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As of March 2020-21, there were approximately 3,700 public service buses in Scotland. 605 will be zero-emissions and the remaining 3,095 are not zero-emission buses. The Scottish Government does not hold any further information on the fuel type of these buses and any requests for further information should be made directly to bus operators.

The Scottish Budget for 2022-23 provides up to £93.5 million in support for bus services, including £40 million in additional funding to support recovery. As we navigate our way out of the pandemic, it is important that the support we give transport operators through the Network Support Grant adapts and evolves, to make sure it remains fit for purpose and represents value for money.

Passenger numbers have been increasing since Covid restrictions eased earlier this year. We continue to engage with operators and local government to monitor patronage and service levels and to consider whether to adjust the level of support as passenger numbers recover. This ensures that our funding is financially sustainable and helps services to adapt to new travel patterns and demand as we emerge from the pandemic.

I would also refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08555 on 26 May 2022 for further information on how the Scottish Government are assisting operators in encouraging people back to bus.

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 mandatory training course will include information on important practical safety elements to consider when purchasing and using fireworks, including what is permitted under relevant fireworks legislation, as well as how to be a considerate and responsible fireworks user.

The Scottish Government intends to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders on the development of the training course, which will be set out in future regulations. This includes animal welfare charities, as well as other stakeholders such as community safety partners, disabilities organisations and the firework industry. It is recognised that stakeholder input will be important to ensure that the training course is fit for purpose, and includes information for licence holders on the broad range of issues and areas that are impacted by fireworks.

The Bill also includes a consultation requirement for regulations made in relation to the licensing system. This will ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute to and share their views and opinions on the proposed training course.

Pay for local government employees, including ancillary school staff, is negotiated between the trade unions and COSLA through the Scottish Joint Committee (SJC).

The Scottish Government is not a member of the SJC and does not take part in those negotiations. Any action to address or increase the pay of the non-teaching workforce is therefore a matter for COSLA.

As set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government has committed to phasing out the need to install new or replacement boilers in off-gas grid homes from 2025 and in on-gas grid areas from 2030.

The Scottish Government continues to consider a range of possible means to implement this commitment – including forming views on the feasibility of creating new systems to register the sale and/or installation of boilers.

We will consult on a proposed approach in the coming year.

There will be 2 theatres and one enhanced treatment room. In addition there will also be 11 en-suite inpatient bedrooms and 10 peri-operative rooms to support day case patients.

The Scottish Government has had no discussions with either party on this matter as local government pay and other employment matters are delegated to local authorities and COSLA.

However, we urge all parties to continue open, constructive dialogue to find a resolution which avoids any potential industrial action and reaches a satisfactory conclusion for both sides.

To enable the building to be commissioned, the hospital will be fully equipped to treat orthopaedic patients around 3 months prior to the opening date.

Transport Scotland is continuing to engage with operators, delivery partners and other key stakeholders on the current Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance and recommended safe behaviours to ensure that the appropriate messaging is cascaded across the transport network. This engagement, which includes promoting the Scottish Government`s National “Covid sense” campaign, is supporting passengers to return to public transport with confidence as more people begin to return to workplaces and travel for leisure purposes more often.

The Scottish Government engages with the sea angling community through Angling Scotland, the umbrella organisation formed by the three Scottish Angling Governing Bodies: the Scottish Anglers National Organisation, the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers.

Recent engagement has concerned the commencement of angling activities in the run-up to and following the lifting of covid restrictions, with angling being recognised as a low impact activity that improves health and well-being. The last engagement with sea angling stakeholders concerned the use and usefulness for Scotland of the UK-wide Sea Angling Diary, however there was limited feedback.