Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government has no current plans to ban plastic use in textiles. Microfibre shedding from textiles containing plastic is a complex problem which adds to microplastic pollution in our environment. Fibres are shed at every stage of the product’s lifespan, from manufacture, through use, laundering and end of life.

Considerable research is being undertaken by industry to better understand this problem. We are working with the academic community and others to better understand the effect of these fibres on the environment and consider feasible solutions for reducing their loss during the product’s lifespan.

We take an evidence-based approach on all forms of microplastic pollution, with a ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products already in place, and significant ongoing work with the plastics industry to reduce plastic pellet (nurdle) pollution, the second biggest contributor to global microplastic pollution.

The 20% Reduction in Car Km Route Map published on 13 January 2022 for consultation, outlines the approach to meeting this commitment.

The route map lists over 30 interventions we are taking forward across all parts of government to support the reduction in car use.

The Scottish Government is providing over £30 million this financial year to accelerate the shift to zero emission transport. This includes support for zero emission community transport and car clubs in addition to funding interest free loans for electric vehicles. Electric vehicle chargepoint grants are also available to homeowners and businesses in rural and island areas, where installation costs are often higher. This approach is designed to target those who need the most financial help to make the switch to zero emission transport.

Later this year, we will be introducing legislation to ensure all new buildings with parking, whether that be a new home or local community centre, are EV enabled, future-proofing Scotland's buildings as we transition to a net zero transport system.

Vaccine safety is of the utmost importance and we continue to follow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance. All vaccines available in Scotland have been approved by the MHRA as safe and effective.

The MHRA operates the Yellow Card scheme which collects and monitors information on suspected concerns or incidents involving vaccines and publishes a summary of this online.

The Scottish Government has invested over £50m in the ChargePlace Scotland Network that now has over 2,300 publicly available electric vehicle chargepoints, alongside supporting homes and businesses to install almost 20,000 chargepoints. A range of factors will influence chargepoint numbers for the years in question – and this will be determined by both public and private investment.

Our focus is on making sure that the public charging network builds on the benefits of ChargePlace Scotland, which includes maintaining comprehensive coverage across all parts of Scotland. To that end, our recently announced £60m EV Infrastructure Fund will at least double the size of the public charging network over the next four years. This is over and above the commercial investment in chargepoints now taking place across Scotland.

Scottish Government are engaging with NHS 24 and stakeholders to review the MSK pathway, using data and learning from quality improvement initiatives to inform future developments that will enhance the patient journey. No date has been set for the implementation of a new MSK pathway.

As of the end of the day on 12 September 2022, there had been a total of 21,723,100 journeys made under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10488 on‎ 8 September 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

No it has not. The Scottish Government continues to explore all options to ensure that there is sufficient and safe accommodation for any displaced people from Ukraine arriving in Scotland. This includes contingency plans for emergency accommodation as well as increasing temporary accommodation, by for example getting the second ship, which has now docked in Glasgow, prepared to safely host displaced people from Ukraine.

The Scottish Government is clear that we do not want to see people spending more time in temporary accommodation than is absolutely necessary, including on our two passenger ships.

Our priority is to ensure that people who have already arrived, and will arrive from Ukraine, are able to stay in appropriate temporary accommodation and get the right support, then move into safe, sustainable longer term accommodation.