Chamber and committees

Scotland is leading the way on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with more EV chargers per capita than the rest of the UK. The latest figures showing that Scottish electric vehicle drivers benefit from 60 public charge points per 100,000 population. This compares to the UK as a whole at 45.2, England 53, Wales 34.9 and Northern Ireland at 18.4 charge points per 100,000 population.

A) Scottish Government only holds information on charge points registered on the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network, we do not hold charge point information for the wider public charging network run by commercial operators. The total number of publicly available charge points registered on the CPS network broken down by Local Authority area in the Highlands and Islands region is shown below. These charge points are owned by councils, other public bodies, charities and businesses who received grant funding from the Scottish Government.

This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. As independent organisations, individual Rape Crisis Centres manage and monitor their own waiting lists and will hold up-to-date information of waiting times.

The Scottish Government constantly reviews its policies to provide an open and transparent government approach to how its information is managed. We are committed to being open and transparent as set out in The Open Government Action Plan and on the Scottish Government website.

We allow the installation of mobile messaging applications on business mobile devices to support the business of the Scottish Government. Installation of such applications is covered by the Scottish Government's IT Code of Conduct and Mobile Services Employee Agreement.

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining complete and comprehensive records of key conversations and decisions in line with the Scottish Government Corporate Records Management Policy.

The service continuity plan for the Ardrossan-Brodick/Campbeltown route is currently being developed by CalMac which will include a revised temporary ferry timetable between Troon and Brodick and a shuttle bus service between Troon Harbour, Troon Rail Station and Ardrossan. Timetable options were shared with the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee and wider communities as part of a public consultation exercise undertaken in August and September 2022. CalMac are reviewing the feedback with a report expected to be published in the coming weeks. The revised temporary Troon timetable is expected to be finalised in the new year, to ensure continuity of service for passengers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12989 on 22 December 2022, it is the responsibility of the wind farm operator to properly maintain their wind turbines, in accordance with their planning permission and any conditions imposed. The Scottish Government is not responsible for taking action in this area.

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 .

This information is not held centrally and is a matter for the Care Inspectorate.

The Scottish Government lead a number of working groups that fall under the remit of transport. The groups are appointed to study and report on a particular question or make recommendations based on its findings hence the longevity of each group will vary. The following non-exhaustive list includes currently active transport groups managed by the Scottish Government, but it does not include all of the transport groups that we engage with.

National Transport Strategy Delivery Board

National Transport Strategy Business Group

Analysis of Demand Management Options Steering Group

Transport Governance and Collaboration Working Group

Forth Bridges Forum

LEZ Leadership Group

LEZ Communications Group

LEZ Consistency Group

LEZ Enforcement Group

Queensferry Crossing Ice Accretion Working Group

Queensferry Crossing Ice Accretion Peer Review Group

A83 Taskforce Group

A9 Road Safety Group

Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board

Road Safety Operational Partnership Group

Motorcycle safety group

Three Local Partnership Forums for Road Safety across Scotland (east, west and north)

Road Safety Scotland Learning Advisory Group

Road Safety Scotland Publicity Advisory Group

The Parking Standards Advisory Group

The Traffic Regulation Order Review Group

Scottish Road Research Board

National strategy for 20mph Working Group

Road Traffic Fatality Working Group

Transport Scotland Pavement Forum

Scottish Traffic Signs Working Group

Roads for All forum

Vulnerable Locations Operations Group

Zero Emission Truck Taskforce

Bus Taskforce:

• Driver Shortage subgroup
• Patronage Growth subgroup
• Community Engagement subgroup

Mobility as a Service Working Group

Operator Smart Steering Group

Active Travel Delivery Partners’ Data, Monitoring and Evaluation Group

Accessible Travel Steering Group

Accessible Travel Framework Impact Evaluation Project Working Group

Scottish Freight and Logistics Advisory Group (ScotFLAG)

Ardrossan Task Force

Edinburgh Waverley Station Masterplan Steering Group

Edinburgh Waverley Station Masterplan Working Group

Perth Station Masterplan Steering Group

Perth Station Masterplan Working Group

Inverness Station Masterplan Steering Group

Inverness Station Masterplan Working Group

Sustainable Travel to Station Steering Group

Sustainable Travel to Station Working Group

The Aberdeen to Central Belt Key Stakeholder Group

The Scottish Government works with a variety of stakeholders, who support and shape work on the just transition, net zero and energy. The input from our stakeholders is invaluable and plays a vital role in helping deliver a just energy transition to net zero.

The number and makeup of these working groups varies in line with government priorities. Examples of working groups which fall under the remit of just transition, net zero or energy include:

• The Scottish Energy Advisory Board (SEAB)
• The Scottish Energy Networks Strategic Leadership Group
• The Renewable Energy Strategic Leadership Group
• Energy Consumers Commission
• Just Transition Commission
  

We remain committed to the expansion of universal free school meals in primary schools. In the Scottish budget for 2023-24, we announced additional investment of £16 million in revenue funding and £80 million in capital funding for free school meal expansion. This will continue to fund the next phase of our expansion, which will be targeted to Primary 6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, helping children most in need first. This will be the next step in fulfilling our commitment to universal provision of free school meals in primary schools.

There are currently a number of Scottish Government working groups that fall under the remit of Net Zero, Energy and Transport. A list of relevant groups has been provided below, set against the remit headings provided.

a)Climate Change

• Peatland Science and Technical Advisory Group (Peatland STAG)
• Analysis of Demand Management Options Steering Group
• National strategy for 20mph Working Group
• Zero Emission Truck Taskforce
• Private Water Supply Working Group
• Soils Working Group
• Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Advisory Group
• Scottish Forestry Customer Reps Group (CRG)
• Scottish Forestry CRG Tree on Farms sub group
• Scottish Forestry CRG Technical sub group
• Scottish Forestry National Stakeholder Group
• Scottish Blue Carbon Forum

b)Environment

• Contaminated Land Advisory Group
• Scottish Noise Mapping Stakeholder Group
• Cleaner Air for Scotland 2:

1. Ministerial Group

2. Delivery Group

3. Public engagement working group

4. Health working group

5. Agriculture and Environment working group

6. Domestic (household) emissions working group

7. Placemaking working group

• Air Quality - LAQM/CAA Review Group
• Zero Emission Truck Taskforce
• Scottish Forestry Phytopthora ramorum review working group
• Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group

c) Land Reform

• The Land Reform Bill Oversight Group

d) Green Skills

• Transport Sector Skills & CESAP Transport Policy Working Group
• Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group

o Education subgroup

o Travel subgroup

o Heat in Buildings subgroup

e) Circular Economy

• Single Use Cups Charge Advisory Group
• Waste Data Strategy Board
• National Flytipping Forum
• Zero Waste & Circular Economy Programme Board
• Food Waste Reduction Programme Board,
• Recycling Improvement Fund Programme Board
• Waste & Resources Sector Forum
• Joint Scottish Government/Local Government Strategic Steering Group on Circular Economy & Waste
• Biodegradable Municipal Waste Landfill Programme Board
• Deposit Return Scheme System Wide Assurance Group
• Deposit Return Scheme Executive Oversight Group
• Deposit Return Scheme Communications and Engagement Group

f) Biodiversity

• Science Advisory Group for Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
• Raptors & Forestry Joint Working Group
• Black Grouse Working Group
• Capercaillie Working Group