Chamber and committees

Scotland’s green jobs revolution is underway and a recent report from the Universities of Strathclyde and Warwick provided an initial estimate that up to 100,000 roles are ‘new and emerging’ green jobs in Scotland. Although the researchers regard this as an upper estimate, it is encouraging to see a strong greening of jobs in Scotland.

ONS are also exploring a methodology of measuring green jobs separately. They have launched a consultation and expect to produce estimates around mid-2023.

Statistics from the ONS Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy (LCREE) survey provide estimates of renewable FTE employment statistics in Scotland. No data is available to provide additional geographic breakdowns below the Scotland level at present.

As the flowing table shows, for the 5-years 2016-2020 (latest data available), the estimates of direct jobs in renewable electricity increased from 5,000 to 6,800, an increase of 36% over the period.

The Minutes of the Ardrossan Task Force meeting of 28 June 2022 have now been published on the Transport Scotland website and can be found alongside minutes of previous meetings at:

https://www.transport.gov.scot/transport-network/ports-and-harbours/ardrossan-harbour-task-force/

The operational use of surveillance technology within Local Authorities is a matter for each Local Authority. Ultimately, it is for councils to make decisions on how best to deliver services to their communities.

The operational use of surveillance technology across the Police Scotland estate is a matter for Police Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12086 on 22 November 2022. All 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

With reference to S6W-12408 on 7 December 2022, no COVID-19 reserves have been recouped to date. Work is on-going, with IJBs, to understand their financial forecasts.

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

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days .

The proposal to establish a specialist sexual offences court as recommended by the Lady Dorrian Review remains under consideration. In delivering against our commitment to give serious consideration to the Review’s recommendations we have consulted with stakeholders and the public on proposals to establish a specialist court and have convened a Working Group which brings together partners from across the justice system to give detailed consideration to proposals for implementing a specialist court.

Both the independent analysis of consultation responses and the Working Group’s findings are expected to be published in the coming weeks and will inform our decision on whether to proceed with proposals to establish a specialist sexual offences court, although I am unable to provide a specific timescale for this.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days .

This budget provides funding for the national Childsmile programme as well as wider measures to tackle oral health inequalities in all age groups. Funds that are allocated are based on need, and final confirmation of spend will be included as part of the Scottish Government provisional outturn.