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According to a 2023 report commissioned by Transport Scotland as of December 2022, there were 182 rapid/ultra-rapid charge points (>50kW) located within 100 metres of the trunk road and motorway network. There are also a significant number of lower powered charge points (<50kW) within 100 metres as well as many more rapid/ultra-rapid charge points within a reasonable travel distance of the trunk road network.

The most recent UK Department for Transport EV charge point statistics published in January this year show that there are over 1,000 rapid/ultra-rapid charge points across Scotland’s public EV charging networks, representing 21.4 per 100k people and more than any other region of the UK. Rapid charge points like these are more likely to be close to the main road networks to provide ‘en-route charging’ for EV drivers.

All regulated procurements are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Sustainable Procurement Duty and in accordance with guidance and good practice, including Scottish Procurement Policy Note 3/2022 which provides guidance to support taking account of climate and circular economy considerations in our procurement processes. The sustainable procurement duty within the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (the “Act”) requires public bodies to consider how they can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the authority’s area, and act in a way to secure improvements identified.

The Act requires authorities to outline in their Annual Procurement Strategy how procurement will deliver local environmental impacts and report progress in their Annual Procurement Reports.

We have developed our centrally-funded, Sustainable Procurement Tools (the “Tools”) to include Climate Literacy eLearning which is mandated for Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate staff.

Opportunities to build sustainability into all frameworks and contracts are identified at strategy stage and embedded throughout the procurement process, highlighting key opportunities which can be assessed as part of our tender evaluation and monitored through ongoing contract management. Environmental objectives include opportunities to reduce emissions, appropriate climate change adaption, use of materials, waste, bio security and bio diversity. Tenderers are also encouraged to offer community benefits which will help to support our climate change objectives and our journey to net zero.

The Scottish Government does not hold data on how many patients have been referred for CT or MRI head imaging as a result of GP direct access to diagnostic services.

Currently the Scottish Government has no evidence to support a new Allander rail station.

East Dunbartonshire Council undertook a transport appraisal in 2018 for the A81 corridor which concluded none of the rail options offered sufficient value for money. My officials at Transport Scotland engaged extensively with East Dunbartonshire Council as part of the Council’s work to develop their Local Development Plan. This included providing advice to the Council on the transport appraisal required to justify any new strategic transport infrastructure, including rail stations.

We are not aware of East Dunbartonshire Council having any plans to revisit their transport appraisal work. However, if a robust business case is presented for rail proposals, such proposals will be considered by Transport Scotland, subject to Scottish Government’s priorities, our rail investment strategy, affordability and other competing priorities.

Table 1 presents the estimated cost of setting the Higher Property Rate at 54.6p (the rate at which in England, the Standard multiplier applying to properties with a rateable value equal to or over £51,000, will be set in 2024-2025), compared to 55.9p, after General Revaluation Transitional Relief is applied, in 2024-2025. The figures are not adjusted for any other relief. This is broken down by property class, as the Scottish Government does not hold property-level data on industry sectors. Property class is a classification used by Scottish Assessors to describe the type of property, and does not necessarily accurately reflect the use of a property.

This table is based on the valuation roll as at 30 March 2023, 1 April 2023, and 1 January 2024.

Figures in this table are rounded to the nearest £1,000, and may not sum due to rounding.

Table 1: Estimated cost of reducing the Higher Property Rate to 54.6p (£), adjusted for General Revaluation Transitional Relief, 2024-2025

Table 1 presents the estimated additional gross income from setting the Higher Property Rate (HPR) at 55.9p, compared to keeping the HPR the same as in 2023-24 at 52.4p, after General Revaluation Transitional Relief is applied, in 2024-2025. The figures are not adjusted for any other relief. This is broken down by property class, as the Scottish Government does not hold property-level data on industry sectors. Property class is a classification used by Scottish Assessors to describe the type of property, and does not necessarily accurately reflect the use of a property.

This table is based on the valuation roll as at 30 March 2023, 1 April 2023, and 1 January 2024.

Figures in this table are rounded to the nearest £1,000, and may not sum due to rounding.

Table 1: Estimated gross additional revenue from the higher property rate (£), after General Revaluation Transitional Relief, 2024-2025

Table 1 presents the estimated additional gross income from setting the Intermediate Property Rate (IPR) at 54.5p, compared to keeping the IPR the same as in 2023-24, at 51.1p, after General Revaluation Transitional Relief is applied, in 2024-2025. The figures are not adjusted for any other relief. This is broken down by property class, as the Scottish Government does not hold property-level data on industry sectors. Property class is a classification used by Scottish Assessors to describe the type of property, and does not necessarily accurately reflect the use of a property.

This table is based on the valuation roll as at 30 March 2023, 1 April 2023, and 1 January 2024.

Figures in this table are rounded to the nearest £1,000, and may not sum due to rounding.

Table 1: Estimated gross additional revenue from the intermediate property rate (£), after General Revaluation Transitional Relief, 2024-2025

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-25404 and‎ S6W-25405 on 27 February 2024. 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-25590 on 1 March 2024. 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 .

The Forestry Grant Scheme will remain the principal source of funding from the Scottish Government for woodland creation in the 2024-5 planting season. The scheme will continue beyond that date but no budget has been set at this stage.

The Woodland Carbon Code has been attracting additional funding for woodland creation and this is expected to rise further. The level of funding will depend on the number of carbon credits generated in future and the price paid for them.