Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12087 on 22 November 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12543 on 13 December 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

National Records of Scotland (NRS) are currently consulting with data users to ensure that census outputs are accessible and provided in a format which meets the needs of census data users.

As previously noted, NRS are planning to publish the first census outputs approximately one year after conclusion of the census data collection phases. Census data collection phases concluded in Autumn 2022.

As recommended by the Auditor General, National Records of Scotland will, as planned, continue to reflect on all relevant lessons learned from the census programme. Upon conclusion of the census programme, an over-arching General Report will be laid before Parliament in 2024.

As stated in the list of Scottish Government forthcoming official statistics published at Official statistics: forthcoming publications - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) , the planned publication month for the next Housing Statistics for Scotland quarterly update was moved from the month of December 2022 to January 2023 due to team capacity and to allow further time to process the data.

The housing statistics team that produces the quarterly publication have been involved in a range of other work over recent weeks, including the Housing and Regeneration Outcomes Framework Indicator Updates published on 22 November 2022, the latest Private Sector Rent Statistics Scotland 2010 to 2022 published on 29 November 2022, as well as providing resource to support work on the emergency legislation Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland Act. This has impacted on the capacity of the team to be able to prepare and publish the housing statistics quarterly update in December, which is planned for release in January 2023.

The Scottish Forestry Strategy is based on the international principles of Sustainable Forest Management which require all forests and woodlands to contribute to biodiversity. Of the six Priorities for Action in the Scottish Forestry Strategy the following three promote the safeguarding biodiversity as well as priority species and habitats:

• Increasing the adaptability and resilience of forests and woodlands,
• Enhancing the environmental benefits provided by forests and woodlands.
• Expanding the area of forests and woodlands, recognising wider land-use objectives;

The Scottish Forestry Strategy emphasises the importance of taking wider land use objectives into account when expanding our woodlands and forests, and one of the key objectives considered is when doing so is food security, which is further recognised in wider Scottish Government Strategies and Plans.

The Strategy also states that ‘we will focus on achieving greater integration between forestry and other land-based businesses, such as crofting, farming, and estate management’. The latest Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan (2022-2025), includes actions to promote greater integration of land use including the farmer-led

Integrating Trees Network which promotes the benefit of woodland creation on farms, such as providing shelter for livestock, enhancing biodiversity and a source of income.

The decision to escalate or de-escalate an NHS Board is based on a combination of evidence. Escalation addresses complex issues and an element of judgement will always be required. In order to support robust decision-making in this sphere, the Scottish Government regularly convenes the National Planning and Performance Oversight Group which considers a range of data and intelligence relating to the delivery of health and social care across Scotland and the performance of our health boards. Should there be a requirement to escalate any additional NHS Boards, for any reason, I will update Parliament in the first instance.

Work has been undertaken throughout 2022 to scope a Clyde Metro Programme Level Business Case. This is being undertaken collaboratively, led by Transport Scotland and its partners Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. A Delivery Plan will be prepared following the completion of the Programme Level Business Case.

Ministerial engagements and expenses, including those for overseas travel, are proactively published by the Scottish Government three months in arrears in line with the Ministerial Code. This can be accessed via the Scottish Government website .

Travelling to other countries allows Ministers to promote Scotland, build relationships and boost investment - including emphasising the Scottish Government's role in working with partners to support Scottish companies.

The cost of flights for those accompanying me, up to and including trips proactively published on the SG website, are listed below.

Ministerial engagements and expenses, including those for overseas travel, are proactively published by the Scottish Government. This can be accessed via the Scottish Government website .

I made no international trips as a Minister between my appointment in May 2021 and 31 December 2021.