The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is committed to building a diverse and representative workforce. The SPCB monitors and reports on the diversity of its staff, including people with a disability.  Where a group is identified as underrepresented in the workforce, positive action measures are used to remove barriers and increase representation.

The SPCB is one of a small number of organisations in Scotland to be recognized as a Disability Confident Leader. This accreditation recognises the actions taken to actively encourage the recruitment of disabled people and the support provided to foster career progression.  In keeping with this accreditation guidance has been developed for managers to ensure that they take an inclusive approach to recruitment, ensuring that our approach is open and accessible for all.  This includes guidance and resources for managers and staff on creating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent colleagues.  Where a colleague with a learning disability, autism or neurodivergence requires support to access the recruitment process or work effectively, an adjustment plan is agreed with them to ensure that appropriate adjustments are put in place and updated, as required.

The Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), is the preferred source for jobs estimates for industry sectors. The latest available BRES jobs estimates are for 2022 with consistent time series available back to 2015. Jobs estimates for the Accommodation and Food Service Activities sector for 2015 to 2022 are shown in the following table.

Table 1: Estimated jobs in the Accommodation and Food Service Activities sector, Scotland, 2015 to 2022

The Gaelic medium education (GME) sector has distinct development needs in qualifications, teacher support and continuity in secondary education. At all stages, officials in the Gaelic and Scots team have aimed to keep the GME sector aware of developments and encouraged their response to consultations. Most recently, I met with CLAS (Professional Association for Gaelic Secondary School Teachers) on Thursday 12 September.

The replacement of the SQA and changes to our qualifications and assessment approaches have been informed by extensive stakeholder engagement including stakeholders from Gaelic communities. This engagement took place during the Muir Review, the National Discussion on Scottish Education, the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment and consultations on the Scottish Languages and Education (Scotland) Bills.

The advantages for capacity and performance of a new rail loop in the Delmore area are recognised. However, the proposal for a passing loop at Delmore does not feature in the Scottish Government’s current investment programme.

Given the extremely challenging financial climate, and following last year's UK Autumn Statement, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting the budget for 2024-25. This affects our ability to fund any projects which do not yet feature in the current investment programme.

A loop at Delmore remains in consideration for future delivery alongside a number of other potentially valuable schemes.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29410 on 17 September 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.

Recovering these nutrients from wastewater is expensive and the income generated from the sale of recovered resources does not cover the costs of recovery – as a result it is not widely done by Scottish Water. For this reason, in our recent consultation on water, wastewater and drainage policy, we sought views on whether resource recovery is something that Scottish Water should be undertaking, and to what extent they should be able to use the money it receives from customer charges to do this. The consultation responses show broad support for our proposals and there was a recognition to support a circular economy through resource recovery. We will consider how this activity can be progressed further as part of our on-going development of policy in Water, Wastewater and Drainage services.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to any repair and maintenance works, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to any repair and maintenance works, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to any repair and maintenance works, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

A three year package of financial support of almost £1 million has been co-funded by the Scottish Government and Nationwide Foundation, to Communities Housing Trust and South of Scotland Community Housing, to enable them to support organisations with applications to the fund.

Officials in More Homes Division are also working closely with applicants to assist as many fully developed, consented projects to gain a formal approval for delivery of affordable rural and island homes through the fund.

Scottish Government guidance makes clear the expectation that projects supported by the local authority brought forward under the fund should be included in future Strategic Housing Investment Plans.

The Scottish Government’s Rural Delivery Plan, which is set to be published by the end of this parliamentary term, will set out how all parts of the Scottish Government will deliver for Scotland’s rural and island communities. It will cover a range of priority areas, including housing, transport and economic development.