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The Emergency Measures Agreement, which temporarily varied the terms of the franchise agreement with Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd, will expire on 28 February 2022.

A prior information notice (a technical measure that stems from the relevant procurement regulation) was issued in February 2021 to preserve the Scottish Government’s ability to award a temporary measures agreement from March 2022 should it be necessary at that stage to continue emergency measures type support. As the scale and pace of recovery from the impact of the pandemic remains uncertain, the need for such an award, and the duration of any award, is being kept under review.

Any such analysis would depend on the written proposals submitted by Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd, in the event it elected to exercise the contractual rebasing option after 1 April 2022.

The Scottish Government has not received any applications for rent pressure zone designation.

Our aim is to ensure quality, affordability and fairness for everyone who rents a home and our new draft Rented Sector Strategy consultation, ‘A New Deal for Tenants’ opened on 20 December 2021, closing on 15 April 2022.

Topics include improving affordability by introducing an effective national system of rent controls in the private rented sector. For rent controls to work effectively, we need good rental data and we will undertake an analysis of what is required on data collection and will set out our intentions. We will also build on learning from the rent pressure zones. The consultation includes the question: “Are there elements of the existing Rent Pressure Zone system that could be built upon when designing a new system of rent controls?”.

Upon consideration of the consultation responses, a final Rented Sector Strategy will be published later in 2022 and deliver a key commitment, set out in Housing to 2040 , Scotland’s long term vision for housing.

The Heat in Buildings Strategy sets out an ambitious programme and a wide ranging framework, incorporating funding support, delivery programmes, public engagement, local heat and energy efficiency strategies and regulations among other components. A number of organisations will play roles in overseeing implementation of different aspects of the overall framework, including the Scottish Government, the new National Public Energy Agency and local authorities.

Further, reflecting the expansion in investment and delivery programmes the Scottish Government is refreshing its programme governance arrangements to provide appropriate oversight and strategic direction. We will continue to draw advice from stakeholders and advisors through a variety of channels.

The Scottish Government is working collaboratively with stakeholders on organisational roles and responsibilities, along with other issues related to the heat transition, in an open and transparent way. Among other consultation processes, we currently have a live call for evidence to inform design of the National Public Energy Agency (open until 8 February 2022), and next year we will consult on proposals for regulation.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on temporary closures of community pharmacies or the possible cost incurred by the NHS.

The provision of community pharmacy pharmaceutical care services are the responsibility of territorial Health Boards as set out in the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009. Any challenges faced by community pharmacies in ensuring the safe and effective dispensing of treatments should be discussed with the local Health Board.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05153 on 5 January 2022. 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 Scottish Ambulance Service does not record data on use of community first responder schemes (CFRs) by health board area but is fully aware of the volunteer resources available throughout the country to support operational delivery.

CFRs are highly valued by the Service and are a dedicated, motivated and valuable asset to the communities they serve. CFRs form an integral part of the Service’s response, particularly with instances of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests. They do. however, work to a clinically assured scope of practice, which is supported by appropriate training to complement, but not replace, the emergency ambulance response in particular circumstances.

During times of crisis and major events, such as storm Arwen, CFR volunteers, as members of local communities, may provide assistance to the relief efforts but they would do so as individuals and not as representatives of the ambulance service.

The current Emergency Measures Agreement has been extended until the 28 February 2022. A prior information notice (a technical measure that stems from the relevant procurement regulation) was issued in February 2021 to preserve the Scottish Government’s ability to award a temporary measures agreement from March 2022 should it be necessary at that stage to continue emergency measures type support.

In advance of the expiry of the current Emergency Measures Agreement, the Scottish Government will consider the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the context of the Sleeper franchise and review the need for any temporary measures agreement.

Transport Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers has contingency arrangements in place for Operator of Last Resort which could be mobilised in the event a Franchise agreement is terminated or otherwise comes to an end and no further franchise agreement has been entered into, in line with the Scottish Ministers’ duty under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993.

Whether rebasing proposals are submitted after 1 April 2022 is a matter for Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd to consider and decide upon. Any proposals received in due course would be carefully considered. We can express no view on the possible outcome of any rebasing process.