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Through the Framework for the Prevention, Early Detection and Early Intervention of Type 2 Diabetes (The Framework), Scottish Government are supporting NHS boards to develop and enhance pathways for those diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

The Framework identifies those with gestational diabetes as being at high risk of developing type 2 Diabetes after pregnancy. Through the implementation of the Framework, NHS boards offer those diagnosed with gestational diabetes timely access to type 2 Diabetes prevention education, specialist dietetic treatment and, where appropriate, access to a suitable weight management programme after their pregnancy.

Using investment in the Framework to date, Scotland’s NHS Health boards have developed enhanced options for pregnant women for treatment of gestational diabetes in pregnancy. These involve education and clinical support provided by specialist midwives and dietitians. The results of this have seen a significant number of pregnant women controlling their blood-sugar levels through diet alone. The investment in 2021-22 is referenced in response to S6W-14363 on 6 February 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

There is no specific legislation that prohibits the shooting of wildfowl within 10 yards of locations where birds fly in to roost.

The rules applying to the hunting of wildfowl are set out in the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. These rules do not prohibit the shooting of wildfowl within 10 yards of locations where birds fly in to roost. The Scottish Government is not aware of any reason to introduce such a prohibition.

Information on dental activity is not held at a West Lothian level. Public Health Scotland presently publish information on activity at a national level and this shows that over 1.6 million NHS examination appointment were completed between April and October 2022, with an average of more than 300,000 course of treatment per month.

However, the most recent participation statistics, which measure the number of registered patients who have had contact with a NHS dentist over a two year period, are available at a Lothian level and show that we are on the road to recovery. Participation statistics for Lothian shows that as at 30 September 2022, 432,249 people in Lothian had contact with a NHS dentist, compared to 372,513 as at 31 March 2022. This means there has been an increase of 59,736 people accessing NHS dental services in Lothian between March and September 2022.

We are in year 5 of delivery of the Framework, which has seen the adoption of effective and evidence based treatments across Scotland. Through regular investment, we continue to support NHS boards to improve weight management services.

In 2022-23, NHS Scotland health boards were allocated £5,946,496 to support the implementation of the Framework. With investment to date, boards have continued to expand the delivery of weight management services and incorporated digital platforms, in line with our national standards . These standards aim to ensure a fair and equal approach in weight management services in Scotland. We have committed to funding the continued implementation of the Framework for at least the duration of this parliamentary term, to 2026-27.

To support health boards in planning and implementing the Framework, we have appointed two professional advisers. They provide direct support to boards through attendance at local oversight groups and in the setting of annual milestones to ensure Framework delivery. Alongside this, Framework implementation is monitored by our national oversight group.

The Scottish Government’s capital budget increased from £5.8 billion in 2022-23 to £5.9 billion in 2023-24, a rise of £115 million. In my previous response, I explained the process the Scottish Government undertakes when agreeing annual budgets. It considers a whole range of factors, including the phasing of and the delivery arrangements for projects, particularly those which span several years, and this allows resources to be allocated accordingly to meet our commitments and our priorities while delivering a balanced financial position.

The Scottish Government is exploring options for restarting the travelling Cabinets programme in 2023 after it was paused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In line with standard practice, the location of each event would be announced in advance, including by notifying local elected representatives and local media.

The Scottish Government does not have any immediate plans to directly fund PhD students through the introduction of student loans.

We do however support postgraduate research by providing universities with funding to support the training of PhD students through the core research and knowledge exchange grants from the Scottish Funding Council. One of these is specifically aimed at PhD training and support: the Research Postgraduate Grant which is £36.9m in 2022-23.

As a recipient of Scottish Government grant funding, Inspiring Scotland are subject to regular monitoring and reporting against pre-agreed and clear outcomes as set out in their offer of grant.

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) is not funded by the Scottish Government therefore we do not hold this information. Further information on their funding can be found on their website www.sspdt.org.uk .

The Scottish Government has identified the space sector as a key priority in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation and Inward Investment Plan. We recognise its potential to support regional economic development across Scotland. We are supportive of all spaceport projects that will support the realisation of our overall ambition to capture £4 billion of the global space market and 20,000 jobs in the sector by 2030.

The STEM Strategy advocates for connection between schools and industry, and space has demonstrated a remarkable power to inspire widespread interest in STEM subjects. This launch represents an opportunity to promote science and technology learning and space related careers. Scotland’s curriculum is a general framework rather than a prescribed curriculum, and it is a matter for individual schools to determine the curriculum most appropriate to their learners.

In the coming months, Education Scotland will engage with spaceport company SaxaVord’s Education Strategy and support local authorities, schools and other partners to raise awareness of the launch and explore opportunities for partnership working around this and similar events. This is a core part of work to provide our young people with a range of exciting learning opportunities, encouraging them to have in interest in STEM careers and jobs.