Seòmar agus comataidhean

The First Minister frequently meets with members of the Cabinet to discuss the Government’s policy priorities, including the proposed Agriculture Bill.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20938 on 26 September 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 following number of people in Scotland made a non-directed kidney donation in the last five years:

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20943 on 26 September 2023 and, in addition, can advise that no representations have been made to the Rail Delivery Group.

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 .

On 22 June 2023, the Scottish Government published the Agriculture Bill - Analysis of Consultation Responses which details the findings of this extended engagement.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to provide financial support for homes to use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil for heat. However, we already offer a comprehensive support package for domestic heat and energy efficiency measures through our Home Energy Scotland service.

As we deliver our Heat in Buildings programme our delivery programmes and support mechanisms will support the phase out of fossil fuel heating systems towards zero emissions heating systems in existing buildings, in tandem with achieving a good standard of energy efficiency across all buildings, in line with our strategic priorities.

In line with the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change, we agree that bioenergy – such as biomass, bio-heating oil and bio-propane - should only be used in those applications where its carbon reduction impact is maximised, where alternative options are not available, and where it comes from sustainable sources. We recognise that, for a small number of homes, bioenergy might offer the only feasible way to reduce emissions from heating to displacing fossil fuels, especially where electric heating or heat pumps are unsuitable. We will therefore consider how such homes may be dealt with under any future regulatory system.

By using a risk-based approach and focusing resources on maintaining critical assets, Scottish Water aims to minimise the risk of failure and ensure that infrastructure is functioning properly. The approach combines proactive and responsive measures, underpinned by regular inspections and data analysis. This helps Scottish Water provide a reliable and high-quality service to customers while also being cost-effective and efficient. Additionally, Scottish Water completes around 3,600 sewer repairs every year to ensure the sewer network operates effectively whilst providing an opportunity to survey adjacent pipes for any defects which could allow groundwater to enter the system.

Scottish Water does not hold information on the reasons for spills for historic events reported to SEPA and this information is not correlated to rainfall data. However, from 2015 onward Scottish Water has conducted over 100 catchment studies for both water quality and aesthetic needs and this has identified 14 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) that have a risk of spilling in dry weather. These assets are now in Scottish Water’s investment programme with solutions being delivered in line with their Improving Urban Waters Route Map commitments.

Scottish Water does not hold information for reported spills during dry weather, or the reasons for spills, however Scottish Water publishes all reportable pollution events each year to SEPA and this information is available in its annual reports, which can be found at: Annual Reports - Scottish Water .

Cabinet discusses the Scottish Government’s legislative programme on a regular basis.