Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24258 on‎ 22 January 2024. 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 .

The CICV Survey provides an insight in to the poor payment practices prevalent in the construction industry. The information contained therein will be helpful in the ongoing work of the Construction Accord Transformation Action working groups which are a collaboration between industry and government.

Scottish Government expects payments at all levels in a public contract supply chain to be made within the terms and conditions of the relevant contract or subcontract. Those agreements should comply with applicable legislation, be fair to both parties and be fairly administered. For financial year 2022-23, the core Scottish Government made 98.0% of payments within 10 days (2021-22: 97.7%) and 99.4% (2021-22: 99.2%) of all payments within the terms of its contractual 30 day payment policy.

Scottish Government’s procurement policy and procedures for public bodies on contract payments are set out in SPPN 2/2022. Bidders who are unable to assure the effectiveness and reliability of their supply chain payment processes may not be awarded a public contract. The awarding body should monitor the winning bidder’s actual payment performance and there is an escalation pathway for sub-contractors if their payment is delayed.

The Construction Accord’s Transformation Board have a Procurement and Supply Chain Working Group - on which CICV have representation - who will be looking into the issue of prompt payment throughout the supply chain. The CICV prompt payment survey results will be of assistance in this work.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24258 on‎ 22 January 2024. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24258 on‎ 22 January 2024. 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 .

The First Minister and I both met with the Climate Ambassador of Denmark, Tomas Anker Christenson at COP28. The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance is co-chaired by Denmark, meaning that the coalition came up in both meetings.

Similarly, I met with representatives from the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Holding such meetings is consistent with our approach of engaging with diverse organisations as part of a wider programme of analysis and engagement with a range of stakeholders.

Under the terms of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, the statutory deadline for laying a draft of the Climate Change Plan is 22 November 2024. However, statute also requires time for consideration of representations received during the statutory scrutiny period. Exact timings on this matter form part of ongoing consideration on the continued development of the draft Climate Change Plan. I will keep Parliament informed of progress.

Whilst I welcome the outcome and the specific agreements secured at COP28, as global action is needed to reduce emissions and the impacts of climate change, Scotland’s own climate ambitions exceed those required by the Paris Agreement. I welcomed the COP text’s explicit reference to transitioning away from our current reliance on fossil fuels, in a manner which is just, alongside the specific target to triple renewables and to double energy efficiency by 2030. Scotland, as a world-leader on renewable energy, is prepared to continue to play its part in meeting these crucial targets.

Scotland remains absolutely committed to reaching net zero by 2045. Whilst this legal commitment goes faster than the rest of the UK, we have been clear that we will seek to work collaboratively with all administrations in the UK to implement mutually beneficial policies and we continue to call on the UK Government to match our ambition by acting on reserved matters that directly affect Scotland’s ability to reduce our carbon emissions.

We record data on energy efficiency measures installed as part of Scottish Government programmes, but do not monitor the measures installed by households acting independently. According to the 2019 Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS), 55% of households had an Energy Performance Certificate band of D or lower. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fieldwork for the 2020 SHCS was suspended and the methodology for the 2021 SHCS was also impacted. Future SHCS publications will provide more information to measure progress.

The number of energy efficiency measures installed through SG funded delivery schemes are as follows:

I welcome the Just Transition Commission's annual report. It provides a robust assessment, whilst acknowledging the progress we have made on applying a just transition approach.

I appreciate the Commission's calls for urgency and reiterate our commitment to deliver a just transition as part of achieving a fairer, greener, Scotland.

This is particularly important for areas such as Grangemouth, which has a long industrial heritage. Regarding the recent announcement at the Petroineos refinery, I have outlined that the Scottish Government is looking at every possible opportunity and avenue that there might be for extending the life of the refinery which plays an important role in preserving Scotland's fuel security. This would provide time and space for the business to fully explore and bring forward new transition opportunities across Grangemouth, helping to ensure jobs are protected.

We continue to work closely with the operator, the UK Government and our Grangemouth Future Industry Board partners to ensure all options are fully explored.

Fairness is critical in achieving a net-zero transition in Scotland. We must work with industry, workers and communities to combine our economic, social and environmental objectives. That is why we have also committed to developing a specific Just Transition plan for the Grangemouth industrial cluster, with a first draft due to be published in Spring of this year.

The NUS report raises significant issues and no student should find themselves without somewhere to live. While the Scottish Government has no direct role in provision of student residential accommodation we are determined to work with partners to improve accessibility, affordability and standards in this area. Ministers have now considered the recommendations from the review of purpose built student accommodation and will make an announcement in the New Year.

In addition we are taking action to help students and have confirmed an uplift of £2,400 to the main undergraduate support package for the academic year 2024-25. This follows the £900 uplift applied to the package this academic year.

Students are also able to apply directly to their college or university for Discretionary Funding should they be experiencing financial hardship.