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Estimates of marine carbon sequestration rates have large uncertainties and are difficult to calculate. There are few direct in-situ measurements of carbon sequestration by any marine habitat. Estimates of sequestration rate primarily depend on modelling which uses parameters derived from laboratory experiments and theoretical relationships, many of which are not fully tested.

The current estimate of carbon sequestered by Scotland’s marine environment is 6,485,000 tonnes CO ₂ -eq/year. (Details are set out in the table in response to S6W-12149).

There are currently no estimates of emissions from Scotland’s marine carbon stores, research suggests blue-carbon habitat degradation can result in emissions.

The oil and gas sector continues to play an important role in our economy, and a bright future lies ahead for a revitalised North Sea in supporting a net zero energy system. Our highly skilled oil and gas workforce have long been at the forefront of energy innovation and we are committed to a just transition that supports them to capitalise on the employment opportunities of net zero energy. The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will outline a co-ordinated vision for Scotland’s future energy system, ensuring a cohesive and joined up framework for action, and will be published for consultation in the coming months.

Our £75m Energy Transition Fund, £100m Green Jobs Fund and £500m Just Transition Fund are supporting the North East and Moray to become a centre of excellence for the transition to a net zero economy, with our investment supporting transformation across the region.

Scottish Government does not hold this information.

Health Boards are responsible for delivering Primary Medical Services, usually through contracting with independent GP practices. Health Boards should be satisfied that GP partners are sufficiently engaged in providing Primary Medical Services as a condition of the contract.

The guide to the Autumn Budget Revision details how our funding received reconciles to the allocations provided in budget revisions.

The full list of the savings generated, and new commitments made, through the Emergency Budget Review was outlined in the EBR document and published on the Scottish Government website. The Deputy First Minister wrote to the Finance and Public Administration Committee in September providing a line by line analysis of the first phase of these savings.

In addition the nature of each line item and its effect on the Scottish Government Budget was outlined in the Guide to Autumn Budget Revision document provided to the Committee. Within this document an analysis of the items included within the ABR is included along with detail of the transfers expected to be included within the Spring Budget Revision.

The Scottish Government regularly reviews its plans for public awareness campaigns. We do not intend to run a public awareness campaign for deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, venous thromboembolism and thrombosis at this time.

Decisions to prioritise one population group over another for vaccination are not taken lightly, nor are they straightforward. That is why our prioritisation decisions have been, and will continue to be, guided by the independent expert advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and senior Clinicians.

NHS Scotland will never ask someone to pay for the flu or COVID-19 vaccines if they are eligible. If they are not eligible for a free flu vaccine then they may be able to get vaccinated for a small fee at their local pharmacy. Please note it is not possible for anyone to pay for the COVID-19 vaccination, and there are currently no plans to implement this as an option.

The 2022-23 Autumn Budget Revision, and the associated guide, details how all Barnett Consequentials and other funding movements have been formally allocated to date.

The net funds available for deployment following the conclusion of the Autumn Budget Revision are £94 million. However all of these funds are being held against a number of pressures on the Scottish Government Budget, including the conclusion of some public sector pay agreements and the costs associated with resettlement of Ukrainian refugees.

The Spring Budget Revision will detail the final Scottish Budget allocations, utilising all funding that remains available.

The impact of the reallocations in the Emergency Budget Review, including public sector pay, will have a significant bearing on the 2023-24 Scottish Budget. Further details of the effect of these considerations on proposed portfolio allocations will be published within the Scottish Budget document in December.

As the Deputy First Minister made clear in parliament, given the inflationary pressure on our budget it is currently difficult to identify at this stage where underspends will emerge.

Full details of all 2023-24 funding assumptions, including the Scotland Reserve, will be detailed in the Scottish Budget document when it is laid before parliament in December.