Questions and answers

Question reference: S6O-00369

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full assessment of the outcomes of the COP26 discussions and the implications for Scotland’s energy strategy.

The Scottish Government will consider in detail the decisions and outcomes from the COP26 Summit, as well as the comprehensive Scottish Government programme that is running alongside. Our forthcoming draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will take a whole-system view of the energy sector and highlight our commitment to ensuring that the transition to net zero is inclusive, creates good green jobs, is fair for all, and that no one is left behind. It will provide an early opportunity for Scotland to build on the agreements and priorities that emerge from COP.

Question reference: S6O-00382

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to encourage people to use public transport rather than cars.

Question reference: S6W-03749

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of a digital sales tax in Scotland.

There has been no discussion between the UK and Scottish Governments over the introduction of a digital sales tax in Scotland. The Scottish Government is closely monitoring the UK Government’s planned forthcoming consultation on the arguments for and against an online sales tax, as announced in its final report to their fundamental review of business rates published alongside the UK Budget on 27 October.

Question reference: S6W-03748

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the introduction of a digital sales tax.

Question reference: S6W-03866

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding implementation of the Ivory Act 2018.

Scottish Ministers, alongside Scottish Government officials, have been in regular contact with the UK Government to bring forward legislation to implement the Ivory Act 2018 later this winter. The ban is then expected to come into force in Spring 2022.

The Scottish Government is required to obtain approval from the Scottish Parliament to proceed with proposals by Scottish Ministers to consent to the making of UK secondary legislation affecting devolved areas. I wrote to the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee in September with notification of our intent to proceed with this secondary legislation. Formal consent to proceed with the legislation is then possible, once the Committee has given it due consideration.

Question reference: S6W-03820

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many temporary staff it has employed in each of its directorates in each year since 2017.

The following table below shows the number of directly employed staff on Fixed-Term appointment contracts at 30 June 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, broken down by Directorate. 30 June has been selected for consistency with PQ S6W-03819 on 8 November 2021 which contains 30 June 2021 data.

DG	Directorate	30-Jun-17
		Fixed Term Appt
DG COM	DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL	33
	DIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES	7
DG ECON	DIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY (ARE)	63
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST	7
	DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE, TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND	40
DG FIN	SCOTTISH PROCUREMENT AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTORATE	1
DG HLTHSC	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH WORKFORCE AND STRATEGIC CHANGE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR POPULATION HEALTH	3
DG LAJ	DIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES	9
	DIRECTORATE FOR EDUCATION ANALYTICAL SERVICES	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEARNING	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES	3
DG SO	DIRECTORATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS	5
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES (SOLICITOR TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR PEOPLE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR STRATEGY AND CONSTITUTION	3
Total		194

DG	Directorate	30-Jun-18
		Fixed Term Appt
DG CEA	DIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES (SOLICITOR TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)	6
	DIRECTORATE FOR SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT EU OFFICE	1
DG ECJ	DIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES	7
	DIRECTORATE FOR EDUCATION ANALYTICAL SERVICES	5
	DIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE	5
	DIRECTORATE FOR JUSTICE	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEARNING	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES	9
	DIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES	2
DG ECON	DG CO-ORDINATION - ECONOMIC POLICY UNIT	1
	DG ECONOMY – NO DIRECTORATE SPECIFIED	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY (ARE)	39
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE, TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR FAIR WORK, EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND	42
DG HLTHSC	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH WORKFORCE AND STRATEGIC CHANGE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR POPULATION HEALTH	4
DG ODO	DIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, MINISTERIAL SUPPORT AND FACILITIES	5
	DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL	22
	DIRECTORATE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR PEOPLE	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY	4
DG SE	DIRECTORATE FOR STRATEGY, PERFORMANCE & OUTCOMES	1
Total		178

DG	Directorate	30-Jun-19
		Fixed Term Appt
DG CEA	CONSTITUTION AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR EU EXIT AND TRANSITION	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES (SOLICITOR TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)	12
	DIRECTORATE FOR SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT EU OFFICE	1
DG ECJ	DIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR EDUCATION ANALYTICAL SERVICES	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE	6
	DIRECTORATE FOR JUSTICE	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEARNING	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES	7
DG ECON	DIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY (ARE)	36
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE, TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR FAIR WORK, EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND	18
	SCOTTISH NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK	1
DG HLTHSC	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH WORKFORCE, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE REFORM	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR POPULATION HEALTH	4
DG ODO	DIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, MINISTERIAL SUPPORT AND FACILITIES	23
	DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL	26
	DIRECTORATE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR PEOPLE	9
	DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY	12
Total		190

DG	Directorate	30-Jun-20
		Fixed Term Appt
DG CEA	DIRECTORATE FOR CONSTITUTION AND CABINET	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES (SOLICITOR TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)	13
	DIRECTORATE FOR READINESS AND TRANSITION	1
	PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL OFFICE	2
DG ECJ	DIRECTORATE FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND SCIENCE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR EARLY LEARNING & CHILDCARE PROGRAMME	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEARNING	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES	6
	DIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES	6
DG ECON	DIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY (ARE)	32
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE, TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE	12
	DIRECTORATE FOR FAIR WORK, EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND	20
	SCOTTISH NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK	1
DG HLTHSC	DG HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – NO DIRECTORATE SPECIFIED	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR COVID PUBLIC HEALTH	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR POPULATION HEALTH	1
DG ODO	DIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, MINISTERIAL SUPPORT AND FACILITIES	20
	DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL	33
	DIRECTORATE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR PEOPLE	7
	DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY	24
	SCOTTISH PROCUREMENT AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTORATE	1
Total		208
Directorates with no fixed term appointment staff are not listed

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

Question reference: S6W-03819

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many people it currently employs on a temporary basis in each of its directorates.

The following table shows the number of directly employed staff on Fixed-Term appointment contracts at 30 June 2021, broken down by Directorate. These are our most recently published data.

DG	Directorate	30-Jun-21
		Fixed Term Appt
DG CEA	DIRECTORATE FOR CONSTITUTION AND CABINET	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR COVID CO-ORDINATION	10
	DIRECTORATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR ORGANISATIONAL READINESS	5
	PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL OFFICE	2
DG COM	DIRECTORATE FOR EQUALITY, INCLUSION & HUMAN RIGHTS	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE	5
	DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES	8
	DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY	15
DG CORP	DIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTERIAL SUPPORT	18
	DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL	24
	DIRECTORATE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES (SOLICITOR TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)	11
	DIRECTORATE FOR PEOPLE	15
DG ECON	DIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY (ARE)	10
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR COVID BUSINESS RESILIENCE AND SUPPORT	7
	DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE, TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE	9
	DIRECTORATE FOR FAIR WORK, EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS	6
	DIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND	18
DG EJ	DIRECTORATE FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND SCIENCE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES	5
	DIRECTORATE FOR EARLY LEARNING & CHILDCARE	1
	DIRECTORATE FOR JUSTICE	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR LEARNING	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES	11
DG HLTHSC	DG HLTHSC	2
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF NURSING OFFICER	8
	DIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE	7
	DIRECTORATE FOR COVID PUBLIC HEALTH	29
	DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL REFORM AND SERVICE ENGAGEMENT	6
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH FINANCE, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & VALUE	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY	3
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH WORKFORCE	8
	DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT	4
	DIRECTORATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH	6
	DIRECTORATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE	30
	DIRECTORATE FOR POPULATION HEALTH	7
	DIRECTORATE FOR PRIMARY CARE	2
Total		322
Directorates with no fixed term appointment staff are not listed

Question reference: S6W-03818

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions it has used an external recruitment agency to fill a post in each of the last four years, also broken down by which recruitment agency was used.

For Bands A-C (junior to middle management grades) the Scottish Government does not use external recruitment agencies to fill temporary or permanent posts where the worker is employed by SG directly. At senor civil service level recruitment agencies are sometimes used to identify potential candidates for such roles.

The table provides this information for temporary and permanent employed roles in the senior civil service from 2018 onwards broken down by recruitment agency.

Year	Munro Consulting	Saxton Bampfylde	Gatenby Sanderson	Green Park Interim & Executive Limited
2018	2	-	-	-
2019	-	1	-	-
2020	-	-	2	1
2021 to date	-	2	3	-

The Scottish Government does use employment agencies to fill some types of temporary roles. Our use of the agencies is for workers not employed by Scottish Government but employed and paid by the agency. The Scottish Government is invoiced by the agency for their services.

The table provides this information from 2018 onwards. The figures are for new start agency workers used to fill vacant temporary roles in the given year rather than snapshot figures which would indicate the actual number of agency workers in the organisation at a particular date. We do not have a breakdown of which agency was used on each occasion.

2018	2019	2020	2021 to date	Total
268	236	258	432	1194

Question reference: S6W-03751

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether a digital sales tax will be included in its forthcoming Retail Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-03750

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government within what timeframe it anticipates its Retail Strategy will be published.

The Scottish Government is working with retail businesses, trade unions, academia, public sector and trade organisations to develop a Retail Strategy that will enable the retail sector in Scotland to play its part in creating a fairer, greener and stronger Scotland. The Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth Building made a statement to Scottish Parliament on 26 October confirming that the Retail Strategy will be published later this year.

Chamber and committees