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Latest HMRC (Regional Trade Statistics) RTS statistics show that in 2021, based on total trade in goods (imports plus exports), Scotland’s largest trading partner was the USA at £5.5 billion. Note this data only includes trade in goods and not services and excludes oil and gas (SITC 3 – Mineral fuels).

We fully understand that women want mesh removal surgery undertaken by surgeons who enjoy their full confidence and a range of measures are now in place to ensure that this happens.

The Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service has been established in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC). This service assesses needs and where appropriate, and subject to shared decision making and informed consent, performs mesh removal surgery. The Service has undertaken a number of mesh removal surgeries since its designation, despite the impact of the pandemic on activity levels across the Health Service. To complement Scottish services women can also, if they so wish, request to be treated at one of the NHS England Specialist Centres.

In addition, and exceptionally, women now have the option to request to be referred on to one of two independent providers. A contract with Spire Healthcare, where Professor Hashim operates, was agreed earlier this year and arrangements for the first patients to travel to Bristol are underway. Furthermore, I am pleased to be able to announce today that a contract has been agreed with Gynaecologic and Reconstructive Surgery Ltd, Missouri, USA, where Dr Veronikis operates. NHS National Services Scotland will now work closely with NHS GGC and local Health Boards to facilitate the arrangements for those who wish to travel to the USA for mesh removal surgery.

It is expected that anyone seeking mesh removal from either Professor Hashim or Dr Veronikis first discuss this with their local clinicians within their own Health Board. If considered appropriate at that stage, and in line with a process agreed with the independent providers, they would then be referred to the Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service in NHS GGC for consideration by a full multi-disciplinary team (MDT). If it is agreed that surgery is appropriate, the patient can choose to be treated by the service already available in NHS Scotland or to be referred to a specialist NHS centre in England or to one of the independent providers. Each of these options will be available free of charge. I would encourage anyone who wishes referral to one of these services to make their wishes known to their clinical team, if they have not already done so.

The independent analysis report of the responses to the not proven verdict and related reforms consultation will be published today, 12 July 2022 and will be available at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781804356890 .

The consultation received 200 responses, of which 21 were from organisations and 179 from individuals, and these will also be published today, where we have permission to do so, at https://consult.gov.scot/justice/not-proven-verdict/ .

We must now give careful consideration to the full range of views received on these complex issues. The findings from this consultation analysis, along with a range of other information and evidence from engagement and consideration of the issues, will inform the decision making process on any potential recommendations for reform.

Any potential reforms will be considered alongside wider work, including the outcome of the current consultation on improving victims’ experiences of the justice system . That consultation includes consideration of those recommendations of the Lord Justice Clerk’s review on improving the management of sexual offence cases which require legislative change to implement.

The final recruitment figures under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 will be published today, 12 July, at 10:30am, at Mental health workers: quarterly performance reports - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . A total of 958.9 whole time equivalent mental health staff have been recruited in key settings over 4 years, significantly exceeding the original commitment for 800 additional workers.

Work is currently underway to deliver our 2021-22 Programme for Government commitment that “by 2026, every GP Practice will have access to a mental health and wellbeing service, funding 1,000 additional dedicated staff who can help grow community mental health resilience and direct social prescribing”.

While each area has the flexibility to develop services to meet the needs of their own local communities, the Scottish Government has been clear on the need for multi-disciplinary teams who will provide assessment, advice, support and some levels of treatment for people who have mental health, distress or wellbeing needs.

These teams could include Occupational Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, Psychologists, Enhanced Practitioners, Peer Support Workers as well as linking to others such as those providing financial advice, exercise coaches, family support networks. Every service should ensure that it provides access to a link worker to support wellbeing.

This commitment builds on the significant progress that has already been made through Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27, where 356.1 WTE posts have been recruited to GP settings; and the Primary Care Improvement Fund, which at March 2022 has seen a total of 260 recruited.

No methane inhibiting feed additive products have yet been approved for use in Scotland but the Scottish Government has been receiving interest from the livestock industry about the potential of such products. In their report last year the Suckler Beef Climage Group noted the potential of such products in reducing overall methane emissions.

It is likely that such products will be authorised on a GB basis due to the applications for the authorisation of a regulated food or feed product or process in GB. As such Scottish Government officials are working with other GB administrations to consider the best approach to strengthening engagement with industry on this topic to understand the potential of such new technologies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Scottish Government acknowledges that the STUC have declared a cost-of-living emergency and are calling for a national food summit.

We know that inflation is having the biggest impact on those with the lowest incomes. The UK Government holds most of the powers needed to tackle this crisis but the Scottish Government are doing what we can within our devolved powers and fixed budget, and have allocated almost £3 billion to a range of supports this year that will contribute to mitigating the impact of the increased cost of living on households. This includes work to tackle child poverty, reduce inequalities and support financial wellbeing, alongside social security payments not available anywhere else in the UK.

We have already consulted on a draft plan on ending the need for food banks and will publish a final version of this in the Autumn. This will further strengthen cash-first responses to hardship so that people have the income they need to access food and other essentials.

In addition, on 17 March 2022, the Scottish Government established a short-life Food Security and Supply Taskforce to monitor potential disruption to the food and drink supply chain as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Taskforce recognised that, while immediate supplies of food are secure, there is greater strain on the food supply chain than has been seen for many years, as a result of cumulative shocks to it from COVID-19, Brexit and the Ukraine conflict.

The Taskforce report was published on 23 June 2022 and included a series of recommendations that it hopes will help to bolster industry confidence during these hugely challenging times. [ Short Life Food Security and Supply Taskforce: report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) ]

The Scottish Government is currently carrying out a review of PDR in Scotland. This is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on new/extended PDR for specific development types. We have committed to consider updated PDR for renewable energy apparatus – including non-domestic solar – as part of the review programme and we will consult on proposals for change in due course.

Infection Prevention control (IPC) measures remain important in care homes but with high levels of vaccination and new treatments, the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 has decreased and the protective measures in adult social care including care homes have reduced in response to this.

IPC measures to prevent spread and manage a range of infections are common practice in care homes and will remain of upmost importance during COVID-19 outbreaks, in the same way as they do for other infectious pathogens such as influenza outbreaks. Care home staff have worked incredibly hard to adopt IPC guidance throughout the pandemic.

We are currently reviewing the guidance on the extended use of face coverings by staff in adult social care including care homes. The review is in partnership with ARHAI Scotland, SG Clinicians and Public Health Scotland and is considering the risk of Covid-19 transmission, the current rates within the community and the impact of removing this final layer of protection could have on transmission to vulnerable people, and staffing resources, alongside the human rights and wider harms to individuals in receipt of care or support including individuals whom live in care homes. It is anticipated that this review will be completed by the end of July. As it has been throughout the pandemic, guidance will be updated in line with the results of the review.

COVID-19 Financial Support for Adult Social Care Providers has been in place since the outset of the pandemic and was intended as time-limited financial support as services navigated and responded to COVID-19.

In both 2020-21 and 2021-22, the Scottish Government provided additional funding for COVID-19 costs in full. In 2022-23, the Health and Social Care Portfolio is required to accommodate all further COVID-19 activity, including additional Test & Protect and Vaccinations costs, without any further UK Government consequentials.

Recognising that flexibility is still required for responding to pandemic pressures, we have committed to continuing elements of financial support beyond 30 June 2022, this includes: the Social Care Staff Support Fund until 30 September 2022; and financial support arrangements for testing and vaccinations until the 31 March 2023. In addition, the current local PPE Hub arrangements will continue until 30 September 2022.

The Scottish education system is set up in such a way that decision making is devolved to the most appropriate level, enabling local education authorities to make choices that meet their local circumstances and needs. It is for this reason that the Scottish Government does not prescribe the specific resources to be used in schools. Head teachers are empowered to make these decisions for themselves in liaison with their local authority.

As a result, it was Scottish Ministers' view that Scottish schools should be given the choice on whether their pupils should receive this book and have therefore advised UK Ministers that an ‘opt-in’ process for Scottish schools should be implemented. This is consistent with the approach being taken in Wales.