Chamber and committees

A review of ferry fares policy is being undertaken as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP), the successor to the current Ferries Plan (2013-22). This will consider issues such as seasonality and inform future ferry service contracts.

The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing fares on Northern Isles ferry routes.

Following engagement with European Commission officials in 2019, Transport Scotland officials were developing proposals to introduce RET. This work was rightly paused in early 2020, while resources were pivoted to deal with the Covid outbreak, however work has recently resumed.

Engagement between Transport Scotland officials and ferry operators has taken place and will continue as the work progresses. I will keep the member updated on progress.

As the member is aware, fare reductions for passengers, cars and cabins have been introduced on Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick routes, in addition to the existing 30% discount for islanders.

We are committed to carrying out an Islands Communities Impact Assessment for the new free bus travel scheme for young people prior to it coming into operation.

Following a consultation on free bus travel for young people late last year, officials are now consulting further with island communities. We expect to publish the Islands Communities Impact Assessment later this summer.

Ferry fares policy options are being considered through the ongoing review of concessionary travel arrangements across all modes for under 26 year olds and through the Islands Connectivity Plan.

According to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Performance Data analysis for the year 2020-2021 the total number of dwelling fire fatalities stands at 46, with a further 7 in non-dwelling property types. As further information may yet come to light, for example from coroners reports, the figures are subject to change. SFRS Fire and Rescue Incident statistics are published annually and include figures on fire fatalities and trends. These can be found here https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/about-us/fire-and-rescue-statistics.aspx .

The Scottish Government is supporting Scotland’s Towns Partnership to set up a national platform for a Scotland Loves Local loyalty card scheme. The scheme is a quick and efficient way to encourage local spend, support local business and build wealth in the local economy, helping communities be more resilient, sustainable and economically secure.

Testing for people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms was made available to everyone in Scotland on 26 April. Everyone can now access free lateral flow devices (LFD), for testing at home twice a week. To get a LFD test you can:

• order an LFD test kit pack online at GOV.UK for home delivery
• collect a test kit from your nearest COVID-19 test site , by applying the “pick up sites for test kits” filter on the site finder.

As announced at the launch of the universally accessible testing offer, we continue to explore other options for increasing accessibility of testing across Scotland including the option to collect LFD test kit from pharmacies. I expect to be in a position to confirm these arrangements shortly.

The Scottish Testing Programme is kept under constant review in line with the latest clinical and scientific advice.

As of 17 May 2021, the sum of £410,171.22 has been paid from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund. The total value of successful applications is £472,404.72, with the remaining funds in the process of being paid. This is part of a range of measures to support tenants.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35553 on 10 March 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 .

In addition to our work with the airports, the Scottish Government also has regular engagement with airlines. Most recently this included productive discussions held in April with 19 airlines, all of which are important to Scotland’s international connectivity. Given the commercial nature of these discussions I am unable to share specific details.

We recognise that globally, as well as here in Scotland, the aviation industry faces one of the longest recovery periods given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on route networks, which is why we have extended the 100% non-domestic rates relief for the aviation sector for another year (2021-22).

The Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) report did not take account of the testing status of patients discharged from hospital. During the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic concerns were raised that people who were in hospital and lacked capacity may have been moved from hospital to care homes without full understanding of the legal requirements to ensure rights are upheld, and the move to care was lawful. This report details the findings of their investigation into these specific concerns.

The report concluded that some people had been moved without the appropriate legal authority, for example a Power of Attorney or Welfare Guardian. You can access the full report on the MWC website at https://www.mwcscot.org.uk/news/moves-hospitals-care-homes-during-pandemic-new-report-finds-wider-concerns-over-adherence-law .

The Scottish Government was first made aware that some people had been moved from hospital without the appropriate legal authority when we received the Mental Welfare Commissions draft report in April 2021.

Regarding the testing status of patients discharged to care homes, as stated in Parliament on 4 November 2020 by the then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, prior to the Sunday Post publishing their FOI, neither Scottish Ministers nor Government officials had information on the results of covid-19 tests prior to discharge, or where these patients were discharged. The Cabinet Secretary commissioned Public Health Scotland to carry out work to identify and report on discharges from NHS Hospitals to care homes during the first wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This report is available on the Public Health Scotland website at https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/population-health/covid-19/discharges-from-nhsscotland-hospitals-to-care-homes/.

We recognise the importance to sustainable aquaculture of high fish health and welfare standards. We will therefore consider the EU’s Strategic Guidelines on Sustainable Aquaculture alongside other sources of advice such as the UK Animal Welfare Committee, the British Veterinary Association and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.