Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02164 on
‎ 31 August 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic hardship for many householders throughout Scotland and is why the Scottish Government reacted quickly to provide vital support to help people, communities and businesses during this unprecedented period. The Scottish economy faces major challenges as it recovers from the pandemic and transitions towards becoming a net zero economy. To support the economy during this period, the Scottish Government has committed to delivering a new 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation. The strategy will, through the Advisory Council for Economic Transformation and the views received through the programme of stakeholder engagement and the public consultation, fully take into account the impact of the pandemic as it sets out the key actions to transform the economy over the next 10 years.

The Scottish Government has been ready since March to proceed with the process to establish green ports. We are in an on-going dialogue with the UK Government with the aim of working together to ensure that green ports drive fair work practices and contribute to our journey to a net zero economy. We await a response from the UK government on their latest position with regard to agreeing a prospectus for applicants.

The intention of the Scottish Government is to publish an applicant prospectus as soon as possible, to avoid Scottish businesses being disadvantaged by any further delay.

A file with the number of passengers, cars, and commercial vehicles and buses on selected Caledonian MacBrayne routes has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 62608).

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of motorhomes transported by Caledonian MacBrayne.

(a) the UKG are the principal contract owners of the Managed Quarantine Service contract. Any use of the term “principle” in this context would have been in error, for which we apologise. (b) The use of the term “officiate of the contract” is used to describe the Scottish Government’s role in relation to the use of the Managed Quarantine Service contract in Scotland. The Scottish Government, although not contract owners or signatories to the contract, act in the capacity of a beneficiary of services in relation to the Managed Quarantine Service contract and in addition, instruct the service delivery in Scotland through direct relationship management with the suppliers of services to the Managed Quarantine Service contract.

Scotland’s Population 2020: the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends’ will be published at 9:30 a.m. on 31 August 2021. The Report contains information about births, deaths and marriages during the year, together with other demographic information. A copy of the report is available from the Registrar General’s website at www.nrscotland.gov.uk .

I welcome Professor Stobart’s paper on the future of qualifications and assessment.

It is important to note that this paper has not produced recommendations but looks at approaches taken around the world, outlining a number of possible options for Scotland to consider as part of a wider conversations on any future changes to its qualifications and assessment system.

These options include:

• the development of a Senior Phase qualification system based on a combination of teacher assessment and exams
• the simplification of S4-5 assessment by “de-cluttering” the historical diet of exams
• the increased use of online exam resources and oral presentations as an assessment format
• the inclusion of pupils views in decisions around assessment
• enhancing the role of vocational qualifications

Working with stakeholders across the education sector, including learners, we will give full consideration to the options that Professor Stobart has outlined.

I will update Parliament on how this work will be taken forward and on the on-going implementation of OECD recommendations on Curriculum for Excellence in due course.

The Scottish Government has today (31 August) published the Financial Sustainability Health Check of the Childcare Sector in Scotland .

This exercise has collected evidence on the sustainability of the childcare sector, in particular in light of the impacts of COVID-19. The Health Check has been informed by evidence and analysis from: detailed surveys of childcare providers; in-depth case study interviews with a range of providers; discussions with provider representative bodies; and analysis of trends in registration data. A supporting Analysis and Evidence paper has also been published.

As part of this exercise we have also collected updated information from all local authorities on the sustainable rates that they have set for providers in the private, third and childminding sectors to deliver funded early learning and childcare.

The Health Check sets out a range of actions that we will now work with the sector and delivery partners to progress. The actions will build on the substantial targeted financial support made available to the sector since March 2020, actions already being progressed, and aligning, where possible, with economy-wide support measures.

As outlined in the Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools guidance, published 16 August 2021, from 9 August our approach to contact tracing and self-isolation for close contacts aged under 18, including those attending schools, has changed. Close contacts aged under 18 who are identified by Test and Protect as requiring to do so will be asked to self-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative they can end self-isolation provided they remain asymptomatic.

Exemptions from PCR testing apply to close contacts who are aged under 5, or who for medical reasons are unable to be tested or are exempt. Parents or carers should seek advice from their GP or the local Health Protection team to obtain this exemption if their child is unable to get tested. For these groups, a PCR test will not be required to end self-isolation.

The approach to children aged under 5 reflects the lower risks of infection and transmission in this age group, and the fact that younger children may find it harder to tolerate testing. However, children under 5 who are close contacts remain encouraged to take a PCR test where possible.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02400 on 31 August 2021 . All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .