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As independent Scheme Administrator established by businesses, Circularity Scotland Ltd (CSL) is responsible for setting the fees for businesses who wish CSL to administer their DRS obligations on their behalf.

The rationale behind a higher fee for producers who use UK-wide labels instead of Scotland-specific ones is to compensate for any drinks containers purchased elsewhere in the UK where a deposit is not paid, but then returned in Scotland for a deposit.

CSL will actively monitor such returns and adjust the higher fee per individual product to reflect the number of such containers processed through its network that were purchased out with Scotland.

NRS will publish the first census outputs approximately one year after conclusion of the census data collection phases.

NRS will consult with data users over the coming months to ensure that census outputs are accessible and provided in a format which meets the needs of census data users.

I understand that the delivery of Harland and Wolff's contract with the developers of the Neart na Gaoithe (NNG) offshore wind farm for eight turbine jackets has now been reduced to four turbine jackets due to supply chain issues with component parts.

Whilst the number of jackets has been reduced by 50%, I understand that this will only reduce the contract value by around 10%-15%.

Due to commercial confidentiality the exact job number linked to the NNG are not available but as part of H&W overall Scotland project, it is forecast that a total of 1,042 jobs are expected to be created by H&W Methil over a 5-year period – 614 at Methil and 428 at Arnish.

It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on a live Serious Fraud Office investigation.

The Highway Code changes which came into effect at the start of the year were supported by a nationwide multi-media campaign in February 2022. Amendments to The Highway Code are reserved to the UK Government, and DfT is responsible for marketing these changes. The Scottish Government and road safety partners across Scotland support the latest changes.

The Scottish Government was disappointed the UK Government felt unable to promote those changes ahead of 29 January, so we took the proactive decision to do so ourselves in Scotland, and Transport Scotland funded the initial campaign. The second-phase campaign, in August, focused on encouraging mutual respect between road users to help embed the changes to the Code and to deliver behaviour change. This phase was funded by DfT. Transport Scotland continues to work with partners across the UK, including DfT, to align future awareness campaigns for any further changes to the Highway Code.

Any future procurement activity undertaken by ScotRail Trains Ltd to secure new rolling stock for Scotland’s Railway will be governed by the Public Procurement Regulations, as all such procurements are.

ScotRail advise they apply the Fair Work Policy across the principles laid out in the Scottish Government’s fair work principles during any procurement process.

Audit Scotland’s briefing on PPE in June 2021 told us we need to learn from experience and to address a range of PPE issues for the future, and the Scottish Government was happy to agree to that recommendation.

Work continues to consult on and implement a new approach to pandemic PPE through a joined-up public sector procurement arrangement, led by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). This aims to provide a more resilient supply across Health, Social Care and the wider public sector for the long term, with due priority given to the need for robust supply chains and reductions in environmental impact.

The Scottish Government has already provided funding to run the first phase of a Small Business Research Initiative at NHS Tayside to help develop prototypes of reusable mask solutions. This first phase has provided an opportunity for companies to secure funding to undertake appropriate research and development of their prospective solutions.

Throughout the pandemic we have refined the COVID-19 and flu appointment scheduling system, working directly with Health Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships to incorporate their feedback and improve processes.

We have increased the number of training sessions with scheduling staff, developed comprehensive online guidance that can be referred to at any time and we continue to work closely with Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships where specific issues arise. A dedicated review process is in place for this and any learning is then disseminated to other Boards as required.

The Scottish Government has not provided direct funding to third sector organisations to provide footcare services for vulnerable and older people.

Funding is provided to third sector organisations, including those that support vulnerable and older people, from across Scottish Government portfolios and is not collated centrally.

Recognising the important part that rail plays in facilitating longer distance journeys, the draft STPR2 recommendations published for consultation in January 2022 included one concerning investment in rail freight terminals and facilities. This recommendation (#44) recommends Transport Scotland supports industry partners in carrying out an updated market study for rail freight growth in Scotland (linked to the 2019 industry growth plan) including a review of rail freight terminals/hubs to confirm how to meet long-term mode shift requirements.

The potential for rail freight facilities to serve the dock area (at Methil Port) within Levenmouth would be considered as part of the aforementioned study. The STPR2 recommendations are currently being finalised and will be published later this year, informed by consideration of the consultation feedback received.

The STPR2 recommendation will build on the Scottish Government’s policy approach to supporting rail freight as outlined in our rail freight strategy of 2016 . This is strengthened by industry targets to grow rail freight and backed by the Scottish Government through past and current investment via our mode shift grant schemes.

In addition, SEStran are currently undertaking the “Go Forth Freight Study” funded by Transport Scotland’s Local Rail Development Fund, in conjunction with Forth Ports, to determine the potential cargo flows in/out/within the River Forth region and its associated ports and hubs which could be transferred onto more sustainable transport modes.

Moreover, Scottish Government Officials working with rail industry partners have engaged with potential rail freight customers to highlight the potential for the Levenmouth Rail Link. This has stimulated positive interest and discussions between potential customers and potential rail freight operators are known to be under way.