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Scotland’s inward investment plan recognises the importance of spillover benefits that inward investment can bring to the Scottish economy. The focus is on attracting embedded investments which deliver knowledge exchange and supply chain benefits for Scottish businesses and educational institutions, as well as on creating high value jobs.

Potential inward investment projects are assessed by Scottish Development International based on agreed parameters, including planned jobs and supply chain impacts, with regional account teams specifically assessing local developmental linkages.

The Scottish Government, in collaboration with delivery partners, has commissioned an independent evaluation of inward investment support which includes a focus on these factors. The evaluation is due to be published in summer 2023 but findings show that inward investment projects attracted in recent years are typically of the developmental nature described by Ivan Turok, namely that they:

1. have a high degree of local autonomy;

2. play an important role in global value chains;

3. deliver significant supply chain benefits;

4. are engaged in knowledge exchange with businesses and with the Higher & Further Education sectors;

5. are diverse in terms of the mix of industrial sectors;

6. exhibit high levels of innovation; and

7. often expand operations in subsequent years.

As set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) and the Programme for Government 2022-23, a review will be conducted of how to support Scotland’s social enterprise, co-operative and employee owned business sectors to grow. The review will commence in Autumn 2023, with an initial pre-review stakeholder discussion to be held this month.

Funding provided to NHS Boards for Childsmile programme delivery is set out in the following table.

In addition to direct programme allocations, funding is provided to NHS Boards through the annual Outcomes Framework allocation to deliver a range of core services, including for Childsmile. The total value of this allocation for each financial year is also set out in the following table:

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce regulations under the Act.

However, involvement in local football clubs can be important to communities and that is why the First Minister recently launched the Fan Bank on 31 May 2023. This initiative is aimed to help support fans organisations who want to become involved in the decision making affecting their club where this is appropriate and where viable proposals have been developed.

Scottish Government has not had any discussion with Glasgow City Council regarding the reopening of The Lighthouse in Glasgow.

Capricorn Energy announced in February the intention to carry out a strategic review of its wider operations, which has culminated in the company citing a strong case for its rationalisation activities across the business.

Whilst Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) was offered to the company to support those individuals affected by the company’s decision to reduce their workforce, the company advised that this support was not required.

This is ultimately a matter for the company and no specific analysis has been undertaken by the Scottish Government in this instance but we know that some of the benefits of headquarters include quality jobs with higher wages, beneficial supply chain impacts and knowledge exchange, as well as contributing to a healthy labour market in senior management roles.

Scottish Government and our agencies continue to promote Scotland’s strength and capabilities to attract and retain those overseas owned businesses and organisations Headquartered in Scotland, as well as supporting existing Scottish domiciled businesses, making Scotland an attractive location for companies to innovate, grow and invest for the future.

Scottish Ministers' stated objective since purchasing Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2013 has been to return the business to the private sector when the time and circumstances are right for the business and for the Scottish Government as shareholder.

That means we must be confident that any sale would not only represent value for the taxpayer but would put the business on a firm footing going forward and secure wider economic benefit to build on the foundations we have put in place.

Any purchase offer from a private operator will be evaluated against these objectives and will only proceed if they are met.

The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to adopt universal salt iodisation.

Food Standards Scotland advises that adults need 140 micrograms (µg) of iodine a day and most people should be able to get all the iodine they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. Children need proportionally less depending on their age group.

Good food sources of iodine include cows' milk and dairy products, eggs, sea fish and shellfish. Iodine can also be found in varying levels in plant foods, such as cereals and grains.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) considered ‘Maternal iodine status, birth outcomes and child development’ at its horizon scanning meeting in June 2022. Members agreed that this would be added to the SACN work programme. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this work as it progresses.

A short-term pilot led by the Refugee Survival Trust and third sector partners in Glasgow commenced on Monday 30 January and will run until July.

The pilot provides free bus travel to people seeking asylum living in Glasgow for three months, along with information and digital support to access and use the pass.

The information gathered from this pilot will help inform options on how to deliver our Programme for Government commitment to consider how best to provide free bus travel to people seeking asylum in Scotland.

This is a ScotRail led procurement, undertaken in line with Public Procurement Guidelines and as such appropriate for ScotRail to confirm details in due course.