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Our estimates of the costs of improving Scotland’s domestic and non-domestic buildings were set out in the Energy Efficient Scotland Consultation. We estimate that the cost of meeting the programme for domestic properties is in the region of £8 billion, to bring around 75% of Scotland’s private sector domestic buildings to EPC C and around 50% of its social rented sector properties to EPC B. Current estimates place the total cost of improving the energy efficiency of our non-domestic buildings at £2-4 billion. The Energy Efficient Scotland Consultation closed on 27 July and can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00534912.pdf

As set out in the Energy Efficient Scotland Routemap we will continue to provide grant funding to support households in fuel poverty to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. For businesses and households who are not in fuel poverty we will continue to make available low-cost loans to help them spread the costs of investing in energy efficiency improvements.

Details of future programme delivery will be set out in 2020 and further analysis will be undertaken to fully understand the breakdown of expenditure required (from public, private and third sector sources) to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s buildings. There are a number of factors which will affect the breakdown of expenditure including built form, construction type and heat supply.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an extremely rare disease affecting around 100 people across the UK. The treatment and supervision for this condition is highly specialised and is best delivered through specialist hospital services which can provide expert advice to fit the particular needs of the patient concerned.

Scottish Government contract with NHS England to ensure access for Scottish patients to highly specialised service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

In Scotland, the only high-security hospital is The State Hospital in Carstairs, South Lanarkshire. The security arrangements in that hospital are the responsibility of the hospital itself and are decided upon in the context of ensuring staff and patient safety, and supporting effective incident reporting and investigation. The hospital is currently investigating the use of body cameras and their use and utility in similar environments in order to decide how such use may fit into supporting those aims.

The Scottish Government is clear that school trips should be inclusive and this is supported by guidance. The Education Scotland guidance on outdoor learning https://education.gov.scot/Documents/cfe-through-outdoor-learning.pdf includes a section on inclusion and equality when planning to take groups outdoors.

Further, there was a recent consultation on guidance on Excellence and Equity: Guidance on the Presumption of Mainstreaming https://consult.gov.scot/supporting-learners/presumption-of-mainstreaming/user_uploads/sct04173422181.pdf and the document includes the expectation that all children and young people should have the opportunity to participate and engage as fully as possible in all aspects of school life, including school trips and extracurricular activity.

Specialist UV protective clothing is not available on prescription for people with rare genetic skin disorders such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP). XP is an extremely rare disease which affects roughly 100 people across the UK. Only drugs and devices included on the Scottish Drug Tariff can be prescribed by an appropriate health care professional.

The treatment and supervision for this condition is highly specialised and is best delivered through specialist hospital services which can provide expert advice to fit the particular needs of the patient concerned. High factor sunscreen, lip-screen and Vitamin D supplements are available on prescription for patients with XP who require them. All items are prescribed based on clinical judgment.

The Route Map for Energy Efficient Scotland contains a set of actions aimed at making Scotland’s existing buildings near zero carbon wherever feasible by 2050, thus necessitating Energy Efficient Scotland as a 20 year programme. Its vision is that by 2040 all our buildings are warmer, greener and more efficient. By improving the energy efficiency of homes and buildings we will remove poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over the lifetime of the programme to 2040 we estimate that a 'whole economy' cost of £10 - £12 billion from public and private sources, will be require to be invested in improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s buildings.

Childhood practice awards are based on the benchmark Standard for Childhood Practice (revised 2015) and are one of the first work-based awards in Scotland where entry is based on practice qualifications and the experience people have gained in their role. Awards are designed to be completed in post with support from employers, enabling continued earning, and are offered as part time, full time, online distance learning, evening/weekend or a blend of options, allowing learners to choose the course provider most suited to their needs. Individual training providers also operate processes for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and provide credits to map towards the Standard. Additionally, funding support is available through the Student Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible individuals.

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that managers and lead practitioners of day care of children centres delivering funded early learning and childcare provision, and out of school care centres either hold a Childhood Practice award at SCQF level 9 or above, or achieve this within the Scottish Social Services Councils (SSSC) granted registration period. Different qualifications lead to the award including the Professional Development Award (PDA) or BA Childhood Practice, all of which are work-based and available through a variety of flexible learning opportunities allowing learners to choose the course provider most suited to their needs. Where individuals hold alternative qualifications Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credits may be given to map towards the award.

On 2 May the First Minister launched Energy Efficient Scotland, the stated goal of which is to achieve near zero carbon wherever feasible by 2050, and in a way that is socially and economically sustainable. The associated Route Map sets out our vision for all buildings in Scotland – that by 2040 all our buildings are warmer, greener and more efficient – and how we will deliver on the National Infrastructure Priority for Energy Efficiency.

Our Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland does not set requirements for industrial buildings to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

However we are supporting businesses and helping them to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. We have introduced a cash back incentive to our SME loan scheme, which offers cash back of up to 30% of costs of energy efficiency works ( up to £10,000). We are proposing that energy efficiency standards for non-domestic buildings are continually extended so that by 2040 all buildings are improved to the extent that is cost-effective and technically feasible. This will include industrial buildings.

The Route Map sets out a clear timetable for a review of existing non-domestic energy efficiency regulations with new regulations coming into force in 2021. As part of this we will improve the information and advice that is provided where an energy assessment is undertaken, to help building owners considering cost effective improvement.

We are seeking views on our proposals through the Energy Efficient Scotland consultation, including views on what legislation may be needed to support delivery of our energy efficiency programme.

Within the last two months there have been two reports of illegal pearl fishing incidents in the Assynt area. Both incidents were reported to Police Scotland and investigations are continuing. This is an important area for the conservation of freshwater pearl mussels, with a number of rivers designated for their internationally important populations and a significant number of other important populations. We are extremely disappointed by this persecution of this critically endangered species, which is extremely vulnerable to criminal damage and is a UK wildlife crime priority.

The rivers where both incidents took place are the subject of ‘Riverwatch’ schemes, launched by the ‘Pearls in Peril’ project and aimed at increasing awareness of the threat from illegal pearl fishing. The UK Priority Delivery Group for freshwater pearl mussels (which coordinates activity to combat wildlife crime affecting pearl mussels) has discussed these cases and planning is underway to highlight the continued threat from illegal activity across the Highlands in the media. This is planned for later this summer, alongside awareness-raising with ranger services. There are also river patrols in Highland region, led by Police Scotland with partner organisations, to deter and detect potential criminal activity.