Chamber and committees

We continue to engage with Peel Ports; and remain committed to finding a solution at Ardrossan that delivers value for money and provides facilities that best meets the needs of ferry users and vessel operations.

This would be a matter for North Ayrshire Council to consider. However we continue to work closely with North Ayrshire Council to secure an appropriate outcome for Ardrossan.

There are a large number of ports and harbours around the Scottish coast ranging in size from large commercial ports to local piers, slipways and marinas. Ownership models include harbour trusts, privately owned harbours, local authority ownership and harbours owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. We value the diverse range of port ownership in Scotland and the benefits this brings for communities and other stakeholders. Any public sector expenditure on port infrastructure should be carried out with the aim of achieving the best value for money.

The Scottish Government works closely with stakeholders to amplify key campaign messages and ensure we are continuously aspiring to communicate effectively to the population of Scotland, delivering messaging in an inclusive way to reach all geographies and seldom heard communities, which includes those experiencing homelessness.

The Scottish Government also works very closely with Local Authorities, and provides regular updates on marketing activity and coronavirus-related information. The feedback we receive from Local Authorities helps shape our communications offering, and their distribution channels allow us to reach grassroots organisations and target communities with relevant messaging.

An appointment is no longer required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as all health boards now offer drop in vaccinations to those who have not had a first dose and to those for whom it has been more than 8 weeks since receiving their first dose.

The homelessness status of those being vaccinated is not recorded at the time of vaccination. By the nature of homelessness short or long term, this data would be difficult to track. As of 31 August 2021, 91% of people in Scotland have had a 1st dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. An appointment is no longer required as all health boards now offer drop in vaccinations to those who have not had a first dose and to those from whom it has been more than 8 weeks since receiving their first dose. We continue to work with our partners and stakeholders to communicate to the entire population, including seldom heard communities on the importance and availability of vaccination for COVID-19.

Everyone aged 18 and over on (and including) 31 October 2021 has now been invited for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes adults experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.

In Spring 2021, following new advice from the JCVI, priority group 6 was expanded in Scotland to include people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.

Homeless services across the country were consulted to inform the delivery model for this community to ensure they are offered the COVID-19 vaccination in a suitable way. Following on from this, an assertive outreach model has been adopted by Health Boards across Scotland, in partnership with frontline local authority and the third sector, to reach those experiencing homelessness. For example, vaccinations have been taken to people in temporary accommodation and at support service premises. These sessions have been organised in partnership and attended by known and trusted support workers to provide support and reassurance for people. This outreach approach continues to be taken by Health Boards to ensure that people experiencing homelessness come forward for their second dose vaccination.

Scottish Government officials continue to discuss progress on inclusive outreach approaches with all Health Boards on a regular basis and learning is shared between Health Boards. More information on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme can be found in the Covid Vaccine Deployment Plan which was last updated in July 2021.

The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government does not hold information on offenders' or victims' nationality.

Professor Ken Muir has been appointed as an independent advisor on education reform and formally started work on 2 August 2021, and is expected to take around 6 months to conclude.

Professor Muir’s work will include designing the implementation of the OECD’s recommendations for structural change of the SQA and Education Scotland, including delivery of the national curriculum, assessment, qualification and inspection functions. This will include consideration of the role, remit and purpose of both the SQA and Education Scotland, their functions and governance arrangements.

Professor Muir is expected to conclude work and report recommendations to Scottish Government early 2022 and we will seek to publish Professor Muir’s findings as soon as practically possible.

Updates on Professor Muir's work will be provided via https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/education-reform/

International travel restrictions are important in limiting the importation of further cases of the virus, in particular new variants, which could undermine the rollout of our vaccine programme. Exemptions to self-isolation requirements have been granted for seafarers returning directly to Scotland from red or amber list countries outside of the UK. Seafarers who are repatriating in Scotland are also exempt from isolation and the financial pressure that isolation incurs. This exemption does not apply to seafarers returning to Scotland for a period of leave or any other non-work-related circumstance. Offshore workers arriving from amber list countries to work on the UK continental shelf are also exempt from isolation requirements. Where workers are required to travel internationally for business reasons, employers are encouraged to consider how they support their employees to comply with restrictions on their return to Scotland.

Yes, this remains Scottish Government position. We strongly discourage trade with all illegal settlements, including those in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.