Chamber and committees

The discretionary power to align with European Union legislation provided through the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 entered into force on 29 March 2021. Ministers have not yet used this provision, but will do so where appropriate to maintain and advance the high standards Scotland has enjoyed as part of the EU, including but not limited to the areas of environmental protection, animal health and welfare, plant health, equality, non-discrimination and human rights, and social protection.

Physical distancing has been an important element in controlling the spread of COVID which is key to keeping our economy open and moving forward to recovery from the impacts of the virus.

Much work has been undertaken by operators in order to safely maximise capacity on ferries. The exemption from 10 July 2020 to allow 1 metre distancing on ferries, with appropriate risk mitigations, significantly increased passenger capacity, and continues to ensure that ferry services can fully support the reopening of the tourism sector that is so essential for the sustainability of island and rural economies, as well as enabling islanders to travel to the mainland.

The Scottish Government is reviewing physical distancing including its impact on Transport, and an announcement of the outcome of this review is due ahead of the planned move to Level 1 on 7 June. Sectoral guidance will be further updated at that time to reflect the outcome of the review. Physical distancing has been an important tool for controlling the virus but, as with all restrictions, we will only have this in place as long as is necessary.

The fact that Scotland’s own supply is secure, and its abundant generation of electricity via wind means that Scotland has long been a net exporter of electricity with Net Exports to England and Wales being 10,036 GWh in 2006 and 19,050 GWh in 2020. This is thanks to the record renewable generation so far in 2020, as recorded by the Scottish Energy Statistics Hub . The forecasts from National Grid’s Electricity Ten Year Statement and recently published Network Options Assessment indicate that Scotland's export capacity will increase over the next decade.

As of 17 May 2021, the sum of £410,171.22 has been paid from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund. The total value of successful applications is £472,404.72, with the remaining funds in the process of being paid. This is part of a range of measures to support tenants.

The information requested is not held centrally. All Boards are currently offering a mix of online and face to face appointments in CAMHS. It is a matter for individual Health Boards and clinicians to determine how autism assessments are administered.

Current JCVIadvice does not cover vaccination in those under 18 years old, so far only 16 and 17 years olds in groups 1-9 are covered.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that only those children at very high risk of exposure and serious outcomes, such as older children with severe neuro-disabilities that require residential care, should be offered vaccination with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the AstraZeneca vaccine. We will continue to review our approach in line with JCVI advice.

Clinical trials are currently underway for vaccination of children and young people.

We will continue to engage with vaccine developers, and the JCVI so that if trials are successful we are ready to vaccinate younger age groups, if that is what the clinical and scientific evidence supports.

Face to face appointments for CAMHS autism assessments can take place under all levels of COVID-19 protection, subject to clinical need and adherence to Covid-safe practices.

The Scottish Government remains committed to implementing the licensing of driven grouse shooting and is currently developing proposals for a full public and stakeholder consultation with the aim of bringing forward legislation during this parliamentary term.

The timing of the consultation will depend on the legislative programme for the Parliament, which will be set out in due course.

The Scottish Government is making good progress with the development of a Women’s Health Plan and aims to publish it within the first 100 days of this new government.

Ministers have not discussed the outcomes of the Island Communities Impact Assessment on HIAL’s Air Traffic Management 2030 Strategy with HIAL. Officials attended the HIAL Board meeting on 25 February 2021 where the issue was discussed. The minutes of the meeting are available on the HIAL web site at https://www.hial.co.uk/downloads/file/295/hial-board-minutes-february-2021 .