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All Census and Census Coverage Survey questionnaires will be scanned, captured and fully coded by early autumn.

Scanning of paper questionnaires for Scotland’s Census 2022 is in line with the 2011 census and the 2021 census in England Wales.

Full information on the coding and data processing methods employed on Scotland’s Census 2022 is published on the NRS website. Comparisons to 2011 and the 2021 census in England and Wales are made where appropriate.

Statistical methodology | Scotland's Census (scotlandscensus.gov.uk)

A rigorous approach is taken to ensure accurate census paper questionnaire data.

Paper questionnaires are scanned and the answers are captured digitally using character recognition software. During scanning, the system looks to automatically allocate a numeric code to each answer, which allows the data to be easily analysed. Trained Quality Control operators perform daily checks on a sample of cases to ensure the quality of data captured from scanned questionnaires meets expectations.

It is not always possible to automatically allocate valid codes during scanning as some answers provided are not always on lists the system matches to. To ensure complete information is recorded, National Records of Scotland (NRS) set up a manual coding service where trained coding operatives visually inspect census questionnaires and make a decision on the most accurate code to assign.

Further manual inspections of the paper forms are made by NRS staff to check allocated categories and codes.

The publication of the Household Food Waste Behaviours Research was delayed due to reprioritisation of work during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, results have continued to inform ongoing intervention and communication development. Zero Waste Scotland has confirmed this report is currently being reviewed to ensure the information remains valid and appropriate to publish as a standalone document. The cost of this work was £20,000.

Public Health Scotland published the Melanoma Quality Performance Indicators report on 7th June. It can be found here: Melanoma Cancer Quality Performance Indicators - Patients diagnosed between July 2018 and June 2021 - Melanoma Cancer Quality Performance Indicators - Publications - Public Health Scotland .

The number of women who can be treated by Dr Veronikis is not subject to a cap. The decision on whether surgery can be undertaken for any individual is ultimately one for the clinician and patient, through joint decision making.

The impact of school closures during the pandemic was carefully considered at local level by schools and community groups who are best placed to understand the needs of the immediate community.

The Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) evaluation found that schools worked closely with community groups to mitigate the effects of school building closures for pupils. The Scottish Government has no plans to undertake additional research.

The easing of restrictions in recent months means that community groups are now in a position to re-establish their position and make use of school settings where appropriate. Therefore, all local and community facilities are encouraged to permit access to organisations and groups in line with the Strategic Framework and the Safer Workplaces guidance.

National Records of Scotland met with representatives from over 30 of Scotland’s Universities and Colleges, and with organisations such as Young Scot, FindAUniversity and NUS Scotland, to drive awareness across institutions of the importance of supporting and enabling students to complete their Census.

An information pack was sent to every manager of student accommodation, containing information on how students should be included within the census. For students living in privately rented accommodation, NRS included information on the census website to clarify roles and responsibilities for completing the census.

A multi-faceted promotional campaign was developed to reach as high a proportion of the adult population across Scotland as possible. This included targeted activity to reach groups of the population identified in research as likely to need more encouragement and support to complete the census, including students and young people.

Throughout May, six in person events were held at university campuses and college sites in order to directly engage with the student population and to provide help and support to complete the census. These events were targeted in areas of lower returns, including Glasgow and Dundee.

NRS, supported by Young Scot, created bespoke assets (posters, social media assets, podcasts etc.) shared on a variety of channels. Social media influencers were also used to target young people and students on relevant platforms.

In line with the Scotland wide approach, people living in houses of multiple occupation were offered a range of help and support to complete Scotland’s Census via the census website and Freephone helpline. Census Field Staff provided further in-person support to facilitate completion. Individual questionnaires were offered to anyone aged 16 or over who wished to provide responses in private.

The role of Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Applications Service Manager at Zero Waste Scotland will be funded from Zero Waste Scotland’s Scottish Government Grant Award. The position is a fixed term appointment until 25 August 2023.

Further to your query on this report in February 2021 (S5W-34878 on 10 February 2021), the intention of the analysis of residual waste treatment was to help inform and support future work. The output from this research was, therefore, never intended to be published. The cost of this project was £27,700.

Subsequent work in this area included the Scottish Government commissioned ‘Waste Markets Study’ in 2019; and Zero Waste Scotland produced a report on the Climate Change Impact of Burning Municipal Waste in Scotland.

The waste markets study is available here: Waste markets study: full report

Zero Waste Scotland’s report is available here: The climate change impact of burning municipal waste in Scotland | Zero Waste Scotland

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