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My understanding is that the Scottish Funding Council has concluded that the flexibility it was in a position to be able to use in previous years is no longer possible because of the budgetary position it is now operating within. Therefore, there has not been any change of policy, but rather a lack of flexibility to accommodate switching capital to resource.

This follows the difficult decisions the Scottish Government faced in setting the 2024-25 budget in the most challenging financial context since devolution. The main point therefore is one of SFC budgetary cover.

The Scottish Government is opposed to the proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessments, these changes will lead to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions losing out financially and at risk of benefit sanctions. Under these reforms, Adult Disability Payment must continue to be treated on the same basis as Personal Independent Payment to allow clients in Scotland to access UC health element. We have sought and received assurances from the UK Government that this will continue in the immediate term, pending any future decisions about recommendations made by the independent Review of Adult Disability Payment. Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with UK Government officials to impact potential changes and to protect the interests of people receiving Adult Disability Payment.

Short-term let accommodation is an important part of the tourism economy, and I am grateful to the many thousands of operators who have applied for a licence which shows their businesses are of high quality and safety for visitors.

Our Business Regulatory Impact Assessment in 2019 was informed by available online listings data, I am pleased that we are now able to publish quarterly official statistics on application levels, reflecting the importance of formal monitoring of the size of the sector, and any trends in application data. I do not wish to see any operator leave the sector and I am aware of a range of factors, including the impact of the costs crisis that may be influencing business decisions.

Since the deadline for existing hosts in October 2023, myself and my officials have undertaken a range of engagement with stakeholders which will be used as part of ongoing monitoring, and I will provide an update to Parliament on the implementation of licensing in June this year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27432 on 4 June 2024. 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 .

The Scottish Government and SFC are very conscious of the challenge colleges face. With regards to the specific issue raised, we are working collaboratively to understand the emerging impact and consider if a solution for 2024-25, as well as the longer term, can be found for affected colleges and keeping the Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group updated.

The tripartite group provides strategic direction on the pressures and opportunities facing colleges. Further detail on the work of this group is available here: Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

My understanding is that the Scottish Funding Council has concluded that the flexibility it was in position to be able to use in previous years is no longer possible because of the budgetary position it is now operating within, therefore, there has not been any change of policy but rather a lack of flexibility to accommodate switching capital to resource.

The Scottish Government published updated national policy guidance on Funding Follows the Child in December 2023, which outlines the principles and criteria local authorities should follow when delivering funded early learning and childcare. The local authority is responsible for local delivery and has a duty to ensure that the statutory funded early learning and childcare entitlement is made available for each eligible young child belonging to its area. Local authorities also have a duty to publish local delivery plans outlining the choice available to parents and carers.

The Scottish Government is committed to the expansion of the free school meal programme and the next phase will support those in receipt of Scottish Child Payment in Primaries 6 and 7 from February 2025.

To support this expansion we have made provision for £43m of capital funding in 2024-25 to support the infrastructure development required to deliver the next phase of the free school meal programme. This is in addition to the £10m of capital funding provided in 2023-24.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with COSLA to deliver our free school meal expansion programme.

Any investigation into whether there has been any material effect to a Scottish resident’s circumstances due to alleged negligence or malice on the part of a public servant leading to public knowledge of a recorded non-crime hate incident, and related issues of potential liability, would be dealt with on a case by case basis.

The designation of a Hate Crime Advisor and Hate Crime Champion is an operational decision for Police Scotland, and the Scottish Government does not hold this information.

You may wish to contact Police Scotland directly regarding any questions you have in relation to these procedures.

I refer the member to the answer to S6W-27665, 4 June 2024, the designation of Hate Crime Advisors and Hate Crime Champions is an operational matter for Police Scotland. 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 .