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The analysis referred to was carried out by independent contractors, rather than internally by the Scottish Government. The approach of recording ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘no response’ was followed throughout the analysis for all of the questions asked by the consultation. Accurately representing ‘no response’ answers alongside the other options available reflects that some respondents to the full consultation may not have held views on certain areas, or may have had mixed views that did not fall into the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response categories. Most of those who answered Question 31 were in favour of changing the legislation.

As well as the analysis, we also published individual responses, where we had permission to do so, on the consultation website: https://consult.gov.scot/family-law/children-scotland-act/consultation/published_select_respondent .

As set out in the answer to S6W-12943 on 20 December 2022, the Joint Working Group, which includes COSLA and the Scottish Green Party commenced it work, initially focussing on targeted changes to Council Tax to reflect the current circumstances created by the cost crisis. The group will also consider approaches to longer term reform, utilising the development of effective deliberative engagement, on sources of Local Government funding and Council Tax. I will ensure that Parliament is kept appraised of this work at suitable junctures.

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 Advisory Council for Economic Transformation was established in July 2021 to help shape the 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET). The Council met 4 times in July 2021, August 2021, September 2021 and October 2021 ahead of the publication of the strategy in March 2022. In addition, a number of sub group meetings were held to help inform the strategy’s programmes and actions. Following its publication, the NSET Delivery Board was created to oversee the successful implementation of the strategy.

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland publishes extensive information about drinking water quality in all regions across Scotland on its website, including but not limited to annual reports, water quality incidents and enforcement notices. This can be found at www.dwqr.scot .

Amended Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) regulations were introduced in November 2021 for use by all Road Authorities to help tackle the main issues that had been raised by the TRO Review Group.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with a range of stakeholders including the local authority sector, Police Scotland, business and active travel representatives to understand any remaining issues being encountered with the various road order processes.

Transport Scotland officials have regular discussions with Forth Ports officials regarding a number of maritime issues, including direct ferry links to Europe.

Transport Scotland officials have met with Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority officials twice this year, to discuss potential links between Scottish ports and Antwerp-Bruges Port. There have also been government to government discussions with the Government of Flanders and Transport Scotland officials are maintaining this contact.

The operation and administration of the £5m recently announced at COP27 to address loss and damage will be managed within the existing resourcing structure for the International Climate Change Policy Team, within the International Climate Change Division at the Scottish Government. The team has six full-time equivalent (FTE) members of staff at a range of civil service grades involved in delivering international climate policy work including the Climate Justice Fund . Four of the six FTE members of staff will primarily be involved in overseeing and supporting the disbursement of the £5 million.

The Scottish Government does not have any business need to record the proportion of time that members of staff devote to specific aspects of their duties. Consequently, the Scottish Government does not have exact administrative costs for the Climate Justice Fund, including the £5 million for loss and damage. However, the grading of the six FTE team members are as followed: one C2, three B3’s and two B2’s, and details of civil service grades and pay ranges offered from April 1st 2022 can be found online at https://work-for-scotland.org/our-reward-benefits

The operation and administration of the £36 million Climate Justice Fund, is managed by the International Climate Change Policy Team, within the International Climate Change Division at the Scottish Government. The team has six full-time equivalent (FTE) members of staff at a range of civil service grades who delivering international climate policy work including overseeing and supporting the procurement and delivery of Climate Justice Fund’s contracts and grants.

The Scottish Government does not have any business need to record the proportion of time that members of staff devote to specific aspects of their duties. Consequently, the Scottish Government does not have exact administrative costs for the Climate Justice Fund. However, the grading of the six FTE team members are as followed: one C2, three B3’s and two B2’s, and details of civil service grades and pay ranges offered from April 1st 2022 can be found online at https://work-for-scotland.org/our-reward-benefits

As net zero is one of this Government's foremost priorities, addressing climate change is integrated into the work of teams right across the Scottish Government, our agencies and public bodies.

At the end of September 2022 there were 68.8 full time equivalent staff directly employed in Domestic and International Climate Change Divisions within the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have been engaging with stakeholders to identify opportunities and barriers to increasing shipments of exports from Scottish ports and airports directly which could have environmental and economic benefits. This work is ongoing.