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We are currently considering all the issues raised in response to our recent consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill. We will confirm our decisions and the nature and timing of next steps as soon as practicable.

The SPCB recognises the pressures staff face in effectively balancing the responsibilities of work with their personal commitments and is committed to providing appropriate support for staff. A comprehensive range of measures are available to support staff in relation to fertility and other family planning areas. 

The SPCB will, as good practice, support staff by granting non-statutory special leave with pay for assessment or treatment relating to fertility.  MSPs, as employers, also have access to the same time off arrangements for their staff.  Recognising that no two cases are the same, individual circumstances are taken into account.  For example, the SPCB recognises that staff may require time off to attend appointments for IVF/fertility treatment.  Staff may also want to accompany their partner if they are undergoing treatments. 

Time off is provided equal to the duration of an appointment for preparing for treatment, undergoing treatment and accompanying a partner who is undergoing treatment.  MSPs, their staff and parliamentary staff (and their partners) also have access to a free and confidential counselling service which can support those in these circumstances.

The free online Primary Care cancer education platform, Gateway C, was launched in Scotland on 30th of April 2024. Courses focus on cancer symptoms and referral, and we have seen uptake across all of Scotland's Health Boards, in wide ranging job roles in primary care.

The brain tumour course specifically aims to assist primary care staff in effectively assessing and managing patients with a potential brain tumour diagnosis. The course includes interactive video consultations based on patients with differing symptoms, alongside a range of activities to reinforce key learning points. In addition to online courses, there are podcasts and webinars that can be accessed at any time. The latest podcast recorded, 26 November 2024, discussed brain tumours and a communication has been sent out to make registrants aware of this.

In Scotland we will continue to push communications on Gateway C, to build momentum on the successful launch earlier this year.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The foundations of the Whole Farm Plan will become a requirement in 2025 for the Basic Payment Scheme. At this stage, businesses with a share in a common grazing do not need to include the common grazing in their biodiversity audit. The Scottish Government is continuing to co-develop a proportionate approach to account for these valuable areas in the future as part of the wider Agriculture Reform Programme.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy highlights the need to mainstream positive outcomes for biodiversity across a much wider range of Scottish Government policies, although we have no current plans to take forward the activities suggested.

The Scottish Government’s commitment is to progressing towards a 36-hour working week for Agenda for Change staff, building on an initial 30-minute reduction in working hours implemented from 1 April 2024. Whilst extensive guidance has been issued setting out the overarching principles to be applied in facilitating this transition, the Implementation Group and the Scottish Government have been clear that specific decisions on how the reduction will be achieved should be made at a local level and in partnership, based on the needs of a given service.

We have also made clear that the first half hour will be used as a learning process with a national evaluation carried out to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with further reductions. Health Boards (under the 1978 NHS Act) are required to undertake workforce planning and we would expect to see appropriate consideration around the impacts of the Reduced Working Week on services within their planning activity.

As set out in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has committed to introduce the Natural Environment Bill as part of the year four legislative programme. Due to parliamentary procedure, we are unable to provide the precise date for introduction. The Scottish Parliament will announce the introduction date shortly before the introductory process begins.

When introduced, the Bill will establish the framework for statutory targets to restore and protect nature. It will also include provisions to modernise the way in which national parks and deer are managed and provide powers to update environmental impact assessment and habitats legislation to support delivery of our net zero and biodiversity goals.

As I set out in response to questions S6W-30360 on 9 October 2024 and S6W-30743 on 11 November 2024 we are providing a range of support and funding to work that aims to promote red squirrel populations.

A total grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded to the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) partnership project by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, from April 2024 to March 2026.

A breakdown of how this £1m funding is being distributed across projects and localities is not held centrally.

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

Red squirrel populations fluctuate throughout the year and between seasons and it is not possible carry out direct counts across wide areas.

The most recent review of the population of British mammals, published in 2018, estimated the Scottish population of red squirrels at between 181,000 and 444,000 individuals.

This estimate is based on habitat use by study populations of red squirrels and modelling of carrying capacity of available habitats in Scotland. The modelling does not support estimates of regional populations.

As set out in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has committed to introduce the Natural Environment Bill as part of the year four legislative programme. Due to parliamentary procedure, we are unable to provide the precise date for introduction. The Scottish Parliament will announce the introduction date shortly before the introductory process begins.

When introduced, the Bill will establish the framework for statutory targets to restore and protect nature. It will also include provisions to modernise the way in which national parks and deer are managed and provide powers to update environmental impact assessment and habitats legislation to support delivery of our net zero and biodiversity goals.