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The Scottish Government’s 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy (PSPS) sets the framework to deliver fair and affordable pay awards. It takes into account the impact of high inflation on households and governments, whilst balancing the need for sustainable public finances.

The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) provides the negotiating forum for the pay and conditions of service of police officers in Scotland. While police officers are not subject to PSPS, PNB negotiations are guided, but not bound, by its parameters, alongside a range of other evidence, as part of its ongoing considerations and negotiations around officer pay. As the pay claim for 2023-24 has been submitted, in line with PNB protocols, it is not appropriate to comment further.

Scotland’s national forests and land is sub-divided into five geographical management areas, each has a local incident response plan in place.

Each Regional incident response plan covers all potential incidents that may occur on Scotland’s national forests and land, inlcuding wild fires. The incident response plan is produced in collaboration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and other agencies / public bodies and is reviewed annually.

In addition, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has guidance in place for staff regarding how to manage wildfires on Scotland’s national forests and land. The guidace covers roles and responsibilities and how to work in collaboration with SFRS. FLS staff are trained to respond to incidents when required, including wild fires.

FLS produces guidance for staff on the use of helicopters for firefighting, covering how and when to use a helicopter and the roles and responsibilites of FLS / SFRS staff.

The Scottish Government does not have responsibility for overseeing the functioning of the Loch Awe Improvement Association. As a community lead organisation, who holds a number of fishing rights within the Loch Awe area, the Association administers the Loch Awe and Associated Waters Protection Order 1992. This involves applying to the Scottish Government for the granting of water warden warrants, which is a responsibility that rests with Scottish Ministers.

The total cost for the helicopters utilised at the Cannich fire is not known at this stage, as the incident is still ‘live’ with damping down activity ongoing, and the two suppliers (PDG Aviation Ltd and Skyhook Helicopters) have not yet submitted their respective invoices.

The final cost of the helicopter support will run to hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the majority of the cost being met by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).

FLS deployed the helicopters to the incident at the request and in liaison with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Cost allocation has not yet been discussed with neighbouring land owners/managers.

In Scotland, children and young people's needs are met by planning for their learning and support through an individualised educational programme or Additional Support Plan. These set out targets for learning and the support to be provided. For children and young people who have complex or multiple needs, which require significant support from education and another agency or agencies, a statutory co-ordinated support plan (CSP) may be required. The purpose of the CSP is to support co-ordinated multi-agency planning to meet pupils' needs.

All planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), adopted in February this year, forms part of the statutory development plan alongside the relevant Local Development Plan (LDP).

NPF4 places climate and nature at the centre of our planning system and makes clear our support for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies, including onshore wind.

NPF4 policy 11 makes clear that potential impacts on communities, nature and other receptors remain important considerations in the decision-making process. Additionally, the policy requires that project design and mitigation will demonstrate how impacts on communities and individual dwellings, including residential amenity, visual impact, noise and shadow flicker will be addressed. All applications are subject to site-specific assessments, including Environmental Impact Assessment where applicable.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra does not manage any buildings fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Scottish Ballet does not manage any buildings fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

The 2023-24 budgets for employability programmes, including No One Left Behind and Fair Start Scotland were confirmed by the Deputy First Minister on 25 May, with Grant Offer Letters issued to local authorities on 30 May for No One Left Behind. The budget for Individual Training Accounts has now been confirmed and the scheme will re-open during the week commencing 19 June 2023.

We are currently considering the budget for the Flexible Workforce Development Fund in 2023-24 through colleges and the Open University in Scotland and will provide a further update once budget discussions have concluded.

During periods of dry weather when the fire risk is moderate to high, Forestry and Land Scotland posts alerts on their web site and social media to warn members of the public about the risks. This includes advice on campfires, stoves, and portable barbeques.

At popular visitor destinations, warning signs are erected on approaches to the site, including electronic signs on the route to Glenmore in the Cairngorms National Park.

Throughout the summer, FLS staff patrol the popular visitor destinations and monitor them for irresponsible and antisocial behaviour. When campfires are found, the people involved are advised to extinguish them as soon as possible and if necessary, the emergency services get involved.

Throughout the summer period, extra Seasonal Rangers are employed across the country to assist with the patrols around popular sites, particularly at weekends.

The Rangers work in partnership with other Public Bodies, neighbours, and partners in their area.

FLS has a Duty Officer on call 24/7 in each region throughout Scotland. The Duty Officers have support in place to be able to react at short notice to any incident, including wildfires.

FLS works closely in collaboration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and has run training events for staff regarding how to deal with campfires safely and avoid them becoming a wildfire.