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Information on the turnover of Ferguson Marine can be found in its published annual accounts. The percentage of Ferguson Marine’s turnover from public entities is a commercial matter for the yard to respond.

Education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils, which includes those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A formal diagnosis of ADHD is not required before appropriate support is provided in an early learning or school setting.

Education authorities can ask other agencies (including social work services, health boards and Skills Development Scotland) for help in carrying out their duties under the Act.

As well as providing funding for neurodevelopmental support services, in partnership with COSLA we have undertaken a review of the implementation of the National Neurodevelopmental Specification. This will inform improvements to support health boards and local authorities to deliver the Specification.

GPs do not require “extended resources” to provide NHS prescriptions following a private diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. GPs are contracted and resourced to provide appropriate ongoing treatment and care to all their patients taking account of their specific needs.

GPs should use their own judgement about what treatment is appropriate for patients who have a private diagnosis of any condition.

The Scottish Government has shown leadership in setting out positive policies that work for the rail freight industry through our rail freight strategy (published in 2016), our first of a kind regulatory growth targets for rail freight as part of our High Level Output Specification for Control Period 7 funding, and our mode shift grants. Scotland was the first UK nation to have a rail freight growth target and this focus is being retained with a target of 8.7% for the period 2024 to 2029 and a requirement for a longer term growth plan to be delivered by 2027. These policies have encouraged positive behaviours and collaborative working with the industry to grow rail freight and have been supported with investment of over £40 million in recent years in rail freight specific projects and over £421 million in wider projects with rail freight benefits. We will continue to maximise benefits for freight in our future investment in the rail network.

The Scottish Government welcomes the Audit Scotland report Tackling digital exclusion, published in August 2024, and recognises the importance of its recommendations in shaping a more inclusive digital future for Scotland.

The Scottish Government continues to work in close partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to develop a comprehensive action plan that directly addresses the report’s findings. This collaborative work has focused on ensuring that the plan sets out clear steps, timelines, and responsibilities for delivery.

The action plan will be embedded within the refreshed joint Digital Strategy, which is due to be published later this year. This strategy will provide a coordinated framework for tackling digital exclusion, aligning efforts across sectors and ensuring that digital services are inclusive by design. It will also support the delivery of meaningful, measurable outcomes that reduce digital exclusion and promote equitable access to digital opportunities for all.

The Scottish Government remains committed to working with COSLA and wider stakeholders to ensure that digital inclusion is at the heart of Scotland’s digital transformation.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39369 on 11 August 2025. 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 did not take the decision to close the nursery – its closure is as a result of an unsuccessful procurement due to no bidders. Parents were informed of this on 13 June 2025. There was no formal consultation by Scottish Government as the closure is a consequence of a commercial decision.

The nursery at Victoria Quay is a commercial entity and operates under a concession contract and is not subsidised by the Scottish Government. Procurement of the nursery contract has taken place routinely since the nursery was first established. The previous contract ran from 2020–2025. During the most recent extension period a full procurement exercise was progressed in line with procurement rules.

Scottish Government officials informed the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Prospect and FDA unions on the morning of 12 June 2025 that a provider to operate the VQ nursery had not been secured and outlined the support being made available to the current nursery operator, North Edinburgh Childcare Enterprise Ltd, and parents. A further briefing on the nursery was made available to Trade Unions on the afternoon of 12 June 2025 which was attended by PCS. Subsequently, officials have been in regular communication with PCS representatives, including on the support available to Scottish Government staff.

A transition period is supporting continued provision at the Victoria Quay (VQ) nursery until 10 October 2025. This period will support parents to source alternative childcare provision.

The current operator of the VQ nursery, North Edinburgh Childcare Enterprise Ltd, has offered all parents, including those on the waiting list, places at their sister nursery. Where families are currently accessing their child’s funded ELC hours at the VQ nursery, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Early Years team can support parents to find alternative funded provision.

Scottish Government staff will continue to be supported during any period of disruption as they source alternative childcare provision, including access to the existing Special Leave policy and flexible working patterns which can accommodate individual circumstances.