Seòmar agus comataidhean

In his answer, the First Minister identified a need to understand the scale and scope of the problem before discussions on any fund that might or might not be necessary. This remains the case.

We are engaging with public sector organisations to seek reassurance of both their awareness and any action identified on this issue.

It will always be the case that a percentage of students will withdraw from Foundation placements The information as to the reason for withdrawal is limited based on the reliance of the student to provide the detail, but could be university related - either exam fails, or students were required to repeat their final year, or withdrawal due to personal circumstances.

(a) Percentage of allocated withdrawals from the total nominated number

The following organisations have contacted The Scottish Government on the presence or suspected presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete within their building estate:

• NHS Scotland
• Police Scotland
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• East Lothian Council
• West Lothian Council

We are in the process of contacting other public bodies to seek reassurance of both their awareness and of any action identified on this issue.

Owners are responsible for building maintenance and safety and should meet all relevant health and safety requirements related to those working in or using their buildings.

Scottish Ministers discussed reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete at a Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group meeting on 21 June. Agreed minutes of the meeting will be published on the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group website.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19700 on 31 July 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 .

NHS Scotland Assure are conducting a survey programme which will confirm how many buildings in the NHS Estate contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Once the extent of the programme is determined, the condition will be assessed, thereafter it will be possible to establish the management and removal plans that may be necessary. This means however, that it is not currently possible to assess what these plans might cost until the survey work is complete.

The Scottish Government are considering the timetable of the implementation of £12 an hour for social care staff.

A total of 147 school builds were completed between 2016-17 and 2021-22. Figures for 2022-23 are not yet available.

Table 1 shows the breakdown by local authority. Only builds with a cost of £500,000 or more for primary and £1 million or more for secondary and special are included.

A breakdown by individual year is available from Table 7.1 in the school estate statistics supplementary data tables https://www.gov.scot/publications/school-estate-statistics-2022/documents/ .

Table 1: Schools built by local authority between 2016-17 and 2021-22.

Inspiring Scotland will open applications for the new Autism Support Fund in the next couple of weeks. The application window will remain open for a period of 4 weeks and awards will be announced to recipients two to three weeks after applications close.