Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-14885

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Scottish Parliament legislation could be used to remove the inalienable right to wildfowling on the foreshore, as opposed to through byelaws.

Question reference: S6W-14725

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many reports have been made to Police Scotland in each of the last five years regarding breaches of the short-term let licensing legislation.

Question reference: S6W-14826

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking on each of the headline recommendations made in Audit Scotland’s 2020 review, Privately financed infrastructure investment: The Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) and hub models.

The Scottish Government welcomed Audit Scotland’s report, which provided useful lessons which we are already implementing through successor schemes to the NPD and hub models which the report considered. These schemes allowed us to deliver much needed new schools, new NHS facilities, new colleges and other key infrastructure that would otherwise not have been possible. They also provided a significant boost to the Scottish economy at a time of constrained private sector investment.

The eleven main recommendations in the Audit Scotland report are in included within the following tables along with accompanying Scottish Government comments.

The Scottish Government should:

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COMMENTS

1. Better document and report how decisions on the use of private finance are made at a programme level, and how the overall combination of programme and project funding aims to maximise investment and benefits (paragraph 29)

The Scottish Government’s five-year Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) published in February 2021 showed how we will enhance our approach to choosing the right future investments and introduced a new infrastructure investment hierarchy. We consulted on the new IIP to ensure the right final approach that benefits the whole of Scotland both now and in the future.

The IIP builds on the recommendations of the independent Infrastructure Commission for Scotland. As a result of the Commission and consultation, the IIP includes the following:

? An expanded definition of infrastructure to include Natural Infrastructure.

? A new investment hierarchy framework to prioritise making the most of existing infrastructure ahead of building new assets.

? Commitments to develop new methods of appraisal and prioritisation to ensure they match long-term goals.

? A commitment to prepare a cross-sector infrastructure needs assessment to inform the next Infrastructure Investment Plan.

? A commitment to develop a broader approach to public engagement in forward infrastructure plans.

2. Better communicate the rationale of project financing and funding decisions to public sector organisations and Parliament (paragraph 32)

Local authorities determine their own programmes for capital investment and are required by legislation to comply with The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, which was developed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). The Prudential Code requires local authorities to ensure that all capital investment decisions are prudent, affordable and sustainable.

3. Continue to monitor existing NPD and hub projects to review if the models are successfully achieving their original aims, and documenting lessons learned (Parts 2 and 3)

The Scottish Government annually update and publish information relating to contracts within the NPD programme which includes unitary charge payments, fixed debt providers, SPV’s and equity holders. This information is available from the following link www.gov.scot/npd .

The Scottish Futures Trust also publishes NPD and hub DBFM investor information as well as NPD and hub financial indicator information. This is available from the following respective links www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/npd

www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/hub

4. Set out how the MIM will operate, and establish clear criteria for selecting programmes and monitoring risks (paragraph 88)

The approach to the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) governance is being developed and considered following SFT’s options appraisal. The use of MIM is being considered alongside a range of financing approaches including capital grant, capital borrowing, financial transactions and other forms of finance when determining how to finance projects.

5. Develop its public reporting to provide more information on the costs and benefits of using private finance, the management of risks and outcomes delivered, and its contribution to supporting economic policies and growth (paragraph 97)

The Scottish Government monitor the affordability of revenue financed investment through imposing a cap on revenue commitments which is assessed as part of the annual budget process. This is in place to ensure that revenue-funded methods of investment are used at a sustainable level and do not overly constrain our choices in future years.

Procuring authorities have governance processes in place to evaluate their revenue financed projects through for example, post project reviews and post project evaluations. They also monitor the contractual commitments of the private sector in delivering the associated public facilities for use.

A key requirement of the NPD programme was to deliver local community benefits and support the local economy. The Scottish Futures Trust have confirmed that contractual targets were exceeded for the number of work placements, graduates and apprentices employed and the construction phases supported approximately 8,000 jobs across Scotland. This information is available from the following link www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/community-benefits

The Scottish Government publish an annual progress report relating to the Infrastructure Investment Plan which outlines the contribution made to economic development by major capital projects. This is available from the following link www.gov.scot/iip-progress-report

The Scottish Futures Trust should:

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COMMENTS

6. Demonstrate more clearly the links between the financial savings attributed to centralised activity and individual projects (paragraph 52)

From 2019-20, SFT changed its approach of reporting from financial benefits (i.e., an annual Benefits Statement) to Outcomes Reporting.

In SFT’s 2019-24 Corporate Plan, it published ten infrastructure outcomes which further the goals of the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework (NPF). Together with many public and private sector partners SFT are working to deliver business objectives which are aligned to those ten infrastructure outcomes.

SFT’s latest updated Outcomes Report was published on 17 November 2022 and is available from the following link www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/outcomes

7. Monitor any secondary market transactions in hub equity and NPD and hub Special Purpose Vehicle equity to record ownership and, potentially, to inform the design of future privately financed contracts (paragraphs 58 and 76).

The Scottish Futures Trust publishes NPD / hub DBFM investor information as well as NPD / hub financial indicator information. This is available from the following respective links:

www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/npd

www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/hub

The Scottish Government also annually update and publish information relating to contracts within the NPD programme which includes unitary charge payments, fixed debt providers, SPV’s and equity holders. This information is available from the following link www.gov.scot/npd

If private sector companies subsequently choose to ‘trade’ future income for upfront cash, the initial investors accelerate their return, but no additional profit is made over the life of the project. This does not increase what is paid by the public sector, or impact the value-for-money of the underlying NPD contracts

Councils and other public sector organisations should:

REPORT RECOMMENDATION	SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COMMENTS
8. Systematically assess the implications of participating in the financing and contract approaches led by the Scottish Government, before going ahead with individual projects (paragraphs 30–32)	The NPD programme allowed the delivery of much needed new infrastructure such as schools, new NHS facilities, new colleges and other key infrastructure that would otherwise not have been possible. Audit Scotland reported this, and that NPD had supported £3.3 billion of additional investment in Scotland’s infrastructure. In relation to NPD projects, the Scottish Futures Trust published a ‘Value for Money Assessment Guidance: Capital Programmes and Projects’ on behalf of the Scottish Government which described the value for money process for capital programmes and projects and the requirements that Procuring Authorities need to consider before making relevant investment decisions. This included guidance on Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments. The guidance was mandatory for all capital programmes and projects for the Scottish Government, its associated Directorates, Executive Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies and for all public bodies in receipt of funding from the Scottish Government or its Agencies. Other accompanying guidance notes were also subsequently published. See also recommendation 2.
9. Clearly report current commitments under privately financed contracts, and the ongoing commitments related to these, as part of their annual budget setting (paragraph 32)	See recommendation 2.
10. Review all projects and services procured through the hubs to assess the costs, savings and benefits against other procurement options (page 29).	See recommendation 1.

The Scottish Government and councils should:

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COMMENTS

11. Continue to work together to develop arrangements for the new schools investment funding model, ensuring opportunities and risks are fully understood and properly managed (paragraph 93).

The first phase of school projects to benefit from the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) were announced in September 2019 and a second phase was announced in December 2020 (37 projects in total). The first LEIP projects started construction during the summer of 2021.

Phase 3 of LEIP was opened to local authorities in 2022 and we hope to announce the successful projects soon.

Question reference: S6W-14977

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to support job retention during energy transition in Aberdeen, in each of the last five years.

The Scottish Government has provided funding to support job retention during energy transition in Aberdeen through a number of projects. Some are focussed on the North East, while others are nationwide. Many Scottish Government schemes and policies support ‘job retention’ directly or indirectly, therefore this is not an exhaustive list.

The £12 million Oil & Gas Transition Training Fund announced in 2016 was a three-year fund to support workers from the oil & gas sector at risk of redundancy. It supported over 4,000 people, surpassing the 1,000 participants planned for each of the three years the fund was in operation.

Starting in 2017, we are investing £125 million over 10 years in the Aberdeen City Region Deal to support Aberdeen’s ambition to become an energy transition capital, providing significant investment to diversify its economy and support job retention.

Our 2021-22 budget also included an allocation of £14.3 million through the North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund (NEERSF) to tackle the dual impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the downturn in oil and gas. Courses delivered via the Fund covered entrepreneurship and broader provision linked to the local labour market, including the transition to net zero. A report on the Fund is due to be published in March 2023.

£3.5 million of this allocation from NEERSF was spent in the two financial years 2021-23 on projects linked to jobs supporting the transition delivered by partners including the Energy Transition Zone, Robert Gordon University, Opportunity North East and the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. The Energy Transition Zone skills funding from the Energy Transition Fund for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 was £519,000.

Our £500 million Just Transition Fund is also supporting the North East and Moray and we have committed £50m of the Fund in financial year 2022-23 to help businesses, communities and individuals to transition to net zero, creating jobs in low carbon industries and contributing to the region’s future prosperity.

Question reference: S6W-15355

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to develop policy around housing for people with varying needs, following its review of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide.

We plan on consulting on proposed updates to Housing for Varying Needs to uplift standards applicable to homes delivered with support through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in the Spring of this year. This consultation will also include proposals for the introduction of an all-tenure Scottish Accessible Homes Standard which is planned to be implemented through changes to building standards and guidance from 2025-26.

Question reference: S6W-15405

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on whether any local authorities are currently considering exporting waste as a measure in response to capacity gaps arising as a result of the 2025 landfill ban on biodegradable municipal waste.

Question reference: S6W-14603

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposing parliamentary business on days when strike action is being taken by workers in the Scottish Parliament.

Question reference: S6W-15326

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the 2022 Scottish teacher census, which showed that there had been a reduction in teacher numbers in North Ayrshire, compared with 2021.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that numbers of teachers and support staff are protected. We will provide local government with £145.5 million in next year's budget, which is conditional on the successful delivery of the following objectives:

Maintaining teacher numbers at 2022 census levels, as published in the Summary School Statistics in December 2022.
Maintaining pupil support staff numbers at 2022 census levels, which we will publish on 21 March 2023 based on the data collected from local authorities in September 2022.
Ensuring that places remain available for probationer teachers who need them through the Teacher Induction Scheme.

Where these objectives are not being met, the Scottish Government reserves the right to withhold or recoup funding which has been provided for this purpose.

Question reference: S6W-15298

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) students at Scotland’s universities in (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) mathematics, (d) computing science, (e) technical education, (f) home economics were STEM teacher education bursary recipients, in each academic year since 2018-19.

Bursary recipients by subject in 2018-19, as a percentage of all Scottish domiciled PDGE/PDCE enrolments that year
Chemistry (including one Biology/Chemistry dual entry)	1.63%
Computing science	0.89%
Home Economics – n/a	n/a
Mathematics (including one Maths/Physics dual entry)	3.17%
Physics	1.38%
Technical Education	1.63%
Total	8.7%

Bursary recipients by subject in 2019-20, as a percentage of all Scottish domiciled PDGE/PDCE enrolments that year
Chemistry	2.02%
Computing Science	1.05%
Home Economics	0.67%
Mathematics (including two Maths/Physics dual entries)	2.32%
Physics	0.1%
Technical Education	1.35%
Total	8.31%

Bursary recipients by subject in 2020-21, as a percentage of all Scottish domiciled PDGE/PDCE enrolments that year
Chemistry (including three Chemistry/Biology and one Chemistry/Physics dual entries)	2.37%
Computing Science	0.81%
Home Economics	1.22%
Mathematics (including five Maths/Physics dual entries)	2.44%
Physics	1.69%
Technical Education	1.63%
Total	10.17%

Bursary recipients by subject in 2021-22, as a percentage of all Scottish domiciled PDGE/PDCE enrolments that year
Chemistry (including one Chemistry/Biology dual entry)	2.26%
Computing Science	0.99%
Home Economics	0.78%
Mathematics (including three Maths/Physics dual entries)	2.9%
Physics	1.27%
Technical Education (including one Technical Education/Physics dual entry)	1.48%
Total	9.68%

Data for 2022-23 not yet available

Question reference: S6W-15302

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many current vacancies there are for full-time, permanent teaching positions in (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) mathematics, (d) computing science, (e) technical education and (f) home economics, broken down by local authority.

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