Seòmar agus comataidhean

Scottish Government Human Resources does not hold a central record of the creation or approval of new posts, this process is handled by individual business areas under the direction and approval of a Director. There is no single Directorate responsible for all rural and island based staff.

To provide information that is equivalent to the creation of posts, we have:

• Identified SG offices in rural and island locations based on categorisation established by National Records of Scotland or by Local Authority.
• Provided the headcount of directly employed staff at those locations in each of the last 5 years, with the year-on-year change indicating instances when new posts may have been created.

Our most recently published data are at 30 September 2022. 30 September has been used as the reference date each year for comparison purposes. These data cover staff in Scottish Government Core Directorates only.

Table showing headcount variation year-on-year from 30 September 2018 to 30 September 2022

The Scottish Government is examining the risk assessment conclusion in detail given the serious impact of HPAI (High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza) on wild and kept birds and will monitor risk levels and carefully consider its response over coming months.

The release of game birds is prohibited within an avian influenza protection zone and surveillance zone.

When kept there is a legal requirement to report suspicion of notifiable avian disease in game birds.

Where Special Protected Area (SPA)/Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) are designated for vulnerable species consent from NatureScot is required for release of game birds.

The Scottish Government has spent £39,525 +VAT on administering the Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund. The Fund was administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of VisitScotland and the Scottish Government. For this work, Energy Savings Trust received a management fee of £39,525 +VAT, paid by VisitScotland. This fee did not come out of the £325k funding pot for the Destination Net Zero Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund, but was covered separately.

Throughout the process VisitScotland supported the administration and assessment of the fund, providing a range of checks at different stages. There was no additional cost attached to that administrative work as this was undertaken as part of people’s job roles throughout the period.

The scheme has funded 194 charging points across Scotland, located across 20 local authorities. The charging points funded through Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund will allow visitors and locals to explore Scotland’s beauty spots in a sustainable and environment friendly manner.

The Scottish Government continually monitors animal disease outbreaks internationally and in the UK to ensure disease prevention measures required under pet travel rules remain relevant. Any future policy will be guided by risk assessment. The pet travel rules are administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and we have regular contact to ensure travellers are complying with the rules.

We know that some stakeholders would like to see a three-mile limit restricting mobile fishing gear introduced. The Scottish Government has been clear that we have no plans to do so.

Such blanket spatial restrictions are not consistent with an evidence-based approach, do not embrace the benefits of new technology and are inconsistent with the nuanced approach outlined in our 2020-2030 Fisheries Management Strategy.

We have already begun to develop our approach, taking account of the complex ecology and habitats, as well as the different types of fishing and how they interact with the marine environment.

My officials in Scottish Enterprise remain in regular contact with the Joint Administrators and continue to work closely with them to help find a sustainable future for the Stoneywood site in Aberdeen.

The administration process continues to progress and prior to formal marketing of the site, the Administrator has re-engaged with potential interested parties. Any discussions between interested parties and the Administrator will likely take place in the coming weeks.

Scotland has a target to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045. The fishing industry has an important part to play, alongside all sectors of our society, in reducing emissions and helping to create a low carbon economy with clean, green jobs – and of course it already provides a low-carbon source of food in many cases.

As part of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 (FFM Strategy) we have committed to developing a climate change action plan for sea fisheries in partnership with stakeholders. Our immediate focus has been on identifying and filling key evidence gaps. This has included a range of research projects, focused conversations with stakeholders and a wide-ranging survey to help us understand the industry’s attitudes and needs. We have also committed funding through Marine Fund Scotland to support innovation and development of fishing vessel adaptation solutions.

We have committed to establishing a Fisheries Climate Change Sub-group which will be part of our already established stakeholder forum – the Fisheries Management and Conservation Group (FMAC). Together with FMAC we will commence the development of a fisheries climate change mitigation project to focus activity and identify key actions for progression.

The transition to net zero will no doubt be challenging for the fishing sector, but also presents an opportunity to make a positive impact by adjusting practices and growing Scottish businesses and supply chains in a sustainable way. We are currently scoping our broader approach to Just Transition and this will be a key theme part of our climate change planning.

As noted in my statement on February 7, the Levelling Up Funds should be devolved to the Scottish Government to disburse in partnership with our regions, including Glasgow City Region. Scottish Ministers are calling for a meeting with UK Government Ministers to discuss the future of this fund, requesting that the remaining £90 million be devolved for Scottish Government, for us to work with regions like Glasgow to ensure investment is targeted towards priority projects in areas where it will provide the greatest impact.

Under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is an enforcing authority for fire safety in hotels and other relevant premises across Scotland and already has the necessary powers available to them to enforce fire safety .

As an enforcing authority, SFRS work with duty holders in relevant premises to achieve compliance in fire safety through an auditing framework and providing advice and support. Where partnership working does not produce compliance, SFRS may decide to take enforcement or prohibition action where necessary.

“Beyond the Glen” is an industry-led strategy and therefore responsibility for delivery does not lie with Scottish Government. We work to support the industry in development of the sector, including through delivery of the strategy, and we have provided additional funding where possible.

The Scottish Venison Association (SVA) is proposing that a review of the strategy should be undertaken in 2023. Part of this activity will include an internal review of the SVA.