Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is supporting early adopters of new technology to deliver on emission targets and we have provided over £500,000 Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) support since 2021 for individual projects contributing to fuel efficiencies. Of this, over £43,000 was for vessels to convert to electric power and over £42,000 to explore options for larger vessels.

As we progress towards identifying solutions to support Net Zero targets, many of the actions that are required will need to be developed and initiated by the fishing industry and others in the private sector. Regulators and policy makers also need to identify and remove barriers where this is possible.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33899 on 31 January 2025. 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

Fishing can be a challenging and unpredictable livelihood, and we recognise the importance of supporting our fishing communities.

No specific support has been targeted at fishers' families or partners, however, we have continued to make funding available through our Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) to support young fishers and to secure the long-term viability of the industry and provide resilience for the workforce. Between 2021 -2024 MFS has awarded 37 young fishers over £2.5 million in grants to enable them to purchase their first fishing vessel (or a share in a vessel). We have provided support of £5 million in 2020-21 and 2021-22 to help the farming, fishing, food and drink sector recover from Brexit and COVID-19.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with the Fishing Vessel Agents & Owners Association (Scotland) Ltd since we were appointed to our roles.

The Scottish Government recognises the impact that child poverty has on families with a baby, and that some of these families may use food or baby banks.

Scotland is the first nation in the UK to publish a Cash-First Plan, grounded in human rights, that works towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland through promoting cash-first responses, including to meet the needs of infants. Scotland was also the first country in the UK to develop an Infant Food Insecurity Toolkit for local partners, based on the Unicef advice.

Where direct provision of infant formula is needed our Toolkit sets out how emergency local pathways could provide this safely, responsively and sustainably through health professionals and other local provision. This includes recommendations that food banks, where possible, provide cash-equivalent vouchers or purchase infant formula to meet need, avoiding the unpredictability of donated formula.

Anyone supporting a family in a crisis should refer them to their local authority or a health professional, such as a health visitor, family nurse, or midwife, in order to ensure they are getting the holistic support they need. This includes financial advice, and a referral to cash-first crisis supports such as the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Information on the gender pay gap is collected by the Office for National Statistics and this includes information on the fisheries and aquaculture industry in Scotland. Further info can be accessed via this link

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/annualsurveyofhoursandearningsashegenderpaygaptables

Table 5.12 provides information on the pay gap by region and industry.

The Scottish Government welcomes IBD UK’s latest report, Crohn’s and Colitis Care in Scotland: A Vision for Change and is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

Whilst our role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, it is NHS Boards locally who are responsible for service delivery. We expect Boards to follow best practice and adhere to current guidelines and standards when providing care and support for people with IBD.

Our workforce planning guidance requires NHS Boards to take a demand-led approach by determining future staffing requirements in line with healthcare needs within their locality.

Anyone needing urgent medical help should contact their GP or NHS 24 (Telephone 111).

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33899 on 31 January 2025. 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

We carried out a survey from 1 August to 6 September 2024 to ask the Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) group members, and some wider stakeholders, their views on the current functioning and effectiveness of the group. A summary of responses alongside confirmation of any changes we will make, will be published in due course.

In total, the consultation on fisheries management measures within Scottish offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) received 3,881 valid responses. The majority of these response came from campaigns from two organisations.

Of those who responded specifically to the question on full site management measures, 97% were in support and 3% were opposed.

The full consultation analysis report was published on 31 January and can be found on the Scottish Government website.