Chamber and committees

This work is progressing as planned and we intend to issue updated support materials and guidance to Integration Joint Boards later this year.

Most funding for adaptations comes from Health and Social Care Partnerships. Funding provided directly to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) has been protected in 2019-20 to assist them to deliver adaptations for older and disabled tenants. It is for individual RSLs to determine how to make best use of the adaptations funding received from the Scottish Government.

Officials are reviewing existing legislation and guidance relating to adaptations. This work has a practical focus which will identify barriers and potential areas for development. We intend to issue revised and updated guidance and support to Integration Joint Boards later this year to help them deliver a tenure neutral, person-centred approach to adaptations for older and disabled people.

Integration Authorities are working collaboratively to develop an overall framework for financial reporting to support the work of Scottish Government. This framework will continue to be developed during 2018-19.

The review, which is currently on ongoing and will conclude later in 2019, will consider this issue as part of its remit.

The Scottish Government launched an independently led review of its air quality strategy 'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future' in November 2018. The issue of domestic wood burning stoves will be considered as part of the review. The review will conclude later in 2019.

The Scottish Government's measures to reduce particulate matter pollution are set out in the Government's air quality strategy 'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future' (CAFS). The Scottish Objectives for particulate matter are at least as stringent as WHO guideline values, and go beyond the requirements of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive with which Scotland is required to comply.

This investigation is being undertaken on a UK wide basis, led by Defra. The work is currently still ongoing and an update on when a final report might be published will be provided in due course.

The independently led review of the air quality strategy 'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future' held a stakeholder workshop in January which included representatives from the wood burners industry. Domestic wood burning stoves are a specific issue being considered by one of the expert working groups which includes industry representatives, and will provide recommendations to the review. Wider public consultation on these recommendations will take place later in 2019.

The Scottish Government produced a leaflet on the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 which was issued to all employers in Scotland in 2006. It explains the implications of the Act for employers and employees and encourages employers to offer assistance to breastfeeding mothers. The leaflet is available online: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/135079/0033433.pdf