Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Mossmorran industrial complex plays an important role in the local economy for Fife, and I am keen to see that role, and the many well-paid jobs and skills preserved through a just transition to net-zero.

Given the novel nature of industrial just transition planning, it is appropriate that it is tested, evaluated and improvements considered, before applying it to other areas. We will conduct an evaluation of the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster Just Transition Plan once complete, considering what learnings could be adopted in future work.

Just Transition is a key aspect of the Scottish Government’s approach to net-zero, and accordingly, focused work on key major industrial sites will put the participation of – and meaningful engagement with – operators, workers and community at its core.

Industry has a lot to gain from the process of Just Transition, as such, we welcome innovation and commitment, by industry, in this area.

Once again, I welcome Mr Ruskell’s work and the recently commissioned report exploring Just Transition options for Mossmorran.

The Reaching 100% (R100) programme is ensuring that all homes and businesses can access superfast broadband. This commitment is being delivered through three strands of activity – the £600 million R100 contracts (North, Central and South), our R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) and commercial coverage.

The R100 Central contract, which includes Fife, is currently expected to complete build by the end of March 2024. The contract has so far delivered 407 Fibre To The Cabinet connections in Fife, with all remaining connections expected to be full fibre, capable of delivering gigabit download speeds.

For those properties beyond the reach of the R100 contracts or commercial coverage plans, the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme – offering vouchers worth up to £5,000 – remains available to help secure a superfast broadband connection.

However, as the R100 SBVS is a demand-led scheme, it is not possible to provide dates by which people might be connected.

Likewise, for properties within the plans of commercial broadband suppliers, we do not hold data on when those connections will be delivered.

The Scottish Government promotes the use of reusable nappies by including a voucher for one waterproof nappy wrap and five stay dry nappy pads in Scotland’s Baby Box. The voucher also signposts families to the Scottish Government Parent Club website which highlights the benefits of using reusable nappies and provides helpful advice and tips on nappy use. Ready Steady Baby , which is given out at antenatal appointments, also highlights the benefits of reusable nappies.

The Scottish Government is not aware on which specific date Circularity Scotland first informed Scottish Enterprise that it was at risk of going in to administration.

We are committed to replacing HMP Barlinnie with HMP Glasgow which is being designed to deliver safe and secure accommodation, with maximum possible benefit and opportunity to those who live and work there, as well as surrounding communities.

Time-scales for the replacement prison will be set out once a final design is available and transition plans will be developed closer to the date of transition.

When planning to decant a part of, or an entire prison, SPS will communicate and consult with the affected population, and ensure that each individual’s needs are taken into account when considering the relocation. For affected staff, individual needs and requirements are also taken into account before any change in their working location.

The Scottish Government assesses and monitors a range of risks relating to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland and takes appropriate action.

Circularity Scotland is now in administration and the Scottish Government is considering the next steps in accordance with the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020.

We remain committed to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme but as stated in Parliament on 7 th June, this will not now launch until October 2025 at the earliest due to the UK Governments 11 th hour intervention through their decision on the Internal Market Act exclusion.

The Scottish Government is committed to developing the economy of the Highlands and Islands to its full potential. We are working with partners including local authorities, businesses and our enterprise agency and supporting a broad range of activities backed by significant Scottish Government investment to achieve that aim.

Through the Growth Deal programme we are investing £242.5 million across the Highlands and Islands over the next 10 years to grow the economy. This will fund projects on a range of themes including renewable energy, housing, transport, skills, tourism, culture, marine, space and aerospace to drive sustainable economic growth.

Our enterprise agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is providing specialist advice, training and funding to help businesses respond to economic opportunities. The agency also supports the development of infrastructure, including business and industrial premises in rural locations. During 2022-23, HIE approved £63.2 million for 489 projects and secured £35 million of investment for the region’s economy.

In January this year we confirmed Inverness and Cromarty Firth as one of Scotland’s Green Freeports. With access to up to £25 million in seed capital, up to £1 million in revenue funding, and a package of customs and tax incentives, Green Freeports will create internationally competitive clusters of manufacturing excellence. With a focus on renewable energy, wind and hydrogen, the Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will create up to 25,000 jobs and attract £2.6 billion in inward investment to the region.

These initiatives and many others we are supporting will drive sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands for the benefit of people and communities.

The Scottish Government was first informed that Circularity Scotland was likely to go into administration late on 19 June 2023 and was formally told that they were appointing administrators on 20 June 2023. The administrators confirmed they had been appointed on their website on 21 June 2023.

We had told the UK Government that Circularity Scotland were likely to go into administration should they not provide a full exclusion to the Internal Market Act for the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland to allow it to go ahead as planned on 1 March 2024.

The Scottish Government want to create high quality and well paid jobs in sectors of the future. We will ensure that the principles of Fair Work are embedded from the outset in the approach to Investment Zones in Scotland.

Officials from the Scottish Government met with the administrators of Circularity Scotland on 23 June 2023 and also on 3 July.