Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41944 on 1 December 2025, Education Scotland are currently reviewing the curriculum in line with the Curriculum Improvement Cycle programme. As part of this review, work is taking place to review the place of financial education within the curriculum. 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 engagement to date has included a series of collaborative sessions involving a broad range of practitioners, stakeholders, and academics, including representatives from the Money and Pensions Service, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, the National Association of Student Money Advisers, and Money Ready. These sessions have examined the current landscape of financial education, drawing on evidence-based research, and have initiated planning on how financial education might be effectively integrated into the Scottish curriculum to promote a coherent and equitable approach.

We are committed to ensuring that children and young people are equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding to successfully navigate a world where AI permeates all aspects of society.

The current curriculum includes digital literacy which allows teachers to develop learners’ skills in the use of digital tools, including AI.

Work to consider and update all curriculum areas as part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, including Technologies, is underway. The Cycle will consider cross-curricular expectations, including digital literacy and political literacy and will involve input from a range of academic and industry experts, ensuring that our thinking reflects best practice in what is a fast moving and complex area.

In recognition of the challenges and opportunities that AI poses for teaching and learning, we have been pleased to provide funding to the University of Edinburgh to develop resources to support the teaching of AI across several subject areas.

Work also continues at pace to develop AI guidelines and guardrails for teachers on the ethical use of AI in schools. We hope to publish this in the coming months.

The Scottish Government does not hold this data.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) publishes regular statistics relating to waiting times in A&E.

The latest publication can be found here: Accident and emergency - Urgent and unscheduled care - Healthcare system - Public Health Scotland

The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of callers who report being unable to access care after multiple attempts to contact NHS 24.

The Scottish Government continues to support NHS 24, including revising performance indicators to better reflect demand and improve service delivery. Over the past two financial years, NHS 24 has received £28.3 million in additional funding, enabling the recruitment of 22 extra clinicians and achieving its highest-ever treatment capacity.

The Scottish Government does not collect or hold data on the number of patients who make multiple calls to the NHS 24 111 service. The service operates as a clinical triage and advice service, and repeat contacts can occur for a range of legitimate reasons. These may include changes in a patient’s symptoms, clarification of previous advice, or the need for further support following an initial call. As such, without specific data collection, it is not possible to determine whether the number of repeat calls has increased since 2020.

The Scottish Government does not hold this data.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) publishes regular statistics relating to waiting times in A&E.

The latest publication can be found here: Accident and emergency - Urgent and unscheduled care - Healthcare system - Public Health Scotland

The Scottish Government is confident that NHS 24 operates a robust triage system that prioritises patient safety.

NHS 24 will always refer patients on to other areas of the healthcare system when appropriate to do so and in the best interests of the patients care.

NHS 24 performance is subject to regular monitoring, and NHS 24 continues to meet statutory and clinical obligations.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The Scottish Government continues to invest in and support NHS 24 as a vital part of Scotland’s health and care system. Over the past two financial years, NHS 24 has received more than £26.9 million in additional funding to increase its capacity and improve patient access.

More than 100 new call handlers have been recruited, bringing staffing close to full levels to reduce handling times and manage demand.

Additionally, NHS 24 launched its digital transformation programme on 21 October 2025 to modernise services, improve patient experience, streamline clinical pathways, and ensure faster access to appropriate care.

NHS 24 operate under clear, evidence-based clinical protocols that are designed to safeguard patient safety and ensure timely access to care. These include a structured triage system, clinical decision support tools, and escalation pathways for urgent or complex cases, which apply equally to repeat callers.

The Scottish Government monitors compliance with these protocols and expects NHS 24 to adhere to them rigorously. Detailed information on specific guidance may be obtained from NHS 24.