Chamber and committees

As colleges operate independently of Government, it is for them to decide on the shape of their curriculum, taking into account the needs of the region and communities they serve. We therefore do not hold information centrally on which individual colleges offer training courses relevant to PAS 2030 and PAS 2035. The information requested on training providers is not held centrally.

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. This investment will be delivered in phases over the course of this parliamentary term.

To maximise the benefits of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), the 2023 round will target support for agri-environment, organics and slurry storage applications. This approach will focus on enabling options within the scheme, offering support to as wide a number of beneficiaries as possible.

Faced with significant budget cuts resulting from the UK Government reneging on public commitments that farmers and crofters would not be worse off as a result of the EU Exit, this has led to the difficult decision to suspend some elements of the 2023 round, including public funding for muirburn and heather cutting.

Those with existing AECS contracts or new contracts, following the 2022 AECS awards announced on 19 January 2023, which contain muirburn and heather cutting will continue to be supported.

Support for heather restoration through AECS has been suspended since 2020 following advice from NatureScot that the commonly used chemical treatment was not tested for use in rough grazing and upland areas. This treatment had negative implications for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. As there is no suitable alternative, this option was suspended. If in future, a chemical treatment is approved by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) for use in upland areas this decision will be reviewed. Existing commitments at the time of suspension were removed without penalty.

Pesticide products can only be authorised where the available evidence shows that they do not pose unacceptable risks to human health, animals and the environment.

Surveys have shown us the extent of asbestos in the NHS estate. The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance states that it is safe for asbestos to remain in place if it is in good condition, well-protected and unlikely to be disturbed. Health boards carry out annual asbestos monitoring surveys and asbestos management plans are in place across the NHS estate. Ideally, all asbestos would be removed from NHS buildings immediately. However, the removal of asbestos is disruptive and can increase the risk of exposure to disturbed fibres. It is therefore not sensible or proportionate to remove asbestos in an active clinical setting if it does not pose a risk to staff and patients. The Scottish Government is doubling its health infrastructure maintenance budget. That money can be used by health boards to remove asbestos where necessary or when the opportunity to do so arises.

This Government is clear that industrial action in our schools is in no one’s interest, least of all for pupils, parents and carers who have already faced significant disruption over the past three years.

As indicated by the Office of National Statistics, it is concerning that this industrial action is putting parents and carers are at further financial loss.

We are absolutely committed to reaching teachers’ pay deal and are working closely with the teaching unions and local government partners to reach a resolution as soon as possible. We also continue to urge the teaching unions to suspend industrial action while these talks are ongoing.

As of 9 February 2023, there were 88 electric vehicle charge points with rapid charging capabilities installed at 41 service stations across the road network. These contribute to an overall network of almost 950 devices, meaning Scotland has by far the greatest number of rapid charge points per head of population than any other part of the UK.

The works at each of the ports as part of the Skye Triangle Infrastructure Programme (Tarbert, Lochmaddy & Uig) are aimed at replacing life expired infrastructure, improving resilience and increasing the range of vessels that can use the ports. The Uig project is estimated to cost £64million. Our response to the Freedom of Information request: 2022/00297832 published in July 2022 outlined that we have offered a capital funding contribution of up to £38million with the remaining contribution to be met by the Highland Council as statutory harbour authority.

The following figures are correct as at December 2022, when the last Recycling Improvement Fund Board was convened.

I refer the member to answer to question S6W-08832 on 7 June 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

These devices were funded in 2020/21 to tackle digital exclusion as a result of school closures caused by the pandemic. Individual local authorities across Scotland have also undertaken their own digital inclusion schemes and have invested in devices from their own budgets.

We continue to work with local authorities on plans to ensure every school-aged child has access to a device and connectivity by the end of this parliamentary term in 2026.

Information on school facilities is not held nationally by the Scottish Government. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to manage and maintain their school estate. They would be best placed to advise on facilities in their schools. In line with our principles of inclusion, the Scottish Government encourages schools to deliver a positive learning environment; one that supports the child’s or young person’s learning and wellbeing, creates a sense of safety, encourages participation and reduces stress.

In 2022, we ran a public consultation on the draft of the new physical intervention in schools guidance Physical intervention in schools: draft guidance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . The draft human rights-based guidance is clear that restraint and seclusion should only be used as a last resort to prevent a child or young person coming to harm. Safeguards must be followed at all times. This position is also clear in existing guidance on the use of physical intervention and seclusion.

We are carefully considering all consultation responses received and recognise that there are calls for further legislation in this area. A consultation analysis report is currently being prepared. Alongside the publication of the guidance, and in line with our original commitments, we are exploring options to strengthen the legal framework in this area, including placing the guidance on a statutory basis.