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The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) is a Scottish parliamentary supported organisation, and the Scottish Parliament is ultimately responsible for their resourcing and for holding their performance to account.

The SPSO publishes information in their annual report regarding compliance with their recommendations ( https://www.spso.org.uk/annual-report/2022-23.html - see section entitled Performance Analysis, under heading Learning from complaints).

The SPSO's Redress Policy is available online ( https://www.spso.org.uk/sites/spso/files/communications_material/RedressPolicy.pdf ). This policy relates only to redress in relation to direct loss or harm. The SPSO can also make recommendations to listed authorities in relation to service improvement or complaints handling.

The SPSO also has a Support and Intervention policy which sets out its statutory powers and how the SPSO will use them. The policy and policy guide for Scottish public bodies on support and intervention action are both available on the SPSO's website ( https://www.spso.org.uk/support-and-intervention-policy ). The Support and Intervention policy outlines a clear escalation route where issues are not resolved, with the section 16 powers of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 sitting at Level 6 (on a scale of Level 1 to Level 6). The policy also sets out the measures in place and actions the SPSO can take to resolve any compliances issues.

For the development of a national specification for alcohol and drug services, initial engagement has begun with representative groups covering service commissioners, service providers and people who use, have used or could use the services.

We plan full public consultation on a draft specification with an aim to be publishing the final version in 2025.

The contract between Biffa and Circularity Scotland Ltd was a contract between two private companies. The Scottish Government provided no security, guarantee or other assurance to Biffa in relation to its obligations under the contract that it entered into with Circularity Scotland.

The Scottish Government regularly confirmed our continuing commitment to DRS in Parliament, in public statements, and to those businesses and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of DRS. A letter was sent to Biffa in May 2022 confirming the government’s commitment to DRS.

As set out in the Letter of Guidance issued by the Scottish Government to the Scottish Funding Council on 29 March 2024, implementation of Fair Work First must be the guiding criteria to promote fairer work practices for staff within the college sector.

The Scottish Government expects college employers and trades unions to follow Fair Work principles and work together to reach a conclusion to the pay negotiations with a settlement which is both fair and affordable, without the need for further industrial action.

Since the publication of the Scottish Government’s budget in December, and in the face the most challenging budget since devolution, we have worked closely with SDS to maximise front line delivery within their overall allocation. Letters of guidance setting out strategic priorities were issued by Ministers to SDS on 29 March.

Operational decisions on pay and staffing matters are the responsibility of individual colleges.

The Scottish Government expects every effort to be made, in consultation with trade unions, to protect jobs. The Scottish Government has been clear that compulsory redundancies should only be considered as a last resort, after all other options have been fully explored in collaboration with trade unions.

Consenting of GreenVolt, one of the largest floating offshore wind farms in Europe, is a significant milestone which will secure Scotland’s place at the forefront of floating wind technology.

Green Volt’s recently published Supply Chain Development Statement Outlook indicates that the project is estimated to create over 2800 direct jobs during construction and around 100 jobs during the operational phase.

An estimate for wind turbine manufacturing jobs cannot currently be provided. However, Green Volt has committed to spend £350 million in Scotland in the manufacturing phase.

As Scotland’s renewable energy industry continues to grow and thrive we will continue to see new and increased opportunities for job creation across Scotland. We are determined to maximise the economic benefits from offshore wind projects in Scottish waters, which will support the creation of new sustainable jobs across the country.

The Scottish Government is refreshing its Smart Delivery Strategy, outlining its programme of work and strategy for enhancing smart, integrated ticketing and payments, and digital travel data over the next 5-10 years.

The strategy is being developed through a collaborative process with stakeholders and the public and is currently taking into account the development of the National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board’s first work programme. The strategy is also taking into account the significant progress and technological development of smart ticketing since the previous publication in 2018, including the increased use of digital platforms and contactless payment across the network, reflecting the public’s increasing desire for contactless and digital payments and ticketing.

Following publication of the Fair Fares Review and announcement of the Scottish Government’s intention to develop a new national integrated ticketing system for public transport, the strategy will progress through the finalisation and approval process to be published in 2024.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of working closely and collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to deliver a net zero that is mutually beneficial both in economic and social terms.

We will engage directly with each of the Governments to understand how best to establish a four nations climate response group that enables us to work much closer and share more information.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of working closely and collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to deliver a net zero that is mutually beneficial both in economic and social terms.

We will engage directly with each of the Governments to understand how best to establish a four nations climate response group that enables us to work much closer and share more information.