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The Scottish Government follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Guidance in the planning of vaccine delivery. This evidence-based guidance advises that the single greatest risk of mortality from COVID-19 is increasing age, and that the risk increases exponentially with age.

The Scottish Government greatly values the work of Scotland’s police officers and staff in keeping communities safe throughout this pandemic. They have been at the frontline of this public health response, and we are so grateful for the work they have undertaken.

Decisions to prioritise one population group over another are not taken lightly, nor are they straightforward. That is why our prioritisation decisions are guided by the independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

We are adhering to the priority list devised by the JCVI which has been designed to target those at greatest risk from COVID-19 and is estimated to address over 90 per cent of preventable mortality from the virus in Scotland. This is the priority rollout all nations of the UK are working towards and it is important that we adhere to these lists in order to avoid more lives being lost.

All staff employed to work on the programme are paid in accordance with nationally set terms and conditions and are working to agreed job roles.

A substantive Band 3 vaccinator is paid £20,700 rising to £22,594 (per annum). A Band 5 immunisations nurse is paid £25,100 to £31,649, in line with Agenda for Change rates. Substantive staff from other areas of the health service working overtime and redeployed staff are paid according to their terms and conditions of service. Bank staff who do not also hold contracts of employment with the host health board are paid at the grade and pay band as specified in their bank contract, relating to the role profile pursuant to which they have been deployed.

The Scottish Government has set sessional rates of £230 and £231 for independent contractors (GPs, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists) taking part in the COVID-19 vaccination programme. These rates reflect both the market conditions for hiring these professionals, and the roles being filled in the programme.

The above arrangements have supported the temporary deployment of staff during the initial phases of the vaccination programme, while work is taken forward to build a sustainable vaccination workforce.

Our commitment to becoming a net-zero society by 2045 is unwavering. In 2019, the whole-life carbon impact of Scotland’s household waste reached its lowest level since official recording began.

To further accelerate progress, Scottish Ministers are fully committed to ending the practice of sending biodegradable municipal waste to landfill by 2025. This is in line with recommendations previously made by the Committee on Climate Change.

We still need capacity to dispose of residual waste, which cannot be reused or recycled, while we make the transition to a circular economy in Scotland. However, we have committed to review the role that incineration plays in Scotland’s waste hierarchy.

In Scotland, it is illegal to incinerate materials that have been separately collected and are capable of being recycled, and waste incineration is strictly regulated in line with EU standards under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations.

We remain committed to finalising the Fuel Poverty Strategy later this year and an update on the resumption of work to produce it was sent to the Convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee on 22 March 2021. Further information on the work to develop the draft strategy and also on the appointment of the statutory Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel will be provided in due course.

The Scottish Government is working with a range of key sector stakeholders and local authorities to meet this commitment and make payments at the earliest opportunity within the first 100 days of the administration.

Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today.

These Regulations move Moray to Level 2 from Saturday, 22 May. The Regulations also add the areas of Bedford Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council to the list of places in which the Common Travel Area travel restrictions apply from Monday, 24 May.

The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/211/made .

The Scottish Government has given a commitment to establishing a dignified, compassionate miscarriage service tailored to the needs of women. The aim is to support the development of individualised care plans after a woman’s first miscarriage and ensure maternity departments have dedicated facilities for women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications.

We also welcome the findings of the Lancet series on miscarriage published on‎ 26 April 2021 and are considering the findings and recommendations made. Next steps are being discussed with stakeholders.

Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 on Friday, 14 May.

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 in line with the latest changes announced by the First Minister. The Regulations permit snooker & pool halls and bowling alleys to reopen in Level 2 and allow increased in-home socialising in Level 2 areas. These Regulations make some adjustments in relation to powers of entry, hotels and to the requirements placed on those responsible for businesses, services and places of worship. The Regulations future-proof the travel restrictions for Level 3 and 4 by reintroducing a limitation on travel to reach a place for outdoor exercise, socialising and recreation. The Regulations also adjust the restrictions relating to capacity limits on stadia and live events and for public processions in some levels.

Finally, these Regulations adjust the levels allocation across Scotland. This includes keeping Glasgow and Moray in Level 3.

The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/209/contents/made.

In accordance with the Sewel Convention and in line with Rule 9B of Standing Orders, the UK Parliament should not legislate with regard to devolved matters – that is on matters within the legislative competence of the Parliament or which change the competence of the Parliament or the Scottish Ministers – without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. 

Within the legislative programme announced by the UK Government, Bills which appear to give rise to the requirement for the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament are: 

Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill

Electoral Integrity Bill

Environment Bill

Health and Care Bill

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

Procurement Reform Bill

Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill

Professional Qualifications Bill

Kept Animals Bill

The Scottish Government will consider the content of all Bills before making its recommendation to the Parliament on legislative consent. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine whether to give or withhold consent. 

It is possible that legislative consent may be required for other UK Bills and those will be drawn to the attention of the Parliament as they arise.