Seòmar agus comataidhean

The regulation of oil and gas activities is not a devolved matter and falls under the remit of the regulator, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and for decommissioning works - the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning Programme, referred to as OPRED.

The Scottish Government reviews and comments on the relevant programmes for activities in Scottish Waters and in this case provided comments on the Decommissioning programme to ensure potential environmental impacts were considered and addressed, and advised that the Joint Nature Conservation Committee advice on impact and mitigation activities within the MPA was followed.

We continue to fund community led local activity through the domestic budget whilst we await clarity from the UK government on replacement LEADER funding. The £11.6 million of funding confirmed in the Scottish budget for 2022-23 is not a like for like replacement for LEADER, but a new programme that builds on the £3 million invested in 2021-22 to test new approaches to delivering CLLD in Scotland. This took on board learning from delivery of previous LEADER programmes and encourages Local Action Groups (LAGs) and community groups to deliver funding in a less bureaucratic, less risk averse and more innovative way.

As a result of EU Exit, we no longer have long-term certainty of funding and unilateral choices imposed by HM Treasury provide insufficient replacement EU budget. While political commitment has been made by UK Government for the contested funding levels through this UK Parliamentary term, allocation is on a yearly basis with no commitment set out for future years.

This has direct implications on the management of the overall agricultural and rural development programme as agriculture requires future funding certainty due to its multi-annual funding commitments and long lead-in time for farmers, crofters and land managers. Communities alike need clarity for planning.

The Scottish Government has been clear and consistent in our position that we expect full replacement of EU funds to ensure no detriment to Scotland’s and Scottish communities’ finances, and we expect the UK Government to fully respect the devolution settlement in any future arrangement.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09230 on 11 July 2022, the Scottish Government does not maintain a record of the number checks undertaken using the Guidance on due diligence: human rights. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09566 on 20 July 2022. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09230 on 11 July 2022. The Scottish Government does not maintain a record of the number checks undertaken using the Guidance on due diligence: human rights. 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 .

The majority of private investment relationships are entered into, and managed, by Scottish Government agencies and NDPBs.

Investment relationships not managed by public bodies are overseen by the core Scottish Government. The officials responsible will vary depending on the policy area an investment sits under. It is for the accountable officer to ensure that their area complies with guidance issued by Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts also include a complete list of all nationalised companies where Scottish Ministers are the sole shareholder as well as providing information on other organisations and companies where the Scottish Ministers have an interest. The accounts are published on an annual basis with the most recent set of accounts covering the 2020-21 financial year.

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Joint Delivery Board has the highest of ambitions for all children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing and is overseeing a set of reforms designed to ensure they receive the support they need when they need it. Led jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA, the Board is made up of a number of key stakeholders with a wide range of experience in this area of work.

The voices and experiences of children, young people and their families both at Board level and wider engagement is a key part of our work to improve access to mental health support. Significant engagement with children and young people from a wide range of demographics has been undertaken since the Board commenced in April 2021.

Mental Health also remains a priority of The Armed Forces Personnel & Veterans Health Joint Group. The Scottish Government has established an Implementation Board, led by Dr Charles Winstanley, to take forward the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Action Plan. Its aim is to create a new national service providing visible, consistent and timely mental health and wellbeing services of high quality to support veterans in Scotland, combining equity of access with a rapid response to evidenced need. This will ensure that veterans and their families can access appropriate services and support, in the right place, at the right time. The lived experience of veterans and their families will be the starting point for discussions and decisions, and people with lived experience will be engaged, listened to and supported to participate.

The mental health and emotional wellbeing of all children in Scotland is a key priority for the Scottish Government. The 2017-2027 Mental Health Strategy committed to ensuring everyone across Scotland was able to access the right support in a way which best met their individual circumstances. This included support to children and young people as a whole as well as a specific focus on specific challenges. As part of this, the Strategy committed to supporting work aimed specifically at the mental health needs of veterans and their families. This is being taken forward through the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Action Plan.

Over the course of the pandemic, we put in place a variety of measures to support children and young people. These included supporting children struggling emotionally and providing advice and support to parents through Parent Club and the Solihull Online child development programmes. These resources provide families with easy ways to support their mental health and wellbeing through Covid restrictions and beyond.

We continue to invest in a range of measures to support children and young people in looking after their own mental health and wellbeing. This includes providing enhanced digital resources on mental health and wellbeing available via the ‘Aye Feel’ website and social marketing campaigns, managed by Young Scot. We are also committed to improving access to community mental health and wellbeing support. We have provided local authorities with an additional £15 million per annum to fund over 230 new and enhanced supports and services for children and young people across Scotland.

The concessionary travel vouchers continue to entitle the traveller to a free berth on overnight services. However, COVID-19 restrictions mean cabins may no longer be shared and so additional vouchers can be used offset the cost of cabins for sole use. The effects of shared cabins not being available has been recognised and will be considered as part of the Ferry Fares Policy review in the Islands Connectivity Plan.

As part of our commitment for decarbonisation the Scottish Government, and associated Agencies, is working towards our commitment to phase out the need for all petrol or diesel cars in the public sector fleet by 2025 and for all other new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.

Presently, Scottish Government’s overall fleet is comprised of 66% ultra-low emitting vehicles (ULEV), of which 27% of the fleet is fully electric.

The Scottish Government only hold central records for its own and Crown Office Procurator Fiscals Service fleets. The Crown Office Procurator Fiscals Service fleet do not currently operate any zero emission or ultra-low emitting vehicles.

No information is held for any of the other related Agencies.