Chamber and committees

The operation of the MV Arrow on the Ullapool – Stornoway route is primarily a consideration for operator under the terms of the Time Charter. The Scottish Government has not requested detailed reports regarding the breakdown of the MV Arrow from either CalMac Ferries Ltd or Seatruck Ferries Ltd but was made aware of the situation as it developed.

The MV Arrow was removed from service on 24 July 2021 due to a fishing net or rope having been caught around the port propeller hub causing damage which required repair. The MV Arrow resumed the Ullapool – Stornoway freight only service on the evening of 3 August 2021.

During the breakdown of the MV Arrow, the MV Loch Seaforth operated her normal timetable, including overnight freight sailings. The costs of repairing the MV Arrow will be met by the vessel owner.

The carrying capacity of vessels under physical distancing requirements is dependent upon the individual layout, including access and egress arrangements. The table below provides information on the normal passenger carrying capacity of the vessels used on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and the Northern Isles Ferry Services as well as carrying capacity under 2m and 1m physical distancing requirements.

At 31 March 2021 there were 7816 directly employed staff within the core Scottish Government, however all staff continued to work from home where possible during this time.

The headcount of staff normally based in each Local Authority is in the table below.

Public Health Scotland is leading the comprehensive evaluation of minimum unit pricing which is a five year programme, with a final evaluation report due in 2023. The evaluation includes assessing the impact of minimum unit pricing on the alcohol industry in Scotland. It is too early in the evaluation to say anything definitive about the impact on producers and retailers. However, an initial qualitative assessment, Evaluating the impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry Report , found that, overall, effects on retailer revenue and prices are small as increased margins have compensated for decreased volumes, and the effect on producer revenues and profitability is negative but small. A final report, which will analyse quantitative data, is due in 2022.

The requirement to wear a face covering in certain indoor public places is not specific to places of worship. This requirement is necessary to reduce the number of indoor interactions that occur without a face covering in order to limit the opportunities for transmission. A list of exemptions is included within the Regulations laid in parliament as well as in the Scottish Government's published guidance. Those exemptions cover activities where it would be a disproportionate interference or impractical to require a face covering including eating or drinking, performing, exercising and with some specific exemptions around weddings and civil partnerships.

The Scottish Government regularly publishes evidence and data relating to the response to the COVID pandemic. With regard to face coverings, decisions were based on evidence and advice from both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) both of whom have published extensive evidence and guidance on the use of face coverings.

Mitigations to reduce transmission of the new variant SARS-CoV-2 virus, 22 December 2020 (publishing.service.gov.uk) .

Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care and in healthcare settings in the context of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (who.int)

The World Health Organisation recommends the use of face coverings in the community in areas of known transmission and in certain workplaces. The settings of known transmission tend to have identifiable characteristics such as close proximity with people from other households, settings where an individual may stay for prolonged periods of time, confined shared environments and poor ventilation. Any future requirement to wear face coverings will continue to take account of social and economic factors as well as the epidemiological impact on transmission. This is subject to regular review.

The Scottish Government plans to launch its consultation on restricting the advertising and promotion of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) in November. Timings for any potential legislation that may arise from the consultation will be dependent on the detail of responses as well as Parliamentary time.

The Scottish Government takes the protection of its ancient woodlands seriously and there are several existing areas of legislation and policies in place to provide that protection.

NatureScot use the planning system to protect ancient woodland through their engagement with the preparation of development plans. Furthermore, protection for all woodland is in place via felling regulations under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 and the Scottish Government’s Control of Woodland Removal Policy , where there is a strong presumption against removing ancient semi-natural woodland.

Anyone wishing to fell trees in Scotland must apply for a Felling Permission and thiswill only be granted if it complies with the principles of sustainable forest management, as set out in the UK Forestry Standard .

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Position Statement , sets out our expectation that NPF4 will strengthen our approach to protecting and restoring the health and quality of Scotland’s natural environment, including considering how we can promote nature based solutions and strengthen policy on woodland protection in association with development, aligned with new provisions on forestry and woodland strategies.

Scottish Forestry and NatureScot are working together to deliver those key recommendations in the Scottish Government’s official response to the Deer Working Group Report relevant to forestry. This includes developing a vision for woodland deer management based on protecting public interests within the context of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, and developing actions to deliver these aims through the Wild Deer National Approach.

We are also committed to establishing a National Register of Ancient Woodlands and will work with owners and agencies to maintain and protect them.

The aim that 21% of Scotland will be afforested by 2032 was informed by the targets for woodland creation set out in the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan 2018-32. The Plan is informed by the legislative targets set out in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019.

In light of the tragic incidents over the weekend of 24 th & 25 th July 2021, the LLTTNPA have held a series of urgent meetings with each of the local authorities, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. These partnership meetings are aimed at reviewing existing water safety measures and identifying any potential further actions to be taken both in the short and the longer term.

The next Scottish Government annual budget review will take place in September 2021 for 2022-2023 period. The review will provide LLTNPA with an opportunity to outline to the Scottish Government their planned and committed expenditure and any additional needs for funding taking into account developments and events over the last 12 months.