Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12241 on‎ 1 December 2022. 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

As part of the development of our new Strategic Framework for biodiversity we have recently consulted on a new Biodiversity Strategy where we set out our high level vision to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and reverse declines by 2045. Consultation responses are being analysed and a draft of the strategy will be published in December 2022. We identified outcomes that we wish to see across a range of different land- and sea-scapes, including our woodlands and forestry, recognising the importance of native woodland cover and woodland ecosystem health to sustaining our rich biodiversity.  

We know that we need to enable large scale regeneration through reductions in herbivore impacts, the removal of invasive non-native species and new native woodland planting. The second part of our Strategic Framework will be the underpinning fluid, dynamic delivery plans, where we will set out the actions we need to take to deliver the outcomes we want to see as set out in the Strategy. Part of this work will involve looking closely at targets for restoration and regeneration of nature, including our annual native woodland creation target, seeking advice and views from key stakeholders and our Programme Advisory Group, which is made up of expert scientific advisers.  

The spend on agency nursing and midwifery staff is published on an annual basis. The cost for agency nurse for the year ending 31 March 2022 is £88.9 million. Spend on agency nursing and midwifery staff is less than 2% of the total staff spend. The cost for this current financial year to date and the estimated cost for the whole of current financial year is not centrally available.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with health boards to ensure, as far as possible, that support for energy costs is available to those who require it.

Some patients already receive support for costs associated with home haemodialysis and the use of oxygen equipment. We have now written to all NHS territorial Boards to understand what support with fuel costs is available to patients using life-saving equipment.

We have already pledged almost £3 billion in this financial year towards helping families and households face the increased cost of living. This includes the provision of services and financial support not available elsewhere in the UK to help reduce every day costs and increase incomes.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12299 on‎ 1 December 2022. 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

As set out in answer to S6T-00961, the Scottish Government will consider the recommendations made in the Asylum Inquiry Scotland’s inquiry report when preparing our response to it. That response will be published in due course. I have already written to the Home Secretary to seek a meeting about the issues raised in the Asylum Inquiry Scotland report and the wider asylum system.

All answers to Topical Questions are available on the Official Report, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-15-11-2022?meeting=13988&iob=126730

We are in discussion with the UK Government and Devolved Administrations on what action is required for the UK to meet the pledge.

Within Scotland, methane is emitted from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources; agricultural activities, landfills and oil and gas systems. Laid out below are the actions we are currently taking to reduce methane emissions. However, the next Climate Change Plan will include new policies on reducing all greenhouse gas emissions.

The bulk of methane emissions come from agricultural production, and action is being taken to bring these down. Feed additives have the potential to reduce methane emissions from dairy cattle and sheep and we are continuing to work with the industry. The First Minister announced at COP26 more than £100m investment by Royal DSM in Scotland , focused on reducing methane emissions from farming while Scottish Development International (SDI) has also supported the investment of DSM Nutrition in Scotland for the manufacture of its EU-approved methane-reducing food additive. Alongside the UK Government, Welsh Government and NI Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs we have just completed a call for evidence on the potential role of methane supressing livestock feed products, which will allow us to explore further opportunities for methane reduction in this area.

Currently the majority of Waste Management sector greenhouse gas emissions come from the degradation, with time, of biodegradable waste in landfill sites, which produces methane. Although landfill greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 72% from 2005 to 2020 (in line with a 63% reduction in the tonnage of waste landfilled), we know we need to go further to decrease this more. The actions set out in the recent Waste Route Map are therefore key to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. These include current actions like the ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill by 2025, expansion of the existing landfill gas capture programme from 2023; and proposed new actions, including the development of a Residual Waste Plan to ensure the best environmental outcome for materials and set strategic direction for management of residual waste to 2045.

Offshore oil and gas is reserved to the UK Government, meaning reducing methane emissions in that area sits with them. As regards onshore oil and gas refining, large industrial, gas and petrochemical sites have a requirement in their Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Permits for regular Leak Detection and Repair programmes for fugitive gases (which would include methane, where appropriate). Reviews of methane emissions from National Grid sites regulated by SEPA under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 are undertaken with the Operator.

The Scottish Government has committed to undertake further work to quantify Scotland’s offshore wind potential. Once this work has concluded a letter will be sent to the Presiding Officer.

Housing statistics on new housebuilding and affordable housing supply are published quarterly on the Scottish Government website and can be accessed using the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-for-scotland-new-house-building/.

The next set of quarterly housing statistics are expected to be published in January 2023.

The Scottish Government received a copy of the letter on the evening of 22 November 2022.