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The investments made to date from the Recycling Improvement Fund have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 32,104 tonnes each year.

With support from Zero Waste Scotland, local authorities submit estimated greenhouse gas emission reduction figures, where available, for each project as part of the Fund’s assessment process. These figures are regularly reviewed during project implementation as part of the Fund’s monitoring processes, and as a result there may be variation in these figures as individual projects progress.

The Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), ‘Batteries Are Better Recycled’ campaign ran in late February and early March 2021. The original campaign cost £7777.87, and reached just under 340,000 people through print and online, and around 192,500 people through social media. Analysis showed the campaign reached people in 15 out of 32 Scottish local authority areas.

Zero Waste Scotland expanded the campaign’s messaging in the first half of 2022 to include an additional focus on the fire hazards associated with incorrect disposal of batteries, for use by local authorities. This additional campaign material cost £3438.60, and was well-received by local authority partners.

No data is held on the campaign’s direct impact on battery recycling rates. As part of evaluation for campaigns, media coverage, social media tone and sentiment, use of campaign assets and toolkits, and qualitative feedback from key stakeholders and partners, including local authorities, are all routinely reviewed to assess campaign impact and uptake.

We do not hold information centrally on the Environment Services Association’s ‘Take Charge’ autumn 2022 campaign.

The recent public consultation and discussions with stakeholders sought views on a range of issues, including the tax treatment of cross-border movements of aggregate, imports and exports, rates, reliefs and exemptions.

The Scottish Government is carefully considering the consultation responses, and what further evidence and input may be required on all issues relating to the Levy. This will include further stakeholder engagement, including with industry representative bodies and producers.

The Scottish Government will take the current arrangements for the UK Aggregates Levy, and the recent review of these, fully into account when making decisions on the proposed arrangements for a future devolved tax. We will also consider the research we commissioned to review, model and analyse illustrative options for a Scottish levy, including potential cross-border effects. The final report from the research, which was conducted by Eunomia, was published in August 2020.

As of 31 December 2021, all homes and business in Scotland had the ability to access a superfast broadband connection either through the R100 contracts, the demand-led R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) or commercial coverage. Our interim voucher meant that anyone whose property was in an R100 contract build plan beyond the end of 2021 had the ability to access a temporary superfast solution. We extended the availability of the interim voucher until 31 March 2022 to ensure that anyone who wanted to, could access a superfast connection through this scheme.

As of 1 December 2022, the R100 contracts had built connections to over 15,000 properties across Scotland with a further 3,800 connected as a result of contractual overspill. Over 2,700 connections had also been delivered through the R100 SBVS. This is, of course, in addition to those premises which are already connected commercially or via our legacy programme, DSSB.

The public consultation on developing a Scottish tax to replace the UK Aggregates Levy opened on 26 September 2022 and closed on 5 December 2022. Over this 10 week period a total of 25 responses were received which are now being analysed, and a formal consultation analysis will be published in due course. Further stakeholder engagement, including with industry representative bodies and producers will also take place.

Industry representative organisations proposed that the consultation period be significantly extended and a working group established. Officials have met with representatives of these organisations in order to discuss their concerns, and I am carefully considering the position.

No Ministerial meetings took place with the Mineral Products Association (Scotland) or representatives of the Scottish aggregates sector in 2022.

However, my Officials have had ongoing engagement with several aggregates sector associations and representatives during 2022. I look forward to building on this and engaging with the sector.

The Scottish Government will give full consideration to the case for establishing a register of quarries as part of the work underway to develop plans for a devolved replacement for the UK Aggregates Levy.

A table providing a summary of awards made from the Net Zero Transition Fund (NZTF) and their objectives has been lodged with SPICE, BIB no. 63871.

It is too early to outline the carbon savings/environmental impact just now, but we will be asking for this data in due course. The fund remains open and there are a number of active applications under consideration with further expressions of interest from Social Enterprises which are being supported by Social Investment Scotland (SIS) to finalise their plans.

In response to your query, my officials have provided the data below as requested.

The following table shows the number of accidents where a defective or poor road surface was a contributory factor.

Circularity Scotland Ltd, as Scheme Administrator, is responsible for anti-fraud arrangements for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

When DRS launches on 16 August 2023, SEPA will become the enforcement authority for DRS. As part of this, SEPA will carry out audits, inspections and enforcement activity in relation to the obligations and offences contained within the regulations.