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The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) is responsible for the recording of data relating to children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System. Official Statistics, published annually, are available on the SCRA website https://www.scra.gov.uk/ , and include the number of children referred to SCRA each year, and the number of children on a compulsory supervision order.

This information regarding nursing roles is not held centrally.

The Scottish Government hold data on the number of journeys where children and young people are securely transported for the duration of a custodial sentence. Handcuffs are used in all journeys due to the type of vehicle used. The total number of journeys in the current contract period is:

Duties relating to secure transport lie principally with the local authority responsible for the child’s placement. Information is not held centrally on the use of handcuffs and restraint being applied to care-experienced children whilst being securely transported.

The Scottish Government has a contract with GEOAmey to provide secure transport for children convicted on indictment and given a custodial sentence. for providing this transportation.

GEOAmey must provide the Scottish Government with details of when restraint is used. No incidents of restraint have been recorded during the current contract.

GEOAmey must ensure that the child or young person being transported, staff and the general public are protected by robust arrangements throughout each journey, including the prevention of escape. Multi-purpose vehicles are used to transport children and young people, rather than prison vans used to transport adult prisoners. Because of this, handcuffs are used for each journey.

Details of each journey, any risks to be taken into consideration by GEOAmey and any subsequent incidents are held on the Scottish Government’s Parole Case Management System.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) provide an assessment of the modelled energy performance of buildings. The Scottish Government recognises that the information presented on EPCs needs to be reformed in line with the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee. We consulted last year on reforming EPCs to introduce a new metric for energy efficiency. This is intended to ensure that the EPC metrics align with our net zero target.

Following our consultation, we are commissioning research to understand the implications of several options for the new energy efficiency metric. These options include an energy demand metric which would be based on the dwelling’s space heating and cooling demand. As set out in our consultation, we intend that EPCs will present the new energy efficiency metric alongside the current running cost and carbon emissions metrics.

The Heat in Buildings Strategy (7 October 2021), committed to introducing primary legislation in the current session of the Scottish Parliament that would set a regulatory framework for heat and energy efficiency, as a key action to meeting Scotland’s statutory climate change targets.

This year, the Scottish Government will commission independent research which will specify what fabric energy efficiency levels are necessary in existing homes for the cost effective installation of different zero direct emission heating sources, in different archetypes of domestic properties. The outcomes from this research will inform our proposals for energy efficiency regulations, ahead of a public consultation in the coming year.

Improvements to Building Regulations from October this year, (which apply to new buildings and new building work), will improve fabric standards to reduce space heating demand. They will also deliver new heating systems which operate at lower temperatures, compatible with the efficient operation of zero direct emissions heating sources.

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE) apply when a service is transferred from one employer to another, in this case ‘insourcing’. It provides those who are carrying out work which will be provided by a new employer with protection by transferring them to the employment of the new provider. Staff transferring to SPS employment will be consulted on the changes that will be made when SPS are managing the prison. Exact costs will become clear at the conclusion of the consultation exercise and the running costs are likely to be aligned to an existing public prison of a similar size.

Any proposal to extend a contract for a private sector prison would be at odds with Scottish Government policy that prisons should be owned and operated by the public sector. In addition, an extension to an existing PFI contract would not be permissible under procurement regulations. The proposal which was made would have provided additional accommodation at a cost to the public sector.

The Firth of Clyde cod spawning closure took place from 14 February to 30 April. During my appearance at the RAINE Committee on 9 March I committed Marine Scotland officials to meet with stakeholders after the closure both to hear their thoughts on how it has worked from their perspective and for Marine Scotland to report on activities observed from their part and this meeting will take place in the coming weeks.

The Scottish Government continues to monitor the impact of policy decisions on the economy and the environment and in the spirit of co-management will work alongside all relevant stakeholders for a more sustainable West of Scotland cod stock.

In keeping with its original purpose, the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is supporting grassroots community-based initiatives across Scotland which promote good mental health and wellbeing. Managed locally by Third Sector Interface (TSI) bodies, the Fund is aimed at tackling priority issues such as suicide prevention, social isolation and loneliness, prevention and early intervention and addressing the mental health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic. This includes a particular focus on the needs of ‘at risk’ target groups including women, people from a minority ethnic background, people facing socio-economic disadvantage and older people, amongst others.

Nearly 2000 awards have been given to community projects through Year 1 of the Fund. Early data shows that projects are being funded across the whole of Scotland, supporting a wide range of community activities involving sport, nature, outdoor initiatives, the arts, community cafes and choirs, with a large proportion of these focused on prevention, social isolation and loneliness. Projects being funded include activities which are open to all; whilst many others are focused on the needs of the ‘at risk’ target groups outlined above. Key themes have emerged among projects, such as building community and interpersonal links, often by facilitating discussion or activities and providing space and support.

Officials are currently compiling a monitoring report on year 1 of the Fund, which will be published in June. The report, based on monitoring data provided by each TSI, will give a detailed breakdown of the type of projects funded, key themes and groups targeted by projects, organisation types, and a wide range of illustrative examples of projects funded across Scotland.

Some examples include:

? Avenue Confidential, in Aberdeenshire, who provide Family Wellbeing Groups for parents affected by relationship challenges. These cover topics such as: self-care; healthy communication; blended families; children’s wellbeing; and recognising the impact of trauma in oneself and others.

? The Cactus Book Club, in Aberdeenshire, who are launching a book club for 16-26 year olds who are isolated due to their health. This group is often overlooked and it is a difficult age to be isolated. The club will address loneliness and anxiety about the future and will offer members the chance to feel included.

? The Third Level Foundation, in Aberdeen City, who are running weekly workshops for family members affected by someone with Borderline Personality Disorder. The workshops will cover a range of topics to improve mental health and wellbeing for all.

? The Bridge, in Aberdeen City, who have increased their capacity to run ‘Link Friends’ which arranges for volunteers to visit and arrange phone calls to older people facing isolation. Funding enables increased staff time and facilitates more volunteer work.