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An estimate of the number of people with complex disabilities was published by the charity Sense in a short report in May 2022, which estimated that there were around 157,000 people in Scotland that could have complex disabilities, where complex disabilities were defined as a person having two or more of the following conditions: ‘deaf or hearing impairment’, ‘blind or vision impairment’, ‘learning disability’, ‘autism’. A link to the report is available here: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/statistics/complex-disabilities-in-scotland/

We expect all NHS Boards to have robust governance arrangements in place, including those for risk assessment and business continuity; as informed by, and consistent with, national policies and frameworks. NHS Lanarkshire has confirmed that, as part of their routine winter planning work, they have been engaging with local planning partners to ensure all eventualities are carefully considered.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The First Minister’s Environmental Council’s responses to the question regarding mechanisms to reduce consumption in raw materials can be found in the minutes of the meeting on 13 June 2022: www.gov.scot/publications/first-ministers-environmental-council-minutes-june-2022/

Specifically, the minutes report that:

• members suggested an increase in community and stakeholder engagement to understand how best to incentivise household recycling - noting the lack of standardised recycling across local authorities and the social barriers to recycling.
• members highlighted chemical recycling as a key example to support a fundamental shift: i.e. chemicals in products holding back recycling potential. Members suggested further investigation on targeting the use of critical elements such as Lithium
• support was provided on embedding circular economy practices into construction and product design. Key challenge is addressing the generation of waste, not just managing existing waste.
• need to consider low carbon as well as recycled materials and understand the evidence behind different choices is important here.

Electricity policy, including regulation of Great Britain’s electricity networks, is an area reserved to the UK Government.

In order to meet our net zero targets both increased renewable generation and network investment will be required. We are working to expand our renewable generation capabilities through our continued support for renewable technologies.

The Scottish Government, however, does not have the power to ensure that sufficient network investment will be taken forward. We have repeatedly called on Ofgem and BEIS to ensure that network companies can invest to ready the network for the requirements of transitioning to net zero.

The Scottish Government has also invested over £65 million in ChargePlace Scotland, Scotland’s public charging network, which now has more than 2300 publicly available charge points meaning that, by population, Scotland has the most EV charge points outside of London and the most rapid charge points anywhere in the UK.

The Scottish Government is committed to exploring the implementation of HPV self-sampling, and acknowledges that it has the potential to increase uptake levels and reduce barriers to cervical screening.

The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) recognises the potential benefits of self-sampling but have concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend implementation. Studies are underway to gather further evidence, but it is not yet known when the NSC may make a positive recommendation. Additionally, it is unclear when the work to assess and validate a test for HPV self-sampling in the UK will complete.

As introducing a new screening test into the National Screening Programme is inherently complex, a working group has been convened to assess potential models and understand any required changes to the screening programme to support an initial roll-out. This work is being informed by the emerging evidence from UK and global research, including the study undertaken in Dumfries and Galloway which provided self-sampling test kits to women between 25 and 64 who had not taken up the offer of attending for cervical screening. The results of this study showed the potential benefits of self-sampling, but also underlined the need to carefully consider how any eventual roll-out is targeted.

The time between a decision by a local authority on the location for a public electric vehicle charge point and that charge point then going into operation will be influenced by a number of factors outwith the remit or control of Scottish Ministers. This includes, for example, the location of the site and its accessibility, the ease of connection to the electricity grid, planning permission, environmental considerations, the approach to procurement as well as wayleaves and land rights. The Scottish Government continues to provide advice and support to local authorities to assist with these and other aspects of delivering of electric vehicle infrastructure projects.

In accordance with the requirements of the Railways Act 1993 and the Scottish Ministers’ Franchising Policy Statement, consideration is being given to the successor arrangement for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

Scottish Ministers have to work within the relevant current legislation, principally the Railways Act 1993, which neither we, nor the Scottish Parliament have powers to change.

The Scottish Government will ensure that Caledonian Sleeper services will be maintained through the transition beyond the termination of the existing Serco franchise agreement.

Future licensable activities are still under consideration, but may include commercial dog walking and pet grooming, the operation of livery yards, greyhound racing, and canine fertility clinics. We are also considering the case for revoking dated licensing legislation covering riding establishments and animal boarding, with a view to replacing it with new controls under the 2021 licensing framework.

We continue to work with key stakeholders to finalise our proposals on licensing and will consult on these at the earliest opportunity.