The Scottish Government continues to work with the Scottish Regulatory Steering Group, comprised of key regulators, to assess regulatory requirements for the development of the hydrogen sector in Scotland. We are working with UK and Scottish regulators to ensure that action is taken to address identified issues and create a clear regulatory framework for hydrogen projects.

Alongside Scottish Enterprise, we are developing a Scottish Hydrogen Innovation Network (SHINE). SHINE will provide an entry point for Scottish and European companies to access Scottish research and development centres in academic and commercial settings. The resulting innovations will increase the competitiveness of hydrogen technologies and enable collaborative partnerships.

The formal project launch of SHINE will take place at All-Energy on 16 May 2024 with the SHINE website to be launched preceding All-Energy.

In December 2023, UK Ministers confirmed their positive strategic policy decision to support blending of up to 20% hydrogen into GB gas distribution networks. We welcomed this announcement and now continue to urge UK Government to make progress and provide a timetable for future decisions on blending and the role of 100% hydrogen in the gas grid to provide clarity for us and for stakeholders.

The Scottish Government and Scotland’s Enterprise Agencies continue to work to inform Scottish supply chain companies about hydrogen sector developments and to help them to prepare for the opportunities associated with hydrogen infrastructure rollout both in Scotland and further afield.

The Scottish Government is funding the Hydrogen Business Development service, delivered through the Energy Technology Partnership, to accelerate knowledge exchange between academia and enterprises to stimulate innovation in the hydrogen sector.

The Scottish Government has ongoing engagement with the UK Government in relation to international hydrogen engagement and the development of the export opportunity.

Yes, our Circular Economy Bill proposes modifications to the Environmental Protection Act 1990, implementing new legislative powers to tackle littering from vehicles. These will allow authorised officers to impose a civil penalty charge on the keeper of a vehicle from which littering has occurred. Further adjustments to legislation may be identified by the work on the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy and will be considered as we progress delivery.

Work is ongoing from all partners in the group to prepare a suitable programme and allocate the necessary resources to take forward the recommendations and actions, as accepted by the Scottish Ministers. Once finalised, the programme of work will be reported to the Scottish Ministers and its implementation monitored on an ongoing basis.

It is the responsibility of the college unions and employers to negotiate pay, terms and conditions, not the Scottish Government.

While the Scottish Government respects the right of trade unions to take industrial action, we remain concerned about the potential impacts this action will have on students.

That is why the Scottish Government continues to encourage unions and employers to reach a resolution that is fair and affordable and brings this action to a close.

The First Minister wrote to the UK Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on 18 April to make the Scottish Government’s position clear, the UK Government must respond in a timely manner to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s recommendations, by committing to a fair compensation package for the women born in the 1950’s affected by the changes to state pension age.

State pensions remain reserved to the UK Government. Should the UK Government decide to accept the recommendations from the PHSO report and pay compensation we will work closely with the UK Government to understand if there are any implications for the payment of Scottish social security benefits.