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There are a number of overhead microphones in place in the Chamber. These microphones allow the inclusion of ambient noise in broadcast outputs so that coverage can provide a sense of the atmosphere of the Chamber during proceedings. The overhead microphones do not form part of the audio system that has been designed to ensure that Members contributions can be heard with sufficient clarity by those in the Chamber but is used for broadcast and webcast output and for the purposes of producing the Official Report. The design of the audio system in the Chamber also reflects that contributions are made through the Chair and that Members should primarily be facing the Chair while speaking. At this point there are no plans to add additional microphones.

Design and delivery of employability services that meet the needs of users and local labour markets is the responsibility of the local employability partnership. To support this, and ensure national coherence, we co-designed employability service standards with partners and users. Local Employability Partnerships (LEP) are required to uphold the expectations set out in the service standards, including ensuring their services are accessible and take account of the experience of users.

Third sector partners have a key role to play in the design and delivery of services at LEP level and adherence to the service standards whilst actively engaged in delivery supports them in ensuring services are accessible for disabled people.

Third Sector organisations based in Scotland were invited to apply to the Workplace Equality Fund 2022-2024 which is a source of financial support for Scottish businesses and organisations striving to address longstanding barriers in the labour market that particular priority groups, including disabled people, face. Workplace Equality Fund investment is just over £590k across 10 projects this year, four of which focus specifically on disability, totalling over £3m to 71 projects since 2018.

We recognise the important role the third sector can play in supporting people to access support they are entitled to and are committed to working in partnership to develop our devolved approach to employability.

Support available through the Young Person’s Guarantee was delivered through Local Employability Partnerships, with Local Authorities acting as lead accountable body.

Employability support for young people is now delivered through No One Left Behind, which continues to utilise the Local Employability Partnership approach for delivery of support.

Awareness and promotion of the Young Person’s Guarantee among employability staff was achieved using existing networks and communication channels.

Support available through the Young Person’s Guarantee was delivered through Local Employability Partnerships, with Local Authorities acting as lead accountable body.

Specific details on Employer Recruitment Incentives are not held by the Scottish Government, therefore requests for this information would need to be directed towards Local Authorities.

Employability contacts for each local authority can be found on the Employability in Scotland website which can be accessed here: https://www.employabilityinscotland.com/local-employability-services/

Our employability services are designed and delivered at a local level by Local Employability Partnerships who determine the level of funding allocated to Employer Recruitment Incentives within their areas.

Specific details on funding Employer Recruitment Incentives are not held by the Scottish Government, therefore requests for this information would need to be directed towards Local Authorities.

Employability contacts for each local authority can be found on the Employability in Scotland website which can be accessed here: https://www.employabilityinscotland.com/local-employability-services/

The Climate Change Committee has previously written to the Scottish Government setting out a series of recommendations for the reform on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). In response to this advice, the Scottish Government published a consultation on EPC reform on 25 July 2023. This consultation highlights proposals to revise the information displayed on EPCs by expanding the current suite of metrics and reporting other relevant information. This would provide a more holistic view to current and potential homeowners for all types of buildings.

An EPC assessment for existing buildings is a non-intrusive survey and so the methodology makes assumptions based on the age and characteristics of the building. Our consultation highlights that we are reviewing the assessment and quality assurance processes to enhance the accuracy of EPCs. It is a legal requirement that a valid EPC is made available whenever a building is advertised for sale or for let, or when a new building is completed. Listed buildings are not exempt from this requirement, as set out in the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

The consultation on EPC reform does not, however, cover Scottish Government proposals to ensure homes reach a particular standard of energy efficiency or decarbonise their heating systems. This will be subject to a separate consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill planned for later this year.

The Scottish Government does recognise it may be more challenging for some homes and buildings to meet the proposed energy efficiency standards than for others. We will work with stakeholders, including Historic Environment Scotland, to develop approaches and solutions to transition Scotland’s listed buildings, where it is technically feasible and cost effective, to achieve a good level of energy efficiency and transition to zero direct emissions heating while respecting and preserving the special characteristics of our historic buildings.

The Scottish Government places great importance on community sports and leisure facilities, such as swimming pools. They are crucial to the wellbeing of all our country and most importantly, for our children and young people to be healthy and active.

sportscotland are working with local and national partners to help them assess the impact of any potential facility closures and these discussions will continue over the coming weeks and months.

In addition, sportscotland are supporting Scottish Swimming to undertake the Scottish Swimming Facilities Project. This is a detailed piece of work to accurately understand the current pool provision and life cycle, and to predict the landscape in the short, medium, and long term. This important piece of work can help inform future investment decisions both nationally and locally to ensure sustainable facilities, in the right places, to serve their local communities’ needs.

We are fully aware that local authorities are facing challenging financial circumstances, particularly in the maintenance and operating of facilities such as swimming pools, largely due to energy costs and other cost of living pressures.

The 2023-24 Local Government settlement of £13.5 billion provides a cash increase in day to day spending of over £793 million, a real terms increase of £376 million. As confirmed in the Autumn Budget Revision on 28 September 2023, all consequentials available from the UK Spring Budget have now been allocated, with the Local Government Settlement increasing by £254 million accordingly. It is for democratically elected Councils to manage their own budgets and to make decisions on the priorities in their local communities.

Applications for onshore wind development with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts (including applications to extend and vary wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts where an application was made to Scottish Ministers) that have been withdrawn by the applicant in the last 10 years are presented per planning authority area, for each year from 2013 - to date, in the following table.

Withdrawn applications - 2013 - to date

The following table lists the applications for onshore wind development with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts (including applications to extend and vary wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts where an application was made to Scottish Ministers) made in each of the last ten years broken down into planning authority areas.

Applications 2013 - To date Excluding applications withdrawn

The Programme for Government commitment to publish proposals for a market framework will be taken forward during 2023-24. It will be developed as part of the commitment in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation to develop a values-led high integrity market for responsible investment in natural capital. It will be developed with engagement and input from a wide range of interests and be evidence-led.