Chamber and committees

I am engaging in discussions with key stakeholders to emphasise that we are still part of the EU and EU funded investment in Scotland continues. We are actively seeking clarity from UK Government on the provision of funding in the event that Scotland is removed from the EU as part of the UK.

The Scottish Government’s priority, following a strong, unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU is to protect Scotland’s interests, and, we are intent on pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU. We are seeking to negotiate the best way forward for rural communities, farmers, other land managers and for Scotland. European funding, such as the Scottish Rural Development Programme will clearly be a key part of those negotiations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00999 on 8 August 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government will consider the impact for Scotland of setting a new renewable energy target as part of the new Energy Strategy which will be implemented over this Parliament and beyond.

The aim is to create a firm, long-term basis for energy investment in Scotland, and to support the next stage of Scotland’s energy transition to 2030 and beyond. The strategy, which will deploy a 'whole systems' approach, will seek to address both supply-side and demand-side objectives and will also aid us in optimising the benefits to Scotland’s communities, consumers and businesses, and drawing on our significant energy resources and expertise.

Gaining expert input and securing support for the new strategy will be an important part of the Scottish Government’s approach. The Scottish Government will consult widely with industry, academics and environment and community energy representatives in developing the strategy.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is undertaking a review of deer management at the request of the Scottish Government. This will address areas of public interest, with a specific focus on the natural heritage, and will summarise available evidence on social and economic costs and benefits. The review will draw on both scientific knowledge and expert judgement to ensure that its conclusions and recommendations are evidence-based and balanced. A report of the review will be submitted to the Scottish Government by the end of October 2016.

SNH have been working closely with deer management groups to update baseline assessment data and have introduced a two-stage check of the evaluation of plans to ensure that the assessment is robust and defensible. This has necessitated some flexibility to accommodate delays in the production of some plans.

The main energy efficiency and low carbon modern apprenticeship (MA) frameworks are wind turbine, gas and energy efficiency and sustainable resource management. Other MA frameworks such as construction specialist and construction building also include energy efficiency and low carbon content. Details of participation in these frameworks is outlined in the following tables:

Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Sector Frameworks 2015-16 (As at 31.03.16)

*This included participation on both the Gas Heating and Energy Efficiency and the Gas Industry frameworks as there has been some movement of MAs between these frameworks.

While these are the main low carbon and energy efficiency specific frameworks, some individuals on other frameworks, such as construction or plumbing may also go on to undertake wider industry or vendor specific courses that allow them to specialise in low carbon or energy efficiency units. For example, a fully qualified roofer being trained to install solar panels.

Data on the number of college courses in the (i) energy efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector is not held centrally. The Scottish Funding Council is responsible for collecting data on college students and courses in Scotland.

The Scottish Government will announce further details of the scope and timing of a wildlife crime prevention review in the programme for government to be published in September 2016.

The Scottish Government has had initial discussions with Police Scotland regarding a dedicated wildlife crime investigation unit to support the existing network of wildlife crime officers in complex investigations. Further information on this will be published in the programme for government in September 2016.

I expect Lord Bonomy to report his conclusions in the autumn. The Scottish Government will publish that report and I will consider any recommendations at that point. Any changes I propose making at that point would, of course, be subject to consultation.

Our Heat Policy Statement, published in June 2015, sets a clear policy framework for investment in decarbonisation of heat. The heat policy statement announced that we would designate energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority. The cornerstone of this will be the Scottish energy efficiency programme. It also maintained our ambition for 1.5 terra watt hours of affordable low carbon heat to be supplied through district or communal heating by 2020.

To deliver on our district heating ambitions, project specific support is provided through our programmes such as the district heating loan fund which is specific to district heating and broader low carbon programmes such as the low carbon infrastructure transition programme which has supported a number of district heating projects. The district heating loan fund commenced in 2011 and has committed over £10 million in loans to 40 projects across Scotland. A list of the projects can be found on the energy savings trust website: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/district-heating-loan).

In March 2016 my predecessor delivered a statement to update Parliament on the Scottish Government’s plans for a new, overarching energy strategy. He announced a further £7 million for investment in district heating for the next financial year which brings the total Scottish Government investment in district heating to over £17 million.

The Heat Network Partnership (HNP), funded by Scottish Government, supports a strategic approach to deliver a step change in the scale of heat networks in Scotland through supporting local authorities to develop district heating strategies as well as providing advice and support to businesses, the public sector, local authorities and community groups.

Since 2012 the Scottish Land Fund has supported rural communities to bring 86,810 acres into community ownership, see the following table for details. In this time the fund has spent £10.6 million supporting these communities in their ambitions to own and manage land and land assets.

The new Scottish Land Fund was launched in April 2016 and now supports communities throughout Scotland to become more resilient and sustainable through community land ownership with acquisition and development support. The Scottish Government has increased the Fund from £3 million to £10 million per year. As at 22 June 2016 the Scottish Land Fund has awarded £1.1 million of this year’s funding to support communities in this area.