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As the Member is aware, the Scottish Government has committed to invest £4.2 billion in the Scottish rail infrastructure which investments will focus on climate change adaptation and resilience of the rail network. Network Rail is leading on the delivery of the Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaption strategy and advises that it has a clear plan to deliver its objectives and is confident in doing so.

The Scottish Hydrogen Assessment projections were all done at a Scotland level and as such, there are no explicit figures for jobs by region.

Firework control zones are a discretionary power for local authorities. The Scottish Government provides support to local authorities in respect of firework control zones, such as by providing funding for consulting on and designating zones.

No changes to the legislative framework concerning firework control zones are proposed at this time. However, the Scottish Government keeps the effectiveness of the relevant provisions under continuous review. For example, as local authorities take up available funding for consulting on and implementing zones, feedback is sought on the effectiveness of the legislative provisions. Statutory guidance for local authorities also makes clear that review of firework control zones is required once introduced.

The Scottish Government values the important role our third sector plays in communities across Scotland, working to tackle tough social issues at source. We continue to invest widely in the third sector and have committed to increasing multiyear funding wherever possible.

We recognise the impact of rising operating costs across society, including on charity run venues.

While the Scottish Government does not provide any targeted funds that specifically address operational or energy costs of charity-run art venues during the winter season, we support Creative Scotland, who administer funding that focusses on the creation of cultural activity, from which a proportion of operating costs or energy costs can be included in the project budget that support applications for grants.

The Scottish Government is continuing to work in partnership with governments and football associations across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland following confirmation of the successful EURO 2028 bid on 10 October.

Funding contributions of all partners are commercially sensitive as the next phases of planning take place. The Scottish Government will undertake to notify the Scottish Parliament on developments in due course.

The bid was carefully considered by all partners and the event is predicted to generate cumulative socio-economic benefits of up to £2.6 billion across the UK and Ireland.

This is a matter for individual local authorities. The information is not held centrally.

Officials in the Energy Consents Unit (“ECU”) use internal process guidance to check that the data input by developers into the carbon calculator accords with the relevant information referenced in the application documentation and its environmental impact assessment report (“EIA report”). Once the data is checked, the submission is formally received and then thereafter available for scrutiny in the public domain by using the reference code published in the EIA report. The data check includes:

1. Checking that the number of wind turbines and capacity output of each turbine accords with the information provided in the EIA Report.

2. Checking that the operational period accords with the application information

3. Checking that the capacity factor is credible and backed up by evidence in the EIA report.

The Scottish Government recognises the wide range of careers available in the horticultural sector and the importance of educational pathways to deliver graduates equipped with the skills and expertise demanded by the sector. Officials are therefore currently giving careful consideration to the eight ‘Asks of Government’ included in the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy. In regard to the ‘ask’ to raise the presence of horticultural opportunities in careers guidance, officials have been working closely with universities and colleges across Scotland, and Lantra who are the leading provider of training, qualifications and career guidance for land-based industries across the UK. These discussions were recently outlined to sector stakeholders and MSPs at the Gardening and Horticulture cross party group at Holyrood.

Encouraging horticultural skills across the workforce aligns with government ambitions to address current environmental challenges, such as the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Scottish Government is committed to respond this year to the 22 recommendations in the Land-based Learning Review. The recommendations we accept will inform our actions to attract more people to work in Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sectors and to improve learning pathways to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed.

Work to encourage people into horticultural careers and develop apprenticeships and higher education programmes designed to create highly skilled horticultural graduates for a range of careers is continuing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23022 on 28 November 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 has not explored potential applications for artificial intelligence (AI) specifically focused on the development and delivery of services for the Armed Forces and veterans community. However, Scotland’s AI Strategy , published in 2021, set out a clear vision for Scotland to become a leader in the development and use of trustworthy, ethical and inclusive AI and to do this in a way which offers benefits across all Scottish communities.

The Strategy was written with a desire to look behind the technology and to consider the role and impact which AI has on our people. We want the public to be assured that the products, services and decisions enabled by AI are safe and secure and protect their rights. It is important that we ensure that Scotland is well prepared to maximise the potential economic and social benefits of AI, but will do this in a way which protects and benefits our citizens.