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The Scottish Government have, and continue to, provide support to former Rolls-Royce employees through our PACE initiative for responding to redundancy situations. This provides affected individuals with the necessary skills and employability support to get back into work as quickly as possible. This includes utilising the National Training Transition Fund to help people take advantage of jobs available in growth areas of the economy, such as digital and green technologies.

In addition, Skills Development Scotland undertook the “Aerospace Workforce Survey” using both online and telephone questionnaires in May and June of this year with a response rate of 65% (195 responses from 298 contacts). More than half of those surveyed had found work in another sector in Scotland, and one in eight had found alternative work in the Scottish Aerospace sector. Those with higher level qualifications were most likely to have found another aerospace job.

A further 14% had found aerospace related work in England. Those who had left the aerospace sector were most likely to have gone into the Medical or Defence sectors, with others going into Manufacturing, Marine Engineering, Renewables and Scientific Instruments.

Just under one in ten of those responding were currently unemployed and looking for work and a further 3% were retraining. Those with lower level qualifications were much more likely to be unemployed, or retraining to improve their employment prospects. Those who were able to find another aerospace job were more likely to be working at a similar or higher level to their previous position. Those who had changed sector were much more likely to be working at a lower level; with lower earnings or less responsibility.

At the time of leaving employment all employees were invited to participate in PACE Redundancy support seminars and ,as a follow up to the survey, individuals received follow up contact from SDS Careers Advisors and opportunities continue to be promoted to those consenting to further contact.

The Scottish Government published the updated Transforming Planning in Practice planning reform work programme on 29 October 2021. This work programme is available on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot/publications/transforming-planning-practice-updated-planning-reform-implementation-programme/

The Scottish Government has today published its Draft Heat Networks Delivery Plan for consultation. The Consultation will run until 15 December and can be accessed at https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/heat-networks-delivery-plan

This consultation document fulfils the requirement of the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 to consult with relevant persons in preparing the heat networks delivery plan (Part 1). It outlines in draft how the provisions of the 2021 Act, and any other supporting policies, will contribute to increasing the use of heat networks in Scotland. It sets out the proposed approach that the Scottish Ministers intend to take to increase the use of heat networks in Scotland and how the statutory targets will be met. In addition, it outlines how progress will be measured and the expected contribution that heat networks will make toward meeting the emission reduction targets.

Over this parliamentary term we are investing at least £1.8 billion in heat and energy efficiency in buildings, including investing £400 million to support the development of large-scale heat infrastructure, such as heat networks.

The consultation document also seeks views on policy proposals relating to aspects of the emerging regulatory regime.

I have also written to the Conveners of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. The Government looks forward to engaging with interested parties on this issue.

Responsibility for delivery of rail infrastructure renewal works rests with Network Rail as overseen by the Office of Rail and Road. The Scottish Government is aware that there have been some delays in the delivery of some parts of this renewal programme in Control Period 6 to date. Enquiries concerning this should be addressed to Network Rail or the Office of Rail and Road.

There has been no reduction in Control Period 6 budget for rail infrastructure renewals and enhancements activities in Scotland.

Transport Scotland and CMAL fully understand the importance and significance of engaging with the relevant trade unions on ferry services and future vessel contracts. In relation to the Islay vessels project regular meetings were held with unions by Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac, from the outset of the project in January 2019. Similarly, these bodies have provided unions with progress updates on the development on the new Islay vessels, listening and taking action on their views when appropriate. A similar approach will be taken with all future projects.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03825 on ‎15 November 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
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The Scottish Government has provided a significant increase in funding on Control Period 6 for Network Rail to deliver weather resilience improvements, including drainage. Network Rail is responsible for the delivery of these works, as overseen by the Office of Rail & Road (ORR). Enquiries should be addressed to these organisations.

Scotland was the first country in the UK to achieve 100% Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation in Maternity and Community and Neonatal services. Scottish Government has invested in the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) across NHS Scotland to provide support planning for sustainability. This initiative includes best practice standards for health professionals and services to support women to successfully establish and continue breastfeeding.

We have also provided more than £800k funding to our Third Sector partners over the past three years. This investment is being used to develop their breastfeeding peer support programmes as part of a tiered service of support, including face-to-face contacts.

It is for each NHS Board to plan services to meet the needs of its population including how best to utilise funding, facilities and staff to deliver these services.

The Scottish Government recognises the positive health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies and expects breastfeeding support to be available to mothers whenever this is required, particularly in the early days and weeks of a baby’s life.

Information on local breastfeeding services is not held centrally. It is for each NHS Board to plan services to meet the needs of its population including how best to utilise funding, facilities and staff to deliver these services.

We provide £2.3m per year to support the 2011 Maternal and Infant Nutrition Framework Action Plan which includes breastfeeding support, and have provided more than £6m over the past four years to NHS Boards and third sector partners to improve the quality of breastfeeding support.