Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government does not collect information on the type of employee as part of the Public Sector Employment data collection.

Some of the trend information on headcount can be obtained from the data sources below:

NHS Scotland Workforce data: NHS Scotland workforce | Turas Data Intelligence

Scottish Government Workforce data: Scottish Government workforce information - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Police Officer numbers: Police officer quarterly strength statistics: 30 June 2024 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Please note that the statistics on Police Officer numbers are provided in terms of Full-Time Equivalent, not headcount.

As part of the process to assess essential marketing expenditure for 2024-25, the use of paid-for-media activity is considered where it is required to help achieve specific policy outcomes. This can include a requirement to reach specific audiences or to ensure audiences are presented with messages a number of times to achieve the desired impact.

Marketing activity and campaigns that are without expenditure, such as no-cost approaches that have no external production, service or media costs, continue to support delivery of policy outcomes as part of the communications mix.

This is a matter between the University and UK Government, and general UK Government budgeting is continuing to be reviewed. However, the Scottish Government recognises the University’s unique track record and further potential as the UK’s foremost supercomputing centre, and we will continue to work to influence UK Government public finance discussions to positively benefit our economy and key sectors, including computing and AI.

The imposition of changes to employer National Insurance Contributions has the potential to seriously impact available funding for public services in Scotland, including for local government staff working in all areas. Estimates suggest that the total cost to local government in Scotland could be £265 million – that is money that will need to be found from within the budget settlement and by councils themselves, including for staff funded through Housing Revenue Accounts.

The full expanded version of Scotland's Migration Service will be launched on 19th November 2024.

The Scottish Government committed to publishing a summary of discussions and action points from the working groups which can be found in the published minutes of the group on https://www.gov.scot/groups/creative-industries-leadership-group/ However, due to the interest from the member, the reports, and the Scottish Government response, will be published in full as soon as possible.

Following extensive engagement across the regions, each Regional Land Use Partnership (RLUP) captured a range of views from farmers, land owners, land managers and communities, on the regional priorities for land use.

Many of these priorities recognised the role of land use in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, through measures such as tree-planting, increased renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. More information on these is available on the respective RLUP websites:

• South of Scotland region: Delivery & Strategies | South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership (southofscotlandrep.com)
• North West Highland region: Land+ Project | NORTHWEST2045
• Cairngorms National Park region: Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2022-27 - Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park region: Read The Plan - Here. Now. All of us. - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (lochlomond-trossachs.org)

The Regional Land Us Frameworks (RLUFs) developed as part of the Regional Land Use Partnership (RLUPs) pilot programme have captured a range of land use priorities for each region including, but not limited to, native woodland expansion, flood mitigation and community wealth building. More information on these is available on the respective RLUP websites:

• South of Scotland region: Delivery & Strategies | South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership (southofscotlandrep.com)
• North West Highland region: Land+ Project | NORTHWEST2045
• Cairngorms National Park region: Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2022-27 - Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park region: Read The Plan - Here. Now. All of us. - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (lochlomond-trossachs.org)

The Scottish Government continues to call on the UK Government to overturn their decision to limit eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments.

The decision was taken without consultation and has forced us to review the way in which the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) will be delivered.

Nonetheless, the PAWHP will make a significant contribution towards the heating expenses of low-income, pension-aged island households.

Since December 2022, we have also provided £3.4 million in support of island households through the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund.

Since the establishment of the Practical Training Fund for Women in Agriculture, the Scottish Government has distributed approximately £600 in support of women and girls aged 13 and over who are living on islands and sought financial support for travel and accommodation costs to attend courses on the mainland.