Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to my answer to the question S6W-12401 on 7 December 2022 . 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 

The Scottish Government received confirmation from the Maritime Coastguard Agency on 20 October 2022 that a UK registered fishing vessel was the cause of damage to the subsea cable affecting telecommunications on Shetland.

A national marketing campaign for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was launched in autumn 2022. This has helped to increase awareness and understanding of the scheme and encouraged more young people to apply. PR and marketing activity was also undertaken during COP26 between October and December 2021 to promote the scheme ahead of its launch.

The following table provides the spend as at 15 November 2022 (inclusive of VAT where applicable) for the two campaigns.

In addition, stakeholder communications to over 300 public, transport, private and third sector organisations has been undertaken throughout 2022 at no additional cost.

To answer both parts of your question: The Scottish Government received confirmation from the Maritime Coastguard Agency on 20 October 2022 that the vessel which caused damage to the primary telecommunications feeding Shetland had been identified and is a UK registered fishing vessel.

In addition to extensive stakeholder communications already undertaken, the national marketing campaign for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was launched in autumn 2022. This has helped to increase awareness and understanding of the scheme and encouraged more young people to apply.

The following table provides the national marketing spend (inclusive of VAT where applicable) broken down by type of marketing activity. This spend includes marketing and PR activity undertaken during COP26 between October and December 2021 in addition to the main campaign.

That will be for our Local Authority partners to decide.

The £1.4 million Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund was developed acknowledging islands are uniquely exposed to the current cost crisis.

In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement Distribution Group will make recommendations on the allocation mechanism for the funding at their next meeting on 15 November. COSLA Leaders will be asked to give their final sign-off on 25 November.

As soon as possible after that date we will be in a position to share further information. However, we can share that we will allow as much flexibility to Local Authorities as possible and support them to complement existing or new measures where appropriate.

In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement Distribution Group will make recommendations on the allocation mechanism for the funding at their next meeting on 15 November. COSLA Leaders will be asked to give their final sign-off on 25 November.

As soon as possible after that date we will be in a position to share further information.

In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement Distribution Group made recommendations on the allocation mechanism for the funding at their meeting on 15 November. COSLA Leaders will be asked to give their final sign-off on 25 November.

As soon as possible after that date we will be in a position to share further information.

A table giving the number of homelessness applications live as at 25 December 2021, by local authority and the associated number of adults and children is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. No 63756)

The Scottish Government regularly engages with island local authorities and key stakeholders during the development of bills, policies and strategies. You can find ICIAs completed by the Scottish Government on the publications section of the Scottish Government website alongside other impact assessments.