Seòmar agus comataidhean

We recognise the importance of energy generated from solar PV in contributing to the decarbonisation of Scotland’s energy supply and contributing to the just transition to a net zero emissions society by 2045.
‎
‎The Scottish Government is currently carrying out a substantial review of permitted development rights (PDR) in Scotland. Through this phased programme, we are taking forward new and extended PDR for a wide range of development types - including solar panels.

The Fair Work Convention’s Framework defines fair work and underpins our Fair Work policy, but it is not designed to be enforceable. Moreover, employment law is currently reserved to the UK Government, and in the absence of employment powers we continue to deliver our Fair Work Action Plan to embed work practices in workplaces across Scotland.

Through our Fair Work First approach, fair work criteria is being applied to public sector grants, other funding and contracts where it is relevant and proportionate to do so. This approach encourages employers to adopt fair work practices, rather than penalising those who cannot and provides the best opportunity to engage and support employers.

As part of the Bute House Agreement , and subject to limits on devolved competence, by Summer 2022, we will make it a requirement for the recipients of public sector grants to pay at least the real Living Wage and provide appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, such as trade union recognition. We continue to work with the Fair Work Convention and other key stakeholders to strengthen conditionality and ensure it is proportionate and effective in delivering real benefits.

The Scottish Government recognises that certain inhalers have a particularly harmful impact on the environment. This is an area where rapid change is possible and reducing the environmental impact of inhalers must be a priority.

Hydrofluorocarbons used as propellant in metered dose inhalers prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can have a global warming potential of 1430 or 3220 times greater than CO2 depending on the type of gas used.

A draft NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy is out for consultation until 10 th March 2022. This sets out the Scottish Government’s intention to publish an updated Scottish Quality Respiratory Prescribing guide which will focus on minimising patient over-use of inhalers through review and improving patient outcomes, using propellant free options where possible.

Other actions within the draft strategy include encouraging manufacturers to make inhalers with lower emissions and to support inhaler return to pharmacy schemes to help patients dispose of their used inhalers in a more environmentally friendly way.

The consultation phase of Scotrail’s review into Ticket Offices closed on 2 February and Transport Focus, the independent watchdog for transport users, will collate responses and also provide their own view in the consultation process. I will await the results of this analysis before making any final decision on this matter.

There is an existing ScotRail Stakeholder Advisory Panel on which passenger representatives sit, that will continue with the new company, and whose chair will attend the ScotRail Trains Limited Board in the same manner as they do presently.

Passenger Focus, the passenger representative body for all forms of transport in Scotland and the UK sit on the ScotRail Stakeholder Advisory Panel, along with other stakeholder representatives including various Chamber of Commerce representatives, Inclusion Scotland, representative from the Academic sector, Transport Focus and representation from Community Rail Partnerships in Scotland. The Chair of the ScotRail Stakeholder Advisory Panel, CBI’s Scotland Director, will sit on the ScotRail Trains Limited Board and provide the collective stakeholder input to Board decisions.

The Scottish Government is also launching a National Conversation to encourage passengers, rail staff and other stakeholders to play their part in shaping the future of rail passengers services in Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s emergency Covid19 support to the performing arts sector during the pandemic, included an award of £749,000 to Horsecross Arts by Creative Scotland from the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund (PAVR) which was announced on 5 August 2020. Creative Scotland assessed Horsecross Arts against the criteria for the fund which were:

• Attain Financial sustainability
• Allow staff to return from Furlough or avoid redundancy
• where possible , Provide opportunities for Creative Freelancers.

As a non-departmental public body Creative Scotland operate at arm’s length from government for all their funding decision. This means that Scottish Ministers have no role in individual funding decisions.

There is an ongoing issue between BECTU and Horsecross Arts around exclusive Union Recognition that Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, BECTU and Horsecross Arts have been in communication about. This has included correspondence with both the Minister for Culture, Europe & International Development and also with the Minister for Just Transition, Employment & Fair Work. BECTU have raised this issue in meetings with the Ministers. Exclusive Union Recognition is not a condition of the Fair Work Framework.

Creative Scotland continue to engage with all parties.

The Scottish Government’s emergency Covid19 support to the performing arts sector during the pandemic, included an award of £749,000 to Horsecross Arts by Creative Scotland from the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund (PAVR) which was announced on 5 August 2020. Creative Scotland assessed Horsecross Arts against the criteria for the fund which were:

• Attain Financial sustainability
• Allow staff to return from Furlough or avoid redundancy
• where possible , Provide opportunities for Creative Freelancers.

As a non-departmental public body Creative Scotland operate at arm’s length from government for all their funding decision. This means that Scottish Ministers have no role in individual funding decisions.

There are a range of factors which may contribute to a decline in a species’ population or a contraction of species’ range. It is likely that one of the main drivers of population decline in ptarmigan is habitat loss caused by climate change. The Scottish Government is determined to end our contribution to climate change by 2045 and prevent further climate related deterioration of habitat from climate pressure. We are taking action across the board to achieve this (as set out in our Climate Change Plan update) and are providing financial support for projects that restore and protect habitats, safeguard wildlife and tackle causes of biodiversity loss.

Other drivers of population decline may include increased recreational activity in montane habitats and grazing pressures. Ptarmigan are also a quarry species, listed on Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Where there is evidence that shooting is causing declines we will consider action to remove a quarry species from Schedule 2.

a) We are in regular contact with NatureScot on a range of wildlife management issues, including discussions on the management of ptarmigan.

b) The Scottish Government has had no direct correspondence with Country Sports Scotland in relation to ptarmigan.

c) The Scottish Government has had no direct correspondence with external stakeholders in relation to ptarmigan.