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No formal assessment has been carried out on the impact of increased mortgage rates on First Time Buyers (FTB’s), however we are aware that an increase in mortgage rates will make it more difficult for many FTB’s to obtain mortgage lending or in fact access it due to a decreased number of products available.

The latest data suggests a slowdown in housing market activity for first-time buyers, with mortgage advances falling to 5,520 in Q1 2023, this is 8% lower than the pre-pandemic baseline. This is potentially due to successive increases in the Bank Rate since December 2021.

We continue to support home ownership and have interventions in place to help first time buyers through our Low Cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers (LIFT) scheme which helps people on low to moderate incomes to buy their first home.

Our first-time buyer relief for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax has the effect of raising the nil-rate threshold from £145,000 to £175,000, saving first-time buyers up to £600.

While application numbers to our schemes have yet to show a decline we anticipate that the current mortgage market conditions will make delivery of our schemes more challenging.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19380 on 11 July 2023. 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

As Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Veterans, Scotland's Shared Apprenticeships sit within my portfolio of responsibilities.

The total cost of the independent taskforce charged with conducting a review of Scottish SPCA powers was £2834.20.

Scottish SPCA inspectors currently undertake training to enable them to carry out their duties as part of their current responsibilities provided through the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This includes internal training courses, on the job training, and externally audited training during and after their probation period.

We expect that any additional training would be incorporated into current training. The details of the training and the associated costs will be developed after the public consultation on the proposals this summer.

As with the powers Scottish SPCA inspectors currently have under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, powers will be authorised by Scottish Ministers. Scottish Ministers will also have the ability to remove powers from a Scottish SPCA inspector if necessary.

There are no plans to appoint an independent body to oversee the Scottish SPCA’s use of enhanced powers in relation to wildlife crime.

The Scottish Government is not providing specific ring-fenced funding for breakfasts in schools in this financial year. However, a number of local authorities have used Scottish Government funding flexibly to support breakfast provision in their local area in partnership with public, private and third sector providers.

The Scottish Government will be consulting over the summer on provisions to allow for a limited extension of the Scottish SPCA’s current powers to investigate wildlife crime. We will consider whether there is a requirement to update the BRIA following the outcome of this consultation.

The current Northern Isles Ferry Service contract is scheduled to expire 30 June 2028.

Development of options for the future ferry services contract on the Northern Isles routes is scheduled to start in 2024.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19052 on 22 June 2023. 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