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We published our response to the recommendations of the Just Transition Commission’s final report on 7 September 2021 which is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/transition-fairer-greener-scotland/. This confirms our commitment to implement the recommendations of the Just Transition Commission in full, and includes our national just transition planning framework which is guiding our approach to delivery with partners across Scotland. A list of recommendations made by the Commission in their final report and the associated actions are set out on pages 11 - 28.

As referred to in the document, the Scottish Government will also provide an annual ministerial statement to Parliament. This will give a comprehensive update on actions taken across Government to support a just transition, including progress on the Commission’s recommendations.

We published our response to the recommendations of the Just Transition Commission’s final report on 7 September 2021 which is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/transition-fairer-greener-scotland/ .

The statutory targets to reduce Scotland’s economy-wide emissions to net-zero, set under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and Climate Change (Emissions Reductions Target) (Scotland) Act 2019, are set at the national level and are not disaggregated to local authority levels.

New regulations, which came into force on 9 November 2020, require around 180 Scottish public bodies by November 2022 to report, where applicable, the body’s target date for achieving zero direct emissions of greenhouse gases (or such other targets that demonstrate how the body is contributing to Scotland achieving its emissions reduction targets) and, where applicable, targets for reducing indirect emissions of greenhouse gases. It is for those public bodies to determine where best to target their resource and effort to support achievement of respective targets to reduce emissions.

Since 2015-16, around 180 listed Scottish public bodies have been required to report annually on compliance with their statutory climate change duties. To assess progress on emissions reduction, the Scottish Government funds the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) Secretariat to produce an annual analysis of the submitted reports. Reported emissions from the public sector continue to decrease, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions down 28.5% since mandatory reporting began in 2015-16.

The Scottish Government is committed to working in partnership with COSLA, local authorities, and the wide range of public bodies on the shared national endeavour to tackle the global climate emergency.

The Scottish Government and Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) has collaborated on new guidance, Public Sector Leadership on the Global Climate Emergency, published on 29 October 2021. The Guidance sets out that the public sector is crucial to the implementation of national and local climate policy and that public bodies are expected to show leadership by continuing to reduce their own emissions quickly and will need to reduce emissions close to zero without offsetting for Scotland to meet its national climate change goals.

No investigations have yet been undertaken under section 48 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Historic Environment Scotland has already played a lead role in looking at the options for development at Mavisbank House, through its partnership with the Landmark Trust in the ultimately unsuccessful funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Historic Environment Scotland is continuing discussions with interested parties about the future of the property and I have asked the body to write directly to the member about the details.

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.

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.

The information requested is publicly available from PHS website:

• the latest release published on 29 June 2021 - National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times - 1 January to 31 March 2021 - National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times - Publications - Public Health Scotland . It contains information on the number of people seen for treatment, types of treatment accessed, and length of time waited
• the older releases are available on Drugs and Alcohol Misuse | Publications | Health Topics | ISD Scotland 

PHS have also provided the following table which shows the median waiting time (in days) for referrals for alcohol treatment services. Data is available for the financial years 2011-12 to 2020-21 and includes a breakdown by NHS Board as well as Scotland-level data:

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/ .