Seòmar agus comataidhean

All 429 of the intelligence reports received between 24 August 2020 and 30 November 2021 via the webform have been assessed, with appropriate actions identified and initiated.

The remit of the short life working group expressly omits the merits of different models to tackle prostitution .

Lived experience will be captured within the short life working group’s membership as many of our third sector organisations work directly or indirectly with women involved in prostitution. The consultation on draft principles will also enable further voices to feed into this process.

In addition, recognising that prostitution may be experienced alongside other forms of gendered violence, we have agreed that a Reference Group is convened with opportunities to input into the development of the draft principles work. This membership spans across a number of Scottish Government portfolio areas, the wider public sector, third sector and those with direct lived experience.

We have also commissioned a central piece of national lived experience research which aims to understand current support service provision and the needs of service users better. This is being taken forward by an independent research team and is crucial in the forward look towards re-design of support services.

A short life working group, comprising of key public bodies and third sector representatives, has been established to consider the fundamental principles which will underpin a model for Scotland to effectively tackle and challenge men’s demand for prostitution. These principles will embed equality, human rights and support our efforts to tackle men’s violence against women. Draft principles will be consulted upon later this year.

As part of this work, the group are considering a range of issues which includes support services and how this will be reflected within the model’s principles.

A key aim of this work is to reduce stigma and criminalisation experienced by women involved in prostitution and improve access to services at local and national levels.

The Scottish Government does not intend to stop payments to people receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP) once they reach state pension age.

An individual, over state pension age, will continue to receive payment of Adult Disability Payment until either they report a change in circumstance or their next light touch review by Social Security Scotland indicates that their needs have changed.

The Scottish Government believes that listening to as broad a range as possible of people affected by these practices will help us to understand what support and action may be needed.

That is why we published a dedicated webpage and questionnaire on 26 January, to invite views from women and families affected by historical adoption practices, who may also wish to take the opportunity to shape next steps. The information we receive will help us to continue to explore how those affected can best be supported with a view to continuing a collaborative approach as we progress with this matter.

We have also introduced a dedicated helpline in collaboration with Health in Mind for individuals who would like to be supported to make their contribution.

Scotland House London is clearly not an overseas office, but is a hub in a crucial city for Scotland. The facility provides a platform to develop trade and investment links, strengthen government to government relations and facilitate collaboration on economic, academic and innovation projects. Through Scotland House we are enhancing the range and depth of engagement with international partners across areas of shared ambition and common challenge, in order to inform and support the delivery of the Scottish Government policy agenda. Scotland House London is a unique collaboration between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise (including Scottish Development International), VisitScotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

SEPA’s draft budget allocation for 2022-23 is £41.406 million. This year’s budget settlement represents the best possible outcome against the backdrop of significant pressures on public finances, including a 10% reduction in cash terms compared with 2021-22, in Scottish Government’s capital budget, and the level of resources required to deliver statutory functions and agreed Ministerial environmental priorities across 2022-23. The Scottish Government are in dialogue with SEPA on the specific priorities to be reflected in their 2022-23 Operational Plan ,which is due to be published April 2022. The Plan will include work such as developing regulation for the Deposit Return Scheme and Single Use Plastics. Delivery of Scotland’s River Basin Management Plan will continue to be a core priority as will their Flood Forecasting and Warning Service.

Following engagement with sector bodies it was clear that many nightclubs would not be viable with distancing and table service restrictions in place. A decision was therefore taken by Ministers, using a four harms approach, that closure of nightclubs with appropriate support was the most effective option for controlling the virus and for the sector. This decision allowed nightclubs the flexibility to adjust operations and remain operating with relevant restrictions or close and receive extra financial support. Due to the pace of decision-making, it was not possible to engage with Local Authorities prior to the announcement however officials engaged with relevant teams after the announcement.

We know this is a difficult time for the independent travel agents and we have had to make tough decisions to target funding to sectors immediately impacted by the updated public health guidance.

Since the start of the pandemic, businesses have benefitted from more than £4.4bn in support from the Scottish Government. This includes support for travel agents who benefited from sectoral grants of up to £25,000 per premises this year in addition to other support including the Strategic Framework Business Fund grants, Restart Grants, Contingency Fund, Non-Domestic Rates relief and furlough payments for staff.

We recently announced £375m of support for businesses impacted by the necessary public health measures introduced to control the spread of Omicron and have provided details on how £266 million of this will be allocated. Decisions on the allocation of the remaining funds will be confirmed following further consultation with affected sectors on how it can best be targeted.