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The Scottish Government has not considered introducing changes to building regulations for non domestic toilet provision.

The current building standards in Scotland require that new non domestic buildings are designed and constructed in such a way that sanitary facilities are provided for all occupants of, and visitors to, the building in a form that allows convenience of use and that there is no threat to the health and safety of occupants or visitors. This includes appropriate consideration of the provision of male, female or unisex facilities. The building standards regulate the design and construction of buildings up to the point of completion. The management of buildings and the configuration of toilet facilities is the responsibility of the building owner or operator.

Changes to these regulations and supporting guidance is normally led on an evidence based approach.

It is not for the Scottish Government to apply for Home Office licenses to establish Drug Checking in Scotland.

The application process requires specific information provided by the pilot cities of Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Therefore, the organisations must submit applications in order for permission to be granted to establish these facilities in these areas.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering drug checking facilities in Scotland and have highlighted our desire to introduce these facilities to the Home Office and the UK Government has indicated they are open to discussing this.

Scottish Government officials have regular engagement with the assistive technology sector, including through the Technology Enabled Care programme and British Healthcare Trades Association. An equipment and adaptations guidance Implementation Group is also being set up by officials, which will include engagement with the sector, including representatives of the healthcare and assistive technology sector.

The Scottish Government does not hold data on recreational vaping. However, the Scottish Government published a report earlier in 2023 which examined the extent of use of e-cigarette in adults and children. The numbers will include those using e-cigarettes to quit smoking tobacco, as well as recreational use - Vaping - understanding prevalence and trends among adults and children: research - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Although challenging to establish a precise estimate of use, key messages from the report include:

The percentage of adults in Scotland reporting current use (generally includes those who vape once a week or more and those who vape only occasionally) is likely to be somewhere between 5% according to the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS 2021) and 13.2% as shown by the Smoking Toolkit Study (STS 2022). The most recent data suggest that the percentage reporting current vaping has increased over time, despite the SHeS 2021 indicating a decrease since 2019.

Although based on different samples by age, surveys from across the UK show that the percentage of current young users (both regular and occasional) could be somewhere between 1.1% of 10-15 year olds ( Understanding Society 2020/21 ) and 7% of 11-17 year olds ( ASH GB Youth Survey 2022 ). Current use appears to be increasing.

Scottish Government commissioned Zero Waste Scotland to undertake a review of the environmental impacts of single use e-cigarettes, the report was published in June 2023. The report identifies several environmental impacts, including littering, wasteful use of resources and carbon emissions. Further detail is available in the report. The environmental impact of single-use vapes (zerowastescotland.org.uk) . The Scottish Government is considering the findings of the report and will set out next steps in the autumn.

In 2022 we published our consultation on Tightening rules on advertising and promoting vaping products . Evidence about the impact of e-cigarette use on health was included as a section.

Since then Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: systematic review of evidence (anu.edu.au) and the UK Government commissioned Khan report have been published, adding further to the evidence base.

In May 2023 we published "Vaping – understanding the prevalence and trends among adults and children" ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/understanding-prevalence-trends-vaping-adults-children/pages/2/). This analysis of data on vaping from twelve surveys conducted at UK or regional level, with a focus on current use, ever tried and dual use of vaping products, and differences by socio-economic status.

We work with Public Health Consultants, Scottish Government analysts, and a range of academics and stakeholders to understand how this, and other evidence, informs current understanding. It is an ongoing process to ensure that the development of a refreshed Tobacco Action Plan is based on the latest evidence.

We have not had any direct discussions with Local Authorities to date regarding the potential banning of disposable vapes.

However, a stakeholder roundtable was held on 6 September 2023 by the Ministers for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity and for Public Health and Women's Health to discuss the findings of the Zero Waste Scotland report on the environmental impacts of single use vapes, which will include representation from local government.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) have today published the first results from Scotland’s Census 2022.

For more than 200 years Scotland has relied on the valuable data the census provides and it remains the best way to gather vital information about Scotland’s people that data users in the public, private and third sectors need.

Today’s publication represents an historic moment for Scotland with the largest population ever recorded by Scotland’s Census of 5.4 million. An increase of 2.7 % since the previous census in 2011.

Crucially, today’s publication also confirms that the growth in Scotland’s population has been driven by migration, with fewer births than deaths registered in Scotland since 2011. As outlined by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice in last week’s Programme for Government, the Scottish Government remains committed to responding to the challenge of depopulation through the publication of an ‘Addressing Depopulation Action Plan’, which will consider how we and partners respond to the wide range of drivers impacting population decline within some of Scotland’s communities.

We will also be introducing our 'Talent Attraction and Migration Service', providing immigration information and advice to employers looking to attract talent to Scotland, as well as supporting people considering Scotland, from across the UK and abroad, as a place to live and work. Scotland has a large, established migrant community and I welcome the contribution new Scots are making, and continue to make, to our economy and society.

The census data released today also demonstrates how the makeup of our population is changing. There are more people in the older age groups than ever recorded in Scotland's Census. There are now over a quarter of a million people aged 65 and over than there are under 15. In contrast, just a few decades ago, results from the 1971 census showed there were twice as many people under 15 than over 65.

We know this shift is not unique to Scotland, with most mature global economies seeing similar trends. Recent censuses in the rest of the UK and in several other G7 countries showed that their populations are ageing too. Understanding these changes in the population will allow local authorities and the government to adapt vital public services to better meet the needs of those living and working in Scotland. The Scottish Government has stated our commitment to engage with the 'Older People’s Strategic Action Forum' to identify and develop solutions to barriers faced by older people. However, with the population living longer on average, it is also vital to recognise the role that older people will continue to play in our society and the ongoing opportunities this provides for us all.

Census data released today also shines a light on our shifting household patterns. Since 2011, there has been a household increase of 5.8% - higher than the increase in the population (2.7%). We know that older people are more likely to live alone or in smaller households and that there is a related trend towards smaller households and more households overall. This trend further demonstrates the importance of our plan to take forward the delivery of 'A Connected Scotland', launched March 2023, and our continued support for organisations through the 'Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund'.

Geographically, there is also a range of insightful trends across Scotland within the data. Most of the council areas in Scotland’s central belt saw increases in their populations, particularly those around Edinburgh. These increases were driven by migration from within Scotland and from elsewhere. Most of the council areas that saw a decrease in population are in the west or south west. These decreases were driven by a higher number of deaths than births between censuses.

Following today’s publication, NRS will publish further results from Scotland’s Census 2022 from spring 2024 onwards. In summer 2024, a series of topic data reports will provide new and unique insights into the characteristics of Scotland's people, including information on ethnicity, religion, the labour market, education and housing. For the first time, it will also include data on armed forces veterans, sexual orientation and trans status or history.

The information published from Scotland’s Census will help to shape Scotland for future generations and is a vital asset for the whole of Scotland. I urge all members to engage with the data from Scotland’s Census 2022 and further explore the fascinating insight it provides on Scotland’s population.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21068 on 14 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

It is vital that Police Scotland continues to inspire public trust and maintains relationships with local communities. These principles are clearly set out in both the Scottish Government’s Strategic Police Priorities and in the Police Scotland/Scottish Police Authority Joint Strategy for Policing . While the decision to conduct a pilot is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, it will be crucial when the results of this pilot are examined, to confirm that local priorities continue to be met with no detriment to communities.

Officers in the North East are not stopping the investigation of minor crimes. Members of the public should continue to report all crimes. Police Scotland has stated that, as part of the pilot, on occasions where crimes are reported without an associated threat, harm, risk or vulnerability and there are no proportionate lines of enquiry, staff will inform the caller that their report has been filed and supply a crime reference number but no further action will be taken. Should thereafter any evidence become available that open up a line of enquiry the incident will be appropriately investigated. Police Scotland has stated that the new approach will ensure that individuals receive faster updates on their incident reports.

Policing remains a priority for the Scottish Government. Despite financial challenges due to UK Government austerity, we have increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17, investing more than £11.6 billion since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013.

The Scottish Government does not routinely gather or centrally hold information on the total number and value of contracts awarded by non-ministerial offices to consulting companies. As non-ministerial offices have a degree of independence from central government information of this nature will be held more locally and can be attained by approaching the bodies directly.