Chamber and committees

In addition to taking forward a National Conversation on rail, we will be consulting specifically on women’s safety when using public transport.

Specific timescales will be outlined following the discussion underway with relevant representative groups on the preferred approach for carrying out this engagement.

We have already made initial contact with Engender. We will also engage with groups who represent women working on our public transport network to capture the views of female staff.

Following the statement by the Minister for Business , Trade, Tourism and Enterprise in February, I can confirm that the Green Freeports Prospectus for Scotland has now been published and the programme is open for applications. The Prospectus can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-freeports-in-scotland-bidding-prospectus .

Applicants must detail how they will meet the Green Freeports four key policy objectives: promoting regeneration and high quality job creation, including how fair work will be embedded across the Green Freeport; promoting decarbonisation and a just transition to a net zero economy; establishing global hubs for trade and investment; and fostering an innovative environment.

I look forward to receiving ambitious applications from across Scotland in advance of the 20 June deadline. Applications will be assessed jointly by the Scottish and UK Governments and winning bids will be selected jointly by Scottish and UK ministers with winners announced over the summer.

We welcome people from Hong Kong who have chosen to move to Scotland. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting their integration into our communities and we have also published a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, on our website.

The Scottish Government is taking a coordinated cross-portfolio approach to support BN(O) nationals coming to Scotland, working with COSLA to assess the impact on public services in key local authorities. We have been pressing the UK Government to provide clarity on when the £2.98M funding for integration support will be transferred to the Scottish Government.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07334 on 25 March 2022. 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 refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07353 on 25 March 2022. 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 .

Transport Scotland, as part of the implementation of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, has been working on the liability provisions contained within Part 8 of the Act which will bring into force Keeper Liability across Scotland.

I am advised that Transport Scotland officials have been prioritising the secondary legislation for the pavement, dropped kerb and parking prohibitions and that work on implementing Part 8 of the Act is still ongoing.

This process is currently underway. Health Boards have been asked to submit 22-23 plans linked to activity trajectories and requests for funding, which will be used to allocate resources to address orthopaedic surgery waiting lists.

Additionally, as part of our 100 days commitments, we published an NHS Recovery Plan in August 2021. This sets out our plans for health and social are over the next 5 years. Backed by over £1 billion of funding, the Plan will support an increase in inpatient, daycase, and outpatient activity to address the backlogs of care in orthopaedics and other areas, supported by the implementation of sustainable improvements and new models of care.

As the First Minister set out we have developing a managed transition plan which will ensure that Scotland continues to have a proportionate and effective testing response as we learn to live with COVID. As part of this we are reviewing the groups of individuals who will need to access a COVID test for treatment in line with the latest clinical advice and risk assessments.

As the First Minister set out on 17th March we have a testing transition plan which will ensure that Scotland continues to have a proportionate and effective testing response as we learn to live with covid.

Where the Government recommends that testing should continue to take place these tests will be provided free of charge.

All 32 Scottish local authorities welcomed refugees under the Syrian resettlement scheme. Local authorities have also re-affirmed their continuing support for resettlement with all 32 Scottish local authorities committing to participate in the Afghanistan resettlement and relocation schemes and to support those arriving from Ukraine.

The Scottish Government continues to work with local authorities, COSLA, UK Government and wider partners to support people arriving through the UK Resettlement Scheme, Afghanistan relocation and resettlement schemes and the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

We have a wealth of experience and learning from previous schemes to support and resettle displaced people. Scotland stands ready to offer refuge and sanctuary to anyone who may need it.