Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18425 on 14 June 2023. I confirm there was no crossover with the Implementation Assurance Group and Ministerial Strategic Assurance Group. The Implementation Assurance Group was disbanded in 2020 with the Ministerial Strategy Assurance Group forming in May 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

The Scottish Government has had no discussions with New College Lanarkshire about the proposed closure of the halls of residence located at the college's Motherwell Campus.

Colleges operate independently of government and there is therefore very little scope for the Scottish Government to intervene in the operational businesses of colleges, such as the disposal of buildings owned by the college.

The Ministerial Strategic Assurance Group first met on 22 May 2023. The meeting was held virtually on MS Teams.

In the face of rising costs and the need to deliver a balanced budget which delivers the best value for every tax payer in Scotland, funding must be prioritised and robust decisions made which are linked to the annual budget setting process and associated financial governance.

Therefore, employability funding, like all other funded programmes and services throughout government require to be assessed against the outcomes specified in the Scottish Government policy prospectus "A fresh Start for Scotland" (18 April 2023) which sets out how the government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18596 on 15 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 .

The Scottish Government’s position is that the Erasmus+ programme had a major impact in Scotland. Scotland received a total of 143.2 million euros during the previous Erasmus+ cycle between 2014-2020.

Scotland welcomes international students and recognises the important and valuable contribution they make to the Scottish economy, our educational environment and Scottish society.

The European Commission Erasmus+ higher education impact study (European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Erasmus+ higher education impact study – Final report , Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/162060 ) has shown that participants in Erasmus+ have reported: higher levels of self-confidence, goal orientation, and social openness. The commission observed a relevant increase in several personality dispositions, attitudes, and behaviours, as measured by the memo© psychometric tool. This indicator also correlates with future income, job security, and career perspective. Furthermore, in the same report, a large share (>75%) of students interviewed after the mobility reported that they had a better idea of what they want to do in their career, they had re-oriented their study plans, and have higher academic ambitions. Also, on average, they are more satisfied with their jobs and social status.

Under the Erasmus+ programme funding in Scotland, a range of sectors benefited including higher and further education, vocational education and training, youth work, adult education and sports. The table below indicates the funding received by different sectors in Scotland from Erasmus+ between 2014-2020.

Teacher views are clearly important, and I have met with the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) to discuss the findings from their survey, as has the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) which has statutory responsibility for all operational decisions relating to national qualifications.

While I understand concerns raised by teachers around pupil readiness and workload associated with the reintroduction of coursework, SQA has advised that their decision to return to full assessment for most National Qualifications courses for the 2023-2024 session was carefully balanced and taken in the best interests of young people.

SQA evidence and advice suggested that, if retained for longer than necessary these course assessment modifications could have a detrimental impact on consolidation of learning, and progression to the next stage of education, employment or training.

I have also discussed these matters directly with the Chief Examiner, including the feedback from the SSTA, and received assurance that the impact of the removal of modifications will be carefully considered in the grading process in 2024.

The Scottish Government continues to offer free and impartial advice to all employers and individuals affected by redundancy through Partnership Action for Continuing Employment, PACE, which has local teams ready to respond quickly when situations arise and assist businesses to try and minimise the risk of redundancy before it happens.

As members of the PACE Partnership, STF will be familiar with the local support available to its members and the swift response it offers to support both employers and employees dealing with redundancy and working with them to try and minimise the risk of redundancy before it happens.

The Scottish and Welsh Governments last met in June 2023 to discuss opportunities for collaboration and sharing best practice across areas of mutual interest. This includes educational mobility and exchange programmes.

I met with the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce on 6 April. Members include NHS employers, recognised nursing and midwifery workforce experts, professional organisations and academics.

Members discussed wellbeing and agreed that it will be one of five key workstreams, in building a sustainable, attractive, fair, flexible, respected and empowered workforce for the future. I am due to attend the next taskforce meeting on 28 August.