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Small Modular Reactors use the same nuclear fission technology as the power generating process found in larger traditional nuclear power plants and carry the same environmental concerns.

As set out in our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, the Scottish Government maintains its long standing opposition to the building of new nuclear power plants under current technologies. Therefore, any such analysis on the use of Small Modular Reactors would not be value for money and has not been pursued.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15600 on 16 March 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/questions-and-answers

At 35.5% of all Higher entries, 2022 Higher entries for STEM subjects have remained similar to previous years, despite fluctuating numbers of entries for individual subjects. Looking beyond National Qualifications in 2022, at SCQF levels 4-6, the proportion of skills-based qualifications, awards and certificates awarded to Education Authority candidates in STEM related subjects was up on 2019 levels, having increased from 12.6% to 35.5%.

Nevertheless we acknowledge the need to continue to support STEM learning. This academic year we offered 150 STEM bursaries of £20,000 to ease the financial transition for career changers wishing to undertake a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) that leads to the award of qualified teacher status in the STEM subjects with the greatest demand for teachers.

More broadly since 2017, we have been implementing our STEM strategy which includes work to ensure ongoing take up of STEM subjects with funding being provided to programmes such as ‘Raising Aspirations in Science Education’ a partnership with the Wood Foundation and the Young STEM leader programme which inspires and rewards young people to take up STEM subjects and encourages their peers to do so.

Bute House is the Official Residence of the First Minister.

Bute House is Category A listed building and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

There are no costs associated with the transfer of the use of the House between First Ministers: the lease for Bute House is between the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Ministers (the Scottish Government).

In Scotland, guidance in relation to preparing for emergencies is generally structured around key consequences or themes, rather than specific risks. The Scottish Government’s suite of emergency planning guidance, “Preparing Scotland” ( https://ready.scot/how-scotland-prepares/preparing-scotland-guidance ), covers topics such as response, exercising, scientific and technical advice, preparedness assessments, public communications, and recovery from emergencies, which are all directly relevant to pandemic preparedness.

This guidance is developed in consultation with the organisations which have legal duties in relation to emergency preparedness under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, which includes all local authorities.

The Scottish Government are in the process of competitively tendering for parts of the Bute House repair schedule and therefore the full cost of the planned repairs has yet to be determined.

Officials from the Scottish Government are in touch with MG ALBA every week on detailed items of business. In addition, the Scottish Government has had more formal meetings with MG ALBA on 22 June 2022 and 15 March 2023.

These meetings covered a wide range of business outcomes including staffing, funding, performance figures, programme plans, projects and wider discussions with Ofcom, BBC and DCMS. For the year ahead the Scottish Government has arranged quarterly meetings with MG ALBA and these will continue to focus on our support for the channel.

I refer the member to answer to question S6W-07294 on 22 March 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

Decisions on device procurement, distribution and use of devices are taken by local authorities themselves.

We provided £25 million of funding in 2020-21 to local authorities across Scotland to tackle digital exclusion.

The Scottish Government has not provided any guidance specific to the Care Inspectorate for the financial year 2023-24. As a non-departmental public body (NDPB), the Care Inspectorate follows the Scottish Public Finance Manual and the Government Financial Reporting Manual. The 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy was also published in March 2023, and applies to the Care Inspectorate as a NDPB.