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Bus travel in Scotland and the UK was profoundly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with emergency funding to support the industry continuing in 2021-22. Although lockdown measures had eased, restrictions on travel and daily activity remained in Scotland for large parts of 2021-22. This is evident from the Scottish Transport Statistics 2022 which show the lower number of passenger journeys taken over the period.

On Thursday 9 November, during Portfolio Question Time at a Meeting of Parliament, relating to a question on Social Housing Waiting Lists (Support for Local Authorities) I responded to a point made by Mrs Downey MSP, as follows:

“I will make a number of points on that. When I go round speaking to local authorities and housing associations, I find that the biggest barrier to building more houses just now is inflation. Construction inflation has been around 15 to 20 per cent, which has meant that the £3.5 billion budget that we had set aside has effectively been cut in value by £700 million.”

I referenced this effective cut in value of £700 million based on construction inflation figures being between 15 to 20 per cent; 20 per cent of £3.5 billion equating to £700 million.

The Scottish Government is not responsible for the design of low traffic neighbourhoods; local authorities are responsible for management and maintenance of local roads and paths in their area under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Low traffic neighbourhoods guidance provided alongside the Place Standard Tool on the “Our Place Scotland” website. Local authorities should undertake an equality impact assessment prior to any changes to ensure the needs of our most vulnerable people are taken into account.

The Scottish Government will also launch consultation early in 2024 on new draft guidance to support Inclusive Design for Town Centres and Busy Streets.

An evaluation of the Scottish Government shared equity schemes (Help to Buy, Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) and New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE)) was published in June 2020. The evaluation can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/evaluation-scottish-government-shared-equity-schemes/

The LIFT scheme continues to contribute to the Scottish Government’s 110,000 affordable homes target.

Any decisions on future funding should be determined by The Scottish Government’s budget announcement on the 19 December.

sport scotland’s provisional allocation of up to £5m for the development of a potential tennis facility at Park of Keir remains in place.

However, at this stage, a full application for a tennis facility at Park of Keir has not been received. Any decision on whether to make a capital award and the appropriate level of any award will only be taken on completion of a full application (as outlined in response to S6W-05651 on 20 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 .

We continue to work towards delivery of the commitment that at least 1% of frontline health spending will be dedicated to mental health services for children and young people by the end of this parliamentary session.

The NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 Annual Progress Update published in December 2023 confirmed that NHS expenditure on Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services rose from £88m in 2020-21 to £97.6m in 2021-22, an increase of £9.3m or 10.6% - representing 0.66% of total NHS expenditure.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children across Scotland can access high quality play opportunities in a range of settings to support their growth, development and wellbeing.

We will build on Scotland’s world-leading 2013 Play Strategy, and the 2019 Play Scotland progress report, to develop a vision statement and action plan for play in 2024. We will do this by listening to the views of children and young people and working in collaboration with our stakeholders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23760 on 9 January 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 .

Each year the Scottish Government provides the Scottish Environment Protection Agency with a grant from the Water Environment Fund (WEF) to support work to deliver our River Basin Management Plan. The projects this supports is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure funding through WEF is targeted on projects which will derive the greatest benefit to Scotland’s rivers and neighbouring communities.

Currently, alternative funding streams for projects to remove Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) in Scotland enable more effective use of resource and provide greater benefits for biodiversity. Subsequently, WEF funding is at the moment prioritising restoring rivers and improving fish migration.

For more information on funding for INNS, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23295 on 11 December 2023. 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 Deputy National Clinical Director and Scottish Government officials met with the clinical leads for ovarian cancer in the West of Scotland Cancer Network on 3 November.

The ongoing improvement work, board management oversight, and any potential support required from the Scottish Government were discussed. I refer the member to the response to question S6W-23824 on 9 January 2024 for further detail.

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 .