Seòmar agus comataidhean

The assessment of any impacts of a proposal, relating to the construction and/or operation of a generating station which may require section 36 consent, must be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with legislation, which includes the Electricity Act 1989, and in some cases, the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Ministers must not prejudice the conclusion of any Environmental Impact Assessment or the outcome of any application.

The consultation proposes new standardised processes for both onshore and offshore developers to engage with local communities and stakeholders before applying to the Scottish Government for new energy infrastructure.

At present, the Electricity Act has no provisions that compel developers to notify or consult communities or stakeholders before an application is submitted to Scottish Ministers.

This means the public and communities could remain unaware of proposed projects until an application is submitted.

Many developers do consult communities, but the approach is variable – which undermines public confidence and makes the applications more complex.

The consultation suggests a duty to consult communities and other statutory bodies – such as the planning authority – before an application is made.

It also proposes that a “statement of community consultation” is submitted with an application. This would set out how the public will be able to submit views on the development and how those will be considered in the final application.

The consultation also proposes the submission of a final consultation report setting out the steps taken to engage the public and how those views have been considered.

The Scottish Government does not collect data on the time-period in which people enter employment following support from the No One Left Behind Programme. However, the Scottish Government does collect data on the number of people entering employment and those that are still in employment at specific points thereafter - 4, 13, 26 or 52 weeks.

The most recent statistics indicate that of the 20,743 people supported through No One Left Behind that have entered employment since 2019, 8,657 (42%) were in employment at 4 weeks, 8,130 (39%) at 13 weeks, 7,102 (34%) at 26 weeks, and 4,227 (20%) at 52 weeks after entering employment.

Note that these figures are based on the percentage of all people that have entered employment who responded to the follow-up question. Therefore it is not a full or complete sample and we believe the data is therefore likely an undercount of the true figure.

The Scottish Government is actively reviewing this methodology following user consultation earlier this year to improve reporting on the duration of outcomes for No One Left Behind participants.

Scottish Government officials have worked closely with UK Government counterparts to demonstrate the challenges that are faced by all stakeholders in the process.

The proposals contained in the consultation are a result of the evidence gathered and set out current thinking, as we seek to gather views and evidence on the reform proposals.

The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient, not less robust. Environmental assessment standards will remain unchanged. Scottish Ministers will continue to determine each proposal on a case-by-case basis, following review of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.

It is disappointing that there had been no prior indication of this change to Inheritance Tax or engagement with the Scottish Government given that Scotland will be hit by the proposed changes brought in by the UK Government.

The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient, not less robust. Environmental assessment standards will remain unchanged. Scottish Ministers will continue to determine each proposal on a case-by-case basis, following review of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.

In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Leylodge Against Industrialisation.

In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Deeside Against Pylons.

The Scottish Government supports the delivery of the highest standards of palliative care, and we will give this report and its recommendations careful consideration. Our palliative care strategy, currently out for public consultation, aims to ensure that people can access well-coordinated, timely and high-quality palliative care, care around dying, and bereavement support based on what matters to them.

High energy prices are the single most important driver of fuel poverty. Within our devolved powers we continue to support vulnerable households through our winter heating benefits, provision of free income maximisation support, welfare and debt advice and energy efficiency schemes. However the powers to make a real difference remain reserved to Westminster. That is why the UK Government must introduce a social tariff mechanism as a means of targeted support for those who need it most, including terminally ill people who are struggling with their energy bills. The Scottish Government is making progress on co-designing such a mechanism with industry and has agreed to report to the UK Government on this work as soon as possible.

COPFS has spent £19,485.37 on locum forensic pathologists since April 2024.

Where forensic service providers in Scotland have instructed the use of a forensic pathology locum pathologist to provide assistance, for example to cover sick leave, the costs are not known but there has been no additional cost to COPFS.