Chamber and committees

I am not sure that I can add much more, other than to say that the Government will reflect on the issues before drawing any conclusions and publishing any final strategy.

I regularly engage with my education and skills ministerial colleagues to discuss the importance of the net zero workforce. Scotland is already leading the way in the creation of green jobs. New PwC data shows that the Scottish green jobs market has tripled since 2021. PwC has been clear that Scotland’s strong skills base is a critical factor in attracting green investment and the creation of green jobs.

Institutions such as colleges have a critical role in developing the multiskilled workforce that will drive the just transition to net zero. Last week, my colleague the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy visited the North East Scotland College campus in Fraserburgh to discuss its curriculum and to launch its Ocean Winds pre-apprenticeship scheme, which is an initiative that supports students who are preparing to work in the offshore wind industry.

I will attempt to react to some of that and not to the pun about pump priming.

I have recently visited a number of colleges where it has been very clear that there is a commitment in the further education system to introduce young people to all manner of technologies. The member rightly mentions the importance of having a broad spectrum of technologies available, including technologies for older types of heating systems, heat pumps and, perhaps for the future, other means of electric heating for existing radiator systems in houses.

The member raises important points. We are working to ensure that we have the workforce that we need for the future. The PwC green jobs barometer has been clear that Scotland’s skills base is providing a clear advantage to Scotland, capitalising on green jobs and green skills and identifying applicable skills in other sectors for people who wish to transfer into a new career.

Improving planning skills and capacity is a key commitment and priority for the Scottish Government. Together with the Improvement Service, we offer planning authorities training on appeals processes including public local inquiries. We have also been working closely with the United Kingdom Government on its review of Scottish consenting, which included a recent public consultation on potential reforms to the UK Electricity Act 1989. Those reforms are intended to mandate early engagement with statutory consultees to increase application quality and reduce the need for public local inquiries.

I suggest that the language and rhetoric that has been overstated is that which we heard in the question. I state again that the judgment and issues in the strategy will be informed and influenced by recent developments in UK Government energy policy and by court decisions. Any responsible Government would be expected to do that.

Where new development proposals come forward, our fourth national planning framework, which was published and adopted in 2023, ensures that the impacts of proposals on communities and nature are important considerations in the decision-making process.

On 5 November, the National Energy System Operator published advice to the United Kingdom Government on how to achieve clean power by 2030. At the same time, NESO also published a consultation on connections queue reform, and the UK Government is due to publish a clean power action plan. The outputs of that work will be considered in due course.

It is important to say that there is a statutory structure that must be followed in all decision making in the planning system. Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 requires that decisions must be made in accordance with the development plan.

I understand the point that the member makes about cumulative impacts. The cumulative impacts of development, including landscape, visual and amenity impacts, are important considerations in the determination of applications, where such impacts are identified.

The regulation of electricity networks is reserved to the United Kingdom Government. Scottish ministers have devolved responsibility for determining applications for consent under the Electricity Act 1989. Given that, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual infrastructure projects that may come forward as I may not interfere with or prejudice any decisions that may come before the Scottish ministers for determination.

In general, however, the Scottish Government recognises that the expansion of the electricity grid will play a crucial role in delivering on our energy ambitions and maximising the economic opportunities of Scotland’s abundant renewable resources.

The national planning framework makes it clear that potential impacts on communities—the member alluded to them, although, as I said, I cannot comment on the specific case—and on nature and heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, are important considerations in the decision-making process. She will forgive me: if I read the question correctly and there was an invitation in it, the ministerial code prevents me from commenting. However, I thank her for her question.