Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-04913

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister has visited any care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic to listen to the views of residents, and, if so, (a) where and (b) when these visits took place.

Question reference: S6W-04916

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought advice from the Australian government on delivering an apology for historic forced adoption, and, if so, whether it will provide dates of any meetings, telephone calls and correspondence.

Question reference: S6W-04890

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend in the current financial year (a) on welfare, (b) on telecoms and (c) in total in order to mitigate any impact of decisions taken by the UK Government.

Estimated spend on the specified areas is detailed in the following table (this doesn't include the circa £3.5 billion of Social Security benefits which while devolved supports and supplements UK welfare benefits):-

Portfolio	Level 4	2021-22 Budget Amount (£m)	Associated Reserve Power	Assumption for inclusion
Safer Communities	Scottish Veterans Fund and the administration of the fund by Veterans Scotland, Capacity Building Grant for Veterans Scotland and supports Ministerial input to Commemorations.	0.5	Defence	Provides support for those in armed forces which links to defence
CEAC	International Development Fund	10.0	Foreign policy	Supports development programmes delivered by a range of organisations in Scotland. In line with Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, and underpinning agreement from the UK Government giving Scottish Ministers the necessary powers to undertake International Development work.
CEAC	Humanitarian Aid	1.0	Foreign policy	Budget for Humanitarian Emergency Fund. In line with Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998.
F&E	Capital costs relating to improving digital connectivity infrastructure across Scotland.	98.2	Telecomms	Telecoms is a reserved policy area.
F&E	Resource costs relating to improving digital connectivity infrastructure across Scotland.	4.1	Telecomms	Telecoms is a reserved policy area.
Justice	Support for the armed forces and veterans community in Scotland.	1.5	Defence	Provides support for those in armed forces which links to defence
F&E	Employability - Fair Start Scotland	34.1	Employment	Funds employment support services for those most in need of support. Job search and support is reserved (except education, vocational and careers services)
F&E	Employability & workforce skills	22.0	Employment	Funds a range of employability services included for disadvantaged, disabled, care-experienced. Job search and support is reserved.
SJH&LG	Equalities	30.5	Equal opportunities	Promoting Equality and Human Rights which links to Equal opportunities
F&E	Consumer Scotland Policy and Advice	4.6	Consumer Protection	The consumer policy and advice budget is to allow the delivery of advice to citizens across Scotland by the Citizens Advice Network on consumer matters and to ensure consumer interests are represented to government, regulators and decision-makers. It will also support the establishment of a new public body Consumer Scotland to represent consumer interests.
F&E	Accountant in Bankruptcy	2.5	Insolvency	Linked to insolvency which is reserved. The budget continues to allow Accountant in Bankruptcy to ensure access to fair and just processes of debt relief and debt management for the people of Scotland, which takes account of the rights and interests of those involved.
F&E	Business Economic Network Support	2.0	Business Associations	This could be linked to business associations spend which is reserved. This budget covers the costs (principally in relation to accommodation, catering, travel and subsistence) involved in the biannual meetings of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, a range of minor costs associated with sponsorship of SE and HIE.
F&E	Innovation and Industries (Aerospace Research & Development)	1.0	Outer Space	New capital funding to support Aerospace Research & Development, therefore could be linked to outer space which is reserved.
F&E	International Trade and Investment	18.0	International Relations	Link to international relations which is reserved. The Budget reflects Scottish Government’s increased ambition for internationalisation of the economy and will support delivery of the actions outlined in our three international economy plans for Inward Investment, Trade and Capital - all underpinned by our soon to be published values led Trade Vision.
F&E	Enterprise Zones	39.0	Industrial Development	NMIS and AMCF support manufacturing section which could be linked to industrial development. ‎ Support for the manufacturing sector and continued business engagement, it includes funding to progress the new National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) with the aim to develop and enhance skills, accelerate innovation and improve productivity.
F&E	Low Carbon Economy (Green Jobs Fund)	4.9	Employment ‎ Industrial Development ‎ Energy	Links to 3 reserved areas. This budget line has a focus on supporting our low carbon economy ambitions. Includes Green Jobs Fund (Supply Chain Development) ), Low Carbon Manufacturing Fund (£26m over 5 years) and Clyde Mission Low Carbon Heating (£25m over 5 years). Link to employment, Industrial development and energy.
NZ,E&T	Sustainable Action Fund (Climate Justice Fund)	1.7	International Relations	Climate Justice Fund purpose is to help fight global climate change therefore is linked to international relations which is reserved (note there is a separate FOI request about this fund specifically, following FM's announcement to treble the funding - 202100252499)
NZ,E&T	Sustainable Action Fund (Climate Challenge Programme Malawi)	0.8	International Relations	Link to international relations which is reserved
NZ,E&T	Climate Change Policy (International)	1.5	International Relations	Link to international relations which is reserved
NZ,E&T	Energy Efficiency and Industries	108.5	Energy	Energy is reserved. ‎ This budget supports the promotion of energy efficiency, the continual development of Energy Efficient Scotland and supporting heat decarbonisation. It includes funding to support major capital funding programmes to decarbonise the buildings in the non-domestic and public sectors; projects supporting the transition phase of Energy Efficient Scotland; development of district heating regulations and legislation; provision of programmes of advice and support to encourage the continued uptake of home renewables and non-domestic energy efficiency measures.
NZ,E&T	Renewable and Community Energy	38.8	Energy	Energy is reserved. ‎ In recognition of the potential of wind, hydro, wave and tidal energy to curb global emissions, this budget supports renewable energy projects, including support for the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). It also helps increase community ownership of renewable energy developments and supports renewables workforce development.
NZ,E&T	Low Carbon Economy	50.9	Energy	Energy is reserved. ‎ The low carbon economy budget is aimed at supporting the development of low carbon infrastructure projects including heat networks and the development of innovative financial mechanisms to encourage investment in low carbon infrastructure.
NZ,E&T	Energy Consents, Strategy and Operations	2.4	Energy	Energy is reserved. ‎ Energy Consents Unit processes applications for onshore wind farms, battery storage and other energy related projects. The bulk of spend is on staffing and related costs.
SJ,H&LG	Discretionary Housing Payments	83.1	Social Security (non-devolved social security schemes)	Funding for Discretionary Housing Payments to fully mitigate losses as a result of the "bedroom tax". Of the total, £71m is anticipated to be spent on bedroom tax mitigation. Also allows Local Authorities to provide support to qualifying individuals in housing crisis, including support for those affected by Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates and benefit cap. These benefits are reserved.
SJ,H&LG	Promoting Equality and Human Rights	32.3	Equal Opportunities	Equal opportunities is reserved. This budget supports the equality and human rights infrastructure across Scotland. Investing in the capacity of equality organisations; Strategic Interventions to support key equality outcomes; and specific funds to support frontline activity to address violence against women and to support activities to promote equality and human rights.
	TOTAL	593.9

Question reference: S6W-04886

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what volume of wood has been imported into Scotland in each of the last five years, also broken down by the country it was imported from.

Question reference: S6W-04893

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the average daily traffic flow volumes have been on the A96 Trunk Road between Aberdeen and Inverness in each year since 2017.

Question reference: S6W-05135

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has received in total in health and social care related Barnett consequentials in each financial year since 2019-20.

The Scottish Government has received the following amounts in (a) health and social care related Barnett consequentials; and (b) Covid-19 Barnett consequentials related to health and social care spend:-

Barnett Consequentials	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
	£m	£m	£m	£m
Health and Social Care (Resource)	943.0	738.1	706.9	1,783.9
Health and Social Care (Capital)	79.9	139.5	108.1	120.8
Health and Social Care (Covid-19)	-	4,085	2,102.6*	-

*includes £48.3m capital

Question reference: S6W-05136

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has received in total in COVID-19-related Barnett consequentials as a result of health and social care spending in each financial year.

Question reference: S6W-04832

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase current Scottish Child Payment bridging payments for children from six years and above, who would be entitled to the Scottish Child Payment under the full roll-out, to bring them into line with the increased payment rate of £20 per week.

This year’s Scottish Budget is a budget of choices and we have chosen to back our national mission to tackle child poverty and strengthen support available for families during the cost of living crisis.

The Budget commits almost £200 million to double the Scottish Child Payment to £20 from April 2022, immediately benefiting 111,000 children under the age of 6.

We remain committed to delivering the Scottish Child Payment for children and young people aged 6-15 by the end of 2022, subject to receipt of the necessary data from DWP, at which point more than 400,000 children will be eligible.

In advance we are supporting as many school age children and young people as possible through our Bridging Payments, worth £520 in 2022. This innovative response, which makes use of the data local authorities have, is delivering immediate support to around 150,000 children.

The Scottish Child Payment remains the best way to provide the support low income families need now which is why we have acted to double the payment from April.

Question reference: S6W-04840

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to foster carers to enable a fostered young person to remain living with their foster family when they reach the age of 18.

The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that positive, well supported transitions have on outcomes for care leavers and that the relationships care leavers build including with their foster carers are integral to these outcomes.

Since 1 April 2015, young people leaving care after their sixteenth birthday, and who have been looked after in foster, kinship or residential care have been eligible for Continuing Care and therefore able to continue in their care setting if that is in their best interests. The Scottish Government’s Continuing Care guidance stipulates that local authorities should carefully consider the financial implications for a carer offering a Continuing Care placement to ensure that a lack of financial support is not a barrier to the continuation of the placement.

Question reference: S6W-04852

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many inspections of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been carried out since January 2021, broken down by local authority.

Routine inspections of early learning and childcare settings and schools have been paused since March 2020 as a result of the impact of COVID-19. HM Inspectors of Education are aware of the ongoing challenges faced by local authority staff, education staff, learners and communities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Scottish Ministers requested HM Inspectors conduct an inspection of Spark of Genius Harbour Point School in accordance with section 66 (1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. This inspection was carried out in May 2021.

Between January and March 2021, to support and improve the delivery of high-quality and effective remote learning, HM Inspectors of Education developed a national overview of practice of remote learning. During this period HM Inspectors of Education engaged with all 32 local authorities and 474 schools. They also reached 12,105 parents and 2,667 learners through surveys. This resulted in 12 weekly National Overview of Practice Reports publishing between January and April 2021.

In March to April 2021 HM Inspectors of Education undertook a national review of local authority approaches to quality assurance as part of the Alternative Certification Model. This review was to ensure that the range of measures being undertaken by local authorities ensured that the approach to certification delivered for young people across Scotland. As part of this review, HM Inspectors of Education engaged with all 32 local authorities, headteachers, SQA co-ordinators, teachers and representatives of professional associations. This national review was published on the Education Scotland website.

On 3 December 2021, the HM Chief Inspector of Education announced that taking stakeholder views into account, along with the ongoing challenges settings and schools face dealing with COVID-19, HM Inspectors of Education will not resume routine early learning and childcare and school inspections in January 2022 as originally planned.

Between September and December 2021, HM Inspectors of Education visited over 200 schools and services. This included visits to establishments and services that were due to have a further inspection or as part of national thematic inspections.

For visits, HM Inspectors of Education will follow public health and local authority guidance complying with the COVID-19 mitigations for each establishment. Plans are continually reviewed and are linked with public health guidance and local circumstances.

From February 2022, if COVID-19 conditions have improved, HM Inspectors of Education will carry out ‘recovery focus’ visits to engage with a selection of early learning and childcare settings and schools to support the education sector as it continues to respond to the impact of the current pandemic. HM Inspectors of Education will continue to keep plans under review to changing circumstances linked to the pandemic.

Chamber and committees