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An independent review, entitled “The Future of Fisheries Management in Scotland”, was undertaken in 2010. The recommendations from this review have used to inform the Scottish Government’s subsequent approach to promoting reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

It is well known that the CFP has been damaging to the Scottish fishing industry and we have consistently argued that the policy is not fit for purpose and should be scrapped or substantially reformed. The Scottish Government will continue to take every opportunity to champion further reforms of the CFP, and the interests of the Scottish fishing industry, wherever possible.

The Scottish Government is aware of this petition, which has not yet been considered by the Public Petitions Committee. We will respond when further information is requested by the committee.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring all of Scotland’s children and young people are equipped with the skills they need for life and work. This includes language skills and we are committed to the successful implemention of the 1+2 language learning policy.

The 1+2 policy entitles pupils to learn two languages, in addition to their own, during their broad general education. A first additional language, known as L2, is taught from primary 1 and a second additional language, known as L3, from primary 5. It is expected that this will continue until they reach their third year of secondary. In most cases the first additional language (L2) will be one which will be taken onwards into the senior phase and to National Qualification level.

Schools provide language learning opportunities to pupils in many flexible and innovative ways, including non-certificated courses, clubs and master classes. The 1+2 language policy is supporting this in both primary and secondary contexts; however, decisions on which languages to offer in which schools rests with each individual school and local authority, allowing local circumstances to be taken into account.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08954 on 8 May 2017 for detail on key actions that the Scottish Government is taking to support Scotland’s economy. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-08935 on 8 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Scotland’s economy has remained resilient over the past year, growing by 0.4% in 2016. This is despite the continued challenges posed by the slowdown in the oil and gas sector and the uncertainty created by the EU referendum result. There is a clear consensus among forecasters that leaving the European Union will damage the UK economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy, predicting that after ten years, GDP could be over 5% (£8 billion in 2015-16 terms) lower after leaving the EU than would otherwise be the case.

The Scottish Government continue to take action to support the Scottish economy, in keeping with the Programme for Government, and informed by the priorities set out in Scotland’s Economic Strategy.

We are taking forward our Infrastructure Investment Plan, with projects valued at more than £6.4 billion currently in construction or estimated to be in construction during 2017. We are also supporting significant investment in digital infrastructure and affordable housing and are taking action to encourage business investment, including through progressing with the Scottish Growth Scheme. We are supporting innovation through our plan to invest more than £1 billion in our universities in
2017-18, and through our Innovation Centres. A Board of Trade has been established, as part of our actions to boost Scotland’s trade, exports and international connections. We are undertaking a range of actions to support small businesses, including through our package of business rates support. We are also supporting the oil and gas sector, including through the Energy Jobs Taskforce and the Transition Training Fund.

We’re equipping our young people for the future by increasing the number of Modern Apprenticeship opportunities to 30,000 per year by 2020, and by taking steps to introduce a Job Grant to support young people aged 16-24 who have been out of work for six months or more.

The Scottish Government is committed, alongside public, private and third sector partners, to realise the potential of our people and see Scotland become a world-leading entrepreneurial nation through the Scotland CAN DO approach.

Through our enterprise agencies we are ensuring that ambitious businesses are offered the right support at the right time to deliver upon their potential including a range of support to innovation in producing processes and services.

Complementing this overarching support, specific support schemes for low carbon projects include:

The Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) focuses on supporting the acceleration of low carbon infrastructure projects across the public, private and community sectors to develop investment grade business cases to help projects secure public and private capital finance.

The LCITP Innovative Local Energy Systems Call was launched on 21 March 2017. This Call is designed to support and accelerate the development and delivery of innovative, local low carbon energy opportunities across Scotland

The Knowledge Exchange Network, funded by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and ETP Member Universities, catalyses and accelerates Knowledge Exchange activity between academia and industry, increasing innovation and advancing the development of the low carbon economy in Scotland.

The draft Energy Strategy consultation, launched on 24 January, asks key questions around support for Scottish companies and research institutions, at the forefront of innovation, from the Scottish Government and it’s enterprise agencies. Responses to the consultation are welcome by 30 May 2017. The consultation can be accessed via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/01/3414

The Resource Efficient Scotland programme, funded by the Scottish Government, offers free, specialist advice and support to businesses to implement energy, resource and water efficiency measures that will reduce carbon emissions and translate to cost savings.

Loans of up to £100,000 are available to Scottish businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations through the Resource Efficient Scotland SME loans scheme. The scheme provides finance for the installation of energy and resource efficiency measures and renewables technologies.

Our Green Network for Businesses is an important resource to promote low and zero carbon technologies. It provides SMEs with the opportunity to visit green businesses within their local area and view first hand installations which help to cut energy, water waste and raw material costs in a real business.

We are clear that the wellbeing of all NHS staff in Scotland is critically important. The Scottish Government continues to actively support all health boards to address the challenge of sickness absence which has fallen under this administration.

Every health board is required to have policies in place which comply with national policies on managing health at work.

The Scottish Government is taking a range of actions to improve Scotland’s economic performance over the long term, in keeping with the priorities set out in Scotland’s Economic Strategy (SES).

We are supporting investment through our £6 billion infrastructure plan, substantial investments in digital connectivity, and are taking forward the Scottish Growth Scheme to encourage business investment. We have established a Board of Trade, and are creating permanent trade representation in Berlin to add to our Innovation and Investment Hubs in Dublin, London and Brussels. We are supporting innovation through our plan to invest more than £1 billion in our universities in 2017-18, and through our Innovation Centres. We are helping to equip our young people for the future, including through our expansion of Modern Apprenticeship opportunities, and expanding funded childcare to improve young children’s outcomes and reduce barriers to parents participating in the economy.

We are progressing with Phase two of our review of the Enterprise and Skills system in Scotland. This aims to bring even greater integration and focus to the delivery of our enterprise and skills support, to help ensure we maximise the contribution our agencies make to improving Scotland’s economic performance.

We are also committed to supporting the Oil and Gas sector in Scotland. The Energy Jobs Taskforce (EJTF) is focused on supporting those affected by current challenges in the oil and gas industry, while also working to lay foundations for a vibrant industry for decades to come. Alongside this, the Scottish Government’s £12 million Transition Training Fund (TTF) has now approved support for over 1,900 individuals, which will help to retain key skills and talent in Scotland.

Labour market statistics published this month show that between December 2016 and February 2017 the unemployment rate in Scotland fell to 4.5%.

Scotland outperforms the UK on youth employment, unemployment and inactivity rates

Scotland’s youth unemployment level has halved over the last year to 32,000. The youth unemployment rate (8.9%) is the 3rd lowest rate in the EU.

Scotland has the second lowest female unemployment rate (15-74) across the EU at 4.7%, behind Germany at 3.7%.

As outlined in our Labour Market Strategy, published in August last year, the Scottish Government is committed to a more inclusive approach to the economy. It is an approach supported by a growing body of evidence which shows that countries with more equal societies typically enjoy stronger, more sustainable growth over the long run. Our focus will be on creating more jobs, better quality jobs and jobs that work for every individual in terms of skills, pay, security, and prospects.

Through Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland we will deliver up to 4,800 places for those with health conditions or disability which came into force on 1 April 2017.

We are on track to deliver Fair Start Scotland, from April 2018. Which will support 38,000 people starting the programme over the three years of referral.

We are implementing the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (DYW) in our Youth Employment Strategy to reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021.