Chamber and committees

SEPA has committed to increasing the number of samples of PFAS collected in 2026 to 500 which is fully funded through SEPA’s existing Grant in Aid arrangements. SEPA has stated that outcomes from its 2025 Water Quality Monitoring Report will be used to inform this extended programme of monitoring and investigation where necessary at specific sites.

The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the changes that the EU recently made to its list of Priority Substances for the Water Framework Directive, which includes the introduction of an environmental quality standard for 25 PFAS.

SEPA’s findings relate to the presence of PFAS in the wider water environment rather than compliance with drinking water standards, and no detections exceeded applicable environmental or groundwater standards. Similarly, the recent EU measures referenced concern environmental and groundwater standards rather than changes to drinking water standards. While the UK Government has committed to consulting on the introduction of a statutory limit for PFAS in public drinking water supplies in England, it has not yet published proposed limits or compounds that may be covered.

The Scottish Government's investment in homelessness prevention and alcohol and drug services is supporting earlier intervention, improved partnership working and more person-centred support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

When they are brought into force, the new homelessness prevention duties in Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act will require relevant bodies, which include health boards, to identify people at risk of homelessness and take action to help prevent it, creating a collective responsibility across public services to provide earlier and more joined-up support.

Decisions on local service provision, including arrangements for evening and weekend support, are the responsibility of NHS boards, health and social care partnerships and local authorities.

In most parts of Scotland, alcohol and drug services are delivered through integrated arrangements. Our Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan highlights the importance of services working together to meet the wider needs of individuals, including mental health, housing and other forms of support.

Scotland's Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards provide a national framework for improving consistency and integration. In particular, MAT Standard 8 states that people should have access to advocacy and support for housing, welfare and income needs at the point of treatment.

While there is no national requirement for evening or weekend provision within alcohol and drug services, the MAT Standards emphasise timely access to treatment, proactive outreach to those at greatest risk, and reducing barriers to care.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01653 and S7W-02048 on 20 August 2026. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01653 and S7W-02048 on 20 August 2026. 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 Scottish Government recognises that successful deployment of further zero-emission buses requires appropriate depot infrastructure, sufficient grid capacity and vehicle charging infrastructure. Funding through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) has supported the deployment of charging infrastructure at bus depots across Scotland to establish the foundations of a wider heavy-duty vehicle charging network. As a result of Scottish Government investment, Scotland has the highest proportion of zero emission buses of any UK nation, according to the most recent data.

The Scottish Government has established a Strategic Transport Electrification Group (STEG) to bring together electricity network operators, the National Energy System Operator and Scottish Futures Trust to support sharing of information and planning so that the energy network is in a position to respond to the changing energy demand from transport. This provides a forum for discussion of future transport energy requirements, including those associated with bus fleet decarbonisation. Bus operators are encouraged to engage directly with network operators at an early stage to ensure depot electricity connections can be secured in the required timescales

Manufacturers and supply chains have a key role to play in supporting the transition to zero-emission transport. The Scottish Government continues to examine opportunities for Scottish firms in vehicle manufacture, adaptation, charging infrastructure and associated engineering services. We continue to engage with manufacturers, operators and industry stakeholders to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the transition to zero-emission buses.

The Scottish Government has developed, with fleet managers, a public sector fleet decarbonisation Action Plan. This takes into consideration key factors such as whole life vehicle cost, access to infrastructure and operational requirements.

The Plan is based on most public-sector fleet vehicles decarbonising through battery electric technology, reflecting the advanced nature of this solution, whole-life costs and access to expanding charging infrastructure. The Plan also recommends Public Bodies to develop bespoke fleet decarbonisation strategies for their organisations, supporting development of operating models that ensure access to reliable infrastructure, meet operational requirements and mitigate risks. Alternative technologies, including hydrogen, may have a role, particularly for some heavier-duty or specialist applications. However, hydrogen vehicles and green hydrogen currently remain more expensive than battery electric alternatives, with limited refuelling infrastructure. Lessons from deployments, including Aberdeen's hydrogen buses, add to the evidence base to support a bespoke fleet decarbonisation by each local authority.

Transport Scotland holds a quarterly Strategic Transport Electrification Group with the two Scottish electricity network operators, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Scottish Futures Trust. This seeks to co-ordinate research and analysis and ensure the electricity networks are aware of the overall requirements for energy infrastructure to support decarbonised transport, as well as existing data to inform business planning. Fleet operators should discuss specific future power requirements directly with electricity networks to secure appropriate connections in good time.

Transport Scotland has undertaken significant research to identify where charging will be required for zero emission road transport. This has been shared with the Scottish electricity network operators and NESO, as well as fleet infrastructure providers, trade bodies and commercial investors. The next iteration into charging requirements for zero emission heavy goods vehicles will be published in September, based on an substantially increased sample of vehicle data and incorporating an interactive tool to help infrastructure providers, fleet operators and others to make investment decisions. COSLA and Regional Transport Partnerships are aware of this work, the current version of which can be found at Towards Zero Emission HGV Infrastructure in Scotland: Phase 2 Report | Transport Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01681 on 10 August 2026. 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 Scottish Government was not consulted on the UK Government’s tax changes, despite the clear and significant implications for the devolved Accessible Vehicles and Equipment (AVE) Scheme in Scotland, under which Motability is the current provider.

I wrote to the UK Government in November 2025 upon becoming aware of potential tax changes, emphasising that they would cause significant concern and uncertainty for disabled people who rely on the AVE Scheme to remain mobile. The Scottish Government will continue to strongly urge the UK Government to abandon these changes and commit to ensuring that disabled people can access the support that meets their needs through the Scheme now and in the future.

As a result of our engagement Motability has committed to providing additional mileage, on top of its reduced standard allowance, to customers living in very rural and island communities in recognition of their having to drive further to access key services.

In addition, customers in any area who drive more than 3,000 miles each year for essential services above the 10,000 standard annual inclusive mileage will also be able to apply for support with the increased excess mileage charge.