Seòmar agus comataidhean

I want to talk about your procurement practices. I know that your recent accounts have just been signed off, but I have not had the opportunity to look at them. Following the previous ones, there was a recommendation about putting in place a procurement improvement plan for your future spend.

I want to look at things such as openness and transparency. You have talked about innovative and creative thinking in terms of suppliers and whatnot. What steps and actions on your spend will you take in the future? Can any savings be made?

I also want to ask about the spend on the focus on drug misuse. Is there a new budget for things such as officers carrying Naloxone to tackle the misuse of drugs?

So you are waiting for clarification from the Treasury.

My questions are about the accounting principles for the money that is coming forward for COP26 and how that will look in your accounts. From a procurement perspective, there will be a higher spend, so how will that look? Will it be separated? You talked about the COP26 spending committee. How will that be realised going forward? Audit Scotland will be keen to know. If any legacy payments come forward, I am interested to know how that will look.

I want to focus on your action plan and future work programme. How is Ofgem engaging with consumers to ensure widespread understanding of and buy-in to net zero transition?

You have mentioned new technologies, better use of data and artificial intelligence. Is there a role in that for you when it comes to the zero carbon energy system? What work is Ofgem doing to maximise those opportunities?

With regard to the publication of Scotland’s adaptation programme in 2019, where has the most notable progress been made so far, and what are the areas of greatest concern?

I have some questions about adaptation. Obviously, no matter how swiftly we might hope to cut our emissions as we move forward, we will still have to adapt to climate change. My question, which is for Karen Turner, is this: how should the costs of adaptation and becoming more resilient to climate change be borne?

Thank you;. That is an interesting response. I ask Brendan Callaghan the same question.

Good morning to the panel. I want to focus on access to justice, and I want to ask Dr Marsha Scott about the submission from Scottish Women’s Aid, which mentions some examples of good practice. I would like to find out a wee bit more about the advice, or misadvice, to women on their entitlement to legal aid and about how we can do better. Citizens Advice Scotland perhaps plays a role in that, too. I would like to hear from you about that if you do not mind, Dr Scott.

Good morning, cabinet secretary, and thank you for your written submission. My question is to do with the role that the inspectorate will play under the precautionary measures that you are introducing. My concern is the human rights of prisoners, particularly in relation to purposeful activity and recreation. I seek reassurance from you on what role the inspectorate will play and on the mental health of prisoners in the light of the proposed measures.