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Scotland’s Population 2022: the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends’ will be published at 9:30 a.m. on 31 st October 2023. The Report provides an overview of trends in population, migration, and deaths, together with other demographic information. A copy of the report is available at

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/stats-at-a-glance/registrar-generals-annual-review/2022 .

It is important that we take the time to work closely with industry, with investors and with our partners across the public and private sectors to ensure that we get our approach to this right. This process is already well-underway and we will update parliament once it has been completed.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the impact that scams can have on individuals, including those who are vulnerable to the activity of online romance scammers.

While we have not held any direct discussions with Police Scotland about romance scams, we continue to work with partners on scams prevention and to support the publication of a regular CyberScotland Bulletin (available at cyberscotland.com) which provides information on the latest cyber threats, scams and news. We also supported a media campaign run by Advice Direct Scotland last year to raise awareness around romance and companionship scams.

I would urge anyone who becomes aware of any suspicious activity relating to romance scams to contact ADS on 0808 164 6000 and urge anyone who feels they’ve been a victim of online romance scammers to report it to Police Scotland by calling 101.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are in the process of undertaking a policy review on whether home slaughter by an itinerant slaughterer for the purposes of private domestic consumption could be undertaken legally under current food hygiene legislation. Subject to the outcome of this policy review, FSS may consult with relevant stakeholders on next steps in due course.  

Under any revised home slaughter policy, it would not be possible for the meat from home slaughtered animals to enter into the food chain, as this is not permitted under existing food hygiene legislation. Only meat that has been slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse can be legally placed on the market. There are currently no plans, therefore, to trial the use of itinerant slaughterers on island communities to produce meat that can be placed on the market.

There has not been a reduction in Scottish Government's funding awarded to Creative Scotland. Over the last five years, Scottish Government has provided over £33m to Creative Scotland to compensate for the continuous shortfall in National Lottery funding.

As a result of rising costs and pressure on budgets across government, we are unable to make up the ongoing shortfall this year.

On 27 September the Board of Creative Scotland agreed to provide £6.6m for this financial year from its funding reserves, which totals £17m, to cover the shortfall in National Lottery funding. This means that none of Creative Scotland’s Regularly Funded Organisations will receive reduced funding this financial year.

Subject to the usual Parliamentary processes we will provide the National Lottery shortfall funding of £6.6m to Creative Scotland in 2024-2025.

The Scottish Government does not hold a list of how many GP surgeries have closed.

Health Boards are responsible for managing GP contracts.

Public Health Scotland publishes quarterly information about GP practices in Scotland.

Gathering Views | HIS Engage

On 26 October I met with trade union representatives from the culture and arts sector to hear the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Funding for Creative Scotland was also discussed at this meeting.

The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has not met with trade union representatives.

There has not been a reduction in the Scottish Government's funding awarded to Creative Scotland. Over the last five years, the Scottish Government has provided over £33m to Creative Scotland to compensate for the continuous reduction in National Lottery funding.

As a result of rising costs and pressure on budgets across government, we are unable to make up the ongoing shortfall this year.

The Creative Scotland Board agreed on 27 September to use Creative Scotland’s National Lottery reserves of £6.6m to ensure all RFO payments are met in full as provided for in the 2023-24 Funding Agreement.

Subject to the usual Parliamentary processes we will provide the National Lottery Shortfall funding of £6.6m to Creative Scotland in 2024-25.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. However, it is published annually by Public Health Services (PHS) in their ‘Scottish Health Service Costs’ report. The NHSScotland and Board level data from 19-20 to 21-22 can be viewed online at: Scottish health service costs - High-level costs summary 2021 to 2022 - Scottish health service costs - Publications - Public Health Scotland .

Data from 2012 – 18-19 can be viewed online at: Latest Publications | ISD Scotland (under the topic: ‘Finance’).

The Children’s Parliament delivers objectives from two Scottish Government funding streams: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Implementation Programme; and the Children Young People and Families Early Intervention & Adult Learning and Empowering Communities fund (CYPFEIF & ALEC).

UNCRC Implementation Programme funding objectives for 2022-23:

• Empower children to be heard and to influence policy making
• Support duty bearers to build knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver children’s human rights
• Raise awareness of children’s human rights among children and wider society
  

CYPFEI & ALEC funding objectives set for 2022-23:

• Children have improved knowledge and understanding of their human rights and increased opportunities to participate in democratic processes
• Public bodies increase knowledge and understanding about the needs and concerns of children and use this to make public services more responsive to children's needs
• Children's Parliament extends the reach and influence of children voices across Scotland and internationally

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Data at procedure level is held by Health Boards individually.