Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official designations of party affiliations are held in one central system and shared across many other parliamentary systems. There are technical considerations about making this change across these systems, including the fact that the change would not be retrospective. Parliamentary officials will explore options with you as to how the designation could be represented in an appropriate manner.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting strong Trade Unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy. Trade unions are key social partners in delivering our economic and social aspirations and we are committed to working in partnership with the STUC and affiliates to promote and support trade union membership in the hospitality sector.

I meet with Tourism and Hospitality Trade Unions biannually to discuss current issues within the sector and the representatives have been engaged in a number of policy developments, including our National Strategy for Economic Transformation and being part of the Tourism and Hospitality Leadership Group.

The Scottish Government is aware that there are ongoing global supply issues with products which are licensed for the treatment ADHD. At present, it is anticipated that most of the global shortage of ADHD medicines will be resolved between the end of December 2023 and January 2024. Scottish Government officials will continue to monitor the situation for any further developments.

It is for NHS Boards and healthcare professionals to determine how best to treat patients, including any changes to prescribing practice and prescribing medications, or to advise patients of any anticipated medicine supply issues.

A UK-wide National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) was issued on 27 September for medicines used for the treatment of ADHD. This notified healthcare professionals in both primary and secondary care about the ongoing supply issue, and guidance has been issued advising prescribers to not initiate new patients on products affected by this shortage until the supply issues resolve; to identify all patients currently prescribed these products and establish how much supply they have remaining; and providing clinical information on alternative suitable medication when appropriate.

The extreme conditions of Storm Babet had significant impacts on a number of local communities in Scotland, particularly Brechin and the Angus Council area.

Given the unprecedented nature and scale of the storm’s impacts, a Ministerial Taskforce was established to encourage co-operation between local recovery groups and co-ordinate Scottish Government actions where they may support locally-led recovery efforts.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23787 on 12 December 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

There have been 2 personal injury accidents on the A90 between Stonehaven, where Slug Road crosses the A90, and Aberdeen, where Skene road (A944) intersects with the A90 since 1 April 2021.

Information on non-injury accidents is not held by the Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government is aware that the European Council has announced that it has reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a regulation establishing a framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials.

The provisional agreement sets a benchmark for recycling to at least 25% of EU’s annual consumption of raw materials and proposes an increase on the recovery of raw materials present in waste. The Scottish Government will assess this new regulation in detail, once the final text is agreed by the EU institutions and adopted, against our policy to align with EU where it is possible for Scotland to do so and such alignment is meaningful in protecting and advancing high standards.

Digitised ride-share schemes were included in some of the projects successful in obtaining grants from our £2M Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Investment Fund, which aims to test the viability of one-stop digital journey planning, booking and payment services for Scotland. With all projects due to complete by the end of this year, the results of these will then be analysed to determine next steps for these digital mobility services across Scotland.

Looking at the longer term, the Scottish Government published the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), in December 2022. It recommends future funding support for pilot schemes and demonstration projects to establish how Demand Responsive Transport and Community Transport services can provide improved public transport connectivity and integration without increasing the need for revenue support.

Part of this recommendation, includes the potential to better inform people on journey options through the use of MaaS. The supporting transport appraisal noted that smart technology, where appropriate – can be used to provide improved public transport connectivity. This is important in addressing the differences in service provision between and within regions.

The Scottish Government defines a just transition as both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the way we get there by developing action in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero.

Extensive co-design and engagement with impacted communities, including those in urban places, is informing the development of our sectoral draft Just Transition Plans for the Energy, Transport, Land Use and Agriculture, and Built Environment and Construction, due to be published next year.

Furthermore, we have committed to developing regional just transition plans during the course of this Parliament. These will aim to outline the challenges and opportunities faced by regions and identify actions to both mitigate and realise these.

The Scottish Government defines a just transition as both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the way we get there by developing action in partnership with those most likely to be negatively impacted by the transition to net zero.

We recognise that rural communities face particular challenges. Our sectoral Just Transition Plans for the Energy, Transport, Land Use and Agriculture and Built Environment and Construction, due to be published next year, will respond to these.

We have committed to developing regional just transition plans during the course of this Parliament and these will be underpinned by extensive co-design and engagement. They will outline challenges and opportunities faced by regions and identify actions to both mitigate and realise these.