 9-1-2020 to 6 Estate 6-1-2025 14-1-2020 to Kenhill Estate 15 13-1-2025 15-8-2020 to Broadridge Farm, Witheridge, Devon 6 14-8-2025 1-10-2020 to Willington Gravel Pits, Derbyshire 30-9-2025 12 Wildlife Trust

Cornwall Sea Life Trust 17-2-2021 to 5 Welsh Beaver Project 17-2-2026 6 11-3-2021 to 28-2-2021

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of experience gained from the second year of the management of beavers as a protected species, what plans NatureScot has to review the Beaver Management Framework to (a) reduce the requirement for the need for lethal control concerns and (b) facilitate an expansion of the population to occupy suitable habitat (i) inside and (ii) outside its current range. (S5W-35908) Roseanna Cunningham: NatureScot supports an adaptive management approach to wildlife management and, in consultation with stakeholders through the Scottish Beaver Forum, keeps the Beaver Management Framework under constant review through application of their processes and guidance.

(a) When beavers became a European Protected Species in May 2019, NatureScot undertook to conduct a review of licensing after two years of operation. This review is underway, with the input from the Scottish Beaver Forum. In addition, the trialling of innovative mitigation measures and discussion on future rural support payments is intended to reduce the need for lethal control in the future.

(b) Work is ongoing to reduce the need for lethal control and NatureScot have announced that they would be open to applications under the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations for the movement of beavers from conflict areas to other suitable locations within or on the edge of range of their existing their current range.

We are discussing with NatureScot the circumstances, including the experience with beaver management, which might allow the policy on translocation of beavers to include release sites outside their current range in Scotland.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many beaver lethal control licences were issued in the calendar year 2020 by NatureScot without a site visit being carried out by the agency or its agents in the six months prior to the issue to verify that each licence was required as a last resort. (S5W-35909) Roseanna Cunningham: COVID restrictions have limited NatureScot’s ability to carry out site-based activities in 2020.

NatureScot issued four licences that permitted the use of lethal control in 2020 without a site visit being undertaken. Of these one was subsequently revoked pending a site visit.

NatureScot uses a combination of information and photographic evidence provided by land managers, details of site topography and the knowledge of issues on neighbouring properties (which has been built up over time by staff and contractors), combined with the use of site visits, where appropriate, to inform the assessment of licence applications. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many spot-checks of licensees for the lethal control of beavers were carried out in the calendar year, 2020, also broken down by how many (a) discrepancies were identified and (b) licences were revoked. (S5W-35910) Roseanna Cunningham: COVID restrictions have limited some of NatureScot’s operational activities, including the ability to undertake site visits throughout 2020.

NatureScot has not carried out spot-checks on beaver licence compliance in 2020, but maintains contact with those in receipt of licences.

NatureScot is currently considering how routine site visits could be carried out in the future.

Compliance checks are made as part of checking licence returns.

(a) Discrepancies were identified in 3 licence returns from 2019 and have been followed up.

(b) 1 licence was revoked pending a site visit

Three licence holders failed to submit returns in 2020 and are currently being dealt with by NatureScot in accordance with the compliance process.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring of beaver control is in place, and how many beavers are known to have been killed in the calendar year 2020. (S5W-35912) Roseanna Cunningham: refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35895 on 19 March 2021 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce protection to the most vulnerable carbon storage ‘hotspots’, especially those found in sea lochs. (S5W-35915) Ben Macpherson: We are committed to protecting vulnerable marine habitats through our Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. Seventeen sea lochs are already protected through MPAs. The Scottish Blue Carbon Forum is currently conducting a multi-year research programme to further investigate blue carbon habitats, their role in carbon uptake and their vulnerabilities to human activities. The current evidence does not yet support the introduction of further measures to protect sediment hotpots however protection will be considered if research suggests it is necessary.

Additionally, work to protect blue carbon habitats such as maerl and seagrass is already underway. The Scottish Government is in the process of developing fisheries management measures for the most vulnerable Priority Marine Features outside of MPAs. This work was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We intend to resume the project as soon as it is safe to hold face- to-face stakeholder meetings again.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its latest assessment of the impact on (a) human health and (b) the environment of energy from waste facilities and incineration. (S5W-35954) Roseanna Cunningham: Emissions from energy from waste plants are strictly controlled under the Pollution Prevention and Control regulatory regime. Correctly operated, modern energy from waste facilities should have minimal impact on overall local air quality.

A multi layered and highly precautionary approach is taken to the permitting and operation of Incineration sites, and these facilities receive a continued high level of scrutiny from SEPA throughout their lifetime.

The Pollution Prevention and Control permitting process goes into significant detail on the design and performance of the proposed EfW plant, with modelling studies for air emission and human health reviewed in detail by dedicated specialists within SEPA. The relevant standards were reviewed and considerably tightened last year in alignment with the EU BREF process and these very tight standards must be complied with by December 2023.

Incineration sites are required to have a Continuous Emissions Monitoring system (CEMS) in place, which uses a dedicated separate computer system and has a standby system in place. Manual monitoring of emissions also takes place four times within the first year of Operation (subsequently twice per year) alongside multiple tests during commissioning. SEPA also undertakes its own manual samples of air emissions once per year. Soil samples are also taken at regular intervals on or near to the site to monitor long term effects and in some cases ambient air quality near to the site is also sampled. The results of all of these tests are publicly available through SEPA’s Public Register. No site is permitted to operate above the consented limits with inbuilt safeguards called interlocks forcing the site to shut down `if limits are breached.

All local authorities are required to regularly review air quality in their areas and to submit an annual report to the Scottish Government summarising their air quality work from the previous year. This report should include identification of and assessment plans for any new potential emissions sources.

Dean Lockhart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its maximum potential financial exposure is under guarantees and other contractual arrangements relating to the aluminium smelter in Fort William. (S5W-35955) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government publishes details of its financial assets and liabilities in the annual Consolidated Accounts. The annual revenues guaranteed under the Lochaber guarantee vary between £14 million and £32 million over the life of the contract. Further details of the guarantee exposure were shared with the Finance and Constitution Committee in confidence when it approved the guarantee in November 2016 but are not published for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) score and (b) evaluation was of each the 72 Scottish Enterprise suppliers that were asked to demonstrate fair work practice in line with the Fair Work First criteria and were awarded regulated contracts worth a total of £23.8 million in 2019-20. (S5W-35978) Jamie Hepburn: Scottish Enterprise undertook a regulated procurement process for 72 separate contracts in FY 2019/2020, resulting in the appointment of 60 unique suppliers. The application of Fair Work First was considered for all tenders, and was applied and scored on 17. Two of these were judged to be ‘Acceptable’, 13 to be ‘Good’, and 2 judged to be ‘Excellent’ following evaluation. It was not appropriate to score Fair Work for the remaining contracts, as these were either for the supply of goods, or would not have been able to be scored in a fair and equitable manner in line with procurement regulation.

Where Fair Work First is not a scored criteria, all bidders are still asked to address Fair Work practices in their tenders, and provide evidence of fair employment practices. This includes paying the real Living Wage and promoting payment of the real Living Wage throughout their supply chain. In 2019-2020, 36 unique suppliers committed to pay the real Living Wage, and 16 unique suppliers were fully accredited real Living Wage employers.

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the cleaning sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5W-35981) Kate Forbes: Since the start of the pandemic, our support for business totals more than £3 billion, more than a third of total COVID-19 funding. We recognise that businesses which have been able to remain open, such as those in the cleaning sector, have also been affected by restrictions. This is why we increased our support through the discretionary fund to £120 million enabling local authorities to support businesses in their area which had not yet received any financial support based on local economic needs.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the resumption of trawling in the Inner Sound of Skye on 1 April 2021 might impact on the national status of priority marine features in that area. (S5W-35982) Fergus Ewing: Commercial fishing activity in the Inner Sound of Skye is already heavily regulated and the annual resumption of trawling on the 1 April 2021 will not affect the national status or future development of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) / Priority Marine Feature (PMF) network.

On 10 March 2021, an emergency MPA was designated for a part of the Inner Sound of Skye to protect the critically endangered flapper skate. Interim management measures came into force on 17 March 2021 to provide protection from a range of fishing activities including mobile gear, while further evidence is gathered to inform a permanent protection strategy.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to halt the decline in biogenic reef habitats that was reported in the Scottish Marine Assessment 2020. (S5W-35986) Ben Macpherson: The biogenic habitats indicator was developed specifically for Scotland’s Marine Assessment (SMA) 2020 and reports losses in subtidal habitat extent only. The assessment covers the following six habitats: blue mussel beds, horse mussel beds, flame shell beds, maerl beds, seagrass beds and serpulid aggregations. All of the habitats are Priority Marine Features (PMFs).

Fifteen examples of biogenic habitats were assessed as part of SMA 2020. Of the 10 examples where declines were recorded, nine are within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and seven of these have fisheries management measures in place to protect these priority marine features. Of the other three, two are in existing MPAs with proposed fisheries management measures being developed and the other is within a proposed management area for PMFs outside the MPA network. The Scottish Government is in the process of developing fisheries management measures for the 11 most vulnerable PMFs, which include all six biogenic habitats, outside of MPAs. Furthermore, fisheries management measures for MPAs were established for the 17 most sensitive sites in 2016, with the second phase for the next 18 sites under development.

This work was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We intend to resume the project as soon as it is safe to hold face-to-face stakeholder meetings again.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Strategic Business Framework Fund (a) have been approved, (b) have been rejected and (c) are yet to be processed. (S5W-35992) Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government regularly publishes statistics and management information relating to its Covid-19 business grants on its website. The latest publication that includes details of the Strategic Framework Business Fund was published on 10 March 2021.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded to businesses by the Strategic Business Framework Fund, and how much has been allocated to businesses to date. (S5W-35994) Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government regularly publishes statistics and management information relating to its Covid-19 business grants on its website. The latest publication that includes details of the Strategic Framework Business Fund was published on 10 March 2021.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of what (a) employment and (b) business support schemes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic it offers, and how much it is allocating to each scheme in the 2021-22 Budget. (S5W-35996) Kate Forbes: In the 2021-22 Budget, we announced an additional £125 million of funding to help people impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic access employment opportunities.

This includes: • £70 million for the Young Person’s Guarantee – continuing to provide work, education or training for every 16 to 24-year-old across Scotland • £35 million for skills and retraining, including for the National Transition Training Fund, which supports people who are unemployed or at risk of redundancy due to COVID-19 • £20 million for No One Left Behind – helping people who are long-term unemployed move towards and into work

This additional £125 million in our latest budget is just one strand of the Scottish Government’s proposed investment of over £1 billion for jobs and skills, including further funding for Skills Development Scotland and Fair Start Scotland. It will allow us to extend the reach of these key initiatives and help meet demand, building on our substantial existing investment in education, employability and skills and supporting a strong economic recovery for Scotland.

We are also focussed on delivering the maximum support for the businesses and the economy as possible and the Find Business Support website contains information on the range of business support available. £460 million was allocated to the Economy, Fair Work & Culture portfolio for strategic framework business support in Stage 2 of the 2021-22 Budget (Scotland) Bill.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the current restrictions on non-essential construction works inside people’s homes will be eased before the week beginning 26 April 2021, and what the reasons are for its position on the matter. (S5W-36080) Jamie Hepburn: The current regulations limit the entry of other people into homes for the purpose of the upkeep, maintenance or functioning of the house to where the work is essential for that purpose in level 4. These restrictions have been put in place to limit the transmission of the virus.

The Scottish Government has reviewed the Strategic Framework. As part of this, we have indicated the steps required for the easing of restrictions. As set out in the First Minister’s statement on 16 March, we expect the restrictions on working in other people’s homes to be relaxed on 26 April. The updated Strategic Framework sets out the conditions on easing, including meeting the WHO’s six conditions and all JCVI Priority Groups 1-9 having been offered the vaccine.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to buy electricity from the Fort William smelter and associated hydro-electric facilities if there is a failure of the smelter business, at what price per kilowatt- hour (KWh) the guarantee is fixed. (S5W-36085) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government guarantee provides for timely payment of fixed amounts of income due quarterly under a power purchase agreement between the smelter and Simec Lochaber Hydropower Limited. The Lochaber guarantee does not require the Scottish Government to buy electricity.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how its commitments on achieving women’s labour market equality will be integrated with the development of the Centre for Workplace Transformation. (S5W-36089) Jamie Hepburn: The Centre for Workplace Transformation is being developed in a way that is wholly consistent with the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework and commitments to inclusive growth and fair work. Embedding equality – including gender equality – will be at the core of the Centre’s activity.

The Scottish Government recognises that the pandemic could exacerbate existing labour market inequalities for protected groups including women. The Centre will help strengthen the range of activity already being undertaken through the Gender Pay Gap Action Plan to improve the experiences of women within the labour market.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the financial guarantee to companies within the GFG Group was referred to the EU for approval on state aid grounds, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. (S5W-36103) Fergus Ewing: The guarantee is compliant with EU state aid rules and did not require EU approval.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it had with affected commercial and industry bodies regarding the Red Rocks and Longay Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2021; what was discussed, and whether these meetings changed its proposals. (S5W-36147) Ben Macpherson: Scottish Government officials undertook a series of stakeholder engagement meetings. Although consultation is not necessary when using urgent powers within the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, these meetings allowed local stakeholders to be involved in shaping the proposals.

Scottish Government met with representatives from the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Community Inshore Fisheries Alliance, Scottish Whitefish Producer’s Association, West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group, Scottish Salmon Producer’s Organisation, Marine Conservation Society, local recreational divers, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Highland Council, and Ministry of Defence. Minutes from these meetings [are/will be] available online here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/marine-environment/marine-protected-areas/ .

The feedback from these stakeholders was used to inform the Scottish Ministers’ decision.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what evidence base it used to prohibit each activity in the Red Rocks and Longay Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area. (S5W-36148) Ben Macpherson: NatureScot provided the Scottish Government with advice on the flapper skate nursery area on 26 October and 18 December 2020. This advice is published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/protection-flapper- skate-naturescot-advice-scottish-government-regarding-flapper-skate-eggs- inner-sound/ .

The Scottish Government took account of the advice from NatureScot and views from stakeholders in deciding which activities to prohibit within the Red Rocks and Longay MPA. NatureScot’s advice states that skate eggs are sensitive to a number of activities including creel fishing, demersal mobile fishing gear, diver egg collection or disturbance, aquaculture and anchoring. In considering this advice and feedback from stakeholders, the Scottish Ministers have decided to take a precautionary approach to protecting the flapper skate egg nursery by prohibiting all activities capable of affecting the eggs, regardless of the magnitude of potential impacts.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what consultation (a) it and (b) its agencies undertook prior to the lodging of the Red Rocks and Longay Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2021 in respect of each of the prohibited activities. (S5W-36149) Ben Macpherson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-36147 on‎ 22 March 2021 for details of the groups which Scottish Government consulted with. This allowed Scottish Government officials to engage with the groups representing mobile fishing, static fishing, scallop diving, recreational diving, military activities, aquaculture and regulation of infrastructure and construction. Scottish Government is the regulator for marine waste disposal.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in increasing the proportion of (a) women, and (b) men with trade union and workplace representative experience who are appointed to public bodies. (S5W-36154) Kate Forbes: The Public Appointments process or regulated public appointments does not ask or require applicants to declare any previous or current trade union membership. No records are held by the Public Appointments Team as to which current Board members of regulated public bodies are affiliated to a trade union.

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of people who are appointed to public boards, and categorised as a "woman," also have the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, as set out in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018. (S5W-36155) Kate Forbes: As of 15 March 2021 52% of regulated public appointments were held by women, 48% were men. The Public Appointments monitoring system does not hold information about the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. A new monitoring system will be delivered in 2021 and will introduce questions about gender identity and gender reassignment.

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in increasing the proportion of young (a) women, and (b) men taking up places on public boards. (S5W-36156) Kate Forbes: There are currently 723 people who have been appointed to public body boards. In line with a target set by the Ethical Standards Commissioner, the Scottish Government collect and report on numbers of public appointees who are aged under 49. As of 15 March 2021 there are total of 120 people who are aged under 49 : 82 (11.3%) women and 38 (5.3%) men.

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) (a) are still to complete their transition to the relaunched Scottish Business Pledge and (b) have indicated they will not be transitioning. (S5W-36163) Jamie Hepburn: Information about the size of business for Scottish Business Pledge members was not recorded prior to May 2018 and the total number of Business Pledge members that are a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) is therefore not available. Of the 698 Business Pledge members that require to transition to the relaunched Business Pledge criteria, only one SME has indicated its intention not to transition.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, what powers it has to ensure that the community in East Lochaber and Laggan can acquire the land on the site of the former Alcan Estate and the Smelter, which is owned by the GFG Alliance. (S5W-36165) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government’s Community Land Team has provided detailed advice and guidance to the East Lochaber and Laggan Community Trust (ELLCT) regarding a possible community right to buy application over the land asset owned by the GFG Alliance. However the possible acquisition of private land by another party remains a matter of business between those two parties.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been supported through the National Transition Training Fund. (S5W-36166) Jamie Hepburn: The National Transition Training Fund was introduced to address and mitigate the impacts of Covid-19 on the labour market, with projections that around 115,000 people in Scotland could be at risk of long term unemployment as a result of the pandemic.

The extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) beyond October 2020 has meant that the worst impacts of the pandemic on unemployment have not yet been realised. Uptake of the current offer has therefore been less than expected. To date, based on available data, over 3000 individuals have received training through the programme across a range of sectors including Tourism and Hospitality, Rural, Creative Industries, and Aerospace.

Delivery of the college and university projects supported by the Fund will continue to the end of the academic year and final delivery figures for 2020-21 will be published when all provision is complete.

Ongoing support for the National Transition Training Fund was announced as part of the 21-22 Scottish Budget.

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the value of food and drink exports since 2016, broken down by (i) region and (ii) country. (S5W-36201) Fergus Ewing:

Please find information in the following tables.

Table 1. Scottish Exports of Food and Drink between 2016-2020, by Region (Ranked by 2019 Value) Value (£000’s) Region 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Food (1) 1,424,802 1,641,589 1,602,219 1,778,883 1,656,553 1 European Union 982,085 1,110,378 1,082,092 1,166,360 1,076,179 2 Asia and Oceania 155,278 216,446 216,604 228,642 147,135 3 North America 115,795 151,599 151,606 185,735 130,489 4 Western Europe 61,422 58,611 65,725 88,633 200,622 5 Middle East and North Africa 69,362 67,090 59,119 78,023 64,357 6 Sub-Saharan Africa 28,708 20,495 14,430 14,588 13,102 7 Eastern Europe 5,725 7,336 5,790 9,304 17,854 8 Latin America and the Caribbean 6,427 9,634 6,853 7,598 6,815 Drinks (2) 3,763,779 4,018,531 4,281,323 4,479,740 3,592,188 1 European Union 1,197,190 1,246,730 1,316,625 1,391,418 1,220,125 2 North America 1,182,923 1,244,743 1,280,365 1,282,242 975,318 3 Asia and Oceania 716,883 818,787 947,572 1,049,759 856,403 4 Latin America and the Caribbean 252,990 253,964 278,278 291,800 200,219 5 Middle East and North Africa 191,355 208,863 215,282 196,908 103,917 6 Sub-Saharan Africa 116,597 131,369 128,579 145,419 109,691 7 Western Europe 87,571 87,982 81,242 84,187 89,285 8 Eastern Europe 18,270 26,093 33,380 38,007 37,230 9 Ships and Stores (Non-EU) .. .. 0 .. ..

Source: HMRC RTS, accessed 18 March 2021

* Provisional figures; (1) Includes all divisions in SITC Section 0; (2) Includes SITC Division 11.

Table 2. Scottish Exports of Food and Drink between 2016-2020, by Category (Ranked by 2019 Value) Value (£000’s) Category 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Food (1) 1,424,802 1,641,589 1,602,219 1,778,883 1,656,553

03 Fish and seafood 768,412 946,602 917,620 1,020,197 875,106

08 Animal feed 146,735 174,293 157,183 190,851 240,963 04 Cereals and cereals preparations 173,207 179,973 165,886 177,482 166,941 01 Meat and meat preparations 96,875 99,200 113,846 108,382 97,382 05 Vegetables and fruits 63,642 62,192 67,348 82,716 75,450 02 Dairy products and eggs 44,116 49,278 47,865 57,128 53,189 00 Live animals 60,912 44,955 47,626 51,804 65,749 09 Miscellaneous and edible products 35,662 41,398 48,251 49,523 48,692 06 Sugars and honey 18,201 23,082 17,767 20,724 14,216 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa and spices 17,040 20,616 18,827 20,076 18,865 Drinks (2) 3,763,779 4,018,531 4,281,323 4,479,740 3,592,188 11 Drinks 3,763,779 4,018,531 4,281,323 4,479,740 3,592,188

Source: HMRC RTS, accessed 18 March 2021

* Provisional figures; (1) Includes all divisions in SITC Section 0; (2) Includes SITC Division 11.

Table 3. Scottish Exports of Food and Drink between 2016-2020, by Top 10 Country Destination and Value (£000’s) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Food (1) 1,424,802 1,641,589 1,602,219 1,778,883 1,656,553 1 France 378,143 France 448,278 France 438,700 France 505,060 France 458,612 2 Ireland 160,780 Ireland 175,671 Ireland 181,122 Ireland 178,938 Ireland 159,827 3 Spain 120,645 Spain 123,162 USA 129,451 USA 151,628 Norway 125,122 4 USA 89,921 USA 122,758 Spain 115,229 Spain 112,891 USA 100,005 5 Italy 73,920 Italy 84,694 Italy 79,236 Australia 76,370 Spain 86,358 6 Germany 60,299 Netherlands 64,477 Germany 65,156 Italy 75,547 Netherlands 71,514 7 Netherlands 51,895 Australia 60,838 Netherlands 60,830 Germany 71,718 Germany 63,001 8 Australia 39,710 Germany 60,233 Australia 60,510 Netherlands 66,700 Italy 61,883 9 Norway 36,655 China 56,794 China 54,115 Norway 54,009 Poland 43,929 10 Belgium 35,003 Belgium 36,552 Norway 41,102 China 41,786 Belgium 38,665 Drinks (2) 3,763,779 4,018,531 4,281,323 4,479,740 3,592,188 1 USA 992,737 USA 1,041,625 USA 1,056,945 USA 1,064,635 USA 794,710 2 France 366,686 France 364,174 France 373,972 France 369,237 France 324,854 3 Spain 169,850 Singapore 216,684 Singapore 232,936 Singapore 230,372 Singapore 182,278 4 Singapore 167,993 Spain 168,458 Spain 169,349 Spain 175,039 Latvia 161,349 5 Germany 153,008 Germany 152,873 Germany 147,099 Taiwan 168,926 Taiwan 145,302 6 UAE 108,323 Taiwan 119,201 Taiwan 137,050 Germany 147,544 Germany 130,350 7 Canada 101,554 Canada 114,604 Australia 122,381 Latvia 131,178 Australia 125,754 8 Australia 101,208 Australia 105,648 Canada 117,701 India 129,769 Canada 114,831 9 Taiwan 100,407 UAE 105,339 Latvia 117,572 Japan 124,752 Japan 103,479 10 Mexico 88,626 Latvia 101,822 UAE 115,976 Australia 124,266 Spain 102,668

Source: HMRC RTS, accessed 18 March 2021.

* Provisional figures; (1) Includes all divisions in SITC Section 0; (2) Includes SITC Division 11. This information has been extracted using HMRC's Regional Trade Statistics data files available at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/

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Source: HMRC RTS, accessed 18 March 2021

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the value of whisky exports since 2016, broken down by (i) region and (ii) country. (S5W-36202) Fergus Ewing:

Please find information in the following tables.

Table 1. UK Exports of Scotch Whisky between 2016-2020, by Region (Ranked by 2019 Value) Value (£000’s) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Scotch whisky (1) 4,008,996 4,367,424 4,712,119 4,924,614 3,813,023 1 European Union 1,241,428 1,381,710 1,407,504 1,488,132 1,264,923 2 North America 1,040,651 1,116,054 1,260,322 1,284,294 904,016 3 Asia and Oceania 894,557 980,380 1,127,532 1,238,504 998,003 4 Latin America and Caribbean 339,186 336,372 368,441 378,207 259,680 5 Middle East and North Africa 233,927 262,021 274,630 239,093 120,961 6 Sub-Saharan Africa 150,690 172,224 158,150 176,090 137,389 7 Western Europe excluding EU 91,134 94,935 84,681 83,141 92,692 8 Eastern Europe excluding EU 17,407 23,705 30,829 37,120 35,357 9 Stores and Provisions 16 24 31 33 2

Source: HMRC OTS, accessed 12 March 2021. Includes BTTA estimates and unscheduled revisions.

* Provisional figures; (1) Includes all varieties of Scotch whisky using the CN8 codes 22083030, 22083041, 22083049, 22083061, 22083069, 22083071, 22083079; ‎

Table 2. UK Exports of Scotch Whisky between 2016-2020, by Top 10 Country Destination and Value (£000’s) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Scotch whisky 4,008,996 4,367,424 4,712,119 4,924,614 3,813,023 (1) 1 USA 855,583 USA 921,737 USA 1,039,490 USA 1,068,942 USA 728,923 2 France 416,698 France 427,577 France 437,399 France 426,810 France 371,423 3 Singapore 224,730 Singapore 290,705 Singapore 319,873 Singapore 299,633 Singapore 246,944 4 Taiwan 174,911 Germany 186,304 Germany 176,907 Taiwan 205,358 Taiwan 181,829 5 Germany 164,063 Spain 168,951 Taiwan 168,389 Germany 187,297 Latvia 176,503 6 Spain 159,891 Taiwan 160,348 Spain 166,203 Spain 174,321 Germany 140,605 7 UAE 131,303 UAE 129,750 UAE 146,874 India 166,208 Japan 114,392 8 Mexico 111,487 Latvia 120,509 India 138,798 Japan 146,836 Australia 113,090 9 Australia 100,286 S. Africa 114,200 Mexico 131,543 Latvia 142,595 China 106,941 10 India 96,514 Mexico 111,050 Latvia 131,116 Mexico 120,902 Spain 105,023

Source: HMRC OTS, accessed 12 March 2021. Includes BTTA estimates and unscheduled revisions.

* Provisional figures; (1) Includes all varieties of Scotch whisky using the CN8 codes 22083030, 22083041, 22083049, 22083061, 22083069, 22083071, 22083079; ‎

This information has been extracted using HMRC’s Overseas Trade Statistics data files available at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the value of salmon exports since 2016, broken down by (i) region and (ii) country. (S5W-36203) Fergus Ewing:

Please find information in the following tables.

Table 1. UK Exports of Atlantic Salmon between 2016-2020, by Region (Ranked by 2019 Value) Value (£000’s) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Atlantic Salmon (1) 450,480 608,630 509,517 627,968 453,999 1 European Union 204,235 290,671 254,754 332,516 290,859 2 North America 160,023 203,741 143,024 183,234 109,075 3 Asia and Oceania 73,536 98,483 99,637 96,768 37,449 4 Middle East and North Africa 10,575 12,011 8,312 11,105 4,821 5 Western Europe excluding EU 1,736 3,108 3,308 3,587 3,941 6 Eastern Europe excluding EU 190 133 157 464 7,648 7 Latin America and Caribbean 116 427 234 221 138 8 Sub-Saharan Africa 70 57 91 72 68

Source: HMRC OTS, accessed 12 March 2021. Includes BTTA estimates and unscheduled revisions.

* Provisional figures; (1) Atlantic salmon is shown by CN8 code 03021400.

Table 2. UK Exports of Atlantic Salmon between 2016-2020, by Top 10 Country Destination and Value (£000’s) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* Atlantic Salmon450,480 608,630 509,517 627,968 453,999 (1) 1 USA 154,109 USA 193,022 France 167,771 France 225,215 France 187,077 2 France 138,419 France 191,536 USA 139,090 USA 178,463 USA 104,367 3 China 52,872 China 68,691 China 68,350 China 59,077 Poland 31,076 4 Ireland 26,917 Ireland 35,186 Ireland 31,867 Ireland 25,631 Ireland 17,586 5 Germany 9,928 Taiwan 15,945 Taiwan 21,834 Germany 23,479 Taiwan 15,220 6 Taiwan 8,950 Germany 12,982 Germany 15,502 Taiwan 23,266 China 14,177 7 Poland 8,511 Poland 11,371 Belgium 8,510 Belgium 15,319 Belgium 13,451 8 Belgium 7,964 Canada 10,719 Denmark 8,466 Poland 11,761 Germany 12,640 9 Canada 5,865 Belgium 9,856 Poland 7,687 Denmark 10,420 Netherlands 12,286 10 Lebanon 5,075 Netherlands 8,805 Japan 5,531 Japan 9,158 Belarus 5,811

Source: HMRC OTS, accessed 12 March 2021. Includes BTTA estimates and unscheduled revisions.

* Provisional figures; (1) Atlantic salmon is shown by CN8 code 03021400.

This information has been extracted using HMRC’s Overseas Trade Statistics data files available at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much has been spent on average (a) per year and (b) per person, in each year since 2016-17 on (i) agriculture, (ii) fisheries and (iii) forestry in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with (A) England and (B) Wales. (S5W-36204) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government publishes data on spending for agriculture, fisheries and forestry in the annual Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) report. Average annual spend for the last four years in agriculture, fisheries and forestry was £908 million, which is on average £167 per person in Scotland.

Using a slightly different methodology, the HMT Country and Regional Analysis 2020 Report provides a comparison between Scotland, England and Wales. A summary of the data for agriculture, fisheries and forestry has been provided in the following table with additional information on spending per capita provided by Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government does not routinely publish comparisons for the individual categories for agriculture, fisheries and forestry and there is no comparative information held in the HMT report either.

Table 1: Total spend for ‘Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’ in Scotland, England and Wales and spend per capita

Year Scotland England Wales Total £ £ per Total £ £ per Total £ £ per million capita million capita million capita 2016-2017 929 172 3,247 59 464 149 2017-2018 908 167 3,159 57 498 159 2018-2019 924 170 3,655 65 519 165 2019-2020 880 161 3,853 68 500 159 Total (£) 3,642* 670* 13,914 249 1,981 632 2016-2020 911 168 3,479 62 495 158 Average (£)

*Total different due to rounding

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what percentage share of new woodland planted in the UK since 2016-17 has been in planted in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with new woodland planted in (a) England and (b) Wales. (S5W-36205) Fergus Ewing: Scotland has accounted for about 80% of woodland planting in the UK in recent years. Forest Research publishes National Statistics on the area of new woodland creation, which can be found on its website: Forestry Statistics and Forestry Facts & Figures - Forest Research

The following table shows the amount of woodland creation in the UK between 2016 – 2020, and the percentage share that was created in Scotland.

Forestry Statistics: Woodland creation and planting 2016 - 2020 in thousand hectares. Published by Forest Research

Year % share of woodland ‎ Northern creation in Scotland England Wales Scotland UK (ending Ireland compared to the rest of 31/3) the UK 2016 0.82 0.11 4.63 0.05 5.61 83 2017 1.15 0.41 4.76 0.21 6.52 73 2018 1.5 0.2 7.14 0.21 9.05 79 2019 1.42 0.67 11.21 0.24 13.54 83 2020 2.34 0.08 11.05 0.2 13.66 81

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much has been spent on average per person on environmental protection in Scotland since 2016-17, and what information it has on how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales. (S5W-36208) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government publishes data on spending for environmental protection in the annual Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) report. Average annual spend for the last four years on Environmental Protection was £1,258 million per year, which is on average £231 per person in Scotland.

Using a slightly different methodology, the HMT Country and Regional Analysis 2020 Report provides a comparison between Scotland, England and Wales. A summary of the data for agriculture, fisheries and forestry has been provided in the following table with additional information on spending per capita provided by Scottish Government.

A summary of the data on environmental protection has been provided below with additional information on spending per capita provided by Scottish Government.

Table 1: Total spend on Environmental Protection in Scotland, England and Wales and spend per person

Year Scotland England Wales Total £ £ per Total £ £ per Total £ £ per million person million person million person 2016-2017 1,231 228 8,598 156 609 195 2017-2018 1,241 229 9,318 168 617 197 2018-2019 1,281 236 8,606 154 616 196 2019-2020 1,364 250 9,103 162 675 214 Total (£) *5,118 *942 *35,626 *639 *2,516 *803 2016-2020 1,280 235 8,907 160 629 201 Average

*Total different due to rounding

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in place to prevent damage by irresponsible tourists in the Highlands and Islands when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. (S5W-36211) Fergus Ewing: The Visitor Management Group published a series of actions on 19 March that the Scottish Government and its agencies will take to support rural visitor management in 2021.

This includes increasing the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to £6.2m in 2021-22 and the introduction of a one off £2.75m fund to be managed by NatureScot that will support temporary measures for the 2021 summer season. This will include, for example, support for temporary toilets and ranger posts.

Given the breadth of involvement in this work it has been hard to achieve a comprehensive overview of all of the actions that are being implemented this summer. More detail on the strategic and operational actions being taken forward can be found on the Visitor Management section of VisitScotland’s website through this link: https://www.visitscotland.org/about-us/what-we- do/working-in-partnership/visitor-management-plan .

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of remote electronic monitoring equipment on Scottish inshore fishing vessels. (S5W-36213) Fergus Ewing: The Modernisation of the Inshore Fishing Fleet Programme will equip our commercial inshore fleet with appropriate and proportionate vessel monitoring and tracking systems. The Programme is part of our recently published Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 which sets out our policy initiatives to protect the environment, and support a strong, sustainable and resilient fishing industry.

• At present over 30% of Scottish scallop dredge vessels are fitted with remote electronic monitoring (“REM”) systems, including cameras. We have been clear that legislation will be introduced - by the end of 2021 - to make the technology mandatory. Voluntary installations are ongoing but have inevitably suffered some delay due to Covid-19. • As part of the Outer Hebrides Inshore Fisheries Pilot, close to 40 creel vessels have now been equipped with a with a low-cost tracking solution, which will report vessel position and provide feedback that accurately assesses fishing activity. This will test our ability to manage creel fishing effort within a significant area of sea and inform the wider deployment of tracking technology across the inshore fleet, planned to commence later this year. • In addition, the vessels currently authorised to harvest razor clams are required to have a bespoke REM system on board.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses in Dundee have received 100% non-domestic rates relief in each year since 2006, also broken down by (a) area and (b) estimated total amount of rates relief. (S5W-36233) Kate Forbes: The following tables show the number of properties receiving 100% non-domestic rates relief in the Dundee City Council area in each year for which data is available, broken down by ward and the value of reliefs awarded to non-domestic properties in these wards. The data include all awards of 100% relief (either a single relief or a combination of reliefs summing to 100%), e.g. through the Small Business Bonus Scheme; charitable rates relief; empty property relief; retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation relief, etc. Note that the following figures relate to numbers of properties, rather than businesses, as one business can occupy multiple properties.

Data for years between 2006-07 and 2011-12, and for 2017-18, is not available.

Note also that ward level data is not available for all local authority areas; this is dependent on the data available on the valuation roll for each area.

Table 1: Number of properties receiving 100% rates relief in Dundee, by ward and year

Ward 2012-13 2013-14 2015-16 2016-17 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 Strathmartine 110 120 130 120 180 190 240 Lochee 210 250 240 230 300 300 420 West End 550 700 650 640 770 790 910 Coldside 400 480 500 490 560 560 640 Maryfield 580 680 700 690 760 780 1,180 East End 60 60 70 60 70 70 90 The Ferry 110 130 130 120 130 140 190 North East 240 260 270 260 320 330 460 Unknown - - - - 0 0 0 All 2,250 2,670 2,670 2,610 3,100 3,160 4,120

Source: Scottish Assessors' Valuation Roll and Local Authority billing information.

Reliefs data as at: 17 May 2012, 1 October 2013 and 2015, 5 October 2016, 1 June 2018, 31 May 2019, 1 July 2020.

Figures represent situation as at snapshot date and is likely to have changed throughout each year. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Values marked "-" represent a true 0, and values marked as "0" represent values which are greater than zero but lower than 5.

"Unknown" ward refers to Valuation Roll entries which may not directly correspond to a single ward, e.g. cumulative entries or shooting rights.

Table 2: Value of reliefs awarded to properties receiving 100% rates relief in Dundee, by ward and year (£thousands)

Ward 2012-13 2013-14 2015-16 2016-17 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 Strathmartine 1,045 1,074 1,296 1,229 1,437 1,244 3,437 Lochee 2,304 2,214 1,757 1,476 2,223 2,695 11,293 West End 2,692 3,065 3,824 3,217 3,826 4,197 7,519 Coldside 1,624 1,673 1,769 1,726 2,144 2,392 3,058 Maryfield 4,331 4,218 5,153 5,060 5,061 7,190 19,381 East End 636 656 628 427 569 968 839 The Ferry 635 982 972 825 897 1,001 4,755 North East 1,371 1,388 1,451 1,289 1,615 1,634 4,292 Unknown - - - - 1 1 1 All 14,639 15,270 16,851 15,249 17,773 21,322 54,575

Source: Scottish Assessors' Valuation Roll and Local Authority billing information.

Reliefs data as at: 17 May 2012, 1 October 2013 and 2015, 5 October 2016, 1 June 2018, 31 May 2019, 1 July 2020.

Figures represent situation as at snapshot date and is likely to underestimate the value of reliefs awarded throughout the year.

"Unknown" ward refers to Valuation Roll entries which may not directly correspond to a single ward, e.g. cumulative entries or shooting rights.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have received non-domestic rates reductions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, broken down by area, and what total value of rates reduction it estimates has been received by businesses. (S5W-36234) Kate Forbes: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government introduced an unprecedented package of business support worth over £3 billion, including 100% rates relief for properties in the retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation sectors as well as a 1.6% relief awarded to every property in Scotland, effectively introducing a poundage freeze.

The following table shows the number of properties awarded each of these relief, and the value of reliefs, by local authority area.

Further details are available in the Non-Domestic Rates Reliefs 2020 publication, available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/non-domestic- rates-relief-statistics-2020/ . As at 1 July 2020, £965m was attributable to these COVID-19 reliefs (though in some instances the COVID-19 reliefs may have displaced a previous relief).

Retail, Hospitality, Leisure and Universal 1.6% Relief Airports Local Authority Value Number Value (£thousands) Number (£thousands) Aberdeen City 1,170 62,982 9,700 4,943 Aberdeenshire 1,090 23,993 13,170 2,446 Angus 430 8,257 5,350 661 Argyll & Bute 980 11,012 9,480 911 City of Edinburgh 4,280 182,213 22,980 7,719 Clackmannanshire 170 3,785 1,680 351 Dumfries & 920 16,975 10,140 1,175 Galloway Dundee City 830 31,589 5,840 1,562 East Ayrshire 510 11,068 4,460 665 East 330 11,016 2,430 552 Dunbartonshire East Lothian 320 7,867 3,780 667 East Renfrewshire 260 7,329 1,820 347 Falkirk 440 14,982 5,320 1,530 Fife 1,800 43,524 14,050 3,453 Glasgow City 3,790 146,480 27,230 8,197 Highland 2,240 43,362 20,060 3,122 Inverclyde 270 7,870 2,430 452 Midlothian 450 14,827 3,040 718 Moray 480 10,202 5,160 1,010 Na h-Eileanan 120 1,954 2,780 218 Siar North Ayrshire 650 14,734 5,350 932 North Lanarkshire 840 30,752 10,320 2,406 Orkney Islands 130 2,035 2,600 247 Perth & Kinross 1,000 22,626 9,640 1,337 Renfrewshire 710 43,881 9,900 2,395 Scottish Borders 490 10,249 8,480 853 Shetland Islands 100 2,075 2,370 507 South Ayrshire 680 20,855 5,320 947 South Lanarkshire 1,110 39,373 10,630 6,192 Stirling 630 20,468 5,920 1,003 West 490 10,926 2,990 1,535 Dunbartonshire West Lothian 710 24,905 6,550 1,681 Scotland 28,400 904,164 250,940 60,732

Data: Scottish Assessors' Valuation Roll, Local Authority billing data as at 1 July 2020.

The numbers of properties are rounded to the nearest 10.

These reliefs will have in part displaced other previously awarded relief, so the additional value to ratepayers will be lower than the figures presented above.

The relief values are the awards given as at 1 July 2020, and do not necessarily reflect the cost of a given award over the full year. These figures include reliefs awarded to supermarkets and other businesses which have since repaid, or committed to repaying, the rates relief awarded to them in 2020-21. These repayments are made as donations to the Scottish Government and thus do not directly affect income from non-domestic rates or the values of reliefs.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support it provided to tackle youth unemployment in Dundee in each year between 2006 and 2020, broken down by (a) support type and (b) amount of funding provided. (S5W-36236) Jamie Hepburn: Between 2006 and 2020 the Scottish Government has provided support to tackle youth unemployment in Dundee through a range of measures. This includes, but is not limited to programmes and services such as Activity Agreements, employer recruitment incentives, Employability Fund, Community Jobs Scotland, apprenticeships, college and university places, No One Left Behind employability support, Fair Start Scotland, Parental Employment Support Fund and the Young Person’s Guarantee.

The Scottish Government funded and worked with a range of partners to deliver support measures to tackle youth unemployment in Dundee. This includes Dundee City Council, Skills Development Scotland, colleges and universities, as well as a range of third sector organisations such as Inspiring Scotland and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Due to the scope and timeframe of the question, we have set out in Table 1 the funding provided directly by the Scottish Government to Dundee City Council for youth employability support.

This should be viewed as the minimum funding provided directly to Dundee to tackle youth unemployment between 2011 and 2020. Young people in Dundee will also have had access to support from nationally funded programmes and further and higher education, as well as other support from Europe, DWP, Local Authorities and the third sector.

Information regarding funding provided to Dundee City Council between 2006 and 2011 has not been included due to the disproportionate cost to the Scottish Government.

Dundee City Council have received the funding outlined below to deliver a number of employability programmes:

Table 1. Youth Employability Funding to Dundee City Council

Year Post-16 YES Fund No One Left Behind YPG Minimum total 2011/2012 £147,681 - - - £147,681 2012/2013 £146,496 - - - £146,496 2013/2014 £119,952 £390,000 - - £509,952 2013/2015 £187,707* £187,707 £465,602 2014/2015 £170,947 - - £778,509 £141,960 2015/2016 £152,225 £152,100 - - £304,325 2016/2017 £174,225 £186,707 - - £360,932 2017/2018 £162,030 - - - £162,030 2018/2019 £162,030 - - - £162,030 2019/2020 - - £293,501 - £293,501 2020/2021 - - £293,501 £1,060,840 £1,354,341

*additional funding provided between 2013-2015

Post-16 Transition Planning including Activity Agreements (Post-16)

• Delivered by Local Authorities and involved providing tailored support to eligible young people who have left school to help them prepare for employment, training or education. It was part of the Scottish Government’s 'Opportunities for All' of an offer of continuing education and training.

Youth Employment Scotland Fund (YES Fund)

• The Youth Employment Scotland was an employer recruitment incentive which supported young people into employment.

No One Left Behind

• Flexible and user-based model of employability support for people from school leaving age up to 67 years (pensionable age) and the Opportunities for All commitment to young people aged 16-19 (up to but not including their 20th birthday). This support includes in work support allowance, Activity Agreements and key worker support.

Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) o Person centred employability opportunities for young people aged between 16 and 24 years. This includes for example internships, job placements, recruitment incentives, mental health support, wrap support for Kickstart placements.

Our response to S5W-36092 on 19 March 2021 provides further information on the additional £70 million for the Young Person’s Guarantee in 2021-22. This will help build on the success of our significant investment in education, employability and skills and ensure young people are able to progress into fair and sustainable work.

In Table 2, we have also provided details of our investment into the internationally recognised Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Programme in Dundee and Angus. This investment builds on wider Scottish Government funding in youth employability detailed in table 1.

Table 2. Developing the Young Workforce Funding for Dundee and Angus

2015/ Year 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Total 16 Allocated £46,021 £229,549 £226,835 £228,000 £220,973 £410,906 £1,362,284 spend

Established in 2014, the Developing the Young Workforce Regional Groups are a network of 21 industry led groups tasked with strengthening employer engagement with education. The establishment of the groups was a key recommendation in the Youth Employment Strategy - Developing the Young Workforce.

The funding allocated to DYW Regional Groups allows the groups to support pupils in Scotland’s publicly funded secondary schools to bring about a permanent improvement in how employers engage with schools.

In particular, from 2020-21 the implementation of DYW School Coordinators in every Secondary School in Scotland will strengthen collaborative working across delivery partners and streamline the economic landscape to match labour market demand to the necessary employability skills required from employers, aligning to the Young Person’s Guarantee

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses in Dundee have received a reduction or 100% relief on their non-domestic rates in each year since 2016. (S5W-36246) Kate Forbes: The following table shows the number of properties in Dundee receiving rates relief of 100% or less in each year since 2016-17.

Property-level data for 2017-18 is not available. The data includes all reliefs e.g. the Small Business Bonus Scheme, charitable rates relief; empty property relief; retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation relief, etc. 100% rates relief includes both single reliefs, as well as combinations of two or more reliefs summing to 100%. Please note that these figures relate to properties, rather than businesses, as one business can occupy multiple properties.

Properties receiving some rates relief, Properties receiving Year but less than 100% 100% rates relief 2016-17 760 2,610 2018-19 430 3,100 2019-20 430 3,160 2020-21 330 4,120

Source: Local Authority billing information as at 5 October 2016, 1 June 2018, 31 May 2019, and 1 July 2020

Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

The figures are derived from snapshot data, showing the reliefs awarded as at the snapshot date. The number of properties awarded rates relief is likely to vary throughout the year.

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to support (a) the V&A Dundee, (b) the Dundee Rep Theatre and (c) Dundee’s cultural and tourism organisations in each year since 2016. (S5W-36252) Fiona Hyslop: (a) Scottish Government provides direct resource funding to the V&A Dundee, since 2016 this has been £7.9 million, which includes £1 million of emergency Covid-19 funding provided in 2020. Scottish Government also provided in total £37.6 million towards the project build. This was composed of £25 million in direct capital, £5.5 million of which was between 2016-18, and £12.6 million Growth Accelerator funding.

(b) the Dundee Rep Theatre does not receive direct support from Scottish Government, but support is allocated via Creative Scotland. The Dundee Rep has received 5 awards from Creative Scotland since 2016 (including Regular Funding) totalling just over £6.0 million. £480,000 of this was Covid-19 emergency funding from the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund.

(c) Scottish Government does not usually provide direct support to other Dundee cultural and tourism organisations. Support is normally allocated via Creative Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland and Visit Scotland, and all funding decisions are made independently by these funding organisations. Figures provided by Creative Scotland show they have allocated over £11.6 million since 2016 to Dundee based projects and organisations. This includes £78,000 in Covid-19 emergency funding awarded through the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund. Figures from Museums Galleries Scotland show that over £900,000 has been allocated by them to Dundee based museums since 2016, including £485,000 of Covid-19 emergency support through the Museums Recovery and Resilience Fund.

In addition, in 2020 the Scottish Government provided over £1 million in emergency Covid-19 funding to Dundee based cultural and tourism organisations, through a number of Covid-19 funding schemes. This includes £547,000 to creative industries and tourism and hospitality businesses from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund, £318,000 through the Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund, and £232,000 through the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund.

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it will support Dundee’s conference and events industry. (S5W-36253) Fergus Ewing: Dundee is home to a world-class conference and events sector which, prior to the pandemic, brought a range of social and economic benefits to the city. We recognise the impact that COVID-19 restrictions are having on our vital events sector and will do everything we can to support and protect their valuable contribution. We have already allocated £31.5 m to support events businesses. As we move towards reopening we will work with public health colleagues and the Events Industry Advisory Group to enable the sector to reopen safely and sustainably as part of Dundee and Scotland’s recovery.

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much investment it has provided for Dundee Waterfront regeneration since 2016, broken down by (a) project and (b) associated (i) capital and (ii) revenue funding. (S5W-36254) Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is investing up to £63.8 million revenue funding in Dundee’s Waterfront, as part of the Growth Accelerator agreed with Dundee City Council. Under the Growth Accelerator model, funding will be paid over 25 years on the achievement of agreed metrics.

Scottish Enterprise has invested £32.6 million capital funding in the Dundee Central Waterfront, with £2 million having been provided within the period 2015-16 to‎ 2020-21. Within the same timeframe, Scottish Enterprise provided £58,333 revenue funding to the Dundee Waterfront Partnership and £22,705 for feasibility studies.

In addition, the Scottish Government provided a Regeneration Capital Grant Fund award of £1 million in 2016-17 towards the City Quay Project. Funding in support of the V&A Dundee is detailed separately in response to‎ S5W-36252 on 22 March 2021 .

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Education and Justice

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle the production and sale of fake Valium pills, in light of reports of potentially lethal pills being sold in Fife as well as online. (S5W-35774) Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government continues to work with partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to disrupt the production and distribution of illicit drugs, including fake Valium. The availability of illicit pills, particularly fake Valium pills, is of significant concern, bringing misery to individuals, families and communities.

There is evidence that the majority of these tablets are being produced in Scotland by criminal gangs that have access to pill press machines. We will continue to push the UK Government to take action to regulate the sale of pill presses.

Police Scotland and partners, including Royal Mail, continue to work together to stop the carriage of illegal drugs in the postal system including screening of suspicious items, canine detection and encouraging staff to report any suspicious items.

It is clear that we cannot arrest our way out of the drugs crisis and, while enforcement activity will continue, we are investing £250 million over the next session of the parliament to better support those who have found themselves caught up in the illicit drugs trade.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has carried of whether the current covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) legislation is compatible with (a) the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, (b) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and (c) other child protection guidance. (S5W-35827) Humza Yousaf: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 provides the regulatory framework in respect of covert human intelligence sources. It was introduced by the Scottish Labour / Liberal Democrat coalition government and passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2000.

The Scottish Government are currently considering the compatibility of current legislation with UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it considers that Police Scotland should have the power to use a child as a covert source of intelligence, including where there are concerns that it might be against the interests of the child. Holding answer issued: 22 March 2021 (S5W-35828) Humza Yousaf: A holding answer was provided.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that levels of child criminal exploitation are increasing, what its response is to concerns that the current covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) legislation is not compatible with the state’s responsibility to protect children from such exploitation. (S5W-35829) Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government are currently considering the compatibility of current legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether any proposed legislation to give Police Scotland additional powers to permit a person to commit a crime as part of their role as a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) will specifically exclude anyone under 18. Holding answer issued: 22 March 2021 (S5W-35831) Humza Yousaf: A holding answer was provided.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many P1 to P3 pupils in Dundee receive free school meals, and how many it estimates will receive them following the roll- out to P4 to P7 pupils. (S5W-36224) John Swinney: The Schools Healthy Living Survey Statistics Report for 2020 showed that there were 4,172 children in primaries 1 to 3 present at school on the day the census was taken and 3,008 of those children took a free school meal. This represents an uptake rate of 72.1%.

The proposal to expand provision of universal free school meals in primaries 4 to 7 is intended for all pupils who attend primary school. The latest published data, obtained from the Pupil Census 2020 Supplementary Statistics, shows that there were 6,150 children in primaries 4 to 7 at primary schools across the Dundee City Council area.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many families in Dundee have received a school clothing grant since the fund's inception. (S5W-36229) John Swinney: In August 2018, the Scottish Government and local authorities agreed a national minimum school clothing grant of £100 per eligible child. The Scottish Government has provided £6 million to local authorities in each financial year since the national minimum school clothing grant was introduced.

Information on the number of School Clothing Grants issued prior to the introduction of the national minimum School Clothing Grant is not available. However Dundee City Council issued a total of 6,512 School Clothing Grants in the 2018-19 school year, the first year of the national minimum grant's operation.

The Scottish Government has provided Dundee City Council with funding of £255,000 each year towards the cost of providing school clothing grants to all eligible families within their area.

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many primary school children in Dundee will be eligible for the phased introduction of free school meals to all primary school children by August 2022. (S5W-36244) John Swinney: The latest published data, obtained from the Pupil Census 2020 Supplementary Statistics, shows that there were 10,330 children registered on the rolls of all primary schools across the Dundee City Council area.

All children who are registered on the rolls of local authority run or grant- maintained primary schools within the Dundee City Council area, and across all of Scotland, will automatically become entitled to receive universal free school meals once the proposed expansion of universal free school meals to include all primary school children is introduced. Health and Social Care

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evaluated the effectiveness of the ‘Count 14’ alcohol public information campaign. (S5W-36011) Mairi Gougeon: Our Alcohol Framework set out a commitment to engaging in a national marketing campaign to increase public awareness of the UK Chief Medical Officers’ lower-risk drinking guidelines. The ‘Count 14’ campaign aims to increase awareness of the weekly 14 unit lower-risk guidelines and to break down what this means in terms of specific alcoholic drinks.

We delivered the Count 14 marketing campaign over two phases, for three weeks in March 2019 and for six weeks through January and February 2020. The campaign included TV, radio, print and digital advertising as well a roadshow in local supermarkets and a range of partnerships.

The campaign was evaluated independently via pre and post campaign tracker surveys. I have today published an evaluation report summarising the effectiveness of the campaign, available at www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800047976 .

The results are positive and demonstrate that the campaign has made a positive impact on increasing awareness and understanding of the UK CMOs’ low-risk drinking guidelines in Scotland.

The proportion of those aware of guidelines, who could identify 14 units as the correct weekly limit, substantially increased from 21% pre-Count 14 to 39% after both phases of the campaign, an 18% increase. Among all of those surveyed, not just those who were aware of guidelines, awareness of the 14 unit limit increased from 17% pre-Count 14 activity to 32% after both phases.

The Scottish Government will consider future national marketing and health messaging on alcohol consumption in light of these findings.

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on publication of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Oversight Board final report and the Case Note Review overview report. (S5W-36019) Jeane Freeman: The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) Oversight Board is being published today [ https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800047815 ]. The final report covers the operation of the Board’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and the governance and risk management of IPC within the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHS GG&C). The report sets out the recommendations for the Health Board – and for NHS Scotland more generally – to address the issues that led to escalation to Stage 4. The clear view is that the Board should remain at Stage 4 and I agree with that. Efforts have been made to improve IPC within the Board and to adopt the culture of transparency, openness and clinical leadership I expect, these need to be demonstrably embedded. We will continue to work with NHS GG&C to consolidate further the progress already made.

The Case Note Review overview report is also being published today [ https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800047372 ]. The report examined the individual cases of the children and young people who experienced infections in this part of the QEUH and the Royal Hospital for Children. It sets out a series of findings and recommendations for the Health Board. Importantly, the publication of the report will be followed by a period of engagement with the families of those patients affected by the infections at the QEUH, which will include the production of individuals reports and the opportunities for the patient families to meet with a member of the Expert Panel to discuss further.

The publications of these reports today are the next important step in our commitment to identifying improvement actions for IPC, not just for NHS GG&C, but more widely across NHSScotland, in our aim to provide a safe healthcare environment for all who need it.

Ensuring that affected families are supported and fully engaged is of paramount importance. It is very welcome that the Public Inquiry has appointed a Family Liaison Officer who will play an important role in ensuring full engagement and communication with families as the Inquiry progresses. The Scottish Government as a core participant is committed to assisting the Inquiry and respond to its findings and recommendations.

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government when the Health and Social Care Alliance plans to report on the patient engagement work that it has recently undertaken on services for women with mesh complications. (S5W-36039) Jeane Freeman: The Health and Social Care Alliance (‘the Alliance’) has today published their report “My Path, My Health, My Life”. It is available on the Alliance’s website at: My Path, My Health, My Life – Learning from the experiences of women to plan future mesh services - Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (alliance-scotland.org.uk)

This builds on earlier patient engagement carried out by the Alliance in 2019, published in their “My Life, My Experience” report.

The Scottish Government is extremely grateful to all women who shared their experience with the Alliance. We will now consider the recommendations made by the Alliance, alongside our colleagues in NHS Scotland. The views presented by women will directly influence the design and operation of the National Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and this will be documented in the Service Level Agreement for the Service.

Whilst we consider the recommendations, the Alliance has already agreed to begin work to establish a Stakeholder Participation Group. This Group will gather views on the specialist service as well as services provided more widely across the NHS. These views will be considered in conjunction with the results from patient satisfaction surveys, as well as other relevant outcome data, and will be reflected in our services here in Scotland.

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to prioritise end-of-life patients for a COVID-19 vaccine. (S5W-33650) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is continuing to engage with the JCVI on the issue of priority vaccines for terminally ill patients. Many end of life patients will already be included in cohorts 1-9, either through age or on the basis of their diagnosis.

I have written to the JCVI on this matter. In their response the JCVI have advised that for the first phase of the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme, priority should be given to protecting those most at risk of dying from COVID-19.

JCVI have now confirmed that their position is that terminally ill patients will be vaccinated in either group 4 or 6. Individuals who are defined as clinically extremely vulnerable will have been vaccinated as part of group 4.

JCVI priority group 4 includes all those 70 years of age and over, and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. Group 6 includes all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. Group 6 also includes unpaid carers, including all adult carers and young carers aged 16 to 18.

Priority groups 4 and 6 are not completely distinct groups as such. In practice, delivery to these groups will be a matter of weeks apart. A person can therefore move in and out of these two groups with time rather than being static in one group.

We will continue to keep this matter under review. Following the initial correspondence with the JCVI, I have written a further letter asking that JCVI also continue to do the same, and we are awaiting a response to this. Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the levels of scepticism regarding vaccine safety or efficacy, and what impact it anticipates this will have on the uptake of a COVID-19 vaccine. (S5W-33695) Jeane Freeman: Following extensive research to determine motivations to vaccinate we launched a mass communication public health marketing campaign ‘Roll up your sleeves’ to promote the roll out of the vaccine programme, on 21 st January. The Roll Up Your Sleeves campaign will run across TV, radio, outdoor, press, PR and social media channels until end March and plans are in place for future phases of the activity to support the younger audiences and encourage vaccine uptake.

The campaign will reach a very large (99.1%) of all adults (4.36m) in Scotland who will see the advertising a minimum of 20.6 times. The campaign signposts the public to a national helpline and to NHS Inform where more further detailed information on the vaccine programme is available and is updated regularly.

A vaccine door drop leaflet was sent to all households in Scotland (2.6m) in the first week of January to communicate the vaccine programme. As cohort 6 is invited forward we have a bespoke unpaid carers campaign planned to reach this audience many of whom are unaware of their eligibility for vaccination, launching 15 th March. The campaign will signpost this audience to an online portal and to the helpline where they will answer a series of triage questions to determine eligibility and be offered an appointment.

The Scottish Government is working with faith based, third sectors and community groups to reach out to more people from deprived communities to increase the vaccine uptake. We have also put in place financial and practical support to ensure all parts of our community have the knowledge and confidence to participate in this vaccination programme and to remove any barriers.

More information on Covid-19 can also be accessed via the link here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland | NHS inform .

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects people with cancer to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (S5W-33758) Jeane Freeman: Patients with specific types of cancer are included in Group 4 and 6 of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list. To date on 11 of March, 163,111 people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV: 91% of those on the shielding list) have received their first dose. This number includes those that are cancer patients.

The vaccination for Group 6 is currently taking place which will include cancer patients as well. A person can therefore move in and out of these two groups (Group 4 and Group 6) with time, rather than being static in one group, particularly with cancer as the disease may progress with time and their treatment may also change.

The full JCVI priority list is currently:

1. residents in a care home for older adults and their carers

2. all those 80 years of age and over, and frontline health and social care workers

3. all those 75 years of age and over

4. all those 70 years of age and over, and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals

5. all those 65 years of age and over

6. all those 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality

7. all those 60 years of age and over

8. all those 55 years of age and over

9. all those 50 years of age and over

Our intention (supplies permitting) is to have offered first doses to everyone on the JCVI priority list by mid-April. Beyond that, again assuming we receive adequate supply, we will aim to have offered first doses to the entire adult population by the end of July, rather than September as previously anticipated. All of our planning across the UK is predicated on supply forecasts from the UK Government.

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) NHS and (b) social care staff in total will be vaccinated as part of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. (S5W-33908) Jeane Freeman: Number of vaccines administered is included as part of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) data . This includes information on numbers vaccinated in JCVI priority groups, and weekly information about vaccine supply.

Local data can be found on Public Health Scotland’s interactive dashboard . Including vaccinations by council area, available here .

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government for what reason "shared lives" social carers do not qualify for the £500 bonus that is being offered to health and social care workers in recognition of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5W-34540) Jeane Freeman: We are hugely grateful to the efforts over recent months of the many key workers in different sectors across Scotland as they have risen to the challenge of responding to the pandemic. Shared Lives carers are eligible for the payment. We are working through the practical and logistical issues of the payment process with stakeholders and will provide further details in due course.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to each local authority for work to support its COVID-19 vaccination programme. (S5W-35048) Jeane Freeman: In 2020-21, the Scottish Government has provided £1.7 billion in additional funding for NHS Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships to meet COVID-19 related costs, including COVID-19 vaccine delivery.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is one of the largest and most complex logistical exercises undertaken in Scotland and is using a system- wide approach for delivery across local authorities, NHS Boards and other key delivery partners. The Scottish Government continues to work closely with Local Authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships to identify and confirm total costs of delivery, and will ensure that these are fully funded as the roll-out continues.

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether third sector staff who are not registered with the Care Inspectorate but who are contracted by NHS boards and health and social care partnerships to provide care and support to clients will receive the £500 payment for health and social care staff. (S5W-35190) Jeane Freeman: We are hugely grateful to the efforts over recent months of the many key workers in different sectors across Scotland as they have risen to the challenge of responding to the pandemic. In order to be eligible for the £500 payment, social care providers must be registered with the Care Inspectorate. We are currently working with stakeholders for services which are not registered with Care Inspectorate, to determine what, if anything, can be done in this instance. There are complex logistical and practical issues to work through to establish eligibility for staff who work for these organisations.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the COVID-19 outcomes for blood cancer patients who (a) are and (b) are not receiving active treatment, and how this is reflected in vaccine priority groups and shielding policy. (S5W-35476) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is continuing to engage with the Joint committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the issue of priority vaccines for terminally ill patients and those at risk of being immunosuppressed. I have written to the JCVI on this matter, and the response provided by JCVI advised that for the first phase of the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme, priority should be given to protecting those most at risk of dying from COVID-19.

JCVI priority group 4 includes all those 70 years of age and over, and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. Group 6 includes all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. Group 6 also includes unpaid carers, including all adult carers and young carers aged 16 to 18.

Priority groups 4 and 6 are not completely distinct groups as such. In practice, delivery to these groups will be a matter of weeks apart. A person can therefore move in and out of these two groups with time rather than being static in one group.

Patients’ own clinicians will be best placed to provide specific advice, many will also be contacted by their own GP directly who will be able to provide specific clinical advice for their circumstances.

We will continue to work with the JCVI to monitor vaccine delivery.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support blood cancer patients in priority group 6 for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, who are not being actively treated and have been advised by their consultants to shield. (S5W-35477) Jeane Freeman: Patients’ own clinicians will be best placed to provide specific advice, many will also be contacted by their own GP directly who will be able to provide specific clinical advice for their circumstances.

I have made it clear to all the Health Boards and professionals that individuals who are unable to leave their own homes will receive their vaccination at home.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place for people with autism or additional support needs, who may require further assistance when receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. (S5W-35493) Clare Haughey: Individuals that require adjustments for themselves or someone they care for with additional support needs should contact their Health Board and/or GP. This will allow for specialists to be made aware of any specific needs and adjustments required that are best suited to the patient. Appointments may be moved to a clinic if this would be a more comfortable setting, and the individual may be accompanied by their carer. Information on how to facilitate these conversations are available on NHS inform , in accessible formats. NHS inform also has a walkthrough video to show people the process at vaccine centres and what to expect at their appointment.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government which COVID-19 vaccine priority group people with non-severe asthma are in, and when they will be offered the vaccine. (S5W-35567) Jeane Freeman: At present, individuals who are well controlled on asthma inhalers are not eligible in priority group 6 for coronavirus vaccination (phase 1 of the vaccine rollout). However, a number of individuals with well controlled asthma may fall into the priority groups defined in phase 1 for other reasons, such as age, as phase 1 follows an age-based programme to capture those with clinical risk factors as the risk of death is very strongly linked with age. We expect to give first doses to all individuals in phase 1 by mid-April.

Younger individuals with well controlled asthma will be offered the vaccine during phase 2 of the vaccine rollout plan, again following an age-based approach starting with the oldest adults first and proceeding in the following order: all those aged 40 to 49 years; all those aged 30 to 39 years; all those aged 18 to 29 years. An age-based delivery model will facilitate rapid vaccine deployment.

This is in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JCVI).

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many people in managed isolation have tested positive for COVID-19 since their arrival in Scotland, and which variants of COVID-19 they have tested positive for. (S5W-35615) Jeane Freeman: The information is not currently available. Arrangements for managed isolation are procured and managed at a UK Government level for reasons of efficiency. The UK Government is therefore the responsible body for this data and does not currently publish it in a way that answers the question posed. In the absence of any UK publication, Public Health Scotland is considering what it might be able to publish in the coming weeks based on available data. This will be incorporated in the Public Health Scotland weekly COVID report, and will be pre-announced in due course.

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £500 social care payment will be made to those employed as personal care assistants. (S5W-35722) Jeane Freeman: We are currently working with stakeholders to develop the guidance and payment process for Personal Assistants. There are complex logistical and practical issues to work through and we hope to be able to provide further details in due course.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether acupuncturists are allowed to practice under the current COVID-19 restrictions and, if not, for what reason they have been offered vaccinations as healthcare workers. (S5W-35787) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Guidance in the planning of vaccine delivery. This evidence based guidance advises that the single greatest risk of mortality from COVID-19 is increasing age, and that the risk increases exponentially with age.

JCVI priority list represents 99% of the preventable mortality from COVID-19 and throughout the delivery of the vaccination programme we will be guided by the clinical expertise of the JCVI, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and our own senior clinical advisers. Those eligible for vaccination as frontline health and social care workers are people who provide care closely and regularly to those who are clinically very vulnerable to COVID-19.

NHS Health Boards are responsible for the local delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. As such, Health Boards are responsible for making decisions regarding local delivery in line with JCVI guidance. We would expect that vaccinations only be given to those working in businesses and practices that are allowed to operate under current restrictions.

Close contact services, which includes Complementary and Alternative Medicines Services (CAMS) - and therefore acupuncture - may only operate in level 4 areas, at this time, if they fall into a limited number of exemptions - these exemptions are for sports massage for professional sportspeople, osteopathy, and chiropractic services and "other services and procedures" that are "ancillary to medical, health, or social care services". As acupuncture is not included in these exemptions as an essential healthcare service at this time, acupuncturists will not be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a priority group unless they come under one of the other cohorts through age, or for health reasons.

We expect Health Boards to work within the nationally agreed prioritisation schedule to manage the distribution of vaccine supplies, which remain limited at this time. Some acupuncturists may have been offered a vaccine if they meet the criteria in one of the JCVI priority groups.

Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to amending its COVID-19 guidance to exempt people who have a face covering exemption card from wearing a face covering when they are required to travel in the same vehicle as a carer, who does not reside at the same address, and social distancing cannot be maintained, and what its position is on providing exemptions in situations where both people have received their (a) first and (b) second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. (S5W-35796) Jeane Freeman: We have produced guidance on car and vehicle sharing during the pandemic, which can be found on the Scottish Government website. When car sharing, occupants, including the driver, are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering provided it does not compromise driver safety in any way. Currently, there are no exemptions for people who have been vaccinated. We are considering the role a vaccination certificate might have. However, it is too soon to introduce any form of certification.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that women who are over 65 are being protected from the HPV virus. (S5W-35817) Mairi Gougeon: There is no one definitive way to protect women who are over 65 from the effects of HPV infection. However, evidence shows that measures such as stopping smoking and undertaking good sexual health practices can help reduce the risks associated with it. Education and information is therefore a vital tool – not just to protect women from HPV, but to improve overall health outcomes.

The Scottish Government is developing a Women’s Health Plan. An early action from the plan was to develop a women’s health campaign, which launched on 1 February 2021, and includes information about sexual health and contraception for women of all ages, including specific links to sexual health advice and support for older women. In addition to this general campaign, we will continue to work closely with third sector organisations such as Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, to ensure that messaging around HPV and cervical cancer targets a range of demographics, including women over the age of 65.

It should also be noted that most people who become infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) clear the virus from their body without any intervention. However, we also recognise that persistent HPV can result in some cancers – for women, the most common of these is cervical cancer.

That’s why we also continue to work to protect women from the effects of HPV through our cervical screening programme with women aged between 25 and 64 invited for regular screening. We know that those aged 65 and over who regularly participate in and are discharged from the programme are unlikely to develop cervical cancer.

Finally, as part of our long term efforts to prevent HPV-related cancers, in Scotland, the HPV vaccine is offered to every S1 pupil because the evidence now shows that it helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government when in-person antenatal classes can resume under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework. (S5W-35821) Jeane Freeman: Current guidance for delivery of maternity and neonatal services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic states that Boards should offer both virtual and in-person group antenatal sessions, in protection levels zero to three. Once the geographic protection levels have been re-instated, areas designated protection level three or below should start to plan to resume in- person antenatal classes, subject to risk assessment and physical distancing, in addition to any virtual group sessions currently offered. To ensure that all pregnant women across Scotland have access to antenatal information and advice throughout the pandemic, the Scottish Government has made available an online antenatal course. The course is free to access, provides expectant parents with practical information about pregnancy and birth and covers all of the information given in a traditional in-person antenatal class.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government when long-COVID clinics and treatment services will be delivered. (S5W-35846) Jeane Freeman: We know from people living with Long COVID that the path to recovery can be unpredictable, with symptoms affecting different people in different ways that can have an impact on how they want to live their lives.

There are already a range of NHS services in place that are able to support people suffering with Long COVID.

This includes GPs and the wider Primary Care team as a key first point of contact, and community based rehabilitation services to support people’s recovery through a wide range of interventions from occupational therapy, physiotherapy to speech and language therapy.

A smaller proportion of people with severe effects may need more specialist investigation and advice that is being provided in acute hospital settings.

The Scottish Government has partnered with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland investing over £460,000 to develop its Long COVID Support Service. This has enabled Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s Nurses and Community Support Teams to provide information and advice to people living with Long COVID, thereby helping with their recovery.

As we understand more about Long COVID, we will continue to develop and enhancing services to provide the multidisciplinary and person-centred support that people require.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline its plans to publish the number of (a) adult and (b) child patients with long- COVID, similar to the data published in England. (S5W-35847) Jeane Freeman: The Covid-19 Infection Survey is a UK wide survey which uses PCR testing to estimate the number and proportion of people in each of the four nations of the UK that would have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community, regardless of whether they report symptoms. This survey is run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the University of Oxford on behalf of the Scottish Government.

ONS launched a new Covid-19 Infection Survey question on long COVID, which at each monthly visit will ask respondents who previously tested positive for COVID-19 whether they are still experiencing symptoms, and the extent to which these symptoms are impacting on their day-to-day activities. The question also includes an expanded list of 21 symptoms, including some pertaining to mental health.

This new question will enable ONS to derive a direct estimate of the prevalence of self-reported long COVID for each of the four nations, according to duration and severity, as a follow up to the previously published data for England. The provisional publication date for this analysis is 1 April.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government given that there are currently multiple healthcare databases, whether it will record long-COVID patients in a single healthcare database, and by what date this will be completed. (S5W-35848) Jeane Freeman: We recognise the need to better understand the frequency, nature, and impact of Long COVID in the Scottish population and we have not ruled out the creation of a single healthcare database.

We are working to develop data, which will allow for future analysis of Long COVID in the community population in Scotland. This includes discussions with General Practice around clinical coding for Long COVID, and working closely with the Office for National Statistics to explore the data generated from the COVID-19 Infection Survey.

We have also funded nine extensive Scottish-led research projects on Long COVID through £2.5 million, which will greatly improve the clinically relevant knowledge base on the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify the international travel regulations and guidance for people who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (S5W-35872) Jeane Freeman: We continue to engage in international developments in relation to COVID-19, including guidance on the issue of vaccine certification, for those who have received both doses of the vaccine. These discussions are led by the World Health Organisation and include consideration of technical details, ethical and equality issues, and privacy standards. The outcome of those discussions will guide our work in this area.

Work at 4 nations level has started to scope and develop a technical solution to allow secure, authenticated access to Covid vaccination status. This is to ensure technology is not the limiting factor should the work underway indicate it would be appropriate to introduce certification at the right time.

We will continue to keep vaccine certification and guidance under review as further evidence around vaccines and immunity emerges. We regularly review our international travel regulations and will continue to do so in light of developments on vaccine certification.

Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many requests for face covering exemption cards have been received, broken down by local authority area, and how many (a) have been approved, (b) have been declined and (c) are yet to be processed. (S5W-35874) Jeane Freeman: The vast majority of people can wear a face covering, including most people with a lung condition such as asthma, and everyone who can wear a face covering in the mandated spaces is legally required to. However, we recognise that there are certain situations where a person is unable to, or it would be inappropriate, for them to wear a face covering and these exemptions are reflected in the Regulations.

The Scottish Government exemption card is a tool to support people to feel more confident and safe when accessing public spaces and using public services. It is not intended as proof of exemption.

Details on the number of face covering exemption cards that :

(a) have been approved

Between 29 October 2020 and 11 March 2021, 63,268 individuals have received a Scottish Government face covering exemption card, 26 of these requests are for replacement exemption cards where that card has been lost or misplaced. In line with data minimisation principles, local authority breakdown is not requested or collated in order to receive an exemption card.

(b) have been declined

When using the www.exempt.scot website or helpline individuals are asked to confirm that they have read the Scottish Government guidance on exemptions and that one of the exemptions applies to them before they can receive an exemption card. This is an additional requirement in order to minimise misuse of exemption cards. We currently do not record how many individuals have not confirmed these requirements and therefore would not be eligible for an exemption card. To require individuals to seek medical proof that they are exempt would put undue burden on the NHS services at this time.

(c) are yet to be processed

On 11 March, there were zero requests yet to be processed.

Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-33642 by Jeane Freeman on 16 December 2020, whether it will provide an update regarding the number of applications that have been made to the mesh fund, broken down by how many (a) have been approved, (b) have been declined and (c) are yet to be processed. (S5W-35875) Jeane Freeman: The mesh fund is being administered by NHS National Services Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. The following table illustrates, as at 15 March 2021, the number of applications approved, declined and pending:

Received 472 Approved 434 Declined 21 Pending 17

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS building projects have had funding withdrawn, similar to the replacement of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, in each year since 1999, also broken down by NHS board. (S5W-35889) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has never approved funding for the relocation of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and self-evidently has not therefore withdrawn funding. In February 2018, the Scottish Government invited NHS Lothian to submit an Outline Business Case, making clear that it was not making a commitment to fund the construction of a new eye hospital.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how GP practices identify high-risk people with asthma. (S5W-35924) Jeane Freeman: GP practices can identify high-risk people with asthma by searching their records for patients codified as having asthma alongside other factors such as inhaled steroids, courses of oral steroids prescribed, hospital admissions, or smoking status.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some parents are having difficulties and experiencing delays with accessing appropriate treatment pathways for children who have been diagnosed with long-COVID. (S5W-35965) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways such as for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.

We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the support it is providing the NHS to assist (a) children and young people and (b) all people who have been diagnosed with long-COVID. (S5W-35966) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways such as for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.

We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to calls for specialist long-COVID clinics to be established in each NHS board area. (S5W-35967) Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35846 on‎ 19 March 2021.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that all (a) parts of the NHS and (b) medical specialisms are aware of the (i) symptoms of long COVID in and (ii) appropriate treatment pathways for (A) children and young people and (B) all people. (S5W-35968) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways.

The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.

We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Alzheimer Scotland's Fair Dementia Care Campaign for parity of access to healthcare for people with advanced dementia. (S5W-35980) Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government welcomed Alzheimer Scotland’s Fair Dementia Care Report and began consideration of the report’s call for a definition of advanced dementia care, free at the point of delivery, prior to the onset of the pandemic.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport announced in Parliament on 16 February that the Scottish Government supports the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care and, subject to the outcome of the election, would support the creation of a National Care Service which will ensure there is national accountability for the delivery of social care. As an initial response to the Independent Review recommendations there is an increase in rates of allowances for free personal and nursing care by 7.5% from 1 April. This was welcomed by Alzheimer Scotland as a first step in meeting the aims Fair Dementia Care.

In addition, learning from the pandemic, we are taking forward new work on clinical models of care in care homes and the report’s recommendations on improving the quality of care for people with advanced care needs will also be considered as part of that work.

We also continue to fund national dementia workforce development and service improvement programmes to support the delivery of high quality dementia care. We will also take forward work with Health Boards and others to explore how we might expand the focus on the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultants – part funded by the Scottish Government, Health Boards and Alzheimer Scotland – to include additional strategic work with the care home sector.

The Scottish Government’s Dementia and COVID-19 Action Plan was published in December, to build on, continue and expand national action on supporting people with dementia, their families and carers in response to the pandemic. Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise the COVID-19 vaccination of mountain rescue workers. (S5W-36034) Jeane Freeman: We are adhering to the priority list devised by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who have advised an age-based programme will capture those with clinical risk factors as the risk of death is very strongly linked with age, more so than any other factor. A number of mountain rescue workers may fall into the priority risk groups set out by the JCVI based on their age and health; and these individuals will receive an invitation to their vaccine appointment.

In addition, some mountain rescue workers may be vaccinated as part of cohort 2 - frontline health and social care workers – but only when they are assisting other emergency services due to pandemic pressures, such as: the Mountain Rescue Service assisting Scottish Ambulance Service.

Bill Bowman (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist (a) osteoporosis nurse and (b) radiographer positions are (i) filled and (ii) vacant in each of the NHS boards. (S5W-36055) Jeane Freeman: The information requested on how many specialist (a) osteoporosis nurse positions are filled and vacant, broken down by NHS board is not centrally collected.

The information requested on how many radiography positions are filled in each of the NHS Boards can be found in the following table:

NHSScotland Allied Health Professionals with a specialty of Radiography, staff in post by NHS Board (Whole Time Equivalent) as at Dec 2020.

NHS Boards Staff in Post as at Dec 2020 NHSScotland 2442.3 NHS Ayrshire & Arran 172.8 NHS Borders 32.8 NHS Dumfries & Galloway 44.8 NHS Fife 109.0 NHS Forth Valley 90.3 NHS Grampian 207.3 NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 769.7 NHS Highland 122.8 NHS Lanarkshire 181.0 NHS Lothian 411.4 NHS Orkney 5.8 NHS Shetland 9.8 NHS Tayside 201.7 NHS Western Isles 9.1 NHS Golden Jubilee 74.0

Source: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).

Information on how many radiography positions are vacant in each of the NHS Boards is not centrally available.

Scotland-level data on vacancies for Consultants, Nursing & Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals for March, June and December 2020 is not available.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on collation of more detailed data by Boards, reduced vacancy data was reported for March, June and December 2020.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine certificate system and, if so, how it will ensure that such a scheme does not discriminate against people who are unable to receive the vaccine for health reasons. (S5W-36091) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is currently considering the role that a vaccination certificate/passport may have. However, this work is still ongoing and a final decision has not been reached on whether this will be introduced.

A key factor in the Scottish Government’s decision will be the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, their impact on transmission and the length of time for which each vaccine provides immunity. There is not enough information available yet.

We continue to monitor all developments in relation to COVID-19, including on the subject of vaccine certification. We continue to contribute to the World Health Organisation Safer Vaccination Programme on vaccine certification. This includes consideration of technical details, ethical and equality issues, and privacy standards. The outcome of those discussions will guide our work in this area.

A vaccination certificate could play a valuable role but there are various issues to work through, not least the significant equalities issues with allowing freedoms only to those vaccinated. Work, on a 4 nations basis, has started to scope and develop a technical solution to allow secure, authenticated access to Covid vaccination status.

This is to ensure technology is not the limiting factor should the work underway indicate it would be appropriate to introduce certification at the right time.

The Scottish Government’s main focus remains on our national vaccine programme and ensuring that this is rolled out as quickly and effectively as possible.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-34979 by Jeane Freeman on 22 February 2021, when the Junior Doctors 48-hour Expert Working Group report will be published. (S5W-36101) Jeane Freeman: The ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been and continues to be the focus of our activity. We have agreed with BMA Scotland that the report and its important recommendations will be released when it has been fully considered.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed drug-related (a) deaths and (b) harms with the UK Government and what issues were discussed. (S5W-36161) Angela Constance: I met with the UK Government’s Minister for Crime Reduction and Policing on 11 February 2021, and the Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care on 24 February 2021.

During the meetings I highlighted the specific challenges we face in tackling the public health emergency we are experiencing in relation to drug deaths, and outlined the range of work we are already taking forward to tackle this complex issue.

I also raised specific issues where UK Government action is required to support the approaches we wish to take, including the introduction of overdose prevention facilities; the introduction of drug checking facilities; regulation of the sale of pill press machines that are used to mass produce street benzodiazepines; and amending existing naloxone regulations that will help further increase the availability of this life saving drug.

Gordon MacDonald (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs there are per head of population in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. (S5W-36187) Jeane Freeman: There are more GPs per 100,000 population in Scotland than the rest of the UK, with 94 for every 100,000 people (Sept-20), compared with 76 per 100,000 people in England (Dec-20), 71 in Wales (June-20) and 72 in Northern Ireland (Mar-20).

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position regarding funding for Autism Network Scotland. (S5W-36218) Clare Haughey: The update on the funding for Autism Network Scotland is that I met with Richard Ibbotson on 18 March 2021, to set out the reasons for the withdrawal of funding and to allow him an opportunity to convey his views directly to me. I explained the decision and that I had considered this carefully but concluded that my decision remained.

The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the lives of autistic people in Scotland.

Shona Robison (Dundee City East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in mental health services in Tayside in each year since 2016, broken down by (a) adult services and (b) CAMHS. (S5W-36235) Clare Haughey: NHS Boards draw funding for mental health services from the overall funds allocated to them by the Scottish Government. Local budget decisions should reflect the national mental health priority and NHS Boards are expected to work with Integration Authorities and other partners to plan and deliver person centred, safe and effective mental health services which meet the needs of their populations.

NHS Tayside’s overall budget has increased in cash terms by £303.0 million (58.6%) from 2006-07 to 2021-22. NHS Scotland expenditure on mental health is reported in the Scottish Health Service Costs , published annually by ISD Scotland. Table 1 below shows expenditure identified as relating to mental health services delivered in hospitals or in the community aimed specifically at children and adolescents and overall mental health expenditure in Scotland.

Table 1: NHS Tayside Mental Health Expenditure Financial year 2016-17 to 2019-20 (latest available) Financial Child and Adolescent mental health Mental Health Year expenditure (£000) expenditure (£000) 2019-20 7,984 97,033 2018-19 7,184 96,618 2017-18 7,166 94,292 2016-17 6,660 94,126

Source : Scottish Health Service Costs

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provides annually to help tackle drugs deaths in Dundee. (S5W-36255) Angela Constance: In 2020-2021 we have invested the following funding to drugs services and projects in Dundee:

• £4,366,586 to NHS Tayside covering Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus to support the delivery of alcohol and drug services • £498,274 to Dundee City from the Programme for Government Local Improvement Fund • £256,859 to Dundee City from the Programme for Government to support the 6 priorities of the Drug Deaths Taskforce • £256,859 to Dundee based projects delivered by third-sector organisations through the Programme for Government challenge fund • £153,980 to Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership from the additional £5 million funding announced for this financial year by the First Minister • £130,764 to the University of Dundee from the Drugs Deaths Taskforce Research Fund

We have declared that a national mission is required to tackle drug-related death and have committed additional funding of £50 million per year over the next session of parliament.

Details of funding to NHS Boards can be found here - https://www.gov.scot/publications/alcohol-and-drug-partnerships-funding- allocations/

Details of Dundee’s additional Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) allocation can be found here - Alcohol and drug partnerships: additional funding 2020-2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Exchequer Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent Budget will deliver for the people of Dundee. (S5W-36251) Kate Forbes: The 2021-22 Scottish budget will deliver multiple benefits to the people of Dundee, and also to the wider community. These are split into several areas which are detailed below:

• The Local government settlement; • Employability and skills funding; • Towns regeneration; • Tay cities region deal; and • The Infrastructure investment plan.

The Local Government Settlement

In 2021-22, Dundee City Council will receive a total funding package of ‎ £342.3 million to support local services, which includes an extra £7.7 million to support vital day to day services, equivalent to an increase of 2.4 per cent compared to 2020-21.

To date, the council have been allocated an additional £41.8 million to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, through the local government settlement - over and above their regular grant payments.

Employability and skills funding

In building for a successful recovery and to ensure that no one is left behind there must be a heavy focus on employability and skills, and that investment in new jobs will be key. In 2021-22 we will invest more than £1bn to drive forward our national ambition for jobs and to equip our workforce with the future skills they need.

Our 2021-22 Scottish Budget allocation includes £125m for skills and employment support, including the Young Person’s Guarantee and the National Transition Training Fund, supporting those 25 and over back into work. Dundee will benefit proportionately from this funding to help people of all ages across the city to retain or re-enter work.

Towns regeneration

The Scottish Budget sets us on a path to establishing a new Place Based Investment Programme which will be backed by £325m capital over the next five years.

This will benefit towns and cities across Scotland, supporting place, community regeneration, town centres, and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It includes maintaining the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund as well as capital funding that will be allocated to each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities to invest locally in line with the above shared aspirations.

Tay cities region deal

The Budget also includes over £200m of funding for this year’s delivery of the City Region and Regional Growth Deals programme, including the Tay Cities Region Deal. Scottish Government has committed £150 million to the Tay Cities Deal over ten years.

In Dundee, this includes delivery of the cyberQuarter at Abertay University and the Biomedical Cluster at Dundee University, which will together receive up to‎ £31 million of SG funding through the Deal and aim to further enhance the city’s reputation for innovation.

Infrastructure investment plan

The Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26, published on 4 February, offers a robust pipeline of over £26 million of work that will help stimulate a green recovery and build market confidence.

The Plan included the following specific investments in Dundee:

• A proposed new East End Community Campus to replace Braeview Academy and Craigie High School as part of the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme. • A Community Custody Unit in Dundee (£11.6 million) as part of our ‎ £98 million of investment in the construction of the innovative new female custodial estate.

In addition, the new Infrastructure Investment Plan outlines a number of national programmes including £3.4 billion for affordable housing, our £600 million R100 broadband programme and over £550 million for active travel, all of which will also benefit people in Dundee.

Transport Scotland

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Arran ferry service has been cancelled between 2016, broken down by (a) date and (b) reason. (S5W-35350) Paul Wheelhouse: There are two ferry routes serving Arran, Ardrossan – Brodick and Claonaig - Lochranza. There was 19,537 scheduled sailings on the Ardrossan – Brodick service of which 1,571 were cancelled with 173 additional sailings provided, resulting in total of 18,139 sailings operated.

There was 14,600 scheduled sailings on the Claonaig – Lochranza service of which 802 were cancelled with 231 additional sailings provided, resulting in a total of 14,029 sailings operated.

Further details are provided in the tables below, by reason between October 2016 and January 2021. The two routes are shown separately. A copy of the table has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 62253).

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many written complaints have (a) it and (b) CalMac received regarding the Arran ferry service since 2016. (S5W-35351) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has identified in the region of 500 pieces of correspondence received between 2016 and January 2021 relating to the provision of ferry services provided by CalMac on the West coast of Scotland. However, it is not feasible to ascertain which of these are specific to the Arran ferry service.

The Ardrossan – Brodick route is the busiest route on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network and carried over 3 million passenger and over 760,000 vehicles between October 2016 and January 2021. CalMac, over the period October 2016 to January 2021 received around 870 complaints, relating to the Ardrossan - Brodick ferry route, concerning both the ports and vessels. This equates to just 0.03% of total passengers carried on this route or just fewer than 3 complaints for every 10,000 passengers travelling on the service.

In fact, CalMac has a strong reputation for customer service. As a testament to this, CalMac have won a number of awards since the start of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract in October 2016, such as Ferry Operator of the Year in 2018. CalMac have also received Worldhost Recognition for Excellent Customer Service as well as CCA Global Accreditation 5 years in a row up to 2020. All these awards are only made possible through the hard work, dedication and professionalism of CalMac staff.

Dean Lockhart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the costs of (a) investigating and (b) fixing the issues with the build- up of ice on the Queensferry Crossing. Holding answer issued: 22 March 2021 (S5W-35790) Michael Matheson: A holding answer was provided.

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-34023 an S5W-34990 by Michael Matheson on 17 December 2020 and 17 February 2021 respectively, whether it will provide an update on whether the Air Discount Scheme will be extended beyond 31 March 2021. Holding answer issued: 22 March 2021 (S5W-35804) Michael Matheson: A holding answer was provided.

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling stations. Holding answer issued: 22 March 2021 (S5W-35807) Michael Matheson: A holding answer was provided.