Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government aims to publish the final Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy later this year. It will provide the spatial framework for developments coming forward under Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind leasing programme. A Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) was undertaken as part of this work and it includes an estimate of potential impacts on supply chain and employment. The SEIA can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/draft-sectoral-marine-plan-social-econimic-impact-assessment/pages/1/ .

The Supply Chain Development Statement process is not prescriptive as to the detailed scope of the work however, geophysical surveys are typically carried out during the development stage of the application process.

Crown Estate Scotland has engaged extensively with the Scottish Government over recent months on how the ScotWind leasing round can support the development of the offshore wind supply chain.

Comments on the supply chain development statement process from all stakeholders, including trade unions who represent seafarers is encouraged by 29 July 2020 https://www.crownestatescotland.com/maps-and-publications/download/478 .

Companies are required to register their interest in ScotWind leasing by 5 August 2020. https://www.crownestatescotland.com/maps-and-publications/download/476 . Crown Estate Scotland will publish information on Scotwind leasing awards once agreements are in place.

The Scottish Government has reviewed the 2 metre physical distancing rule and has decided that it will remain in place as a key measure in the prevention and mitigation of the transmission of Covid. We have agreed that from the 15 July there can be conditional exceptions to the physical distancing rule of 2 metres (to 1 metre) for the hospitality and retail (including hairdressers) sectors and public transport, but only where a risk assessment and agreed mitigation measures are in place.

This decision has been taken in light of the current low prevalence of the virus in Scotland. However, the evidence base in relation to physical distance and transmission remains the same and the virus continues to pose a threat to public health. Therefore, our approach remain precautionary, as well as proportionate.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30843 on 21 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation sector globally as demand for travel has collapsed. This has meant that airlines have cancelled, suspended, or reduced capacity on routes to reflect that current lack of demand and mitigate operating losses. TUI has decided to suspend Aberdeen flights for the rest of summer 2020. We have remained in touch with TUI in recent weeks and are working with Scotland's airports to help them rebuild Scotland's connectivity with the rest of the world. We do not underestimate the challenge of restoring the level of connectivity we had before Covid-19 but the Scottish Government has a strong track record of helping airports secure new routes and that work will continue in earnest.

The First Minister has spoken on many occasions of her pride in all those across the public sector and beyond who have been working day and night to respond to the challenges of this unprecedented public health emergency.

Nevertheless, given the scale of the challenge of this emergency, the Scottish Government accepts that there will be important lessons to be learned.

Whilst there are decisions to be made about the correct form of an inquiry, it would be inconceivable not to seek to learn the lessons of the last few months. Terms of reference for public inquiries are agreed in consultation with the appointed Chair.

It is also right that we wait until we are over what is still an ongoing crisis before those decisions are taken.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30128 on 7 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .