The challenge of reaching net zero in Scotland’s communities is to be explored in a series of visits by a Scottish Parliament committee.
Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is looking at the role of local government and its partners in making a real and lasting impact on the environment. Now the Committee want to see this work in action by visiting projects across Scotland.
The Committee will begin the series of visits by going to Stirling, Orkney and Aberdeen where they will explore how the private sector, third sector, social enterprises and local communities are working with local government to meet net zero targets.
Speaking ahead of the visits, Committee Convener, Dean Lockhart MSP, said: “So many of the key areas in helping Scotland reach its net zero targets sit with local government. Issues such as travel, housing, recycling and the circular economy have a huge impact on Scotland’s environment.
“But we know that local government can’t make this change alone. That is why we want to see how councils across Scotland are working with their communities and building relationships with business and the voluntary sector to embed these changes and make a difference to climate change.
“Our visits will allow us to see first-hand the positive work happening across this country as well as finding out what more needs to be done to make the net zero targets a reality.”
The Committee will be visiting Stirling tomorrow (23 May), Aberdeen on 30 May and Orkney on 6 June.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed Michelle O’Neill MLA to Bute House today (Friday 20 May).
The meeting, which was arranged at the request of Michelle O’Neill, provided an opportunity to discuss shared areas of interest including the current cost of living crisis, the importance of the Northern Ireland Protocol negotiated with the EU and the prospects for the formation of a new Northern Ireland Executive.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Today’s meeting was an excellent opportunity to discuss some of the shared challenges Scotland and Northern Ireland face and I thank Michelle for reaching out and enabling us to discuss these extremely important issues in person.
“It was a particularly timely conversation which provided an update on the ongoing developments around establishing the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive following elections earlier this month.
“We also discussed the Northern Ireland protocol – most notably the extremely concerning announcement by the UK Government that they intend to legislate to enable unilateral action to dis-apply parts of the protocol – and the incredibly damaging effects this would have in communities right across the UK.
“In a cost of living crisis and teetering on the edge of recession, pitching us into a trade dispute with the EU could be what tips us over.
“Intergovernmental relations are essential when it comes to tackling shared challenges and it is clear that much more needs to be done by the UK Government to ensure a rapid and effective response to the devastating cost of living crisis facing households across these islands. No one should ever have to make a choice between heating and eating.
“Today’s meeting was a further example of the close relationship between Scotland and Northern Ireland. In that spirit, I have written today to the leaders of the DUP and Alliance parties with an offer to meet to discuss these important matters.”
The First Minister today wrote to the other main political parties in Northern Ireland to make them aware of the meeting and offer a similar engagement, should they wish it.
Legislative consent (sometimes known as the ‘Sewel Convention’);
Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Co-Operation Agreement (TCA);
Intergovernmental relations;
Retained EU law; and
Implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol
The effects of the UK leaving the EU, including UK and GB-wide arrangements put in place to replace EU systems (such as Common Frameworks and the UK Internal Market Act), as well as disagreements between the UK and Scottish Governments over issues including legislative consent, have all impacted on how the Scottish Parliament and Government work. These changes will be examined in detail by the Committee.
These hearings follow on from inquiries by the Committee into the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 and the UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA), as well as the Committee’s role in the first meeting of the UK-wide Interparliamentary Forum.
The Committee previously concluded that UKIMA has created a tension in the devolution settlement, with more emphasis on open trade than regulatory autonomy, when compared to the EU Single Market.
It also identified a risk that the emphasis on managing regulatory divergence at an inter-governmental level may lead to less transparency and Ministerial accountability, and a tension in the balance of relations between the Executive and the Legislature.
Speaking ahead of today’s first roundtable looking at the issue of legislative consent, Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP, said: “Leaving the EU has meant a significant change in the UK’s constitutional arrangements. Of course, this has implications for Scotland and its Parliament.
“Though many of these changes are very technical, they can have important implications. We have already put on record our concerns around a number of potential risks including less regulatory autonomy for devolved Parliaments, reduced democratic oversight, and a less consultative policy making process.
“As MSPs, we now want to examine what other changes mean for devolution.”
So far, the following roundtables are scheduled for the following dates:
Thursday 19 May: Legislative Consent after Brexit
Thursday 26 May: Implementation of the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement
British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Justine Shotton last night (Tuesday 17 May) celebrated the work of veterinary teams across Scotland to make animal health and welfare a top priority despite contending with multiple pressures in recent times.
In her speech to around 70 guests at BVA’s Annual Scottish Dinner at the Scottish Parliament, Dr Shotton said that Scottish vets had worked incredibly hard to keep animals healthy, protect public health and keep the food chain moving against a backdrop of Covid, Brexit and a recent surge in pet ownership.
However, she cautioned that this has been an incredibly challenging time, saying: “But we also need to acknowledge that this has come at a significant – and ultimately unsustainable – cost to the profession’s capacity and wellbeing.
“If we are going to cope with ongoing and new or unforeseen challenges ahead, we need action now to improve recruitment, retention and rates of return to veterinary work, to ensure that all existing vets can feel supported, safe and rewarded in their careers, and to encourage future vets from all walks of life to follow in our footsteps.”
Addressing guests including Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, MSPs, key representatives from animal health and welfare organisations and colleagues from across the veterinary profession, BVA’s President called on Scottish and UK governments, animal owners, the profession itself and vets of the future to take a range of actions to help create a “flexible, resilient and future-proofed workforce”.
These ranged from ensuring that new vet schools such as the site proposed by the SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) are adequately funded, to reminding animal owners to “Respect Your Vet” and the difficult decisions that they have had to make to keep colleagues and clients safe during the pandemic.
Dr Shotton also praised the recent “Vetastic Adventures” project, where BVA teamed up with the Scottish SPCA to showcase veterinary careers in a fun and accessible way for both primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland.
Reflecting on recent months, Dr Shotton said that the profession’s “resilience and dedication” had really shone through in how vets had responded to and mitigated against recent disease outbreaks in Scotland and across the UK, including the Avian Influenza outbreak.
She said that with disease control sitting within the scope of the proposed new Scottish Veterinary Service it was important to make sure that systems collaborated closely with the rest of the UK and beyond, cautioning:
“I don’t have to tell any of you around the room tonight that diseases and animal welfare problems don’t respect borders. It will therefore be critical that the new service has systems that collaborate and liaise with the rest of the UK, and beyond, on disease surveillance, data collection, and information sharing. We’re engaging closely to ensure that veterinary expertise is at the heart of these new proposals.”
Turning to animal welfare legislation, Dr Shotton said that BVA was really pleased by the Scottish Government’s commitment to banning the sale and use of glue traps, describing them as “inhumane devices, which subject trapped animals to prolonged pain and suffering and can often accidentally trap non-target species including cats and birds.” She called for similar action against snares, as they can also cause significant and needless harm to animals, including pets and protected wildlife.
On pet welfare, Dr Shotton acknowledged some significant campaign wins in the past year, including BVA successfully lobbying alongside others for the UK Government to take action against the “barbaric and purely cosmetic practice” of cropping dogs’ ears.
She said that BVA will now be turning its attention to the rise of canine fertility clinics in Scotland and the rest of the UK, saying: “We are building a picture of the scale and severity of this worrying trend, and already seeing multiple red flags in the clinics, which may be operating with no regulation or veterinary oversight.
“The recent action taken against a clinic owner in Lanarkshire following a joint investigation exemplifies what can be achieved when we come together to clamp down on unregulated and dangerous practices.”
The BVA President ended her speech by thanking BVA Scottish Branch colleagues for all their support, and welcoming Gareth Hateley, who was formally elected as the new Branch Junior Vice President at the AGM on Tuesday afternoon.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, responded to the speech as BVA’s Guest of Honour.
Materials barred from high-risk buildings over 11 metres
Legislation to improve fire safety and boost Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions has been laid before the Scottish Parliament.
Under the legislation, developers will be banned from using combustible cladding on high-rise buildings. Since 2005, new cladding systems on high rise blocks of flats have either had to use non-combustible materials or pass a large-scale fire test.
The building standards legislation removes the option of a fire test, completely prohibiting such materials from use on domestic and other high-risk buildings, such as care homes and hospitals, above 11m.
The highest risk metal composite cladding material will be banned from any new building of any height, with replacement cladding also required to meet the new standards.
The legislation also includes improvements to energy performance standards, aiming to make buildings easier to heat while ensuring they are well ventilated and comfortable to live in.
Building Standards Minister Patrick Harvie said: “This is the third set of changes made to fire safety standards for cladding in Scotland since the tragic Grenfell Tower Fire, requiring any cladding on domestic or other high risk buildings above 11m to be strictly non-combustible.
“Taken together with our new fire alarms regulations, covering all homes in Scotland regardless of ownership, this is yet another step on the Scottish Government’s mission to minimise the risk of deaths and injuries from fire.
“The energy improvements will deliver another important step toward improved energy and emission performance of our buildings, and we’ll be going further on this in 2024 with regulations requiring new buildings to use zero-emissions heating systems.”
Changes to requirements on fire safety of cladding systems will be introduced on 1 June 2022, while improvements to energy and environmental standards will apply from 1 October 2022.
The changes have been brought in following public consultations in 2021 on the fire safety of cladding systems and on energy and environmental standards.
Supporting Technical Handbooks, which set out the full detail of changes, will be published from the start of May.
The combustible cladding ban will apply to all buildings with a storey 11m or more above the ground, and which contain:
a dwelling
a building used as a place of assembly
or as a place of entertainment or recreation
a hospital
a residential care building or sheltered housing complex or a shared multi-occupancy residential building.
MPs back TUC’s calls for asbestos removal from public buildings
On Thursday, MPs backed calls from the TUC for all asbestos to be removed from public and commercial buildings.
Westminster’s Work and Pensions Select Committee published a report from its inquiry into asbestos management in which it cites TUC calls for stronger asbestos removal.
Asbestos remains the biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with 5,000 deaths recorded in 2019. And Britain has the highest rates of mesothelioma cases in the world.
Asbestos is classed as carcinogenic, which means it can cause cancer and other serious lung conditions when fibres are inhaled.
According to figures from the HSE asbestos is still found in around 300,000 non-domestic buildings despite a ban on the use of the substance in new buildings in 1999.
Committee report
The new report by MPs cites concerns that the likely dramatic increase in retrofitting of buildings in response to net zero ambitions means that more asbestos-containing material will be disturbed in the coming decades.
The TUC says current asbestos management is not fit for purpose and has long called for new legislation requiring removal of all asbestos from public buildings.
Today MPs have called for a 40-year deadline to remove all asbestos from public and commercial buildings. The TUC welcomes the news but says a 40-year deadline is not ambitious enough.
The report also calls for more funding for the HSE to support this increased programme of work.
Asbestos dangers
There is no safe threshold of exposure to asbestos fibres – inhalation even of small quantities can lead to mesothelioma decades after exposure.
This means that where asbestos is still present, it is not safe to assume there will be no disturbances that put working people in danger.
The only way we will eradicate mesothelioma in Britain is with a legal duty to safely remove asbestos, and a clear timetable for its eradication. Only then can we ensure that future generations will not have to experience the same deadly epidemic from asbestos-related diseases that we suffer today.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Everyone should be safe at work. Asbestos exposure at work continues to cause thousands of deaths every year. Asbestos is still with us in workplaces and public buildings across the country. As a result, more than 22 years after the use of asbestos was banned, hundreds of thousands of workers are still put at risk of exposure every day.
“The only way to protect today’s workers and future generations is through the safe removal of asbestos from all workplaces and public buildings.
“Today’s report by MPs is welcome, but a 40-year deadline isn’t ambitious enough: hundreds of thousands of workers risk dangerous exposure in that time. Ministers must commit to removing all asbestos to keep future generations safe.”
Holyrood drop-in session highlights the national digital network’s plans for Scotland’s ultrafast future and commitment to apprenticeship programme
Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury met engineers and apprentices from Openreach to discuss the roll out of full fibre broadband and the economic benefits fast, reliable connectivity is bringing to Scotland’s economy during a drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament.
The Lothian MSP was updated on work being done to upgrade the country’s broadband network – including across the Lothians, where 190,000 properties now have access to the new, ultrafast technology. He also met apprentices Hayley Goldthorpe and Jack Cotton to hear first-hand about their experiences.
Openreach recently announced it will create and fill around 500 more Scottish jobs during 2022 – including around 390 apprenticeships – as it continues to invest billions of pounds into its UK broadband network, people and training.
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Reliable connectivity is a hugely important feature of life in modern Scotland and a necessity for people living and working across Lothian. Openreach engineers and apprentices are working tirelessly to roll out full fibre broadband to more local homes and businesses each week.
“The event in parliament was a great opportunity to quiz management about the priorities ahead and the challenges in more complex areas of build – and discuss how policy changes could help. It was great to learn more about opportunities that can be unlocked, especially for remote and rural communities, by ultra-reliable full fibre broadband.”
According to thinkbroadband, the UK’s largest independent broadband news and information site, nearly 95 per cent of Scots can currently access superfast broadband at 30Mbps+.
At the beginning of the year Openreach announced that more than half a million Scottish homes and businesses can connect to its new gigabit-capable, full fibre network.
Around 40 locations across Lothian – from Edinburgh to Gullane, Loanhead and Dechmont – are included in its plans to reach 25m premises with the technology by the end of 2026.
The drop-in session was hosted by Fraser Rowberry, Openreach’s Chief Engineer for Scotland, who thanked Emma Harper MSP for sponsoring the event.
Fraser Rowberry said: “We know that reliable, ultrafast internet connections can have a transformative effect on businesses, online learning and people’s daily lives. That’s why we at Openreach are committed to rolling them out to homes and business premises across Scotland.
“Research from Cebr last year evidenced the hugely positive economic impact universal connections could have in Scotland. A comprehensive full fibre network could enable 76,000 people to re-enter the workforce and contribute billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.
“We were delighted to be able to take that positive story to MSPs and set out our vision and plans for bringing ultrafast broadband to more of Scotland.”
South Queensferry residents are embroiled in a bitter battle with Transport Scotland to secure road access to their new homes.
Transport Scotland have refused access to the Ferrymuir Gait road forcing all residents from the new development to travel through the existing Varney Estate.
All 124 houses on the development must now use Henry Ross Place despite Ferrymuir Gait being the most direct route into the housing development.
Heavy construction traffic used Ferrymuir Gait throughout the build.
The developer has offered to upgrade the road to adoptable standards and Edinburgh Council has indicated a will to adopt the road once this takes place.
Transport Scotland could risk court action if the refusal to permit access continues.
Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “There is considerable anger among residents from both developments. They are strongly in favour of Ferrymuir Gait being used to access the new development.
“Despite my attempts at mediation, this issue has remained irreconcilable for many months, and looks like it will inevitably end in legal action.
“For the sake of the use of one road, Transport Scotland appear to be willing to drag this through the courts at what will inevitably be great expense to the taxpayer.
“I do not believe that the Scottish public will see legal action to prevent residents’ access to new homes as a good or explicable use of public funds.
“It seems to me that it is clearly in the public interest – from the point of view of the residents and the Scottish taxpayer – that this matter be settled reasonably between the two parties.
Effective oversight of the good food nation policy and plans is essential to achieving the good food nation ambitions, according Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee, in a report published this week.
In its report on the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill, published on Thursday, the Committee says that parliamentary approval on the national plan ministers are required to create would “give Parliament its place in the good food nation plan process and provide parliamentary accountability of the Scottish Government in achieving its good food nation aims.”
The Committee also agreed that there is a need for an oversight body to oversee the implementation of the Bill and asks for urgent clarity as to whether the Scottish Government intends to designate one, either by means of a new or existing body.
The Committee says it is concerned that consideration of an oversight body is in the early stages and that it should be included within the Bill – along with clarity around the role the body will play in supporting and monitoring local authorities progress against their plans. It says that ‘further information, and reassurance, about this oversight function is essential.
Speaking as the report was launched, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said; “Without increased oversight of the Scottish Government’s good food nation policy and plan, it is impossible for us to reassure stakeholders that the wide ranging concerns they expressed during evidence sessions, particularly in relation to resource, policy cohesion, the link between national and local plans and targets and outcomes, will be addressed.
“We accept that this is a framework bill but strengthened oversight throughout the planning process will be key to the success of our ambition for a food system that works for the people of Scotland.”
The report also asks the Scottish Government to provide a financial statement which lays out the costs that are likely to fall to relevant authorities in relation to the creation, development and implementation of good food nation plans and how this will be resourced.
During evidence sessions, many local authorities were concerned about the lack of information provided with Public Health Scotland saying that ‘significant resource’ would be required. Argyll and Bute Council supported this, saying that, “without adequate resources, the plan will ultimately become a piece of paper with ambitions on it.”
Other recommendations made in the report include:
That high level objectives which reflect the broad vision and ambitions for the good food nation policy be included in the Bill
The Committee agrees that the right to food be incorporated via forthcoming human rights legislation but that the Bill should align closely with the proposed right to food, especially until a statutory right to food is in place.
That consultation undertaken by either Scottish Ministers or local authorities on draft good food plans must be as wide, inclusive and participatory as possible.
Consultation methods for both national and local plans should be ‘tailored for each specific audience’ acknowledging that ‘one size will not fit all’.
That the Scottish Government ensures that relevant authorities have access to information and advice to support the development of their plans.
The Scottish Parliament voted last night (Wednesday 23 February) to support the Government’s proposed delay to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.
The 16-month delay until August 2023 means many bottles will go unrecycled and littering of our beaches will continue for longer than expected, and concerns remain over whether this new date will be met.
Progress towards a national Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland has been hampered by delays since the powers to create it were first created in 2009.
The industry-led scheme and past government overseers had made little progress when Lorna Slater, Minister for the Circular Economy, was given responsibility for the project in September last year.
Despite assurances from the Minister that the scheme can be delivered to this new date, the Scottish Government’s own assessment of the project suggests serious challenges still remain, leaving the successful delivery of the project in doubt.
A report written by civil servants in December 2021 cited several risks, including the need to resolve a battle with HMRC on VAT for the scheme and Circularity Scotland Limited securing resources to develop its corporate and operational systems.
Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Lorna Slater was given little choice but to delay the scheme, however if she fails to hold industry to this new deadline the political legitimacy of the Greens in government will be severely damaged.
“The Deposit Return Scheme is the biggest test of industry’s commitment to a circular economy in Scotland so far. Failure to deliver, after they have been granted every request to delay, will prove that stronger persuasion is required to ensure industry embraces a more sustainable future.”
A new report published by the Scottish Government shows that not enough is being done to recruit and retain ethnic minorities inGovernment.
‘The Scottish Government’s ‘Race, Recruitment and Retention Action Plan: Equality Impact Assessment Results‘, highlights several disparities within government staffing such as:
• Falling short of the 5% of minority ethnic groups visible in the Scottish population
• Highlighting an ethnicity pay gap
• Revealing poorer appraisal markings for ethnic minorities compared to white colleagues
Commenting on the report, Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Culture, said: “These figures are very disappointing and shine a light on the inequalities that remain within employment practices, and in our society. It confirms that people of colour are treated less favourably, which has nothing to do with their skills or talent – it’s simply racist.
“We need to eradicate the culture of bullying, racism and discrimination and only then will we see a true representation of our population in the workplace.
“Race has nothing to do with an employee’s talent. Every employee should be treated fairly based only on their abilities. Sometimes our personal biases and opinions of people, race or culture can deter our judgements, that’s why workplace managers need to be properly trained in both diversity and managing people well.
“The results give a true reflection of diversity in the workplace and Holyrood is no exception. The number of BAME staff in Holyrood is very few and for them also to receive less favourable treatment is disappointing to say the least.
“I strongly agree with the findings and recommendations the Scottish Government have laid out in its recruitment and retention plan. The government needs to be the leading force in promoting and accepting diversity in the workplace.
“It should provide all staff with equal opportunities and ensure there is zero bullying and discrimination culture. The Scottish Government must take action now if they are to get anywhere near its 2025 ambition”.
