Chamber and committees

We have delivered all the powers within the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, which enables each local transport authority to determine which of the options they want to use to improve bus provision in their area. While some may opt for a franchising approach, others may choose to progress with a partnership or run their own services. It is for each local transport authority to determine which of these powers they want to use.

In the case of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, I welcome their decision to explore all available bus powers, including franchising, as part of their Strathclyde Bus Strategy.

Information relating to personnel matters is not routinely shared with the Scottish Government by local authorities. The requested information is therefore not held by the Scottish Government.

The amount of £58,408.55 is in relation to 2022-23 only. In 2021-22 the equivalent amount was £31,663.82.2021-22 – a total of £31,663.82 related to job-related and professional training courses. These included:

1. Health &Safety Training Courses

A Government report on the scientific considerations in stocking policy development for river managers was published last year Science of salmon stocking: report .

In summary, the supplementation of wild populations with salmon raised in hatcheries can play a part in securing benefits for wild salmon, but may also cause significant and long-lasting harm, depending on the situation.

It is recognised that in specific situations where the threat of extinction can be identified and is imminent and extreme, stocking with hatchery raised salmon may be a vital tool following careful consideration of the inherent risks. The Wild Salmon Strategy Science and Evidence Board is currently reviewing the evidence of various stocking methods in these situations and will report to the Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Delivery Group soon.

The amount of £48,792.82 is in relation to 2022-23 only. In 2021-22 the equivalent amount was £49,383.28.

2021-22

The Scottish Government has established procedures for sharing information on communications campaigns and messaging at key points with territorial health boards. For example, this may involve presenting the results of creative or message testing or post-campaign evaluations. The learnings from these can be applied to the communications activity undertaken by territorial health boards.

Costs reported are for a range of training and development activities, attended by individuals, groups or whole teams. The specific information requested is not held centrally. Teams identify training needs and appropriate attendance at seminars relevant to work being undertaken on a case-by-case basis and in consideration of value for money.

In 2021-22 there were twenty-four (24) separate job-related and professional training courses undertaken at a total cost of £31,663.82.

In 2022-23 there were thirty-two (32) separate job-related and professional training courses undertaken at a total cost of £58,408.55.

The Scottish Government has been engaging with stakeholders since the intention to establish a Centre for Teaching Excellence was announced in October last year. The Co-Production Group has also now been established and stakeholders are involved in detailed discussion around the role and remit of the Centre. The group met on 27 February and 26 March. Minutes of meetings and other material will be published on the Scottish Government website. The only anticipated cost of the co-production process are the staffing costs for the team working on the Centre’s development.

The Centre for Teaching Excellence is initially being resourced through funding previously allocated to the Regional Improvement Collaboratives. The Scottish Government is working with the Co-Production Group to ensure the Centre maximises its impact and complements wider work across the education sector. It is anticipated that the co-production of the Centre will conclude by the summer, following which there will be a formal process to determine hosting arrangements.

The Scottish Government wants to ensure that every child can attain the highest level of health and wellbeing possible.

Between pre-birth and starting school, all children in Scotland are entitled to support from our universal Health Visiting service. In addition, 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare (ELC). We have also invested in targeted early years interventions such as the Family Nurse Partnership, ELC funding for eligible 2-year-olds and perinatal and infant mental health services. This work is underpinned by our Early Child Development Transformational Change Programme which focuses on prevention, better integration of policies, identifying policy and implementation gaps, and building collaboration across the whole system.

The health and wellbeing of school-aged children is also supported by Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). Health and Wellbeing is one of the eight curricular areas in CfE and is one of the three core areas that are the responsibility of all staff in a school. Furthermore, the Scottish Government has invested in the recruitment of School Nurses and School Counsellors, both of whom are able to prevent the escalation of health and wellbeing concerns.

Our work across all child health and wellbeing interventions continues to be guided by ‘Getting it right for every child’ (GIRFEC). GIRFEC is embedded across Scottish Government portfolios and helps to safeguard, support and promote the health and wellbeing of all children and young people.