Seòmar agus comataidhean

From Jan 2021 – March 2023 the Scottish Government provided over £2.8 million as part of our Women Returners funding through which over 2,100 women have been given support to help with their route back to work. In so doing we have met our 2018/19 Programme for Government commitment to support over 2000 women by the end of the 2022-23 financial year.

The Scottish Government has held the following meetings with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland since May 2021. No agreed outcomes were recorded for these meetings:

• 1 June 2021: Introductory meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 22 and 28th February 2022: Annual forum between Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Scottish college and university officials (including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) – To provide SAAS operational and policy updates to help support students in higher education.
• 24 March 2022: Meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Committee of Scottish Chairs (including Nick Kuenssberg, Chair of Board, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 12 May 2022: Meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 23 and 28 February 2023: Annual forum between Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Scottish college and university officials (including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) – To provide SAAS operational and policy updates to help support students in higher education.

The following table shows the number of unique forestry grant scheme cases with a capital or Single Application Form claim within the past 5 financial years and the total associated authorised financial claims.

Number and Value of cases claimed: Capital & Single Application Form (SAF) for the Financial Year’s 2018-19 – 2022-23

Woodland expansion alongside protecting and restoring peatlands are critical elements of our plans to address climate change and help achieve net zero. Public funding of woodland creation requires high standards of forest practice in line with the UK Forestry Standard: the UK framework to deliver sustainable forest management. The Standard provides requirements and guidelines on planting and managing woodlands in ways that maximise carbon removals and minimise emissions. Planting on deeper peats (over 50 cm depth) is prohibited in Scotland.

Further guidance on ground preparation for woodland creation was strengthened in 2021 to require the use of less disruptive techniques on peaty soils, helping protect these important carbon sinks. Ploughing in preparation of tree planting on peaty soils is limited to less than 10 cm depth to protect peatlands as they are important carbon sinks.

Scottish Government are aware of an ongoing complaint in relation to works being carried out by Morrison Construction at the site of the new Women's National Facility, near Stirling.

Residents living adjacent to the site have made claims alleging vibration damage to their properties resulting from the works. Scottish Prison Service are liaising with residents, local Councillors and the local MSP to investigate and resolve this issue. A structural report has been carried out and an offer to conduct a further independent report has not as yet been taken up by the residents.

At this point, there is no link shown that the works being carried out at this facility are the cause of any damage to neighbouring properties. Scottish Prison Service will remain in dialogue with the residents, local Councillor and local MSP to resolve this matter.

Morrison Construction is a reputable contractor who have approached previous works carried out for the public sector in a responsible manner and address complaints promptly. Other than the above, Scottish Government are not aware of any other complaints or issues of note in relation to Morrison Construction.

Removing the stigma attached to problem drug use and harmful drinking in Scotland is a key part of our alcohol and drug strategy.

In January 2023, we published the Stigma Action Plan as part of the cross-government response to the Drug Deaths Taskforce final report, aimed at tackling the stigma of substance use. The Action Plan has multiple strands of work to tackle public stigma and the institutional barriers that people face in accessing services and support, including in entering education and employment and in being able to achieve the best level of health and wellbeing.

We will shortly begin a co-design phase on the details of the actions outlined in the plan and will be engaging with partners and stakeholders in the drug and alcohol sectors.

We are supporting the development of the forthcoming UK-wide alcohol treatment guidelines, led by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The guidance will look to introduce new approaches to treatment, including non-stigmatising service delivery.

In 2023-24, the Scottish Government has allocated over £480,000 directly to organisations delivering support for adoptive families, including parents. This funding supports a range of initiatives, including: a national helpline; services for practitioners; an Adoption Contact Register; Adoption Week Scotland; and Adoption UK’s PATHways service which provides therapeutic and peer support.

Future funding commitments are subject to the outcome of any spending review by the Scottish Government and approval of the annual Budget Bills by the Scottish Parliament.

The National Trauma Training Programme (NTTP) provides freely available and evidence based trauma training resources for the whole workforce, including education and health professionals, supported by over £8 million investment since 2018. This is key to ensuring that children, young people and their families are supported effectively by workforces and services that recognise the impact of adverse and traumatic experiences, and provide support which is centred around relationships and causes no further harm.

In 2023, the Scottish Government will publish a long-term delivery plan for the NTTP which will include an outline of future commitments and priorities for supporting trauma-informed practice across the children and families workforce.

Education Scotland has also developed a Keeping Trauma in Mind professional learning programme to support education practitioners across Scotland with their knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children and young people (including adoptees) who may be impacted by trauma.

The composition of the ministerial team and the allocation of portfolio responsibilities are a matter for the First Minister.

As with the powers Scottish SPCA inspectors currently have under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, powers will be authorised by Scottish Ministers. Scottish Ministers will also have the ability to remove powers from a Scottish SPCA inspector if necessary.

There are no plans to appoint an independent body to oversee the Scottish SPCA’s use of enhanced powers in relation to wildlife crime.