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The South West trunk road operating company (AMEY) undertakes a range of maintenance inspections on the approaches to the M8 Kingston Bridge. These include weekly driven inspections and 3 monthly safety inspections of the approaches (including all joints), with the half-joints monitored separately on a 3-monthly basis. Depending on the findings, more extensive investigations and testing of the joints may be undertaken.

Between 2018 and 2023, 113 expansion joints were replaced within the Kingston Bridge complex including the approaches. A further 15 expansion joints are programmed for replacement within the 2023/24 financial year.

This programme of work addressed defects from previous inspections, as replacement of the expansion joints above the half-joints removes water leakage from the area, protecting the half-joints.

We will continue to monitor the half-joints on a 3-monthly basis, undertaking any further maintenance works as required.

Motability Operations have reported to the Scottish Government that 62,537 people in Scotland have received a £350 payment which is an early payment of the ‘Good Condition Payment’. This would normally be paid at the end of a person’s lease if they return their vehicle in good condition, but Motability have paid this to clients early to support disabled people during the cost-of-living crisis. Motability have told the Scottish Government that this payment was made in October and November 2022.

Motability Operations have also advised that they have paid a ‘New Vehicle Payment’ designed to help disabled people pay any advanced payment needed for accessible vehicles or equipment. 17,420 eligible people who have leased vehicles with Motability have received £250 each and 685 individuals who have leased powered wheelchairs or scooters have received £100 each. This payment will increase from £250 to £750 at the end of February for vehicles. There is a top up payment of £500 to be made from 28 February 2023. Thereafter any person ordering a new vehicle over the next two years will receive a £750 payment.

Motability Operations have informed us that they have added 10,000 Electric Vehicles (EVs) and 22,000 hybrid vehicles to their fleet, representing 21% of new vehicles joining the fleet. Alternatively fuelled vehicles now represent approximately 13% of the current fleet, having increased year on year since 2019. Motability Operations is investing £300m over the next three years to support customers with the transition to EVs. Further information on this can be found in Motability Operations annual report at: https://www.motabilityoperations.co.uk/Annual_Report_2022.pdf.

We expect the Fair Fares Review to be published by Summer 2023, this will include the launch of a public consultation on our Draft Vision for Public Transport and an Action Plan setting our priorities for the future of public transport. The consultation will give people across the country the opportunity to shape the future of public transport in Scotland.

As I highlighted in my answer of S6W-14847 on 6 March 2023, bus services operate in an open de-regulated market, decisions about the incorporation of towns on service routes to major cities is a matter solely for the bus companies and local authorities. However, given the importance of bus services in rural areas, I strongly encourage operators and local authorities to work together to ensure that connectivity is protected and maintained.

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

Most bus services across Scotland operate in an open de-regulated market and have done so since the 1980s. Scottish Ministers do not have the power to intervene directly in the provision of local services. This is solely a matter for individual bus operators who use their own commercial judgement on service routes, frequencies, and vehicle types. However, where there is a social need for bus services which are not provided commercially, local authorities, such as Dumfries & Galloway or Scottish Borders Councils can subsidise these at their discretion.

The Scottish Government is committed, in partnership with operators and local authorities, to looking at ways of ensuring that everyone has accessible public transport regardless of where they live. We have established a taskforce with stakeholders from across the bus sector and local government to explore what practical solutions we can deliver to help improve bus services across the country.

As the Regulator for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for enforcing the scheme. SEPA has agreed that, where there are clearly evidenced operational challenges, they will take a proportionate approach to compliance. They have committed to providing advice and guidance as the preferred route to achieving compliance for businesses who are striving to meet their obligations.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. As the area in question, is local authority owned, we would advise Mr Sweeney to contact Glasgow City Council for further information.

The Department for Work and Pensions have not contacted the Scottish Government in relation to the decision they have taken to close their Radnor House site in Clydebank.

Transport Scotland currently has no plans to abolish return fares on ScotRail passenger services.

The Scottish Government recommends the Eatwell Guide as the main UK consumer facing resource which shows the types and proportions of foods and drinks that are required for a healthy balanced diet and reflects a translation of the population level dietary goals for Scotland.

The Eatwell Guide illustrates that animal-based products, such as meat and dairy, can be included as part of a healthy balanced diet, but in much smaller proportions than that of plant based foods. The sustainability of the Eatwell Guide was assessed by the Carbon trust and they concluded that moving from our current diet towards the Eatwell Guide would be a more sustainable way of eating, with a 32% lower environmental footprint than our current diet.

Within the context of the Eatwell Guide , sector-specific guidance that considers nutrition and sustainable food provision is also in place for (a) schools, (b) hospitals and (c) nursing homes, as follows:

Schools

All food and drink served in schools must comply with the school food and drink Regulations. The associated Healthy Eating in Schools guidance supports provision of a balanced and nutritious diet which includes plant based foods such as fruit and vegetables alongside a wide range of other food and drinks rich in a variety of key nutrients.

Hospitals

Food provision in NHS Scotland must be compliant with the Healthcare Improvement Scotland Food Fluid and Nutritional care standards as well as the Food in Hospitals: National Catering and Nutrition Specification - both of which have a robust evidence base. Food in Hospitals recognises that meat free options can be valuable and can contribute to overall menu content however the menu structure outlined within Food in Hospitals must recognise the differing needs of those are nutritionally well and those who are nutritionally vulnerable and as such, menus for patients must be sufficiently varied to ensure that the needs of both those groups are met.

Care homes

While there is no specific guidance around plant-based foods for care homes, the Health and Social Care Standards , which all social care services must adhere to, include standards on food and nutrition, emphasising the importance of healthy meals and snacks.

To support care homes in meeting people’s food and fluid needs, the Care Inspectorate has produced a guide for older people and adult care homes - Eating and drinking well in care: good practice guidance for older people .

In addition, My Health, My Care, My Home - healthcare framework for adults living in care homes - provides a series of recommendations aiming to transform the healthcare for people living in care homes, and include a recommendation that “Religious and philosophical beliefs in relation to food and diet should be enquired about and catered for.”