Seòmar agus comataidhean

We are committed to working collaboratively to design the National Care Service with people, stakeholders and partners. We published a document on the National Care Service and the co-design process on 21 June 2022. This can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-care-service-co-design-national-care-service/documents/

To find out more about what co-design is, the phases of work involved and the activities and tools that can be used to support we have been running introductory sessions for the public. Further information on upcoming sessions can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/national-care-service/

There are no backlogs or delays at Disclosure Scotland in processing PVG disclosure checks. During this calendar year, and on a week-by-week basis, Disclosure Scotland has completed over 95% of all types of disclosure applications in under 7.5 working days. Most adult social care PVG checks are prioritised by Disclosure Scotland as part of a Scottish Government initiative. Disclosure Scotland publish their performance weekly.

The method for appointments to care boards will be considered as part of the collaborative design work with people who access and deliver health and care support, stakeholders and partners.

The Scottish Government wants Local Government to continue in its role as a direct provider of social care services. This includes continuing to hold and invest in assets and employ staff directly. Ultimately decision on the role will be taken at a local level by individual authorities. It is therefore not possible to provide the detail requested on assets.

More generally an ability to transfer assets is necessary to support the transfer of accountability. It is vital that Ministers will have the ability to step in, or appoint, an operator of last resort as required. That may at some point require the ability for the transfer of Local Government assets and staff. If necessary, assets would be transferred on the most appropriate valuation method. It would therefore be remiss not to include powers to do so on the face of the Bill.

Everyone has the right to a safe workplace and to live their lives without fear or intimidation. The Scottish Government is determined to tackle the scourge of sexual harassment wherever it happens: in public spaces, places of education and workplaces.

That is why we published our Fair Work Action Plan on 9 December 2022. It will take forward the next phase of actions to drive forward Fair Work and will make it easier for employers and partners to access information on the critical role Fair Work has to play in the workplace. We will be writing out to interest groups, MSPs and Ministers about the Action Plan in the week of 12 December, with further engagement activity planned in early 2023.

Additionally, as part of our Equally Safe strategy, we are providing over £330,000 in funding to Close the Gap to develop “Equally Safe at Work”, the first accredited programme to focus on equality at work. The programme focuses on themes such as workplace culture, and supports organisations to improve employment practice, advance gender equality and prevent violence against women.

All workplaces must have robust processes for reporting and dealing with harassment or bullying. But we recognise that sexual harassment takes place in a range of public places as well as workplaces, which is why we are consulting on women and girls’ safety on public transport. Additionally, we are continuing to take forward and fund a range of actions in schools to address gender based violence and sexual harassment. This includes but is not limited to Rape Crisis Scotland’s national sexual violence prevention programme, our Equally Safe at School programme, our Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning, and Mentors in Violence Prevention Scotland programme.

The Scottish Government will continue to drive forward this work to build a safer Scotland free of sexual harassment.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12831 on 15 December 2022. 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 following table shows number of homes and projects that have been submitted for approval in August, September, October and November 2022, broken down by baseline benchmark type and whether above, at, or below benchmark. To note that the table includes some projects still under active appraisal:

City and Urban

The High Rise Inventory provides information on the construction and fire safety of high rise domestic buildings. It was completed by Local Authority Building Standards departments for all relevant buildings, with data provided or verified to the best of the respondents’ knowledge at the time of completing the inventory. It should be viewed as a snapshot in time. The summary report was based on information held in the Inventory in February 2020.

On the basis of the information provided all of the 38 buildings, in which aluminium composite material were identified, and the 23 buildings with Category 3 aluminium composite panels are classified as owned by private landlords.

The Scottish Government is in regular communication with a number of charities concerning the cost of living crisis and other welfare issues. No one wants to see beloved pets relinquished due to affordability and that is why we will continue to work with animal welfare charities and organisations such as the Scottish SPCA to monitor the on-going situation.

The Scottish Government understands that 13,000 new recruits are needed every year to fill digital technology roles, including roles in e-commerce. That is why we have invested over £4 million since 2020, via Skills Development Scotland, to broaden the digital talent pool. This has included the delivery of reskilling programmes such as the Digital Start Fund, a programme which supports people on benefits or low incomes, and the Digital Skills Pipeline, a modular set of courses running from beginner level all the way through to advanced coding. By giving grant funding to Code Your Future, another training organisation, we have also helped vulnerable people, including refugees, with the skills and networks necessary to progress in education and employment. Going forward, a new Digital Economy Skills Action Plan for Scotland, which is being developed in partnership with industry and stakeholders, will identify the activity that will best support the needs of the digital economy going forward, aligning with the recommendations from Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review (STER) and National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).