Chamber and committees

These matters fall within the responsibility of train operators in their capacity as employers.

These matters fall within the responsibility of rail freight operators in their capacity as employers.

As detailed information on commercial bus journeys is not available, estimates were produced using a model developed for the fare cap pilot. The model uses concessionary travel data and local population information to estimate the number of non-concessionary bus journeys across the area. It then compares these estimates with overall bus revenue and applies standard assumptions about how passenger numbers may change in response to lower fares. These estimates were used to calculate the likely number of eligible journeys and the expected cost of the scheme.

Further details will be published in the Outline Business Case for the scheme.

Marine Directorate targets determination of offshore wind applications within 12 months, excluding periods where Additional Information is being prepared and consulted on in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, and recognising that some applications are particularly complex.

MD-LOT is currently processing 14 applications. Receipt of all statutory consultee responses does not mean an application is ready for a determination. Of the 3 applications which exceed the 12 month target, engagement with statutory consultees is ongoing on Marine Protected Area Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Derogation Cases until shortly before a recommendation is provided to Ministers.

Civil servants must adhere to the civil service code of conduct and carry out their duties with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Scottish Government Internal and leadership communications routinely highlight the code to staff. In addition, all Scottish Government communicators (including those creating digital content and advertising) follow the guidance from the UK Government’s Government Communication Service which provides Propriety and ethics in government communications - Government Communications in addition to the code. The Government has a responsibility to inform the public of policy and the Government may use a variety of media, including paid and unpaid publicity, to achieve its objectives.

The 52-week ambition discussed in Committee evidence relates to onshore wind farm applications under the Onshore Wind Sector Deal. The position for offshore wind projects is different and is set out below.

The average determination timeline for the 15 offshore windfarm applications determined by Scottish Ministers since 2015 is 11 months excluding any time taken to receive and consult upon Additional Information, as required under the EIA regulations. The average determination time for applications that exceeded 12 months was 17 months, excluding any time taken to receive and consult upon Additional Information.

The 52-week ambition discussed in Committee evidence relates to onshore wind farm applications under the Onshore Wind Sector Deal. The position for offshore wind projects is different and is set out below.

Best efforts are made to meet determination timeline of 12 months from initial application, excluding time taken to receive and consult upon Additional Information, as required under the EIA regulations. We are clear that more complex applications may take longer. Of the current live offshore windfarm applications, 10 of 13 are currently projected to be determined within 12 months, excluding time to receive and consult upon Additional Information and resolution of other complexities.

The total spend to increase public awareness of the government’s programme was £102,467.90 of which £22,392 was spent on production and £80,075.90 on paid media.

Media costs are broken down by platform as requested;

Meta                        £43,602.38

Numodo (YouTube) £34,000.00

TikTok                      £2,473.52

Total                        £80,075.90

Four adverts were created to increase public awareness of the government’s programme;

- Programme for Government – overall summary

- Programme for Government – Parental focus

- Programme for Government – Health focus

- Programme for Government - Net Zero focus

Each had a video and a static, so eight adverts in total.

Warmer Homes Scotland is delivered through a managed service contract with our delivery partner, Warmworks, rather than through grant payments to households.

The data below relates to the current version of the scheme, which began in October 2023. Households interested in the scheme first contact Home Energy Scotland (HES), which carries out an initial eligibility assessment and refers potentially eligible households to Warmworks. Warmworks then undertakes a more detailed assessment of the property and household circumstances before confirming eligibility and progressing any installations.

The figures below show:

• the number of referrals received from Home Energy Scotland;
• the number of referrals that did not ultimately proceed to installation (including cases where households were found not to be eligible, technical issues prevented delivery, or the household chose not to continue); and
• the number of households where energy efficiency or heating installations were completed.

Please note that referrals do not always complete within the same financial year in which they are received. As a result, the figures in each column should not be compared directly.