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The Scottish Government funded a feasibility study into a pilot of a Citizens’ Basic Income (CBI), which resulted in a report, published in June 2020, with some of the most detailed and comprehensive research in the UK. The report concludes that, whilst it is desirable to pilot a CBI in Scotland, it is currently not feasible in a devolved settlement. This is partly because UK Government co-operation is required to avoid unintended consequences to recipients' income from reserved benefits. The Scottish Government welcomes the pilot scheme for care leavers being carried out by the Welsh Government. However, we understand that they have not been able to resolve this interaction with the reserved benefits system.

The Scottish Government has now established an independent expert group to consider the delivery of a Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) within the powers we currently hold to ensure everyone, including care leavers and young people with experience of care, have enough money to live a decent, dignified, healthy and financially secure life.

We have committed to keeping The Promise, and this highlighted the need for robust “scaffolding” around care leavers and those with care experience. Many young people with care experience face significant barriers to achieving a successful transition to adulthood and more independent living. In recognition of this challenge, the Scottish Government has committed to delivering the Care Experience Grant. The Care Experience Grant will be a £200 annual grant that will benefit around 50,000 young people aged 16-25. This policy commitment would provide some additional financial security for young people with experience of care and help reduce some of the barriers that young people face in transitions to adulthood and more independent living.

The Self-Isolation Support Grant (SISG) is designed to help workers who have to self-isolate for the required period to stop the onward spread of the virus. As a result, eligibility for the Grant aligns to the wider isolation policy. This means that forecasts are subject to a high degree of uncertainty because of the unpredictability of the virus and consequent human action.

The SISG is delivered by local authorities using local processes and systems. The differences between them mean that estimated application rates would be unreliable. Instead forecast award rates based on projected prevalence of the virus is used.

Our latest forecast of SISG awards for the 2021-22 financial year is between 90,000 and 110,000, with a central forecast of 100,000. The model will be updated soon with the latest available data; these figures may change as a result.

In 2021-22, Glasgow City Council received £4.826 million from the £23.5 million provided to local authorities for preventing and responding to homelessness.

For individuals who undertake the Engineering and Engineering Construction frameworks, there is the opportunity to complete a Scottish Vocational Qualification in the units set out below:

Engineering:

• Fabrication and Welding Engineering (SCQF Level 6)
• Fabrication and Welding Engineering Sheet Metalwork 3mm, less (SCQF Level 6)
• Fabrication and Welding Engineering (Manual Welding) (SCQF Level 6)

Engineering Construction:

• Diploma in Welding Engineering Construction Plate (SCQF Level 7)

There are also qualifications available for those who wish to train in welding through the Employability Fund (EF), which was developed as a response to concerns that the existing landscape of provision for pre-employment support in Scotland was too fragmented and not flexible enough to meet the needs of individuals and local labour markets.

With a strong focus on work experience, the EF responds to the different needs of individuals, while also adapting to employer demands on a local basis. Employability Fund can be used to support people to develop the employability and vocational skills they need to make the transition into a Modern Apprenticeship or job.

As part of the EF, the following qualifications are available for individuals to undertake:

• Welding - Radiographic Interpretation of Welds
• Welding Inspector
• Welding Code Core Flux 6 GR EN ISO 96061
• Flux Core Welding 6G H-LO45 135/136 incl. Exam
• CSWIP Welding Inspection with E-Learning

Marketing for the Open Market Shared Equity scheme is carried out by the administering agent as part of their contract to administer the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government.

It is the responsibility of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) who deliver the New Supply Shared Equity scheme to carry out marketing for each of their developments.

Marketing for the Open Market Shared Equity scheme is carried out by the administering agent as part of their contract to administer the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government

It is the responsibility of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) who deliver the New Supply Shared Equity scheme to carry out marketing for each of their developments.

Working with industry, we have developed a set of installer skills requirements to help professionalise services in this sector, and provide clearer career pathways for young people. We consulted on these earlier last year and we are now integrating these requirements into the relevant industry standards.

We have partnered with Scottish Renewables and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to undertake a 'Heat in Buildings Workforce Assessment Project' which will help us define the timing of workforce growth and how best to support people transitioning into key roles. This work will report back in Spring 2022. This will improve our understanding on how best to support workforce investment and ensure that jobs will be available for people to move into as they complete their training.

At the end of 2020 the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) published the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) setting out the actions we need to take to ensure our workforce is able to support the transition to net zero.

As part of the implementation of the CESAP, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) are currently reviewing training needs and available provision required to deliver the ambitions of our Heat in Buildings Strategy. We have commissioned a workforce assessment which will serve as an evidence base for this review.

Modern Apprenticeships are the key pathway for young people into the heating and plumbing industry. The Scottish Government provides a contribution towards training of Mas through SDS. The public funded training contribution is structured by age and level, and prioritised to support outcomes within the Scottish Government's skills and economic strategies.

Three colleges are currently offering insulation apprenticeships - West College Scotland, South Lanarkshire College and Edinburgh College. A further two training facilities at West Lothian College and Dundee & Angus College are due to open August 2022 to meet the increased demand.

In addition the new Insultation Building Treatments (IBT) Level 5/6 qualification approved by Apprenticeship Approvals Group (AAG) to support external wall apprenticeships. This qualification will be supported within Scotland's colleges insultation training facilities with funding received from SP Energy Networks Green Economy Funding and Scottish Government.

This new qualification will further improve the quality and standards of installations in Scotland, in addition to creating new Apprenticeship Opportunities.

The New Supply Shared Equity Scheme is only available for the purchase of new build homes being sold by a local authority or registered social Landlord . This is an affordable housing scheme and counts towards the target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

We engage regularly with the UK Government, COSLA, local authorities and other partners to ensure that people are provided with the safety and security they need to rebuild their lives.

All 32 local authorities have confirmed their participation in Afghanistan Relocation and Resettlement Schemes and as of 4 March, 101 families (415 individuals) have been relocated to 20 Scottish Local Authorities.

Local authorities continue to experience lengthy delays in the matching process, resulting in significant costs due to properties set aside to support Afghans lying empty. We urge the UK Government to address these delays as quickly as possible.