Seòmar agus comataidhean

To date the Scottish Government has had no discussions with either the UK Government or tyre manufacturers on setting tyre abrasion standards.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Interim Chief Executive to write to you in this regard.

The Scottish Government has been working with a range of sectors and specialist organisations to develop guidance on enhancing ventilation within enclosed spaces.

This guidance includes a range of practical solutions to enhance air flow and can be achieved by straightforward solutions, such as the opening of windows or vents. This seeks to provide cost effective solutions to overcome poorer ventilation, and support employers to consider options to reduce the risk of transmitting airborne viruses for staff and customers.

As we progress through the pandemic, we will of course keep under consideration whether this guidance needs to be supported by discreet funding for such projects.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00728 on 5 July 2021. 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 Government carries out daily analysis of the occupancy levels in hotels and based on a projected increase in demand from our international students, work is underway to bring on additional capacity to meet this demand.

The Scottish Government has also been exploring with universities how student accommodation could be used in place of hotels for the purpose of managed isolation. In April 2021, Ministers agreed a statement of policy intent to permit student accommodation to be used for managed isolation for international students and students returning to Scotland following an educational exchange from a red-list country if universities can provide the necessary assurances the accommodation meets equivalent public health protection assurances as hotels used for managed isolation.

As a result the Scottish Government began discussions with universities on a proposed ‘pilot’ scheme to assess how the use of student accommodation for managed isolation would work in practice. Two universities have expressed an interest in the taking part in the pilot and guidance is currently being drafted. Officials have been engaging with Trade Unions and the National Union of Students on the proposed pilot.

The following table shows the number of properties receiving a non-domestic rates relief or exemption from rates for unoccupied properties since 2011, except for 2014 and 2017 as no data is available for those years. The figures are as at the snapshot date and may therefore underestimate final numbers of recipients in a given year, and include entire local authority areas as data by parliamentary region is not held.

Data for 2021 is expected to become available in late 2021.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00871 on 5 July 2021. 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.

Indoor music lessons for both children and adult pupils can take place under COVID-19 restriction levels 0-3 in households or other suitable premises with relevant mitigations including appropriate hygiene measures, physical distancing, use of face coverings where it does not interfere with playing and provided the household and person limits are not exceeded. Remote or online tuition is recommended as the lowest risk option at all levels.

There are no restrictions on which instruments can be used during tuition, but the sharing of instruments is not advised, particularly brass and woodwind instruments due to the increased risk of spreading the virus. The tutor should cover this in the required risk assessment.

Further information can be found at:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): organised activities for children - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for the performing arts and venues sector - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00871 on 5 July 2021. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00871 on 5 July 2021. 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.