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Contract negotiations with Dr Veronikis are a matter for NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and, are subject to commercial confidentiality. NSS met with Dr Veronikis most recently on 21 June and the Government hopes that negotiations will be positively concluded imminently.

The Scottish Government has no plans to update the published Resource Planning Assumptions at this time.

The spending review sets out the financial framework to support delivery of our commitments. It sets out high-level multi-year spending plans for the Scottish Government and does not replace the annual budget process.

Annual budgets will continue to be set through the annual parliamentary budget Bill process and the annual budget will be based on the latest fiscal information.

Evacuation alert systems for high rise domestic buildings with a storey more than 18 metres above ground level was introduced in the 2019 building standards technical handbooks (domestic and non-domestic) published on 12 July 2019.

The government also published Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Existing High Rise Domestic Buildings. The guidance promotes using a risk based approach to determine the fire safety measures required. Therefore, upgrading existing high rise domestic buildings with evacuation alert systems may be implemented where the level of fire risk is justified, taking into account the time, cost and disruption to building occupants involved.

There are a number of measures in place to ensure that ancient and veteran trees are protected, including as protected areas for nature, which engage statutory mechanisms to protect sites of ecological interest, such as ancient woodlands.

Protection for woodland is also in place via felling regulations under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. It is only in exceptional circumstances that a felling permission would be granted for an ancient woodland, such as public safety or improving woodland condition. Where felling permission is not applicable, the Control of Woodland Removal Policy only permits removal of existing woodland where it would achieve significant and clearly defined additional public benefits.

Scottish Planning Policy 2014 (SPP) seeks to protect and enhance ancient semi natural woodland as an important and irreplaceable resource, together with individual trees. SPP states that Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) can be used to protect individual trees and groups of trees considered important for amenity or their cultural or historic interest. Draft NPF4 is currently considering how to strengthen protection.

We recognise the important role ancient and veteran trees play in our ecosystems, which is why we have committed to support work to restore and expand Scotland’s precious Rainforest habitat.

The Scottish Ancient Woodland Inventory records the location of ancient and other long established semi-natural woodlands, and local authorities record TPO’s for protection purposes. We know this Inventory has an important role to play in ensuring we can identify where protection is needed, which is why we have committed to establish a new National Register of Ancient Woodlands, building on the existing inventory.

We know that the cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on individuals and families across the country, and we continue to have conversations across the range of challenges faced. We are using our regular engagement with the UK Government to ask that more sustainable support is provided to those in greatest need, given that most of the levers currently remain reserved. Just last week my colleague Ms Forbes raised cost-of-living with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and urged the UK Government to do more to address the root cause of increasing fuel costs. We will continue to press the UK Government to use all of the powers and fiscal headroom at their disposal to address the cost-of-living crisis.

Scotland’s biotechnology sector is developing at a remarkable rate. In fact, last year the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre reported that we were on track to meet the targets in the 2019 National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology ahead of 2025.

As such, the final refresh of the National Plan, launched on 6 June 2022, increased the 2025 targets even further to: over 220 active companies, increasing associated turnover to £1.2 billion and over 4,000 direct employees in Industrial Biotechnology in Scotland.

The sector, and its strength, is also recognised in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation as a current and future key industry for Scotland, that will contribute to us delivering our Net Zero targets by 2045.

We acknowledge that some people can feel unwell after any vaccination, however at this time there is no compensation for those who take time off work following a vaccination, including COVID-19. The UK Government have a vaccines damages payment scheme in place for anyone who becomes severely unwell Vaccine Damage Payment: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

Zero Waste Scotland, an independent not-for-profit company was established in 2014. I have asked Zero Waste Scotland’s Chief Executive to respond to Mr Golden directly with the information requested.

None. The Fund officially launched on 24 June 2022.

The impact of school closures during the pandemic was carefully considered at local level by schools and community groups who are best placed to understand the needs of the immediate community.

The Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) evaluation found that schools worked closely with community groups to mitigate the effects of school building closures for pupils. The Scottish Government has no plans to undertake additional research.

The easing of restrictions in recent months means that community groups are now in a position to re-establish their position and make use of school settings where appropriate. Therefore, all local and community facilities are encouraged to permit access to organisations and groups in line with the Strategic Framework and the Safer Workplaces guidance.