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The most recent estimate of the number of veterans of the UK Armed Forces resident in Scotland is 220,000, which was taken from the annual population survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics in 2017. Scotland's Census 2022 included for the first time a question on previous service in the UK Armed Forces. Census data will help to support a better understanding of the veterans community in Scotland, including numbers.

Following agreement of a memorandum of understanding between Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in March 2022, an action plan was agreed between SDS, MoD and the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) who deliver support to leavers of the armed forces as they transition to civilian life.

Actions underway include:-

• SDS sharing labour market intelligence and other data to CTP for use by their career consultants;
• the development of a joint referral process for those early service leavers who may be entitled to, or will benefit from SDS careers services;
• jointly delivered training sessions on each organisation’s service offer to both CTP and SDS advisers;
• SDS attendance at a CTP jobs event in Kinloss at the end of 2022 and at Murrayfield on 20 April 2023
• work to ensure Modern, Graduate and Foundation Apprenticeships are promoted to early service leavers, veterans and their families.

Progress of the plan is being monitored at a joint senior level across SDS, MoD and CTP.

I was recently appointed as Minister for Veterans and will meet with the Scottish Veterans Commissioner as part of my programme of introductory meetings. Scottish Government officials have regular meetings with the Commissioner and her team.

The final stages of preparation for the Pathfinder phase for Bairns’ Hoose are underway. Applications for prospective pathfinders partnerships will open in Summer 2023 with pathfinders commencing in Autumn 2023. Further information on this phase will be included in the Project Plan Progress Report and Pathfinder Development Plan to be published this Spring.

Scottish Government have been made aware of details of the bonus scheme for senior management at Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) (Holdings) Ltd. The scheme allocates payments on 3 levels with the CEO at level 1, directors at level 2 and other senior management at level 3. Table 1 sets the total amount paid in bonus payments to FMPG Senior Management from 2018-19 to date.

Table 1 Bonus Payments at FMPG 2018-19 to 2022-23

The recruitment, training and retention of the workforce at Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Ltd (FMPG) is a matter for FMPG.

The workforce at FMPG is diverse ranging from trades specialising in ship building as well as other professions and trades which are transferable to other sectors.

Apprenticeships continue to be a valued part of Scotland’s future workforce in cultivating fresh talent in sustaining specialised trades for our future industries. There are 52 apprentices gaining valuable industry recognised qualifications at the ship building yard in Port Glasgow.

The Scottish Government is responsible for drafting the regulations underpinning Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. In addition the Scottish Government has a wider commitment to the success of the scheme carried out through stakeholder engagement and system wide assurance. It is also obliged to carry out a review of the scheme before 1 October 2026.

The Scottish Government has not specifically considered the economic impact of delayed treatment for patients with essential tremor.

We recognise the importance of ensuring patients can access the treatment they require. Currently, patients who are eligible for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for essential tremor can be referred to NHS Tayside in conjunction with the University of Dundee. Patients can also be referred to other services through cross border referral routes if appropriate.

The Scottish Government is not directly responsible for the site, or its regulation. However, the risk to human health outwith the site remains low and signage is in place to warn members of the public to keep off the site.

The Scottish Government intends to fund the removal of giant hogweed from the site again this year to prevent the spread of this threat to public health.

SEPA continues to monitor the site regularly, with the most recent site assessment outlining that the conditions remain poor but stable. The site conditions do not appear to be deteriorating, but there is an ongoing environmental impact to surface water. The most recent update from SEPA on the status of the site can be found here: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Scottish Government recognises the benefits magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) could provide to eligible patients with essential tremor.

Having access to appropriate treatment is crucial to a patient’s employment prospects. The commissioning of specialist services through NHS National Services Division (NSD) allows all patients regardless of their Health Board to access the specialist care and treatment they need. At present, no new application has been received to designate MRgFUS as a national specialist service to NHS Tayside. NSD will continue to work with the MRgFUS team in NHS Tayside in the meantime.

Alternatively, eligible patients for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for essential tremor can be referred to NHS Tayside in conjunction with the University of Dundee. Patients can also be referred to other services through cross border referral routes if appropriate.