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Statistics on the number of arrests for offences under the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 would be kept by the Police Service of Scotland and are not available to COPFS.

Since the act came into force on 24 August 2021, there have been a total of 3,607 charges reported to COPFS for offences under that act.

Of those charges, 2,976 were marked for court proceedings and 1,199 resulted in convictions. Accordingly, 323 of those charges resulted in acquittals, while 141 were marked for ‘no further action’. A case may be marked for no further action where it is no longer in the public interest to prosecute or where it is no longer considered that there is sufficient evidence. The remaining 1,313 of the charges marked for court proceedings are still ongoing as of 31 January 2024.

Of the 631 charges which were reported to COPFS but not marked for court proceedings:-

320 were marked for a direct measure, 83 marked for no action, 74 are still awaiting a marking decision. Of the 320 marked for a direct measure, 19 were marked for a combined fiscal fine and requirement to pay compensation. A further 19 were marked for compensation alone. 61 were marked for a fiscal fine alone. 66 were marked for diversion. 6 were marked for an unpaid work offer. 122 were referred to the Scottish Childrens Reporter and 27 were issued with a warning.

A total of 154 charges were not separately actioned. This is where no action was taken against that particular charge but action (prosecution in court or direct measure) was taken against the accused in relation to other charges emanating from the same case.

Our own estimates show that with Ofgem’s price cap set at £1,928 for an average household until March this year, 840,000 of Scottish households are in fuel poverty – 34% of all households. This is a 2% increase – an extra 20,000 households approximately – in the number of fuel poor households from estimates for October to December 2023. These estimates are based on Scotland’s statutory definition of fuel poverty, whereas the Outra figure is likely produced under a different definition.

According to the Scottish fuel poverty definition, a household is in fuel poverty if:

• in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, total fuel costs necessary for the home are more than 10% of the household's adjusted net income (i.e. after housing costs), and more than 20% in the case of extreme fuel poverty; and
• if, after deducting those fuel costs, benefits received for a care need or disability and childcare costs, the household's remaining adjusted net income is insufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living.

Subsidised support for the majority of consumers ended last year, but thousands of households continue to struggle to balance high energy costs along with unmanageable legacy debt. This is why we continue to call for urgent, targeted support including the introduction of a social tariff mechanism for those who need it the most. It is disappointing that our calls, consistent with those from the industry and third sector, have been ignored.

I urge anybody struggling with their energy bills to contact Advice Direct Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland who will be able to help in the first instance.

Crew commissioning of the vessel is already under way with senior Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) crew present in the shipyard as the vessel is prepared for operational delivery. Following a period of berthing trials and crew familiarisation the MV Glen Sannox, (Hull 801) is set to be operational eight weeks after handover.

The Scottish Government met with Police Scotland this month, with further engagement planned to discuss any issues, concerns or barriers from a policing perspective in relation to implementation and enforcement of the new safeguards in relation to XL Bully dogs.

In addition the Scottish Government has also written to Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, to provide information on the Scottish Government’s policy approach and to offer to meet to discuss any local authority issues, concerns or barriers from a local authority perspective on the implementation of the new safeguards.

My officials have also set up an implementation forum to bring together the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, local authorities and COSLA to collectively consider any operational / enforcement issues that arise, and to help inform any consideration of requests for additional funding.

North Ayrshire Council recently provided their updated socio-economic appraisal that will be reviewed by officials and used to inform the business case work. Peel Ports Group (PPG), are currently progressing the structural assessments which will help inform a decision on the expanded project scope and business case review.

The 2024-25 Scottish Budget will provide an uplift of over half a billion, bringing the budget for NHS Boards to over £14.2 billion, of which NES will receive £550.2 million. Health boards are responsible for ensuring best use of available resources to support delivery of services and strategic objectives.

NES plays a critical role in supporting the education, training and wider development of the NHS Scotland workforce, and in particular the medical workforce where target training numbers have already been confirmed for 2024-25. As part of this, the Board is actively contributing to a number of wider policy developments as set out in Programme for Government, the NHS Recovery Plan and the National workforce Strategy. The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering the National Workforce Strategy and achieving the overall vision for “A sustainable, skilled workforce with attractive career choices and fair work where all are respected and valued for the work they do”.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government the member may wish to contact NHS Boards directly for information.

Public Health Scotland does not hold procedure level information only the speciality which in this case would be Urology.

PHS continues to work in collaboration with the Scottish Government, NHS Boards and key stakeholders to improve waiting times information. Statistics relating to the waits patients experience for Inpatient or Day Case treatment at specialty level are published up to 20 September 2023 in the link below.

Stage of treatment waiting times - Inpatients, day cases and new outpatients quarter ending 30 September 2023 - NHS waiting times - stage of treatment - Publications - Public Health Scotland

Refugee Sanctuary Scotland was formerly known as Refugee Survival Trust, up to July 2023. The Scottish Government has not provided funding to Refugee Sanctuary Scotland, but has provided funding to the organisation under their former name since 2019.

The following table contains a list of objectives set by Scottish Government with reference to the funding provided to the organisation then known as Refugee Survival Trust since 2019.

The grant subsidy paid to the operator is paid by contract years (July till the following June) and represents the difference between the costs of operating the service and the income generated.

This information is collated and published each year on the Transport Scotland website but in contract year form from 2011.

The annual subsidy figures published to date covering the periods in question can be found in the latest published report at Scottish Transport Statistics 2022 | Transport Scotland under chapter 9 table 9.14a , referencing the notes as advised.

This information is published in March of the following year to the report in question.

The annual subsidy for 2020-2021 was £34,174k. The total revenue for contract year 2020-2021 was £29,128k. We are unable to provide a breakdown of the financial components of the contract revenue as this information is commercially confidential.

The annual subsidy for 2021-2022 was £38,851k. The total revenue for contract year 2021-2022 was £39,328k. We are unable to provide a breakdown of the financial components of the contract revenue as this information is commercially confidential.

The annual subsidy for 2022-2023 was £47,109k. The total revenue for contract year 2022-2023 was £43,625k these will be the figures used in the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023 report when published this year. We are unable to provide a breakdown of the financial components of the contract revenue as this information is commercially confidential.

The building referred to on 11 October 2023 Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group minutes was the Ward 1 Plant Room at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

The Plant room was surveyed on Friday 22 September 2023 . The surveying Engineer noted that there was no immediate concern of structural collapse and made recommendations. Immediate remedial action was taken to ensure the area was safe. There is no immediate risk to patients, staff, or visitors.