Chamber and committees

In April this year, the Scottish Government commenced work on phase one of the contribution rates review, with the aim of exploring whether current funding for the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme is appropriate, sustainable and aligned with SG priorities, labour market needs, employer costs and learner outcomes.

In response to the review and wider evidence on business conditions, I can confirm that there will be a 10% uplift to modern apprenticeship contribution rates, for both new starts, and those in training for 2027-28 onwards.

This funding increase will bring benefits to training providers, employers and learners within the apprenticeship system.

Stage two of the review will provide an opportunity for a more in depth consideration of the cost of delivery across frameworks, this work will commence in 2027.

While the fiscal environment remains extremely challenging and decisions on future funding provision will be taken by Ministers as part of the Budget processes, we are committed to strengthening and growing the modern apprenticeship programme.

We remain committed to improving outcomes for people with learning disabilities, autistic people and neurodivergent people.

After careful consideration we have concluded that action is needed now through policy reform, service improvement and targeted investment, rather than by the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill, which would take time to progress and implement.

The focus will be on delivering practical improvements, while retaining the option of future legislation should evidence show that additional statutory measures are required to achieve the outcomes that people expect and deserve.

The Scottish Government does not procure buses. Bus services are predominantly provided by commercial operators, with local authorities and other public bodies procuring or supporting services where appropriate. As these organisation are autonomous contracting authorities they are responsible for their own procurements and must determine, on a case-by-case basis, how to conduct their own procurements, including how to consider community benefits, the sustainable procurement duty social value and other relevant elements.

The Scottish Government is committed to promoting social and economic benefits with measures such as Fair Work First implemented during the last parliament, and the Programme for Government 2026 setting out a range of measures to deliver this. Bus is one of the most used forms of public transport and provides wider benefits through affordable transport to work, education and essential services, reducing transport emissions and growing the economy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-03333 on 24 September 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The measures announced by the First Minister in September 2025 in relation to defence companies seeking support from the Scottish Government apply to new requests for funding and are not retrospective.

Scottish ministers have explicitly requested that public bodies – including Scottish Enterprise – take the UN Human Rights database of companies believed to be active in the Occupied Palestinian Territory into consideration when carrying out their normal due diligence in relation to individual companies.

Separate guidance on procurement outlines actions that public bodies can take if they believe there are grounds to exclude companies from bidding for public contracts, however payments made from Scottish Enterprise to companies are ultimately an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise.

It is for the accountable officer of each agency and non-departmental public body to ensure that their organisation complies with guidance issued by Scottish ministers.

The Scottish Government is aware that children are increasingly engaging with digital devices from an earlier age. The Scottish Government recognises that it is important that we provide parents with access to clear and up to date advice on how they can support their children’s development and wellbeing.

Civil servants must adhere to the civil service code of conduct and carry out their duties with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Scottish Government Internal and leadership communications routinely highlight the code to staff. In addition, all Scottish Government communicators (including those creating digital content and advertising) follow the guidance from the UK Government’s Government Communication Service which provides Propriety and ethics in government communications - Government Communications in addition to the code. The Government has a responsibility to inform the public of policy and the Government may use a variety of media, including paid and unpaid publicity, to achieve its objectives.

The ten suppliers that received the highest value of payments from Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in each year, since FY 19/20 are as follows:

We are mindful of the importance of birth and still birth registration and will continue to ensure that the register of births, the register of still births, and all our civil status registers align as necessary with broader legal requirements. There are no current plans to change the content of birth register and still birth register entries.

The Scottish Government understands the importance of sport and physical activity to support positive mental, physical and social health outcomes. We believe there should be no barriers to participating in sport and physical activity, and everyone should be able to enjoy being physically active.

We welcome the establishment of the National EDI Forum for Scottish Sport, which includes our national agency for sport, sportscotland, as well as wider sport sector partners. The Scottish Government regularly meets with Scottish Disability Sport, Scottish Women in Sport and LEAP Sports Scotland where we receive updates on the forum, and discuss challenges and opportunities to address inequalities in participation.

The Scottish Government also recognises the importance of lived experiences to inform decision making across the sector. sportscotland, is a national partner of Scottish Disability Sport and invests in and supports initiatives such as Scottish Disability Sport's Young Person's Sport Panel. sportscotland remains committed to ensuring underrepresented groups are reflected within planning and governance arrangements.