Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scotland’s Census 2022 contact centre experienced high volumes of calls in its first few days of operation and we are aware that some callers have experienced longer than average wait times at peak points during the day. National Records of Scotland apologise for any frustration this may have caused.

Callers to the Freephone helpline (0800 030 8308) are advised at the start of the call of current wait times and therefore have the option to phone back at a less busy time. An automated option (option 1) is also provided for those wishing to order a paper form. This involves no wait time.

Additional resources have been placed into the contact centre to deal with periods of peak activity. Contact can also be made with the census team via web chat, e-mail or physical correspondence. Contact details can be found here: Contact us | Scotland's Census 2022 . Help and advice on a range of topics is also provided at www.census.gov.scot .

These updates continue to have a positive impact, with general reductions in the average wait times in week 2 and beyond. There is ongoing active monitoring and management of the position to ensure that those that need help are able to speak to an agent.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that energy generated from solar PV can play in contributing to the decarbonisation of Scotland’s energy supply and in securing a just transition to a net zero by 2045.

In developing the vision for the future of solar as part of the forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan we will draw on internal analysis and work closely with the sector to explore the potential for solar energy capacity in Scotland .

Everyone living in Scotland is included in the census and we understand that not everyone will be able to, or wish to, complete their census online. That is why paper copies are available upon request by anyone who needs them either by calling our Freephone helpline on 0800 030 8308, by visiting our website www.census.gov.scot . Or, by writing to:

Scotland’s Census 2022

National Records of Scotland

New Register House

3 West Register Street

Edinburgh

EH1 3YT

Copies of the paper questionnaire can be ordered via the automated service over the phone, or by asking to speak to an adviser. Paper questionnaires can also be requested on behalf of someone else with their permission.

In the specific context of Scotland’s island communities and Scotland’s Census 2022, we are aware that the most significant barrier is likely to be digital connectivity. The Scottish Government Digital infrastructure strategy aims to: deliver 100% superfast broadband access across Scotland; improve the availability of mobile connectivity across the region, by using linkages to broadband availability; and, ensure the underlying infrastructure is in place to support the future growth of high-bandwidth connectivity.

We want everyone living in Scotland to be included in the Census, including those in harder to reach rural and island communities. Whilst the 2022 census will be predominantly online, paper questionnaires and support materials will also be available for those who are unable, or do not wish to, complete online. In addition, we have also: appointed a Regional Manager, based in Na h-Eileanan Siar, who will help bring local knowledge to our operational plans and support stakeholder engagement and partnerships throughout the highlands and islands; and, appointed Area Managers based in Argyll & Bute, Highlands, Dumfriesshire, Borders, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney and Shetland Islands to support rural and island communities at local authority level. We are also on-boarding field force enumerators who will be allocated all across Scotland (where possible from those communities) to provide national help and support coverage on the ground, and will provide non response follow-up to ensure we are maximising response.

We are monitoring census submissions, nationally, regionally and locally and by Local Authority Area. This will allow us to identify any areas where we need to invest more effort in encouraging and maximising response.

The Scottish Government continue to support the development of clinical trials on the use of Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal Use (CBPMs).

Through the work of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, we continue to engage with the National Institute for Health Research on two randomised controlled trials into epilepsy.

We also continue to encourage manufacturers of CBPMs to support further research, and bring their products forward for trials.

Currently breakfast club provision in Scotland is delivered through a mixed model of in-school, private and voluntary services which often combine food provision with early morning childcare. Many parents will pay directly for breakfast clubs with costs varying according to how and where the service is delivered. Many local authorities subsidise or provide breakfast clubs for free with funding coming from general revenue funds.

We are committed to funding the expansion of free school meals to all pupils in primary and special schools, as well as introducing free year-round breakfast and lunch provision to support eligible children and young people outside of the school term. In order to effectively deliver an expanded breakfast offer we need to better understand the extent of current breakfast provision across local authorities. Our priority this year is to is to map existing provision and plan what delivery of a future breakfast offer should look like to best meet the needs of children and families in Scotland. Appropriate funding to support breakfast provision across the whole of Scotland will then be allocated once we understand both the gaps in provision and funding.

This year we are providing £21.75M of targeted support for food provision during the school holidays for all eligible primary and secondary children and young people. We have also provided £10M of funding for our summer 2022 childcare, food and activities programme which will test models of providing holiday services for families recognising the need for childcare and food, particularly in the summer holiday period.

The Scottish Stroke Improvement Team have reported on a 12 hour Standard for brain imaging since the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme National Report (2020). Prior to this, the standard had been within 24 hours. This change in Stroke Standard was in response to a change in the evidence base, with some new treatment regimes being shown to improve outcome when initiated within 12 hours of stroke onset.

Some cases of stroke are time critical emergencies and should be scanned immediately, for instance those patients requiring hyperacute interventions such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy. These specific cases have their own stroke standards on door-to-needle times which ensure that processes are audited and service improvement packages are put in place.

We are keen for Tighean Innse Gall to continue to help deliver insulation improvements as part of our Area Based Schemes. We’re also keen for them to retain their status as an approved installer of insulation with the British Board of Agreement.

Scottish Government officials and officers from the local council have been working with Tighean Innse Gall to find practical solutions to the specific issues in the Western Isles. The Scottish Government will shortly be writing to confirm the actions that have been agreed with the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

These are issues we have raised with the BSI, including the particular challenges of improving the insulation and ventilation of traditionally constructed homes in the Western Isles. We are pleased that the BSI has agreed with us that a greater input from Scottish stakeholders with local experience and knowledge is key to delivering meaningful standards. This will include technical experts from our remote rural and island communities in future.

The PAS2035 and PAS2030 standards for retrofit and installation of energy efficiency measures are published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). Installers of insulation measures must comply with PAS2030:2019 to retain their approved status as part of recognised industry schemes.

We agree that changes to the PAS2030 and PAS2035 standards are needed if they are to better reflect the housing stock, weather and environmental conditions in Scotland. However these are UK standards and the BSI are sponsored by the UK Government.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities.

The vast majority of funding to local authorities from the Scottish Government is provided via a block grant and we do not stipulate how local authorities should utilise their individual allocations. It is therefore the responsibility of each local authority to manage their own budget and to allocate the financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.

However, the Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics (SLGFS) provides an overview of actual spend based on Local Authority’s audited accounts which may be useful.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-local-government-finance-statistics-slgfs-2019-20/ .

Previous annual reports can be located at the following link; Local government finance statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

This data is not collected centrally.