Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government plans to present the draft guidance on the guiding principles on the environment, under the provisions of section 17 of the Continuity Act, before the summer recess.

Between September 2022 and February 2023, 112 electric vehicle charge points were commissioned on to the ChargePlace Scotland network. The Scottish Government does not routinely collate data on electric vehicle charge points added to other public charging networks.

Zap-Map publishes monthly statistics including the total number of public charging devices across the UK and has historically underrepresented CPS data. The Scottish Government understands that Zap-Map resolved this issue in January 2023 and subsequent Zap-Map data sets included the correct number of CPS public charge points.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website . The spreadsheets include a wide range of information including details of the organisation/individuals Ministers met along with the subject discussed.

Officials across the Scottish Government regularly engage with gender equality stakeholders as part of the policy development process. Officials work closely with the Scottish Women’s Convention as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to advancing gender equality. The Scottish Women’s Convention engage with Scottish Government officials as part of their work to ensure women’s voices from across Scotland are heard on a number of key issues.

The purpose of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 was to embed reforms in Scotland’s public services and justice system that, though necessitated by the Covid pandemic, have delivered improvements for service users and improved efficiency.

Section 39 enables lawyers to provide specific legal services such as the taking or administering of oaths, affirmations or declarations, and the execution of certain documents, without being in the physical presence of those seeking such legal services.

Section 25 enables the process for registering a birth to be carried out remotely, and for registers to be kept electronically. Section 27 enable the process for registering a death to be carried out remotely, and for registers to be kept electronically. Both replace the process where a registration form required to be signed in the registrar’s physical presence.

There is no intention at this time to review the provisions in the 2020 Act in these areas.

In relation to licensing, the 2022 Act contains permanent provisions which allow notice of some licensing applications under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to be given by publication on a website. It also made provision so that some licensing hearings and alcohol licensing hearings can be held through remote facilities, as well as in person, or through a mixture of both. There are no plans to extend the scope of these provisions of the 2022 Act.

On registration services, the 2022 Act put on a permanent footing the option of remote death registration and introduced permanently the option of remote birth registration. National Records Scotland are developing proposals so that the registers of life events which they operate are held electronically. There are no plans to allow couples to marry or enter a civil partnership remotely. The 2022 Act make permanent provisions for registration in property registers to proceed on a copy of a deed submitted to the Keeper of the Registers by electronic means. There are no plans to extend this further.

The concept of a Suckler Beef Climate Scheme (SBCS) was one output of the Farmer Led Group initiative, which was followed by the establishment of the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB).

The ARIOB is supporting the Scottish Government to develop new proposals for sustainable farm support by considering the Climate Change Plan Update and the Farmer-led Groups recommendations, including the recommendations from the Suckler Beef Climate Scheme: Final Report.

In February we published the route map for agriculture reform. The route map provides more detail on how we will deliver the transition process and the steps we will take to get there. Alongside our route map we published a potential list of measures, intended to show farmers and crofters what conditions are being considered for implantation in future support. In this draft list of measures we have identified cattle nutrition, cattle health and genetics as areas of interest for future support conditions, these measures build on the recommendations made in the Suckler Beef Climate Scheme: Final Report which recognised health, nutrition and improved breeding as areas with significant emissions reduction potential.

Decisions on the future support framework and any specific measures will be determined as part of the wider agricultural reform process. Work is ongoing and we remain committed to a co-design approach. This includes continued work with the (ARIOB) and engagement with wider industry.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation/individuals Ministers met along with the subject discussed.

Officials met with CSREC on the following date for the following purpose:

• Hate Crime Strategy team met with equality stakeholders (including CSREC) on 11 August 2022 to discuss the development of the new Hate Crime Strategy. This meeting focussed on the strategy in terms of approach and proposed outcomes. Stakeholders were asked for their feedback, and their comments were considered throughout the strategy development process.

As a key stakeholder for the Scottish Government on Climate Change Policy, officials in the Scottish Government regularly meet with 2050 Climate Group.

Ministers have also met with 2050 Climate Group during that period. The Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, and the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights participated in 2050 Climate Groups Young Leaders Development Programme in February 2022 and February 2023 respectively to showcase how working in politics can help shape climate action in Scotland. In addition, the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity visited 2050 Climate Group in August 2022 to discuss 2050 Climate Groups work in more detail, particularly linked to developing green skills in the political sphere. There were no recorded outcomes to these meetings. Participants welcomed the engagement with Ministers and officials remain committed to working with young people including on green skills and the 2050 Climate Group are part of the CESAP (Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan) Implementation Steering Group.

The duties of SEPA are set out in the Environment Act 1995.

There is regular engagement at all levels between Scottish Government and SEPA and this will continue for the remainder of the financial year 2023-24. This includes regular dialogue between Ministers and the SEPA Chair and CEO. SEPA’s Corporate Plan will be renewed in 2024 and Ministers will work with SEPA to agree the Key Performance Indicators and priority areas to be included in that Plan.

In line with guidance sent to all public bodies, SEPA receive relevant guidance documents from Scottish Government. For example, SEPA have received a copy of the Public Sector Pay Strategy 2023-24 and a copy of the Fair Work First Guidance.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with the Scottish Refugee Council to discuss a range of issues as part of our commitment to work in partnership. This includes meetings in relation to the New Scots refugee integration strategy for which Scottish Refugee Council is a key partner.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website . The spreadsheets include a wide range of information, including details of the organisation/individuals Ministers met along with the subject discussed.

Officials regularly engage with stakeholder organisations, including Scottish Refugee Council, as part of policy development processes.