Seòmar agus comataidhean

We are actively exploring various measures to address emissions from business travel. As part of this process, we will consult on amending the air travel policy to mandate terrestrial or maritime modes of travel for official domestic trips within Scotland and the UK.

While the potential amendment to the policy is under consideration, we are also mindful of the practical implications it may entail. Transitioning to alternative modes of travel will require careful planning, and consideration of the logistical requirements for ministers and officials. Ensuring efficiency, accessibility, and the ability to fulfil official duties effectively will be essential during this process.

As we move forward, we will engage with relevant stakeholders, to ensure that any potential amendments to the air travel policy are well-informed and representative of the broader public interest.

We are considering the calls for a meaningful and fitting recognition of the pain and trauma suffered by those with experience of historic forced adoption. It is Scottish Government policy that the costs of creating and maintaining memorials are not to be met from public funds. We will, however, continue to engage those affected and be led by their views on the most appropriate form of commemoration and validation for these past injustices. We would be happy to support to any specific initiative raising funding in this area.

We anticipate that the research will be published in late autumn and thank the people who have bravely shared their story as part of this work. Their voices will continue to shape the support that we put in place to help those affected by these historic practices.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with National Records of Scotland and adoption agencies to understand further the challenges in accessing adoption records.

We have also commissioned research to explore the unmet needs of those people affected by historic forced adoption, and what services we could put in place to support them. Access to records forms a key part of that research which is due for publication in late autumn.

Over the summer, the Scottish Government will continue to work with partners to develop a 1-year Scottish Education Exchange test and learn pilot programme, to commence in 2023-24.

Oil and gas licensing is a matter that is reserved to UK Government. In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to policy development, we have completed a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero and how this aligns with our climate change targets. Through our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, we have set out a clear pathway to deliver on global commitments and capitalise on the enormous opportunities offered by becoming a net zero economy. Our focus must be meeting our energy security needs, reducing emissions and ensuring a just transition for our oil and gas workforce as North Sea resources decline.

We continue to engage with the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance as part of a wider programme of analysis and engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders.

Oil and gas licensing is matter that is reserved to UK Government. Through our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, we have set out a clear pathway to deliver on global commitments and capitalise on the enormous opportunities offered by becoming a net zero economy. Our focus must be meeting our energy security needs, reducing emissions and ensuring a just transition for our oil and gas workforce as North Sea resources decline.

Membership of the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance forms part of a wider programme of analysis and engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders.

The Skills Delivery Landscape Review was carried out as an independent review, and as such the Scottish Government was not involved in consultations that led to the recommendations.

As set out in Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation the Independent Advisor, James Withers, ran an open call for evidence and engaged directly with a range of individuals and organisations as a core part of his review process.

Small and micro businesses tend to make up a high percentage of Modern Apprentice (MA) employers. Data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) shows that in 2019, 49.7% of MA employers were microbusinesses (0-9 employees) and 30.8% were small businesses (10-49 employees).

SDS, our national skills body, undertakes a variety of activity to promote apprenticeships to small businesses. This includes Scottish Apprenticeship Week (SAW) which is a long-standing and award winning campaign designed to raise the profile of apprenticeships, supported by hundreds of employers each year.

During SAW, the annual Scottish Apprenticeship Awards recognises apprenticeship delivery and seeks to reward and recognise employer apprenticeships, including a category for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

SDS also commission learning providers to promote and recruit apprentice employers including SMEs. Apprenticeships.scot is a platform which enables employers to advertise apprenticeship opportunities for free which SMEs are encouraged to use. SDS undertakes a comprehensive digital marketing programme in support of Scottish Apprenticeships, including ongoing engagement through social media channels and promotion of Apprenticeships.scot .

Those opting to take part in an apprenticeship are employed by various organisations across Scotland. Therefore, it is at the discretion of individual employers in regards to placement opportunities available outside of Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Scottish Government has committed to developing a Scottish Education Exchange Programme to support the international mobility of staff and learners. It is our aspiration for this programme to support apprenticeship training under the vocational education and training stream.

We are working with stakeholders to develop and will undertake a test and learn pilot for the Scottish Education Exchange Programme in 2023-2024. We will share additional information in due course.