Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has no plans to review the arrangements currently in place through which qualified clinicians, taking on board the patients’ medical history and lifestyle, agree with their patients, on a case-by-case basis, whether they would benefit from opioid substitution treatment (OST) or not. It is for patients and their clinicians to determine what is best for them and this will include agreement on the type and dosage of relevant OST. Methadone remains the most popularly used type of OST in Scotland, and there is strong evidence that supports its use.

From the recently published National Records Scotland (NRS) report on drug related deaths in 2020, methadone, on its own, was implicated in a very small number of deaths (7). However, it is increasingly implicated in deaths alongside other drugs suggesting that poly-drug use and non-compliance with treatment is the biggest factor. To increase our understanding in this area, and to inform policy making going forward, the Scottish Government is commissioning research to investigate the role and risks of methadone in drug related deaths.

Ministers are also keen to make sure as wide a range of OST and other treatment options are available, particularly long-acting buprenorphine – which has been deployed successfully in Scottish prisons throughout the pandemic. In addition, publication of the new Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards on 31 May 2021, emphasises the importance of allowing people to make informed choices about the type of medication and help available to them and to be supported to make an informed choice with regards to what medication to use for MAT.

As I advised Parliament on 26 May, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party committed to exploring opportunities for cooperation and joint working

I am pleased to advise Parliament that the Scottish Government has today published drafts of a joint cooperation agreement and a shared policy programme, Working together to build a greener, fairer, independent Scotland .

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-and-scottish-green-party-cooperation-agreement

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-and-scottish-green-party-shared-policy-programme

Together, these set out our plans for close cooperation and collaboration that will allow us to work together to deliver the bold policies and programmes we need for the challenges we face. We are also determined that this new approach will change the dynamic of our politics for the better and in line with the founding principles of our Parliament.

The figures provided are for the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Loan and Cashback scheme and relate to financial years 2017-18 to 2020/21 inclusive.

The Scottish Government launched the HES Loan scheme in 2017-18, merging the previous HEEPS Loan and Home Renewables Loan schemes. Cashback grants for energy efficiency measures were included from the beginning, and a new cashback offer for renewable/zero emissions heating was made available from October 2020.

Total Recipients of Loans and Grants from 2017-18 to 2020-21

On the 22 December 2020, the Scottish Government published research that assessed the suitability of low carbon heating technologies in residential buildings in Scotland. It found that , of the 507,000 homes off the gas network, around 105,000 would require a low carbon heating technology other than a heat pump.

Table 1: Number of homes located away from the gas grid, not suitable for heat pump technologies,

We are currently analysing responses to the consultation. We will publish the final Heat in Buildings Strategy in due course, which will include our response to the consultation.

There is no minimum capacity that secure accommodation must be kept at.

There are a total of 84 secure care placements in Scotland including 6 emergency beds which can be used for a limited time if required. Demand for secure care placements in Scotland is complex and capacity fluctuates on a daily basis.

(a) Stakeholder concerns in respect of the guidance are included in the minute of the third meeting of the Working group in May 2021: Short Term Lets Working Group papers and minutes: May 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . The draft guidance published on 25 June 2021 reflects many of the suggestions made at the Working Group meeting and in correspondence. The draft guidance will be considered further by the Working Group.

(b) The revised draft Licensing Order was published for consultation on 25 June 2021. Table 1 in the consultation paper sets out details of the changes that have been made to the Licensing Order.

On the 22 December 2020, the Scottish Government published research that assessed the suitability of low carbon heating technologies in residential buildings in Scotland. It found that, of the 507,000 homes off-the gas network, 402,000 would be suitable for some form of heat pump. (See Table 1)

Table 1: Number of homes located away from the gas grid, by suitability for heat pump technologies 1

The assumptions behind, and calculations of, the average indicative fees for a short-term lets licence are set out in section F and Annex A of the draft Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment published for consultation on 25 June 2021. These fees are Scotland-wide average fees for application for a three year licence; the actual fees charged for any given application may be higher or lower, depending on the way each local authority implements its licensing scheme and the circumstances of the application. The total revenue from fees must not exceed the costs of the scheme in each local authority. Chapter 4 of our draft guidance for licensing authorities, letting agencies and platforms provides further detail on setting licence fees:

Short term lets - licensing scheme part 2: supplementary guidance for licensing authorities, letting agencies and platforms - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

I announced on 12th August that I have accepted the DDRB recommendation of a 3% pay uplift for 2021-22. This award recognises the unprecedented year that NHS Scotland has faced, and ensures that Doctors in Scotland continue to be the best paid in the United Kingdom.