Chamber and committees

Ice accretion and precipitation sensors were installed on the towers and deck in 2020. Weather forecasting, bridge monitoring and traffic management procedures have been continuously improved, and the mechanism of ice accumulation specific to the Queensferry Crossing is now better understood. A working group comprising Transport Scotland, the bridge Operating Company BEAR Scotland and a number of expert consultants has been established. A number of possible solutions are under consideration in terms of their feasibility.

The Covid-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues discussed the issue of face coverings in secondary schools at its meeting on 1 June. While vaccination is being rolled out, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as face coverings are the main public health tool against COVID-19. There is a wealth of evidence supporting the efficacy of face coverings, and their use is supported by the WHO in its checklist to support school re-opening . Given the current uncertainty around the transmissibility and impact of the new variant of concern (B.1.617.2) the sub-group felt it was best to take a precautionary approach and has advised, therefore, that the current guidance on face coverings in school settings should remain in place. The sub-group will continue to keep the issue under review. You will find all the minutes of sub-group meetings, as well as the sub-group's advice and associated evidence at Coronavirus (COVID 19): Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Industry has made good progress towards implementing Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), including the establishment of Circularity Scotland Ltd and its approval by Ministers as a scheme administrator.

Nevertheless, we recognise the unique and significant pressures that COVID-19 has placed on relevant sectors over the past year. That is why we have commissioned an independent Gateway Review into the go-live date for DRS.

Teachers’ terms and conditions stipulate that composite classes cannot exceed 25 pupils. Local authorities have flexibility over how year groups should be balanced within a composite class.

The Scottish Government’s view is that the quality of the teacher and the organisation of the class to meet the range of children’s learning needs are more important factors in the success of children in composite classes, than the composition of the classes themselves. There are no plans to review the arrangements for composite classes.

National maximum class sizes for different types of class are set through legislation or in teachers’ terms and conditions. Any additional provision, for example, for small schools, is a matter of local policy.

The Scottish Government has had no formal discussions with Dumfries & Galloway Council regarding its policy on staff thresholds in small rural schools.

There is no externally assessed and marked examination diet this year. However, it is necessary for learners to be assessed to provide evidence to demonstrate their level of attainment and to allow teachers and lecturers to use their professional judgement to determine each learner’s provisional results.

The timing and nature of the assessments has been decided by local authorities, individual schools and colleges, providing flexibility to assess individual learners at different times and in different ways. This allows teachers and lecturers to take account of the variable disruption to learning that their pupils have experienced as a result of the pandemic.

The one-off payment will be made following completion of teachers’ and lecturers’ work in relation to the Alternative Certification Model. We are continuing to work with partners to finalise the details and delivery mechanisms for the payment which will be announced in due course.

The former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills met with SQA on a number of occasions and I have had an early discussion with the SQA Chief Executive on matters relating to the delivery of SQA’s functions.

The Scottish Government is a member of the National Qualifications 2021 Group which was established to co-produce the Alternative Certification Model and oversee implementation. This, together with an associated working group, has met weekly since it was established in October 2020.

The Scottish Government is committed to implementing all of the recommendations of Baroness Cumberlege’s Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, entitled First Do No Harm, where they relate to the responsibilities of the Scottish Government. The steps being taken to achieve this are set out in the Scottish Government’s Delivery Plan - published on 24 March..

The Delivery Plan describes a programme of work based on a multi-layered approach to rapidly reduce, and eventually eradicate, harm associated with mesh, sodium valproate and Primidos applicable and relevant to the Scottish context. To do this, the Scottish Government will work collaboratively with colleagues across the NHS and representative groups to agree and implement this work programme across Scotland.

In relation to sodium valproate specifically, through implementation of the Neurological Care and Support Framework , the Scottish Government is funding the development of an epilepsy register in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Tayside and NHS Lanarkshire, with a view to roll out across all NHS Boards in Scotland. Initial discussions have been held regarding the potential to link with UK-wide data sets facilitated by MHRA, in order to ensure alignment with a UK-wide valproate registry.

Our commitment to tackling the climate emergency and transitioning to a net-zero society by 2045 is unwavering. In 2019, the whole-life carbon impact of Scotland’s household waste reached its lowest level since official recording began.

To help achieve this, building Scotland’s circular economy and reducing, recycling and reusing resources is vital. With this and our world leading climate change targets in mind, the Scottish Government have committed to review the role that incineration plays in Scotland’s waste hierarchy and will update Parliament on plans for this in due course.

To further accelerate progress, Scottish Ministers are fully committed to ending the practice of sending biodegradable municipal waste to landfill by 2025. This is in line with recommendations made by the Committee on Climate Change.

We still need capacity to dispose of residual waste, which cannot be reused or recycled, while we make the transition to a circular economy in Scotland.

It is worth nothing, responsibility for dealing with any planning applications rests, in the first instance, with the local council as planning authority.