Seòmar agus comataidhean

We have no current plans to legislate on (a) collection and reporting of data related to, (b) management of and (c) release of non-native gamebirds. However, as outlined in response to S6W-14758 on 1 March 2023, we plan to gather further information on the impact of non-native gamebird releases.

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

The Scottish Government meets regularly with Circularity Scotland at Ministerial and official levels.

If businesses have any concerns or questions regarding DRS, they should contact Circularity Scotland in the first instance. They can do this via their website or their dedicated helpline.

The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing information of public transport to improve, awareness, accessibility and support modal shift. That is why the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 includes provisions to set regulations with regards to the sharing of bus service information. Legislation is one part of the solution and we are progressing options which will inform the development of regulations and speed up enhancing information provision, recognising the technological advancements and operators positive participation. For example, we are procuring the next generation digital travel data services that sit behind Traveline Scotland and other journey planner providers, which will support enhanced data on fares, real-time information, accessibility and emissions. We are engaging with our counterparts in the Department for Transport and Welsh Government with regards to their Bus Open Data Regulatory activity, to ensure compatibility and avoid duplication or burden for those operators delivering both sides of the border.

We provide information and resources on the use of Anticipatory Care Plans to professionals, patients, and their families to ensure people get the right care in the right place at the right time. In 2021, Healthcare Improvement Scotland developed the Anticipatory Care Planning Toolkit consisting of a 4-step model, guidance, and resources for health professionals.

NHS Education for Scotland has educational resources for professionals delivering training about shared decision-making and anticipatory care planning (Realistic Conversations).

The Heart Failure Hub has endorsed, and is supporting the dissemination of, Patient and Health Care Professional Cardiac Supportive Palliative Care resources developed by the British Society for Heart Failure - Patient info and HCP resources — British Society For Heart Failure (bsh.org.uk)

The National Integrated Workforce Strategy published in 2019 committed to increase the Cardiac Physiologist workforce, thereby increasing capacity to carry out diagnostic testing, by supporting an additional 30 training places on the 4 year BSc course in Clinical Physiology.

Over the next 3-5 years we will also focus on increasing the workforce by promoting recruitment into Scientist Training Programmes and Practitioner BSC Programmes” We have supported 17 new practitioners through the 4 year BSc Course and 13 new Clinical Scientists.

More recently in 2022, the Clinical Physiology Executive Board has scoped and collected data on all physiology science services. The information that has been garnered from this exercise will feed into the wider strategic piece of work in relation to Healthcare Science education and training.

I replied to a similar question from the member on 3 November 2022 (S6W-11386) providing details from 1999-2000 to 2021-2022. I have included in the following table the information for 2022-2023 following the Spring Budget Revision.

Rail enhancement projects successfully completed in Control Period 6 include Queen Street station redevelopment, new stations at Robroyston, Reston and Inverness Airport and Far North Enhancements. The Glasgow to Barrhead electrification project and the new East Linton station remain on schedule to be completed within Control Period 6.

As a result of the proposed reduction on the Major Public Transport Projects budget for 2023-24 there is limited impact on Transport Scotland’s Control Period 6 plans. There are rail projects that commenced in Control Period 6 and have been planned to span into Control Period 7. These projects that will be delivered in Control Period 7 include the reopening of the railway to Levenmouth, including two new stations at Leven and Cameron Bridge, works to electrify the railway from Haymarket to Dalmeny and the electrification of the East Kilbride route.

The Scottish Government has published the report on COP27 outcomes, achievements and costs. The publication is available here: COP27: outcomes, achievements and costs - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The National Rail Conversation will be formally launched in April to mark the one year anniversary of ScotRail coming in to public ownership. Through the National Rail Conversation, we will listen to feedback from passengers, staff and stakeholders to shape a vision for ScotRail which best meets the needs of the people of Scotland. I will announce the timetable for the conversation at the launch.

While recruitment is an operational matter for ScotRail to manage, the Scottish Government is supportive of ScotRail’s target to increase apprenticeships.

ScotRail, working in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and the Train Drivers union ASLEF, is developing a new Modern Apprenticeship Framework in Train Driving.

Over the past 2 decades ScotRail has offered apprenticeships in engineering across all 4 of its depots. The 2023 cohort will see a 100% increase in apprenticeship numbers on the previous year’s intake. ScotRail will continue to identify apprenticeship opportunities as part of the workforce planning activity to support skills needs and employment opportunities.