Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23070 on 4 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 is aware that there have been reports of incidents of anti-social behaviour on buses over recent months and we are aware of concerns relating to anti-social behaviour in other public places. We do not hold data on individual incidents but use official statistics to monitor trends on reported incidents and people’s own experiences or perceptions of antisocial behaviour.

These incidents are of concern but should not detract from the success of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme. By the end of October over 98 million journeys had been made since the scheme went live in January 2022. The Scheme is making a real difference to the lives of young people and their families by helping to cut costs for essential, every day and leisure travel.

To understand the impact of the Young Persons Scheme, the Scottish Government will carry out an ongoing evaluation during the first five years of its operation. The first part, the one year after launch evaluation will be published later this year and will consider impacts on antisocial behaviour.

The Scottish Government has received a number of requests from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry under Rule 9 of the Inquiry Rules Act 2006 and has been asked not to disclose the evidence that has been requested or provided, as have all core participants.

As a result, the Scottish Government is unable to confirm or comment on the details of any Rule 9 requests to individuals.

The Scottish Government remains fully committed in its cooperation with both the UK and Scottish Covid-19 Inquiries in their independent work to explore the handling of the pandemic and to identify the vital lessons we all need to learn.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23070 on 4 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 .

Work to revise the current RSHP teaching guidance was taken forward with a group of key stakeholders, including the Scottish Catholic Education Service. This engagement included meeting to consider the basis of a section in the revised guidance relating to faith and belief, and sharing iterations of the revised guidance before the revised guidance was finalised ahead of public consultation.

The draft revised guidance makes direct reference to denominational schools, recognising that religious authorities with a role in education provide additional and complementary guidance on RSHP education. Links to resources provided by the Scottish Catholic Education Service are contained in the revised guidance. The new section on faith and belief also takes into account an inclusive approach to all faiths and makes clear that educational practitioners in all schools should ensure that RSHP teaching and learning is delivered sensitively and respectfully to faith groups.

Catholic schools in Scotland play a crucial and valued role in the education system. In recognition of the concerns raised, officials met with the Scottish Catholic Education Service in November and made it clear they will reinstate the text on denominational schools into the revised guidance.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information as the recruitment and employment of teachers are matters for individual councils.

An aim of the Scottish Government's scientific trial is to put in place appropriate regulatory arrangements to help ensure a sustainable fishery.

Officials are considering options for management measures, informed by scientific findings, and will engage with trial participants if further measures are considered necessary.

The Scottish Government are not seeking to increase the number of plans for individual health conditions and are therefore not developing a national strategy to tackle chronic kidney disease. Rather, we are focussed on how we can best support Health Boards to deliver high quality, value-based, person-centred care for all people, irrespective of condition.

The Scottish Government consider the impact of messaging on those who may have had a negative experience in relation to the relevant health topic when developing all health related campaigns. This is done in a number of ways including through creative testing and engaging with people with lived experience or stakeholders. In this instance this was carried out through patient representative stakeholders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23112 on 4 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 .