Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.

The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Scottish Government’s hybrid working policy drew on a broad range of evidence, including feedback from staff networks and findings from the hybrid working policy review, to ensure the policy remains accessible and inclusive.

Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live a further distant from their contractual work location.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

As part of the national response to the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, the Scottish Government has provided funding to support all NHS Health Boards to work towards the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) standards accreditation and ensure high-quality, safe, and effective patient care. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has recently completed its IQIPS benchmarking as part of this programme of work.

The provision and operation of audiology services falls within the direct remit of health boards rather than Scottish Government. However, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that it has taken actions to reduce pressure in adult audiology services, including additional locum support for post-assessment hearing aid fittings to reduce waits, and the creation of four Band 4 Associate Audiologist posts to increase longer term capacity.

I can confirm that Offshore Solutions Group sought a screening opinion from the Scottish Ministers and this is currently undergoing statutory consultation in line with the environmental impact assessment regulations. Following conclusion of the consultation, the Scottish Ministers will determine whether or not an application for the proposed works must be supported by an environmental impact assessment report based on the likelihood of significant effects on the environment. To maintain the integrity of our well-established marine licencing process, it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to comment further on live casework.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.

Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.

No civil service roles have been reclassified as “Edinburgh based” or “central belt-based” because of the revised hybrid working policy introduced in October 2025.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The member may wish to contact health boards directly.

The Scottish Government supports households of all ages who are in, or at risk of, fuel poverty to makes their homes warmer and cheaper to heat, through our Warmer Homes Scotland and Area Based Schemes. This can include solar panels where appropriate. These schemes have supported around 75,000 households in the last 5 years alone, including over 2000 solar PV installations.

There are no age restrictions on these or any other Scottish Government energy efficiency schemes that would prevent people over 75 from benefitting, although, our Home Energy Scotland scheme no longer supports the installation of solar panels.

The Home Energy Scotland advice service, which is funded by the Scottish Government, already offers free, bespoke, impartial advice to all Scottish householders, on how to make their homes greener and easier to heat. This service offers the gateway to accessing all our energy efficiency funding schemes. Households who want advice about Scottish Government funding schemes, or improving the energy efficiency of their homes in general, can call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.

The average lifespan of a passenger ferry is 25-30 years, a number of CalMac Ferries are operating beyond their original planned service.

The Island Connectivity Plan (ICP) includes the Vessels and Ports Plan (VPP) and the VPP provides detail of vessels operating the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) and Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS), information is available on the following link: Islands Connectivity Plan – Vessels and Ports Plan 2025-2045

The Scottish Government engages regularly with the waste sector to discuss best practice around the transport and handling of WEEE, particularly in relation to the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and persistent organic pollutant (POP) containing materials.

The Scottish Government is keen to support making it easy for individuals to correctly dispose of electrical items and products containing lithium batteries. Retailers and distributors of electrical products are required to provide takeback services so consumers can return used batteries and electrical items for appropriate recycling.

On 3 December 2025, the Scottish Government hosted a roundtable with industry on fire and battery safety at waste and recycling sites, including presentations from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Optimum Eco Group on the proper disposal and handling of WEEE and waste batteries. Following this meeting, SEPA updated guidance with input from industry stakeholders to ensure best practice was captured and shared.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43978 on 12 March 2026. 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.