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Progress on implementing the summary case reform pilot has been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic and it is intended that the package of reforms will now be taken forward on a pilot basis recommencing in September 2022. The impact of the reforms will be closely monitored and reported on with a view to informing future rollout of the agreed reform arrangements.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09214 on 28 June 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

Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with liver disease is able to access the best possible care and support and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred.

We are working with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on the development of the revised UK-wide clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment, which will include the treatment of liver diseases. The updated guidelines are expected to be published for consultation later this year.

We are improving our ability to detect cancer and to treat it successfully. That is why we continue to invest in our £44m Detect Cancer Early Programme, which adopts a whole systems approach to diagnosing and treating cancer as early as possible. This will include the early detection of liver cancer.

General Practice and Primary Care multi-disciplinary teams will continue to play a key role in supporting patients with long-term condition management, including those with a diagnosis of liver disease, alongside specialist treatment services within Scotland’s healthcare system.

Scottish Ministers received the Public Inquiry Report on 18 February 2022 and are currently considering the terms of the report. The timeframe for considering reports, in addition to considering all other material considerations and application documents is very much site specific. The determination for Fetteresso is currently progressing in line with the most recent average timescales. 10 determinations, where a Public Inquiry was held, have been issued since January 2021. The average time taken, between receipt of the Public Inquiry Report from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (the “DPEA”) and the issue of these determinations, is around 6 months within a range of 2 to 15 months.

The Scottish Government encourages local authorities to deliver flood risk management actions that deliver multiple benefits, including for biodiversity. Securing positive effects for biodiversity is one of six statutory outcomes for our forthcoming National Planning Framework.

Falkirk Council has considered the potential impact of flood defence works and opportunities to enhance biodiversity through the option appraisal and decision-making processes. Progress against sustainability and environmental goals is reported to the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme Project Board on a regular basis.

As promoter of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, Falkirk Council is required and committed to protecting natural habitats and enjoyment of the waterways while constructing flood defences that will safeguard communities.

The Scheme acknowledges the nationally and internationally-significant environmental designations present in the area which provide habitat for large numbers of birds. A precautionary approach has been adopted and consultation with the relevant Statutory Authorities is ongoing. An Appropriate Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) will form part of the Scheme documentation.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) considers the possible impact of the scheme and proposed mitigation measures under a number of headings; including wildlife and biodiversity, air quality, noise and vibration, landscape and cultural heritage. This assessment will be concluded later this year and be published when the Scheme is Notified.

In 2019-2020 the Scottish Government spent £15,849,263.61 in 2020 (1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020) and £11,106,352.64 in 2020/21 (1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021) on the maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge.

Falkirk Council are responsible for the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme. They have held a variety of public engagement events since 2019. Public information sessions will continue through 2022 and early 2023 using a variety of means including newsletters, social media updates, and drop in events.

A public exhibition will be held on the proposed flood defences before the Scheme goes into the formal Notification stage. The Notification process is a statutory requirement under Schedule 2 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

A record of previous and future engagement activities are available from the scheme website ( www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com ).

We are currently in the process of evaluating minimum unit pricing (MUP) as a whole over its first five years of operation. Public Health Scotland will be producing a final report on MUP in 2023, which will inform our evaluation report which will be laid in Parliament and published in 2023.

Work on reviewing the level of MUP has started as part of our overall evaluation, as the impact of MUP is connected to the unit price. We are evaluating the impact of MUP at the current price of 50 pence per unit and will assess what level MUP should be set at going forward, if MUP is to continue. It is important that we have a robust evidence base to support any decision on a change in the level of MUP.

Against that background, I am announcing that the conclusion of the review of the level of MUP will be completed in late 2023. If our overall evaluation supports a continuation of MUP, we will lay Orders in Parliament in late 2023 to continue MUP beyond the initial six year period and if the evidence supports a change in price, to set a new unit price. If Parliament approves those Orders, it is intended that any new price would take effect from 1 May 2024 i.e. immediately after the initial six year period which would have otherwise have expired on 30 April 2024.

The latest findings of the British Liver Trust show that alcohol-related liver disease accounts for 60% of all liver disease and that 94% of British adults associate alcohol with liver disease and people with liver disease often feel stigmatised.

The impact of stigma often prevents people from accessing treatment or limits delivery of a successful intervention.

Liver diseases are generally avoidable, or treatable, if diagnosed at an early stage. Stigma often prevents people from accessing treatment; 75% of people currently being diagnosed are at a stage when it is too late for lifestyle changes or intervention.

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling stigma and ensuring that people are diagnosed and treated more quickly. In December 2021 a national campaign was launched to tackle the stigma people with problematic alcohol and drug use face.

We are working with Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems to develop an action plan in relation to alcohol and stigma. This work builds on the earlier work of the Drugs Death Task Force around drugs and stigma.