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The Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020 came into force on 9 November 2020. By November 2022, the Order requires Scottish public bodies to report, where applicable, targets for reducing indirect emissions of greenhouse gases. Follow-up guidance, Public Sector Leadership on the Global Climate Emergency , published on 29 October 2021, sets out that public sector leaders must take strong action over the next decade to tackle the significant new challenge of decarbonising the £13.3 billion of annual public sector procurement. The guidance sets out that all relevant and significant areas of an organisation’s indirect emissions should be reported and that, over time, public bodies will be expected to report on their Scope 3 emissions as fully as possible.

The decision to amend the full implementation date for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme to 16 August 2023 was taken following an independent Gateway Review and Assurance of Action Plan and extensive follow-up engagement with industry and other stakeholders, and announced to the Scottish Parliament on 14 December 2021.

The Local Delivery Plan Standard for IVF Waiting Times is for ‘90 per cent of eligible patients to commence IVF treatment within 12 months of referral. The 90% standard continues to be met since it was first measured in March 2015.

Waiting time statistics on the waits experienced by patients from referral to screening appointment for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment can be found on the PHS website at the following link: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/ivf-waiting-times-in-scotland

This is the latest IVF Waiting Times publication and data from January 2016 to present can be downloaded under Data Files, data from July 2014 can be found https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/2018-08-28/2018-08-28-IVF-Waiting-Times.xlsx . Collection of waiting times data on IVF screening and waiting times only began in 2014.

As the statistics produced are predominately based on aggregate data and presented in 13 week time bands an average (mean) waiting time cannot be calculated.

Patients can already store gametes (egg and sperm) through NHS fertility services with informed consent (regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and by law under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended)) under the following circumstances:

• Storage of personal gametes for use in NHS Assisted Conception Treatment by couples that fulfil the access criteria.
• Storage of gametes for patients who require fertility preservation treatment.
• Storage of gametes donated altruistically by sperm or egg donors for use in NHS Assisted Conception Treatment.
  

(a) The Scottish Government is taking effective steps to meet the needs of an evolving labour market by promoting employer business models that commit to investing in evidence-based human resources development.

In September 2021, the Scottish Government established a short-life Business Purpose Commission for Scotland, to promote more purposeful businesses and better corporate governance. The Commission is tasked with examining issues related to that agenda, which includes business models, improving understanding of purpose as a way of retaining and attracting talent, and developing recommendations for how more purposeful businesses can be supported in Scotland. The Commission is currently in evidence gathering stage, with hundreds of businesses having already provided evidence via the business purpose question included in the Quarterly Fraser of Allander Scottish Business Monitor (Q3) and the Commission's call for evidence, which closed on 10 December 2021. Thematic workshops are also scheduled to take place in January 2022, to gather further evidence.

(b) The Scottish Government is likewise taking effective steps to meet the needs of an evolving labour market by ensuring that employability programmes focus on developing skills and providing quality work.

Through No One Left Behind, we are working with partners to implement an approach to employability that is person-centred, flexible and responsive to local labour market needs. We are working collaboratively across sectors to ensure our services contribute to tackling poverty and inequalities, and that people who want help to find and remain in work have access to the help and support they need. Our flagship employability service, Fair Start Scotland has supported over 13,000 people into work since launching in April 2018. We continue to focus on improving our services for those further from the labour market, offering 12-18 months of pre-employment support and a further 12 months of in-work support for participants and their employers to encourage sustained employment.

Unemployed individuals can also currently access key skills provision to support their return to work which is targeted at areas of growth or labour market and skills shortages. This includes the National Transition Training Fund for those aged 25 and over and – where applicable, Individual Training Accounts.

The ambition of the Young Person’s Guarantee is that every person aged between 16 and 24 will have the opportunity to study; take up an apprenticeship, job or work experience; or participate in formal volunteering. There are now 382 employers signed up to the Young Person's Guarantee, generating in excess of 7,400 additional opportunities. In 2020-22, we have provided additional funding of up to £130m with the aim of supporting over 24,000 new and enhanced employment, training and educational opportunities for young people, with a particular focus on supporting those who face additional challenges in participating in the labour market. A further £45m will be invested in 2022-23. Local Authority Employer Recruitment Incentives (ERIs) also remain in place to support young people into employment, including apprenticeships, particularly individuals who experience difficulties accessing the labour market.

The total number of households that have received energy saving and efficiency improvements delivered through the Scottish Government’s energy efficiency programmes between 2016-17 and 2020-21* in this region** are:

Warmer Homes Scotland – 251

Area Based Schemes – 1337

Home Energy Scotland Loans – 522 (316 of which received cashback)

*As Area Based projects for financial year 2020/21 have just concluded, final installation figures are currently unavailable until late January 2022. Home Energy Scotland loans scheme began April 2017, so there is no data for 2016/17.

**Figures for Area Based schemes and Home Energy Scotland Loans are only available on a Local Authority basis not a Parliamentary Constituency basis.

Local authorities and Police have a range of powers under the current Coronavirus regulations, including the power to issue notices and directions on businesses to take specific actions. Similar powers have been in place under previous regulations. Enforcement action is the last step of the 4 Es approach (Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce).

No Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to hospitality businesses by local authority officers under these regulations. Local authorities have sought to resolve any issues with businesses without resorting to formal enforcement, and where this has been necessary direction powers and improvement notices are the tools that have been used. Engagement and enforcement of the regulations on business premises has been led by the local authorities, rather than Police Scotland. Police Scotland do not publish data on FPNs issued.

We recognise the pandemic’s impact on the economy and businesses across a wide range of sectors. So far, the Scottish Government has provided £79.3 million directly to taxi and private hire drivers and operators in response to the pandemic. Further support of up to £28 million was announced on 5 January 2022 from within the £375 million package of funding announced on 21 December 2021, bringing total support for the sector to over £107 million. We will work closely with delivery partners to make payments to eligible businesses at the earliest opportunity, which is of course our established approach. Eligibility criteria will be published shortly.

In response to the Omicron variant, travel restrictions were reintroduced to limit importation of the virus into Scotland and across the UK. Following four nations discussions on 5 January 2022, the decision has been taken to remove these measures.

From Friday 7 January, travellers who are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18 are no longer required to take a pre-departure Covid test or self-isolate until they've received a negative ‘day 2’ test result upon arrival. Additionally, the day 2 test can now be a lateral flow device (LFD) test rather than a PCR test from Sunday 9 January. Anyone who tests positive on their lateral flow test will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test.

There are no changes to travellers who are not eligible under the fully vaccinated travel policy. These individuals must take a pre-departure test, self-isolate upon arrival into Scotland for 10 days and take two PCR tests on day 2 and day 8. People travelling to Scotland should check the guidance before making their journey, as rules can change at short notice: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/overview/ .

The Scottish Government is aware of the significant impact that Omicron has had on the culture and major events sector. The Scottish Government has announced a financial package worth £65 million for this sector. The split of the funding is as follows:

• for cultural businesses, organisations, venue and independent cinema support and grassroots venues - £31.5 million
•  National Performing Companies (for Christmas losses and touring fund re-purposing) - £2 million
• Freelancers - £10 million
• Events sector - £19.8 million
• Museums, galleries and heritage - £1.7 million

Applications for the Covid19 cancellation fund for freelancers was launched on 6 January 2021. Further information on this is available at the following link: COVID-19 Cancellation Fund for Creative Freelancers | Creative Scotland

The other funds will take more time to establish but work is being done to expedite this process.