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The Scottish Government recognises that the present system of presenting paper copies of powers of attorneys as proof of authority to act could be improved by digitisation of the process. Digital activation codes are used in England and appear to be a successful way of doing this. Digitisation of this process in Scotland is an operational decision within the remit of the Office of the Public Guardian, which is part of the independent Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service.

The Scottish Government remains committed to progressing work on protecting children and young people from exposure to alcohol marketing.

Public Health Scotland has been commissioned to carry out a review of the evidence for potential regulation of alcohol advertising and marketing. Once that review concludes the Scottish Government will consider the potential areas of regulation that the evidence suggests may be effective in reducing alcohol harm.

If the evidence supports it a further public consultation will be undertaken on targeted proposals.

The Scottish Government’s Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Action Plan 2023–2026 outlines a range of measures aimed at supporting individuals with lived experience of substance use to enter employment.

The Scottish Government is aware of, and is reviewing the implementation of, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) scheme for adults in treatment for alcohol and drug dependence in England. The data linkage report published in December 2024 has provided valuable insights.

The Scottish Government regularly meets with representatives from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to share knowledge and best practice regarding workforce development. We will continue to collaborate with OHID and explore how the findings from the report may inform our ongoing approach.

The proposed allocation of £15.9 million capital to the Just Transition Fund for 2025-26 announced in the draft Budget demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting a just transition in the North East and Moray and will enable us to build upon what’s already been delivered through the Fund.

To date, the Fund has allocated £75 million, supporting projects and communities across the region to create jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.

The Fund sends a clear signal of our support, but we recognise that it needs to be part of a wider stream of investment from the UK Government and others, including the private sector, to deliver a just transition to net zero.

ILF Scotland operate two funds that support disabled people: the Independent Living Fund which pays on-going weekly awards to disabled people to help them live more independently; and the Transition Fund which pays grants to disabled young people to support them with the transition to adulthood.

Previously, young people who were eligible could make second and subsequent applications to the Transition Fund. Since 1 January 2024, once an applicant has been successful in gaining a Transition Fund grant they are not able to apply again. This does not include receiving a Technology Grant for an IT device, which applicants can receive in addition to a full grant.

Young people who meet the criteria are also able to apply for support from the Independent Living Fund. If an application to the Independent Living Fund is not successful the applicant may reapply if they meet the criteria.

In February 2022, an application under section 36 of the Electricity Act seeking consent for construction and operation of the Peterhead Low Carbon Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Station was formally lodged with the Energy Consents Unit. This is currently before Ministers for determination and as such, it would be inappropriate for Ministers to make any comment.

(a) The Scottish Government is continually working with health boards and local health and social care partnerships to reduce the number of delayed discharges.

(b) The Scottish Government issued to all 14 Health Boards on 12 September 2024 the ‘Once for Scotland Rehabilitation Approach self-assessment' to support practitioners in applying the six principles of good rehabilitation. Data collected through Board's self-assessment can be used to demonstrate the impact of rehabilitation services, as well as, raising its profile across health and social care services.

(c) Community Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) are pivoting the balance of care away from secondary care and physiotherapists are an integral part of this work.

As the latest associated published data remains unchanged, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26239 on 2 April 2024 and to question S6W-26655 on 15 April 2024. 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

We are firmly committed to supporting Scotland’s freight industry and recognising the vital role hauliers play in driving economic growth and prosperity.

In October 2014, the speed limit for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness was increased from 40 mph to 50 mph. Simultaneously, the A9 average speed camera system was introduced. A comprehensive review conducted in 2018 assessed the safety performance of the route three years after these measures were implemented. The findings demonstrated a consistent reduction in collisions and casualty numbers involving HGVs over 7.5 tonnes. This evidence highlights the positive impact that increasing the HGV speed limit has had on road safety along the route.

On 27 November 2024, the Scottish Government launched a public consultation as part of the National Speed Management Review. This initiative seeks to ensure that speed limits across Scotland are both appropriate and effective in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. The proposals include lowering the national speed limit for motor vehicles on single carriageways from 60 mph to 50 mph while increasing HGV speed limits to 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways. The consultation is open until 5 March 2025, and we encourage all stakeholders to share their views. Once the consultation responses have been analysed, any resulting changes will be announced alongside the next steps for implementation.

The Just Transition Fund has allocated £75 million to date, supporting projects and communities across the North East and Moray to create jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.