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The relevant legislation in this context is the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016, which outlines the areas where the retention of salmon is prohibited, meaning catch and release is mandatory when fishing for salmon in these areas.

There were no prosecutions, where it was the main offence, under the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016 between 2013-14 and 2022-23.

Please note: The latest available information on proceedings and convictions is for the financial year 2022-23.

The Scottish Government’s position is that we are unable to support long-term working outside of the UK unless there is a genuine requirement to do so in the role, i.e. working from one of our overseas Scottish Government offices. However, we do not consider staff who work permanently in one of our overseas offices to be working remotely from outside of the UK as the role that they are employed to undertake is fully based in the relevant overseas office. In addition, as such staff have diplomatic status, there are no residency or tax implications and they continue to be subject to paying income tax in the UK.

Staff may be required to work outside of the UK temporarily for brief periods when travelling on official business, for example, accompanying a minister overseas or attending a conference and they may be required to undertake work remotely during such events. In addition, consistent with other parts of the Civil Service, the Scottish Government allows staff to work remotely from outside of the UK for up to a maximum of four weeks per annum subject to meeting eligibility requirements, which includes having the right to work in the overseas country, and meeting any costs and potential liabilities from working abroad. Tax codes do not change when working abroad for these brief periods. We do not collate data that specifically captures instances of remote working from overseas.

The Scottish Government’s decision-making for the flu vaccination programme continues to be guided by the expert clinical advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI currently advises flu vaccination for those aged 65 and over, as well as at-risk groups. As such, we are not considering expanding the flu programme to the healthy 50-64 year old age group for winter 2025.

Scotland expanded its flu programme to those aged 55 and over in 2021, and then those aged 50 and over in 2022 and 2023, as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to reduce pressure on the NHS in unprecedented times.

In winter 2024, as we moved beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, we reverted to the standard JCVI-advised groups, and healthy individuals aged 50-64 were no longer included. Those aged 50-64 who have certain underlying medical conditions remain eligible by virtue of their clinical risk status.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting young people to remain in education and has taken a range of measurable actions since the COVID-19 pandemic to address the financial pressures that can contribute to early school leaving. These actions include, the continuation of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) programme, increased support for School Clothing Grants, investment in Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), support for a broad range of learner pathways and the continuation of record funding to Scotland’s schools through the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme, providing up to £1billion in additional funding.

The Scottish Government continues to work in partnership with local authorities, schools and third sector organisations to monitor these interventions and assess their impact on young people’s education.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36866 on 6 May 2025. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37056 on 6 May 2025. 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

Growing the economy is at heart of the Scottish Government's agenda. The First Minister has announced that the next Programme for Government will be published on Tuesday 6 May. It will be focused on targeted initiatives to boost Scotland’s economic prospects, now and for the long term – in particular sustainable and renewable energy resources – to draw in new investment and create rewarding and well-paid jobs.

The Scottish Government recognises that global economic conditions are creating a challenges economic environment for Scotland’s businesses. In addition, the Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK Government to reverse in full its decision to increase employer national insurance contributions from April 2025.

Recognising the challenges faced by the hospitality sector, in 2025-26 the Scottish Government is offering 40% relief for hospitality premises liable for the Basic Property Rate, with 100% relief for premises located on islands as defined by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 to tackle the specific pressures they face. A number of measures in the Budget will also benefit properties in the retail and leisure sectors including freezing the Basic Property Rate and the most generous small business rates relief in the UK.

The Budget provides capital investment in offshore wind, almost tripling the current support to £150 million and investment of £100 million will continue to rollout of the digital connectivity programmes across Scotland. Investment of over £2 billion in Scotland’s colleges, universities and skills system recognises their contribution to driving economic growth and to help ensure businesses have access to a skilled workforce.

Aviation and airspace are reserved matters.

The Scottish Government is currently engaging with the Ministry for Justice on no fly-zone regulations across prisons. Considerations about extending regulations in place in England and Wales to Scotland are ongoing.

SPS, Police Scotland, HMPPS, and police forces from England and Wales are part of a cross-border tasking group. Recently, SPS met with HMPPS, NIPS, and the Irish Prison Service to discuss drone threats, share best practices, and develop mitigation strategies.

Any attempt to bring illicit substances into prisons threatens the health of those in custody and staff safety, which is why SPS collaborates with Police Scotland and deploys technology to prevent it, where possible.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6O-04553 on 23 April 2025. All answers to Oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Official Report: search what was said in Parliament | Scottish Parliament Website

The Scottish Government has been reviewing the hybrid working policy for civil servants it employs and decisions on future arrangements will be announced shortly. Working from home can be more productive than working from an office. Hybrid meetings can be much more productive than in person meetings in many cases as they reduce travelling time between individual meetings.