Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering fisheries management measures for existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where such measures are not already in place, as well as key coastal biodiversity locations outside of these sites. As outlined in the Parliamentary Statement of 29 June 2023, due to the complexity of the of the inshore area and the number of sites, the fisheries management measures will not be delivered before March 2024. The Scottish Government will consult on the proposals for offshore areas after summer recess and on proposals for inshore areas in 2024.

The Scottish Government do not hold any information on whether cadmium-plated pipes were water tested before the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital opened in 2015.

The Scottish Government COVID-19 Adaptations Expert Group have highlighted that there is a lack of information on ventilation performance and subsequent indoor air quality for existing buildings.

We are considering advice from the expert group to address this gap, including exploring the feasibility of a national ventilation performance survey for public sector buildings.

In Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 (CAFS) the Scottish Government committed to identifying what, if any, actions might best be undertaken at a Scottish level to address the issues associated with indoor air pollution, by 2026.

We employ methodologies which align to the Scottish Public Finance Manual. These include processes, guidance and techniques for identifying, owning, assessing, reviewing and reporting risks, risk appetite and response.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on major rebuilding or refurbishment requirements. It is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate.

Since 2007 the quality of the school estate has improved from 61% to over 90% of schools reported in good or satisfactory condition.

The total number of publicly funded schools reported as in good or satisfactory condition in the School estates annual survey from 2016 to 2022 is shown in the table below. Figures from the 2023 survey are not yet available.

The number of schools by condition rating for each local authority is reported separately for Primary, Secondary and Special schools in Tables 4.2 to 4.4 in the annual school estate statistics supplementary data tables https://www.gov.scot/publications/school-estate-statistics-2022/documents/ .

Table 1: Schools in good or satisfactory condition by local authority and year

The Scottish Government’s Fisheries Management Strategy sets out a clear approach for managing sea fisheries in partnership with our stakeholders in a way that balances environmental, social and economic interests.

The Scottish fishing industry is incredibly important to Scotland and we must recognise and nurture the socio-economic benefits derived from it, such as supporting employment and the economy in rural areas, and providing a source of healthy, high-protein food.

Whilst we are already delivering good outcomes, we know we need to deliver better. Our growing knowledge of the nature and climate crises has put into stark relief that ecosystems are degrading. In order ensure that our historic fishing industry thrives for generations to come we must safeguard and improve the marine ecosystems on which our fishing industry is built. It is a symbiotic relationship, and there must be space for fisheries to continue to operate – in a sustainable way.

We must embrace change to enhance our fisheries management and continue to develop solutions to difficult challenges. Through the development of a suite of measures, our Future Catching Policy, Remote Electronic Monitoring Policy and Inshore Vessel Tracking and Monitoring policy, we are taking steps to ensure we are at the forefront of establishing enhanced sustainable fisheries management measures.

The Scottish Government is pleased to announce the publication of the outcomes of last year’s consultations on the Future Catching Policy and Remote Electronic Monitoring. The Future Catching Policy will take positive action to increase the sustainability of fishing activity in Scottish waters, supporting fishers to avoid catching fish and other sensitive marine species which they do not want to land, or catch in the first place – reducing waste and increasing biodiversity outcomes.

Remote Electronic Monitoring will deliver increased accountability and confidence in our sea fishing activities, ensuring that we have the right data and knowledge available on which to base management decisions.

The Scottish Government has also published a consultation on the use of inshore vessel tracking and monitoring, with proposals for how we can improve fisheries data by requiring electronic tracking and monitoring technology on under 12 metre commercial fishing vessels. These proposals build on successful trials of vessel tracking, such as the Outer Hebrides Pilot, and will improve our understanding of where inshore vessels are fishing, delivering spatial data that will help us to manage fisheries sustainably for the future, deliver enhanced marine environmental protection, improve control and enforcement tools and, inform marine planning. We have a strong record of engaging with our stakeholders and I would encourage all of them to respond to this consultation.

The consultation documents can be found here: https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/improving-inshore-fisheries-data/ - Consultation on extending vessel tracking and monitoring technology on under 12 metre commercial fishing vessels

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805256595 - Analysis of Consultation: Marine Resources – Ensuring Long Term Sustainability: Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805256588 - SG Response to Consultation: Marine Resources – Ensuring Long Term Sustainability: Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805257165 - Future Catching Policy Consultation Analysis Report

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805259916 - Future Catching Policy: Scottish Government response to consultation analysis report

We are planning on the basis that the full model should be implemented by mid 2025.To aid with implementation we will work with regional chief executives and strategic planning leads to undertake modelling and capacity work to help develop local implementation plans. It is important that the whole multidisciplinary team are involved in developing local plans, including obstetric and maternity staff.

For parents of babies currently in neonatal care, there will be no immediate change. This model of care is based on how neonatal care has been delivered in Scotland for many years. For example, babies born in the Borders needing specialist intensive care have for many years received intensive care in Edinburgh or Glasgow, before being transferred back to hospitals closer to home as their condition improves.

The details of the current fee codes can be found in the Statement of Dental Remuneration and the discretionary fee guide. Copies of these documents are available online at:

• Statement of Dental Remuneration (scottishdental.org)
• Discretionary fee guide | National Services Scotland (nhs.scot)

We intend to introduce the 45 new fee codes for general dentistry from 1 November. A copy of the revised Determination I can be found online at: PCA(2023)4 – Fees for Determination I | Scottish Dental.

Our priority with payment reform was to ensure that we have set the fee levels to encourage the dental sector to increase NHS provision, whilst ensuring that patients can access the full range of NHS care and treatment.

As autonomous bodies, Scottish universities continue to strengthen pre-existing relationships with European higher education institutions through all available channels.