Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-13380

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase community engagement for strengthening Gaelic in communities, in light of reports that the post of Gaelic Development Officer at Community Land Scotland has been discontinued.

The Scottish Government has provided additional funding of £200k in 2021-22 and 2022-23 to Bòrd na Gidhlig to support the network of Gaelic Development Officers across Scotland. These officers are supporting the Gaelic communities by providing a range of c ommunity-based activities through a variety of different schemes.

The focus of Bòrd na Gidhlig’s evaluation review of the Community Land Scotland Gaelic Development Officer post is to develop, and put in place, a more comprehensive and sustainable framework for delivering community based developments in Ga elic . At the core of this framework is the move towards a multi year funding arrangement to better support the work of development officers and to strengthen the network of officers to maximise the benefit to their communities. There are currently a total of 58 officer posts that have been supported by the Bòrd in communities this financial year with an investment of over £1.1M.

Question reference: S6W-13181

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the qualifying criteria are for recipients of the St Andrew's Award for exceptional acts of bravery.

Thank you for your question. The criteria for emergency workers differ from that of the public. For emergency workers, the criteria are:

The individual (or team) acted beyond the normal expectation of them and made a deliberate decision to do so in the knowledge of the dangers / risks involved e.g., where the incident escalated unexpectedly beyond the initial assessment and the individual had to adapt their training or improvise to achieve the desired outcome.

The individual (or team) displayed outstanding bravery in the knowledge of significant risk or danger to their own life whilst protecting or attempting to protect another person. Consideration of the UK Gallantry Award System may also come into play in these situations.

The individual (or team) showed personal courage in the face of violent or unpredictable circumstances.

Where the individual (or team) made a significant contribution to reducing risk to the public and preventing future deaths or injuries.

Where an individual or team has gone beyond the expected contribution to their service and has through determination, innovation and persistent effort overcome obstacles resulting in a quantifiable contribution to public safety.

Question reference: S6W-13215

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing a taskforce with an independent chair to oversee Gaelic-medium education teacher workforce recruitment, as reportedly recommended by Dr Michael Foxley and Professor Bruce Robertson.

The Scottish Government is aware of the paper that Dr Foxley and Professor Robertson have produced on Gaelic medium teachers and officials met with them on 1 December to discuss this.

The Scottish Government continues to work with university partners and other stakeholders to address recruitment issues for Gaelic education and other priority areas. The Strategic Board for Teacher Education oversees issues relating to teacher education including recruitment to the teaching profession.

We are considering the responses to our recent consultation on the Future of Gaelic and Scots. These will help strengthen our aims for the Gaelic language and support for those interested in teaching in Gaelic Medium Education.

Question reference: S6W-13110

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any economic or social impact of the reported removal of almost 100 ATMs in Lanarkshire since 2018.

The Scottish Government recognises that, despite declining cash usage across the country, any reduction in a local area’s ATMs will add to the uncertainty that a community faces on their ability to easily access cash and other banking services.

Whilst the Scottish Government hasn’t undertaken specific economic analysis of declining ATM’s in Lanarkshire, we have, with the limited powers available, delivered reliefs for ATM sites in Scotland to improve their commercial viability. This includes ensuring sites in rural areas are exempt from business rates where the building is used only for the ATM and, more widely, there is 100% rates relief available to ATM sites through the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Ultimately, however, the regulation of financial services is reserved to the UK Government and Scottish Ministers cannot intervene in the commercial decisions made by financial services firms to remove ATM’s.

We welcome the provisions around protecting access to cash in the Financial Services and Markets Bill introduced to the UK Parliament this year and we support industry initiatives, including the work of the Post Office and UK Finance’s Cash Action Group, that are aimed at improving access to cash across the country. Through the industries work, local communities can now apply to have their cash access independently reviewed and have new ATMs, or other services, installed should the current cash access be deemed poor. My officials will provide further detail to your office on how communities in your region can apply for these reviews.

The Scottish Government will continue to work constructively with the UK Government on ensuring access to cash is protected for those who need it in Scotland and, through our regular engagement with the financial services industry, we will urge banks and ATM providers to listen to, and address, the very real concerns customers have on accessing cash in their local communities.

Question reference: S6W-13138

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend eligibility for the Winter Heating Payment to terminally ill people.

Our approach to supporting people who have a terminal illness is demonstrated in the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, which introduced a new definition of terminal illness. Rather than imposing an arbitrary life expectancy, the clinical judgement of the person’s doctor or nurse is relied upon. This allows people who have been diagnosed as having a terminal illness to receive fast-tracked access to Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment

It is already the case that people who receive a disability benefit in relation to their terminal illness may be eligible to receive a Winter Heating Payment, where they otherwise meet the criteria for eligibility for the Payment. Any further developments to Winter Heating Payment including amendments to eligibility criteria will be considered once the new benefit is being delivered and its initial evaluation is complete.

Question reference: S6W-13018

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12330 by John Swinney on 5 December 2022, whether it will provide a list of (a) members and (b) leaders of each of the groups and sub-groups named.

In response to the request for members and leaders of each of the groups and sub-groups named in the answer to question S6W-12330, the non-Scottish Government representation on, and leadership of, the groups named are set out in the following table.

In line with Scottish Government guidance, only the names of senior civil servants have been provided in the Group Leader/Chair column.

Group Name	Organisations Represented	Group Leader/Chair
Apprenticeship Approval Group (AAG)	Membership details are available here: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/46692/aag-membership-sep-2020.docx	Ruth Jennings, Sainsburys
Business Support Partnership	Scottish Enterprise Business Support Partnership BG National COSLA Creative Scotland South of Scotland Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development Skills Development Scotland VisitScotland	Rhona Allison, MD Business Growth, Scottish Enterprise
Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan - Implementation Steering Group	Skills Development Scotland Construction Scotland Innovation Centre Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Transport Scotland Energy Skills Partnership, Colleges Scotland Equate Scotland NatureScot NFU Scotland Scottish Engineering Scottish Cities Alliance Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development IBioIC ‎ Scottish Renewables Scottish Training Federation University of Strathclyde Zero Waste Scotland Keep Scotland Beautiful University of Edinburgh Scottish Funding Council	Professor Dave Reay, University of Edinburgh
Clyde Mission Strategy Group	Glasgow City Region GCR/Clyde Mission Strategic Advisor Scottish Enterprise Scottish Futures Trust Skills Development Scotland Scottish Environmental Protection Agency University of Glasgow University of Strathclyde Clyde Gateway Scottish Land Commission Glasgow City Region Council Argyll & Bute Council	Colin Cook, Scottish Government
Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill Steering Group	Community Enterprise in Scotland Federation of Small Businesses Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Supplier Development Scotland Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) Community Wealth Building at South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish Funding Council Business Services Association Scottish TUC Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF) Clyde Gateway NHS Lothian Sustainable Procurement North Ayrshire Council COSLA (Scotland) Glasgow City Council Highlands and Island Enterprise Fife Council Business Services Association Social Enterprise Scotland Scottish Renewables Balfour Beatty Scottish Enterprise University of Glasgow	Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth
Creative Industries Leadership Group	Full membership of the group can be found at: Creative Industries Leadership Group - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot )	Minister for Culture, Europe & International Development Brian Coane, The Leith Agency/Institute of Advertising Practitioners Scotland
Developing the Young Workforce Employers Forum	Katoni Engineering Ltd Chivas Brothers QTS Group Purvis Group The Vardy Foundation Mitsubishi ACE Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Mage Control Systems National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Cothrom Ltd Ortak Salmon Scotland Cairngorm Group Sinclair Bay Subsea Ltd Sonas Hospitality (Skeabost) Ltd MacLeod Construction Ltd Ceteris Aviva NHS / Crichton Board & Business Consultant Border Safeguards	Sandy Begbie, Scottish Financial Enterprise
Digital Collaborative Governance Group	Skills Development Scotland Founders4Schools eSgoil Gateway Education Scotland STEM Network COSLA Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)	Michelle Fenwick, Developing the Young Workforce James Russell, Skills Development Scotland
Economic Leadership Group	First Minister Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for COVID Recovery Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government COSLA	First Minister
European Structural and Investment Funds Programme Board	Internal Scottish Government group	Fiona Ross, Scottish Government (Non-Executive Director)
European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee	Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Orkney Islands Council Skills Development Scotland Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development (SLAED) Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise Highland Council Scottish Funding Council Big Lottery DG Regio DG Emploi	Hilary Pearce, Scottish Government
European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee Working Group	This sub-group of the European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee has now been disbanded.
European Structural Funds Information Technology Board	Internal Scottish Government Group	Scottish Government official
Financial Services Growth and Development Board	Scottish Financial Enterprise Abrdn EY Financial Conduct Authority FinTech Scotland Tesco Bank Phoenix Standard Life Royal London Noble Group Barclays Morgan Stanley Shepperd & Wedderburn PWC Royal Bank of Scotland KPMG Scottish National Investment Bank Association of British Insurers	First Minister John McGuigan, Scottish Financial Enterprise
Flexible Workforce Development Fund Senior Strategic Group	Scottish Funding Council Skills Development Scotland	Scottish Government official
Foundation Apprenticeship Enhancement Group	Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council Education Scotland Colleges Scotland College Principals Scottish Qualifications Authority Association of Directors of Education in Scotland COSLA Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board Scottish Training Federation Balfour Beatty	Scottish Government official
Green Freeports Programme Board	Transport Scotland Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Scotland Office Home Office HM Treasury HMRC Department for International Trade	Louise Macdonald, Scottish Government Sue Gray, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Industry Leadership Chairs Group	Sector representatives for: Life Sciences Construction Tourism Food & Drink Creative Industries Financial Services Scottish Textiles Forest and Timber Aquaculture Energy (Scottish Energy Advisory Board) Employee Ownership ILG Aerospace & Defence Retail Space	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism & Enterprise Nora Senior, Non-Exec Chair, Scottish Government Strategic Board
Innovation Strategy Steering Group	University of Strathclyde Spirit Aerosystems Par Equity Edinburgh University Intelligent Growth Solutions IAND Entrepreneur and innovation expert representative Scottish Enterprise FinTech Scotland M Squared Lasers NovaBiotics Scottish Funding Council	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Prof Sir Jim McDonald, University of Strathclyde
Input-Output Expert Users Group (IOEUG)	City of Edinburgh Council Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency University of Sheffield James Hutton Institute and University of Aberdeen Central Statistics Office, Ireland Office for National Statistics Independent Consultant GRID Economics Fraser of Allander Institute SAFER / University of Glasgow Scottish Enterprise Viewforth Consulting / Strathclyde University The Centre For Energy Policy Zero Waste Scotland Scottish Parliament Information Centre Visit Scotland Durham University 4-Consulting Historic Scotland Welsh Government University of Strathclyde Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency	Scottish Government official
Lifetime Skills Offer Steering Group	Scottish Funding Council Skills Development Scotland	Scottish Government official
Life Sciences Scotland Group	Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group LSMD Symbiosis Reprocell Europe ODx MSD GSK Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre Association of British HealthTech Industries Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry One We are Pioneer Group NRS/Glasgow Universities Scotland SULSA Scottish Enterprise Highlands & Islands Enterprise Skills Development Scotland	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport
Ministerial Trade Board	ABC Bank Proserv Scottish Business Network University of Strathclyde Nova Innovation Verlume Fios Genomics Pickering’s Gin Scottish Engineering IQVIA Food & Drink Trade Adviser DirectID	Richard Rollison, Scottish Government
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board	Cyrenians The Net Zero Technology Centre Edinburgh College University of Strathclyde Scottish Trade Union Congress University of Glasgow BAE Systems Naval Ships Essence of Harris Scottish Water Former Executive Group Chair of Weber Shandwick and past Chair of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board Former Chief Executive of DC Thomson Media Group	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy Barry White (former Chief exec of Scottish Futures Trust)
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Portfolio Board	Scottish Government Non-Executive Directors Enterprise & Skills Agency SOLACE	Louise Macdonald, Scottish Government
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Skilled Workforce Programme Board	Scottish Funding Council Skills Development Scotland Workers Educational Association Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group Edinburgh Climate Change Institute Scottish Council for Development and Industry Scottish Financial Enterprise Young Person’s Guarantee Non-Board Members: Edinburgh College BAE Systems	Stephen Pathirana, Scottish Government
Public Sector Network Steering Group	Skills Development Scotland NHS Lothian Scottish Water NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde NatureScot Highland Council The Improvement Service Historic Environment Scotland Scottish Enterprise South Lanarkshire Council Visit Scotland North Lanarkshire Council Police Scotland	John Lindsay, Skills Development Scotland
Regional Economic Policy Advisory Group	Full membership of the group can be found at: Regional Economic Policy Advisory Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)	Professor David Bell, University of Stirling Professor John Bachtler, University of Strathclyde
Retail Industry Leadership Group	Locavore Scottish Grocers’ Federation Eastgate Shopping Centre GMB Usdaw Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland Ltd Dobbies CJ Lang & Son Asda Scottish Retail Consortium Tesco Federation of Small Businesses John Lewis Partnership and ILG co-Chair National Federation of Independent Retailers Scottish Wholesale Association Tiso Ltd.	Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Group Board	Scottish Water Scottish Power Energy Networks Glasgow City Council Microsoft Ltd. Mactaggart & Mickel Group Ltd Balfour Beatty Barnardos Scotland Clyde Blowers Strathclyde University Openreach Lantra Leonardo BAE Systems Robertson Construction Group Career Review Programme Board Weber Shandwick The Torridon Balfour Beatty Group Scottish Funding Council	Peter Farrer, Scottish Water Frank Mitchell, Scottish Power Energy Networks
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Standards And Frameworks Group	Balfour Beatty Leonardo MW Ltd Scottish Power Doosan Babcock Edinburgh University Scottish Lifesciences Association SQA Accreditation Institute of Civil Engineering CBI Mactaggart & Mickel Homes limited Codeclan Scottish Building Federation BAE Systems Sainsburys Scottish Training Federation Colleges Scotland Universities Scotland BAE Systems	Stevie Petrie, Balfour Beatty
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Employer Engagement Group	Scottish Water Federation of Small Businesses (Scotland) Scottish Chambers of Commerce Highlands and Islands Scottish Union Learning – Scottish Trades Union Congress Scottish Qualifications Authority Balfour Beatty WGM Engineering CeeD Johnstons of Elgin Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Scottish Power Networks Sky NatWest Group NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Scottish Engineering Enterprise and Skills West College Scotland BT Angus Council (COSLA) Cornerstone Robertson Group CBI Scotland	Paul Campbell, Scottish Water
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Employer Equalities Group	Microsoft Dundee City Council Building Equality Scotland This is Milk Scottish Water Wood Plc Scottish Union Learning – Scottish Trades Union Congress Scottish Power Energy Networks Forster Group Weber Shandwick Zen Consultants (Sco) Ltd Sky Action for Children Lookers Diageo	Stevie Grier, Microsoft
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Apprentice Engagement Group	NatWest Group Scottish Water Sky Aviva Balfour Beatty Glasgow City Council Scottish Qualifications Authority Skills Development Scotland AECOM JP Morgan Chase Scottish Government JP Morgan Chase Leonardo SP Energy Networks Coca Cola Europacific Partner Scottish Government Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council	Ciaran Pugh, NatWest Group Mark Gullan, Scottish Water
Scottish Business Growth Group	Confederation of British Industry Federation of Small Businesses Institute of Directors Scottish Chambers of Commerce Scottish Council for Development and Industry Scottish Financial Enterprise	Deputy First Minister Secretary of State for Scotland
Scottish Cities Alliance Chief Executive Officers Group	City of Edinburgh Council Aberdeen City Council Glasgow City Council Stirling Council Highland Council Dundee Council Fife Council Perth and Kinross Council Scottish Government	Greg Colgan, Dundee Council
Scottish Cities Alliance Delivery Group	Scottish Cities Alliance Perth and Kinross Council Highland Council Dundee City Council City of Edinburgh Council Aberdeen City Council Highland Council Stirling Council Glasgow City Council Edinburgh Council	Cllr John Alexander, Dundee Council
Scottish Cities Alliance Leadership Group	City of Edinburgh Council Stirling Council Perth and Kinross Council Dundee Council Fife Council Highland Council Glasgow City Council Aberdeen City Council	Cllr John Alexander, Dundee Council
Scottish City Region and Growth Deal Delivery Board	Scotland Office UK Government – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities HM Treasury	Scottish Government officials Kris Krasnowski, Scotland Office
Scottish Economic Statistics Consultation Group	Highlands and Islands Enterprise South Lanarkshire Council University of Strathclyde Oxford Economics Lloyds Banking Group - Scotland Cogent Strategies Bank of England Scottish Enterprise Scottish Trades Union Congress Scottish Parliament Information Centre Fraser of Allander Institute Centre for Public Policy Research University of Dundee University of Edinburgh Independent consultants	Scottish Government officials
Scottish Government and Business Organisations Meeting	Confederation of British Industry Federation of Small Businesses Institute of Directors Scottish Chambers of Commerce Scottish Council for Development and Industry Scottish Financial Enterprise Scottish Recovery Consortium Scottish Tourism Alliance Scotland Food and Drink	Liz Cameron, SCC
Scottish Government Labour Market Evidence Programme	Herriot-Watt University Economics Observatory University of Warwick University of Essex Strathclyde University Edinburgh Business School University of Stirling University of Glasgow Fraser of Allander Institute Joseph Rowntree Foundation Skills Development Scotland Public Health Scotland Close the Gap	Scottish Government official
Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services	Abrdn Aegon Asset Management Baillie Gifford British Venture Cambridge University Chartered Financial Analyst UK Chartered Banker Inst City of London Edinburgh University FinTech Scotland The Global Ethical Finance Initiative Leapfrog Investments LINC NatWest Phoenix Prudential PwC Royal London S&P Scottish Financial Enterprise Franklin Templeton Future worth living Scottish National Investment Bank	David Pitt, Watson Taskforce
Skills Ministerial Group	Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Minister for Environment and Land Reform	Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training
Strategic Leadership Group for Manufacturing	University of Strathclyde Boeing Donaldson Group National Robotarium Chromacity Aggreko Mitsubishi Electric The Startup Brewing Company Scotland Food and Drink TC Biopharm Malin Group Alpha Solway Castle Precision Space Scotland NTG Holdings Bute Fabrics Highlands & Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish Enterprise Skills Development Scotland National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Renfrewshire Council	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Dr Hamid Mughal, University of Strathclyde
Sub-Scotland Economic Statistics Group	South Lanarkshire Council South Ayrshire Council Revenue Scotland Glasgow Centre for Population Health Improvement Service Highlands and Islands Enterprise Skills Development Scotland Clyde Gateway Aberdeen City Council Scottish Enterprise Skills Development Scotland Biggar Economics Office for National Statistics Fife Council	Scottish Government official
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group	Full membership of the group can be found at: Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Marc Crothall, Scottish Tourism Alliance
Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo)	Welsh Government New Zealand Government Government of Iceland Government of Finland (Government of Canada participates but is not formally a member. OECD officials also attend some events)	Gary Gillespie, Scottish Government
Young Persons Guarantee Equalities Subgroup	Close the Gap Glasgow Disability Alliance One Parent Families Scotland Intercultural Youth Scotland Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum LGBT Youth	Scottish Government official
Young Persons Guarantee Employer Advisory Group	NHS Lothian Perth Autism Support Historic Environment Scotland Ayrshire Chamber Scottish Power Scottish Government Morrison Construction Gleneagles Sky Capgemini Scottish Power Young Enterprise Scotland Scottish Water Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Scotrail SSE Lookers	Melanie Hill, Scottish Power
Young Person’s Guarantee Implementation Group	South Lanarkshire College Scottish Financial Enterprise Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council University of Edinburgh Department of Work and Pensions Universities-SCOTLAND Colleges Scotland Aberdeen Foyer Scottish Trades Union Federation of Small Businesses Confederation of British Industry Young Scot Princes Trust Close the Gap Intercultural Youth Scotland Glasgow Disability Alliance STV Project Scotland Street League Ayrshire Council Glasgow Kelvin College Dumfries and Galloway Council Intercultural Youth Scotland South Lanarkshire College Venture Trust COSLA Volunteering Matters Venture Trust DYW National Team Improvement Service Renfrewshire Council	Sandy Begbie, Scottish Financial Enterprise

Since the initial response to PQ S6W-12330 was provided, the following further groups have been identified, and membership details are included in the following table.

Group Name

Organisations Represented

Group Leader/Chair

Access to Work Stakeholder Forum

British Association of Supported Employment Scotland

Deaf Action

Department for Work and Pensions

Dyslexia Scotland

ENABLE Scotland

Falkirk Council

Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow Disability Alliance

Inclusion Scotland

National Autistic Society

Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland

Scottish Association for Mental Health

Scottish Commission for Learning Disabilities

Scottish Union of Supported Employment

Skills Development Scotland

Start Scotland (FSS provider)

Versus Arthritis

Kevin Drugan, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

Fair Work in Hospitality Inquiry Group

Unite Hospitality

Hospitality worker representative

Heriot-Watt University

University of Strathclyde

Contini Edinburgh

Scottish Tourism Alliance

Skills Development Scotland

Living Wage Scotland

Stand Comedy Club

Grassmarket Community Project

Mitchells & Butlers

Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union

Unite Scotland

Inclusion Scotland

UKHospitality Scotland

Scottish Beer and Pub Association

Sodexo Live!

Crerar Hotels

Better Than Zero

Linda Johnston, Auchrannie Resort

Satnam Ner, Prospect and Fair Work Convention

Fair Work Convention

Anderson Strathern

Scottish Trades Union Congress

Unite the Union

Scottish Centre for Employment Research

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

Unison

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE)

Babcock International Group

Aberdeenshire Council

BAE Systems

Professor Patricia Findlay, Scottish Centre for Employment Research

Mary Alexander, Unite the Union

Industry Advisory Group for rest of UK Talent Attraction

Q2 Solutions

Hays

Space Scotland

Scottish Leather Group

Diodes

Microsoft (UK)

Scottish Financial Enterprise
‎ Skills Development Scotland

ScotlandIS

Valneva

TalentScotland

Digital Technology Steering Group

Scottish Renewables

Nile HQ

Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

Question reference: S6W-12982

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the Highlands and Islands region, how (a) many there are and (b) much it has allocated for this purpose, broken down by each local authority area.

Scotland is leading the way on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with more EV chargers per capita than the rest of the UK. The latest figures showing that Scottish electric vehicle drivers benefit from 60 public charge points per 100,000 population. This compares to the UK as a whole at 45.2, England 53, Wales 34.9 and Northern Ireland at 18.4 charge points per 100,000 population.

A) Scottish Government only holds information on charge points registered on the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network, we do not hold charge point information for the wider public charging network run by commercial operators. The total number of publicly available charge points registered on the CPS network broken down by Local Authority area in the Highlands and Islands region is shown below. These charge points are owned by councils, other public bodies, charities and businesses who received grant funding from the Scottish Government.

Local Authority Area in Highlands & Islands Region	Total Public EV Charge Points on CPS Public Network
Argyll & Bute Council	68
Highland Council	164
Moray Council	39
Orkney Council	34
Shetland Council	28
Western Isles / Eilean Siar Council	32

Table A: Total public EV charge points on the CPS network in H&I Region.

B) Scottish Government has to-date awarded over £9 million of funding to local authorities and over £2 million to other public bodies, third sector organisations and private businesses in the Highlands & Islands region to support development of the ChargePlace Scotland public charging network. Table B below shows the breakdown:

Local Authority area in Highlands & Islands Region	Funding to the LA for EV Charging (£)	Funding to non-LAs for EV Charging (£)
Argyll & Bute Council	1,023,000	367,348
Highland Council	4,338,00	1,654,954
Moray Council	1,172,000	152,141
Orkney Council	1,120,000	65,966
Shetland Council	666,000	79,124
Western Isles / Eilean Siar Council	773,000	98,668
Total	£9,092,000	£2,418,202

Table B: Scottish Government funding for public EV charge point installation.

Question reference: S6W-12962

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how long the current waiting list is for rape survivors at each rape crisis centre.

Question reference: S6W-12946

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its (a) information safety and (b) information transparency protocols, in light of reports that Scottish Ministers have used WhatsApp messaging to discuss official business.

The Scottish Government constantly reviews its policies to provide an open and transparent government approach to how its information is managed. We are committed to being open and transparent as set out in The Open Government Action Plan and on the Scottish Government website.

We allow the installation of mobile messaging applications on business mobile devices to support the business of the Scottish Government. Installation of such applications is covered by the Scottish Government's IT Code of Conduct and Mobile Services Employee Agreement.

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining complete and comprehensive records of key conversations and decisions in line with the Scottish Government Corporate Records Management Policy.

Question reference: S6W-12940

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the continuity of ferry service provision to Arran when the CalMac service temporarily transfers to Troon.

The service continuity plan for the Ardrossan-Brodick/Campbeltown route is currently being developed by CalMac which will include a revised temporary ferry timetable between Troon and Brodick and a shuttle bus service between Troon Harbour, Troon Rail Station and Ardrossan. Timetable options were shared with the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee and wider communities as part of a public consultation exercise undertaken in August and September 2022. CalMac are reviewing the feedback with a report expected to be published in the coming weeks. The revised temporary Troon timetable is expected to be finalised in the new year, to ensure continuity of service for passengers.

Chamber and committees