4. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce air pollution in North Ayrshire. (S5O-03000)

The Scottish Government works closely with all local authorities in Scotland on reducing air pollution. Financial and other support is provided to authorities to assist them with monitoring and, where necessary, with actions to improve air quality. The “Cleaner Air for Scotland: The Road to A Healthier Future” strategy sets out a series of actions for Government, Transport Scotland, local authorities and others to reduce air pollution further across all areas of Scotland. An independent review of the strategy is on-going.

Clearly, one of the main drivers that would reduce air pollution in towns in North Ayrshire and right across Scotland would be improved uptake of low-emission vehicles. How many charging points has the Government installed in North Ayrshire? If the information is not available now, I will be happy to have it in writing later. How confident is the Cabinet secretary that the Government will meet its 2032 target, given that the proportion of new car sales that are sales of low-emission vehicles is at only 6 per cent, at the moment?

Jamie Greene knows that that question should be directed to my transport portfolio colleagues.

However, I can advise Jamie Greene that action is being taken in that regard in North Ayrshire. There are currently 12 electric vehicle charging points in place, and six more are being installed. The member should be reassured that the work on vehicle charging points is on-going.

At the end of the day, low-emission vehicle uptake is a matter for all parts of society; it is not something that the Government can absolutely direct. I hope that Jamie Greene will join me in encouraging all car owners who are thinking about new purchases to consider low-emission vehicles.

How do air quality and air-quality targets in Scotland compare with those in the rest of the United Kingdom?

They compare particularly favourably, as one might imagine. In particular, Scotland is the first country in Europe to have adopted, through legislation, a target for fine particulate matter, which is the cause of the biggest concern in respect of the impacts on health of air pollution. We compare well with the rest of the UK and we are fully compliant with European Union requirements for fine particulate matter.