Chamber and committees

The gender equality strategy was last discussed by the Scottish Government and the Scottish National Investment Bank on 14 December 2021.

The Routes and Services Methodology (RSM) used in the Ferries Plan has been reviewed and updated to support the preparation of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP). In addition to refreshing data sources it will also consider: reliability and resilience; capacity and connectivity; and wider socio-economic needs and alignment with the National Transport Strategy and the National Islands Plan.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6T-00553 on 1 March 2022. Answers to Topical Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report .

Decisions on lending and investment are a matter for the Scottish National Investment Bank. I have asked the Bank about how their lending in 2021 aimed to benefit women’s equality in Scotland, and their response is as follows:

“Due diligence of all potential investments includes consideration of gender balance across workforce, management and Board.

“The Bank engages with investees on representation and equality issues, and has required reporting on gender balance (and pay gap) where practical. Moving forward the Bank will aim to have gender equality and gender pay gap reporting for all investments. Where appropriate, the Bank will also consider engagement with investees to enhance opportunities that increase gender equality opportunities in Bank investments.”

The Scottish Government is aware that Crown Estate Scotland have issued Mines Royal Options Agreements for gold and silver exploration in south west Scotland. The Scottish Government do not have direct involvement in this process, and do not hold details of Crown Estate Scotland Option Agreements or leases for mineral exploration. You may wish to contact Crown Estate Scotland directly at [email protected] .

The Scottish Government recognises the threat that bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear can pose to our iconic marine life. We therefore welcome the Scottish Entanglement Alliance project which improves understanding of entanglement of sensitive marine species in Scottish waters, and will consider its findings as we explore what further work may be required in terms of the development and testing of mitigation measures. This aligns with actions within the developing UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy and the Future Fisheries Management Strategy.

The Marine Fund Scotland will shortly set out its priorities for funding 2022-23 and we would encourage exploration of these opportunities by the creel sector.

The Scottish National Investment Bank has provided the following information about who it consulted with and the feedback received during development of its gender equality strategy:

“In developing its Equality Strategy, the Bank sought input from a wide range of organisations. This was facilitated through written feedback and direct discussion. Organisations consulted included:

Women on Boards

Women’s Enterprise Scotland

Abrdn

Engender

Close the Gap

IoD

Black Professionals Scotland

British Business Bank.

Feedback from respondents was considered and incorporated where appropriate.”

We will be publishing the Lived Experience Panel Specification shortly.

The informal feedback referenced in the letter related specifically to the percentage of learning, teaching and play spaces local authorities had identified as problematic at the point in time when the fund was being developed. Problematic spaces are defined as those having consistently high CO2 readings (above 1500ppm) despite basic mitigation measures being implemented.

During meetings of the local authority-chaired Scottish Heads of Property Services network, which are attended regularly by Scottish Government officials and Scottish Futures Trust, local authorities indicated that around 2-4% of spaces they were monitoring had proved problematic to date. The upper limit of this band was used to calculate the potential number of spaces requiring further remedial action, to ensure sufficient funding was made available to local authorities.

It is important to note that the precise number of problematic spaces will be dependent on a range of factors over time, such as weather and occupancy levels, and many of the problematic spaces will already have been addressed. The Scottish Government has agreed formal reporting requirements regarding the number of remaining problematic spaces with local authorities.

As was made clear in the letter to the Committee, an undercut of a door was only one element of an example set of remedial measures used to calculate the up-to-£5m fund.

The Scottish Government has not issued any guidance to local authorities recommending the use of door undercuts in specific spaces. Expert local authority teams fully understand that all remedial work undertaken should be in line with guidance on ventilation and based on expert assessment of the ventilation issues in a specific space.

The precise number of problematic spaces will be dependent on a range of factors over time, and many of the problematic spaces will already have been addressed. The Scottish Government has agreed formal reporting requirements regarding the number of remaining problematic spaces with local authorities.