A total of 7336 affordable homes were delivered in 2016-17 and of these, 4580 were for social rent. Of the total affordable homes delivered 4634 were newly built homes, including 3671 newly built homes for social rent.

The last meeting of the Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group was held on 17 November 2016. The issue of litter at the head of Loch Long in Arrochar has not yet been discussed, but is on the agenda for the next meeting to be held on 7th September.

The Growth Commission has not been commissioned as a government exercise and, therefore, the publication date is not a matter for the Scottish Government.

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:-

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.

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.

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.