It is the responsibility of individual colleges to assess teaching costs. In support, however, the Tripartite Alignment Group of Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council and Colleges Scotland has been considering the development of a costing methodology for Scotland’s colleges, building on work initiated by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). Given the vast range of provision delivered at and from Scottish colleges, it is highly complex to develop a methodology which is relevant and scalable. However, several colleges are currently piloting a benchmarking exercise. Colleges Scotland expects to report back to the Tripartite Alignment Group on the results of this pilot in the spring. Further information on the Tripartite Alignment Group can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/groups/colleges-tripartitealignmentgroup/

The National Recognition and Procedures Agreement (NRPA) is an agreement between Further Education Colleges and trade unions.

While issues around NRPAs are for colleges and trade unions to negotiate and resolve, the Scottish Government, through its Fair Work Agenda, is clear that workers must have effective voice and therefore, expects that they have access to trade union representation.

The Scottish Government brought forward the Colleges of Further Education and Regional Strategic Bodies (Membership of Boards) (Scotland) Order 2023, which places a requirement for assigned college boards, regional college boards and both the Lanarkshire Board and the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board to have two Trade Union nominees, one from the lecturing staff unions and one from the support staff unions.

The Order came into effect on 31 January 2024 and trade unions are currently working through their election processes to nominate individuals to boards.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25100 on 27 February 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 .

Eleven universities have confirmed the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in their buildings. These are:

• University of Aberdeen
• Abertay University
• University of Dundee
• Edinburgh University
• Edinburgh Napier University
• University of Glasgow
• Heriot-Watt University
• University of St. Andrews
• University of Stirling
• University of Strathclyde
• University of the West of Scotland

Seven colleges have confirmed the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in their buildings. These are:

• UHI Moray College
• Borders College
•  Dundee & Angus College
• Edinburgh College
• Fife College
• Glasgow Clyde College
• West College Scotland

It is important that there is transparency around the schools where RAAC has been identified and the mitigations in place, and a list of the initial local authorities with confirmed cases of RAAC was published in a Scottish Government news release on 8 th September 2023. This news release is available here - Local authorities publish RAAC data - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

However, it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate, and all schools with RAAC should be available on relevant local authority websites.

We are currently aware that RAAC has been identified in 39 schools - including 4 ELC settings within primary schools - and 1 standalone ELC setting, across 18 local authorities. All 32 local authorities have completed assessments of their school estate.

The recently revised PAS 2080 by the British Standards Institute (BSI), is welcomed as a voluntary standard that can assist public authorities in managing carbon in building and infrastructure projects.

Our current position is that the incorporation of PAS 2080 would not be fully mandated in procurement standards, as it would be a barrier to small and midsize enterprises bidding for work. However, it is recommended, through the Client Guide to Construction Projects, to be included within the specified requirements of a construction or infrastructure contract. We will consider whether this position needs strengthened following further ongoing research into the matter.

The Scottish Government are in the process of drafting a Construction Policy Note highlighting PAS 2080. This will assist contracting authority staff, involved in the planning and delivery of public works projects, with practical guidance.

Through our Sustainability in Construction guidance, within the Client Guide to Construction Projects, we encourage public bodies to consider and reduce whole life carbon and PAS 2080 is widely recognised as a clear and consistent methodology for doing so.

The Scottish Government will continue to review and develop processes for reducing carbon through public sector procurements, ensuring that we are operating in line with current best practice and Scottish Government policy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25062 on 27 February 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 .

The Scottish Government through its delivery partner Energy Saving Trust (EST) offer a wide range of consumer incentives designed to support individuals and businesses across Scotland transition to net zero models of transport.

We are the only nation in the UK to offer a Used electric vehicle loan which provides interest free loans of up to £30,000 to support the purchase of a used EV. Our charge point infrastructure grants support people and businesses in rural, remote and island locations as well as residents in flatted/factored developments install charge points. Our Plugged-in Communities grant fund provides grant funding to community transport organisations allowing them to procure zero emission vehicles and associated infrastructure to support a wide range of essential community led activities.

The funding to support consumer incentives for 2023-2024 is fully allocated. Currently Transport Scotland officials are considering future levels of funding together with the terms and conditions that support these schemes, with the intention to re-open subject to final considerations. Individuals and businesses can register their interest on the EST website to receive further information - Grants and loans for energy and transport - Energy Saving Trust .