Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-16778

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce planning apprenticeships, and, if so, when.

The Future Planners Project, commissioned by the Scottish Government, was carried out between January – April 2022. The project focused on exploring the options available to support the growth of entrants into the planning profession in Scotland.

A town planning apprenticeship scheme was highlighted as one of the key recommendations in the Future Planners Project. We are currently working with Royal Town Planning Institute and Heads of Planning Scotland with regards to the feasibility and implementation of the town planning apprenticeship scheme.

Question reference: S6W-16777

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what specific steps it is taking to address the reported long-term decline in the number of local authority-employed planners, in light of such planners having a significant role in delivering the ambitions of the new National Planning Framework.

In April 2022 increased planning fees came into effect providing much needed additional resource to Planning Authorities. Whilst the use of this additional resource is a matter for individual authorities, some authorities have reported that the fee increase has allowed them to retain or recruit new members of staff.

We are committed to continuing to work with Heads of Planning Scotland, the Royal Town Planning Institute and other stakeholders on training and skills. The Future Planners Project, commissioned by the Scottish Government, was carried out between January – April 2022. The project focused on exploring the options available to support the growth of entrants into the planning profession in Scotland. We are currently working with the Royal Town Planning Institute and Heads of Planning Scotland to implement the recommendations of the report.

Question reference: S6W-16776

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to address any delays in the planning process that are holding up major renewables and other projects that are necessary to help meet net zero goals.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), adopted on 13 February 2023, signals a turning point for planning, placing climate and nature at the centre of planning and supporting all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies, including transmission and distribution infrastructure.

The first iteration of the NPF4 Delivery Programme outlines the steps that are being taken to monitor and evaluate the impact of NPF4 and its policies to ensure its intentions are realised, supported and integrated with the Scottish Government’s wider programme of planning reform.

The Delivery Programme sets out actions that are relevant to addressing the planning process of major renewable proposals and other net-zero projects. This includes the work of the High Level Group on Planning Performance, co-chaired by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), which has a remit to improve the performance of the planning system and has recently been reflecting on the impact of planning fee increases in 2022 on authorities’ resources. In December 2022 an increase in fees for applications made under the Electricity Act was also implemented, and the Scottish Government is continuing to work with stakeholders to improve timescales for determination.

The Scottish Government is also working with Partners in Planning ( https://www.partnersinplanning.scot/ ) to develop a skills strategy which will identify the specialist skills required to address the requirements of NPF4, and the wider skills required to ensure we have planners with the expertise to deliver the developments we will need in the future. Additionally, recruitment of a National Planning Improvement Champion, whose focus will be on supporting improvement in the Scottish planning system, is underway.

In February, an Applicant Stakeholder Group was established to provide stakeholders with a forum to highlight key issues affecting the performance of the planning system and to help identify priority areas for action. The work of this group will in turn assist in shaping the work of the High Level Group on Planning Performance.

Beyond NPF4 delivery, the Scottish Government is undertaking a phased review of permitted development rights (PDR). We have committed to use the third phase of the review to consider new and extended PDR for domestic and non-domestic renewables equipment, as well as electricity network infrastructure. Our intention is to publish the Phase 3 consultation this Spring. This will support capacity in the system by removing the need for planning permission for some types of development.

Question reference: S6W-16474

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 19 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with Deloitte since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

Question reference: S6W-16349

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that colleges receive parity of esteem with universities.

The Scottish Government values the tertiary education sector, with each part making a crucial and unique contribution to Scotland. The 2023-24 budget allocates nearly £2 billion to colleges and universities, which continues the trend of a year-on-year increase of that budget in cash terms.

The Scottish Government recognises the essential role that colleges play across all learner pathways including their role in further and higher education provision and will further clarify that in the forthcoming Purpose and Principles. The Scottish Government is actively engaging with stakeholders on the interim Purpose and Principles that were published last December. The Scottish Government is focussing on developing the implementation plan, system level outcomes and metrics, evidence and insight papers and impact assessments to support a final publication in late Spring.

The Scottish Government recognises and celebrates the fact that everyone’s learner pathway is different and it is important that everyone has the opportunity to undertake the learner pathway that best matches their abilities and aspirations. The employer led DYW network and DYW School Coordinator role, currently operates in every secondary school. The programme has a key part to play in enabling the recommendations within the Ken Muir review by helping to create employer led experiences and parity of esteem between academic and vocational learning. The SCQF School Ambassador programme also offers schools the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of the SCQF levels and the wider ways in which it supports learners, including in demonstrating the diversity of provision on offer and the parity of these pathways.

Question reference: S6W-16353

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that support for widening access to colleges and universities is being targeted appropriately across Scotland.

This Government firmly believes that every child growing up in Scotland, regardless of their background, should have an equal chance of attending university and participating in higher education.

Funding for widening access to colleges and universities is allocated to institutions via the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) through a number of mechanisms. For colleges, this includes the Access and Inclusion Fund and student support funding. For universities, this includes the Widening Access and Retention Fund, which is currently allocated to eight post-92 institutions with a higher proportion of widening access students; and embedded additional funding for widening access places. Monitoring is undertaken to focus on outcomes achieved in return for these funds.

The SFC also funds work to support the intake of widening access students, including the National Schools Programme and the Scottish Wider Access Programme, which use a range of eligibility criteria for participation.

Officials are working with stakeholders from the college and university sectors through a Short-Life Working Group on widening access data to ensure that we are best able to identify widening access students across Scotland. Recommendations are expected to be made by the group in Autumn 2023.

Officials are also actively engaging with stakeholders on the interim Purpose and Principles that were published last December which consider how we can deliver a post-school education, research and skills system that is supportive and equitable, which would include our approach to widening access. The final Purpose and Principles will be published later this year.

Question reference: S6W-16510

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Scottish Trades Union Congress since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide range of information including details of the organisation/individuals Ministers met with, as well as the subject discussed.

Scottish Government Ministers meet STUC regularly (list of meetings is available at the link above), reflecting the important role that unions play as key social partners in sustaining effective democracy in society, and contributing to economic competitiveness and social justice.

The First Minister meets STUC on a biannual basis, where current issues are discussed. Recent topics in this forum have included: Cost of Living Crisis, National Care Service Bill and Public Sector Pay disputes. The previous Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work engaged with STUC and affiliate unions regularly on workplace safety and other issues during the pandemic and initial recovery period. Other Ministers meet STUC regularly on issues relating to their own portfolios for example Budget, culture, transport, health etc.

Question reference: S6W-16468

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 18 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with An Lanntair since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

An Lanntair are a key stakeholder of our public bodies. The Scottish Government has not met An Lanntair directly during this period, however Highlands and Islands Enterprise hold regular meetings with An Lanntair, normally on a monthly basis, to discuss operational matters.

In addition, as they are a regularly funded organisation (RFO), An Lanntair has met with Creative Scotland during this period through virtual and in-person meetings, and phone calls.

The key outcomes from those discussions include (i) funding levels, (ii) additional financial support from the various Scottish Government COVID-19 Emergency Funds and (iii) updates of An Lanntair’s ongoing RFO activity including artistic planning, annual review and annual reporting.

The Scottish Government will continue to have regular dialogue with the culture sector and, given the recent changes in the Scottish Government Ministerial team, introductory meetings between relevant Ministers and Creative Scotland and partners across the sector are currently being considered.

Question reference: S6W-16416

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 18 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what briefings it has prepared for the First Minister's induction.

The First Minister was briefed on the Ministerial Code; Civil Service Code; Code of Conduct for Special Advisers; guidance on Collective Decision Making; procedures for making a formal complaint about a minister’s or former minister’s behaviour; Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Scheme guidance; Safeguarding and Securing Scottish Government Business guidance; the Scottish Government’s IT Code of Conduct, Records Management Plan and Policy and Security Data Handling Standard.

In addition the First Minister was briefed on the private office function; Ministerial Pay, Pensions, declarations of interests; guidance on travel, expenses and gifts; and an overview of the Scottish Government and its governance structures.

The First Minister was provided with a diary note to discuss forthcoming engagements; background information on Bute House arrangements; Counterterrorism Incident guidance; and the civil service liaison arrangements with the outgoing First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

The First Minister was also briefed on portfolio priorities and on the Bute House Agreement.

Question reference: S6W-16320

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 18 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the overall staff absence rate was in each of its directorates over the last 10 months.

Absence rates for each of the Scottish Government directorates are as follows:

Organisation/Rolling year period	Apr21-Mar22	May21-Apr22	Jun21-May22	Jul21-Jun22	Aug21-Jul22	Sep21-Aug22	Oct21-Sep22	Nov21-Oct22	Dec21-Nov22	Jan22-Dec22
SG CORE	3.25%	3.38%	3.45%	3.50%	3.55%	3.55%	3.54%	3.55%	3.57%	3.60%
DG COM
DIRECTORATE FOR COVID RECOVERY AND PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM	2.6%	2.6%	2.3%	2.3%	2.5%	3.5%	3.4%	3.5%	3.7%	3.7%
DIRECTORATE FOR EQUALITY, INCLUSION & HUMAN RIGHTS	4.4%	4.9%	4.9%	4.9%	4.5%	4.3%	4.3%	4.6%	4.6%	4.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING	3.3%	3.4%	3.5%	3.6%	3.6%	3.6%	3.5%	3.6%	3.6%	3.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY	3.6%	3.5%	3.7%	3.7%	3.8%	3.6%	3.3%	3.3%	3.1%	3.1%
DIRECTORATE FOR TACKLING CHILD POVERTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE	2.5%	3.0%	3.4%	3.6%	3.7%	4.0%	3.4%	3.2%	3.1%	3.0%
DIRECTORATE FOR UKRAINE RESETTLEMENT								3.6%	3.3%	3.7%
DG CORP
COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTERIAL SUPPORT	2.0%	2.3%	2.4%	2.4%	2.4%	2.3%	2.6%	2.7%	2.8%	2.8%
DIRECTORATE FOR CORP TRANSFORMATION AND WORKPLACE	4.3%	4.5%	4.6%	4.6%	4.9%	5.1%	5.3%	5.2%	5.0%	5.1%
DIRECTORATE FOR COVID INQUIRIES	1.6%	3.7%	5.8%	4.7%	3.4%	3.2%	3.1%	2.2%	2.4%	2.7%
DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL	2.3%	2.4%	2.5%	2.6%	2.5%	2.7%	2.6%	2.6%	2.6%	2.6%
DIRECTORATE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	3.9%	4.0%	3.9%	3.7%	3.9%	3.8%	4.0%	4.0%	3.8%	3.8%
DIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES	2.5%	2.6%	2.8%	2.7%	2.7%	2.6%	2.5%	2.6%	2.9%	3.0%
DIRECTORATE FOR PEOPLE	3.8%	3.9%	3.9%	3.9%	3.8%	3.8%	3.6%	3.7%	3.6%	3.7%
DIRECTORATE FOR PROPRIETY AND ETHICS	0.9%	0.9%	1.1%	1.2%	1.3%	1.3%	1.2%	1.4%	1.4%	1.3%
SCOTTISH PROCUREMENT AND PROPERTY DIRECTORATE	2.2%	2.3%	2.3%	2.4%	2.6%	2.7%	2.9%	3.0%	3.2%	3.2%
DG ECON
DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST	2.3%	1.9%	1.6%	1.7%	1.6%	1.7%	1.9%	1.9%	2.3%	1.9%
DIRECTORATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	3.2%	3.5%	3.6%	3.6%	3.9%	3.9%	4.0%	4.1%	4.2%	4.2%
DIRECTORATE FOR ECONOMIC STRATEGY	4.6%	4.8%	4.6%	4.8%	4.8%	4.6%	4.6%	4.1%	4.1%	3.7%
DIRECTORATE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT	3.4%	3.3%	3.1%	3.2%	3.1%	3.0%	2.9%	2.8%	2.9%	2.7%
DG EJ
DIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES	5.3%	5.6%	5.1%	5.2%	5.2%	5.2%	4.8%	4.6%	4.5%	4.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR EARLY LEARNING & CHILDCARE	4.3%	3.9%	4.0%	4.3%	5.0%	5.2%	5.4%	5.2%	5.7%	5.6%
DIRECTORATE FOR EDUCATION REFORM	5.6%	5.3%	5.5%	4.8%	4.3%	4.0%	4.3%	3.7%	3.5%	3.6%
DIRECTORATE FOR JUSTICE	4.1%	4.1%	4.2%	4.1%	4.1%	3.9%	3.8%	3.7%	3.6%	3.7%
DIRECTORATE FOR LEARNING	2.7%	2.7%	2.8%	2.6%	2.7%	2.6%	2.6%	2.4%	2.3%	2.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING AND SKILLS	2.9%	3.1%	3.0%	2.9%	3.0%	3.1%	3.4%	3.7%	3.5%	4.0%
DIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES	3.2%	3.1%	2.9%	3.1%	3.3%	3.2%	3.1%	3.0%	2.9%	2.8%
DG HSC
DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER	3.7%	4.0%	4.2%	4.2%	4.1%	4.1%	4.2%	4.1%	4.0%	4.0%
DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF NURSING OFFICER	4.7%	5.1%	5.1%	5.2%	5.4%	4.7%	5.4%	5.9%	4.8%	5.0%
DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, NHS SCOTLAND	2.9%	3.0%	3.6%	3.4%	3.2%	4.2%	3.9%	3.8%	3.7%	3.7%
DIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL HEALTH AND CARE	3.4%	3.3%	3.2%	2.4%	2.7%	2.4%	3.2%	3.1%	3.5%	3.4%
DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH FINANCE, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & VALUE	3.0%	3.1%	3.1%	3.3%	3.8%	3.9%	4.0%	3.9%	4.0%	4.1%
DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH WORKFORCE	2.8%	2.9%	3.0%	3.0%	2.9%	3.1%	2.9%	2.9%	3.2%	3.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTHCARE QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT	5.0%	5.5%	5.4%	5.8%	5.6%	5.7%	5.5%	5.6%	6.0%	6.2%
DIRECTORATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH	3.1%	3.2%	3.0%	3.1%	3.2%	3.2%	3.1%	3.1%	3.2%	3.3%
DIRECTORATE FOR POPULATION HEALTH	2.9%	3.2%	3.2%	3.3%	3.3%	3.3%	3.4%	3.4%	3.5%	3.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR PRIMARY CARE	3.3%	3.4%	3.6%	3.1%	3.1%	3.1%	2.9%	3.0%	3.1%	3.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL CARE AND NATIONAL CARE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT	2.7%	2.7%	3.1%	3.1%	3.4%	3.7%	3.9%	4.0%	4.3%	4.2%
DG NZ
DIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY	3.4%	3.6%	3.6%	3.8%	3.8%	3.7%	3.7%	3.7%	3.6%	3.6%
DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE	3.5%	3.8%	3.9%	3.8%	4.0%	3.9%	3.6%	3.5%	3.7%	3.9%
DIRECTORATE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY	3.3%	3.4%	3.5%	3.7%	3.6%	3.6%	3.7%	3.9%	4.1%	4.1%
DIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND	3.6%	3.7%	3.8%	3.9%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	4.1%	4.2%
DG SE
DIRECTORATE FOR BUDGET & PUBLIC SPENDING	3.6%	3.8%	3.6%	3.6%	2.3%	1.9%	1.6%	1.7%	2.0%	2.3%
DIRECTORATE FOR FISCAL POLICY AND CONSTITUTION	1.0%	1.0%	0.8%	0.8%	0.7%	0.8%	0.6%	0.6%	0.5%	0.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY AND EXCHEQUER DEVELOPMENT	4.1%	4.5%	4.9%	5.5%	6.2%	3.0%	2.6%	2.7%	2.5%	3.5%
DIRECTORATE FOR INTERNAL AUDIT AND ASSURANCE	4.3%	4.3%	4.2%	4.4%	4.5%	4.2%	4.3%	4.2%	4.5%	4.3%
DIRECTORATE FOR TAX AND REVENUES	1.4%	1.4%	1.4%	1.4%	2.0%	2.0%	1.5%	1.5%	1.6%	1.6%
DG SEA
DIRECTORATE FOR CONSTITUTION	3.3%	3.1%	3.2%	3.3%	3.6%	3.6%	4.3%	4.6%	3.7%	3.2%
DIRECTORATE FOR COVID CO-ORDINATION	3.2%	3.7%	3.2%	3.1%	4.8%	5.4%	3.1%	2.4%
DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE AND MAJOR EVENTS	3.0%	3.4%	3.7%	4.0%	3.7%	3.6%	3.7%	4.2%	4.5%	4.9%
DIRECTORATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS	2.1%	2.2%	2.3%	2.8%	2.9%	3.1%	3.1%	3.2%	3.2%	2.9%
DIRECTORATE FOR PERFORMANCE, DELIVERY AND RESILIENCE	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%	1.9%	2.1%	2.2%	2.2%	2.5%	2.7%	3.0%
DIRECTORATE FOR STRATEGY	0.8%	1.0%	1.3%	1.5%	2.9%	2.7%	2.1%	1.9%	1.6%	1.5%
EU DIRECTORATE	3.7%	3.2%	1.5%	1.8%	1.9%	1.6%	1.8%	2.6%	3.5%	3.9%
PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL OFFICE	0.6%	0.5%	0.9%	1.3%	1.9%	1.7%	1.7%	1.8%	1.8%	2.0%
UNASSIGNED TO DIRECTORATE
UNASSIGNED TO DIRECTORATE	1.7%	1.0%	2.1%	2.0%	1.8%	1.9%	2.0%	2.2%	2.2%	0.5%

The information covers the period to December 2022. Figures after that date have not yet been published. Sickness absence is always reported in 12 month rolling periods to account for seasonality.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting staff who are absent from work through sickness with a view to facilitating a return to the workplace as soon as possible. Staff sickness levels and the causes of absence continue to be closely monitored.

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