Michael Matheson: ...development and managing health at work support boards, as employers of national health service staff, to identify and provide necessary training for staff according to statutory requirements, the job role and individual training needs.
Michael Matheson: ...as a minister, but as an MSP—in how my constituency office operates in supporting constituents, and in how we utilise the public resources with which we are provided in order to undertake our job. They are standards that I have always sought to apply and that I will continue to seek to apply. I have acknowledged the errors that have been made in this instance and have described the...
Michael Matheson: ...forward a range of measures including additional investment and redesign of services. I assure Mr Hoy that we will continue to invest in our NHS—in particular, in the staff who do a first-class job across our NHS, in the way that Mr Hoy made reference to. We are doing that by giving them the best pay in the UK and, importantly, by making sure that we avoid industrial action in our NHS...
Michael Matheson: ...basin and the need for a just transition. The figures are not unfamiliar to us. Although we recognise that the North Sea is a mature basin, that it will be or is in decline, and that we will see jobs being lost, the question is one of ramping up the deployment of renewables in order to support the transition into clean green energy. That is exactly what we have set out in our draft energy...
Michael Matheson: ...transition, overall energy demand will also reduce. The second objective is to secure continued and increasing investment in the net zero energy economy. The delivery of the strategy will mean more jobs, a growing supply chain, new manufacturing capabilities, new skills, new export opportunities and thriving communities. The third objective is to deliver a fairer and more secure energy...
Michael Matheson: ...transition within the energy sector and green skills. I am sure that the member will be aware of the recent report by PwC that highlighted that Scotland is the part of the UK with the highest green jobs growth—it is where the fastest level of growth is being seen in green jobs. We want to build on and capitalise on that moving forward. Let me deal with the member’s final point about a...
Michael Matheson: ...is a world-recognised centre for developing that technology. I agree with Liam McArthur’s point that there should be a very clear pathway for delivering the skills, employment opportunities and jobs that will go alongside the transition. We have embedded the just transition plan within the energy strategy so that we can clearly see how they are interlinked. The green energy strategy and...
Michael Matheson: ...the Aberdeen hydrogen hub. The Aberdeen hydrogen pub is an idea, but I cannot see the Scottish Government investing in alcohol sales. [ Laughter .] Those projects are all about protecting existing jobs and promoting creation of new jobs in the north-east. We will look to build on that as we go forward with funds, in the years ahead.
Michael Matheson: ...because it is mission critical for delivery on climate change here in Scotland and across the whole UK. Any further delay will waste money on a project that could be delivered now and could create jobs now. We will continue to press the UK Government to set out a clear timeframe for track 2, so that there is certainty that the Acorn project will be delivered, and swiftly.
Michael Matheson: ...technologies. We have committed some £250 million to restoring 250,000 hectares of degraded peatlands by 2030, including £26 million for the next financial year. Through supporting good green jobs in the rural economy, that investment will also play a part in Scotland’s just transition to net zero by 2045. We have delivered around 57,000 hectares of restored peatland to date. That is...
Michael Matheson: ...-intensive industries. That is why we need to stop the dithering and delay. The failure of leadership by the UK Government on this matter is creating uncertainty for the industry and, indeed, for jobs in the north-east and other parts of Scotland. We are continuing to press the Government on the issue. In recent weeks, I have been in correspondence with Grant Shapps, asking him for...
Michael Matheson: ...transition in the oil and gas sector. Those plans will form part of our economy-wide emissions reduction plans, ensuring that future targets can be met in ways that are fair to all, support green jobs and seize opportunities for sustainable economic growth through leading the global energy transition. We have recently announced the first £20 million of the just transition fund to support...
Michael Matheson: ...green deal, Frans Timmermans, highlighted that renewables are a “cheap, clean, and potentially endless source of energy and instead of funding the fossil fuel industry elsewhere, they create jobs here.” The commission’s views on fossil fuels chime with ours, in that we reject unlimited extraction. Scotland’s energy sector can be a key part of a solution that seeks to ensure energy...
Michael Matheson: ...that are applied, which are a direct disincentive to producers and investors. Our focus is on achieving the fastest possible just transition for the oil and gas sector—a transition that delivers jobs and economic benefit, that ensures our energy security and that meets our climate obligations.
Michael Matheson: ...our investment in tackling climate change and diversity loss—the twin crises that we face as part of the global challenge. We will ensure that that funding is used in a way that helps to deliver jobs, protect the natural environment and tackle climate change. I give Colin Smyth the assurance that this Government is absolutely determined not only to capitalise on the environmental and...
Michael Matheson: .... That is testament to its confidence in the approach that the Scottish Government is taking in investing in and supporting our renewables sector, and we are making sure that we also secure the jobs and other benefits that can come from that. I turn to the point about the cost impact of the nuclear sector. Even if we set aside the waste and the environmental concerns, nuclear power is well...
Michael Matheson: ...fund, which is providing capital support to accelerate low-carbon infrastructure projects; the Scottish Government’s community and renewable energy scheme; and the £100 million capital green jobs fund, which offers support to help businesses to transition to a low-carbon economy. East Lothian has access to all those initiatives.
Michael Matheson: ...PACE, which delivered about 170 charge points in North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire, with savings of up to £2.6 million. We want our vision for Scotland’s public charging network to deliver jobs and investment and to support a just transition. By aligning with future smart grids as well as adapting and innovating, the network will seek to place Scotland as the global destination...
Michael Matheson: ...us to become a major exporter of clean energy. There is a huge economic prize on offer: at least £1 billion of investment for every gigawatt that is built, which will help to create thousands of jobs and transform the Scottish economy. It is the first offshore wind leasing round to be held since the devolution of the Scottish Crown estate and it has been administered by Crown Estate...
Michael Matheson: Our oil and gas industry supports around 70,000 jobs in Scotland, and the sector continues to play an important role, not just in our economy but in delivering energy security. Crucially, even as we make the transition away from fossil fuels, as we must do, the sector will continue to have a vital role in ensuring Scotland’s energy security. Of course, we must reduce our reliance on fossil...