Chamber and committees

The R number is calculated for Scotland and we publish it on a weekly basis. The R number is not calculated for smaller areas such as Scottish local authorities as the ranges around the estimates would be very large and it would not allow us to understand the differences between different areas of Scotland. We are looking at other means of monitoring and forecasting the levels of COVID-19 infection in local authority areas.

We are building surveillance systems to ensure that, not only at a national level but at a local level, we can monitor and, where possible, predict what happens with the virus in the weeks and months to come.

We have a range of powers under the Coronavirus Act 2020 that would allow us to take appropriate and proportionate actions as might be necessary.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29039 on 2 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Health Protection Scotland are conducting surveillance swab testing in the community for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms. Testing commenced on 27 April and results are available a week later by HPS report for internal planning and surveillance purposes. Details of this can be found at: https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/enhanced-
surveillance-of-coronavirus-covid-19/ .

A pilot project for the current community surveillance ran for two weeks (weeks beginning 13 th April and 20 th April) before the surveillance testing was rolled out across Scotland from 27 th April. This pilot ran in NHS Fife only in order to ensure the process was efficient prior to wider use.

The Scottish Government was sent a copy of the decision paper prior to publication and noted its contents.

Ministerial Objectives set the strategic priorities for the regulatory period and require Scottish Water to maintain, and where possible improve, levels of service to customers. Scottish Water identifies the level of expenditure and investment required to achieve those objectives. The Commission determines maximum charges for the period based on its assessment of Scottish Water’s analysis.

In 2018 the Scottish Government participated in the OECD pilot project to identify best practice for each of the OECD Water Governance Principles, and to develop water governance indicators to assess progress. The results of this project were published in “Implementing the OECD Principles on Water Governance: Indicator Framework and Evolving Practices”. The Pilot project highlighted the Scottish framework as an exemplar of good practice and identified a small number of areas of improvement to further strengthen Scotland’s water governance.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30032 on 2 July 2020. Key papers and minutes are available on the Commission’s website at https://www.watercommission.co.uk/view_Publications_Main.aspx .

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

As set out in the Scottish Budget for 2020-21, the Scottish Government has made provision to lend £215 million in this financial year.

The Scottish Government welcomes Scottish Water’s adoption of the principles of Ethical Business Practice and expects it to engage as widely as possible with customers, communities and water industry organisations.

This is a matter for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.