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(a) there have been a total of 4 contract workers in the past 12 months.

(b) see the following table

For the year 2022 to date the average day rate is £505.03 (inclusive of VAT).

Circularity Scotland Ltd as Scheme Administrator meets frequently with Zero Waste Scotland as part of their ongoing work to implement our Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), including through the DRS System-Wide Assurance Group which is responsible for assessing system-wide readiness, as well as the monitoring and addressing of risks to delivery for Scotland’s DRS.

Part of the current national conversation about our National Parks is aimed at developing an Evaluation Framework to identify the next areas to be progressed to National Park status. The Scottish Government and NatureScot will shortly be announcing the second phase of this consultation, at which time further details of the process will be published.

Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), as well as other partners, is supporting the Scottish Government to realise ambitions for a Circular Economy in Scotland which is critical to tackling the climate and nature crises. In this regard, ZWS is an important delivery partner for the Scottish Government, providing expertise on Circular Economy policy, programmes and research which help to fulfil commitments set out in the Bute House Agreement and the Programme for Government 21-22. The Scottish Government will continue to fund ZWS and other partners that are able to provide the required specialist expertise to progress the Circular Economy agenda.

Evidence of works was required in order to claim funding from the Business Ventilation Fund. This included providing invoices and proof of payment such as a copy of a bank statement. It was the responsibility of local authorities to validate this evidence to satisfy themselves that funding was being provided for approved purposes. This included spot checks of some premises and asking for further details to be provided before funding was released.

Under the Redesign of Urgent Care (RUC) programme, NHS 24 is now available 24/7 and individuals or their carers who think they need to go to A&E but it is not an emergency can first call 111. Their symptoms will be assessed by trained professionals who will direct them to the most appropriate setting for their healthcare need.

Individuals may be directed to their local pharmacy, and they may also be offered a phone or video appointment with their GP or an A&E triage nurse, thereby avoiding a trip to hospital altogether. If A&E attendance is necessary an appointment time can be scheduled to reduce the time they need to spend in the department.

The RUC program aims to improve urgent care pathways for all, however it is potentially particularly beneficial for people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, who can find long waits in A&E particularly distressing.

The Scottish Government continues to co-fund Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Consultants in NHS Boards to provide expert advice on dementia care issues within acute, community and mental health hospital settings - as well as wider community locations including care homes.

They will support established principles and standards such as that systems are in place so that staff can easily identify someone with dementia and that hospitals have access to advice or assessment by a liaison service specialising in the diagnosis and management of dementia.

The Scottish Government regularly reviews its workforce numbers to ensure affordability, and that the organisation is delivering for the people of Scotland as efficiently and effectively as possible. This ongoing monitoring of our workforce makes sure that as much money as possible is directed onto the delivery of the policy priorities of the Government and improving the lives of the people of Scotland.

We are committed to contributing to achieving the broad aim set out in the Resource Spending Review, to return the total size of the devolved public sector workforce to around pre-COVID-19 levels by 2026-27.

Our absolute priority is achieving this through effective vacancy and recruitment management, working in partnership with the Council of Scottish Government Unions.

Whilst we consider the longer term workforce requirements, and the impact of the Resource Spending Review on our workforce size and cost for the future, we have enhanced recruitment controls in place which focus any recruitment on the most critical delivery priorities, building capability and making the organisation more diverse.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce a Scottish carers card. Local authorities and integration authorities are responsible for carer support under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, and commission Third Sector organisations to provide much of that support on their behalf. This includes information and advice about a range topics, including carers rights and income maximisation. Much of this support is delivered through local carer centres and would include signposting to any local carer discount cards or schemes in place, for both adult and young carers.

To specifically support young carers, the Scottish Government works with Young Scot to provide tailored discounts and opportunities through the Young Carers Package. This package is available to all young carers aged 11 to 18 years of age, and the Scottish Government encourages the promotion of this scheme as widely as possible. Young carers can claim vouchers, tickets to events, prizes and discounts to help support their health and wellbeing.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review, chaired by Lord John Scott QC, is ongoing. The principal aim of the Review is to improve the rights and protections of those who may be subject to the existing provisions of mental health, incapacity or adult support and protection legislation as a consequence of having a mental disorder. The Review’s final report and recommendations are due to be completed in September 2022.