Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises that childcare costs continue to be a challenge for many parents and carers. That is why the Programme for Government set out ambitious commitments to expand access to childcare as part of our mission to tackle child poverty.

However, I would note that Scotland already has the most generous offer in the UK. We are the only part of the UK to offer 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare to all 3- and 4-year-olds, and eligible 2-year-olds, regardless of their parents’ working status, putting children first. If families paid for this themselves, it would cost them more than £5,500 per eligible child per year.

The NHSScotland Special Leave policy provides the staff member and their partner initially up to one working week of paid compassionate leave. Additionally, managers hold the discretion to extend this leave by an additional week thereby providing a total of 10 days paid special leave to support healing and recovery.

Of the 2.5m jobs in Scotland, the research mapped nearly 40% of those as green jobs. Of those green jobs, 13% were classified as ‘new and emerging’ construction sector jobs, 12% were ‘enhanced skills and knowledge’ construction sector jobs, and 25% were ‘increased demand’ construction sector jobs. The research did not seek to define how many of these were as a result of policy initiatives nor does the Scottish Government hold that information.

The full report can be found here: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/q2lhg1v5/green-jobs-in-scotland-report_final-4.pdf

It remains the Scottish Government’s intention to update the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967.

Given the time elapsed between the consultation that took place in 2017-18, we must now consider the updated context that the regulations exist in.

We are now taking this work forward and will re-consult on the Regulations in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W- 26745 on 18 April 2024. 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 information requested is available on the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023, published on 27 March 2024, at Tables 9.15 and 9.16 and via CalMac’s website and can be found by following the links below:

www.transport.gov.scot/publication/scottish-transport-statistics-2023/

www.calmac.co.uk/corporate/your-carrying-statistics

The carryings statistics for 2023 on the CalMac website, are up until 16 May 2023, although further carryings should be available in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26745 on 18 April 2024. 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

I have asked Janet Egdell, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

The next release of census data will be May 2024. This release will include:

• Population by age and sex at all geographies down to output area (unrounded)
• Number of households at all geographies down to output area (unrounded)

Please note, output areas are made up of approximately 50 households. Up to date information on future releases can be found on the census outputs schedule webpage .

In line with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Statistics, National Records of Scotland will publish the specific release date and time for each publication at least four weeks in advance.

£11.3 million of additional funding has been directed to support Cancer Waiting Times improvements in our NHS across 2023-24, of which NHS Ayrshire & Arran received a share of £838,000.

Funding has been targeted towards the most challenged specialties, including breast, colorectal and urology. This funding includes investment to support extended working days and weekend working to increase capacity and treat patients as timely as possible.

In addition, NHS Ayrshire & Arran have established a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS). The RCDS provides primary care with access to a new referral pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer. The Services are a useful addition to how cancer can be diagnosed in Scotland providing a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss and fatigue.

The Scottish Government takes animal welfare very seriously and is committed to the highest possible welfare standards. There is however a balance to be struck between protecting animal welfare and protecting public safety.

The scheduling of court cases is an operational matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who operate independently from the Scottish Government. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment or intervene on such matters.