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Resilience of the Energy Sector is reserved and therefore the responsibility of the UK Government.

The Scottish Government works closely with power companies and recognises the many aspects of resilience of the energy networks in Scotland, including the management of felling trees.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans recently met with SSEN and visited one of their tree cutting sites in the North of Scotland. The issue of damage to power lines and the complexity of felling trees was discussed in depth, including:

Legislative limitations

Land owner complexities

Secondary impacts such as additional tree blow

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with power companies and UK Government on all aspects of resilience to the network in Scotland.

The Young Patients Family Fund is available to families of all young inpatients aged under 18 - no matter their diagnosis. Posters and leaflets to promote the Fund are available in all Health Boards and we continue to work with Health Boards to best ensure families are aware of the Fund.

The Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer is currently reviewing its web content and has confirmed that it will be signposting to the YPFF in its update.

The SLWG has yet to be established as we are presently intending to recruit additional clinical advisory capacity and expect to progress once this resource is in place.

This decision was taken on 14 September.

I last met with Gill Murray, Chief Superintendent, Scotland Division of British Transport Police on 15 June to discuss various aspects of my concern around women’s safety and anti-social behaviours on rail services in Scotland. Additionally, Additionally I will be meeting with Chief Constable, Lucy D'Orsi next month to discuss a range of factors relating to the British Transport Police

I regularly meet with and engage directly with island communities to seek their views on the provision of ferry services and areas which the travelling public are keen to see improvements.

This work will be carried out as part of the preparatory work for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) contract. We are committed to ensure that the views and perspectives of key stakeholders and communities are considered, reflected upon and help shape the detail within the next CHFS contract.

I already set out my initial thoughts and response to the findings of Project Neptune in my statement to Parliament on the Future of Scottish Ferries on 8 September. Full and detailed consideration is now being given to all the findings and options, including as I announced, engagement with key stakeholders and local communities. I also undertook to update Parliament at the appropriate time when in a position to announce any relevant decisions. That will include a fuller response to the key recommendations highlighted.

Additionally, a presentation on Project Neptune, to which all MSPs were invited, was delivered in Parliament by Ernst & Young on 25 October. I know that Ms Clark has accepted the invitation, which I welcome, and hope she found the session informative.

The statement of requirements for Project Neptune clearly states, “the likelihood would be that the final report and recommendations will be published by Scottish Government. It is imperative that the content remains confidential until the Scottish Parliament has been informed.” By signing the Project Neptune contract on 9 of March 2021, the consultant, Ernst and Young, have agreed to requirements as set in the statement of requirements.

The Subsidy Control implications of (a) merging CMAL and CalMac Ferries and (b) directly awarding public ferry contracts to an in-house operator will be considered in full as part of Ministers’ consideration of the issues.

The Scottish Government will carry out the review required by section 41 of the EU Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021. This Act requires Ministers to review and consult on the effectiveness of the governance arrangements introduced by the Act, access to justice on environmental matters and whether the establishment of an environmental court could enhance the environmental governance arrangements. The report has to be presented to the Parliament within six months of Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) adopting its first full strategy.

The ESS strategy has recently been laid in the Parliament and is expected to be published shortly, subject to the Parliamentary process. The review is planned to be published and the subsequent consultation to be launched in spring 2023.

The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a new right to a healthy environment as a part of the planned Human Rights Bill.