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The public consultation on the Bill, “Land Reform in a Net Zero Nation”, was open from the 4 July until the 30 October, and received over 540 responses. The responses were published on 22 December 2022, and we aim to publish the analysis of them in early spring 2023. This analysis will inform the development of the proposals and we remain committed to the introduction of the Bill by the end of 2023.

Our consultation document on the next Land Reform Bill proposes a series of important changes to the framework of law and policy that govern the system of ownership, management and use of land in Scotland. The proposals are in line with the recommendations of the Scottish Land Commission. They include the introduction of a Public Interest Test (PIT) "to assess whether, at the point of transfer of a large-scale landholding, a risk would arise from the creation of continuation of a situation in which excessive power acts against the public interest." The consultation also set out proposals on the criteria for triggering the PIT, and the possible outcomes of it. The Commission has not recommended the introduction of a cap on the total amount of land that can be owned.

We have received 540 responses to the consultation, and these include a wide range of views on the threshold for land acquisitions that could be subject to the PIT. The responses are being analysed and will be taken into account as we develop measures for inclusion in the Bill.

As with previous land reform legislation, it is imperative that any proposals are fully compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

There are currently a number of Scottish Government working groups that fall under the remit of Net Zero, Energy and Transport. A list of relevant groups has been provided below, set against the remit headings provided.

a)Climate Change

• Peatland Science and Technical Advisory Group (Peatland STAG)
• Analysis of Demand Management Options Steering Group
• National strategy for 20mph Working Group
• Zero Emission Truck Taskforce
• Private Water Supply Working Group
• Soils Working Group
• Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Advisory Group
• Scottish Forestry Customer Reps Group (CRG)
• Scottish Forestry CRG Tree on Farms sub group
• Scottish Forestry CRG Technical sub group
• Scottish Forestry National Stakeholder Group
• Scottish Blue Carbon Forum

b)Environment

• Contaminated Land Advisory Group
• Scottish Noise Mapping Stakeholder Group
• Cleaner Air for Scotland 2:

1. Ministerial Group

2. Delivery Group

3. Public engagement working group

4. Health working group

5. Agriculture and Environment working group

6. Domestic (household) emissions working group

7. Placemaking working group

• Air Quality - LAQM/CAA Review Group
• Zero Emission Truck Taskforce
• Scottish Forestry Phytopthora ramorum review working group
• Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group

c) Land Reform

• The Land Reform Bill Oversight Group

d) Green Skills

• Transport Sector Skills & CESAP Transport Policy Working Group
• Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group

o Education subgroup

o Travel subgroup

o Heat in Buildings subgroup

e) Circular Economy

• Single Use Cups Charge Advisory Group
• Waste Data Strategy Board
• National Flytipping Forum
• Zero Waste & Circular Economy Programme Board
• Food Waste Reduction Programme Board,
• Recycling Improvement Fund Programme Board
• Waste & Resources Sector Forum
• Joint Scottish Government/Local Government Strategic Steering Group on Circular Economy & Waste
• Biodegradable Municipal Waste Landfill Programme Board
• Deposit Return Scheme System Wide Assurance Group
• Deposit Return Scheme Executive Oversight Group
• Deposit Return Scheme Communications and Engagement Group

f) Biodiversity

• Science Advisory Group for Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
• Raptors & Forestry Joint Working Group
• Black Grouse Working Group
• Capercaillie Working Group

As set out in the Bute House Agreement, the Joint Working Group comprises members of the Scottish Government working with the Scottish Green Party and COSLA. The Joint Working Group will consider and decide as appropriate whether to seek to engage various organisations or professional bodies as it approaches its work.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12943 on 20 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 Joint Working Group, which includes COSLA and the Scottish Green Party commenced it work, initially focussing on targeted changes to Council Tax to reflect the current circumstances created by the cost crisis. The group will also consider approaches to longer term reform, utilising the development of effective deliberative engagement, on sources of Local Government funding and Council Tax. I will ensure that Parliament is kept appraised of this work at suitable junctures.

Equality Law and Employment Law, are reserved to the UK Parliament.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent specialist body tasked to promoting and upholding equality and human rights ideals and laws across Scotland, England and Wales.

The EHRC publish guidance for employers, review the effectiveness of the law and take legal enforcement action to clarify the law and address significant breaches of rights.

In the absence of powers over employment law, the Scottish Government will do all it can within devolved powers to promote and embed fair and inclusive working practices and prevent issues such as workplace bullying or harassment. Please refer also to response to S6W-12749 on 19 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
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The Scottish Government is clear that there is no place for harassment or abuse in any form in the workplace and that everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation.

Equality Law and Employment Law, are reserved to the UK Parliament. In the absence of powers over employment law, the Scottish Government will do all it can within devolved powers to promote and embed fair and inclusive working practices. We encourage all employers to have in place robust workplace policies for preventing and handling issues such as bullying or harassment.

On 9 December 2022 we published a refreshed Fair Work Action Plan which brings together our original Fair Work, Gender Pay Gap and Disabled People’s Employment action plans, along with the actions from our new Anti-Racist Employment Strategy . It takes forward the next phase of actions to drive forward Fair Work and will make it easier for employers and partners to access information on the critical role Fair Work has to play in achieving positive economic benefits on an individual and collective level. The action plan highlights the issue of sexual harassment at work and offers a case study in the Equally Safe initiative funded by Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s Fair Work First approach asks employers in receipt of public sector funding to commit to Fair Work criteria, including ‘action to tackle the gender pay gap’ and ‘offer of flexible and family friendly working from day one of employment’. Going forward we will ensure relevant guidance includes good practice and signposting to advice and tools for employers on preventing and tackling sexual harassment at work, such as the Close the Gap Equally Safe at Work resource.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking a review of the operation of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in Scotland with the aim of ensuring the effect of the PSED is improved so that it becomes a key contributor to improved lives of people with protected characteristics. The results of a public consultation, which ran between December 2021 and April 2022 on a series of detailed and ambitious proposals for changes to the PSED regime, was published 30 November 2022.

The Scottish Government has not consulted on introducing a duty under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 on preventing sexual harassment, including a requirement to develop a standalone policy on sexual harassment.

Sex is one of the nine protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010. Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 places a general duty (known as the Public Sector Equality Duty, or PSED) on public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and promote good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Regional marine plans are currently being developed for 3 out of the 11 Scottish Marine Regions (Orkney, Shetland and the Clyde) with preparatory work being undertaken by Local Coastal Partnerships in other regions.

The purpose of a National Marine Plan is to set out the strategic policies for the sustainable development of our marine resources. The current National Marine Plan identifies broad spatial areas for certain types of activity (e.g. RENEWABLES 1 and AQUACULTURE 1, 2 and 3).

NMP2 will be developed in accordance with the policies, including the National Spatial Strategy, set out in the fourth National Planning Framework (once adopted)