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We are committed to transparency and openness in our administration of the Deposit Return Scheme. The Scottish Government is carefully considering the recommendations from the latest review, and has committed to sharing the recommendations and its response with the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in due course.

Phase 1 of fleet renewal was authorised to prepare the necessary details for procurement in 2022 and work continues accordingly. Work is under way to define future phases, reflecting the budget position set out in December 2022, the condition of ScotRail’s fleet and the necessary related investment in the infrastructure.

I refer the member to the Public Health Scotland publication on ovarian cancer survival, which uses the Scottish Ovarian Cancer Quality Improvement Indicators. The most recent data can be accessed at the following address: Ovarian cancer QPIs survival analyses 2 May 2023 - Ovarian cancer Quality Performance Indicators - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

I refer the member to the Public Health Scotland cancer incidence data set, which covers all cancer types including ovarian cancer, and is updated annually. The data can be accessed at the following address: Cancer incidence in Scotland - to December 2021 - Cancer incidence in Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

Currently, there are charges in place for the use of toilet facilities at Inverness, Fort William, Aberdeen, and Glasgow Queen Street stations.

ScotRail advises that the revenue from each requested station toilet facilities since 2019 is as follows:

Survival analysis using the Scottish Government Quality Improvement Indicator dataset is undertaken to enable monitoring and to support continuous improvement in cancer care. The regional cancer networks are subsequently able to reflect and act on these indicators to ensure equitable treatment and care across Scotland.

This analysis predates improvement work that has been undertaken across all cancer regions, but the situation clearly requires continued prioritisation and close attention.

The study was discussed at the last meeting of the National Cancer Quality Steering Group in March. Immediate and medium term actions were presented to the group in an aim to drive improvement and close the observed difference in survival between cancer networks.

We will discuss these actions with the regional cancer networks, and local boards where required, seeking assurance that actions are well focussed and advancing.

The role of the Scottish Government is to monitor each of the three deposit schemes for compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011. This includes being satisfied that the tenancy deposit schemes have clear and substantial processes in place that meet the requirements laid out in the regulations.

The three approved tenancy deposit schemes are private businesses and the Scottish Government is not involved in their business operations. While we encourage employers to be Accredited Living Wage Employers we do not require it.

It is clear that Fair Work, including fair pay, is more important than ever in the context of the cost of living crisis, and we will use all the levers we can to support those most affected.

Our Fair Work First Guidance explains our Fair Work First approach, provides good practice examples to guide employers’ approaches and, importantly, explains the benefits of fair work for workers and organisations.

The total cost of the contract with The Lines Between was £40,000 exclusive of VAT. However, the Scottish Government made no direct payments to Taylor McKenzie or the members of the Panel for this work. The Lines Between allocated £1,700 of this to Taylor Mackenzie for recruitment.

Taylor McKenzie promoted the opportunity to contacts within their research database and additionally promoted the opportunity to participate on 4 August 2022 on their Facebook page. Participant recruitment was not solely carried out on Facebook, which was part of an overall endeavour to broaden lived experience voices in Chronic Pain work.

We continue to engage with retailers of all sizes regarding Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, and have set up a new operational group with retailers to resolve any outstanding issues to allow the scheme to launch successfully on 1 March 2024.

This obligation is not new and has been in place since 2020. We have, however, published regulations that will remove the obligation to take back containers bought online from the vast majority of retailers. Only the very largest supermarkets are being asked to provide this service, which will benefit those who are physically less able to access a return point. While we recognise this creates a challenge for large retailers, we consider it to be fair, proportionate, and important as it will mean that everyone has access to Scotland’s deposit return scheme.

Retailers still have the flexibility to provide their own takeback service or have a third party deliver it for their customers, and we have been clear that we will continue to work with them to explore the possibility of a centralised takeback service.

The UK government, who are developing their own plans for Deposit Return Scheme, have also made it clear that online takeback will be required from the start of the scheme, particularly for large retailers.

Home haemodialysis is provided for people who need this. Any reimbursement for increases in utility bills as a result of home haemodialysis would be the responsibility of the NHS Board. Individuals who wish to pursue reimbursement of living costs should contact their local NHS Board in the first instance.

The Fuel Insecurity Fund – established in 2020 and tripled to £30 million for 2023 to 2024 - is a critical plank in our support to people who are struggling with their energy costs.