Funding to support place-based regeneration programmes has been set at £45.8m for 2024-25 of which £23m is required to meet contractual commitments for Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) projects.

Ministers are considering implications of the budget and options for the distribution of the remaining capital budget allocation. As such, the planned investment panel and subsequent funding decisions on Round 11 Stage 2 of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund are currently on hold and we will clarify how the regeneration capital budget will be allocated in due course.

The Deputy First Minister has made clear the very challenging position on the Scottish Government’s capital budget. This is forecast to result in a 9.8% real terms cut in our capital funding over the medium term between 2023-24 and 2027-28.

Through the existing capital investment routes including the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, we have, over a number of years, encouraged the CRT to work with relevant local authorities to bring forward proposals to develop assets, to support community led regeneration while providing an alternative source of income generation for CRT. This is aimed at reducing the Trust’s reliance on revenue grant.

The Scottish Government continues to provide £100,000 annual funding to enable CELCIS to support the facilitation of a Virtual Head Teacher network. There are currently 18 virtual head teachers (or equivalent) who are members of the network with a standing offer of support to other local authorities who are considering implementing the role. The network has recently been expanded to include two Attainment Advisers from Education Scotland to offer additional support to the network and virtual head teachers.

Funding is provided to CELCIS for them to facilitate, support and manage a network of Virtual Head Teachers. This includes undertaking research and evaluation around the development of the role in Scotland and how it can help improve the lives and education outcomes of care experienced young people. Decisions around the introduction of the role remain with each individual local authority.

The Fair Work Working Group (FWWG) continues to explore ways to promote all aspects of fair work across the sector, finding common ground on good fair work practices which will be both meaningful and impactful and will encourage retail businesses to demonstrate their commitment to the Fair Work principles.

New Year's Day trading can be discussed and non-legislative routes explored in relation to the approach on fair work if the FWWG members choose to do so as part of their regular discussions and as they continue to collaborate on the fair work action with the trade unions and industry stakeholders through the Retail Industry Leadership Group.

Health Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships are responsible for the delivery of primary medical services in their areas and for any evaluation of the sufficiency of those services.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-03094 on 21 February 2024. Answers to Oral parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, Meeting of the Parliament: 21/02/2024 | Scottish Parliament Website .

The Scottish Government has not received a request from any Councils to introduce a Council Tax discount for properties damaged by flooding that remain occupied.

The Council Tax system in Scotland provides for a 100% exemption from Council Tax for homes that are not habitable, and are undergoing major repairs, which lasts for up to 12 months. Further, local authorities have the discretion to apply a Council Tax discount of up to 50% to an unoccupied property at any time. As there is no time limit to this discretion there is no date at which any discount must expire.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23510 on 19 December 2023. 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 Scottish Government continues to deliver on its commitment to build the case for an independent Scotland in the EU, giving people the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, as set out in the Programme for Government. I’m pleased to confirm that on 4th March we are publishing ‘An independent Scotland’s place in the world’.

This is the eleventh paper in the Building a New Scotland series, featuring detailed proposals for Scotland becoming a new sovereign state on the world stage.

It sets out our plans for Scotland to become a good global citizen, building partnerships with other countries and international organisations to address global challenges, promoting human rights and development, advancing an ambitious, progressive agenda and securing agreements in international forums aligned with our values and interests. It will also set out plans to promote innovation, trade and investment.

The Scottish Government is continuing to prepare further papers in the Building a New Scotland series and these will be published shortly. I can also confirm that we intend hold a debate in Parliament on Scotland’s place in the world on 5th March.

An independent Scotland’s place in the world will be available to view on the Scottish Government website from 4th March at www.gov.scot/newscotland .

The information requested regarding former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender men and have de-transitioned since being released from prison is not collected or held centrally.