Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-27071

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct a comparative assessment of the (a) short-, (b) medium- and (c) long-term environmental impact of creating a standard sized natural grass football, rugby or hockey pitch, compared with 3G artificial surfaces of the same size.

We will give full consideration to new research in this area, and we are supportive of efforts to examine evidence on the wider impacts of microplastics which will be material to helping shape any future regulation.

EU legislation designed to protect the environment from exposure to microplastics means that, from 2031, rubber crumb infill material will no longer be available for use on artificial pitches within the EU. We are working with the UK and Welsh Governments to better understand the impacts microplastics have on the environment and will consider the need for future legislation under for example the UK REACH regulation on the safety of chemicals.

Question reference: S6W-27070

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an assessment of any environmental impact of replacing grass pitches with artificial turf pitches that includes a full life-cycle assessment of the manufacture, use and disposal of artificial turf pitches and crumb rubber from playgrounds.

We will give full consideration to new research in this area, and we are supportive of efforts to examine evidence on the wider impacts of microplastics which will be material to helping shape any future regulation.

sport scotland are following the study being conducted in the UK to measure the migration of micro plastics from pitches with the mitigation measures in place as per the CEN code of practice. This will conclude in 2025.

Question reference: S6W-27068

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will incentivise (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies to install sustainable artificial sports surfaces or natural grass pitches and playgrounds.

Question reference: S6W-27069

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of international research and the European Chemicals Agency’s evidence-based assessment for banning microplastic 3G crumb rubber infills, whether it will now take steps to immediately start phasing out this reported pollutant.

We will give full consideration to new research in this area, and we are supportive of efforts to examine evidence on the wider impacts of microplastics which will be material to helping shape any future regulation.

EU legislation designed to protect the environment from exposure to microplastics means that, from 2031, rubber crumb infill material will no longer be available for use on artificial pitches within the EU. We are working with the UK and Welsh Governments to better understand the impacts microplastics have on the environment and will consider the need for future legislation under for example the UK REACH regulation on the safety of chemicals.

sport scotland are following the study being conducted in the UK to measure the migration of micro plastics from pitches with the mitigation measures in place as per the CEN code of practice. This will conclude in 2025.

Question reference: S6W-27072

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what changes it has made to procurement guidance since 2019 in order to reduce the amount of crumb rubber infill being discharged into seas and rivers.

Public bodies have their own procurement policies and this should reflect their priorities in the design and construction of sports facilities.

There are already alternatives on the market such as cork, corn husks and olive pits amongst others. sport scotland are part of the UK Artificial Grass Pitch forum monitoring work on the long-term viability of these products. St Andrews University has already installed a full-size 3G pitch with cork infill, and there is research and development continuing across the industry with more products in the market.

Question reference: S6O-03390

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Forestry Grant Scheme is fit for purpose.

Question reference: S6W-26656

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 1 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it anticipates that it will be able to provide certainty to Skills Development Scotland regarding its budget for 2024-25.

Question reference: S6W-26472

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 March 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the wider rail infrastructure supply chain of the reported reduction of £315 million to the rail renewals budget for control period 7.

Question reference: S6W-26473

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 March 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 16 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect the 42 jobs at Babcock Rail that are reportedly at risk of redundancy under the Rail Systems Alliance Scotland contract with Network Rail.

Question reference: S6W-26470

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 March 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 16 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what changes have been made to the (a) work bank and (b) volume of work for the Rail Systems Alliance Scotland for year one of control period 7 as a result of the Network Rail funding settlement for control period 7.

Chamber and committees