Chamber and committees

The 16 August 2023 launch date of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme launch date was informed by a five month assessment process. This accounted for the findings of the Gateway Review conducted in June 2021 independent advice, review of Circularity Scotland’s implementation plans, and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. This launch date was announced in Parliament on 14 December 2021.

Monitoring and analysis work will commence shortly after the launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). This work was originally scheduled to begin in early 2024.

Following the decision to move the scheme’s launch to 1 March 2024, this work will be rescheduled accordingly.

More than 670 producers responsible for more than 2 billion drinks containers have signed up with Circularity Scotland – this represents the full range of drink producers from global brands to small craft breweries and distilleries.

This means 95% of the annual total volume of products are included in scheme.

Producers must be registered by 12 January 2024 to guarantee that they will be able to sell scheme products when the scheme launches on 1 March. Those who register after this time will be able to sell scheme products when their registration is approved.

As set out in the DRS Regulations, SEPA will publish a register of all producers who are registered ahead of the scheme launching.

All producers, regardless of size, will be included in Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme from its launch on 1 March 2024. The Circular Economy Minister announced on 20 April 2023 a package of measures to simplify the scheme which will benefit businesses of all sizes but particularly small producers. All retailers which sell scheme articles will automatically be a return point but some businesses, particularly smaller retailers, may wish to apply for an exemption and can do so via Zero Waste Scotland.

Following on from BREXIT, the UK Governments decision not to be involved as an associated third country – i.e. on the same footing as EU Member States – has radically reduced the number of opportunities for Scottish students to benefit from the Erasmus+ cooperation projects and exchange in the areas of education, training, youth, and sport.

All projects selected under the Erasmus+ programme 2014-2020 will continue until their completion on the same basis under which they were selected. All four year projects funded in the 2020 cycle must be complete by the 30 of June 2024.

While a limited number of opportunities from 2021 onwards remain open to Scottish and EU students, simply because they are open to institutions or individuals from all over the world, this is ultimately an example of the UK Government's BREXIT decision limiting the richness and variety of experiences open to our students.

As set out in the answer to parliamentary question S6W-16999 on 2 May 2023, within the broad general education phase there is the opportunity to teach the topic of the British Empire within the people, past event and societies section of social studies, and in the senior phase, there is an opportunity to teach the topic of the British Empire within the History qualifications, for example through the ‘Migration and Empire’ and ‘Atlantic Slave Trade’ topics.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

There have been no recent discussions between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights with SafeDeposits Scotland regarding staffing levels and staff turnover. Officials engage with each of the approved schemes on a regular basis as part of monitoring compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and discuss a range of matters. Measures being taken by SafeDeposits Scotland in relation to customer response times following the introduction of a new IT system in July 2022 was a part of recent engagement.

Police Scotland is reviewing the project’s timings as part of their wider planning for 2023/24 and beyond.

My predecessor met with the Assistant Chief Constable on 9 February on this matter, and whilst all those involved with delivering the National Dashcam Safety Portal remain committed to implementing this important safety initiative, I have asked my officials for an urgent update from Police Scotland on this matter.

The Scottish Government’s position on the Supreme Court judgment was set out to the Scottish Parliament on 23 November 2022. That position has not changed.

The Scottish Government is committed to building the case for a socially just, independent Scotland within the European Union, and giving the people of Scotland the information they need to make an informed choice about whether Scotland should become an independent country. This is in line with the mandate given by the people of Scotland at the 2021 election and the clear majority in the Scottish Parliament in favour of independence and an independence referendum. My appointment as the Minister for Independence reflects that priority.

Since 2013 the teaching of modern languages in schools has expanded considerably. Language learning is now normal in schools beginning at P1 and continuing throughout the Broad General Education (BGE). Prior to the introduction of the 1+2 approach, learning modern languages did not normally commence until later into primary schooling.

We have supported this expansion by providing funding of over £50million to partners and local authorities since 2013. This funding has been used to help upskill the workforce by providing teachers with training in language learning and teaching. It has also been used to promote language learning to learners, families and communities.