Chamber and committees

The legislative changes recommended by the completed Review of the Storage and Spreading of Sewage Sludge on Land in Scotland are being implemented via the forthcoming Integrated Authorisation Framework (IAF) regulations.

The proposed changes are designed to strengthen SEPA powers to ensure effective management practices are implemented and followed by operators within the industry.

A consultation on the proposed IAF regulations is due to be published early next year and stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals relating to sewage sludge.

The purpose of the National Marine Plan is to set out the strategic policies for the sustainable development of our marine resources. The current National Marine Plan reflects broad spatial areas for certain types of activities (for example through policies such as RENEWABLES 1 and AQUACULTURE 1, 2 and 3). The content of the new National Marine Plan (NMP2) is yet to be defined. Given its strategic nature, it is anticipated that it will similarly reflect broad areas for certain types of activity, as informed by other relevant marine planning processes and policies. It will also provide at a strategic level an overview of the range of human activities in the marine space, including fisheries, and their associated cumulative impacts and interactions.

NatureScot has not made any species control agreements in northeast Scotland. Species control agreements can be useful where inaction on a particular land holding is jeopardising the success of a coordinated control project. Working with landowners on a voluntary basis is a more effective way to secure a long-term commitment to tackling invasive plants.

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative works with hundreds of landowners to control invasive plants on riverbanks in northeast Scotland. As infestations are brought under control, landowners are asked to sign voluntary agreements to continue the control work. As of 7 October 2022, 34 landowners had signed voluntary agreements to control giant hogweed in northeast Scotland.

See also answer to question S6W-09427 on 29 July 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 .

Developing a strong supply chain for renewables is crucial to deliver on Scotland’s net zero ambitions, and to ensure Scotland’s economy and communities see the benefits of this transition.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role of SMEs in Scotland’s energy transition, and has a number of initiatives underway to support the supply chain including the Heat in Buildings Supply Chain Delivery Plan, published on 11 November. This sets out practical steps that will be taken to support the growth of the green heat sector – including supporting green jobs, leveraging private investment and helping businesses seize the economic opportunities offered by the transition to net zero.

An export plan which supports international ambitions of the Scottish supply chain is also being developed and will be published soon.

ScotWind promises to be transformational in delivering wider economic supply chain benefits, and developers have committed to invest an average projection of £1.4bn in Scotland per project. Onshore, the Scottish Government has awarded £9.8 million to the Energy Transition Zone, to stimulate investment from indigenous energy supply chain companies looking to deliver green energy projects, and to strengthen their capacity to take advantage of UK and international opportunities.

Our Business Energy Scotland SME Loan and Cashback scheme provides interest free loans from £1,000 up to £100,00 to Scotland based SMEs for the installation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.

The Scottish Government is committed to working to deliver a just transition to climate resilience and net zero for Scotland. Scotland’s Future Fisheries Management Strategy sets out our approach to managing sea fisheries in Scotland in partnership with our stakeholders through ‘co-management’ and in a way that balances environmental, social, and economic interests to ensure the long-term sustainable management of Scotland’s fishing sector.

We recognise that planning and stakeholder engagement will be crucial to ensure that the economic and social impacts and opportunities from the transition for climate resilience and net zero are not missed and that risks associated with rapid structural change are mitigated where possible. Understanding the social and economic impacts and opportunities for marine sectors using just transition principles is at an early planning stage and will be evidence-informed and co-designed, working with those most impacted by the transition to help shape our approach.

Recommended actions from the Review of the Storage and Spreading of Sewage Sludge on Land in Scotland which have already been completed include publication last year of the James Hutton Institute report on the impacts on human health and the environment arising from the spreading of sewage sludge to land, and implementation of the remedial actions that were recommended to be taken by Scottish Water.

The legislative changes recommended by the review are being implemented via the forthcoming Integrated Authorisation Framework regulations. A consultation on proposed regulations is due to be published in 2023 and stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals relating to sewage sludge.

A review of the Home Owners Support Fund (HOSF), of which Mortgage to Shared Equity is part, was commissioned in February 2022.

The review is wide ranging and will consider all aspects of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) and Mortgage to Shared Equity (MTSE) eligibility criteria including local authority property valuation thresholds and capital and equity limits.The work is being led by two full-time equivalent Scottish Government officials with support from other officials, including analysts, as required.

The main stages of the review include: identification of issues; information gathering and modelling; developing recommendations and implementation. Independent user research has been conducted with a number of key stakeholders, to identify areas of concern and gather information in relation to aspects of the process that are working well. This involved recent applicants to HOSF, registered social landlords and accredited Money Advisers from organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, local authority Debt Advice services and law centres. Further consultation with stakeholders is ongoing and user testing is planned for later stages of the work.

The review will conclude in the spring of next year with implementation of any policy changes to take place thereafter.

The Scottish Forestry Strategy is based on the international principles of Sustainable Forest Management which require all forests and woodlands to contribute to biodiversity. Of the six Priorities for Action in the Scottish Forestry Strategy the following three promote the safeguarding biodiversity as well as priority species and habitats:

• Increasing the adaptability and resilience of forests and woodlands,
• Enhancing the environmental benefits provided by forests and woodlands.
• Expanding the area of forests and woodlands, recognising wider land-use objectives;

The Scottish Forestry Strategy emphasises the importance of taking wider land use objectives into account when expanding our woodlands and forests, and one of the key objectives considered is when doing so is food security, which is further recognised in wider Scottish Government Strategies and Plans.

The Strategy also states that ‘we will focus on achieving greater integration between forestry and other land-based businesses, such as crofting, farming, and estate management’. The latest Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan (2022-2025), includes actions to promote greater integration of land use including the farmer-led

Integrating Trees Network which promotes the benefit of woodland creation on farms, such as providing shelter for livestock, enhancing biodiversity and a source of income.

The decision to escalate or de-escalate an NHS Board is based on a combination of evidence. Escalation addresses complex issues and an element of judgement will always be required. In order to support robust decision-making in this sphere, the Scottish Government regularly convenes the National Planning and Performance Oversight Group which considers a range of data and intelligence relating to the delivery of health and social care across Scotland and the performance of our health boards. Should there be a requirement to escalate any additional NHS Boards, for any reason, I will update Parliament in the first instance.

Work has been undertaken throughout 2022 to scope a Clyde Metro Programme Level Business Case. This is being undertaken collaboratively, led by Transport Scotland and its partners Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. A Delivery Plan will be prepared following the completion of the Programme Level Business Case.