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Our 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy set out that several technologies – including heat networks – can play a part to 2030 and beyond in reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions from our homes and non-domestic buildings. The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act, 2021 sets targets for the amount of heating and cooling to be supplied by heat networks, requiring that this reaches 2.6 Terawatt hours (TWh) by 2027, 6 TWh by 2030 and 7 TWh by 2035. These figures represent approximately 3%, 8% and 9% respectively, of current non-electrical heat consumption in Scotland. How big a role heat networks will have, beyond the heat networks targets in the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act, 2021, will depend on a number of factors including location and viability relative to other zero emission solutions.

Heat networks, specifically district heat networks (or multi-building heat networks), are generally anchored around large heat using buildings – often non-domestic buildings, which account for a significant portion of the heat supplied. As such it is anticipated that the number of homes connecting to achieve the 2027, 2030 and 2035 targets will vary depending on the proportion of connections to non-domestic buildings. Once heat networks are established, with time, the proportion of heat supplied to homes may increase as more homes are connected.

A number of indicative scenarios have been modelled to allow better visualisation of what the statutory targets could mean. These used the data produced in the first national assessment of potential heat network zones. These scenarios show a wide variety in the number of homes connected. The Heat Networks Delivery Plan also set out the number of average gas using homes that is equivalent to 2.6TWh and 6 TWh of heat supplied. The figures of average gas using homes are purely illustrative and are not an expectation of the number of homes that might connect to meet the targets. The modelling outputs for 2027 and 2030 can be viewed in Tables 1 and 2 of the Heat Networks Delivery Plan, published March 2022, available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/heat-networks-delivery-plan/ . The modelling outputs for 2035 can be viewed in Table 3 of Consultation on a 2035 heat network target, published in December 2022, available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/2035-heat-networks-target-government-response/ .

The Heat Networks (Supply Targets) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 came into force on 24 November 2023, setting a target for the combined supply of thermal energy by heat networks in Scotland to reach at least 7 terawatt hours of output by 2035.

Since October 2022, the Heat Network Support Unit (HNSU) has been providing local authorities with funding and/or advice to develop heat network projects in their areas. The Unit is currently supporting 19 local authority led projects at feasibility stage and is providing £551,416 of pre-capital financial support. In addition, approximately £150,000 of pre-capital funding has been provided previously to two local authorities through the Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation and LCITP development funding calls.

The estimated total capital costs for local authority led heat networks that are currently being supported by the HNSU is over £203 million.

Local Authorities are also provided capital support through Scotland’s Heat Network Fund (SHNF) and the (now closed) Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP). To date through SHNF and LCITP, Scottish Government has committed approximately £50 million to the development and construction of 11 local authority led heat networks in Scotland. This capital support has enabled local authorities to make investments in heat networks which are often predicated on a long term income stream which can be borrowed against. Therefore, Scottish Government capital support would be in addition to this income.

The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that everyone who needs it can access seamless, timely and high-quality palliative care. Independent hospices are highly valued and provide vital support to people and their families, as well as supporting other health and social care services and teams delivering palliative and end of life care. We fully understand the pressures that hospices are currently facing and we will strive to support the hospice sector where we can.

I convened a round table with Integration Authority Chief Officers and Hospice leaders on 5 December to discuss how we can support independent hospices, including through a draft national guidance framework to support and improve consistency of local planning and commissioning of independent hospice care.

The Constitutional Futures Division’s work on the Building a New Scotland series is delivering the mandate to give people the information they need to make an informed choice about Scotland’s constitutional future.

Scottish Government capital support for heat networks is made available through Scotland’s Heat Network Fund (SHNF), following the success of its predecessor the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP). To date, over £62 million in capital grants has been awarded to heat network projects in Scotland.

The Heat Network Support Unit (HNSU) supports the growth of heat networks by providing funding and advice to heat network projects in the pre-capital stages of development. Since October 2022, HNSU has provided £616,044 of pre-capital support. Prior to the formation of the HNSU, approximately £250,000 pre-capital funding was provided for the development of heat network projects through the Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation and LCITP development funding calls.

The total estimated number of properties (including domestic homes and non-domestic buildings) that will be connected to heat networks once all capital grant funded projects through SHNF and LCITP are complete is approximately 5200. This figure is set to increase in the future as our funding has helped establish heat networks that have strong potential for future expansion.

Scottish universities are autonomous bodies and the Scottish Government does not collect data on education agents employed by them to recruit overseas students.

The Scottish Government has led on rail freight growth, setting the first target of its kind in 2017 for the period 2019 -2024. This was consolidated further in 2023 with a more stretching rail freight growth target of 8.7% for the rail period 2024-2029 (through the Scottish Ministers’ High Level Output Specification) and a requirement for Network Rail to set out a longer-term strategy for growth by 2027. The Scottish Government welcomes the UK Government’s interest in promoting freight modal shift and notes that the target for England and Wales for 2024 -2029 is 7.5%.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). 95.45% is a very high fill rate for Obstetrics and Gynaecology ST1 in rounds 1 and 2 of 2023 recruitment. Within that context there will always be a small number of posts that will not fill. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Data is not currently reported in a format which shows primary care medicines spend by licenced indication, (Prescription only Medicines (POM), Pharmacy medicines (P) and General Sale List (GSL)). A P pack medicine may be prescribed and supplied for a condition not listed under the P licence on the prescription, particularly if that is the right drug for the patient's condition.

For the financial year 2022-23, the primary care drug spend was £1.22 billion. The NHS in Scotland has a policy to prescribe generically where generic drug is available. Generic prescribing accounts for 85% of primary care drug volumes but only accounts for 30% of the cost.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). 95% is a very high fill rate for Intensive Care Medicine ST3 in rounds 1 and 2 of 2023 recruitment. Within that context there will always be a small number of posts that will not fill. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.