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The Scottish Government is determined to maximise the economic opportunity for the Scottish supply chain from our offshore wind potential.

Legislation relating to both the maritime industry as well as employment law is reserved to the UK Government. However, we remain fully committed to utilising every lever within our devolved competence to support and grow domestic supply chain and create new green jobs.

The introduction of a Supply Chain Development Statements by Crown Estate Scotland as part of the ScotWind and the current Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas Decarbonisation (INTOG) leasing round is one of these measures - failure to deliver on Supply Chain Commitments could result in a fine or a termination of the seabed lease.

We will drive forward offshore wind skills development – working with stakeholders to focus on the opportunities for diversification and skills transfer from our oil and gas sector, in line with our commitment to a Just Transition.

Trade unions are key partners in delivering our economic and social aspirations.

We will continue to promote strong trade unions and collective bargaining arrangements in all sectors, including the renewable energy sector. We have made a clear commitment to promote collective bargaining through the inclusion of an employee voice indicator, measured by collective bargaining coverage, within the National Performance Framework.

The Scottish Government recognises the impact that eating disorders can have on people's lives. Questions on eating disorders will be considered, alongside other requests for new questions submitted as part of the recent review of the Scottish Health Survey content , for possible inclusion in the survey from 2024, if some existing questions can be removed. A report will be published by summer 2023 detailing the findings of the review and decisions on the survey content going forwards.

Prior to public ownership, CMAL paid a total of £83.25m split between £82.5m contract milestone payments and an additional contract variation of £0.75m to Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited.

The current budget to complete both vessels remains £123 million, as set out in the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy’s update to Parliament on 23 March 2022.

The CEO of Ferguson Marine wrote to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, on the delivery timetable and budget for vessels 801 and 802 on 28 September 2022. In his letter he forecast the costs in public ownership not to exceed £101 million for 801 and £108.6 million for 802. This includes a provision for warranty estimated at £3.5 million per vessel.

Our priority now is to undertake our own due diligence and this will be supported by external, independent financial advisors to ensure that a rigorous approach is taken to scrutinising this request for additional funding. This work is at an early stage. No decision has yet been made and will not be until this scrutiny has been completed.

The SPCB is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all staff throughout their working lives. Recognising the impact of period and menopause on the workforce is key to the Parliament’s commitment to an inclusive working environment.  The Parliament’s Period and Menopause Policy and supporting guidance was launched in 2019. 

The policy and guidance are in place to help create a positive culture where staff experiencing problematic periods or menopausal symptoms get the support they need to manage their symptoms at work.  Managers and MSPs, in their capacity as employers, are encouraged to create a positive workplace culture, including holding regular conversations with team members about health and wellbeing, including periods and menopause. The policy also recognises the impact on partners, families and colleagues. 

The Parliament has hosted a number of sessions for staff to provide space to discuss the impacts of the menopause and the support that can be provided to those experiencing symptoms. 

The SPCB was recognised for its efforts in 2019 and was awarded the Public Sector Award for Championing Gender Equality, with specific reference to the removal of barriers to improve the working experience and engagement with staff.

Since 2019, the Parliament has been open in sharing the journey with other organisations, also enabling us to progress our own understanding. The SPCB is currently reviewing the policy against those that were published after and is committed to engage with staff on an ongoing basis.  This review will include benchmarking against other organisations, and feedback on provisions such as period leave. 

In addition, MSPs, their staff, and SPS staff have access to a range of health and wellbeing related policies, advice and services including the Parliament’s Occupational Health Service, which can provide assessments or referral to medical specialists.  Staff can also access flexible working arrangements, including flexible working hours and time off for medical appointments.  In addition, the SPCB are extending the availability of free period products to all toilets within Holyrood.  

Muirburn undertaken inappropriately has the potential to have serious negative impacts on wildlife, soil quality, carbon sequestration, and the wider environment. These potential negative impacts are outlined in detail in the Muirburn Code. For example, muirburn conducted on steep slopes or on thin soils can cause soil erosion.

Increased regulatory control through licensing linked to compliance with the Muirburn Code will mitigate these negative impacts by ensuring muirburn is undertaken in the appropriate manner and environment.

Crown Estate Scotland (CES)is responsible for all seabed leasing arrangements, including lease periods, for the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) projects.As part of the INTOG planning process, Marine Scotland Directorate will undertake a full plan-level Sustainability Appraisal, including a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal, to assess the potential effects of the plan on the marine environment and ecosystem. These assessments will consider the potential for impact from the full lifetime of a project, from construction through to decommissioning.

The Sustainability Appraisal and public consultation will help inform the adoption of a final INTOG plan. CES will only offer seabed lease options to projects that form part of the adopted plan.

Any project which is awarded a lease option will then need to apply for relevant marine licences and consents, and complete any further required environmental assessments before they can progress.

Scottish Government and UK Government officials meet on a quarterly basis to discuss onshore wind policy matters. Discussions on the progress of the short-term review were discussed as part of the last meeting on 1 August 2022.

Since 2007, there have been 14 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds in Scotland and one case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N1 in domestic birds. All highly pathogenic avian influenza strains are notifiable along with H5 and H7 low pathogenic strains.

The number of HPAI infected premises in Scotland for these periods are:

I am pleased to advise Parliament that the Scottish Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to give people the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, and is today publishing A stronger economy through independence.

The third paper in the Building a New Scotland series sets out proposals for the economy of an independent Scotland and how new powers, combined with existing strengths, would give Scotland the opportunity to build a better future for everyone who lives here.

The paper describes this Government’s proposals for how an independent Scotland would improve access to flexible working and strengthen workplace rights, would use its extraordinary energy resources to build an economy based on low-cost, renewable energy and would invest in infrastructure through the Building a New Scotland Fund. It also includes information on currency, borders and fiscal sustainability.

Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy through independence is available to view on the Scottish Government website from today at www.gov.scot/newscotland .