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We are engaging with public sector organisations to seek reassurance of both their awareness and any action identified on this issue. Building owners and employers are responsible for managing the condition of buildings within their ownership or control, including duties under health and safety legislation to maintain a safe workplace.

As noted in the reply to S6W-19672, five organisations have contacted The Scottish Government on the presence or suspected presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete within their building estate.

At this time, the following public sector buildings are reported to us as partially or fully closed:

It is the statutory duty of local authorities to manage and maintain their own buildings. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with local authorities affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

The identification, assessment and management of people with long-term effects of COVID-19 in Scotland is guided by the recommendations of an evidence-based UK-wide clinical guideline developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of GPs (RCGP). The guideline provides clinical case definitions for ‘Acute COVID-19’, ‘Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19’ and ‘Post-COVID-19 syndrome’, to support the identification and diagnosis of long-term effects of COVID-19.

The guideline was first published on 18 December 2020, was last updated on 11 November 2021 and is being reviewed as new evidence, policy and practice emerges. The guideline can be accessed at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng188 .

The recommended clinical case definition to identify and diagnose Post-COVID-19 syndrome is signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. It usually presents with clusters of symptoms, often overlapping, which can fluctuate and change over time and can affect any system in the body. Post-COVID-19 syndrome may be considered before 12 weeks while the possibility of an alternative underlying disease is also being assessed. In addition to the clinical case definitions, the term ‘long COVID’ is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19. It includes both ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (from 4 to 12 weeks) and post-COVID-19 syndrome (12 weeks or more).

The International Classification of Diseases provides a common language that supports health professionals to share standardised information across the world, containing around 17,000 unique codes for injuries, diseases and causes of death.

The World Health Organization made available a diagnostic code for ‘Post COVID-19 Condition’ within the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10 th Revision (ICD-10) in January 2021. Further information can be accessed at https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/updates-3-4-in-relation-to-covid-19-coding-in-icd-10 .

On 11 February 2022, the World Health Organization’s Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) came into effect. Post COVID-19 Condition has the code RA02 and is listed in Section 25 ‘International provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain aetiology and emergency use’.

The Scottish Government recognises the inclusion of Post COVID-19 Condition in the International Classification of Diseases and the importance of coding diagnoses to support a range of processes that require classification of diseases.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that bank branches play in Scottish communities. Despite financial services regulation being reserved to the UK Government, we have sought to engage with the banking sector following decisions they have made to close Scottish branches in recent years.

Through these engagements Ministers have reiterated the importance of bank branches to individuals and local businesses across Scotland - particularly for our rural and island communities, vulnerable individuals and digitally excluded consumers. We have also sought assurances that impacted employees from branch closures would be offered roles elsewhere in the business should they want them. Banks have confirmed they make regular contact with affected customers to inform them of the alternative services available to them, including through initiatives such as shared Bank Hubs, improved Post Office services and Community Bankers.

Most recently, I met with Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) on the 27th of June following the company's announcement to close 17 Bank of Scotland branches. LBG emphasised the support that they are providing communities and expressed their willingness to work with local representatives to ensure that the support provided is sufficient for the local area. Officials are also working with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to arrange a meeting between myself and Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA, to discuss the work of the FCA in Scotland with a focus on understanding how the unique cash access requirements of Scottish communities and businesses are being addressed.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on fees charged by ports for cruise ship calls.

Port fees and charges vary by port and are commercial matters for the port concerned.

The consultation on the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate and CO2 regulations for new cars and vans closed on 24 May 2023. The UK and devolved governments are currently analysing the responses to the consultation ahead of the publication of a response from all four nations this year.

The levels of funding associated with bus and rail operations can be found in Transport Scotland's annual accounts. Please note the annual accounts for 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 will be available later this year.

Links provided below for the five years as requested:-

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2021

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2020

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2019

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2018

The Scottish Government does not hold information on fees or levies charged by ports for cruise ship calls.

Port fees and charges vary by port and are commercial matters for the port concerned.

The operation of vessels and ports for scheduled services is a matter for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, CalMac Ferries Ltd and Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Information on the vessels owned by CMAL is available on their website.

Home | CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (cmassets.co.uk)

Information on how these vessels are deployed on Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles Ferry Service routes is available on the individual operators websites.

Ferries to Scotland & Scottish Isles | Caledonian MacBrayne | CalMac Ferries

The Scottish Government do not hold full operational details of the ports at which CMAL or other vessels can dock but it is our expectation through the contracts that the Operator will utilise the vessels flexibly as it considers appropriate in order to maintain lifeline services for communities.