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Crown Estate Scotland manage leasing of the Scottish seabed, and we will ask their Chief Executive to write to you directly with this information.

This information is not held centrally for onshore wind projects however the Scottish Government continue to be encouraged by the onshore and offshore wind industries' commitment to developing on Scottish land and in Scottish waters and are aware of some developers establishing headquarters and/or additional offices located in Scotland.

Scottish Renewables, as the renewable industry representative body in Scotland, hold a directory of their members, which may be useful in collating this information. The Scottish Government would also suggest that further detail could be obtained by contacting Scottish Renewables directly.

I can confirm that the development and assessment of the route corridor options for the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme, including the option passing above the West Highland line, was undertaken by Transport Scotland in alignment with the principles of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).

The Scottish Government has not conducted research in this area.

Through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) delivered by Local Energy Scotland on the Scottish Government’s behalf, £14.48 million has been invested since 2011 to support 197 community, locally owned and shared ownership onshore wind projects. The applicant data recorded for the scheme does not allow a straightforward assessment of applicants' organisational structure. However, based on their experience working to support the community energy sector, Local Energy Scotland estimate that the number of projects owned by a bona-fide cooperative is likely to be a very small percentage of the total.

Through the Energy Investment Fund (EIF), delivered by Scottish Enterprise, on the Scottish Government’s behalf £23.1 million has been invested in community, locally owned and shared ownership of onshore wind projects. No cooperatively owned onshore wind projects have been supported through EIF. The Fund closed on the 31 March 2022.

There has been no investment through CARES or EIF in cooperatively owned offshore wind energy projects.

The Scottish Government appreciates the wide interest shown from across society in Draft National Planning Framework 4. The detailed responses received through the Parliamentary scrutiny process and the public consultation are currently being considered. Once the analysis of responses is complete, we will be able to assess the scale of change required to produce a final NPF4. At that point, an update on the forward timetable will be provided.

Progress continues to be made by officials carrying out this request. The information will be placed on the Parliament’s Reference Centre as soon as this is available.

The Scottish Government do not have information on the total number of single parents that have accessed further education courses at Scottish colleges.

The Scottish Government remains committed to upgrading the key strategic route along the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. By improving regional connectivity the proposed scheme will help the economy prosper and promote equality by providing fairer access to the Highlands and Islands.

Transport Scotland recently published an interactive Story Map to provide updated information regarding the scheme and to keep the public informed of progress as the project develops. While there is still a lot of development work to be carried out, which is being informed by our enhanced understanding of the specific complexities associated with improving this iconic route, we continue to push forward the preparation stages to deliver this scheme as soon as possible.

Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set in accordance with the availability of funding.

The Scottish Government is providing a £150 cost of living award to all those receiving a reduction under the Council Tax Reduction scheme, regardless of their council tax band, as well as to all households living in properties in Bands A - D, which means this help will reach 1.85 million households.

Local authorities have also been provided with funds from which to make the £150 award payment to the estimated 38,000 low income households which are exempt from council tax, including those accessing housing support services or living in temporary accommodation.

In addition to the £150 cost of living award, £10 million is being allocated to continue the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which supports people struggling with their energy bills to the point that they are at risk of self-rationing their energy use, or self-disconnecting entirely. The Fuel Insecurity Fund is delivered through third sector partner organisations, particularly the Fuel Bank Foundation and Advice Direct Scotland. It includes provision for households on any tariff type and using any type of fuel.

In determining an application for a marine licence (under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009) the Scottish Ministers must have regard to protection of the environment and human health, prevention of interference with legitimate uses of the sea and such other matters as the Scottish Ministers consider relevant. Marine licences do not include conditions in relation to Fair Work First criteria and commitments to supporting domestic supply chains. Such conditions cannot be applied to s.36 consents issued under the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction, operation or extension of generating stations either.

ScotWind applicants were required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) setting out the anticipated level and location of supply chain impact for their projects. We have now seen these statements yield commitments by developers to invest an average projection of £1.5bn in Scotland across each of the 17 ScotWind offshore wind projects. Developers can update their Statements throughout the development phase. Failure to deliver the commitments laid out in the final SCDS can trigger remedies ranging from financial penalties to an inability to progress to seabed lease.