Chamber and committees

The figures announced on 22 June are currently subject to the final audit process which will conclude in September and as such remain provisional at this stage

A summary by budget line of the provisional outturn figures reported is provided in the following table:-

The figures announced on 22 June are currently subject to the final audit process which will conclude in September and as such remain provisional at this stage

A summary by budget line of the provisional outturn figures reported is provided in the following table:-

The figures announced on 22 June are currently subject to the final audit process which will conclude in September and as such remain provisional at this stage

A summary by budget line of the provisional outturn figures reported is provided in the following table:-

There is currently no centrally held assessment of the impact of marine litter on tourism. The evidence base for the levels of marine and coastal litter is limited and the Marine Litter Strategy seeks to build on existing data capture.

The Scottish Government is taking action to reduce the amount of litter entering all our waters, not just in the Clyde, to bring ecological, economic and social benefits. Our approach and actions are listed in our Marine Litter Strategy, overseen and co-ordinated by the steering group.

The next meeting of the Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group will consider the litter sink in Arrochar and will explore initiatives which seek to address this issue.

The Scottish Government cannot exempt marine litter community clean-ups in litter sink areas from landfill tax. Scottish Ministers cannot intervene on tax matters. Revenue Scotland is the Non-Ministerial Department which is responsible for the administration and collection of the Scottish Landfill Tax. This Department invites applications for exemptions from those who feel they fulfil the criteria as contained in Part 2 of the Landfill Tax (Scotland) Act 2014. The Scottish Landfill Tax (Exemption Certificates) Order 2015 provides discretion to provide Local Authorities, SEPA and some other authorities that exercise removal powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Act at s. 59(6) – (9) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, with an exemption for landfill tax liability that might arise from the clear-up of a site following an unauthorised disposal. Each case would be assessed individually by Revenue Scotland.

There is no single body responsible for the collection of marine litter washed up at the shoreline. The collection of marine litter left at the high tide mark on the shore is the responsibility of the land owner.

The Scottish Government does not currently provide funding specifically to tackle litter sinks. However, the issue of funding to tackle litter sinks will be under consideration at the next Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10108 on 1 August 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx