Chamber and committees

The number of registered businesses in Scotland in 2022 was 175,175, which was down 1.1 per cent on 2021, but was 1,180 higher than in 2016. Registered businesses account for less than half the total number of businesses: the overall number of businesses (360,910) increased over the latest year and is now the second highest since the series began in 2000. The number of large firms in Scotland (employing 250 and above employees) has been affected by declines in sectors that have been most impacted by the pandemic and the cost crisis. However, employment in private businesses is estimated to have grown to quarter 3 2022 and is close to the highest in this series (beginning 1999), contributing to current high employment rates. For example, the latest Labour Force Survey estimates for Oct to Dec 2022 show the highest overall employment rate (76.6%) since records began in 1992.

As the member will know, rail accessibility is reserved to the UK Government. However, my officials are in regular dialogue with the Department for Transport on matters of rail accessibility.

Nominations seeking Access for All funding for Control Period 7 (2024-2029) were submitted to the Department for Transport in time for the 16 September 2022 deadline. The Department for Transport is anticipated to announce successful nominations in Spring 2023.

Decisions relating to the operational delivery of the qualifications, including appeals, are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

While alternative approaches were adopted in 2020, 2021 and 2022, these were temporary, emergency measures in response to the pandemic and the specific circumstances in each of those years.

SQA arrived at the appeals approach for 2023 based on an extensive evaluation of the 2022 arrangements and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including parents and learners.

Alternative evidence will be considered if a learner is unable to attend their exam, for example through illness or bereavement or whose performance in the examination may have been affected by personal circumstances, through the Exam Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service.

The Scottish Government has published the report on COP27 outcomes, achievements and costs. The publication is available here: COP27: outcomes, achievements and costs - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

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 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.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with Circularity Scotland at Ministerial and official levels.

If businesses have any concerns or questions regarding DRS, they should contact Circularity Scotland in the first instance. They can do this via their website or their dedicated helpline.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The release of non-native common pheasant and red-legged partridge for shooting purposes is permitted under Section 14 (2A) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There is no statutory requirement under this legislation (or any other) requiring those releasing non-native gamebirds to submit records of release sites.

To support organisations and communities who wish to purchase a defibrillator, Scottish Government published a guide in 2018 providing advice on purchasing and installing a public access defibrillator. This can be found at the following link: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: guide to public access defibrillators - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The guide includes information on organisations who operate subsidised schemes for the purchase of publicly accessible defibrillators. The British Heart Foundation is one of these organisations, they provide part funded defibrillators for communities alongside free ReVivr CPR training. More information on the BHF scheme can be found at the following link: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators/apply-for-a-public-access-defibrillator

St John's Scotland also operate a community defibrillator scheme Public Access Community Defibrillators | St John Scotland

Scottish Ambulance Service can also provide advice and support around defibrillator purchase ( Automated External Defibrillators (scottishambulance.com) )

The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing information of public transport to improve, awareness, accessibility and support modal shift. That is why the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 includes provisions to set regulations with regards to the sharing of bus service information. Legislation is one part of the solution and we are progressing options which will inform the development of regulations and speed up enhancing information provision, recognising the technological advancements and operators positive participation. For example, we are procuring the next generation digital travel data services that sit behind Traveline Scotland and other journey planner providers, which will support enhanced data on fares, real-time information, accessibility and emissions. We are engaging with our counterparts in the Department for Transport and Welsh Government with regards to their Bus Open Data Regulatory activity, to ensure compatibility and avoid duplication or burden for those operators delivering both sides of the border.