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We do not hold the specific information requested. However, a 2018 report suggested that, in financial year 2013-14, the total economic cost associated with autistic adults in Scotland was £2.1 billion. Of this, £884 million, or 41.6%, was attributed to productivity loss, a metric which could be interpreted as representing underemployment and/or unemployment.

Scotland’s Census 2022 provides data on the number of people aged 16-64 who were unemployed in 2022, and reported having ‘one or more learning disability, learning difficulty or developmental disorder’. This includes autistic adults, but is not specific to them.

In 2016, we committed to halving the Disability Employment Gap. Our 2018 publication, A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Employment Action Plan, outlined the initial steps towards achieving this goal by 2038. Several of these actions have since been incorporated into our refreshed Fair Work Action Plan: Becoming a Fair Work Nation by 2025, published in December 2022. This refreshed plan aims to improve employment opportunities for individuals facing a structural barriers to the labour market, with input from disabled people and their representative organisations.

Since it was launched in 2015, the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) has supported land managers to undertake a wide range of actions to benefit the environment. Support is provided for the management of species-rich grassland and small-scale tree planting, alongside options spanning nature restoration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, improving water quality and mitigating flood risk. The scheme offers both capital and resource funding to enable the uptake of options which complement existing farming systems and support both productive agriculture and nature and climate outcomes. Full scheme guidance is available on the Rural Payments website.

As stated in the Agricultural Reform Route Map, AECS is expected to continue until at least 2026 to deliver elements of Elective support ahead of Tier 3 launching in 2027.

Tier 3 Elective will support action that protects habitats or species or improves business sustainability. It will focus on funding a range of targeted actions for climate change and nature restoration. This could be specific to a particular species or habitat, support conversion to alternative forms of agriculture such as organic production, encourage innovation and provide supply chain support.

The development of a Scottish Government Mobile App is a Digital Public Servies commitment within the Government's Public Service Reform Strategy published in June 2025.

The proposed App will be a gateway to personalised public services. The first use case is likely to be proof of age, scheduled to be available this financial year. The Digital Directorate will be leading on this work.

Local authorities often refer to Blue Badge applications as 'renewals', but legally, all badges expire after three years and must be reassessed equally.

When authorising Blue Badge applications, local authorities are responsible for determining eligibility based on the information and evidence provided. Medical assessments are not automatically required. Where eligibility cannot be confirmed from the application alone, the applicant may be referred to an Independent Mobility Assessor (IMA). IMAs are regulated healthcare professionals, such as occupational therapists or physiotherapists, qualified to assess mobility impairments.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

As Public Inquiries are independent of Ministers, it is for the Chair to direct how an Inquiry carries out its duties whilst being mindful of their responsibilities under section 17(3) of the Inquiries Act 2005 to avoid unnecessary costs.

The operation of Police Scotland, including decisions on the allocation of resources and the deployment of officers and staff, is for the Chief Constable, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. This includes the allocation of budget and staff to support the work of Public Inquiries.

There has been no change to the principle use of the Government Car Service (GCS). The ministerial code was updated most recently in 2024 providing clarity on the expectation of ministers.

The latest version of the ministerial code can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-ministerial-code-2024-edition/.

Special Advisers are appointed by the First Minister to provide important assistance to Scottish Ministers on the development of policy and its presentation. Their appointment is designed to reinforce the political impartiality of the permanent Civil Service by providing Ministers with a separate channel for political advice and assistance.

In 2024-25, the number and total cost of Special Advisers reduced in comparison to the previous year.

The Scottish Government has published a list of current Special Advisers online. These details, as well as lists of former Special Advisers, can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/special-advisers/.

Use of the Government Car Service is governed by the Ministerial Code. The version in 2007 can be found on the National Records of Scotland archive here:

https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20180130052300mp_/http:/www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/47133/0024899.pdf.

There has been several subsequent iterations of the ministerial code which can be found at the following links:

2008 – https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20170408064113mp_/http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/276226/0082926.pdf

2011 – https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20180126015215mp_/http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/364058/0123666.pdf

2015 - https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20170901063828/http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/2562/downloads

2016 - https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20241102232007/http://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-ministerial-code-2016-edition/

2018 - https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20241027204754/https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-ministerial-code-2018-edition/

2023 - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-ministerial-code-2023-edition/

2024 - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-ministerial-code-2024-edition/

The recruitment and deployment of police officers is a matter for the Chief Constable, who confirmed to the SPA Board on 27 March 2025 that the “Scottish Government funding allows us to continue officer recruitment for a full time officer establishment of around 16,500, while modernising the workforce to release experienced officers from roles which don’t need warranted powers so that we can prioritise, maximise, and support the frontline to deliver for our communities.”

The Scottish Government has increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17, investing more than £14.6 billion since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013, with £1.64 billion being invested in policing this year. Scottish Government funding in 2024-25 enabled Police Scotland to undertake the highest level of recruitment since its inception and Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales.