Chamber and committees

Investment underpinning Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters Routemap does not specifically target the issue of pharmaceutical pollution. However, in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water is carrying out the Chemical Investigation Programme (CIP) Scotland which involves sampling for priority substances of emerging concern; pharmaceuticals are considered to be substances of emerging concern. The current phase of the programme involves a process optimisation trial at Wastewater Treatment Works that aims to help improve understanding of whether better treatment can be achieved at Scottish Water’s assets.

Scottish Water is also a member of the One Health Breakthrough Partnership (OHBP – www.ohbp.org ) which is funded by the Scottish Government and brings together key stakeholders across the water, environment, and healthcare sectors who are committed to addressing pharmaceutical pollution in the environment through source control. The partnership is looking to develop sustainable “up-stream” solutions to minimise pharmaceuticals entering wastewater and surface water, and reduce the environmental impact of our healthcare practices.

The following table shows the amount of tuition fees paid out by the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) in cash and real terms (in 2021-22 prices) since 2007-08.

In addition to providing free tuition through SAAS, the Scottish Government also provides a block teaching grant to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to support universities provide free tuition. Information on the teaching grant, including the allocation amount for AY 2022-23, can be found on SFC’s website.

Source: SG analysis of SAAS and HM Treasury data

Notes: Real terms figures are presented in 2021-22 prices, based on HM Treasury's GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP March 2023 (Quarterly National Accounts) series, published 3 April 2023.

Planning with People Community engagement and participation guidance contains guidance on major service change to NHS services. An updated version of Planning with People: community engagement and participation guidance was published on 21 April 2023 following consultation with service users and service providers in 2022. The findings of these consultations are included in Annex A of Planning with People. The decision-making process for NHS major service change as set out in this document is unchanged from previous guidance.

This guidance is also supported by documents published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland – Community Engagement, including the Quality Framework for Community Engagement and Participation .

The Scottish Government welcomes the recent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) report on handheld remote-controlled training devices (e-collars).

We will consider all their findings carefully as part of our ongoing commitment to improve and enhance animal welfare.

The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR) introduced a comprehensive control regime for abstractions which allows the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), on behalf of the Scottish Government, to manage water resources across Scotland. Under CAR, SEPA is provided with a three-level abstraction authorisation process: General Binding Rules (GBRs); Registrations; and Licences.

GBRs represent a set of mandatory rules which cover specific low risk activities. Activities complying with these rules do not require an application to be made to SEPA, as compliance with a GBR is considered to be compliance with an authorisation. Abstraction activities which do not comply with any relevant GBR must obtain authorisation from SEPA in the form of a Registration or water use Licence to abstract water.

All water users undertaking a controlled activity have a duty to take all reasonable steps to secure efficient and sustainable water use. During periods of prolonged dry weather, SEPA will review authorised abstraction volumes and, where necessary, SEPA have direction from Scottish Government to suspend specific abstraction authorisations using regulations under CAR. When suspensions are applied, abstractors are required to suspend their abstraction activities from Scotland’s water environment, including rivers and underground sources across Scotland and in sensitive habitats, to mitigate impacts the environment.

Further requirements for abstractors are set out by SEPA in their Water Scarcity Plan in conjunction with Scotland’s third River Basin Management Plan 2021 - 2027.

Tables 1 and 2 reflect the relevant bursaries and grants since 1997-98 when consistent data recording started. The types of relevant bursaries and grants that were available each year varied. Bursaries and grants available to students depended on their circumstances as well as the type of course they were studying.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is the owner and operator of Glasgow Subway and they are responsible for decisions and funding for subway operations.

The Scottish Government is providing up to £246 million to SPT, towards the estimated total project cost of £287.5 million for the Subway modernisation programme, which includes: a smartcard ticketing system; new rolling stock and signalling; refurbished stations with improved accessibility.

Operation times are a decision for SPT and this is not a matter they have raised with the Scottish Government.

Transport Scotland officials have liaised with Argyll and Bute council and Police Scotland regarding the road safety performance of the A815.

As a Police investigation into a recent road traffic collision is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Argyll and Bute council are responsible for local roads in their council area. For any further information about road casualties on the council’s local roads please contact: Hugh.O'[email protected] or [email protected] who will be able to help you further.

Information on benefits administered by Social Security Scotland is routinely published as part of official statistics releases. Excel tables released as part of these publications include information on the value of payments issued for each benefit since launch, and provide financial year breakdowns of payments.

The latest statistics publication for each benefit can be found at: https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/about/statistics/social-security-scotland-statistics-publications .

While the Scottish Government does not currently have targets directly relating to soil health, I would refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17413 on 9 May 2023 which provides our current restoration target for peatland soils. The Scottish Government is committed to improving soil health, as shown by the programmes and strategies that contribute to wider soil health both directly and indirectly which contribute to our commitment to becoming a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. These include our Agriculture Reform Programme, Peatland Restoration Programme, the second Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, the draft Biodiversity Strategy, the Land Use Strategy and the National Planning Framework 4.

Soil health is important for the delivery of our Vision for Agriculture. Preparing for Sustainable Farming under the National Test Programme supports a range of measures including funding for farmers and crofters to undertake soil testing and personal development to improve nutrient planning and nutrient management which will help promote sustainable management of soils. We also support farmers, crofters and land managers with tools, skills, and knowledge to manage and improve their soils through a range of initiatives, for example: Farming for a Better Climate and its farmer-led soil regenerative agriculture network, Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund and the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme.

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