Chamber and committees

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The Scottish Government and COSLA agreed a joint funding model in 2018 to support the training of new Educational Psychologists. This model was agreed and developed by the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists (NSSGEP), which the Scottish Government chairs. This group includes representation from professional bodies, ADES, COSLA and EIS.

The model consists of two stages. Stage one is a 2-year MSc in Educational Psychology at Dundee University. Tuition fees are fully funded and students are entitled to receive a living-costs grant of £15,000 from SAAS.

In Stage two, trainees are employed by a local authority for a year, during which they complete the Qualification in Educational Psychology (QEP). During this year, their living-costs grant is paid in the form of a salary. In addition, their membership fees for the British Psychological Society (BPS) are paid.

As local authority employees, trainees are liable for tax and national insurance, but also benefit from employment rights including paid annual leave and the option to join a pension scheme. The Scottish Government agreed with the NSSGEP that employment in a local authority offers the experience and support needed for trainees in their third year.

I can confirm that the development and assessment of the route corridor options for the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme, including the option passing above the West Highland line, was undertaken by Transport Scotland in alignment with the principles of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).

The Scottish Government remains committed to upgrading the key strategic route along the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. By improving regional connectivity the proposed scheme will help the economy prosper and promote equality by providing fairer access to the Highlands and Islands.

Transport Scotland recently published an interactive Story Map to provide updated information regarding the scheme and to keep the public informed of progress as the project develops. While there is still a lot of development work to be carried out, which is being informed by our enhanced understanding of the specific complexities associated with improving this iconic route, we continue to push forward the preparation stages to deliver this scheme as soon as possible.

Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set in accordance with the availability of funding.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07560 on 19 April 2021. 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-07557 on 19 April 2022. 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 Scottish Government is committed to upholding and advancing the rights of those that choose to make their life here in Scotland, including former Hong Kong residents. Racism and discrimination are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government, COSLA, Police Scotland and third sector partners to understand the needs and requirements of former Hong Kong residents to support their integration into our communities.

As well as publishing a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, we have also provided funding to COSLA, who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Both resources include information on what to do if someone is the victim of racism or discriminatory practices.

We encourage anyone subjected to racism or discrimination to report it to the relevant authorities.

Scotland has a long history of welcoming migrants and we are actively encouraging those from Hong Kong to make Scotland their first choice to resettle. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting their integration into our communities and we have also published a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, on our website.

We have provided funding to COSLA who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub, intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with third sector partners and our overseas hubs to identify ways of encouraging BN(O)s to choose Scotland as their first choice destination to resettle.

Information on the value of Chinese inward investments into Scotland can be found in the publicly available report Businesses in Scotland, which shows that there are currently 20 Chinese owned businesses in Scotland, with an estimated employment of 3,910 and a turnover of £1.33 billion. The Scottish Government does not hold data on the overall value of investment in Scotland specific to Chinese state-owned firms as this data is commercial in nature.

Scottish Government works with its enterprise agencies to ensure robust due diligence and proper consideration of human rights is undertaken on inward investments from China as well as from any other country. Additional safeguards are provided by the National Security and Investment Act 2021, which protects against acquisitions within sensitive areas of the economy that could cause harm to the UK’s national security.

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with trade unions and other groups on its green ports model since the publication of an illustrative draft prospectus in March 2021. Those discussions built on our earlier consultation on place-based economic development, in November 2021, which sought views on economic development zones around ports and specifically on freeports. These have influenced our approach to the process for Green Freeports that we have agreed with the UK Government.