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The minutes for the 18 April 2024 and 24 October 2024 meetings of the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform are available on the Group webpage. The webpage can be accessed at the following link, Local government finance sources and council tax reform: joint working group - gov.scot.

The Scottish Government does not hold FTE data on contractors. Information on the headcount of contractor staff whose information is captured in the Human Resources Management Information System statistics are available on the quarterly published statistics on Scottish Government workforce. (Scottish Government workforce statistics - gov.scot).

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) performs a national lead role in the investigation of counterfeit alcohol products. This is particularly the case when there are concerns over food safety and the contents present a danger to public health. FSS work in partnership with local authorities, other law enforcement agencies, public health, industry and stakeholders, with representation at various strategic and tactical fora to raise public awareness on known risks, coordinate efforts to remove the product from the market and report those found responsible. FSS is a member of the Scottish Multi-agency Tasking and Delivery Board (MATDB), which is a tactical collaboration between Police Scotland and law enforcement partners to address serious and organised crime. FSS has received full support from the MATDB in leading the investigation into the production, distribution and supply of counterfeit vodka nationally.

FSS recommended legislation to restrict promotions in advice to Scottish Government in 2016.

More specifically, the role of FSS is to provide evidence and advice to Scottish Government (SG) to inform Government decisions on improving Scottish dietary intake.

FSS also support the Healthy Living Programme managed by the Scottish Grocers Federation which facilitates Scottish independent retailers increase healthy options promoted to consumers. Their role within this has included development of the technical nutrition criteria underpinning the programme and advising on the external evaluation that took place in 2023. There are numerous FSS publications that make the case for change and which retailers have access to. The FSS Board agreed its Public Health Nutrition Strategy in March 2023 02_-_Board_Meeting_-_2023_March_22_-_FSS_Public_Health_Nutrition_Strategy_-_230302.pdf clearly articulates their views on the need to change the food environment.

FSS routinely develops guidance to help support businesses and enforcement authorities with implementation and compliance. An extensive suite of guidance is provided on the FSS website in relation to new food business requirements as well as more technical aspects of food law. A recent example is guidance for food businesses on new legislative requirements on labelling of food sold prepacked for direct sale: Prepacked for direct sale allergen labelling | Food Standards Scotland | Food Standards Scotland.

The following table represents the total budget allocated to FSS for each financial year since 2015.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.

In addition, the Scottish Government commissions ‘The Trauma and Orthopaedics National Planned Care Performance’ Team in the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) to support both scheduled and unscheduled orthopaedic service delivery through the implementation of sustainable improvements in NHS Scotland. Further details can be accessed at https://www.nhscfsd.co.uk/our-work/planned-care/planned-care-specialties/trauma-and-orthopaedics/

It provides support to all regional Health Boards and regularly engages with local Clinical Management teams, including Clinical Directors and/or Orthopaedic Leads, around a number of orthopaedic performance and improvement workstreams. Policy officials and the CfSD leads meet weekly and feedback/follow up these discussions.

The team meets with all health boards either monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or as needed.

All Clinical Management Teams are also invited to attend the Scottish Orthopaedic Services Delivery Group (SOSDG) which is the established T&O delivery group. This is run quarterly on the 1st Thursday in March/June/September/December and has been in place for circa 15 years.

Finally, Scottish Government officials and the CfSD national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and/or Acute Directors from all mainland Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including T&O. Meetings with island Boards are generally on a bimonthly basis.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.

Scottish Government officials do not routinely engage with speciality clinical directors in territorial boards. They do meet with the Scottish Association of Medical Directors with representation provided by the Executive Medical Director for each board, both special and territorial rather than individual clinical directors.

In addition, the Scottish Government commissions the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) manage a Rheumatology Specialty Delivery Group, which includes nominated multi-disciplinary representation from all Health Boards providing Rheumatology services.

Finally, Scottish Government officials and the CfSD national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and/or Acute Directors from all mainland Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including rheumatology. Meetings with island Boards are generally on a bimonthly basis.

Since January 2024, Energy Saving Trust (EST) as the scheme administrators have processed 97% of applications and 98% of payments across grant and loan schemes within the required 10 working days from receipt of complete documentation.

Outwith this timeframe is the length of time taken to access bespoke advice from Home Energy Scotland or for applicants to provide all required documentation for an application or claim submission. This stage is where the majority of delays occur, and officials have worked with EST to reduce the occurrence of these, where any elements are within EST’s control. This includes implementing a new application and claim system, which delivers significant improvements to the process, including the submission of documents and claims directly to the portal.

In line with feedback from stakeholders, including applicants and installers, the Scottish Government recognises the need for continuous improvement in funding administration, and is considering future developments, whilst balancing the need for consumer protection and counter fraud measures.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of all people with mental health problems, including those with Huntington disease, getting the right help, at the right time, and in the right place.

The core mental health standards set clear expectations for health boards to ensure referrals to community health teams and psychiatry are equitable, clear and prioritise those most in need. They also require services to reduce barriers to access, provide clear referral criteria, and ensure collaboration between staff and agencies to support individuals with complex conditions like Huntington’s disease.

Decisions on referrals may consider clinical appropriateness and service-specific criteria. Where referrals are declined from general psychiatry or community mental health teams a full explanation should be offered for this decision, and alternative pathways offered wherever possible and appropriate.