Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-13223

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) money and (b) time was spent on translating the series of papers entitled, Building a new Scotland, into other languages, including the summaries and supporting documents, and for what reasons any specific languages were chosen.

The Scottish Government seeks to meet statutory requirements and deploy best practice in the ways in which it communicates information with people in Scotland, and wider audiences. We regularly translate key advice and information into other languages and formats. The Building a New Scotland prospectus series has been designed to be as accessible as possible to ensure that communities across Scotland are able to access the information. Languages were selected on the basis of their frequency of use and experience of usage of translations of previous Scottish Government publications. Audio and Easy Read versions make the Building a New Scotland prospectus series more accessible to more people.

The costs associated with the series are published proactively and the costs for the first three papers can be found on the Scottish Parliament website at –

Written question and answer: S6W-11001 | Scottish Parliament Website

Written question and answer: S6W-11002 | Scottish Parliament Website

Written question and answer: S6W-13303 | Scottish Parliament Website

Question reference: S6W-13071

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is increasing the budget provisions to local authorities to enable them to provide the required nutritious school meals for children.

The 2023-24 budget has made provision for £185.8 million to be allocated to local authorities for free school meals.

All food and drink served in education authority and grant aided schools must meet the standards set out in the 'Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020' to ensure that pupils receive a balanced and nutritious meal that supports healthy growth and development.

Question reference: S6W-13056

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Gumtree, Pets4Homes, Facebook and other relevant online platforms regarding the illegal trade and sale of puppies, and when it last discussed this matter with Police Scotland.

The Puppy Trade Working Group (PTWG), of which the Scottish Government is a member, seeks to disrupt the unlicensed puppy trade, including online sales of low welfare puppies. We work closely with other members of the PTWG, which includes Gumtree and Pets4Homes, to address the advertising of illegally bred puppies on online platforms. As a consequence of this collaborative working, Gumtree and Pets4Homes continue to adapt their advertising practices in order to address online selling by unscrupulous breeders.

At this time Facebook are not members of the PTWG. The PTWG and the Scottish SPCA continue to seek to engage with Facebook on this matter.

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Police Scotland on the threats from organised crime, including criminal activities associated with the illegal puppy trade. While it would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of those discussions, we know that Police Scotland continue to work in partnership with the Scottish SPCA to disrupt the activities of those involved in this abhorrent trade.

Question reference: S6W-13018

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12330 by John Swinney on 5 December 2022, whether it will provide a list of (a) members and (b) leaders of each of the groups and sub-groups named.

In response to the request for members and leaders of each of the groups and sub-groups named in the answer to question S6W-12330, the non-Scottish Government representation on, and leadership of, the groups named are set out in the following table.

In line with Scottish Government guidance, only the names of senior civil servants have been provided in the Group Leader/Chair column.

Group Name	Organisations Represented	Group Leader/Chair
Apprenticeship Approval Group (AAG)	Membership details are available here: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/46692/aag-membership-sep-2020.docx	Ruth Jennings, Sainsburys
Business Support Partnership	Scottish Enterprise Business Support Partnership BG National COSLA Creative Scotland South of Scotland Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development Skills Development Scotland VisitScotland	Rhona Allison, MD Business Growth, Scottish Enterprise
Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan - Implementation Steering Group	Skills Development Scotland Construction Scotland Innovation Centre Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Transport Scotland Energy Skills Partnership, Colleges Scotland Equate Scotland NatureScot NFU Scotland Scottish Engineering Scottish Cities Alliance Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development IBioIC ‎ Scottish Renewables Scottish Training Federation University of Strathclyde Zero Waste Scotland Keep Scotland Beautiful University of Edinburgh Scottish Funding Council	Professor Dave Reay, University of Edinburgh
Clyde Mission Strategy Group	Glasgow City Region GCR/Clyde Mission Strategic Advisor Scottish Enterprise Scottish Futures Trust Skills Development Scotland Scottish Environmental Protection Agency University of Glasgow University of Strathclyde Clyde Gateway Scottish Land Commission Glasgow City Region Council Argyll & Bute Council	Colin Cook, Scottish Government
Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill Steering Group	Community Enterprise in Scotland Federation of Small Businesses Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Supplier Development Scotland Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) Community Wealth Building at South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish Funding Council Business Services Association Scottish TUC Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF) Clyde Gateway NHS Lothian Sustainable Procurement North Ayrshire Council COSLA (Scotland) Glasgow City Council Highlands and Island Enterprise Fife Council Business Services Association Social Enterprise Scotland Scottish Renewables Balfour Beatty Scottish Enterprise University of Glasgow	Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth
Creative Industries Leadership Group	Full membership of the group can be found at: Creative Industries Leadership Group - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot )	Minister for Culture, Europe & International Development Brian Coane, The Leith Agency/Institute of Advertising Practitioners Scotland
Developing the Young Workforce Employers Forum	Katoni Engineering Ltd Chivas Brothers QTS Group Purvis Group The Vardy Foundation Mitsubishi ACE Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Mage Control Systems National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Cothrom Ltd Ortak Salmon Scotland Cairngorm Group Sinclair Bay Subsea Ltd Sonas Hospitality (Skeabost) Ltd MacLeod Construction Ltd Ceteris Aviva NHS / Crichton Board & Business Consultant Border Safeguards	Sandy Begbie, Scottish Financial Enterprise
Digital Collaborative Governance Group	Skills Development Scotland Founders4Schools eSgoil Gateway Education Scotland STEM Network COSLA Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)	Michelle Fenwick, Developing the Young Workforce James Russell, Skills Development Scotland
Economic Leadership Group	First Minister Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for COVID Recovery Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government COSLA	First Minister
European Structural and Investment Funds Programme Board	Internal Scottish Government group	Fiona Ross, Scottish Government (Non-Executive Director)
European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee	Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Orkney Islands Council Skills Development Scotland Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development (SLAED) Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands Enterprise Highland Council Scottish Funding Council Big Lottery DG Regio DG Emploi	Hilary Pearce, Scottish Government
European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee Working Group	This sub-group of the European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee has now been disbanded.
European Structural Funds Information Technology Board	Internal Scottish Government Group	Scottish Government official
Financial Services Growth and Development Board	Scottish Financial Enterprise Abrdn EY Financial Conduct Authority FinTech Scotland Tesco Bank Phoenix Standard Life Royal London Noble Group Barclays Morgan Stanley Shepperd & Wedderburn PWC Royal Bank of Scotland KPMG Scottish National Investment Bank Association of British Insurers	First Minister John McGuigan, Scottish Financial Enterprise
Flexible Workforce Development Fund Senior Strategic Group	Scottish Funding Council Skills Development Scotland	Scottish Government official
Foundation Apprenticeship Enhancement Group	Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council Education Scotland Colleges Scotland College Principals Scottish Qualifications Authority Association of Directors of Education in Scotland COSLA Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board Scottish Training Federation Balfour Beatty	Scottish Government official
Green Freeports Programme Board	Transport Scotland Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Scotland Office Home Office HM Treasury HMRC Department for International Trade	Louise Macdonald, Scottish Government Sue Gray, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Industry Leadership Chairs Group	Sector representatives for: Life Sciences Construction Tourism Food & Drink Creative Industries Financial Services Scottish Textiles Forest and Timber Aquaculture Energy (Scottish Energy Advisory Board) Employee Ownership ILG Aerospace & Defence Retail Space	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism & Enterprise Nora Senior, Non-Exec Chair, Scottish Government Strategic Board
Innovation Strategy Steering Group	University of Strathclyde Spirit Aerosystems Par Equity Edinburgh University Intelligent Growth Solutions IAND Entrepreneur and innovation expert representative Scottish Enterprise FinTech Scotland M Squared Lasers NovaBiotics Scottish Funding Council	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Prof Sir Jim McDonald, University of Strathclyde
Input-Output Expert Users Group (IOEUG)	City of Edinburgh Council Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency University of Sheffield James Hutton Institute and University of Aberdeen Central Statistics Office, Ireland Office for National Statistics Independent Consultant GRID Economics Fraser of Allander Institute SAFER / University of Glasgow Scottish Enterprise Viewforth Consulting / Strathclyde University The Centre For Energy Policy Zero Waste Scotland Scottish Parliament Information Centre Visit Scotland Durham University 4-Consulting Historic Scotland Welsh Government University of Strathclyde Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency	Scottish Government official
Lifetime Skills Offer Steering Group	Scottish Funding Council Skills Development Scotland	Scottish Government official
Life Sciences Scotland Group	Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group LSMD Symbiosis Reprocell Europe ODx MSD GSK Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre Association of British HealthTech Industries Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry One We are Pioneer Group NRS/Glasgow Universities Scotland SULSA Scottish Enterprise Highlands & Islands Enterprise Skills Development Scotland	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport
Ministerial Trade Board	ABC Bank Proserv Scottish Business Network University of Strathclyde Nova Innovation Verlume Fios Genomics Pickering’s Gin Scottish Engineering IQVIA Food & Drink Trade Adviser DirectID	Richard Rollison, Scottish Government
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board	Cyrenians The Net Zero Technology Centre Edinburgh College University of Strathclyde Scottish Trade Union Congress University of Glasgow BAE Systems Naval Ships Essence of Harris Scottish Water Former Executive Group Chair of Weber Shandwick and past Chair of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board Former Chief Executive of DC Thomson Media Group	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy Barry White (former Chief exec of Scottish Futures Trust)
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Portfolio Board	Scottish Government Non-Executive Directors Enterprise & Skills Agency SOLACE	Louise Macdonald, Scottish Government
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Skilled Workforce Programme Board	Scottish Funding Council Skills Development Scotland Workers Educational Association Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group Edinburgh Climate Change Institute Scottish Council for Development and Industry Scottish Financial Enterprise Young Person’s Guarantee Non-Board Members: Edinburgh College BAE Systems	Stephen Pathirana, Scottish Government
Public Sector Network Steering Group	Skills Development Scotland NHS Lothian Scottish Water NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde NatureScot Highland Council The Improvement Service Historic Environment Scotland Scottish Enterprise South Lanarkshire Council Visit Scotland North Lanarkshire Council Police Scotland	John Lindsay, Skills Development Scotland
Regional Economic Policy Advisory Group	Full membership of the group can be found at: Regional Economic Policy Advisory Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)	Professor David Bell, University of Stirling Professor John Bachtler, University of Strathclyde
Retail Industry Leadership Group	Locavore Scottish Grocers’ Federation Eastgate Shopping Centre GMB Usdaw Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland Ltd Dobbies CJ Lang & Son Asda Scottish Retail Consortium Tesco Federation of Small Businesses John Lewis Partnership and ILG co-Chair National Federation of Independent Retailers Scottish Wholesale Association Tiso Ltd.	Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Group Board	Scottish Water Scottish Power Energy Networks Glasgow City Council Microsoft Ltd. Mactaggart & Mickel Group Ltd Balfour Beatty Barnardos Scotland Clyde Blowers Strathclyde University Openreach Lantra Leonardo BAE Systems Robertson Construction Group Career Review Programme Board Weber Shandwick The Torridon Balfour Beatty Group Scottish Funding Council	Peter Farrer, Scottish Water Frank Mitchell, Scottish Power Energy Networks
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Standards And Frameworks Group	Balfour Beatty Leonardo MW Ltd Scottish Power Doosan Babcock Edinburgh University Scottish Lifesciences Association SQA Accreditation Institute of Civil Engineering CBI Mactaggart & Mickel Homes limited Codeclan Scottish Building Federation BAE Systems Sainsburys Scottish Training Federation Colleges Scotland Universities Scotland BAE Systems	Stevie Petrie, Balfour Beatty
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Employer Engagement Group	Scottish Water Federation of Small Businesses (Scotland) Scottish Chambers of Commerce Highlands and Islands Scottish Union Learning – Scottish Trades Union Congress Scottish Qualifications Authority Balfour Beatty WGM Engineering CeeD Johnstons of Elgin Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Scottish Power Networks Sky NatWest Group NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Scottish Engineering Enterprise and Skills West College Scotland BT Angus Council (COSLA) Cornerstone Robertson Group CBI Scotland	Paul Campbell, Scottish Water
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Employer Equalities Group	Microsoft Dundee City Council Building Equality Scotland This is Milk Scottish Water Wood Plc Scottish Union Learning – Scottish Trades Union Congress Scottish Power Energy Networks Forster Group Weber Shandwick Zen Consultants (Sco) Ltd Sky Action for Children Lookers Diageo	Stevie Grier, Microsoft
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Apprentice Engagement Group	NatWest Group Scottish Water Sky Aviva Balfour Beatty Glasgow City Council Scottish Qualifications Authority Skills Development Scotland AECOM JP Morgan Chase Scottish Government JP Morgan Chase Leonardo SP Energy Networks Coca Cola Europacific Partner Scottish Government Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council	Ciaran Pugh, NatWest Group Mark Gullan, Scottish Water
Scottish Business Growth Group	Confederation of British Industry Federation of Small Businesses Institute of Directors Scottish Chambers of Commerce Scottish Council for Development and Industry Scottish Financial Enterprise	Deputy First Minister Secretary of State for Scotland
Scottish Cities Alliance Chief Executive Officers Group	City of Edinburgh Council Aberdeen City Council Glasgow City Council Stirling Council Highland Council Dundee Council Fife Council Perth and Kinross Council Scottish Government	Greg Colgan, Dundee Council
Scottish Cities Alliance Delivery Group	Scottish Cities Alliance Perth and Kinross Council Highland Council Dundee City Council City of Edinburgh Council Aberdeen City Council Highland Council Stirling Council Glasgow City Council Edinburgh Council	Cllr John Alexander, Dundee Council
Scottish Cities Alliance Leadership Group	City of Edinburgh Council Stirling Council Perth and Kinross Council Dundee Council Fife Council Highland Council Glasgow City Council Aberdeen City Council	Cllr John Alexander, Dundee Council
Scottish City Region and Growth Deal Delivery Board	Scotland Office UK Government – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities HM Treasury	Scottish Government officials Kris Krasnowski, Scotland Office
Scottish Economic Statistics Consultation Group	Highlands and Islands Enterprise South Lanarkshire Council University of Strathclyde Oxford Economics Lloyds Banking Group - Scotland Cogent Strategies Bank of England Scottish Enterprise Scottish Trades Union Congress Scottish Parliament Information Centre Fraser of Allander Institute Centre for Public Policy Research University of Dundee University of Edinburgh Independent consultants	Scottish Government officials
Scottish Government and Business Organisations Meeting	Confederation of British Industry Federation of Small Businesses Institute of Directors Scottish Chambers of Commerce Scottish Council for Development and Industry Scottish Financial Enterprise Scottish Recovery Consortium Scottish Tourism Alliance Scotland Food and Drink	Liz Cameron, SCC
Scottish Government Labour Market Evidence Programme	Herriot-Watt University Economics Observatory University of Warwick University of Essex Strathclyde University Edinburgh Business School University of Stirling University of Glasgow Fraser of Allander Institute Joseph Rowntree Foundation Skills Development Scotland Public Health Scotland Close the Gap	Scottish Government official
Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services	Abrdn Aegon Asset Management Baillie Gifford British Venture Cambridge University Chartered Financial Analyst UK Chartered Banker Inst City of London Edinburgh University FinTech Scotland The Global Ethical Finance Initiative Leapfrog Investments LINC NatWest Phoenix Prudential PwC Royal London S&P Scottish Financial Enterprise Franklin Templeton Future worth living Scottish National Investment Bank	David Pitt, Watson Taskforce
Skills Ministerial Group	Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Minister for Environment and Land Reform	Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training
Strategic Leadership Group for Manufacturing	University of Strathclyde Boeing Donaldson Group National Robotarium Chromacity Aggreko Mitsubishi Electric The Startup Brewing Company Scotland Food and Drink TC Biopharm Malin Group Alpha Solway Castle Precision Space Scotland NTG Holdings Bute Fabrics Highlands & Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish Enterprise Skills Development Scotland National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Renfrewshire Council	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Dr Hamid Mughal, University of Strathclyde
Sub-Scotland Economic Statistics Group	South Lanarkshire Council South Ayrshire Council Revenue Scotland Glasgow Centre for Population Health Improvement Service Highlands and Islands Enterprise Skills Development Scotland Clyde Gateway Aberdeen City Council Scottish Enterprise Skills Development Scotland Biggar Economics Office for National Statistics Fife Council	Scottish Government official
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group	Full membership of the group can be found at: Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)	Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Marc Crothall, Scottish Tourism Alliance
Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo)	Welsh Government New Zealand Government Government of Iceland Government of Finland (Government of Canada participates but is not formally a member. OECD officials also attend some events)	Gary Gillespie, Scottish Government
Young Persons Guarantee Equalities Subgroup	Close the Gap Glasgow Disability Alliance One Parent Families Scotland Intercultural Youth Scotland Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum LGBT Youth	Scottish Government official
Young Persons Guarantee Employer Advisory Group	NHS Lothian Perth Autism Support Historic Environment Scotland Ayrshire Chamber Scottish Power Scottish Government Morrison Construction Gleneagles Sky Capgemini Scottish Power Young Enterprise Scotland Scottish Water Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Scotrail SSE Lookers	Melanie Hill, Scottish Power
Young Person’s Guarantee Implementation Group	South Lanarkshire College Scottish Financial Enterprise Skills Development Scotland Scottish Funding Council University of Edinburgh Department of Work and Pensions Universities-SCOTLAND Colleges Scotland Aberdeen Foyer Scottish Trades Union Federation of Small Businesses Confederation of British Industry Young Scot Princes Trust Close the Gap Intercultural Youth Scotland Glasgow Disability Alliance STV Project Scotland Street League Ayrshire Council Glasgow Kelvin College Dumfries and Galloway Council Intercultural Youth Scotland South Lanarkshire College Venture Trust COSLA Volunteering Matters Venture Trust DYW National Team Improvement Service Renfrewshire Council	Sandy Begbie, Scottish Financial Enterprise

Since the initial response to PQ S6W-12330 was provided, the following further groups have been identified, and membership details are included in the following table.

Group Name

Organisations Represented

Group Leader/Chair

Access to Work Stakeholder Forum

British Association of Supported Employment Scotland

Deaf Action

Department for Work and Pensions

Dyslexia Scotland

ENABLE Scotland

Falkirk Council

Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow Disability Alliance

Inclusion Scotland

National Autistic Society

Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland

Scottish Association for Mental Health

Scottish Commission for Learning Disabilities

Scottish Union of Supported Employment

Skills Development Scotland

Start Scotland (FSS provider)

Versus Arthritis

Kevin Drugan, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

Fair Work in Hospitality Inquiry Group

Unite Hospitality

Hospitality worker representative

Heriot-Watt University

University of Strathclyde

Contini Edinburgh

Scottish Tourism Alliance

Skills Development Scotland

Living Wage Scotland

Stand Comedy Club

Grassmarket Community Project

Mitchells & Butlers

Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union

Unite Scotland

Inclusion Scotland

UKHospitality Scotland

Scottish Beer and Pub Association

Sodexo Live!

Crerar Hotels

Better Than Zero

Linda Johnston, Auchrannie Resort

Satnam Ner, Prospect and Fair Work Convention

Fair Work Convention

Anderson Strathern

Scottish Trades Union Congress

Unite the Union

Scottish Centre for Employment Research

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

Unison

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE)

Babcock International Group

Aberdeenshire Council

BAE Systems

Professor Patricia Findlay, Scottish Centre for Employment Research

Mary Alexander, Unite the Union

Industry Advisory Group for rest of UK Talent Attraction

Q2 Solutions

Hays

Space Scotland

Scottish Leather Group

Diodes

Microsoft (UK)

Scottish Financial Enterprise
‎ Skills Development Scotland

ScotlandIS

Valneva

TalentScotland

Digital Technology Steering Group

Scottish Renewables

Nile HQ

Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

Question reference: S6W-12982

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the Highlands and Islands region, how (a) many there are and (b) much it has allocated for this purpose, broken down by each local authority area.

Scotland is leading the way on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with more EV chargers per capita than the rest of the UK. The latest figures showing that Scottish electric vehicle drivers benefit from 60 public charge points per 100,000 population. This compares to the UK as a whole at 45.2, England 53, Wales 34.9 and Northern Ireland at 18.4 charge points per 100,000 population.

A) Scottish Government only holds information on charge points registered on the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network, we do not hold charge point information for the wider public charging network run by commercial operators. The total number of publicly available charge points registered on the CPS network broken down by Local Authority area in the Highlands and Islands region is shown below. These charge points are owned by councils, other public bodies, charities and businesses who received grant funding from the Scottish Government.

Local Authority Area in Highlands & Islands Region	Total Public EV Charge Points on CPS Public Network
Argyll & Bute Council	68
Highland Council	164
Moray Council	39
Orkney Council	34
Shetland Council	28
Western Isles / Eilean Siar Council	32

Table A: Total public EV charge points on the CPS network in H&I Region.

B) Scottish Government has to-date awarded over £9 million of funding to local authorities and over £2 million to other public bodies, third sector organisations and private businesses in the Highlands & Islands region to support development of the ChargePlace Scotland public charging network. Table B below shows the breakdown:

Local Authority area in Highlands & Islands Region	Funding to the LA for EV Charging (£)	Funding to non-LAs for EV Charging (£)
Argyll & Bute Council	1,023,000	367,348
Highland Council	4,338,00	1,654,954
Moray Council	1,172,000	152,141
Orkney Council	1,120,000	65,966
Shetland Council	666,000	79,124
Western Isles / Eilean Siar Council	773,000	98,668
Total	£9,092,000	£2,418,202

Table B: Scottish Government funding for public EV charge point installation.

Question reference: S6W-12962

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how long the current waiting list is for rape survivors at each rape crisis centre.

Question reference: S6W-12946

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its (a) information safety and (b) information transparency protocols, in light of reports that Scottish Ministers have used WhatsApp messaging to discuss official business.

The Scottish Government constantly reviews its policies to provide an open and transparent government approach to how its information is managed. We are committed to being open and transparent as set out in The Open Government Action Plan and on the Scottish Government website.

We allow the installation of mobile messaging applications on business mobile devices to support the business of the Scottish Government. Installation of such applications is covered by the Scottish Government's IT Code of Conduct and Mobile Services Employee Agreement.

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining complete and comprehensive records of key conversations and decisions in line with the Scottish Government Corporate Records Management Policy.

Question reference: S6W-13281

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many care homes have closed in each of the last five years in the South Scotland region, broken down by Health and Social Care Partnership area.

Question reference: S6W-13002

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many active working groups there are that fall under the remit of transport, and whether it will provide a list of these groups.

The Scottish Government lead a number of working groups that fall under the remit of transport. The groups are appointed to study and report on a particular question or make recommendations based on its findings hence the longevity of each group will vary. The following non-exhaustive list includes currently active transport groups managed by the Scottish Government, but it does not include all of the transport groups that we engage with.

National Transport Strategy Delivery Board

National Transport Strategy Business Group

Analysis of Demand Management Options Steering Group

Transport Governance and Collaboration Working Group

Forth Bridges Forum

LEZ Leadership Group

LEZ Communications Group

LEZ Consistency Group

LEZ Enforcement Group

Queensferry Crossing Ice Accretion Working Group

Queensferry Crossing Ice Accretion Peer Review Group

A83 Taskforce Group

A9 Road Safety Group

Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board

Road Safety Operational Partnership Group

Motorcycle safety group

Three Local Partnership Forums for Road Safety across Scotland (east, west and north)

Road Safety Scotland Learning Advisory Group

Road Safety Scotland Publicity Advisory Group

The Parking Standards Advisory Group

The Traffic Regulation Order Review Group

Scottish Road Research Board

National strategy for 20mph Working Group

Road Traffic Fatality Working Group

Transport Scotland Pavement Forum

Scottish Traffic Signs Working Group

Roads for All forum

Vulnerable Locations Operations Group

Zero Emission Truck Taskforce

Bus Taskforce:

Driver Shortage subgroup
Patronage Growth subgroup
Community Engagement subgroup

Mobility as a Service Working Group

Operator Smart Steering Group

Active Travel Delivery Partners’ Data, Monitoring and Evaluation Group

Accessible Travel Steering Group

Accessible Travel Framework Impact Evaluation Project Working Group

Scottish Freight and Logistics Advisory Group (ScotFLAG)

Ardrossan Task Force

Edinburgh Waverley Station Masterplan Steering Group

Edinburgh Waverley Station Masterplan Working Group

Perth Station Masterplan Steering Group

Perth Station Masterplan Working Group

Inverness Station Masterplan Steering Group

Inverness Station Masterplan Working Group

Sustainable Travel to Station Steering Group

Sustainable Travel to Station Working Group

The Aberdeen to Central Belt Key Stakeholder Group

Question reference: S6W-13005

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many active working groups there are that fall under the remit of (a) just transition, (b) net zero and (c) energy, and whether it will provide a list of these groups.

The Scottish Government works with a variety of stakeholders, who support and shape work on the just transition, net zero and energy. The input from our stakeholders is invaluable and plays a vital role in helping deliver a just energy transition to net zero.

The number and makeup of these working groups varies in line with government priorities. Examples of working groups which fall under the remit of just transition, net zero or energy include:

The Scottish Energy Advisory Board (SEAB)
The Scottish Energy Networks Strategic Leadership Group
The Renewable Energy Strategic Leadership Group
Energy Consumers Commission
Just Transition Commission

Chamber and committees