Chamber and committees

The following information has been provided by the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) (OPG). The number of power of attorney submissions received by the OPG via electronic power of attorney registrations (EPOAR) and by post from 2018-19 to 2020-22. Full-year information is not yet available for 2022-23.

Applications for additional providers to join the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment (AVE) Scheme opened on 16 January 2023 and closed on the 24 February 2023.

We will make a further announcement about the outcome of this current accreditation process in due course.

There will be further opportunities for alternative suppliers to join the Scheme at regular intervals, and we will work with any potential applicant to help them understand our requirements, as well as how to obtain accreditation.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.

The National Concessionary Travel Schemes are delivered on both Young Scot-branded and non-Young Scot-branded National Entitlement Cards (NEC).

Children aged 5-11 are able to access the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme (YPTS) using a photoless NEC. Young people aged 11-21 can choose to access the YPTS with either a Young Scot NEC or non-Young Scot branded photo NEC. Information on the types of NECs available to access YPTS is available at freebus.scot .

Young people in the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Disabled Persons aged 11-25 can choose to access the scheme through either a Young-Scot branded or non-branded NEC.

Non-concessionary travel benefits of the Young Scot NEC are the responsibility of Young Scot who determine the age at which this is available.

In Autumn 2022, Transport Scotland launched a national marketing campaign to increase awareness and understanding of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme.

Analysis of the campaign was completed in February 2023 and showed that over 97% of the adult population in Scotland, and 94% of 13-18 year olds, would have seen or heard the campaign at least three times.

The evaluation also showed that the campaign helped to improve opinions of bus and increase bus use. Over half of those who responded to the post campaign survey said their opinion of bus travel improved as a result of the campaign. 91% of the young people who responded, and had already joined the scheme, said they were using bus more.

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.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places statutory responsibility for local roads, including the procedure for reporting road defects/damage on local authorities. As such it is the responsibility of the local authority to determine how best to meet its duties on local roads in their respective areas, including how the public report issues, and no formal guidance is issued on this matter.

SCOTS (the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) – www.scotsnet.org , are responsible for implementing new materials and best practice on local road maintenance.

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining alignment, where possible, with developing EU standards, including those set out by the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Last year, Scotland became the first part of the UK to implement a ban on some of the most problematic single-use plastic products through the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. This legislation delivered Article 5 of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive.

The Scottish Government is going further than these Regulations to deal with the problem of single-use plastics. For example, last year we announced plans to introduce a mandatory charge on single-use cups by 2025. This commitment aligns with Article 4 of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive.

At present, the Scottish Government has not set a timetable for the implementation of Article 6 requirements. Any proposed Scottish Government action in this area will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation. We are already taking concrete action, including by implementing a deposit return scheme and a reformed extended producer responsibility scheme for plastic packaging. With specific reference to Article 6, from 2025 drinks producers will be required to meet a 90% collection target of all in-scope drinks containers (plastic, glass, and metal).

The Scottish Government has surpassed its commitment to ensure every extra penny it receives from the UK Government is spent on health and social care. This means an extra £1 billion will be available to improve front line services and help fund the NHS pay deal for 2022-23. Scottish Government continues to keep the management of the 2022-23 budget under close and constant review, however, we do not anticipate further consequential funds from UK Government this financial year.