Chamber and committees

Further meetings with Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie, NHS Highland, elected members of Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross and the wider public community have built on the recommendations in the original (2018) report. Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie issued his written view of assessment of progress, with further recommendations and qualifications to the respective local Chairs of Implementation of the SLSWR OOH Review Report and NHS Highland Board, following in-person visits to Skye in December 2018 and May 2019 and a virtual assessment of progress in October 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Scottish Government monitors a range of data sources on job vacancies in Scotland, as part of wider analysis of labour market trends. These include official and experimental statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and data from external partners.

In November to January 2023, Scotland’s employment rate was 76.5 per cent and it was the second highest since the series began in 1992. The unemployment rate was 3.1 per cent, down 0.6 percentage points since December 2019 to February 2020 (pre-pandemic) and the inactivity rate was 21.0 per cent, down 0.6 percentage points since pre-pandemic.

ONS produce experimental job advert indices at Scotland level, using online job postings from Adzuna. This source indicates that online job postings in Scotland in the week to 3rd March 2023 47.1% higher than February 2020. This data source is available at:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/datasets/onlinejobadvertestimates

ONS also produce experimental estimates of labour demand volumes in Scotland by profession and local authority, based on analysis of Textkernel data on online job adverts. The most recent data suggested that there were 78,925 online job vacancies in Scotland in December 2022. Of these, 13 per cent were classified as Healthcare job postings, while 9.4 per cent were classified as Information & Communication Technology postings. This data source is available at:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/labourdemandvolumesbyprofessionandlocalauthorityukjanuary2017todecember2022

The Scottish Government also monitors labour demand through the RBS Report on Jobs, which provides an overview of changes in recruitment demand by sector in Scotland as reported by recruitment consultancies. In February 2022, permanent staff demand growth was strongest in the monitored sectors of Nursing/Medical/Care and IT & Computing. For temporary staff demand growth remained strongest in IT & Computing. This data source is available at:

Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs – February 2023 | NatWest Group

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout, as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

Following publication of the draft Orders and Environmental Statement, Transport Scotland received a significant number of objections to the proposed scheme. Although Transport Scotland engaged widely with objectors, it was unable to resolve all objections. In view of this, a Public Local Inquiry was held from 31 January to 8 February 2023. As with all trunk road projects this is the appropriate statutory forum for considering objections received and not withdrawn. The independent Reporter is now giving detailed consideration to all evidence before making recommendations to the Scottish Ministers for a decision.

Construction of the proposed scheme can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set.

This is a complex repair of an expansive structure that is trafficked by approximately 150,000 vehicles on a daily basis. Although temporary works are well underway, the final design for the permanent repairs is yet to be completed, which will then inform the overall project cost estimate.

The latest phase (propping works of the structure) includes a trial repair which is programmed for Summer 2023. The findings from that trial are key to the next stages as they influence the options for the final design and hence the total costs.

Glasgow City Council published the City Centre Strategic Development Framework in late 2019. Transport Scotland detailed in its response dated January 2020, that plans to improve connections across Junction 15, indeed any plans which affect the motorway through Glasgow, would require specific engagement with Transport Scotland given the potential impact on the strategic road network.

Transport Scotland regularly meets Glasgow City Council across a number of forums. However, they have not recently been approached to have any specific discussions with Glasgow City Council on the rationalisation of M8 junction 15, Townhead interchange or in regard to this District Regeneration Framework more generally. Nonetheless, my officials are preparing a response to the Townhead District Regeneration Framework public consultation.

Angus Campbell, the Chair of the Ferries Community Board, is now engaging with island communities and ferry users regarding the recommendations of the phase oneProject Neptune report. That consultation is due to finish next month and Mr Campbell will provide Ministers with a report on his findings shortly after.

The M8 Woodside Viaduct is a vital element of the motorway and road network serving Glasgow, the wider region and country, carrying approximately 150,000 vehicles per day. The viaducts are generally in good condition, with the exception of areas of the concrete supports. Permanent repairs for these areas will involve localised repairs and strengthening as well as drainage improvements and deck refurbishment. On completion, these works will have added many years of service to this structure and network.

Regular meetings continue with stakeholders, including emergency services and Glasgow City Council, on the project development and progress.

In terms of the wider use of the M8 through central Glasgow, Scottish Ministers strategic transport investment priorities were set out in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review published in December 2022. In line with the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy, we are focussed on the safety and reliability of the existing motorway network.

Any proposal to alter the role or function of the trunk road through Glasgow, is about the wider public realm and land-use within the city, therefore it is more appropriate that this work is proposed and led by the City Council. Transport Scotland will continue to engage constructively with local authorities where proposals or projects are considered to have a potential impact on transport assets and services owned and or provided by Scottish Ministers.

The M8 Woodside Viaduct is a vital element of the motorway and road network serving Glasgow, the wider region and country, carrying approximately 150,000 vehicles per day. The decision to restrict traffic lanes on the viaducts was made for safety reasons by Transport Scotland’s Director of Roads, as reducing the live traffic loading on the structure was a key aspect to its management, continued use and repair.

Demolishing the structure was ruled out due to the economic, environmental and social impacts on businesses and communities served by the local and trunk road network, including the costs, durations and traffic volumes involved. The refurbishment option was considered to have less economic, social, traffic and environmental impacts. This decision was supported by stakeholders, who expressed significant concern over the impact of lane closures, let alone full closure of the viaduct.

Transport Scotland has recently been made aware of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s internal discussions relating to the possibility of using the A75 160 Annan Road Bridge for foot traffic.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has yet to decide whether to make an approach to Transport Scotland as they are conscious of difficulties relating to the provision of pedestrian access to and from the structure and the protection of foot traffic crossing the structure.

The Scottish Government is committed to ending the placement of under 18s in Young Offenders Institutions (YOI) and supporting care based alternatives. We have already made significant progress, with the number of under 18s in YOI down to 4 on 28 February from over 200 in 2007. The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill, introduced to Holyrood on 13 December 2022, will end this practice if it gains Parliamentary approval.

Such action is integral to Keeping the Promise, a pledge which has cross party support and to which this government remains steadfastly committed.

Beyond legislative change we are working closely with Local Authorities and the third sector to create the conditions for change. A practice guide for community alternatives has been drafted with key partners for expected publication by May 2023. The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice are supporting engagement with key partners and children and young people on the future of secure care, including defining issues, developing options for change and delivering on this, where agreed with Ministers.

We are engaging with secure care providers and local authorities to increase secure care capacity for under 18s. We are exploring funding options to provide financial sustainability for secure care providers going forward.