Chamber and committees

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), as the Independent Professional and Regulatory Body for teachers in Scotland, has a published Fitness to Teach Threshold Policy which sets out what GTCS will investigate under its fitness to teach procedures. It is available on the GTCS website and members of the public are encouraged to read it prior to submitting a referral to GTCS regarding a registered teacher.

The Scottish Government is aware of these issues and continues to have regular dialogue with GTCS on these matters.

A requirement to keep at least 1 metre physical distancing between groups in hospitality and leisure settings came into force at 5 am on 27 December. Also from 27 December (at 5 am), we have put in place a table service requirement for hospitality venues serving alcohol for consumption on the premises. Venues such as hospitality within theatres, which are unable to operate a table service, are required to put in place an adequate queue management system which maintains physical distancing. However, these measures do not apply to educational settings, workplaces, retail, public buildings and places of worship. These measures will remain into force at least until 17 January when their necessity and proportionality will be next reviewed in light of the latest data and evidence.  

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), as the Independent Professional and Regulatory Body for teachers in Scotland, has a published Fitness to Teach Threshold Policy which sets out what GTCS will investigate under its fitness to teach procedures. It is available on the GTCS website and members of the public are encouraged to read it prior to submitting a referral to GTCS regarding a registered teacher.

The Scottish Government is aware of these issues and continues to have regular dialogue with GTCS on these matters.

As set out in the Scottish Landfill Tax (Qualifying Materials) Order 2016, sub-soils qualify at the lower rate of Scottish Landfill Tax. However, top-soil, soil containing hazardous materials or soil from contaminated land will always be chargeable at the standard rate of Scottish Landfill Tax. The Qualifying Materials Order was introduced following consultation with industry and other stakeholders.

The Scottish Landfill Tax legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament gives Revenue Scotland the authority to set out a direction that material can be regarded as qualifying material if it qualifies as such but for the presence of a small amount of non-qualifying materials. Revenue Scotland’s current guidance in this area was developed following detailed consideration and a specific consultation, involving SEPA, was held on the treatment of soils.

The PIN was issued in February 2021 to preserve the Scottish Government’s ability to award a temporary measures agreement from March 2022 should it be necessary at that stage to continue emergency measures type support. As the scale and pace of recovery from the impact of the pandemic remains uncertain, the need for such an award, and the duration of any award, is being kept under review.

Transport Scotland has well developed contingency plans in place, which could be mobilised in the event we are required to ensure continuity of rail services as an Operator of Last Resort.

We do not anticipate having to activate those contingency plans.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05072 on 6 January 2022. 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

The Scottish Government published its response to the Just Transition Commission in September. This set out a National Just Transition Planning Framework, which defined National Just Transition Outcomes and outlined how we will work with others to manage the economic and social impacts of the net zero transition.

Our Just Transition Plan for the Energy Sector will be the first of these plans and will be published in 2022. The Plan will establish a shared vision for Scotland’s energy system and identify concrete steps to manage the economic and social impacts of the transition. It will be co-designed with representatives of workers, businesses and communities across the country. In drafting the Plan we will endeavour to amplify the voices of those most liable to be impacted by the transition.

Engagement and work on the Plan has already begun including, during COP26 convening young people from across the energy sector to discuss the opportunities and challenges for workers and businesses in the decade ahead.

We have been working with Local Government, trade unions and business organisations to establish how best to involve others in shaping the Energy Just Transition Plan. We aim to launch our engagement and co-design programme with stakeholders in the early part of this year.

The Heat in Buildings Strategy sets out an ambitious programme and a wide ranging framework, incorporating funding support, delivery programmes, public engagement, local heat and energy efficiency strategies and regulations among other components. A number of organisations will play roles in overseeing implementation of different aspects of the overall framework, including the Scottish Government, the new National Public Energy Agency and local authorities.

Further, reflecting the expansion in investment and delivery programmes the Scottish Government is refreshing its programme governance arrangements to provide appropriate oversight and strategic direction. We will continue to draw advice from stakeholders and advisors through a variety of channels.

The Scottish Government is working collaboratively with stakeholders on organisational roles and responsibilities, along with other issues related to the heat transition, in an open and transparent way. Among other consultation processes, we currently have a live call for evidence to inform design of the National Public Energy Agency (open until 8 February 2022), and next year we will consult on proposals for regulation.

The Scottish Government provides annual funding to the Energy Saving Trust to administer the Low Carbon Transport Loan on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Transport Scotland officials also work closely with Energy Saving Trust to consider the most appropriate structure and approach required to administer the loan.

To manage the demands of the scheme, officials have regular meetings with Energy Saving Trust and service level agreements are also in place to ensure the effective delivery of the loan scheme.