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NTCs require an appropriate mix of new and experienced staff to operate safely and efficiently. Management information provided by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) shows that at 31 March 2023, 502 people were employed in an NTC. This figure excludes those staff delivering pre-existing NHS services which have been relocated to NTC sites. 130 (26%) are new entrants meaning they are undertaking their first role in NHS Scotland. Whilst these figures from NES are classed as management information at this stage, NES will continue to work with data providers to develop these as Official Statistics. The next step in this process will be to release these statistics within the NHS Scotland workforce publication as Experimental Statistics in December 2023. NTC workforce data will be reported every six months thereafter.

The Scottish Government has previously advised that International Recruitment is a short term solution to build our workforce capacity and a target for 2023-24 has yet to be announced. However to continue to support Boards, based on current budget we have advised of interim funding of £3 million that is being made available to avoid a break in already developed supply lines, securing the recruitment of a further 250 nurses, midwifes and Allied Health Professionals from overseas in 2023-24.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18750 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 has published a public consultation on a Human Rights Bill for Scotland today, 15 June 2023 and it will be open until 5 October 2023. The consultation seeks views on policy proposals to inform a new Human Rights Bill, which will be a significant milestone in Scotland’s human rights journey, building on past work to embed a human rights culture.

Publishing this consultation delivers on our commitment to bring forward proposals in the first half of 2023 and will be supported by a broad programme of engagement. I would encourage everyone with a view to respond. The consultation is available at https://consult.gov.scot/equality-and-human-rights/a-human-rights-bill-for-scotland-consultation/ .

The Scottish Government rightly made the decision to freeze fares as part of its response to the cost of living crisis. While this has now remained in place for around 18 months, it is simply no longer sustainable.

From 3 July 2023, ScotRail fares will increase by 4.8%, compared to 5.9% fares rise across the rest of Great Britain, current RPI of 8.7% and the August 2022 RPI rate of 12.3%. This fares rise does not include season tickets and flexi-passes which will remain frozen at current prices, ensuring those who use rail frequently are not discouraged from continuing to do so.

This below inflation increase means fares remain, on average, lower than across the rest of Great Britain.

We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, therefore we have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option. The change also comes as we pilot other ways to make rail travel more attractive and affordable. For example, someone currently using a peak return ticket travelling between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley will pay £1.30 more after 3 July but will save £14.00 during the ScotRail peak fares removal pilot which launches in October 2023.

For over a decade the Scottish Government has kept fares increases down by ensuring they are in line with RPI, or even lower in the case of off-peak fares.

Today, we have published our 10-year Cancer Strategy for Scotland , with an underpinning three-year Cancer Action Plan for Scotland . Our strategy sets out our long term vision for cancer services in Scotland. It takes a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways, from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care. The action plan takes stock of the current pressures faced by the NHS and identifies how we can progress to our final vision. In 10 years’ time we see a Scotland where more cancers are prevented, and where our compassionate and consistent cancer service provides excellent treatment and support throughout the cancer journey, and improves outcomes and survival for people with cancer. We will continue to work closely with the NHS to ensure there is appropriate capacity to respond to patients’ needs. Notably, we aim to reduce later stage disease (stages III and IV) by 18 percentage points. This will ensure patients are being diagnosed earlier, which makes cancer easier to treat and ultimately improves outcomes.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13464 on 24 January 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 is committed to transparency and openness. We aim to publish key information such as notes of meetings and letters relating to the deposit return scheme as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government is committed to transparency and openness. We aim to publish key information such as notes of meetings and letters relating to the deposit return scheme as soon as possible.

£10 million of funding was directed to support Cancer Waiting Times improvements in our NHS across 2021-22, with a further £10m made available to Boards in 2022-23 to continue to support Cancer Waiting Times. Health Boards across NHS Scotland direct spend towards the most challenged areas, which included additional clinics for new patients and follow-ups.

Funds in 2022-23 were largely directed towards breast, colorectal and urology specialties – three of the most challenged 62 day pathways. Significant funds went towards up-skilling nurses and investment to support extended working days and weekend working to increase capacity.