Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government, in partnership with UK Government, agreed to deliver two Green Freeports in Scotland, and we are focussed on supporting the two selected Green Freeports to deliver maximum impact as soon as possible. There are no current plans to create additional Green Freeports in Scotland.

As part of the business case setup phase, each Green Freeport is required to submit detailed analysis to Government setting out the benefits they will deliver. By driving new investment, creating high-quality employment and promoting decarbonisation, both Green Freeports seek to have transformational impacts not only in their respective regional economies but also in wider supply chains across Scotland and beyond. Forth Green Freeport aims to support up to 34,500 jobs, including creation of up to 16,000 direct jobs. Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport aims to create over 18,000 jobs in the UK – over 11,000 of those in the Highlands. Both Governments have carefully scrutinised the business cases of each Green Freeport to ensure the benefits articulated are deliverable, supported by evidence, and represent value for money. The Scottish and UK Government have also established a Green Freeports monitoring and evaluation framework which will gather regular performance data, track the Green Freeports’ against their aims, and report on progress.

Public Health Scotland's latest monthly statistics publication Delayed discharges in NHSScotland monthly - Figures for September 2024 - Delayed discharges in NHSScotland monthly - Publications - Public Health Scotland, published on 5 November, shows the number of delayed discharges by Health Board and by month, up to and including September 2024.

The relevant information can be found in Summary tables to September 2024 2024-11-05_delayed_discharges_summary_tables_to_september_2024.xlsx (live.com) on sheet Tab 1 Summary, by selecting the relevant health board and date range using the drop down options.

Ofqual regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England. It’s findings relate to the SQA Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification delivered in England which was withdrawn by SQA in April 2019.

We expect all public bodies to comply with their obligations and the Ofqual findings must be fully addressed.

SQA is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), established under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. As a NDPB, SQA is responsible for making its own operational decisions. SQA has taken forward an action plan to address the concerns raised by Ofqual and the plan will be independently audited.

The Scottish Government will be monitoring progress closely.

Ofqual regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England. It’s findings relate to the SQA Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification delivered in England which was withdrawn by SQA in April 2019.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with SQA to discuss a range of matters. This has included updates on Ofqual’s investigation of SQA.

SQA is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), established under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. As a NDPB, SQA is responsible for making its own operational decisions. The undertaking by the SQA to Ofqual is a matter for Ofqual. The Scottish Government will be monitoring progress closely.

Ofqual regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England. It’s findings relate to the SQA Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification delivered in England which was withdrawn by SQA in April 2019.

SQA have regularly updated the Scottish Government on the Ofqual review from its inception.

Ofqual has published its findings: Undertaking given by Scottish Qualifications Authority to Ofqual in accordance with B8 of the Conditions of Recognition - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

There is a range of investment and resources available to support teachers to promote equality and address racism and other forms of discrimination within their school communities.

For example, Education Scotland, our national education improvement body, in partnership with Interfaith Scotland, has developed an Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning framework: Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework | Leading professional learning | Professional Learning | Education Scotland which includes resources on religious literacy, aimed at supporting teachers’ understanding of the diverse needs, issues and discrimination experienced by different religious communities in the UK, including Jewish communities. Education Scotland also provides guidance on preventing radicalisation and extremism in schools; Prevent radicalisation and extremism | Resources | Education Scotland.

In relation to antisemitism specifically, the Scottish Government provides funding for the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Holocaust Educational Trust - LFA Project (het.org.uk) and Vision Schools Scotland’s Holocaust education programme: Vision Schools Scotland (uws.ac.uk) which aims to promote excellence in Holocaust teaching. While both programmes focus on the Holocaust, they also promote awareness of Jewish people, culture and their contribution to society and address antisemitism in the world today, including through professional learning and resources for teachers.

Ofqual regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England. It’s findings relate to the SQA Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification delivered in England which was withdrawn by SQA in April 2019.

We expect all public bodies to comply with their obligations and the Ofqual findings must be fully addressed.

SQA is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), established under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. As a NDPB, SQA is responsible for making its own operational decisions. SQA has taken forward an action plan to address the concerns raised by Ofqual and the plan will be independently audited.

The Scottish Government will be monitoring progress closely.

The attendance of children and young people in schools is a priority for the Scottish Government. Our published guidance Ministerial foreword - Included, engaged and involved part 1: promoting and managing school attendance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) for local authorities and schools is clear on the need to follow-up absence and provide appropriate support to address the underlying causes of absence.

Under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004, local authorities are under a statutory duty to identify, provide for, and review the additional support needs of their pupils. An additional support need can arise for any reason and be of short or long-term duration. Support needs arising from a young person’s individual family circumstances, such as having an alcohol dependent parent, are covered by the 2004 Act.

There is a package of national and local support available to assist schools in planning how to use their Pupil Equity Funding (PEF). Local authorities issue specific complementary guidance and headteachers can use their professional judgement to identify children in their school who may benefit from targeted interventions. Headteachers must develop a clear rationale for their use of PEF and plans must be grounded in evidence of what is known to be effective at raising attainment.