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Any proposals for artwork on the bridge piers should be commissioned via Glasgow City Council. Whilst Scottish Ministers and Transport Scotland are responsible for the structure including the bridge piers, Glasgow City Council (GCC) own the land below the bridge, are planning authority and are responsible for the public realm area and local roads below the bridge. The Scottish Government via its Transport Scotland would consider any such proposals favourably, as was the case in advance of the Commonwealth Games and CoP26.

The South-West Operating Company AMEY currently uses grey masonry paint designed to match the existing pier surface colour, to quickly cover over any graffiti particularly where it is offensive.

In 2022/23, the Scottish Government provided £2.35million to NHS24 for Breathing Space; this forms part of our overall funding package to NHS24 (of almost £10million), to provide a range of advice and support to people experiencing mental health problems.

The Scottish Government recognises the vital service Breathing Space provides and intends to continue funding the service. Our funding enables NHS24 to provide a high quality listening service for people experiencing low mood. It also allows the continued development of the service using user insight and evaluation. For example, the service recently expanded to include a webchat facility which provides support in a way that meets users’ needs whilst also offering a new way to help manage demand for this valuable service.

Cemre have signed an agreement with Kongsberg for Fins Stabilisers with the production facility in Dunfermline. Neither the Scottish Government, nor CMAL as procuring authority, have details of the value of this commercial contract between the manufacturer and Cemre. Further information can be found at the attached link:

https://www.kongsberg.com/maritime/about-us/news-and-media/news-archive/2022/contract-to-supply-aquarius-50-retractable-fin-stabilisers/

The South West trunk road operating company (AMEY) undertakes a range of maintenance inspections on the approaches to the M8 Kingston Bridge. These include weekly driven inspections and 3 monthly safety inspections of the approaches (including all joints), with the half-joints monitored separately on a 3-monthly basis. Depending on the findings, more extensive investigations and testing of the joints may be undertaken.

Between 2018 and 2023, 113 expansion joints were replaced within the Kingston Bridge complex including the approaches. A further 15 expansion joints are programmed for replacement within the 2023/24 financial year.

This programme of work addressed defects from previous inspections, as replacement of the expansion joints above the half-joints removes water leakage from the area, protecting the half-joints.

We will continue to monitor the half-joints on a 3-monthly basis, undertaking any further maintenance works as required.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. As the area in question, is local authority owned, we would advise Mr Sweeney to contact Glasgow City Council for further information.

The Scottish Government has invested over £2.354 million to support the delivery of the Breathing Space service for this financial year.

Breathing Space funding is part of wider funding, totalling just under £10 million, which is allocated to NHS 24 to support wider actions to improve mental health and wellbeing. NHS 24 provides a whole systems approach involving a range of services, to ensure people experiencing mental health crisis and distress, can access support close to home, getting the right care at the right time.

The Scottish Government recognises the vital service Breathing Space provides. Funding for 2023-24 has not yet been allocated and will be subject to ongoing discussion with NHS 24.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans at this stage to introduce secondary legislation under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 or Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, regarding the Glasgow School of Art’s (GSA) rebuild of the Mackintosh building.

The Mackintosh building is owned by The Glasgow School of Art, which is an autonomous body with responsibility for its own strategic and operational decision making. The GSA have stated that its plans for a faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh building will take into account the practical constraints of the current regulatory environment. Employers, building owners and managers are responsible for their premises, including duties in relation to fire safety and mitigation.

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) will continue to engage closely with the GSA at senior management and board level on institutional governance, its plans for the delivery of high quality education, and decision making regarding the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. Historic Environment Scotland, as the lead public body for investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland's historic environment, will continue to work with the GSA, Glasgow City Council and other interested parties on the complex issues surrounding the rebuild of the Mackintosh building.

The fourth round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) will open for stage 1 applications shortly for projects seeking funding in financial year 2024-2025.

Skills Development Scotland has operational responsibility for the funding of Modern Apprenticeship (MA) training on behalf of Scottish Government. There are apprenticeships available across these sectors, such as Maritime Occupations, Boat Building and Repair, Engineering Construction and Aquaculture, with funding towards the cost of training from SDS.

Data from Skills Development Scotland is that the number of employers of individuals who started the Maritime Occupations framework is:

2018/19 – 5

2019/20 – 5

2020/21 – 1

2021/22 – 4

2022/23, up to end Quarter 3 – 3