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The Iterative Plan Review Process (IPR) is ongoing and officials have completed an initial review of the assessments conducted for the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE) adopted in 2020. This initial review identified which aspects of the assessments are likely to be affected by the ScotWind and clearing process results. The full review is estimated to take around 12 months and a final programme for the review process will be fixed in the coming weeks, taking into account the findings of the initial review. Officials at Marine Scotland Directorate will hold a series of stakeholder engagement events and statutory consultation as part of the re-assessment process.

The information asked for is not fully available at this time. The Scottish Government intends to issue a proactive release on its attendance and expenses incurred.

Marine litter is a global problem, and we know that more needs to be done. The Scottish Government thanks the Marine Conservation Society and their volunteers for their considerable efforts in gathering this data and also removing beach litter during the Great British Beach Clean in September. Their citizen science is vital in helping us prioritise future policy and legislation development.

We published our refreshed Marine Litter Strategy in September which contains an action plan to reduce the most common forms of litter and support the removal of debris that is already there. The Strategy covers a wide range of litter sources from large items such as fishing gear, to microplastics in the form of nurdles.

Our new actions build on multiple measures introduced to reduce plastic waste and pollution, such as: our bans on single-use plastic products including cotton buds, straws, cutlery, plates, drinks stirrers, balloon sticks, and food and drink containers made of expanded polystyrene; and on planned work such as a deposit return scheme for drinks containers, to be introduced next year.

It is too early to provide a definitive timetable as future progress is partly dependent on the outcomes of the ongoing A96 Corridor Review.

In relation to the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, we continue to progress the preparation stages of the scheme with a view to completing the statutory process. This includes the significant work required to prepare for publication of made Orders, including the Compulsory Purchase Order, in the coming weeks. Subject to no legal challenge being received, the Scottish Ministers will then have the relevant powers to acquire the land necessary to construct the scheme.

Delivery can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets.

As with all trunk road improvement projects, delivery of any section of the A96 Programme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets. The statutory right for individuals to have their say on our proposals cannot be set aside and it is essential that vital feedback is taken into account as we develop our plans.

As advised at the recent Scottish Parliament debate on Essential Road Improvements held on 02 November 2022, the first part of the review, a report on the Public Consultation and the Initial Appraisal: The Case for Change will be published by the end of the year.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the north and north east of Scotland. This includes taking forward an enhancements programme on the A96 corridor that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and environmental issues.

The current plan is to fully dual the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen; however, we are conducting a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme which is well underway. The recent public consultation received an unprecedented level of engagement with nearly 4,600 responses, generating more than 11,000 suggestions and potential opportunities for the route. Rightly, it has taken more time than originally anticipated to consider and to appraise all of those options, however, the report on the Public Consultation and the Initial Appraisal: The Case for Change will be published by the end of the year. This is a sensible good governance for major investment of this kind.

As with all devolved matters, the Scottish Ministers make the final decision on investment in the transport network.

We continue to carefully consider the report and recommendations made by the previous Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee as regards regional marine planning in the context of the emergency budget review and the recently announced development of a new Scottish National Marine Plan. We are working to finalise our formal response, which will be published early next year.

I reaffirm the answer to S6W-11746, and in my letter of 26 October 2022 to the convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in which I updated on progress with establishing the virtual energy agency and the dedicated National Public Energy Agency. I indicated that the virtual Agency - Heat and Energy Efficiency Scotland - which was launched on 26 October, is the first step in transitioning to a dedicated body by 2025. In addition I stated that the virtual agency and the transition to a dedicated body will be supported by an independent Strategic Board, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar. The Board met for the first time on 11 October 2022, and will next meet on 13 December.

The costs associated with the Agency to date are £14,468.

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