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The Heat in Buildings Strategy confirms our intention to introduce – subject to consultation – regulations requiring Scotland’s homes and other buildings to meet EPC Band C equivalent, where that is technically feasible and cost effective. We recently consulted on our commitment to reform EPCs; outlining our proposal to introduce a new metric to an EPC report that informs users of the amount of energy used in the dwelling, and how this can be reduced. We are committed to reforming EPCs to ensure they do not penalise the installation of a zero emissions heating system, and to ensure they drive the requisite fabric measures.

As promised in the Strategy, we intend our consultation on detailed proposals for introducing regulations on minimum standards of energy efficiency for all private housing to take place during 2022.

Options for homeowners to deliver a higher standard of energy efficiency in traditional granite walled homes could include the installation of solid wall insulation, double or secondary glazing, draught proofing, floor insulation, and where applicable, loft insulation.

We will work with stakeholders including Historic Environment Scotland to consider what specific support and measures may be needed with respect to energy efficiency and zero emissions heat in such homes.

Home Energy Scotland currently offers loans of up to £10,000, with up to £4,000 cashback available to help homeowners meet the cost of solid wall insulation. Loans of up to £4,500 are available to help meet the cost of glazing and draught proofing.

In December 2021, we wrote to NHS Board Chief Executives about the systemic failures highlighted in the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) reports. NHS Chief Executives have been asked to examine their services, provide us with assurance on quality of care and also advise of any specific actions being taken in light of the reports. We have also asked Chief Executives to confirm a Lead Director and single point of contact in the service for continued engagement on this matter.

We met with the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) on 16 December 2021 to discuss the recommendations they have proposed which could promote public confidence in the service. This includes a review of quality standards and training for audiologists. A follow up meeting will take place with them in the new year.

Our future focus is on ensuring that where improvements need to be made to national and local practice, as part of the learning from the Lothian Review, these are taken forward in partnership with Health Boards, NDCS and the BAA.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05072 on 6 January 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05072 on 6 January 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 the Scottish Landfill Tax (Qualifying Materials) Order 2016, sub-soils qualify at the lower rate of Scottish Landfill Tax. However, top-soil, soil containing hazardous materials or soil from contaminated land will always be chargeable at the standard rate of Scottish Landfill Tax. The Qualifying Materials Order was introduced following consultation with industry and other stakeholders.

The Scottish Landfill Tax legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament gives Revenue Scotland the authority to set out a direction that material can be regarded as qualifying material if it qualifies as such but for the presence of a small amount of non-qualifying materials. Revenue Scotland’s current guidance in this area was developed following detailed consideration and a specific consultation, involving SEPA, was held on the treatment of soils.

Any such analysis would depend on the written proposals submitted by Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd, in the event it elected to exercise the contractual rebasing option after 1 April 2022.

Transport Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers has contingency arrangements in place for Operator of Last Resort which could be mobilised in the event a Franchise agreement is terminated or otherwise comes to an end and no further franchise agreement has been entered into, in line with the Scottish Ministers’ duty under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993.

The Scottish Ambulance Service does not record data on use of community first responder schemes (CFRs) by health board area but is fully aware of the volunteer resources available throughout the country to support operational delivery.

CFRs are highly valued by the Service and are a dedicated, motivated and valuable asset to the communities they serve. CFRs form an integral part of the Service’s response, particularly with instances of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests. They do. however, work to a clinically assured scope of practice, which is supported by appropriate training to complement, but not replace, the emergency ambulance response in particular circumstances.

During times of crisis and major events, such as storm Arwen, CFR volunteers, as members of local communities, may provide assistance to the relief efforts but they would do so as individuals and not as representatives of the ambulance service.

The PIN was issued in February 2021 to preserve the Scottish Government’s ability to award a temporary measures agreement from March 2022 should it be necessary at that stage to continue emergency measures type support. As the scale and pace of recovery from the impact of the pandemic remains uncertain, the need for such an award, and the duration of any award, is being kept under review.

Transport Scotland has well developed contingency plans in place, which could be mobilised in the event we are required to ensure continuity of rail services as an Operator of Last Resort.

We do not anticipate having to activate those contingency plans.