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In the next phase, Connecting Scotland will provide any or all of device, internet connection and package of support to those who are:

• digitally excluded – do not have an appropriate device and/or are not connected to the internet at home; and
• on low incomes so cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access (e.g. claiming or eligible for Universal Credit ); and
• are seeking support for employability (Priority will be given to organisations working with people who are likely to have been affected most by the changes to the labour market over the past year, either due to existing inequalities or redundancy. This includes: Single Parents, Women, Young people, Disabled people, Minority ethnic people, people experiencing other forms of socio-economic disadvantage)

Connecting Scotland will also provide any or all of device, internet connection and package of support to those who are:

• digitally excluded – do not have an appropriate device and/or are not connected to the internet at home; and
• on low incomes so cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access; and
• are isolated as a result of the pandemic, particularly single parents, older or disabled people

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on many people’s mental health. The Scottish COVID-19 Mental Health Tracker study provides data which, alongside other sources, the Scottish Government use to track the mental health and wellbeing of the Scottish population. This provides insight into the potential impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and restrictions on mental health and has allowed us to tailor our mental health policy response to the pandemic as needs evolve. We published Wave 1 of the Tracker Study in October 2020, and Wave 2 in February 2021.

In line with emerging needs, we published the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan on 8 October 2020. The Plan outlines the Scottish Government’s response to the impacts of COVID-19 and addresses the challenges that the pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on the population’s mental health. The Plan is comprehensive and contains over 100 actions, including actions on suicide prevention. We continue to work with our National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group and other key stakeholders on the Plan’s implementation.

There is currently no clear evidence on the pandemic’s impact on suicide rates in Scotland. Annual suicide statistics for 2020 will be published this August by National Records of Scotland. We recognise the importance of timely data on probable suicides to support local suicide prevention planning and are working closely with Public Health Scotland who will roll this out over the summer.

The total number of suicides recorded by National Records of Scotland from 2016 to 2019 are presented as follows:

A total of £48 million has been committed to reach the target of 60,000 households. The proportion allocated to each is:

(a) devices – 36%

(b) data – 54%

(c) training and support – 6%

As stated in the answer to question S5W-34151 on 13 January 2021, work on establishing the taskforce was paused because of the need to focus on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other priorities, including EU exit. However, we expect the taskforce to be established later this year and will provide further details in due course.

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

In 2021-22, the Scottish poundage is 49.0p with a supplement at the Intermediate Property Rate (IPR) of 1.3p for properties with a rateable value from £51,000 to £95,000; and of 2.6p at the Higher Property Rate (HPR) for properties with a rateable value over £95,000. In England, the equivalent multiplier is 49.9p with a supplement of 1.3p for properties with a rateable value over £51,000. The following table shows the estimated costs of reducing the HPR to 2.2p, thus equalising the total tax rate paid by these properties in Scotland (49p + 2.2p) with the rate they would pay in England (49.9p + 1.3p) had this change been delivered in 2021-22.

Regulations to support the delivery of Low Emission Zones came into effect on 31 May 2021. These are the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, and the Low Emission Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2021.

Although the timescale for Low Emission Zones (LEZ) implementation has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to the introduction of LEZs within Scotland’s four largest cities in 2022. We are continuing to support the local authorities with their implementation plans, including the provision of grant funding contributions for the enforcement systems. Work to deliver the LEZs is now at an advanced stage, with the relevant local authorities expected to launch public consultations on their proposed schemes later this year.

The Scottish Government is also providing funding through the LEZ Support Fund to assist small businesses and individuals with the cost of complying with the LEZ requirements.

In addition we are continuing to support the bus industry through a range of measures to provide cleaner, less polluting LEZ compliant buses.

Domestic and international elite sporting events are permitted to take place in all strategic framework levels.

Any event organiser must comply with the protocols set out under the Resumption of Performance Sport guidance and run their event in a strict ‘bubble’. Events must have specific Covid secure plans in place and ensure that they have an appropriate testing regime; a clear statement on minimising or eliminating any unavoidable encroachment of physical distancing within the event environment; restrict movement of participants to designated accommodation, training and competition sites; and have contact only with other accredited event participants unless for other exceptional reasons such as medical need or legal requirements. Event participants must also adhere to the international travel regulations for Elite Sportspeople.

The Scottish Government and the sportscotland Institute of Sport (SIS) reviewed the comprehensive plans put forward by the World Curling Federation in advance of the event being approved.

Since the start of the pandemic, businesses have directly benefitted from £3.6 billion in support. The Scottish Government publishes statistics and management information relating to its Covid-19 business grants on its website at Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support funding statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . The next update is scheduled to be published on 11 June 2021.

As the National Agency for Sport, sport scotland is committed to inclusion underpinning everything it does, understanding the barriers people face and proactively addressing them so everyone has the opportunity to get involved in sport and physical activity. sport scotland works with national and local partners to understand, deliver and strengthen sporting pathways for people with disabilities.

Nationally, sport scotland works with, invest in and supports Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Across the Highlands and Islands, sport scotland works with all local authorities, leisure trusts, local sports clubs and community organisations, as well as SDS and the Scottish Sporting Governing Bodies, to develop local and regional opportunities and pathways in sport for people with disabilities.