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As committed to in the Policy Prospectus ‘Equality, opportunity, community: New Leadership - A Fresh Start’, the Scottish Government will publish the Rural Delivery Plan within the lifetime of this parliament. It will set out how all parts of the Scottish Government are delivering for Scotland’s rural, island and remote coastal communities.

The data referred to was provided by Zero Waste Scotland, drawing on data made available by WRAP.

WRAP has advised Zero Waste Scotland that the data is drawn from a range of initial efficiency studies undertaken to support the UK wide consultation on packaging extended producer responsibility. Queries on the data and publication status, and any subsequent research, should be directed to WRAP.

There are currently three stakeholder groups that are chaired by the Scottish Government, these are; Deposit Return Scheme - Retailers Sector Group Meeting, Deposit Return Scheme - Hospitality Sector Group Meeting, and Deposit Return Scheme - Producer Sector Group Meeting. There are also plans for a separate Local Authority stakeholder group which have been delayed by recent developments.

These groups provide a platform for communication and discussion for stakeholders and maintain relationships to ensure transparent communication and that all stakeholders are inputting into the process.

Decisions remain with organisations that are best placed to make them e.g. if SEPA are responsible they will have their own decision-making process and this will be respected.

Since the introduction of the Forestry Grant Scheme in 2016, 7 woodland creation projects with a value of £1.9M have been agreed directly with Gresham House.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful and shares the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route.

The identification of the preferred route option through the Glen Croe valley on 2 June 2023 is a very important milestone in finding a solution to this long-standing problem. The proposed new debris flow shelter will help protect the road and road users from future landslides.

In developing the route options to improve the resilience and operational safety of the A83 and identifying the permanent, long term solution, early consideration has been given to the transportation of abnormal loads. Work is now being taken forward at pace as we move to the next stage of the project where we will continue to develop the design of the preferred option, the detail of which will be informed by consultation with a wide array of stakeholders, including with respect to possible abnormal load transportation requirements.

While the promotion of workforce diversity is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Government set clear ambitions on equality, diversity and inclusion in the Strategic Police Priorities 2023 and the Fire and Rescue Framework 2022 .

Police Scotland’s Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing include outcomes on workforce diversity monitoring, leadership, recruitment, progression and retention. Progress across a broad range of activity is highlighted in the Police Scotland EDI Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2021-2023 , published in April this year.

SFRS has developed a Positive Action toolkit to proactively engage with Scotland’s diverse communities, host community targeted recruitment events and present SFRS as an inclusive employer. SFRS also has a range of initiatives to encourage retention of its diverse workforce for example in developing a Race Employee Network and in mainstreaming its dignity and respect policies.

As advertised on the Traffic Scotland website a single lane closure and 50mph speed restriction was in place in both directions on the dual carriageway section of the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy between 7:00am on 12 June and 12:00pm on 16 June 2023. The traffic restrictions were required to ensure the safety of road users and road workers whilst maintenance works, including repairs to surfacing, structures and roadside infrastructure as well as landscape maintenance, were undertaken by the Contractor responsible for the A9 Dualling: Kincraig to Dalraddy contract.

The Minister does not sit on the stakeholder groups however the Minister does receive updates from the groups.

The Minister chairs the Ministerial Strategy Assurance Group, referred to in answers to questions S6W-18537, S6W-18540 and S6W-18541 on 15 June 2023. The Ministerial Strategic Assurance Group’s purpose is to discuss issues which may need escalated following discussions at the stakeholder groups. The Ministerial Strategic Assurance Groups includes representatives who sit on the individual stakeholder groups to ensure these discussions are joined up.

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 member will be aware in March of this year the previous Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care approved the plan for integrated maternity services across the North of Scotland with consultant-led obstetric services at Dr Gray’s Hospital, supporting this with initial investment of up to £6.6m. NHS Grampian and NHS Highland are moving forward with implementation, including progressing local recruitment and marketing, and progressing the NHS Highland Business Case for Raigmore redevelopment. I mentioned in the Chamber on the 31 st May I was expecting to have the revised NHS Highland Business Case which I have now received. I will be considering this carefully and seeking views from the External Assurance panel led by Prof Linda de Caestecker. I have already received specific questions from the Keep MUM campaign group and my officials will be following up on these points.

The SPCB provides a range of benefits to support the physical health and wellbeing of MSPs, MSP staff and SPCB employees.  This includes the provision of a free on-site gym, corporate gym membership discounts and the cycle to work scheme.  

The Healthy Living Scheme, which reimburses costs associated with physical activity, is currently open to SPCB staff.  Members can however choose to utilise their own Staff Cost Provision Budget to replicate this scheme for their own employees.     

The SPCB recently implemented a new Employee Assistance Programme which is delivered by Spectrum Life.  One of the benefits of this new service is that it provides all staff, including MSP staff, with free access to an online wellbeing platform as well as an app which includes:

• fitness programmes
• nutrition guides and recipes
• on-demand e-learning webinar across multiple wellbeing topics
• self-guided meditation; and
• wellbeing podcasts
  

The SPCB also provides a range of measures to support financial wellbeing.  Examples of this include membership of the Capital Credit Union and regular pension webinars.   

The SPCB takes very seriously its responsibility to support the wellbeing of staff (both those employed by the SPCB and those employed by Members).  The Positive About Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy sets out the SPCB’s aim to support a workplace environment that promotes good mental health and wellbeing of all colleagues.