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We have consistently pushed the boundaries in our procurement activity to achieve payment of the real Living Wage to those employed in public contracts, and have provided extensive guidance and support to public bodies on this issue.

We are making payment of the real Living Wage a condition of winning Scottish Government contracts and we will engage widely to encourage this practice across the public sector in Scotland.

We acknowledge the valuable work that others such as the Fair Work Convention and the Poverty Alliance have undertaken in this area.

The Scottish Government will bring this matter to parliament on return from parliamentary recess.

Fair Start Scotland (FSS) is Scotland’s national devolved employability support service, which helps those further from the labour market to progress towards and into fair and sustainable fair work.

We published the third Fair Start Scotland Annual Report on the 14 th October 2021. The report gives an overview of progress throughout 2021-21, highlighting how the service adapted to the demands of COVID-19 and the changing employability landscape to ensure that Fair Start Scotland participants continued to be supported.

It is available from SPICe at reference SG/2021/244

We are also publishing Fair Start Scotland Evaluation Report 4: Overview of year 3. This is the fourth FSS evaluation report, and details the research that supports the third year of service delivery up to 31 March 2021. The report includes findings from a telephone survey of over 1000 participants; local area case studies; interviews with participants across the country, senior Scottish Government colleagues and senior DWP stakeholders, analysis of management information on participants’ outcomes and an economic evaluation which includes an assessment of the value for money of the service.

This report is available from the Scottish Government website here: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781802014587

The Annual Report and evaluation findings demonstrate how Fair Start Scotland responded to the significant challenges that COVID-19 brought over the last 18 months.

Despite these challenges and the various difficulties faced by participants during this time, over 10,000 people chose to join Fair Start Scotland for help in year three and to date 4,170 of those participants have moved into work.

The impacts of COVID-19 are likely to have a profound and lasting impact on FSS delivery and our ambitions, however the extension of the Fair Start Scotland service for a further two years until 31 March 2023 has ensured that there is continued support and much needed stability for those facing long term unemployment.

As we enter the fourth year of FSS delivery, we are firmly focused on high quality delivery and outcomes, and making our services inclusive and accessible for all. We will also continue to make improvements to the service through our “test and learn” approach working closely with our partners and participants to ensure they continue to receive a quality, tailored service with dignity and respect at the centre of their support.

We also continue to work towards our No One Left Behind ambitions, working with local government and other partners to develop a locally responsive and flexible employability system that delivers the right support at the right time for those who need it most.

The proposed amendment to the Child Winter Heating Assistance regulations would expand eligibility to those young people (16 to 18) who were in receipt of the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for at least one day during the qualifying week. This change would also apply retrospectively to those in receipt of this rate of the PIP component during the qualifying week in 2020.

Data published by the Department for Work and Pensions for September 2020 shows that 68 people aged 16,17 or 18 living in the Scottish Parliament constituency of Airdrie and Shotts were in receipt of the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP. Data is not currently available for 2021.

The Victims Taskforce will next meet on Wednesday 24 November.

Work to develop the policy of removal of non-residential social care charging is progressing and charges will be removed as soon as is practicable The Scottish Government’s approach is to work with key stakeholders to achieve the best outcome for the people of Scotland. We continue to work with COSLA and other stakeholders on this.

The Scottish Government take seriously any suggestion that efforts are being made to disrupt court business and to avoid attendance. It is clearly even more alarming if this can be tracked back to initiatives put in place in response to the pandemic. We have discussed the specific concerns raised at the Criminal Justice Committee with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and can advise the following. SCTS is not aware of any specific instances of fake COVID alerts being used to avoid a court appearance. It is a matter for the presiding judicial office holder in each case to decide what proof is required to satisfy the court on the reason for non-attendance of an accused. This can include the court requiring evidence of a positive COVID test, or notification to self-isolate, before making any decision to adjourn or desert a case. If the evidence provided is not accepted by the court, it is a matter for the presiding judicial office holder to consider whether a warrant to apprehend must be issued for the arrest of the accused in respect of their failure to appear, or whether another course of action should be taken.

The health and safety of Police Officers is a matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

Nobody should be the victim of abuse or violence at work and the Chief Constable has made a commitment for 2021-22, that he will continue to take action to reduce the impact on officers and staff of violence in all its forms, including psychological injury and hate crime.

Applicants to the Island Communities Fund have all been notified of the outcome of their application. I am delighted to confirm that this will deliver £2 million of ‘on-island’ capital investment for 29 successful island-based community groups and businesses, spread across 23 islands.

This Fund provides grants of up to £150,000 for projects focusing on developing sustainable economic activities on islands, while also supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan.

The programme is in the early stages in terms of spend.

We have invested around £1.3 million since October 2019 through our Young Carer Grant, the first support of its kind in the UK, and have heard from young carers how this has helped make a difference to their lives and helped them access more opportunities.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we have implemented a range of additional measures to respond to the needs of young carers. As well as making alternative arrangements for the Young Carer Festival and providing extra funding for young carer services during the pandemic, we have invested an additional £100,000 into the Time to Live Fund to enable young carers to take a break from their caring role, and an extra £300,000 to expand the Young Scot young carers package for 11-18 year olds which provides access to non-cash benefits like free subscriptions and e-vouchers to leisure activities and rewards. Many of these are designed to support good mental health. We continue to target promotion of mental health resources for young people such as #AyeFeel, and have been working with young carers to create a young carer specific page for the National Wellbeing Hub. Young Scot ran a social media campaign to raise awareness of young carer issues among trusted adults who may work with or encounter young carers, focused in areas with the lowest sign up to the package.

We continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders including the National Care Organisations, Young Scot, Education Scotland and COSLA to help us collectively identify and address the needs of young carers. Young carers can find out about Young Carer Grant through many of these mechanisms. And, in line with our Benefit Take-up Strategy, we have promoted Young Carer Grant through regular social media posts and dedicated promotion on key dates like the first anniversary since the launch.

The Scottish Government is committed in its Programme for Government to start consultations this year on proposals to improve animal transport legislation. It is expected that these consultations will largely relate to the transport of livestock and horses initially. The transport of dogs and other animals will however also be considered in due course.