Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has been discussing with businesses and other stakeholders the detailed plans for implementing the previously-announced policy to end overseas trade support and promotion activities focused solely on fossil fuel goods and services by the time of COP26. Under this policy, trade support and promotion will be refocused to support the Scottish Government’s objective of a Just Transition.

In the light of those discussions, and in recognition of the need for SMEs to have sufficient time to adjust, when this policy enters into force on 1 November 2021 it will include an exemption for SMEs until 31 March 2022. This matches the timing of the equivalent policy of the UK government, bearing in mind that in many cases the companies affected work with and receive support from both governments. Detailed guidance on the implementation of the policy, including this and other exemptions, will be published on the Scottish Government website at 2pm Friday 15 October at this link - https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781802014662 .

I have today announced a £15 million Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund. This is in recognition of the important role that small, grass roots, community groups play in supporting adult mental health and wellbeing and aims to build on the excellent examples of good practice we have seen emerge throughout the pandemic.

It also reflects the importance that the Scottish Government places on promoting good mental health and early intervention for those in distress, ensuring that individuals can access a range of different types of support to match their needs.

Work to develop the policy of removal of non-residential social care charging is progressing and charges will be removed as soon as is practicable The Scottish Government’s approach is to work with key stakeholders to achieve the best outcome for the people of Scotland. We continue to work with COSLA and other stakeholders on this.

The Scottish Government take seriously any suggestion that efforts are being made to disrupt court business and to avoid attendance. It is clearly even more alarming if this can be tracked back to initiatives put in place in response to the pandemic. We have discussed the specific concerns raised at the Criminal Justice Committee with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and can advise the following. SCTS is not aware of any specific instances of fake COVID alerts being used to avoid a court appearance. It is a matter for the presiding judicial office holder in each case to decide what proof is required to satisfy the court on the reason for non-attendance of an accused. This can include the court requiring evidence of a positive COVID test, or notification to self-isolate, before making any decision to adjourn or desert a case. If the evidence provided is not accepted by the court, it is a matter for the presiding judicial office holder to consider whether a warrant to apprehend must be issued for the arrest of the accused in respect of their failure to appear, or whether another course of action should be taken.

Applicants to the Island Communities Fund have all been notified of the outcome of their application. I am delighted to confirm that this will deliver £2 million of ‘on-island’ capital investment for 29 successful island-based community groups and businesses, spread across 23 islands.

This Fund provides grants of up to £150,000 for projects focusing on developing sustainable economic activities on islands, while also supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan.

The programme is in the early stages in terms of spend.

The health and safety of Police Officers is a matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

Nobody should be the victim of abuse or violence at work and the Chief Constable has made a commitment for 2021-22, that he will continue to take action to reduce the impact on officers and staff of violence in all its forms, including psychological injury and hate crime.

The Island Communities Fund was announced in summer 2021 and closed on the 16 th of June 2021. We have recently notified applicants to the Island Communities Fund of the outcome of their application.

Supporting island communities remains a Scottish Government priority. Decisions on further funding will be taken as part of future budget setting exercises and alongside continued stakeholder engagement and project evaluation of the full Islands Programme.

The proposed amendment to the Child Winter Heating Assistance regulations would expand eligibility to those young people (16 to 18) who were in receipt of the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for at least one day during the qualifying week. This change would also apply retrospectively to those in receipt of this rate of the PIP component during the qualifying week in 2020.

Data published by the Department for Work and Pensions for September 2020 shows that 68 people aged 16,17 or 18 living in the Scottish Parliament constituency of Airdrie and Shotts were in receipt of the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP. Data is not currently available for 2021.

We have invested around £1.3 million since October 2019 through our Young Carer Grant, the first support of its kind in the UK, and have heard from young carers how this has helped make a difference to their lives and helped them access more opportunities.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we have implemented a range of additional measures to respond to the needs of young carers. As well as making alternative arrangements for the Young Carer Festival and providing extra funding for young carer services during the pandemic, we have invested an additional £100,000 into the Time to Live Fund to enable young carers to take a break from their caring role, and an extra £300,000 to expand the Young Scot young carers package for 11-18 year olds which provides access to non-cash benefits like free subscriptions and e-vouchers to leisure activities and rewards. Many of these are designed to support good mental health. We continue to target promotion of mental health resources for young people such as #AyeFeel, and have been working with young carers to create a young carer specific page for the National Wellbeing Hub. Young Scot ran a social media campaign to raise awareness of young carer issues among trusted adults who may work with or encounter young carers, focused in areas with the lowest sign up to the package.

We continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders including the National Care Organisations, Young Scot, Education Scotland and COSLA to help us collectively identify and address the needs of young carers. Young carers can find out about Young Carer Grant through many of these mechanisms. And, in line with our Benefit Take-up Strategy, we have promoted Young Carer Grant through regular social media posts and dedicated promotion on key dates like the first anniversary since the launch.

The Scottish Government is committed in its Programme for Government to start consultations this year on proposals to improve animal transport legislation. It is expected that these consultations will largely relate to the transport of livestock and horses initially. The transport of dogs and other animals will however also be considered in due course.