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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.

Announcements of ministerial appointments to all public bodies, including NHS boards, since 2020 can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/collections/public-appointments-announcements/. 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 information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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 Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the public has a clear understanding of the correct disposal methods for batteries and battery-containing products. While progress has been made in raising awareness, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to further improve public understanding and encourage proper recycling practices.

We are committed to working with local authorities, industry partners, and the other UK nations to enhance public awareness campaigns and ensure that information on battery disposal is widely accessible and easily understood. Correct disposal involves taking batteries to designated recycling points, such as those found at supermarkets, local recycling centres, or household waste recycling facilities, rather than disposing of them in general waste bins where they can pose environmental and safety risks. Guidance on how to properly dispose of batteries can be found here

As part of this effort, we are exploring ways to update recycling regulations and improve infrastructure, ensuring the availability of convenient recycling options. This will complement public education initiatives aimed at fostering greater awareness of the importance of correct disposal and the locations of appropriate facilities.

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 https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

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.

Red squirrel populations fluctuate throughout the year and between seasons and it is not possible carry out direct counts across wide areas.

The most recent review of the population of British mammals, published in 2018, estimated the Scottish population of red squirrels at between 181,000 and 444,000 individuals.

This estimate is based on habitat use by study populations of red squirrels and modelling of carrying capacity of available habitats in Scotland. The modelling does not support estimates of regional populations.

As I set out in response to questions S6W-30360 on 9 October 2024 and S6W-30743 on 11 November 2024 we are providing a range of support and funding to work that aims to promote red squirrel populations.

A total grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded to the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) partnership project by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, from April 2024 to March 2026.

A breakdown of how this £1m funding is being distributed across projects and localities is not held centrally.

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