My recollection is that we heard something quite different from what you presented to the witnesses in your question today, Michael. However, we can look back at the evidence that we have been presented with previously.

We will then be able to decide how we want to follow up on that line of questioning.

Mr Doris, do you want to comment on that?

Graeme Dey wants to ask a supplementary question on that thread.

Claire, you spoke about a strategy for communication with communities, but what sort of culture change will be required in Police Scotland, given that officers are used to treating 16 and 17-year-olds as adults?

Alistair, would you like to add anything further?

Thank you, Megan. Received.

I know that there will be more questions on that area later and that you will be able to go into more detail. Have you got anything else to ask on the original thread, Stephen?

It is helpful to hear about the youth courts, because the witnesses on the earlier panel were not quite able to put their finger on that area. It is helpful to have more specificity about that.

We will move to questions from Willie Rennie.

In 2021, 1,245 people lost their lives due to alcohol and 1,330 died due to drug misuse. With suspected drug deaths increasing by 26 per cent over the previous quarter, progress on this vital issue is heading in the wrong direction.

The minister’s statement perfectly encapsulates the Scottish National Party’s current strategy. We have the Drug Deaths TaskForce’s “Changing Lives” report, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s ending the exclusion report, the MAT standards—which should have been implemented in April 2022—and now we have new gold standards and protocols. I have no confidence that the statement today will change anything on the ground.

The minister just said:

“As important as the nuts and bolts of delivery are, we know that a protocol is not enough; it must lead to change on the ground.”

Services are not meeting the needs of people who have mental ill health or problems with substance use, or both. The minister promised to fully implement the MAT standards by April 2022. MAT standard 9 states:

“All people with co-occurring drug use and mental health difficulties can receive mental health care at the point of MAT delivery.”

Delivery has now been pushed back to April 2025 at the latest.

Faces and Voices of Recovery UK’s slogan is:

“You keep talking, we keep dying.”

April 2025 is two years away. I ask the minister this: how can we stand here once again discussing another report and another set of protocols on person-centred care, when people cannot access the services that they need for their mental health or substance misuse right now?

The Education, Children and Young People Committee’s college regionalisation inquiry report that was published today makes reference to the lack of flexibility in funding, and asks for more flexibility in funding for our college sector.

Our committee recognises the importance of colleges, students and employers being able to respond effectively to the needs of the local economy. The committee believes that it is the responsibility of business and key sectoral bodies to proactively engage with colleges and universities, as that will allow colleges and universities to respond more effectively to help develop the work force. However, the committee acknowledges the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises can face if they do not have a sectoral body to help set out their skills needs. The committee recommends that colleges must further develop their engagement with local SMEs to take account of their needs, which are dynamic and change across various sectors.

Scottish apprenticeship week aims to shine a light on the role that apprenticeships play in Scotland and how they affect people, businesses and the economy. As part of Scottish apprenticeship week last year, I visited Glenmorangie in West Lothian, and this year I visited Livingston Mechanical Services. Those are fantastic businesses with great opportunities for those who want to do an apprenticeship.

Glenmorangie offers a tailored apprenticeship qualification, which demonstrates its commitment to the programme and the value that it brings to its business, as well as the opportunities that it presents to young people. It offers a balance between learning and hands-on experience in a team environment that nurtures and coaches apprentices through the 14-month programme.

The apprentices came from various backgrounds. Some had come from school and others—if I recall rightly—had graduated from university, with degrees in subjects ranging from English literature to forensic chemistry. Apprenticeships are for everyone. Speaking to those apprentices gave me a real insight into the invaluable opportunity that those positions present to them. Earning while they learn and gaining formal qualifications will accelerate their development, create a real springboard for their careers, and support our economy.

The morning that I spent at Livingston Mechanical Services was particularly relevant regarding the messages that we continue to hear from businesses and young people. Livingston Mechanical Services offers apprenticeships in the electrical engineering sector. The apprentices told me of the invaluable insight and experience that they gained from installing electric vehicle charging bays at Royal Bank of Scotland at Gogarburn and the construction and installation of air-conditioning units from flat sheet metal. That was quite inspiring. What struck me was how much value the young people place on their opportunity and how committed the business’s senior leaders are to supporting, training and retaining those young people in their business.

However, the route that those young people took to get their apprenticeships was of grave concern to me. I caveat that by stating that they were from across many geographical areas—West Lothian, Glasgow and Lanarkshire. Without exception, those young people found out about those invaluable apprenticeships from their own family or social networks. The school careers guidance teachers had no role at all. I would be hard put to find anything positive from that part of the conversation with the apprentices to share in the chamber today.

There is no doubting the vital role that further education plays in Scotland, but more must be done. The Scottish Conservatives will restore excellence in Scottish schools, and we want more investment in vocational and technical qualifications so that every child has the chance to succeed, no matter what their background is.