Chamber and committees

I have engaged directly with Ofgem on a number occasions to ensure they are considering the implications of our net zero and decarbonisation targets. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33219 on 30 November 2020 for more detail on this engagement.

In my engagement, I highlighted that greater certainty over the availability of baseline funding during the next price control period (RIIO2) is going to be critical in terms of continued confidence in the renewable sector – for example, to the progress of new onshore and offshore wind developments. I believe that ensuring and enabling early progress and investment on vital upgrades to the east coast interconnectors and associated network infrastructure could have a profound effect on developer confidence. Decelerating these projects, or seeing them abandoned entirely along with the associated jobs, would be a poor outcome at the best of times; in the current economic crisis and climate emergency, it would be hugely damaging.

As stated in my answer to your earlier question (S5W-32625), planning is currently underway to establish the process and timetable for producing the final fuel poverty strategy, which the Programme for Government commits us to publishing next year. I will be writing to the Local Government and Communities Committee when I am in a position to confirm further details. For now work on the strategy remains on hold.

I can, though, assure you that in preparing the strategy we will allow sufficient time to consult widely with stakeholders and the public, including those with direct lived experience of fuel poverty and the characteristics specified within the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel will also play an important role in shaping the strategy. In line with previous commitments, an Island Communities Impact Assessment will be undertaken in relation to the strategy and its proposals.

Further to the information highlighted by myself in answer S5W-28871, please see the updated table as requested:

Updated Purple and Red Incidents Attended, 01-01-2017 – 31-10-2020

We are aware that if someone is identified as a close contact of a positive case on multiple occasions, they may have to self-isolate more than once. The Scottish Government does not hold data about the monitoring of individuals who have been asked to undertake multiple periods of self-isolation.

No matter how many times a person is asked to self-isolate through Test and Protect, there is always support available for those who need this.

We do not underestimate how big a challenge this will be for some people and so we are providing financial support to people on low incomes who are asked to self-isolate. Workers on low incomes who are in receipt of low income benefits, and would lose income through self-isolation, can apply for a £500 payment if they are asked to self-isolate by contact tracers, including on multiple occasions if necessary. In partnership with Local Authorities, we have also launched a Local Self-Isolation Assistance Service which will proactively get support to the people self-isolating who are likely to need it.

The Cycle Threshold, or CT value, is the number of PCR cycles that it takes before the virus is first detected; the lower the CT value the higher the level of virus in the original sample.

Each manufacturer of the PCR test will recommend a differing maximum amplification cycle number to determine presence of SARS CoV-2 when interpreting results, but a maximum of around 40 amplification cycles is normally used.

There are a range of PCR platforms used across NHS Scotland Laboratories, and the minimum and maximum CT values set for interpretation of results are recommended by the manufacturers. The lower the CT value the higher the level of virus in the original sample, up to a maximum of 40 amplification cycles normally used.

We know that social isolation and loneliness is a public health issue and there are well documented negative impacts on mental health, that is why the Scottish Government has considered these issues when developing the rules on social gatherings.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 take progressively more restrictive steps, such as limiting the numbers of people that can meet indoors and outdoors. Our aim in doing this is to reduce the chance for the virus to spread, while allowing households the opportunity to socialise. Even at the strictest level, 6 people from a maximum of 2 households can socialise outdoors and in public places. The Regulations also permit extended households to be formed at all Levels.

The gatherings restrictions that apply to children under 12 at different levels allow this age group to mix more freely outdoors. Older children and young people aged 12-17 are permitted to meet outdoors in a larger number of households than the general restrictions. Both these measures were brought in to lessen the impact of social isolation on children and address children’s rights concerns.

The Scottish Government is clear that restrictions will be relaxed where the evidence suggests this is appropriate. For that reason, from 13 November, residents of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles are able to meet with one other household inside their homes, up to a maximum of six people.

Information on mental health help and support is available at clearyourhead.scot or by calling NHS 111.

COVID-19 Scotland’s Strategic Framework is rooted in the 4 harms approach set out in COVID-19 Framework for Decision-Making . In taking and reviewing decisions about the different levels, we consider the direct impact of the virus on health, the effect of measures to suppress it on wider health and care, society, and economic activity. This includes physical health, mental wellbeing, social isolation and the impact on those with underlying health conditions. We are committed to ensuring that decisions will always be informed by data and analysis and to bring transparency to our decisions, and to support people to understand the very difficult issues that we face, we publish data on these harms online.

The Scottish Government will publish a further analysis and evidence paper on 20 November which, building on earlier papers, describes how the four harms approach works in practice and how evidence and analysis has been used to inform decision making. Consistent with our transparent approach, our intention is to follow this up in the near future with another paper explaining the evidence and analysis, including four harms considerations, supporting the levels approach.

The Scottish Government funds both heating and insulation measures as part of our energy efficiency programmes (e.g. as an integral part of Home Energy Scotland advice services). Measures are tailored to reflect the needs and circumstances of the household and property benefitting from the improvement funded or financed by the Scottish Government. Funding totals will therefore include spending on zero or low carbon heating systems as well as insulation. Where sub-totals for type of measures funded and sector were specified, funding can be broken down by sector as follows:

(a) Business Buildings - Via SME Loan Scheme

The following table shows the textiles waste generated, prepared for reuse and recycled in Scotland from household waste from 2017 to 2019. The remaining textile waste is managed through incineration or landfill.

Household waste data is the most robust data available. Data for 2020 is not yet available, the latest household waste statistics are from 2019 and can be accessed here: https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/waste/waste-data/waste-data-
reporting/household-waste-data/

Data on textile waste generated includes textile waste separately collected, while the textiles waste managed (prepared for reuse, and recycled) also includes textiles that are collected as mixed waste and subsequently sorted. The data does not include textiles that remain in the residual waste stream, nor textiles that are reused through the charity and reuse sectors.

The Scottish Government is aware that the ongoing restrictions are impacting on social gatherings, and that people are keen to see family and friends. We are working hard to balance the need to keep people safe and control the virus, whilst recognising that people are worried and that many will be feeling lonely.

We are continuing activity with the Clear Your Head campaign which will help and support positive mental health amongst the general population. Furthermore, on St Andrews Day on 30 November, we will be encouraging people to get in touch with others remotely, as an act of kindness to mark our national day. In usual times, Scots around the world would be celebrating Scotland’s culture of food, music and dancing, but this year we will be asking people to consider how they can instead use the opportunity to focus on sharing and kindness – but on their doorstep.