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The proportion of schools reported as being in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 91.7% (90.9% in 2023). This is 29 percentage points higher than in April 2007 (62.7%).

The proportion of pupils educated in schools in poor or bad condition has decreased from 8.5% of all pupils (around 60,000) last year to 8.0% (around 56,000) this year. This represents a drop from 37.6% of all pupils (around 257,000) in 2007.

Since 2007-08, 1,139 school builds or substantial refurbishment projects have been completed.

A) Proportion of pupils being educated in schools with a good condition rating in each Local Authority

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 make it an offence for a person who, in the course of a business, supplies, offers to supply, or has in their possession for supply any of the products listed below:

• single-use expanded polystyrene beverage containers
• single-use expanded polystyrene beverage cups
• single-use expanded polystyrene food containers
• single-use plastic beverage stirrers
• single-use plastic cutlery
• single-use plastic plates
• single-use plastic balloon stick (unless supplied for attaching to balloons for industrial or other professional uses and applications that are only distributed to persons acting in the course of a business),
• single-use plastic straw (if supplying to an end-user, subject to exemptions)

Estimated figures for the amount of these products placed on the market in Scotland before the Regulations came into force were included in the Environmental Report for the Single-use Plastic Products Regulations, published on the Scottish Government’s website . And were included in the answer to S6W-04456 on 29 November 2021.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government is actively engaging with the other UK nations to explore opportunities to update and strengthen the current battery recycling regulations. This collaborative approach ensures that any future measures are both effective and consistent across the UK, providing a clear and efficient framework for businesses and consumers alike. We recognise the importance of working together to improve public awareness, enhance recycling infrastructure, and address the environmental risks associated with improper battery disposal.

The current regulatory framework, the UK Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, has been instrumental in establishing recycling systems over the past decade. However, with the increasing use of batteries in consumer electronics and emerging technologies, we are keen to modernise these regulations to better address current challenges and future demands. As part of this, we are considering a range of policies to improve battery recycling rates and reduce environmental harm, including a potential deposit return scheme for batteries and battery-containing products. While such a scheme could bring significant benefits, we recognise the need to address practical and logistical challenges to ensure its feasibility and effectiveness.

Before implementing any new measures, we are currently looking into drafting a consultation with the other UK nations. This will provide an important opportunity for stakeholders, including businesses and the public, to contribute their views and consider the options for improving battery disposal and recycling practices.

We continue to explore a wide range of measures to support sustainable solutions, including encouraging innovation in recycling technologies, enhancing public awareness initiatives to promote responsible recycling behaviour, and working with manufacturers and retailers to improve collection and disposal systems. These efforts are aligned with Scotland’s broader environmental priorities, including the transition to a circular economy and achieving net-zero emissions.

Through collaboration, innovation, and public engagement, the Scottish Government remains dedicated to addressing battery disposal challenges and delivering effective, sustainable solutions for Scotland’s communities and environment.

Funding provided by the Scottish Government (Chief Scientist Office) for research falls into three broad areas of activity, i.e. research studies, capacity building and supporting infrastructure.

The specific amounts provided by condition are set out below although it should be noted that research studies (funded by non-commercial and third sector organisations) would also have benefited from the provision of service support costs and other generic resources which are not routinely recorded by condition.

Research Grants

The Chief Scientist Office supports response mode grant committees and a small catalytic grants scheme (2016-19). The committees which comprise independent experts as well as public representatives consider applications across broad research remits to address health and care challenges in Scotland. Applications are subject to independent expert peer-review with funding recommendations made by the committees. It should be noted that (1) funding rounds were significantly impacted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic which saw a significant research response and (2) for 2024 to date only one of the two funding rounds has been completed.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Announcements of ministerial appointments to all public bodies, including NHS boards, since 2020 can be found on the Scottish Government website at . Each announcement includes a declaration of any political activity within the five years preceding appointment.

This information is not available for appointments prior to 2020 and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Scottish Government regularly reviews the Scottish Ambulance Service - Special Operations Response Team (SORT) arrangements as part of an agreed Service Level Agreement. This ensures delivery of SORT capabilities are maintained across Scotland.

The Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 requires that Scottish Ministers publish a circular economy strategy and make regulations to set circular economy targets.

The development of the circular economy strategy and associated monitoring and indicator framework will be developed between now and March 2026. A consultation for both is planned for summer 2025 with development of targets to follow their publication. This will include, for example, consideration of material-specific targets as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.

We work closely with industry and other stakeholders, directly and through Zero Waste Scotland, to understand and consider new approaches and technologies as they develop. These will be taken into account when developing the Circular Economy Strategy.

The total number of NHS patients that have been treated in private (independent) hospitals in each of the last five financial years and reported to PHS is presented in the following table.

In my response to question S6W-30360 on 9 October 2024 I said “funding has enabled a concentrated effort to eradicate the last remaining isolated population of grey squirrels in the North East of Scotland.”

I should clarify that the last remaining, isolated population of grey squirrels in the North East of Scotland is found in the City of Aberdeen.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers