Seòmar agus comataidhean

The EPC for Strathbeg House in Thurso was completed on 20 May 2023 and has now been lodged with the Scottish EPC register. The EPC rating is D

The number of seasonal rangers employed by Forestry and Land Scotland are as follows:

The Scottish Government places a great importance on openness and transparency, and publishes ministerial engagements, travel and gifts in line with the ‘ Scottish Ministerial Code’. The Scottish Government has no current plans to review the information published.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful and shares the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route.

The identification of the preferred route option through the Glen Croe Valley was announced on 02 June 2023 and is a very important milestone in finding a solution to this long-standing problem.

Following design and assessment work on the options under consideration, a debris flow shelter has been identified as the preferred option for the long-term solution. This option involves constructing a debris flow shelter over a length of approximately 1.4km with an additional 180m of catch pit and protection wall to protect the road and road users from future debris flow events.

Further details on the preferred route option is available from Access to Argyll and Bute (A83) Story Map (arcgis.com) .

Work has now commenced on the next stage in the assessment process which is the detailed development and assessment of the preferred route option and this stage will culminate in the publication of road Orders and Environmental Impact Assessment Report for formal consultation.

Transport Scotland and Network Rail regularly meet stakeholders to update them on the progress of the design of this project.

CMAL has appointed naval architects Leadship to carry out future vessel feasibility studies and concept designs which will include passenger cabin options.

As the project progresses, engagement events will be held which will ensure that all key stakeholders are able to contribute to the outcome of the project.

The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to adopt universal salt iodisation.

Food Standards Scotland advises that adults need 140 micrograms (µg) of iodine a day and most people should be able to get all the iodine they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. Children need proportionally less depending on their age group.

Good food sources of iodine include cows' milk and dairy products, eggs, sea fish and shellfish. Iodine can also be found in varying levels in plant foods, such as cereals and grains.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) considered ‘Maternal iodine status, birth outcomes and child development’ at its horizon scanning meeting in June 2022. Members agreed that this would be added to the SACN work programme. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this work as it progresses.

ScotRail advise that colleagues are supported from immediately after any incident of this nature. That support comes in a range of ways which includes the offer of professional counselling.

The report is currently being finalised and will be published later in 2023 once this process has been completed.

The First Minister’s vision for Scotland published in April 2023 sets out the commitment for enhancing protection for our most precious marine areas. This commitment also includes making progress towards halting biodiversity loss and reversing declines, protecting at least 30% of our land and seas for nature by 2030.

Specific targets relating to ensure the seabed habitats are healthy and sustainable can be found within Part One of the UK Marine Strategy which provides an assessment of our seas and sets objectives, targets and indicators for achieving Good Environmental Status (GES). The high-level objective for GES relating to benthic habitats is “the health of seabed habitats is not significantly adversely affected by human activities.” Under this objective there are four criteria and targets for measuring process towards GES which includes:

1. Spatial extent of physical loss- the physical loss of each seabed habitat type caused by human activities is minimised and where possible reversed;

2. Habitat condition- habitat loss of sensitive fragile or important habitats caused by human activities is prevented, and where feasible reversed;

3. Spatial extent of habitat types adversely affected by physical disturbance- the extent of habitat types adversely affected by physical disturbance caused by human activity should be minimised; and

4. Extent of adverse effects- the extent of adverse effects caused by human activities on condition, function and ecosystem processes of habitats is minimised.