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The nature of the relationship between the Acorn Project and other members of the Scottish Cluster is a matter for the UK Government to determine as part of the cluster sequencing programme. This includes when, and which, emitter projects (which may include gas-fired power plants) are selected. We urgently need a firm commitment from the UK Government on the timeline and funding arrangements for the Acorn project and stand ready to work constructively with the UK Government to ensure the fastest possible deployment.

The Scottish Government recognises the work being done by local services, including community and grass roots organisations, in supporting individuals affected by the physical and mental side effects of methadone use as an evidence-based first line treatment option.

To ensure local services are focused on the needs of people the Scottish Government continues to provide record levels of funding, particularly through our National Mission and through the implementation of our Cross-Government Plan which includes the implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment standards and the launch in December of the Charter of Rights for people affected by substance use.

The Scottish Government has committed to full implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards 1-10 in community and justice settings by April 2025, and for this implementation to be sustained by April 2026.

The implementation of the MAT standards is being supported and monitored by Public Health Scotland, who publish an annual benchmarking report each June. And the requirement for quarterly progress update reports to SG from local areas, against their Implementation Plan, is continuing.

The Scottish Government plans to commence the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 in its entirety in early 2025.

In accordance with codes of practice and clinical guidelines, administration of methadone is usually supervised to ensure it is not misused. Supervised administration is in place for community pharmacies, justice settings and in third sector services, including homelessness settings.

NRS statistics on Drug Related Deaths published in 2024 show an increasing number of cases where Methadone is implicated. The statistics also show that poly-drug use is one of the most significant challenges faced by Scotland, with methadone included in poly-drug use.

However, through the implementation of the MAT standards, significant numbers of people on OST treatment are choosing to move onto long-acting injectable buprenorphine (brand name Buvidal). The Scottish Government continues to support the availability of Buvidal as a choice for people where its use is more clinically appropriate than methadone or other alternatives.

In February 2022, an application under section 36 of the Electricity Act seeking consent for construction and operation of the Peterhead Low Carbon Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Station was formally lodged with the Energy Consents Unit. This is currently before Ministers for determination and as such, it would be inappropriate for Ministers to make any comment.

Ministers are developing plans for access to the Cladding Assurance Register, and will announce arrangements shortly.

Scotland’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, outlines our ambitious programme that reflects the scale and the size of the challenge to reduce emissions from our buildings. Our commitment to allocate £1.8bn over this parliament is helping kick-start growth in the market and support those least able to pay.

Of the £1.8bn commitment made in our Heat in Buildings Strategy, over £1.3bn has been allocated to date, of which, over £575m has been spent to the end of September 2024.

Any further budget allocations will be set out in the Scottish Government draft budget, which will be published on 4 December.

When considering any application for a proposed gas-fired power plant application, Scottish Ministers’ consideration of emissions would be considered within the accompanying environmental impact assessments (EIA), which would be carried out on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the relevant EIA regulations.

Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP) makes clear our opposition to the continued use of unabated fossil fuels to generate electricity.

NatureScot and Scottish Forestry are currently putting together a project plan to build on the existing Ancient Woodland Inventory to develop the new National Register of Ancient Woodlands. The new National Register of Ancient Woodlands will be an important element of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and associated Delivery plan, which was recently published.