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An evidence based approach is central to the development of our policy to restrict promotions on less healthy food and drink.

Scottish Government published economic modelling that estimated that removal of price promotions such as temporary price reductions, multi-buy and 'Y for £X', just on discretionary foods such as cakes, biscuits, confectionary, crisps, etc., has the potential to reduce calorie intake by 613 calories per person per week.

While this research was commissioned in 2019, publication of this modelling was delayed to May 2022 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The data used for this analysis is from the Kantar World panel dataset for Scotland from 2013 to 2018, which provides information about purchases at the level of products by households and whether they were made under a price promotion (e.g. x GBP pounds less). A 5 year period was used for the modelling to ensure that as many possible households could be included in the estimation and to avoid the effects of specific annual fluctuations.

This modelling is only one part of the wider evidence base on this policy. We are using a wide range of evidence and data sources to consider the potential impacts of restricting promotions, ensuring we have a robust and balanced evidence base to inform policy making.

Between Ellon (from & including the roundabout at the junction with the A948) to the junction with the A982 at Peterhead

An evidence based approach is central to the development of our policy to restrict promotions on less healthy food and drink.

Further to our 2018/19 consultation , we recently consulted again on our proposals on restricting the promotions for foods high in fat, sugar or salt to further inform the evidence base and development of this policy. As part of this we have engaged with a range of industry organisations, including manufacturers and food producers, to seek views on our proposals. Responses to this consultation are now being analysed and will help to inform development of this policy.

We continue to engage with a range of stakeholders and update our wider evidence base to inform a suite of impact assessments in order to assess whether the proposed measures are proportionate as well as to consider their impact on health inequalities. This includes engagement with businesses to inform a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment that will set out the anticipated costs and benefits of these measures. These impact assessments will be published upon introduction to Parliament of the Public Health (Restriction of Promotions) Bill.

We are aware of the distress to families affected by tissue and organ retention at post mortem. We are further aware that while the majority of families have been reunited with their loved ones’ remains, there are a few cases in which this has not been possible.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and NHS boards have responsibility for facilitating the reunion of families with their loved ones’ remains. In cases where COPFS has been made aware of historic retained organs, it has worked with Police Scotland to identify and contact families and facilitate their wishes. However, where the Scottish Government is made aware of such situations we will liaise with the COPFS or NHS boards to try to reunite those affected by organ retention with their loved ones’ remains.

It is now rare for an organ to be retained to establish cause of death. In any case where retention of an organ is considered a realistic possibility, the Procurator Fiscal will ensure that the nearest relative is made aware at the earliest opportunity, preferably by someone already known to them (such as a Victim Information and Advice officer or police Family Liaison Officer).

The Procurator Fiscal will also ensure that the options for how that organ is dealt with following analysis are explained to the family and that, where they wish to discuss and express a view, their request is followed if possible. In certain circumstances, the organ may be retained for research or education but only where the pathologist believes there would be value in doing so and only with the clear authorisation of the nearest relative and the consent of the Procurator Fiscal.

COPFS works with families affected by retention of organs and follows their well-established procedures following a procurator fiscal arranged post-mortem. The retention of tissues and organs following post mortem examination must also follow guidelines produced by the Royal College of Pathologists.

In addition, COPFS maintains a record of all retained organs and carries a monthly reconciliation with pathology providers to ensure that all organs that have been retained are known about and that affected families have been made aware.

The sum of £67,232 has been spent on safety improvements on the A90 Toll of Birness junction since 1 April 2017. This cost was primarily associated with the provision of three vehicle activated signs (VAS) recommended from previous safety studies. Two signs were erected in 2017 with a third sign to supplement the northbound VAS erected in 2021. Other work involved an additional northbound advance direction sign.

Since 1 st April 2017 £143,918 has been invested in safety improvement on the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead, and £347,392 invested in safety improvement on the A90 between Ellon and Fraserburgh. Note that this second figure of £347,392 includes the value of £143,913.

The Scottish Government has not permanently closed any trunk road bridges in the South of Scotland regions. Decisions on the closure or re-opening of Local Authority bridges is a matter for the relevant Local Authority.

Following consultation, Local Authority colleagues have indicated the following local bridge closures:

In the lead up to the commencement of short-term let licensing on 1 October 2022, we spoke to local authorities about their readiness to implement licensing schemes. This included regular group meetings and individual discussions.

A small number of local authorities informed us that their elected members would not meet to ratify their draft short-term let policies until after 1 October 2022. In these cases local authorities have ensured their websites have information about their licensing scheme including the draft policy, draft application forms, and an email address to submit enquiries to.

I wrote to all local authorities on 21 September reminding them of the importance of establishing licensing schemes in their area by 1 October. In that letter I explained that while there are no penalties under legislation for local authorities that failed to meet this deadline, there is of course a risk that local authorities could be challenged by new hosts, or anybody acting on their behalf, if they are unable to submit an application for a licence due to their local authority’s scheme not being open.

My officials spoke with Aberdeenshire Council on 26 September to understand the timeline for consideration of consultation responses and sign-off of its draft policy. These have been tabled for consideration by council sub-committees ahead of a full council meeting later this year. Prior to 1 October 2022, Aberdeenshire Council ensured its websites had information about its licensing scheme including its draft policy, a draft application form, and an email address to submit enquiries to.

The recently re-established Headteacher Recruitment and Retention Working Group works jointly with education stakeholders to develop, agree and take forward actions to help improve the recruitment and retention of headteachers in Scotland. The group has been meeting on a quarterly basis since January 2022 with the last meeting taking place on 7 September 2022.