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The Scottish Government does not have access to specific data regarding the maximum, minimum, or average costs for individuals renewing a guardianship order over the past five financial years.

The costs associated with renewing a guardianship order can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the complexity of the case, the involvement of legal and medical professionals, and the specific needs of the individual in question.

While we can identify certain standard fees like the £138 Court lodging fee and £95 Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) fee, additional expenses such as medical assessments and legal representation can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and preferences.

Non-means-tested legal aid is available in certain cases.

Scottish Ministers are aware of the environmental impacts of so-called fast fashion. Information and advice for consumers on tackling fast fashion is provided by Zero Waste Scotland https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/how-fast-fashion-failing-environment

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policy 11(a) sets out that development proposals for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emissions technologies will be supported. These include energy storage, such as battery storage and pumped storage hydro, and also small scale renewable energy generation technology. Battery storage can exist at a range of different scales.

Where a policy states that development will be supported, it is in principle, and it is for the decision maker to assess the characteristics of a proposed development, to take into account all relevant policies and to determine what weight to attach to policies on a case by case basis.

Following receipt of the proposed scope for the peer review, the Scottish Government asked NHS Shetland and Orkney to extend the scope to include representation from relevant patient groups involved with the previous review of the application process, which was led by NHS Western Isles. This is an important part of ensuring that concerns on the escorts approvals process can be appropriately considered.

This part of the review has not yet concluded and Officials have asked the Boards to confirm by the end of March as to when the output will be available.

The Scottish Government is in close dialogue with Creative Scotland.

Creative Scotland are reviewing this allocation as they have been clear that what has been reported simply does not meet what the funding was applied for – it is considerably more explicit in its execution that was indicated in the original application.

I can see no way where what has been described should be in receipt of public funding and I welcome Creative Scotland’s decision to withdraw the funding for this project.

In 2021, we published an updated Climate Change Plan which covers the period 2018 – 2032. The updated plan includes over 200 policies across all eight sectors and proposals to drive future emissions reductions.

Since publication of the update to the Climate Change Plan, progress has been delivered at speed to drive forward the various strategies, plans, roadmaps and routemaps that support delivery. I have highlighted some of this progress as follows:

(a) The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan was published for consultation on 10 January 2023, setting out our vision for a future net zero energy system. The consultation closed in May 2023 with over 1500 responses and on 28 September we published an independent consultation analysis.

(b) We have just completed two consultations, one on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill and one on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard.

(c) We have committed to producing a Route map to achieve a 20% reduction in car km by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. The Draft route map was published in January 2022 followed by post publication public consultation to April 2022. A finalised route map and analysis of the public consultation is due for publication in the coming months.

(d) The Scottish Government is combining current research with revised funding strategies to develop and enhance the route map for industrial decarbonisation. This will include elements of energy efficiency, energy switching and carbon capture and utilisation for residual emissions. The final route map will form part of the next Climate Change Plan.

(e) In January 2024 we published our draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map for consultation, setting out clear actions to deliver sustainable use of our resources and progress a circular economy in Scotland by 2030. This includes measures to decarbonise the resources and waste sector, and embed circular practices in the construction sector. We intend to review the feedback from the consultation and confirm the final Route Map later in 2024.

(f) A new (5th) edition of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), agreed by all four countries, was published last year following a comprehensive review process. The new edition aims to make forests more resilient to a changing climate and the increased risk of pests and diseases so they can continue to deliver multiple benefits.

(g) The Agricultural Reform Route Map was published in February 2023 and updated on 23 June 2023. The Route Map outlines what information and guidance the sector can expect from 2023-2025 and when it will be available. A phased transition will take place from 2025 to implement the Future Support Framework’s proposed conditional payments under 4 tiers: Base, Enhanced, Elective, and Complementary.

(h) The Scottish Government commissioned a feasibility study on negative emissions technologies which was published on 30 November 2023. The deployment of NETs is dependent on CCUS, and while there is an understanding of next steps for growing the NETs industry in Scotland, a route map will be finalised once there is certainty from the UK Government on funding for Acorn.

In question S6W-25597 part of the question asked:

To ask the Scottish Government…. What proportion of [CAMHS] patients have started treatment within 10 weeks of referral…. In each NHS Board for the last three years

Data on patients starting treatment is divided into wait bands. These are divided into 4-wait bands of 0-18 weeks, 19-35 weeks, 36-52 weeks and 53 weeks plus. Information on patients starting treatment within 10 weeks is therefore not recorded and as such, is not available. This is why the answer to question S6W-25597 indicated that it was not possible to provide this information.

However the statistic that 1 in 2 people referred to CAMHS start treatment in 10 weeks, is determined using a separate data point. This states that the median treatment time (ie the point at which half of patients begin treatment) for quarter ending September 2023 is 10 weeks. This data is published quarterly and monthly and changes frequently, as such the answer to S6W-25597 cannot be derived using this data point.

As indicated in the previous answer, this information is compiled and held by Public Health Scotland and as such they may hold further data which may be able to help given the technical nature of your query.

Eligible individuals may qualify for legal aid to help cover the costs associated with legal representation and court fees involved in renewing a guardianship order. Legal aid is means-tested, and eligibility criteria apply.

Organisations such as Citizens Advice Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board provide financial assistance and support services to individuals and families facing financial difficulties in legal matters, including guardianship renewals.

Local authorities may provide guidance to individuals who are unable to afford the costs of renewing a guardianship order. Social work departments or welfare services within the local authority can offer support and advice on available resources.

Under Section 57(2) of the Adults with Incapacity (AWI) (Scotland) Act 2000, if a guardianship order (or renewal) is deemed necessary by the local authority and no application has been made or is anticipated, the authority must initiate the application process.

The National Public Energy Agency – Heat and Energy Efficiency Scotland (HEES) – has been operating in virtual form in-house within the Directorate for Energy and Climate Change since October 2022. The resources allocated to the Agency are integrated into the overall Heat in Buildings (HiBs) revenue allocation, amounting to £40.1 million for 2023-24 and £37.8 million for 2024-25. This includes managing and overseeing the operation of our delivery schemes, which provide advice and financial support for households and non-domestic property owners as well as capital and pre-capital funding for heat networks, social housing, and public and private sector buildings.

The virtual agency continues to build its presence and develop its role in leading and co-ordinating project development and delivery. For example, the virtual agency’s Heat Network Support Unit (HNSU) offers a suite of services, including feasibility and business case development support. We recently announced the expansion of the HNSU's role to assist Local Authorities in executing their local heat and energy efficiency strategies (LHEES) heat network related actions and developing strategic approaches for district heating development.

The virtual agency is developing a programme of public awareness, education, and participation around clean heat and energy efficiency, as set out in our Public Engagement Strategy . This will build on our past successful marketing and engagement activity.

We continue to consider next steps with regards the creation of a new, standalone body and will provide a detailed update to the NZET Committee in due course.

The number of applications for renewal of guardianship orders for the years requested (statistics from the Office of the Public Guardian) are in the following table: