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Scottish Government officials have been sharing information about RAAC with local authorities’ Scottish Heads of Property Services (SHOPS) and Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) networks since July 2022. Scottish Government officials shared the latest guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers with the SHOPS and ADES networks in May.

In recent weeks, I have personally met with COSLA to discuss RAAC on 31 August, 5 September, 11 September and 21 September. We have agreed to continue doing so weekly during this phase of the response. Minutes of such meetings are not routinely published.

I wrote to local authorities regarding RAAC on 2 September and 5 September, along with the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

In August 2022, the Scottish Government committed funding to increase capacity across a range of advice services to help to address demand as a result of the energy crisis. This funding supported the Home Energy Scotland advice service to increase its capacity by 20% which helped to support over 138,000 unique households in 2022-23, with over 71,000 of those vulnerable to fuel poverty. This was an increase of over 70% of households at risk of fuel poverty receiving support from the service, versus the previous year. Home Energy Scotland's Energycarer service was boosted at the same time, allowing for an increase in visits to extremely vulnerable households who would otherwise struggle to engage with the service via the telephone or online. The expanded level of service has been maintained in 2023-24.

The Scottish Government welcomes the report from Public Health Scotland as a contribution to the evidence base on probable suicides in Scotland. It is positive that the trends show there has been a reduction in the rate of suicide in Scotland from the position in 2011. However, from such reports and listening to those with lived experience of suicide, we know there is still much work to do to reduce suicide deaths and for people at high risk of suicide – including middle aged men. The report confirms many of the contributing factors and experiences faced by those who die by suicide such as poverty, homelessness and the cost of living crisis, and the findings will inform the delivery of our Creating Hope Together Action Plan.

Taking a whole of government and society approach focused on addressing the social determinants of suicide, which we know are concentrated in particular communities of place, interest and experience, is fundamental to our Strategy. This dedicated work is further complemented by our new Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy , published jointly with CoSLA on 29 June 2023, that places early intervention at its heart, which we know is key to reducing suicide deaths.

We are also supporting a range of local suicide prevention initiatives across Scotland through our £15 million per annum Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund . The Fund is focused on tackling inequalities and supported nearly 300 suicide prevention initiatives in 2022-23, as well as projects aimed at building social connection in our communities, which we know promote good mental health and wellbeing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20943 on 26 September 2023 and, in addition, can advise that no representations have been made to the Rail Delivery Group.

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 Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas , launched in February 2022, was the second of two funds designed to support the independent exhibition sector during and in the immediate aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It followed the Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund, which was launched in September 2020 and provided funding until March 2021.

Both these funds were part of exceptional measures instigated by Scottish Government and administered by Screen Scotland in response to the immediate challenges posed by Covid-19. There are no plans to re-open either fund or for the creation of a new Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas.

The Scottish Government delivers support for energy efficiency measures in owner occupied household through a number of schemes.

Information about the number of measures installed by councils as part of our Area Based Schemes is not reported on a monthly basis. Annual returns based upon the information provided by councils are published on the Scottish Government website:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/area-based-schemes/

Information about the number of measures installed by the scheme managing agent, Warmworks, as part of our Warmer Homes Scotland scheme is not reported on a monthly basis. Annual reports are published on the Warmworks website:

https://www.warmworks.co.uk/our-work/warmer-homes-scotland/

The number of households supported with energy efficiency measures through the HES Grant and Loan, including payment for funding offers issued under the predecessor HES Loan and Cashback Scheme are set out in the following table.

The Scottish Government wants to improve opportunities, outcomes and support for autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and neurodivergent people. We are continuing to work on a proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. Following scoping work in 2022, and an extended period of further engagement with stakeholders, practitioners, and people with lived experience, we will launch a public consultation on a proposed Bill by the end of 2023.

The Scottish Government is taking a human rights-based approach to the Bill’s development and is working to ensure that it is fully co-designed with people with lived experience.

3 Panels have been supporting the work to develop policy for the Bill – a professional panel, a stakeholders panel and a lived experience panel. The members of the lived experience panel are all neurodivergent people with a wide range of life experiences.

On 22 June 2023, the Scottish Government published the Agriculture Bill - Analysis of Consultation Responses which details the findings of this extended engagement.

The Scottish Government is aware of commentary provided in the formal reports of the Public Local Inquiries into the Sanquhar II and Clauchrie windfarm planning applications. The Inquiry's focus was not regarding the conduct of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is run on a commercial basis at arm's length from the Scottish Government, therefore commercial agreements reached by the airport and windfarm developers are a commercial matter between the parties involved.

GPA continues to perform well in a highly competitive aviation market and is now a profitable business. The Scottish Government has full confidence in the Board and senior management and its strategy to grow and develop the airport. The airport is a key enabler for the Ayrshire aerospace cluster, sustaining 300 direct and 4,000 indirect jobs and Scottish Ministers remain committed to supporting their investment in the airport.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 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 .