Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has been clear that the UK Government's cruel Illegal Migration Bill should be withdrawn immediately. The proposals, if enacted, will unjustly harm some of the most vulnerable people in society by restricting access to support and assistance under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 for a person deemed within scope of the UK Bill.

We recognise and share the significant concern displayed across Scotland about the UK Bill. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees hosted a Summit on 22 June, focusing on our response to the Bill's likely impacts - including on potential victims of human trafficking. We will reflect on discussions at the Summit and continue our engagement with partners throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament rejected the UK Bill during a debate on 25 April. We set out our intent to lodge a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) on two clauses within the Bill which alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers. Following consideration, the Scottish Parliament has determined that it is not a relevant Bill for the purposes of Standing Orders Rule 9B.1 and has not accepted the lodging of the LCM.

Although an LCM cannot be lodged, the Scottish Government intends to facilitate an alternative debate motion to allow for Parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill. Scottish Ministers will also write to relevant Parliamentary Committees setting out the Scottish Government’s position on the Bill for the record and inviting consideration about the implications of the Bill for Scotland.

We continue to monitor the Bill closely as it is considered by the House of Lords.

Police Scotland updated the Scottish Police Authority Resources Committee on 9 May 2023, that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found in three locations – Fettes in Edinburgh, Perth, and Baluniefield in Dundee.

The Scottish Government welcomes the analysis set out in the Climate Change Committee’s Sixth Carbon Budget, where Scotland’s contribution to Net Zero is laid out in Chapter 4.

We recognise the contribution that nuclear generation makes to the current energy mix in Scotland; however, its contribution is set to decrease as we increase electricity generation from renewable and other low carbon sources. As set out in our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, significant growth in renewables, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture provide the best pathway to net zero by 2045, and will deliver a climate friendly energy system that delivers affordable, resilient and clean energy supplies for Scotland's households, business and communities.

Police Scotland updated the Scottish Police Authority Resources Committee on 9 May 2023, that it is working with structural engineers and business areas to identify longer term solutions for the areas where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found. While these solutions will be considered in the context of the delivery of the Police Scotland Estate Strategy, Police Scotland will continue to closely monitor the condition of the RAAC in the affected buildings.

We have no current plans to introduce legislation on minimum distances between onshore wind turbines.

NHS Grampian and Highland have put in place local governance and programme management arrangements and it is important to allow the Boards time to progress through these structures. They will provide me with an update on progress with implementation of the Joint Plan for an Integrated Maternity Model in the North of Scotland for the period March – June 2023 by the end of June. I gave a commitment to keeping Parliament updated on progress when I was asked this question in the Chamber on the 31 May and I reinforce that commitment.

Meeting of the Parliament: 31/05/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website

Our sympathies are with the victims of historical abuse.

The independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, commissioned by the Scottish FA Board to examine what was known about abuse in Scottish Football in the past and what actions were taken as a result, acknowledged the significant physical and mental harm caused to individuals. The review delivered 97 recommendations, all of which were accepted, and which the Scottish FA is continuing to implement and report on annually. Over 80% of the review recommendations have either been implemented or are on track to be completed in the next 12 months. We believe a continued focus on the implementation of these recommendations is critical to help us ensure the safety, rights and wellbeing of children involved in football today.

In terms of justice for the survivors of historic abuse, investigation and prosecution of those guilty of abuse remains a matter for Police Scotland and the courts. In the civil justice system, the Scottish Government has removed a longstanding legal hurdle for adult victims of child abuse seeking damages claims by legislating to scrap the three-year ‘time-bar’ for all cases involving child abuse. We support the ongoing work of Scotland’s police and prosecutors to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Scottish Government is aware of the shortage of drivers for buses, which is exacerbated by BREXIT preventing people from the EU coming here to work freely. We are working with bus operators and key industry stakeholders through the Bus Taskforce – while recognising that many of the levers are reserved to the UK Government.

As the Scottish Government is not required to hold information on operational matters related to Scottish Water, I again refer the member to the published data available on Scottish Water’s website at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/help-and-resources/document-hub/key-publications/urban-waters-improvements and https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/Your-Home/Your-Waste-Water/Overflow-Spill-Data . Should the member wish further information on this data, he may wish to contact Scottish Water directly.

As environmental regulator, it is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to monitor, classify, protect and improve water quality at designated bathing waters. SEPA assesses the water quality of Peterhead (Lido) as “excellent” and further information is available on its website at https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/39944/peterhead-lido-bathing-water-profile.pdf .

I again refer the member to the answer to S6O-02060 for further information on wider measures to improve Scotland’s water environment. On 23 March 2023. The answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the Parliaments website, the Official Report can be viewed at: Meeting of the Parliament: 23/03/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website

The Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) will replace the Ferries Plan but be broader in scope, taking account of aviation, ferries and fixed links, as well as onward and connecting travel issues. The ICP will consist of several delivery plans with a short strategic document setting out the Government’s strategic objectives and policies for island connectivity, based on supporting delivery of the National Transport Strategy (NTS2) and the National Islands Plan, and be informed by the outcomes of the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2.

It is envisaged that the strategic ICP document will set a vision and outline good practice for delivery of ferry services in Scotland which will support local authorities in the preparation of any delivery plans they require for their areas of responsibility.