Chamber and committees

The Medical Undergraduate Group comprises key stakeholders from Scotland’s medical schools, NHS Education for Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, NHS Scotland Boards, the General Medical Council, BMA Scotland, and senior Scottish Government officials. It provides advice to both the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills regarding medical school undergraduate supply and demand and annual undergraduate intake to medicine based on the future needs of NHSScotland.

The main factors taken into account include meeting the medical workforce needs identified in NHS Scotland workforce planning projections, the teaching capacity of each medical school, trend data on intake and retention, financial considerations, and delivery of strategic priorities such as widening access to medicine and increasing numbers of GPs.

We are committed to developing a retail strategy that addresses the challenges faced by the sector in Scotland. This will be produced in conjunction with stakeholders and published in due course.

The Scottish Government produces regular publications providing detailed information on oil and gas.

Oil and Gas Production Statistics 2018 was published in September 2019 and contains estimates of oil and gas production activity in Scotland, including production volumes, approximate sales income, operating costs and capital expenditure. This publication can be found via https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/oilgas2018

The Annual Compendium of Scottish Energy Statistics was published in May 2019 and contains statistics and analysis of the Scottish oil and gas industry and wider energy sector. This publication can be found via https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Energy/ACSES

Further detailed energy statistics are regularly updated and published in the Energy Statistics Database. This can be found via https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Energy/Database

The global fall in the oil price in 2014 resulted in a challenging environment for the oil and gas industry, and in particular its workforce and the supply chain, with the resulting economic impacts being felt most strongly in the North East of Scotland. Over that period the industry demonstrated strong resilience to remain competitive and continues to be a crucial part of Scotland’s economy and energy mix. The strength and diversity of Scotland’s economic base has resulted in continued economic growth over the period.

In 2014, oil and gas extraction was responsible for £15.5 billion, or 9.6%, of Scotland’s GDP. The equivalent value for 2018 was £16.2 billion, or 9%, of Scotland’s GDP.

In 2014, the approximate sales income from oil and gas produced in Scotland was estimated to be £20.7 billion. The equivalent value for 2018 was £24.8 billion.

In 2014, employment in the extraction of oil and gas and support services was 33,000. The equivalent figure for 2018 was 25,000.

The sector and its skilled workforce has a vital part to play in Scotland’s energy transition, including the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage and supporting the development of a strong hydrogen industry in Scotland.

The mission-based approach alongside a commitment to £2 billion capital for the Bank ensures that investment in Scotland’s economy is directed to the areas of highest national priority, such as transition to a zero net carbon economy.

The allocation of financial transactions is part of the annual budget exercise, which takes account of the experience, efficiency and impact of previous financial transaction funding arrangements as well as opportunities to make best use of this form of funding in the coming year.

The current use of financial transactions is actively monitored to ensure that these are used efficiently and effectively to improve outcomes, and to increase inclusive and sustainable growth across Scotland. For example, SFT invests financial transactions in order to take subordinated debt stakes in hub revenue funded projects, and the investment performance is published in the annual accounts of Scottish Futures Trust Investments Limited.

Information about the performance of Scottish Enterprise investments through the Scottish Investment Bank is published in the Scottish Investment Bank’s annual report. The use of financial transactions to help capitalise the Scottish National Investment Bank is being developed as part of the Bank delivery programme, and in preparation for the next draft budget.

This will be informed by on-going review of existing arrangements so that a whole-system approach can be taken.

The consultation paper last year, recent draft budgets and the Financial Memorandum set out that of the £2 billion of capital for the Scottish National Investment Bank, £490 million is to be provided by March 2021 as pre-cursor investments for the Bank, including £150 million for the Building Scotland Fund. This initial capitalisation will be provided through financial transactions The remaining £1.51 billion required after March 2021 will be made from Scottish Government resources; the working assumption is that this will be from further financial transactions, subject to future budget settlements. The return of capital from the Bank to the Scottish Government will fit within the Scottish Government’s future financial planning arrangements.

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 makes clear that it is the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to plan and commission services for their area, using the integrated budget under their control, to meet the specific needs of their local population. This includes hospice care and respite services.

Earlier this year representatives from the Integration Joint Board Chief Officers’ Group and independent Hospices agreed a national level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IJBs and independent Scottish Hospices. A central principle of the MOU is to establish effective, reciprocal relationships between IJBs and Hospices to help provide sustainability for hospice services and move away from a transactional relationship. Scottish Government officials are providing support in this work.

Additionally, our implementation plan for rare diseases, which was published 2014, includes 51 commitments to improve the care and support for those living with complex and rare conditions. A progress report, published 2018, sets out the most recent work being taken forward and can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/rare-disease-scotland-progress-report/

I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-25397 on 4 October 2019. 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

I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-25397 on 4 October 2019. 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