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The Year One report for the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF) was published in February 2022 and can be found here: National Transition Training Fund (NTTF): year 1 report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . This shows that 9.482 individuals were supported in academic year 2020-21 across a diverse range of projects.

In Year Two (academic year 2021-22), 22,266 training opportunities were provided. Across both years of the fund, data on those who were unemployed or in work was not collected across all projects, although some specific projects in each year were designed to support people who were either in work or not. For example, the Aviation Covid Recovery Fund managed through Scottish Union Learning and delivered by Unite the Union, was aimed specifically at those in work to help them retain their jobs in a sector significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Skillsboost Programme which ran in both years across Scotland’s colleges was aimed at those who were out of work or at risk of redundancy.

A report summarising the impact of NTTF’s second year will be published in the coming weeks.

Scottish Government are aware of an ongoing complaint in relation to works being carried out by Morrison Construction at the site of the new Women's National Facility, near Stirling.

Residents living adjacent to the site have made claims alleging vibration damage to their properties resulting from the works. Scottish Prison Service are liaising with residents, local Councillors and the local MSP to investigate and resolve this issue. A structural report has been carried out and an offer to conduct a further independent report has not as yet been taken up by the residents.

At this point, there is no link shown that the works being carried out at this facility are the cause of any damage to neighbouring properties. Scottish Prison Service will remain in dialogue with the residents, local Councillor and local MSP to resolve this matter.

Morrison Construction is a reputable contractor who have approached previous works carried out for the public sector in a responsible manner and address complaints promptly. Other than the above, Scottish Government are not aware of any other complaints or issues of note in relation to Morrison Construction.

Scottish Government has not undertaken any recent assessment of the impact of health inequalities in relation to liver disease patients. However Public Health Scotland (PHS) published a report in November 2022 that examined average mortality rates from liver disease in Scotland, including analysis by deprivation levels.

The risk of liver cancer and liver disease is increased by the impacts of harmful behaviours such as alcohol use. The Scottish Government is determined to do all that we can to reduce alcohol-related harm, which continues to be one of the most pressing public health challenges that we face in Scotland.

The PHS evaluation of Minimum Unit Price published on 27 June 2023 shows around 150 alcohol attributable deaths and 400 alcohol attributable hospital admissions each year have been averted since the policy was introduced. The policy also contributes to reducing health inequalities, with the study showing that the largest reductions in deaths and hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption were seen in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas.

From Jan 2021 – March 2023 the Scottish Government provided over £2.8 million as part of our Women Returners funding through which over 2,100 women have been given support to help with their route back to work. In so doing we have met our 2018/19 Programme for Government commitment to support over 2000 women by the end of the 2022-23 financial year.

Many of the tax levers to support businesses remain reserved to the UK Parliament. The devolution of further taxes to Scotland would present new policy options for Scotland to support entrepreneurs and businesses.

We constantly review the support we offer to businesses, including employee owned businesses and businesses transitioning to employee ownership, and will set out our tax policies for 2024-25 to Parliament at the next Budget.

The Scottish Government has held the following meetings with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland since May 2021. No agreed outcomes were recorded for these meetings:

• 1 June 2021: Introductory meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 22 and 28th February 2022: Annual forum between Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Scottish college and university officials (including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) – To provide SAAS operational and policy updates to help support students in higher education.
• 24 March 2022: Meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Committee of Scottish Chairs (including Nick Kuenssberg, Chair of Board, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 12 May 2022: Meeting between Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training) and Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
• 23 and 28 February 2023: Annual forum between Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Scottish college and university officials (including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) – To provide SAAS operational and policy updates to help support students in higher education.

a) The estimated percentage of commercial forestry operations that have taken place in known red squirrel habitat:

The Scottish Government recognises the invaluable contribution of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) to Scotland’s research and innovation. As Scotland’s National Academy, the RSE meets regularly with a wide range of Scottish Government ministers and officials. Given the number of these meetings that take place across Government it is not possible to detail the outcomes of every meeting.

In recent months, however, I have met with RSE’s Chief Executive and RSE researchers to discuss shared priorities for Scottish research and innovation and the contribution of our Further and Higher Education sector.

During the development of the Carbon Audit guidance, under Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF), early engagement with Agents and Lantra was conducted to ensure that the industry could start upskilling its network to meet the expected demand. As a result, the number of FBAASS accredited agents/ associates has increased to 151 (11-07-23). The spread might not cover every island, but it does create a growing network that is improving the access to farmers and crofters who request their services. We will monitor this position closely.

Officials confirm that there are FBAASSS advisors/ associates based in Shetland who are qualified to perform a Carbon Audit but also Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) has flexibility to allow land managers to complete a Carbon Audit template themselves, then use any FBAASS advisor registered in Scotland to provide the required recommendations based on the gathered data.