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The Scottish Government set an intake target of 4,837 fully funded places on nursing and midwifery programmes for the academic year 2022-23. For academic year 2022-23 4,368 students have enrolled on pre-registration programmes.

We have also increased the intake target for Scotland’s medical school programmes to 1,317 in academic year (AY) 2022-23, an increase of 279 places since AY 2020-21. Management data provided by universities show that 1296 of the 1317 places were filled. The difference between the actual intake and the target intake is a result of minor under recruitment by Universities, however this is within expected tolerances.

The rise in places continues the expansion funded by the Scottish Government that has taken place since 2016. In total, the medical intake has increased from 848 in 2015-16 to 1,296 in 2022-23, representing a 53% increase. A further 100 places will be added in the academic year 2023-24, progressing our Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to increase medical undergraduate places by 500 places,

As students can apply for up to five different programmes through UCAS, data on the number of individual applicants to nursing, midwifery or medical programmes is unavailable.

The descriptor for low alcohol products as set out in current UK Government guidance, which applies in Scotland is:

the drink must be 1.2% ABV or below and an indication of its maximum ABV should be included on the label.

These can be found on the UK Government’s website https://www.gov.uk/ .

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There was minimal impact, and no disruption to any of VisitScotland's services as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023.

DHI offer a demonstration environment where new innovations and ideas for health and care can be tested. All health boards have their own test environments and processes. NES and NSS both have national test infrastructure. As part of all major programmes, testing is a critical component which is included in the overall funding for systems and technology.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10150 on 29 August 2022 . 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 holds this information by local authority area and not by constituency area. A table showing the number of social and affordable completions by local authority area can be accessed using the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/affordable-housing-supply-programme-completions-updates/

The homes provided through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme comprise homes for social rent, for mid-market rent and for low cost home ownership. These homes take various forms including; new build homes, rehabilitation projects, conversions and off-the-shelf purchases of both new and second hand homes.

I have asked Jim Kerr, Interim Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

From a learning and education perspective, all individuals admitted to custody are invited to participate in a screening process conducted by SPS education provider (Fife College), who deliver contracted learning services across all SPS sites. If during this process the assessor identifies any behaviours, presentation or capacities that are indicative of a neurodivergent condition, a further referral can be made to utilise a profiling tool called Do-IT with the consent of the individual concerned. In these circumstances specifically trained Fife colleagues apply the profiling tool. The referral process is open to all staff, not just SPS uniformed staff, if they believe an offender in SPS care needs additional support.

In addition SPS may also fulfil its role in the identification and treatment of offenders in its care by referral of individuals who present with potential learning difficulties to the NHS. NHS are then responsible for assessment, diagnosis and the development, in partnership (with SPS), of a support plan. Formal clinical assessment and diagnosis falls within the remit of NHS colleagues who would refer to specialist services where indicated. A shared support plan would be developed and implemented as required. Where an offender is admitted into custody with an existing diagnosis, NHS colleagues would support transition from those community services with which individuals have been engaged.

This is a medium term commitment in the Women’s Health Plan, due for delivery by September 2024 at the latest. We are on track to meet this delivery date. An expert working group has been established and we are in the process of gathering evidence to inform the policy.