Seòmar agus comataidhean

Asylum and immigration are reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office. This includes decisions relating to leave to enter and remain in the UK. The Scottish Government has no control of these processes.

However, the Scottish Government is clear that all forms of gender based violence are completely unacceptable. We are committed to eradicating it within Scotland. We work to protect all women who flee abusive partners within Scotland and those who come here seeking refuge can expect the same level of protection that we provide to all women.

Police Scotland is committed to working with local authorities and partners to support the individuals and families who are fleeing the atrocities caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Where a report of domestic abuse is made, it will be taken seriously, victims will be listened to and it will be thoroughly investigated. This is a developing situation that requires a flexible approach, with examples of ongoing engagement including the:

• Creation and circulation of a Scots Law booklet translated to the Ukrainian language to advise on how, why and when to call the Police;
• Review of translation provisions to ensure we have Ukrainian language coverage;
• Participation in key strategic groups to ensure delivery of a coordinated response;
• Engagement with the Scottish Refugee Council to understand specific needs of displaced Ukrainians.

Within the first 100 days of this government we provided £5 million to rape crisis centres and domestic abuse services to help them cut waiting times, on top of £5.75 million we allocated in 2020-21 to help redesign frontline services. In addition, our Delivering Equally Safe (DES) Fund is providing £38 million over the next two years to organisations helping to prevent abuse and to aid recovery where it does happen. This includes funding to front line services across Scotland who provide a range of counselling, outreach and peer support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07513 on 12 April 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-07501 on 12 April 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

There is currently no requirement to monitor drinking water for Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).However, such monitoring will become mandatory once new Regulations take effect in early 2023 to align with the requirements of the EU’s recast Drinking Water Directive. There are currently no plans to offer blood tests for PFAS.

Scotland has a long history of welcoming migrants and we are actively encouraging those from Hong Kong to make Scotland their first choice to resettle. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting their integration into our communities and we have also published a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, on our website.

We have provided funding to COSLA who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub, intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with third sector partners and our overseas hubs to identify ways of encouraging BN(O)s to choose Scotland as their first choice destination to resettle.

We recognise that locked defibrillator cabinets, such as those that require an access code sent to a phone, can sometimes present logistical problems for access. We would therefore reiterate the advice in the answer to S6W-06463 that defibrillator guardians follow the advice of the Resuscitation Council of the UK (RCUK) and consider placing their defibrillators in an unlocked cabinet in order to make them as accessible as possible at all times.

The RCUK highlights that despite widespread use of unlocked cabinets, instances of theft and vandalism are relatively uncommon. Further information is available at: https://www.resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/consensus-statement-aed-cabinets

It is important to note that resilience of the Communications Sector, which includes telecommunications and internet, is reserved and therefore the responsibility of the UK Government.

Major outages are extremely rare, but most telecoms equipment is dependent on a power supply in order to function which can be disrupted by extreme weather. The ‘Ready Scotland’ website, at ready.scot , provides advice to the public on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies; including utilities loss and severe weather.

We will continue to press the UK Government and the regulator (Ofcom) for assurance that increasing resilience of the telecoms network in Scotland is a priority.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07513 on 12 April 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 .

As set out in the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, the draft regulations cited (to set minimum energy efficiency standards of EPC E, rising to EPC D) were withdrawn as a direct result of the impact Covid-19 has had on the private rented sector (PRS). Instead, as the Strategy confirms, the Scottish Government is now working with the sector to introduce regulations in 2025 which will require all PRS properties to reach a minimum standard equivalent to EPC C, where technically feasible and cost effective, at change of tenancy, with a backstop of 2028 for all remaining existing properties, in line with the direction provided by the Climate Change Committee.

Data giving an anticipated breakdown of properties not reaching EPC E is not available, however analysis carried out by the Energy Savings Trust in 2021 (using Home Analytics V3.7, which used a combination of modelled and reported data) gives a breakdown of PRS homes by local authority area which are assumed to be in bands E and F-G.

The Private Sector Landlord specialist advice service, run by Home Energy Scotland, provides bespoke advice to private landlords throughout Scotland, this can include property visits and modelling as well as tailored advice for older properties.

Home Energy Scotland is also the route to Scottish Government funded loans and further support, in particular the Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan ( Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan: overview - Home Energy Scotland ) and our national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland. This scheme is designed to make homes warmer for those living in or in risk of fuel poverty. Private rented sector tenants are generally not eligible for heating measures, however those who meet the criteria may receive energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, provided the landlord consents. Home Energy Scotland can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2282 or through their website https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/home-energy-Scotland .

There is also a range of guidance also available from Historic Environment Scotland to help with energy efficiency measures and climate change adaptations in listed buildings, traditional homes and buildings in conservation areas. This advice can be accessed through the Historic Environment Scotland website at: www.historicenvironment.scot .

The Scottish Government has consistently and unequivocally indicated to the UK Government the significant impact Brexit would have across our whole economy, including health and social care. Leaving the EU, and in particular the loss of freedom of movement, has undoubtedly added to the challenge of attracting and recruiting new staff to work in remote and rural communities.

Further to engagement between the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, my predecessor and other devolved administrations about the impact of EU exit on the recruitment and retention of health and social care workers, the UK Government has amended the shortage worker visa scheme including social care workers through the Scottish Government remains of the view that this does not adequately address the barriers that exist.

We continue to invest in recruitment and retention of health care staff, including GPs in remote and rural locations and this include record levels of investment in international recruitment, direct support to international recruits, the Golden Hello scheme and the development of a National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Social Care.