Chamber and committees

We do not require our Fuel Insecurity Fund (FIF) delivery partners to collect data regarding the physical condition of dwellings, unless this is considered relevant to an individual’s application. This is because, as in previous years, the overarching goal that we set for FIF delivery partners is to provide support to households who are at risk of self-rationing their energy use, or self-disconnecting entirely.

FIF payments are provided on the basis of an holistic assessment of individual circumstances to ascertain their need for emergency support towards the cost of their energy. In some cases issues with damp or mould may be raised as part of this assessment, but they are unlikely to be core factors in determining whether a household should receive assistance.

The annual Scottish House Condition Survey includes information on issues affecting the physical condition of people’s homes, such as damp and mould. The results of the 2021 survey are due to be published on 30 May.

High hedge appeals are delegated to appointed reporters to make decisions on Scottish Ministers behalf.

DPEA received 8 high hedge appeals from January to March 2023, of which 2 were dismissed as "no remit" and 6 were decided upon by independent reporters.

Within these decisions, 2 referred to the 2019 guidance and its requirement to consider spacing, maintenance and intention in arriving at a decision that trees and shrubs in a row did not form a hedge and 2 excluded deciduous trees from high hedge notices issued by local authorities.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport periodically receives expressions of interest regarding purchase of the Airport. The management team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport follow due process in reviewing proposals to ensure that offers are credible and provide value for money.

It is important that we safeguard the integrity of confidential and commercial discussions to avoid any detrimental impact on any negotiations, therefore further disclosure would not be possible.

We have committed to updating Parliament at the appropriate time on the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The budget for rail enhancements for the whole of Control Period 7 (April 2024 – March 2029) has not yet been allocated.

Modern Apprenticeship statistics are published on the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) website at Modern Apprenticeships | Skills Development Scotland . Year-end statistics for 2022-23 are expected to be published in May 2023.

The proportion of individuals who don't complete their apprenticeship or leave early are published by SDS at the following links:

Foundation Apprenticeships - https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/50223/foundation-apprenticeship-report-2022-published-version.pdf

Modern Apprenticeships - https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/49237/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-4-2021-22.pdf

Graduate Apprenticeships – https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/49924/graduate-apprenticeship-annual-report-2022-final.pdf

Earlier years data can be found in older publications.

The detailed information requested is currently being collated by Skills Development Scotland and I will write to the member as soon as this data is available and a copy will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 64175).

Information regarding superfast broadband coverage in Scotland can be accessed on Ofcom’s website. Ofcom’s most recent figures, published in December 2022 , show that as of September 2022 the percentage of residential and commercial premises able to access superfast broadband (30 Megabits per second or above) in the island local authority areas was as follows:

The Scottish Government alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fully supports Firefighters Memorial Day and the opportunity it gives us all to reflect and remember firefighters across the world who have lost their lives in keeping communities. Bill Kidd MSP also raised a members debate on 4 May in the Scottish Parliament at which many members made moving contributions to recognise Firefighters Memorial Day. Scotland’s communities are lucky to have such dedicated and professional firefighters, who stand ready to put their personal safety at risk to save others.

As the Bank is a non-departmental public body, ministers meet with the Chair and senior officials on a regular basis. These meetings address the Bank’s progress against its strategic aims and how its investment activity across its three missions can support government priorities.

The First Minister met Chair Willie Watt and new CEO Al Denholm on 2 May This was an introductory meeting.

A full list of all ministerial engagements and when they have met the Bank can be found here: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government on the licensing of testosterone for women in perimenopause or menopause. The regulations for the licensing, safety and efficacy of medicines are currently reserved to the UK Government and are the responsibility of the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

For a medicine to be routinely prescribed, it firstly needs to receive a licence from the MHRA. It is the responsibility of individual companies to apply to the MHRA for a marketing authorisation (licence). The application process requires a company to provide data demonstrating the quality, safety and efficacy of the medicine.