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Since 2019, data relating to the National Referral Mechanism has been released by the Home Office Single Competent Authority. Information is published quarterly and in an end of year summary.

Data relating to 2018 was released by the National Crime Agency and can be found at:

https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/282-national-referral-mechanism-statistics-end-of-year-summary-2018/file .

Data relating to 2019, 2020 and 2021 can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-referral-mechanism-statistics 

The decision to proceed to Final Business Case with full electrification with single track option of the East Kilbride to Busby route was made collaboratively with Network Rail and considering evidence from rail industry partners, as part of the rail projects pipeline business case development process.

The Final Business Case development work will now assess how the existing infrastructure can be optimised to support a more resilient timetable and how the electrification of passengers services along the route can be achieved. This is a key stage in ensuring a robust business case which would underpin any future investment decision by the Scottish Government.

The Victim Centred Approach Fund, which includes funding to support adult victims of human trafficking and exploitation, opened for applications on 18 October 2021. Information on the application process, including timelines, can be found at Victim Centred Approach Fund - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

As at 23 October 87% of the adult population (i.e. 18 years +), and 85% of 16 year + age group are now fully vaccinated and these numbers increases on a daily basis.

Certification was not introduced until after the date all the adult population had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated. Furthermore we provided a month’s notice of our intention to introduce certification and a further 2 weeks before the scheme became enforceable. This allowed time for people who were not fully vaccinated to be vaccinated. We recognise that a small number of people would not have completed their full vaccination course when the certification scheme came into effect as a result of testing positive for the virus. We would encourage them to complete their vaccination course as soon as possible.

Specific guidance on Reporting to Parents and Involving / Engaging Parent Councils during COVID–19 was published in November 2020. It states that “alternative methods and approaches to reporting will need to be used” in the current circumstances. Digital and online approaches are suggested as alternatives to in person meetings, and schools will be seeking to ensure engagement takes place such that all parents and carers can participate.

There is no specific guidance on meeting timings. Guidance emphasises that strong communications and collaboration between home and school remain key to ensure parents and carers can support their children and young people. Headteachers and managers will be working to ensure their setting or school continues to involve and engage parents and families .

Guidance states parents or carers may accompany children onto school premises where this is agreed and is considered necessary to support children and young people, including in relation to wellbeing, progress and behaviour.

A grant of £0.5 million was offered to Care and Repair on 28 July 2021, for the purpose of supporting older and disabled homeowners on low incomes to install fire and smoke alarms that are compliant with the new standard. Following completion of necessary governance process, the grant was paid to Care and Repair Scotland on 24 September 2021. Care and Repair Scotland have advised the Scottish Government that this funding was allocated to local Care and Repair services, subject to bids for funding, between 28 September and 4 October 2021.

Officials have taken cognisance of the outcomes from a variety of 20 mph schemes across the globe and the lessons learned from the Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill, which have highlighted that the implementation of 20 mph limits and zones across Scotland is complex.

They are liaising with a range of stakeholders to develop a national strategy for 20 mph zones and limits, considering additional measures which have the potential to enhance a range of policy objectives across the Scottish Government. The national strategy will support the 2021 Programme for Government commitment: “We will ensure all appropriate roads in built-up areas have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025, forming a task group to plan the most effective route for implementation”.

The intention is to convene the first meeting of the 20 mph task group early in the new year.

Transport Scotland worked closely with ScotRail to develop contingency measures to mitigate the impact that strike action would bring. COP26 Delegates, business as usual and key workers were considered in the development of mitigation measures. I am delighted that an agreement has been reached with the RMT which means that all four rail unions have now accepted a pay offer ending all current disputes.

Booster vaccinations in Scotland started as soon as possible once the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided their advice on boosters, which stated that the booster dose should be offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course.

627,898 people have received a booster to 29 October, and we are working as quickly as we can, prioritising those most vulnerable.

Data on boosters by JCVI priority group is not yet published. We continue to work closely with Public Health Scotland to develop the vaccination data to provide robust statistics that enhance public understanding.

The Scottish Government works with communities and the local authority in Glasgow, and across Scotland, to support our just transition to net zero emissions in a number of ways. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Committing £1.3 million of grant funding to 8 Climate Challenge Fund projects in the Glasgow area. The Climate Challenge Fund supports communities across Scotland to take action on climate change and make the move to low carbon living. The Glasgow projects cover a range of themes including helping communities to reduce their reliance on car travel, cut waste, grow local food, improve household energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty.
• Commissioning a study, as part of the Clyde Mission, into climate adaptation pathways along the tidal reach of the River Clyde. That study will conclude in early 2022.
• Supporting the installation of a river source heat pump at a community hub in Govan, through the Clyde Mission Fund. A further £25m will be allocated to riverside heat decarbonisation projects along the Clyde in the current Parliamentary term.
• Awarding a £128,000 grant, through the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, to Southside Housing Association. The project is applying Passivhaus (Enerphit) principles to the retrofit of eight pre 1919 sandstone tenements in the south side of Glasgow.
• Providing £4.5 million of grant funding from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme to the NG Homes Air Source Heat Pump Project in Springburn, which will reduce emissions and heating bills for nearly 600 homes.
• Investing over £60 million in active travel routes in Glasgow through the Scottish Government funded Places For Everyone Programme including projects such as Glasgow Avenues Plus and the South City Way. These will contribute towards tackling climate change by supporting a modal shift away from cars and towards walking, wheeling and cycling.
• The Early Learning and Childcare 1140 hours expansion is driving Glasgow City Council’s construction of four new nurseries, which will incorporate innovative green technologies, including receiving their hot water and heating from electricity, to help mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. The inclusion of sustainable solutions – is being delivered through match-funding from the Scottish Government’s ‘low carbon infrastructure transition programme’ (LCITP).