Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14364 on 9 February 2023. 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

In 2021, the Scottish Diabetes Group commissioned a short life working group to produce recommendations on mental health screening and pathways for people living with diabetes. They published their recommendations in February 2022 and the Scottish Diabetes Group continues to work with clinicians, NHS Boards and wider Mental Health policy teams to determine the best routes of implementation.

Mental health and wellbeing awareness for health professionals will also form part of the ‘Once for Scotland’ Diabetes Education Pathways, which are currently being developed by a short life working group formed through the Scottish Diabetes Education Advisory Group (SDEAG).

The information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Government committed in this year’s Programme for Government to consult in the coming year on our proposals for the Heat in Buildings Bill. This consultation will include details on how we plan to phase in a minimum energy efficiency standard across Scotland housing stock, including details on trigger points such as point of sale.

The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising Scotland’s historic buildings, while recognising the special characteristics of our buildings and places. As set out in our Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government is working with Historic Environment Scotland to consider what specific support may be needed to decarbonise the heat supply of buildings designated as listed, or in conservation areas.

We offer a broad range of advice and support for householders and buildings to make their buildings more energy efficient, which includes those in conservation areas. This package of support will evolve over the course of the decade to meet the scale of change required and align with any regulations we introduce.

We would advise any household with questions about energy efficiency to contact Home Energy Scotland (HES) in the first instance. HES can be contacted on 0808 808 2282 or via their online portal: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/

Historic Environment Scotland also provides information about adapting and repairing traditional buildings to reduce emissions and improve their energy efficiency.

As part of the Scottish Diabetes Group, we have a Type 1 Sub-Group, focussing on improving care for people with Type 1 diabetes. The group has been focused on strategies for prevention of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and improving access to technology.

We are currently working with the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) on a project which would support the roll-out of diabetes technologies across Scotland. There is now robust evidence on the benefits of Closed Loop Systems on glycaemic control for individuals with Type One Diabetes, and this will be one of the first innovations to be considered for the ANIA pathway

The Scottish Diabetes Education Advisory Group (SDEAG) has established a short life working group which is currently developing a ‘Once for Scotland’ education pathway to ensure that everyone diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is able to access appropriate and timely education.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14415 on 9 February 2023. 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 have commissioned an urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes. Zero Waste Scotland will lead on the review, which will examine available evidence and consider potential options to tackle the issue, including the potential for single use vapes to be subject to a deposit return mechanism.

We will consider the evidence and expert advice and bring forward policy options in due course.

I have commissioned an urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes. Zero Waste Scotland will lead on the review, which will examine available evidence and consider potential options to tackle the issue.

The review will consider of a range of approaches, including options to enhance the safe recycling of disposed products and device components, such as lithium batteries.

We will consider the evidence and expert advice and bring forward policy options in due course.

The Scottish Government along with the Scottish Funding Council work with and engage on an ongoing basis with a range of stakeholders including Universities Scotland and individual institutions, to monitor and secure the long term sustainability of the sector as a whole and ensure that Scottish Universities continue to deliver world class education. These issues were discussed at a recent meeting between myself and Universities Scotland. As part of that discussion, it was recognised that as autonomous institutions Scottish universities are responsible for managing their long term institutional stability as operated through their own entry requirements, admissions policies and budgets. It was also agreed that it was vital to explore further the impact of the UK Government’s policy on immigration on Scottish Universities’ international student recruitment.