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In line with the updated guidance on reducing risk in schools and the move to Level 0, children and young people can now engage in all music activities in schools, indoors and outdoors. Safety mitigations, for example good ventilation and enhanced hygiene, should continue to apply in relevant settings where these activities are taking place.

The guidance can be found at the link below:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Scottish Government’s view is that the New Plan for Immigration and the Nationality and Borders Bill will not achieve the change that is needed or result in systems that are effective, efficient and deliver for people who are often vulnerable and highly traumatised.

The First Minister wrote to the Home Secretary on 26 July setting out our concerns and we have had frequent and ongoing communication with the UK Government on the Nationality and Borders Bill following its publication.

Support and assistance to victims of human trafficking is within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. Section 9 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 requires the Scottish Ministers to secure support and assistance to adult victims of human trafficking in certain circumstances. Support for victims of human trafficking or slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour was placed on a statutory footing on 1 April 2018 through the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Support for Victims) Regulations 2018 and defines the relevant period for such support to be the earlier of 90 days or the date on which there is a conclusive determination that the adult is or is not a victim of an offence of human trafficking or slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

The First Minister announced that Kathleen Jamie is to be Scotland’s next Makar at an event at the Scottish Poetry Library on 18 August and issued a news release which sets out all the details. This is available at: New Scots Makar - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Government has a long standing commitment supporting local communities to become more resilient, sustainable, empowered and grow local wellbeing inclusive economies. This is delivered through a range of well-established programmes and funds that include the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the Scottish Land Fund and sponsorship of the Community Ownership Support Service.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01865 on
‎ 18 August 2021. 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

From 2017 to the end of 2021 we have received a total of £194.8m in EU Exit preparation consequentials.

Spend, both in preparation and post-EU Exit, has been on staff supporting activities such as legislative preparations, and supporting stakeholders and partners, including businesses, cultural bodies, higher education institutes, local government and the third sector.

We have consistently targeted our spending responsibly and appropriately to mitigate against the negative impacts of exiting the EU and this last year we have allocated our spend to deal with the concurrent impacts of Covid and EU exit. An example of this is the £100m Winter Support package which was announced to support those on low incomes, children, and people at risk of homelessness or social isolation in coping with winter weather and the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and Brexit.

Transport Scotland does not hold the information requested, therefore, I would refer the member to the British Transport Police and/or Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

Youth related anti-social behaviour data, which will not result in court proceedings can be sourced via the Scottish Children’s Reporter.

I can confirm that the central planning assumption is that an examination diet for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be held in session 2021-2022.

My decision has been informed by the views of stakeholders, including the National Qualifications Group, and by public health advice.

Assessment modifications across National courses for the next academic session have already been confirmed by the SQA. These modifications reduce the expected course content compared to a normal year, in recognition of the disruption learners have experienced. Fairness for learners sitting exams in 2022 is a central concern for me. We will set out details on further support available for learners in September.

I can also confirm that careful contingency planning has taken place to ensure there is sufficient flexibility to respond to two key scenarios that might be faced as a result of the pandemic. First, in circumstances were there was further significant disruption to learning and teaching, a further round of modifications would be introduced in order to ease assessment. Second, should public health conditions do not allow for the holding of an examination diet in Spring 2022, awarding would be made on teachers’ judgements based on normal in–year assessment.

These contingencies offer stability for teachers and learners in the coming academic session and will allow their focus to be on normal practices in teaching, learning and assessment. More detailed guidance will be issued by the SQA at the earliest opportunity.

The Scottish Government funds Screen Scotland, the dedicated public sector agency for the film and television industry in Scotland, which was formed in 2018 and sits within Creative Scotland. Screen Scotland supports the development and growth of the film and television sector in Scotland through increased support for film and television production, an increase in specialist staff and further investment in skills, facilities, festivals, audiences and education.

Working with Screen Scotland the Scottish Government has facilitated the delivery of studio facilities in Scotland, most recently the First Stage Studio in Leith and Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. Amazon’s The Rig recently concluding filming in the Leith facility and Amazon’s Anansi Boys will commence pre-production in the same space in the next few months while Good Omens 2 , also from Amazon, will begin production in Scotland this autumn.

Having secured those projects for Scotland, Screen Scotland has ensured they work wherever possible with Scotland’s highly respected freelance and self-employed crew base and facilities providers and maximised training opportunities on the productions. The significant positive step change in production activity across Scotland in the last 18 months has been welcomed by this crew base, who are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand for their services.

As part of the training requirements that complement any successful funding award, Screen Scotland advocates for and supports a range of training initiatives, including a minimum number of trainees on a production, outreach programmes and also supporting local freelance and self-employed crew to be promoted into more senior positions or to work closely with international Head of Departments to learn from their experience.

The work of Screen Scotland’s Screen Commission is also vital in securing opportunities for Scotland-based self-employed and freelance crew and facilities on international projects. Whether a project accesses Production Growth Fund support or not the Screen Commission can support exploratory recce and budgeting costs. This allows international producers to access funding for Scotland-based location scouts and local Line Producers to develop draft budgets for projects exploring the possibility of filming within Scotland. Line Producers are a key member of each production as they negotiate with suppliers and hire the crew. This gives our Scotland-based line producers an opportunity to advocate for local freelance and self-employed crew at a very early stage. Screen Scotland provides details of all freelance and self-employed crew and facilities providers who have agreed to have their details shared to incoming productions.

In keeping with past practice the Scottish Government has no plans to publish the names of the poets on the confidential shortlist for this role.

This protects those poets who, once nominated by the expert panel, were asked and agreed, to take part in this process.