Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to strengthening residents’ rights in adult care homes through the introduction of ‘Anne’s Law’. This will give people who live in adult care homes the right to see and spend time with those who are important to them. Our public consultations on Anne’s Law and the strengthening of health and social care standards closed in early November 2021. We have received a considerable number of responses which will be used to inform work to implement Anne’s Law. It is important that we carefully consider the views from the public and stakeholders that took the time to submit a response to our consultations. We intend, where permission has been given, to publish the consultation responses and a report summarising the consultation responses to Anne’s Law and the strengthening of health and social care standards will be published in early 2022.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02267 on
13 September 2021. 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

On 19 November 2021, the Welsh Government hosted a summit meeting of the British-Irish Council. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all of the Member Administrations with Guernsey joining virtually, and was chaired by the First Minister of Wales. The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy represented the Scottish Government in person, and I attended virtually.

The meeting focused on Indigenous, Minority and Lesser Used Languages (IML) with particular regard to Early Years learning. The use of these languages was encouraged at the summit with First Minister Drakeford speaking in Welsh for large parts of the proceedings. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy gave an update on Scotland’s Economic Recovery from Covid in Gaelic, with simultaneous translation being provided for those present.

A meeting between portfolio ministers of the BIC administrations took place on the topic of IML ahead of the summit on Wednesday 17 November where the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills represented the Scottish Government.

The Council reflected on the latest political developments across their jurisdictions, and took the opportunity to engage on a number of topics of mutual interest, including the economy, trade, ongoing relations with the EU and the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Ministers discussed the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the progress of post-pandemic recovery programmes.

The Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at: Thirty Sixth Summit - Wales - 19 11 21.pdf (britishirishcouncil.org)

A public consultation on the not proven verdict and related reforms will open today, 13 December 2021, until 11 March 2022 and will be available at https://consult.gov.scot/justice/not-proven-verdict .

The Scottish Government recognises the strong case that can be made for the abolition of the not proven verdict but we also understand that there are many who have principled and informed objections to such a reform, or highlight the complex impact that moving to two verdicts could have on the wider Scottish criminal justice system.

We will continue to take an open and consultative approach to these matters and as part of this consultation will seek to capture the views of a broad range of stakeholders including legal professionals, the third sector and those with lived experience of the system.

This Government will listen carefully to what consultees tell us before we weigh all the evidence and reach a decision.

I look forward to considering the full range of views received.

We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last 28 days and have assessed that there continues to be a requirement for the regulations to remain in place to reduce the risk of imported transmission and safeguard public health in Scotland. The regulations continue to be an important and proportionate part of the Scottish Government response to managing the pandemic. As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue discussions with UK Government and the other devolved administrations and continue to seek to take a four-nations approach to future changes to regulations and the travel regime.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6F-00531 on
‎ 2 December 2021, which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 02/12/2021 | Scottish Parliament Website

To date, recruitment of staff for ScotRail Trains Ltd. beyond 1 April 2022 has been conducted by Abellio ScotRail.

Marine Scotland has commenced a long-term process to assess the future needs of its offshore marine assets.

A contract was awarded in late 2020 to deliver specialist Marine Protection Vessel (MPV) and Marine Research Vessel (MRV) concept designs. Subject to funding, these designs will be used in the coming years in the procurement of replacement vessels as existing vessels reach the end of their service lives.

Marine Scotland has also further invested in its inshore protection capability with two new small patrol craft delivering in early 2022 to add resilience to our inshore protection capability.

Our future aircraft needs will be assessed in the coming year, including consideration to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), both from ashore and vessel application.

The Scottish Government does not hold data on the number of care homes allowing new admissions in NHS Highland.

Marine Scotland’s enforcement capability consists of 18 coastal offices at strategic locations around the country; 3 marine protection vessels and 2 inshore protection patrol vessels; and two surveillance aircraft.

Ministers keep the capacity of Marine Scotland’s enforcement capability under constant review.