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As noted in S6W-19908 on 31 July 2023, the age ranges for breast screening are based on recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which informs decisions taken across the UK on screening programmes. There is no clear evidence that the benefits of screening this age group outweigh the potential harms.

Since October 2022, women aged 71-74, and those over 75 with a history of breast cancer, have been able to self-refer for a screening appointment. Due to the challenges around programme capacity and wait times as a result of the pandemic, self-referrals for those over 75 without a history of breast cancer remain paused. This ensures those between 50 and 70 and for whom screening has clear benefits are prioritised. The most recent statistics show that breast screening uptake has increased across Scotland which is the most important factor when maximising cancer detection and effectiveness of the screening programme.

Considerable work has been undertaken to improve programme capacity, including extending screening hours, using additional mobile units, and optimising appointment allocation. The scale of the challenge facing the screening programme since the pandemic means it has taken time for this work to have a significant impact. However, considerable progress has been made, and the scope to extend self-referrals to all those over 75 remains under active review. Both Parliament and NHS Inform will be updated when any decision is made to lift the current pause.

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 is aware the School Meals Coalition Global Summit took place in Paris on 18 and 19 October 2023, but as non-members did not attend.

Zoopla published a report titled “ Rents for new lets rise 10.3% over the last year ” on 03 October 2023, covering changes in average rents for new tenancies over the latest year to September 2023. This report is based on newly advertised rental data and does not include trends in rents for existing tenancies, and does not therefore cover trends in rents for the whole private rented sector in Scotland.

This report states that the average monthly advertised rent for 1 to 4 bedroom properties on the open market in Scotland in September 2023, was £750, 36% cheaper than the average rent across the UK as a whole of £1,164, and lower than the average rent figures across each of the UK countries and regions of England except for Northern Ireland (£744) and the North East of England (£649).

The report also states that these rents in Scotland increased by 12.8% in the last year to September 2023, similar to the corresponding increases in some other regions in England and Wales, with increases of 10% and above in the West Midlands (10.1%), Wales (10.2%), the North West (11.3%) and London (11.5%).

The Scottish Government considers that there are a wide range of factors contributing to high increases in private rents in Scotland and across the UK. The Programme for Government confirms the intention to introduce a Housing Bill to deliver a New Deal for Tenants, including the introduction of long-term rent controls for the private rented sector to address large increases in rents both during and between tenancies in Scotland.

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 provides stability of rents for the majority of existing tenants in the private rented sector in Scotland. Since 1 April 2023, rents for tenancies subject to the rent cap can increase by up to 3%, or landlords can apply to Rent Service Scotland for approval of an increase of up to 6% in specific circumstances. Our emergency legislation has led the way at a time when rents have been rising across the UK, stabilising rents to help tenants to stay in their homes. Anywhere else in the UK, private tenants have faced a double impact of unfettered rent rises both during and between tenancies.

This emergency legislation is time-bound and temporary, and the ongoing necessity is regularly reviewed and reported on. The First Report , Statement of Reasons for the Act’s extension from March 2023, Statement of Reasons for the Act’s second extension from September 2023 and the latest Report covering the period 1 June to 30 September 2023 are available on the Scottish Government website.

I last met with the COSLA Culture Conveners group on 21 September 2023.

During this meeting we discussed ways in which we can collaborate to progress our shared priorities for culture in Scotland.

The next meeting of the Culture Conveners, which I will attend, is scheduled to take place in early 2024.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. I recommend contacting your local authority who may be able to advise.

Dredging and the sea deposit of dredged material are licensable marine activities under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and a marine licence granted by Marine Directorate – Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) on behalf of the Scottish Ministers is required for the activities. A marine licence or dredging authorisation granted to Clydeport does not place a requirement on the port to dredge. It only permits the activity if the port determines it is necessary.

The Statutory Harbour Authority (SHA) for the area is Clydeport (Peel Ports) which is responsible for marine safety in its area of jurisdiction and has a statutory duty to maintain its navigable waterways and channels. SHAs are independent statutory bodies – each governed by their own local legislation – and are deemed commercial entities. Therefore, the Scottish Government has no say in the day-to-day running of their business, nor can it dictate business decisions made by a company.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, on behalf of the Department of Transport, conduct a three yearly Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) compliance exercise where every SHA, berth, terminal, or marine facility is required to submit a signed statement confirming their compliance with the PMSC. For the period 2021-2023 inclusive, a statement confirming compliance was received from Clydeport.

In accordance with the Sewel Convention and in line with Rule 9B of Standing Orders, the UK Parliament should not legislate with regard to devolved matters – that is on matters within the legislative competence of the Parliament, or which change the competence of the Parliament or the Scottish Ministers – without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

Within the legislative programme announced by the UK Government, Bills which appear to give rise to the requirement for the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament are:

• Animal Welfare (Livestock Export) Bill
• Automated Vehicles Bill
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Bill
• Criminal Justice Bill
• Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill
• Tobacco and Vapes Bill
• Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (carried over) – legislative consent memorandum already lodged
• Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (carried over) – legislative consent memorandum already lodged.

In addition, the following Bills extend to Scotland. The Scottish Government will consider the need for legislative consent when the text of these bills is available, but we do not currently expect they will generate a requirement for a legislative consent motion.

• Media Bill
• Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
• Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
• Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
• Victims and Prisoners Bill (majority of provisions apply to England and Wales)

The Scottish Government will consider the content of all Bills before making its recommendation to the Parliament on legislative consent. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine whether to give or withhold consent.

It is possible that legislative consent may be required for other UK Bills and those will be drawn to the attention of the Parliament as they arise.

Assessments are made at local level of the potential impacts of non-native species on peatland sites and other priority habitats, through implementation of the Forestry Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, and the implementation of the UK Forestry Standard and associated guidance.

NatureScot is currently undertaking an initial national GIS analysis to estimate the potential scale and distribution of regeneration onto peatland from commercial plantations. This analysis could contribute to an assessment of the potential impact on carbon sequestration and peatland restoration targets in due course. Other assessments have been made on a site by site basis, specifically in Caithness and Sutherland, which have guided management planning.

The definition of a Compulsory Supervision Order (CSO) is set out in section 83 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 and, as set out below, specifies the measures which can be included in a CSO.

A children's hearing can make a CSO if the hearing considers that it is necessary for the child’s protection, guidance, treatment or control.

A CSO must then be implemented by the relevant local authority to ensure that the child is adequately supported in accordance with the CSO.

Every CSO will as a minimum contain a standard measure that the local authority supervises the child, and will specify the period of time that the order has effect.

Children’s hearings can, where appropriate, make their intentions for supervision more specific by adding further specific measures to a CSO:

• A requirement that the child reside in a specific place.
• A direction to restrict the child's liberty whilst residing in a specific place.
• A prohibition on the disclosure of the address of the child where the child is required to reside in a specified place.
• A movement restriction condition.
• A secure accommodation authorisation.
• A requirement for specified medical or other examination for the child- only with the child's consent.
• A requirement for specified medical or other treatment for the child-only with the child's consent.

Children’s Hearings Scotland (‘CHS’) are preparing to extend the benefits of accessing children’s hearings to all Scotland’s 16 and 17 year olds who need it. It is the statutory responsibility of the National Convener at CHS to appoint children’s panel members. There is a consistent record dating back over 5 decades of sufficient prospective volunteers coming forward from Scotland’s communities to serve as children’s panel members. While volunteer positions across all sectors are more difficult to fill post-pandemic, Ministers are confident that the National Convener and CHS have the resources, skills and knowledge to fulfil their statutory duties. Officials remain in close contact with the National Convener and his team to determine if further interventions are required to maintain children’s panel capacity and resilience, both in the short-term and in the months to come. A range of escalating interventions have been prepared by CHS to improve panel intake and reinforce retention rates - those will be implemented as required.