Chamber and committees

Most Integration Joint Board (IJB) reserves are earmarked for specific purposes, including the response to COVID-19, and cannot be used to fund other spending commitments. In 2022-23, surplus COVID-19 reserves were redistributed to meet COVID-19 costs across health and social care, whilst ensuring that IJBs continued to have sufficient funding to cover their COVID-19 costs.

Ultimately, it is for IJBs, including locally-elected representatives, to make informed decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities.

Video appointments are an option across social work in Scotland via Near Me, through the Scottish Government’s purchase of a national licence for the use of Near Me by any part of the public sector that wishes to use it. Work continues supporting the social work sector on considering how and when video appointments work best, for example in accessing out of hours support. This work includes a funded and expert-supported programme in Fife HSCP (Health and Social Care Partnership) to establish use cases and develop pathways by the end of the year.

Yes – re-procurement of the technology that powers the Near Me service was completed as scheduled with a Framework contract signed in March 2023 for 3 years. The framework will continue to run live services with no disruption to existing services as the platform will remain the same.

The financial package announced by the UK Government to support swimming pools in England has resulted in consequentials being added to the overall Scottish block.

The Scottish Government places great importance on swimming pools. They are crucial to the wellbeing of all our country and most importantly, for our children and young people to be healthy and active.

We will continue to work with sportscotland, Scottish Swimming and local government partners to consider what additional support can be provided to swimming pools and the wider sport and leisure sector in Scotland.

This is a matter for ScotRail. The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful and shares the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route.

The identification of the preferred route option through the Glen Croe valley on 2 June 2023 is a very important milestone in finding a solution to this long-standing problem. The proposed new debris flow shelter will help protect the road and road users from future landslides.

Work is now being taken forward at pace to further develop our proposals, including the detailed development and assessment of the preferred route option along with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment, draft Road Orders and draft Compulsory Purchase Orders. Transport Scotland will continue to look to expedite the programme where possible as we take forward the next stage in the process with a view to publishing draft Orders by the end of 2024 for formal consultation.

Progress thereafter will depend on the level and nature of any representations, including objections, to the published draft Orders. Should objections be received following publication of draft Orders then a public local inquiry may be required to consider all unresolved objections. The Scottish Government is duty bound to properly follow the correct statutory procedures which rightly include the opportunity for local communities to input and have any objections received resolved appropriately.

Procurement of a main works contractor for the permanent, long term solution can only commence upon completion of the statutory processes.

Scottish Ministers' stated objective since purchasing Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2013 has been to return the business to the private sector when the time and circumstances are right for the business and for the Scottish Government as shareholder.

That means we must be confident that any sale would not only represent value for the taxpayer but would put the business on a firm footing going forward and secure wider economic benefit to build on the foundations we have put in place.

Any purchase offer from a private operator will be evaluated against these objectives and will only proceed if they are met.

The Scottish Government published the responses to the consultation on the Data Strategy for Health and Social Care, and the analysis of those responses in November 2022.

A series of improvements have been implemented to NHS inform allowing for more dynamic, mobile-first content structures. These improvements allowed the Digital Mental Health Programme to test a range of content layouts to incorporate more video, imagery and interactive guides within the existing content templates. This work will also have wider benefits including a reduction in costs and time savings as content for NHS inform is maintained and developed.

Capricorn Energy announced in February the intention to carry out a strategic review of its wider operations, which has culminated in the company citing a strong case for its rationalisation activities across the business.

Whilst Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) was offered to the company to support those individuals affected by the company’s decision to reduce their workforce, the company advised that this support was not required.

This is ultimately a matter for the company and no specific analysis has been undertaken by the Scottish Government in this instance but we know that some of the benefits of headquarters include quality jobs with higher wages, beneficial supply chain impacts and knowledge exchange, as well as contributing to a healthy labour market in senior management roles.

Scottish Government and our agencies continue to promote Scotland’s strength and capabilities to attract and retain those overseas owned businesses and organisations Headquartered in Scotland, as well as supporting existing Scottish domiciled businesses, making Scotland an attractive location for companies to innovate, grow and invest for the future.