Chamber and committees

Plans to deliver this commitment will be set out in due course. In 2026-27, the Scottish Government has provided funding to support around 25,500 new modern apprenticeship starts and 1,500 graduate apprenticeships starts. Funding for apprenticeships in 2027-28 will be considered as part of preparation for the Scottish Budget 2027-28. Funding for subsequent years will be a matter for future budgets.

The 2026-27 Budget continues to provide local authorities with an additional £186.5 million to protect teacher numbers. We will work in partnership with local government to agree delivery of the commitment to maintain pupil-teacher ratios.

There are now 2,700 more teachers in Scotland's classrooms than a decade ago, as a result of sustained investment by the Scottish Government. Scotland also continues to have the lowest pupil-teacher ratio in the UK.

We recognise that workforce capacity is fundamental to the successful delivery of our funded childcare expansion, just as it was fundamental to our successful delivery of 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare. Our approach to expansion will involve working closely with local authorities, private and third sector providers, representative bodies, and trade unions across the childcare sector and wider civil society, to ensure that workforce requirements are understood and addressed.

Global citizenship education plays a vital role in equipping individuals and communities in Scotland with the knowledge, skills and values needed to understand global challenges, foster solidarity, and promote sustainable development.

In terms of recent meetings with relevant organisations, on 17 June I met with the British Council Scotland, who promote global citizenship through schools partnerships, teacher development and cultural exchange programme, to discuss the Erasmus+ programme, transnational education and language learning in schools.

Global citizenship education plays a vital role in equipping individuals and communities in Scotland with the knowledge, skills and values needed to understand global challenges, foster solidarity, and promote sustainable development.

In terms of recent meetings with relevant organisations, on 17 June I met with the British Council Scotland, who promote global citizenship through schools partnerships, teacher development and cultural exchange programme, to discuss the Erasmus+ programme, transnational education and language learning in schools.

The Scottish Government has committed to begin procurement for the ‘Welcome to School bag’ within the first 100 days by working with children and families to shape the best items for the start of school. Scottish Government Officials have begun engaging with learners, parents and carers, and headteachers on the various design, content, and delivery options, after which, we will produce a timeline for delivery.

Scottish Ministers are committed to improving the educational experiences of children and young people with additional support needs and recognise the important role all staff play in supporting those who are most vulnerable.

The 2026-27 budget set out an additional £29m of investment for local and national programmes to support the recruitment and retention of the ASN workforce. We will also continue to work in partnership with local government to support schools to develop positive learning environments and promote positive relationships and behaviour through the delivery of our Relationships and Behaviour in Schools Action Plan. Further detail in relation to the timing and staging of manifesto commitments will be announced in due course.

The Scottish Government provided funding to Queen Margaret University and the University of Glasgow to extend tutoring provision to more pupils and schools in early 2026. Project staff will produce an end-of-project evaluation and impact report post-August 2026 exam results, for publication by November 2026.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving outcomes for young people within under-represented communities to break down systemic inequalities across every educational pathway.

We aim to create a balanced and inclusive educational system that accommodates diverse learner needs, providing appropriate learning levels and destinations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-44232 on 12 March 2026, work on the Colleges Sector of the Future workstream is underway and will continue over the coming months. The workstream consists of three interconnected pillars: development of the evidence base, regional and national workshops, and co-creation of a set of sustainable and flexible options. As these pillars inform one another, evidence and related outputs will be developed and published in tranches as the work progresses. I will continue to keep Parliament updated. 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

We continue to monitor and consider a range of evidence in relation to Scotland’s energy sector, including this new report from the University of Aberdeen.

Decisions on licensing, consenting and the associated fiscal regime for offshore oil and gas are all matters reserved to the UK Government.

We remain clear in our own support for a just transition for Scotland’s valued oil and gas sector, which recognises both the important contribution the North Sea continues to make to our energy and the geological maturity of the basin.