Chamber and committees

Security of electricity supply is a reserved policy area, delivered through UK Government electricity policy, Ofgem as the independent GB energy regulator, and National Grid ESO (the GB Electricity System Operator), as noted in the response to your question on 25 August.

Scotland has an abundance of renewable electricity generation that exceeds our average annual demand. Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will set out further analysis on electricity security, in light of increased decarbonisation of heat and transport.

However, based on current rates of new build development, a ban on the use of direct emission heating systems in new build properties could equate to an additional 100GWh of demand every year. This would add just 0.3% to our total electricity demand remaining well within the margin of our maximum supply capacity of 10GW.

Similarly, based on Transport Scotland’s electricity demand scenarios, the average annual additional electricity demand from EV’s (cars and vans) is just 186GWh for the period 2022 – 2030.

It is also important to highlight that network companies are investing to ensure that our infrastructure can support our transition to net zero. Both Scottish Distribution Network Operators have worked closely with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to ensure that their business plans reflect the scale and pace of deployment necessary to meet Scotland’s net zero and interim targets.

These plans are being assessed by the energy regulator Ofgem, and we expect a final decision on proposed investments by November this year.

The Scottish Government does not have policy control over the eligibility for rebated fuels, such as red diesel. This is a reserved policy. Changes introduced by the UK Government in April 2022 restricted the eligibility for use of rebated fuels.

An emergency budget review has been announced to assess any and all opportunities to redirect additional resources to those most in need, reduce the burdens on business and stimulate the Scottish economy. More than £4.7 billion in support has been provided to businesses since the beginning of the pandemic, including around £1.6 billion in rates relief.

Ultimately, the Scottish Government believes that all tax powers should be devolved to this parliament so that we can provide the support that Scottish businesses need.

The Scottish Government has worked with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland on the mandatory water efficiency label proposals. The consultation was launched on 2 September 2022 and I would encourage households and businesses to respond. The press release is available at: Action on water efficiency - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

I refer the member to the Neurological Care And Support: A Framework For Action 2020-2025 – Midpoint Progress Report , which was published on 13 July 2022. This report provides an update on the progress under each of the five aims in the Neurological Care And Support: A Framework For Action 2020-2025.

A total amount of £2.1 million has been invested to date from the Neurological Care and Support: A Framework for Action funding.

Yes, Argyll and Bute alongside other local authorities that are home to large numbers of private water supplies were considered when deciding where to pilot private water supply first time connections scheme. The main purpose of this scheme is to focus on private water supplies which are facing water scarcity due to climate change.

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland (RoS).

Following on from the previous question, figures are provided for the last 10 years, for properties over 3000 ha.

Transfers are divided between sales/leases for the full monetary market value of the property, versus transfers for discounted or non-monetary consideration (e.g. succession).

Since the launch of the Young Person’s Guarantee in November 2020, we have provided additional funding of £10m per year in 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 to the college sector to enable them to deliver a range of short industry focused opportunities for young people, including skills boost and fast track courses, to meet the needs of employers and support economic recovery.

We have worked with the Scottish Funding Council, college sector and key partners to ensure that opportunities are targeted at supporting individuals who experience barriers in participating in the labour market, including disabled young people. Scottish Funding Council data from the first phase of delivery in colleges for 2020-21 shows that a total of 3,299 students enrolled on Young Person’s Guarantee college places and of those 755 (22.9%) declared a disability.

We do not hold data on the number of volunteering, employment or work experience opportunities taken up by young disabled people that can be attributed to the Young Person’s Guarantee. The Guarantee is not a standalone programme, reporting encompasses the investment by the Scottish Government across education, employability and skills.

We are continuing to engage with the further education sector and key partners to advance equality, inclusion and to eliminate discrimination. Provision is supporting tailored college opportunities for young people with protected characteristics across Scotland, including disabled young people. It is important to note that disabilities and health conditions are self-declared by students and applicants.

We have continued to increase our funding to Action Against Stalking since 2019. In 2020-21 we provided almost £115,000 in funding and in 2021-22 we provided £100,000.

In March 2022 we announced funding of £495,000 over the period 2022-25 from the new Victim Centred Approach Fund to enable Action Against Stalking to deliver expert support to victims, and continue their work to improve the understanding of, and response to, stalking behaviours.

We are also providing up to £230,000 a year through the Scottish Legal Aid budget, and £384,000 in 2022-23 from the Justice portfolio, to the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre to offer free legal information and advice to women experiencing gender based violence, including stalking and harassment.

We are not aware of any current difficulties affecting the immediate development pipeline related to insolvencies. We are unable to quantify the impact that the reported rise in insolvencies among small and medium house builders is having on the affordable housing supply programme development pipeline as for many projects until they are tendered we do not know who the house builder or construction company will be. Some local authorities and RSLs operate development framework agreements but we have not been made aware of any issues of insolvency affecting these frameworks. Scottish Government does not directly procure housing contracts. It is for Registered Social Landlords and Local Authorities to procure construction delivery partners.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway are undertaking work locally to consider and explore possible options for the service, in response to a request from the Integration Joint Board who have responsibility for planning and delivery of the majority of health care in the region.

I will meet with the Galloway Community Hospital Action Group again on the 31 October to discuss further.