Seòmar agus comataidhean

I can confirm Dame Sue Bruce, the Chair of the Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation of Social Care Support in Scotland, has submitted her findings to Ministers and the Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation Recommendation Report alongside the IRISR Call for Evidence Analysis Report have been published on 27 September 2023.

Dame Sue Bruce has made 38 recommendations and I will consider these in full before setting out a full response.

I am content with the recommendation report provided by Dame Sue Bruce and I will consider the recommendations in full before setting out a full response and make a statement to Parliament.

The Programme for Government 2023 committed to deliver secondary legislation to enable councils to apply up to a 100% premium on Council Tax rates for second homes. Subordinate legislation will be laid later this year to enable local authorities to charge a premium for second homes from 1 April 2024. Once this has been approved by Scottish Parliament guidance will be issued to local authorities.

Today I am pleased to announce the launch of ‘A Warm Scots Future’ in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and the Scottish Refugee Council.

The paper sets out the policy direction for the next phase of Scotland’s response to the humanitarian crisis created by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. This will help the Scottish Government, and its partners, to transition from an emergency response to a long-term and holistic approach that supports the integration of displaced people from Ukraine. This is in alignment with the New Scots approach, which aims to support integration from day one.

To aid this transition, five overarching and interlinked strategic priorities have been identified to guide the next phase of Scotland’s Ukraine response. These are:

1. A trauma informed, holistic and rights-based approach to long-term integration, in line with the New Scots refugee integration strategy

2. Reduce reliance on welcome accommodation

3. Boost long-term, settled housing that leaves a legacy for Scotland

4. Pursue clarity on routes to settlement, family reunification and repatriation

5. Continued partnership and collaboration, ensuring good governance and recognising the lived experience of displaced people from Ukraine.

We will now work closely with partners to deliver against these strategic priorities, and ensure displaced people from Ukraine achieve the best outcomes possible as they build their lives in Scotland.

‘A Warm Scots Future’ Policy Position Paper.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on13 September 2023. 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

The Scottish Government has noted with interest the recommendations made in the publication by Camurus - A primary care solution to Scotland’s drug deaths crisis and is working with local partners to address the challenges highlighted.

We are working with local Health Boards and Integration Authorities to ensure as many primary care providers as possible are actively implementing the MAT standards, including MAT standard 7 which seeks to ensure that people who choose to will be able to receive medication or support through primary care providers. We will ensure that Health Boards appropriately disperse the annual £10 million ring-fenced under the Enhanced Service contract to support the provision of drug services in primary care settings.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has established a learning system for sharing best practice between local services which will include existing models for implementing MAT standard 7. Public Health Scotland will publish further information on potential best practice models which local areas may wish to consider.

The Scottish Government is supporting Health Boards and local practices to adopt multidisciplinary shared care arrangements wherever appropriate and we remain committed to tackling stigma across all drug services

As part of the Bill process we have consulted on the intent to continue to support all registered agricultural businesses in Scotland to continue to benefit from accessing high-quality advice through the Farm Advisory Service.

As is convention, following consultation on proposed legislation, Ministers are considering the views received to inform a new Agriculture Bill, which will be introduced in 2023. In turn, Parliament will consider the proposals and provide further comment on draft proposals, accordingly.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on13 September 2023. 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

There are currently a number of Scottish Government working groups that fall under the remit of Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (RALRI). The following non-exhaustive list includes currently active groups that would fall under RALRI portfolio and are managed by the Scottish Government.

Peatland Science and Technical Advisory Group (Peatland STAG)

• Soils Working Group

• Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Advisory Group

• Scottish Forestry Customer Reps Group (CRG)

• Scottish Forestry CRG Tree on Farms sub group

• Scottish Forestry CRG Technical sub group

• Scottish Forestry National Stakeholder Group

• Scottish Forestry Phytopthora ramorum review working group

• The Land Reform Bill Oversight Group

• Academic Advisory Panel to Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board

• Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland

• Scottish Government National Goose Forum

• Small Producers Pilot Fund Steering Group

• Scottish Agricultural Wages Board

• Rural Delivery Plan: Ministerial Working Group

• SRDP 2014 - 2020 Rural Development Operational Committee

• National Islands Plan Delivery Group

• Islands Strategic Group

• Farming opportunities for new entrants (FONE)

• Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board

• Agriculture and Rural Development Stakeholder Group

• Crofting Bill Group

• Bovine EID Industry stakeholder working group

• Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Advisory Group

• Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP)

• Varroa Working Group

• Strategic Management Board (SMB)

• Pesticide Stakeholder Group (PSG)

• Horticultural Round Table

• Environment and Economy Leaders' Group (EELG)

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. 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