Seòmar agus comataidhean

Businesses may be defined by the Scottish Government as being “Small and Medium Enterprises” on the basis of a range of criteria. These criteria will depend upon the purpose for which a definition is being applied, as well as relevant legislation and standards.

The European Commission has adopted a definition of SMEs that further categorises these SME businesses as a) autonomous, (b) partner or (c) linked enterprises. However the European Commission definition and categorisation of SMEs is not applied as a standard for all purposes by the Scottish Government. Officials intend to remove or further clarify the references to the EC definition in setting out eligibility for the loan.

The Scottish Government is aware of several high profile fuel thefts in the Highland area. However, the investigations into potential criminal incidents are a matter for Police Scotland.

Police Scotland has highlighted a number of ways individuals can attempt to minimise these incidents, including installing locking caps and ensuring tanks are difficult to access.

Anyone concerned about suspicious activity in their area should contact Police Scotland by dialling 101 or report incidents online.

An ALERT platform aimed at tackling a rise in thefts from construction sites and fuel thefts started on Wednesday 23 March. The protocol known as Construction Watch Scotland seeks to enhance awareness between construction and trade industries, as well as police, to ensure intelligence relating to criminal or suspicious activity at one location is quickly provided to others along with prevention advice.

Construction Watch Scotland has been devised in partnership by Police Scotland and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland. It follows a rise in the thefts of plant equipment, tools and stored fuel and is supported by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, Secured By Design and Crimestoppers.

Further information can be found below

Construction Watch Scotland

The publication of the Agricultural Reform Route Map was announced on 10 February. The route map provides more detail on how SG will deliver the transition process and the steps that will be taken to get there. Furthermore, the route map sets out the timescales for information and interaction with the agricultural industry and is regularly updated to ensure that the most up to date information is available.

Decisions on the future support framework will be determined as part of the wider agricultural reform process. Work is ongoing and we remain committed to a co-design approach. This includes continued work with the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), engagement with wider industry, all committed to a vibrant and successful rural Scotland and drawing on the responses from the recent Bill Consultation.

It is in this further context that I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12369 on 2 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-answer

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14895 on 6 March 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 implementation of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will boost household recycling rates across Scotland. The Official Statistics for household waste which report against the national household waste recycling targets will include DRS materials once it is implemented. We are aware that the current guidance to Local Authorities on calculating recycling rates may need to be reviewed as it pre-dates the DRS.

This is a matter for CalMac Ferries Limited, Scottish Ministers do not have a role to play and have not been involved in any discussions.

The National Rail Conversation will be formally launched in April to mark the one year anniversary of ScotRail coming in to public ownership. Through the National Rail Conversation, we will listen to feedback from passengers, staff and stakeholders to shape a vision for ScotRail which best meets the needs of the people of Scotland. I will announce the timetable for the conversation at the launch.

The Scottish Government remain committed to making regulations which will enable marriages to change to civil partnerships. As part of this work, we need to ensure that as well as providing mechanisms so marriages can change to civil partnerships, provision is made to protect couples’ rights and responsibilities. Some of these rights and responsibilities are reserved which is why we need consequential legislation at Westminster. The UK Government is considering our proposal for an Order under section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998.

a) The Rehabilitation and Recovery: A Once for Scotland Person-Centred Approach to Rehabilitation in a Post-COVID Era was published in June 2022 and provides a framework to deliver person-centred, innovative and inclusive rehabilitation to all.

The Once for Scotland approach recommends that all individuals should have access to a person-centred assessment, which will provide a better understanding of their rehabilitation needs.

As this work now moves into an implementation phase, rehabilitation services are encouraged to benchmark themselves against the Six Principles of Good Rehabilitation in order to identify gaps in service provision and opportunity for development and innovation.

b)Through the Heart Disease Action Plan funding call in 2021 we provided funding for the development of a self-management resource for people with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Through the Heart Disease Action Plan Funding call in 2021, we provided funding for a second NHS board to implement aspects of the OPERA study within its local service provision.

The learning from this will support ongoing work by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery and the Heart Failure Hub to better understand the opportunities for improvements to the Heart Failure diagnostic pathway.