Chamber and committees

The £25 million allocated to the Scottish National Investment Bank from the Just Transition Fund is part of the Fund’s existing £500 million commitment over ten years, and will be invested by the Bank on a commercial basis, in line with its Investment Strategy and in support of the just transition to net zero in the North East.

The Bank reports publicly on the performance of its investments including through their annual Impact Report.

The Scottish Government is committed to investing in Changing Places Toilets during this parliamentary term, in order to increase the number of these facilities across the country and to support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to events and outdoor venues.

Further information will be available over the course of this parliamentary term.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with COSLA and representatives from local authorities regarding the expansion of free school meals.

The Scottish Social Services Council, as the regulator of social care services, publishes an annual report on the social services workforce which can be found on their website here: Scottish Social Service Sector: Report on 2021 Workforce Data (sssc.uk.com) .

Their latest report shows that, at the end of 2021, there were more than 208,000 people working in the social services workforce.

The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026. As outlined in our updated action plan published in November 2022, we are committed to enhancing implementation of additional support for learning including co-ordinated support plans. This work will be considered as part of the review of the statutory guidance on additional support for learning, which is already underway.

Progress can be followed through the published minutes of the Project Board.

The final report by the Short Life Working Group on Co-ordinated Support Plans sets out the key issues and barriers to CSP implementation.

The Independent Review is continuing to seek views from stakeholders from across the education landscape on how a system of qualifications and assessment can uphold the rights of all learners, including those with additional support needs.

I am aware that Professor Hayward has met Angela Morgan, Chair of the Review of Additional Support for Learning Implementation, and has visited a range of schools where additional support needs have been specifically discussed. In addition, Professor Hayward has also spoken directly to young people with additional support needs.

The Review is scheduled to report to the Scottish Government by the end of May 2023.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-02113 on 19 April 2023 The answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the Parliaments website, the Official report can be viewed at: Meeting of the Parliament: 19/04/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website

Career progression for teachers who want to further their careers in specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery are available through the role of Lead Teacher, which was introduced into the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers grading structure in August 2021.

Lead Teacher areas of specialism can include additional support needs and therefore there is the potential for an increase in the opportunities available to teachers wishing to specialise in this area.

The recruitment and deployment of teachers, including Lead Teachers, is a matter for individual local authorities, based on their local need and priorities.

To help bring benefits to the people of Scotland.

The Solicitor General attended the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Mauritius in November 2022 as part of the UK delegation, led by Justice Minister Mike Freer, to raise and maintain Scotland’s profile and share best practice with Commonwealth Law Ministers regarding issues being faced by legal systems and the importance of the rule of law.

The Solicitor General also attended the European Conference of Prosecutors that was organised between the Council of Europe, the Italian Ministry of Justice and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation held in Palermo in May 2022. The conference brought together high-level prosecutors from all Council of Europe member states to share their perspectives and challenges concerning the independence and accountability of public prosecutors, while taking into account the existing systems rooted in different legal cultures.

A range of information and advice is available from Zero Waste Scotland and local authorities to help consumers recycle and dispose of waste responsibly, including gas canisters. Householders can seek specific advice from their local authority on recycling and disposal options in their local area.

Nitrous oxide canisters should not be disposed of in residual waste (‘black bag’) bins as they may explode if they are crushed, increasing the risk of injury or fire. Consumers of nitrous oxide canisters should follow advice provided by suppliers or contact their local authority to check that these items are accepted at their nearest Household Recycling Centre, where gas canisters can be safely stored and disposed of by a specialist waste contractor that has the facility to recycle them safely.

We will continue to work closely with the waste sector to consider any further advice required to support safe disposal of nitrous oxide canisters.