Chamber and committees

Asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament, and the Scottish Government does not hold data on individuals seeking asylum who are living in Scotland. The latest Home Office quarterly statistics recorded 3,904 people in section 95 asylum support in Scotland as at 31 March 2021, including 122 who were receiving subsistence only. There is no geographical breakdown in the statistics of the number of people in receipt of section 98 or section 4 support. Home Office data is available on the UK Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets .

Over the course of the last Parliamentary session, Scottish Ministers and government officials have engaged with industry representatives on priority issues for their sector, including planning for and supporting the transition to net zero. Additionally, sectoral engagement is regularly undertaken through forums including the Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group, the Construction Industry Training Board and the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group.

As set out by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy in July, the Scottish Government is developing a 10 Year National Strategy for Economic Transformation. This strategy will prioritise investment in the industries of the future and deliver new, good and green jobs, therefore, co-production with industry will be key.

In March this year, I attended the first meeting of the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group and continue to liaise with industry representatives such as The Construction Industry Training Board - most recently in July - on the importance of training and skills as we transition to net zero.

In addition, the former Energy Minister met with key stakeholders regularly to understand the specific challenges and barriers to the sector but also wider energy transition opportunities, with a key forum being the Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group (SLG). The SLG held two focused meetings on workforce retention, skills and training challenges and opportunities and is representative of industry, OPITO, Skills Development Scotland and offshore unions.

Requirements for entering Scotland are currently aligned on a Four Nations basis and differ depending on whether the individual arrives from a red, amber or green listed country.

All arrivals are required to provide a negative Covid-19 test in the three days prior to travel, they are then required to undertake the following actions:

• Red – studying in the UK is currently one of the allowable reasons for entering Scotland from a red-list country. International students over 18 years old arriving from a country on this list, or who have been in a red list country in the 10 days prior, are required to enter managed quarantine for 10 days.
• Amber – International students arriving from amber-list countries, or who have been in an Amber list country in the 10 days prior, are required to isolate in their place of residence for 10 days, additionally they are required to take a Covid-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of their 10 day isolation.
• Green – International students arriving from green-list countries are not required to isolate unless the result of a COVID-19 test taken on day 2 after arriving back in Scotland is positive.

Transport Scotland has been monitoring transport trends during the Covid-19 pandemic. This information is regularly published on the Transport Scotland website and can be found using the link: COVID-19 National Transport Trend Data . The Covid-19 Sub-National Reports provides travel trends on ferries.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01514 on 6 August 2021. 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

We responded to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on 11 March 2021 outlining the scope and advising there is nothing ‘off limits’ to the appointed consultants when addressing the issues within the scope of the review. This reflects the desire that the review should be independent, and recommendations not influenced by any pre-conceived views.

CMAL are regularly contacted by 7 core shipbrokers who bring to their attention vessels that may be suitable for Scottish routes. This is due to the international standard that the broker takes a fee from the seller should a vessel be purchased.

CMAL have frequent and regular engagement with 7 core shipbrokers who assist with the identification of vessels that may be suitable for Scottish ferry routes.

Ferguson Marine are no longer involved in the HySeas III project. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) have however joined the consortium as a new partner to carry out the review of existing work and design a ferry, from the statement of requirements through to classification approval.

When considering a vessel, CMAL review a number of elements to assess suitability for Scottish ferry routes including vessel dimensions, speed and displacement, as well as the vehicle deck garage heights, loading system (ramps), shore side interfaces, compliance with the Maritime Coastguard Agency Regulations and the vessel’s suitability for Scottish waters.

CMAL do not disclose the names of either the vessels it assesses or their ownership. This is due to the possible impact upon the market value of the vessel should it become apparent that a government body is considering their purchase, which could result in the price going up and making it harder to achieve Value for Money for the Scottish tax payer.