Chamber and committees

Building safety is an issue the Scottish Government takes very seriously and we are fully aware of significant issues with some Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). A survey programme across NHS Scotland is underway, to be completed by November, so we can all fully understand the scope of RAAC. The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion will be surveyed as part of this prioritised discovery survey programme. NHS Lothian will continue to manage their Estate to provide a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

CSL engaged with a wide range of stakeholders including the Scottish Government, SEPA and producers on a regular basis. However as a private company their policies and practices were a decision for their management team and their board.

The Scottish Government received CSL’s application to be scheme administrator as referred to in S6W-20273. However, following the application process and in line with the DRS regulations, the Scottish Government did not have a role in providing authorisation to any of CSL’s policies as they were a private company.

There have been no power purchase agreements put in place so far for the sale of self-generated renewable energy to the grid under the current national framework agreement for the supply of electricity for the Scottish public sector. However, the new framework agreement which commences in April 2024 contains provisions for various type of PPAs.

The definition of green jobs as referenced was published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in March in 2023. The ONS are now developing a detailed framework to support this definition, including the identification of appropriate activities and categories.

Given this is still under development, I cannot currently provide accurate estimates on how many green jobs will be created over the long term via Energy Transition Fund funding. However, tens of thousands of jobs could be supported, if ETF investment leverages in anticipated additional investment from other sources.

The Energy Transition fund is primarily an enabling fund to support a just transition away from oil and gas to renewable energy. It supports four key projects that seek to create the conditions to attract inward investment, providing high quality green jobs for the North East. Whilst focused on infrastructure and enabling works, the Energy Transition Fund has also directly created around 30 roles in delivering the projects funded.

Elements of the Energy Transition Fund projects include a focus on skills development and training to ensure that workers and companies in the North East have the first adopter opportunities that will result from an effectively managed move towards renewable energy.

There are no further funding rounds for the Energy Transition Fund scheduled. All funds are allocated to the projects identified when the fund was launched in 2020.

The UK Government’s 11th hour decision to undermine DRS in Scotland will have affected businesses across Scotland that were preparing for the launch of the Scottish scheme. We wrote to the UK Government on 16 May, 19 May and 23 May 2023 to inform them of the potential impact a delayed decision on the IMA exclusion, or not providing an exclusion, would have on businesses. In our letter dated 2 June 2023, we specifically highlighted our concerns about the impact this would have on Circularity Scotland Limited (CSL).

Administrators (Interpath) were appointed on 21 June 2023, and are currently working through the details of the administration process for CSL. The administration process will assess if any businesses has been directly financially affected by CSL going into administration.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the delivery of a successful DRS in October 2025 and are pushing the UK Government to set out how this can be delivered across the UK. The onus is now on DEFRA to work with the devolved nations, industry and wider stakeholder to ensure this scheme is launched successfully and on time.

The Scottish Government does not hold the specific information you have asked for. However, information about Circularity Scotland Limited’s (CSL) creditors is available on Companies House at the following link CIRCULARITY SCOTLAND LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK (company-information.service.gov.uk) .

The UK Government’s 11th hour decision to undermine DRS in Scotland will have affected businesses across Scotland that were preparing for the launch of the Scottish scheme. We wrote to the UK Government on 16 May, 19 May and 23 May 2023 to inform them of the potential impact a delayed decision on the Internal Market Act exclusion, or not providing an exclusion, would have on businesses. In our letter dated 2 June 2023, we specifically highlighted our concerns about the impact this would have on CSL.

The National Strategy for Economic Transformation sets out the need to strengthen Scotland’s position in new markets and industries, generating new, well-paid jobs through a just transition to net zero and a highly skilled workforce is critical to the delivery of that ambition.

Our No One Left Behind approach will support a growing number of green jobs and innovation activity by offering all-age employability support to all who require it with a focus on helping those furthest from the labour market with the most complex barriers to gaining and sustaining fair work, such as carers, single parents, and those on low incomes.

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) awards a range of loans, bursaries and living-cost grants to eligible students to assist with their expenses while studying. This can include providing support with living costs for those who have had to reduce their working hours in order to undergo training and upskilling. Detailed information for specific groups can be found on the SAAS website including grants for lone parents and undergraduate students with the lowest household incomes - Student Awards Agency Scotland - SAAS - Funding Your Future .

The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) sets out a framework for green skills planning and a clear direction for the changes needed in the skills system, signalling the role that industry, communities and individuals across Scotland will play in achieving this.

The Plan commits to maximising the uptake of all skills pathways relevant to supporting the transition to net zero across training, education and work-based learning through a range of short, medium, and long-term actions and can be found here: climate-emergency-skills-action-plan-2020-2025.pdf (skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk) .

As noted in S6W-19781, we committed to publish the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Update by the end of the year alongside the Climate Change Plan.