Chamber and committees

We have not engaged with the Irish Government on this subject.

The Scottish Government has not had any recent conversations with Ofgem regarding the planning rules for local distribution power networks. The planning process requires network operators to apply to Scottish Ministers under Section 37 of the Electricity Act for consent to install or keep installed an electric line above ground (larger than 2 dwellings and 20 kiloVolts). These applications are made by the distribution network operators (ScottishPower and SSE) with all determinations then shown on the ECU portal .

We work closely with both Ofgem and the network companies to ensure that regulatory decisions and network business plans reflect Scottish energy policy. Our Energy Networks Strategic Leadership Group (SLG), which includes representatives from these organisations as well as others, agreed a set of principles this year for the development of energy networks which set out the need to account for devolved policy and targets.

The Scottish Government engages with local authorities on a range of issues related to climate change on a regular basis, including local authority target setting and reporting requirements, and the Climate Change Plan and Climate Change Plan update. This engagement includes meetings that were held during the formulation of the Climate Change Plan update, and now includes discussions on sectoral issues such as the development of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES), the decarbonisation of transport and the development of a circular economy.

Additionally, the Scottish Government engages with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE), the Sustainable Scotland Network, and the Scottish Cities Alliance. For example, a meeting was held on Wednesday 7th July with COSLA on the Climate Change Plan update commitment to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030.

The Gateway Review into Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme was carried out by two external advisers accredited by the Infrastructure Projects Authority, part of the Cabinet Office, to lead Gateway Reviews. The external advisers are independent of the Scottish Government.

We are carefully considering the findings of the Gateway Review, as well as listening to wider stakeholder views, and will provide an update to Parliament and businesses following summer recess.

We have no plans to carry out a retrospective environmental impact study on this Order. A screening report to consider environmental impacts was completed and concluded that there were no significant environmental effects likely to result from this proposal. Prior notification is a tool for Local Authorities to screen individual permitted development rights for environmental effects. Permitted development rights are withdrawn where an environmental impact assessment is required and changes must be dealt with through planning permission.

A screening report in accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 was undertaken. This outlined that there were no significant environmental effects likely to result from this amendment Order. Consultation took place with local planning authorities and Strategic Environmental Assessment consultees, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Nature Scot and Historic Scotland. Permitted development rights do not allow for increases in biomass, that process is regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Increases in fish farm biomass require an application to be submitted by the operator to vary the CAR licence. As part of the determination undertaken by SEPA the application would be advertised for consultation.

We are delighted that COP26 is happening in Scotland and are working closely with the UK Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to deliver a safe, successful and in-person conference in November. We recognise the significant challenges to public health alongside the urgent need to agree action to tackle climate change and are exploring all possible COVID security measures. Vaccination and test and protect will be key and we are involved in planning for these measures and all relevant aspects of event delivery.

The Scottish Government’s COP26 programme will focus on key themes of a just transition and people, demonstrate the actions Scotland is taking to a Net Zero future and support the global outcomes of the Summit. We are partnering with a range of organisations to engage people with COP26 and climate change. This includes the recently announced youth climate programme, delivered in partnership with Young Scot, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Youth Link Scotland, which will deliver a programme of events putting the voices of young people in Scotland at the heart of the climate conversation during COP26.

We do not capture data on the profession of travellers entering Managed Isolation.

In certain circumstances, seafarers and offshore workers can be exempt from entering Managed Isolation. Sectoral exemptions are set out in the International Travel (Scotland) Regulations 2020.

Scottish Government officials met with representatives of the independent brewing sector on 2 July 2021. We will consider their views alongside the findings of the Gateway Review into Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.