Seòmar agus comataidhean

As with the answer to S6W-34511 on 6 March 2025, I will update parliament at the appropriate time on the work towards a future credit rating and bond issuance during the course of the 2025-26 financial year.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

At the heart of our NHS Scotland Renewal Plan, which is supported by £200 million to address backlogs and improve capacity, is that we have a person-centred, cohesive healthcare system that is built around the patient journey, ensuring appropriate care is provided at home and in community, primary and secondary care settings.

The budget will deliver direct access to specialist Frailty teams in every Emergency Department by summer 2025. This will enable people who experience frailty to be referred directly by GPs and the Scottish Ambulance Service to specialist frailty services as an alternative to admission or attending A&E.

Our Right Care Right Place marketing campaign messaging advises the public on how to access the services they need and help alleviate pressures being felt across the whole of the NHS. By assisting the public, we aim to ensure that A&E resources and the valuable skills of frontline staff are available for those that need emergency care and minimise delays for patients waiting to be seen and treated.

Scotland’s offshore wind sector is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. Based on evidence available across a number of individual studies, the Scottish Government’s Offshore Wind Focus paper estimates the Offshore Wind sector in Scotland could support as many as 10,400 to 54,000 jobs. We do not hold specific figures on the number of shore-side and seafaring jobs in Scotland that will be supported by the construction of the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm.

The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the growth of Scotland’s offshore wind sector, investing up to £500 million over five years to support market certainty, and help create a highly productive, competitive offshore wind economy with thousands of new jobs.

Through the Scottish Government’s Fair Work policy, all employers across Scotland, which would include those involved in the Offshore Wind sector, are encouraged to adopt Fair Work principles. The Fair Work Action Plan asks employers right across Scotland to play their part, while setting out what support is available to help them realise the benefits of fair, diverse, and inclusive workplace practices.

The Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate routinely inspect Scottish and non-Scottish vessels based on risk. Under remote electronic monitoring for pelagic vessels, this will include analysis of catch data compared with vessel capacity. Additionally, targeted analysis will be undertaken where there is relevant intelligence. Standard enforcement procedures will be invoked where offences are detected. This may include requiring pelagic vessels to facilitate an inspection at sea or in port. On occasions, it might be a requirement to detain a pelagic vessel in port, especially when the master is non-domiciled to the UK.

Seafarer employment legislation is reserved and a matter for the UK Government. Guidance published by the UK Government in 2018, and updated following 2020 legislation, can be found here: Minimum wage: seafarers and other people working at sea - GOV.UK.

As such, no assessment of the pay and conditions of seafarers working on vessels at Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm has been made by the Scottish Government.

Employment and industrial relations legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. While this remains the case, the Scottish Government will continue to use our Fair Work policy to drive up labour market standards for workers across the Scottish labour market.

Ministers are clear that the best way to protect Scotland’s workers is by devolving employment law. However, Ministers welcome the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill and continue to work with them to ensure it has a positive impact across Scotland.

There have been no discussions with the UK Government specifically regarding trade union recognition or the application of the national minimum wage in the maritime supply chain for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm.

Crown Estate Scotland estimate £186 million will be paid by the developers for the 50-year lease for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm site. This figure is based on Minimum output and tenant projections for production over the 50 year period, based on 2025 RPI.

The Scottish Renewables’ Supply Chain Impact Statement 2023-24 highlighted that, at the time of publication, 105 different Scottish suppliers, firms and consultancies have helped to progress and shape the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. Inch Cape may consider publishing further details in relation to its supply chain and work packages at its own discretion.

The Scottish Government recognises the company’s commitment to Scotland’s supply chain and its role in identifying opportunities for local businesses.

While Scottish Government officials regularly engage with Crown Estate Scotland, which administers seabed leasing for offshore wind and sets the terms of those leases, employment conditions in the supply chain for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm have not been discussed specifically.

Although employment law is reserved, we will continue to use the levers at our disposal to promote fair work practices across the labour market in Scotland.