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We can confirm that build work for the Scottish 4G Infill programme masts at both Rackwick and Stronsay is now complete and activation is currently expected to take place in April 2023.

As we work towards the introduction of the Education (Scotland) Bill prior to the summer recess and the creation of the new Qualifications Body, visionary and resilient leadership is essential for the SQA and its successor organisation. This will guide it through the process of transition and embed the required reforms set out in the findings of the Muir report and on which the Government is determined to deliver. I am therefore announcing an appointment round for the position of Chair of the SQA, with the successful candidate taking up post in September 2023.

It is my intention that the new Chair of the SQA will transfer to the new body and will become the Chair of the new Qualification Body. Provisions to allow this transfer to happen will be included in the upcoming Bill and will be subject to Parliamentary approval.

This approach will support the crucial transition period allowing the new Qualifications Body to take full advantage of the changes in leadership, culture and governance necessitated by the Government’s Reform Programme. This will also be shaped by the National Discussion, the findings of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment, the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape.

Workforce numbers and locations are regularly reviewed to ensure that the organisation is delivering for the people of Scotland as efficiently and effectively as possible. We undertake workforce planning in line with Scottish Government priorities.

In addition to considering the location of roles, the Scottish Government is committed to flexible hybrid working for our workforce, enabling staff to work from a range of locations, both within government offices and working from home. Some of these locations are situated within the Highlands and Islands. Managers are asked to establish a flexible hybrid model with their teams that ensure meets business needs are met, which will vary depending on the nature of the roles and requirements.

The Scottish Government website references our ways of working and more information can be found here Ways of working - Work For Scotland (work-for-scotland.org)

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15725 on 16 March 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15725 on 16 March 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 .

Our Programme for Government in 2021-22 committed to provision of high-quality child palliative care, regardless of location, supported by sustainable funding of at least £7 million per year through Children’s Hospices Across Scotland. Scottish Government officials are in discussions with CHAS about the sustainability and oversight of funding going forward.

It is the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to plan and commission adult palliative and end of life care services for their areas using the integrated budgets under their control.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and myself met with hospice sector representatives on 14 March to discuss the pressures that the hospice sector are currently facing, including representatives of adult hospices and CHAS.

The Scottish Government does not collect statistics on the number of foster carers registered with local authorities or independent/voluntary service providers.

We do not hold the information requested on the number of Baby Boxes distributed to fostered and adopted babies.

The NDAP process does not use the term, or produce an ‘action plan’. The process results in essential and advisory recommendations at the end of each of each Business Case stage which must be developed by the Board. The Board will submit evidence or a commitment to address the recommendations prior to their NDAP report achieving a ‘verified’ status.

NHS Grampian received the supported NDAP report for the Full Business Case stage of the Baird and ANCHOR project on 3 July 2020. This was followed up confirming the commitment from NHS Grampian to complete and close out all required actions. A tracker was developed which included all the required actions and the work to agree and close out the actions was carried out with NDAP and Graham Construction until May 2021. The actions were confirmed as closed by the NDAP team on 18 May 2021.

I welcome the UK’s pilot Antimicrobial Purchasing Project which seeks to implement a novel payment model to incentivise pharmaceutical companies to do research and development into new antimicrobials which are vital in our fight against Antimicrobial Resistance. In June 2022, the Secretary of State for Health formally invited Scottish Ministers to join the next stage of the project. I agreed in principle for Scotland to engage in follow-on work and to progress towards being an equal partner in shaping the model’s evolution, with particular reference to Scotland's requirements. We await the formal proposition from UK which would allow us to proceed but are in regular contact with DHSC to ensure we are in the position to respond when an approach comes forward.