Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Secretary of State and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which we spoke about areas of collaboration with Spain, in particular depopulation, culture and the challenges of the cost of living crisis.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Congressman Steve Cohen and I held a positive meeting in April last year, in which we spoke about Scottish and US relations and Representative Cohen’s membership of the Friends of Scotland Caucus in the US Congress.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which he acknowledged Scottish Ministers’ need to conduct international business. I made it clear that I would continue to represent Scottish Government positions internationally, including on the constitution.

The Director General and I had a constructive meeting in November last year during which we exchanged views on the depopulation challenges that both Scotland and Spain face and, following from the work done recently by officials in the Scottish Government’s Population and Migration team, proposed a policy exchange so that we can learn from the expertise in both countries.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussion. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The topic of Scottish Independence was not discussed at this meeting, which was about the important role of the cultural national collections, their current challenges post-pandemic and future plans.

The Director and I had a constructive meeting in December last year during which we discussed language learning in Scotland.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Minister and I had a constructive meeting last year in Paris during which we discussed culture, heritage and sports diplomacy.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions. However, Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Belgian Minister of Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and the Green Deal and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about the circular economy, wellbeing economy and climate governance policy matters.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Canadian Ambassador to the EU and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about trade and cultural links between Scotland and Canada, as well as both countries' energy and climate change priorities.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Financial support for travel to hospital is available for patients and authorised escorts, in line with eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

We continue to work with Boards to build on the significant innovation seen throughout the pandemic, in order to limit the need for travel where possible and clinically appropriate. For example, through increased use of digital and technological solutions such as Near Me to improve flexibility of care.

Where travel is necessary, Boards are expected to support patients to identify and access support available, taking account individual circumstances and ensuring patient care is at the centre of all decisions.

Ofcom’s Connected Nations report for 2022 – published on 15th December – indicates that over 99% of all properties across Scotland can access a reliable broadband connection, with less than 1% unable to access broadband of at least 2 Megabits per second (Mbps).

Ofcom figures also show that gigabit-capable broadband access across Scotland has increased substantially in recent years from just 10% at the start of 2020 to 62% in September 2022. This is, in large part, a direct result of the policies we have put in place to improve Scotland’s digital connectivity, despite telecommunications being reserved to Westminster. The Scottish Government’s investment in the R100 programme is also now delivering full-fibre, gigabit-capable connections at pace in some of our most rural communities.

In the south of Scotland, the additional £36 million investment we announced in August 2022 will extend full-fibre broadband access to a further 2,637 properties across Scotland – including 1,149 properties through the R100 South contract on top of the 20,740 properties already within contract build plans.