Chamber and committees

This information is not collected centrally by Scottish Government, Health boards would have to be contacted to obtain the average cost of elective surgery procedures.

The consultation has been published today and is available on the Scottish Government’s Consultation Hub, Citizen Space https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/rural-and-islands-college-merger-proposal

It seeks views on the proposals put forward by the boards of management of North Highland College (UHI North Highland), West Highland College (UHI West Highland) and Lews Castle College (UHI Outer Hebrides) to merge into a single, incorporated college.

The number of individuals successfully completing the Maritime Occupations Modern Apprenticeship framework across each year since 2018/19 is detailed in the following table. All MA statistics are published on the SDS website at Modern Apprenticeships | Skills Development Scotland . Year-end statistics for‎ 2022-23 are expected to be published in May 2023.

The number of households in each local authority that are experiencing fuel poverty is published annually (based on a three-year average) in the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) local authority tables starting with the 2003-2006 publication.

The latest published set of tables for 2017-2019 are available at:

Scottish House Condition Survey: Local Authority Analysis 2017-2019 .

Estimates from 2010-12 to 2016-18 are available at:

Scottish House Condition Survey: Local Authority Analyses 2010-2012 to 2016-2018

Estimates dating from 2003-2006 to 2013-2015 are also available on our archive at:

[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Scottish House Condition Survey - Local Authority

Please Note:

Results from 2016-18 to 2017-19 are based on best estimates under the new definition of fuel poverty as set out in the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019. They reflect amendments made to the legislation during the Bill process up to and including Stage 2.

Results from 2003-06 to 2015-17 are based on the definition of fuel poverty set out in The Scottish fuel Poverty statement 2002 .

As the 2020 SHCS was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and results from the 2021 External+ SHCS are not yet published and unlikely to be consistent with previous years, the 2017-2019 results are the latest available at Local Authority level.

Due to the recent rise in energy prices and lack of recent SHCS data on fuel poverty, we have published scenario modelling of national fuel poverty rates under the Energy Price Guarantee, at both the current £2,500 level from October 2022 as well as the £3,000 level from April 2023.

This modelling estimates that from October 2022 there are around 860,000 households (35%) in fuel poverty in Scotland. This is an increase of 247,000 households or around 10 percentage points from the latest available 2019 SHCS statistics, which showed 613,000 households in fuel poverty (25%). With the increase in the Energy Price Guarantee to £3,000 in April 2023 we estimate that around 980,000 households (39%) in Scotland will be in fuel poverty. While these modelled estimates are not available at Local Authority level, the large increases in the fuel poverty rate will be reflected across each Local Authority in Scotland.

Through the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF ), we are co-investing with a diverse range of Scottish manufacturers to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions through increased energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects. The requested information can be found in the following table:

Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund applications and awards (to date):

The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with the sector, most recently through holding a series of roundtable discussions. While we have had to make difficult choices to live within budgets, we have also listened to the concerns raised by the culture sector. In response, as announced on 21 February, the Scottish Government will provide an uplift of £6.6 million for Creative Scotland for 2023-24 to ensure their accumulated lottery funding reserves can supplement rather than replace grant funding.

This decision means there will be a substantial increase in the Scottish Government’s funding for culture and major events in the next financial year.

We expect Creative Scotland to set out quickly for the culture sector how it will use these additional resources to support organisations and help protect culture sector jobs at this difficult time.

We will continue to have close discussions with Creative Scotland and the wider culture sector to support workers and ensure our diverse and world-class cultural scene and rich heritage continue to thrive.

I refer the member to the question S6W-14257 on 30 January 2023. Detail on the facilities in place at fire stations and their condition is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Work is underway across the SFRS estate to improve facilities within the scope of their allocated budget, so the outstanding upgrade needs are an evolving picture. The Scottish Government has access to this information but to ensure the most accurate data is provided, the member should contact the Chief Officer of SFRS directly if he wishes access to this level of detail.

The Scottish Government is grateful to all officers who provide a blue light response as they attend serious incidents. The additional skills gained by officers as they undertake emergency response driver training is integral to providing an effective and safe response to 999 calls.

The Scottish Government does not collect data on Police Scotland’s driver training programme. Delivery and recording of this specialist training is a matter for the Chief Constable under the oversight of the SPA.

The Scottish Government is a founding partner of CyberScotland Week which is celebrating its fifth year.

The Scottish Government has also set up the CyberScotland Partnership which now manages the Week. This year there are over 100 events taking place across the country, and across all sectors, ranging from raising awareness to upskilling to promoting careers in the cyber security industry.

I will be officially opening CyberScotland Week at the FutureScot Cyber Security Conference in Glasgow on 27 February. On the same day, the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise will be officially opening Systal Technology Solutions’ Secure Operations Centre at their headquarters in Robroyston. The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport is also participating in the Week by sharing cyber resilience messaging to sports’ Governing Bodies.

Like many organisations across Scotland, the Scottish Government is participating in CyberScotland Week by providing a programme of staff training and awareness events.

The Scottish Government has spent £39,525 +VAT on administering the Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund. The Fund was administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of VisitScotland and the Scottish Government. For this work, Energy Savings Trust received a management fee of £39,525 +VAT, paid by VisitScotland. This fee did not come out of the £325k funding pot for the Destination Net Zero Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund, but was covered separately.

Throughout the process VisitScotland supported the administration and assessment of the fund, providing a range of checks at different stages. There was no additional cost attached to that administrative work as this was undertaken as part of people’s job roles throughout the period.

The scheme has funded 194 charging points across Scotland, located across 20 local authorities. The charging points funded through Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund will allow visitors and locals to explore Scotland’s beauty spots in a sustainable and environment friendly manner.