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I am pleased to confirm that we have today published a package of announcements to provide information and financial certainty farmers and crofters need to help them prepare for the change necessary to deliver the ambitious aims set out in the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture. Links are available here:

• New payment for farmers to improve animal health and welfare launched under Preparing for Sustainable farming ;
• Route Map for agricultural reform ;
• Guidance on the list of the measures being considered and evaluated for inclusion for future agriculture support in Scotland ;
• Full 2023 Payment Strategy timetable ;
• Opening of a new round of the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) .

Last year I announced plans to hold a National Rail Conversation with the people of Scotland to seek their views on passenger rail services provided by Scotrail and the Caledonian Sleeper. The National Rail Conversation will also engage the views of regional transport partnerships, rail unions, local authorities, equalities groups, businesses, emergency services and rail industry organisations – as well as non-rail users – for their input in to the vision for rail services in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland’s railway for the future. It needs to be affordable; accessible; sustainable; offer fair and secure employment, and provide a safe environment for all who travel and work across it, now and in the future. It is also an important component of our public transport system, offering an alternative to car use, and is key to cutting transport emissions, and achieving our Net Zero ambitions.

There will be two key areas of focus for the conversation:

1. A series of stakeholder meetings, hosted by the Scottish Government, to discuss all aspects of rail passenger services. These events will take place over the next few months and stakeholders will be contacted shortly.

2. An extensive public engagement campaign aimed at giving as many people as possible the chance to have their say on the future of rail. It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible, including those who currently do not travel by rail.

Further details of both of these strands will be provided when I formally launch the National Rail Conversation in April, marking the one year anniversary of ScotRail coming in to public ownership.

When ScotRail came into public ownership the Scottish Government was clear: this would be a new beginning for our railways with a new guiding vision. My resolve remains on creating real opportunities to deliver a railway run for the benefit of its customers, staff and stakeholders. Through the National Rail Conversation, we will listen to feedback from passengers and stakeholders and shape a vision for ScotRail which best meets the needs of the people of Scotland.

Scottish Government and COSLA will shortly set out a Data Strategy for Health and Social Care, which will articulate the first set of principles and deliverables needed to improve the access and use of data.

NHS Lothian has made significant progress with regards to the BAA recommendations, they have provided sufficient assurance through evidence of significant progress against the plan, improved governance and culture, and sustainable changes that NHS Lothian will be de-escalated to Stage 2 in the first instance with continued support and monitoring from SG.

This information is not held centrally. Local authorities and integrated health and social care partnerships are responsible for commissioning services for people within their area.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14412 on 9 February 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14412 on 9 February 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14122 on 9 February 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

Removal of cladding is not always necessary or appropriate. The Scottish Government fully funded Single Building Assessment is designed to identify any potential issues which have an adverse impact on the safety and security of residents. We expect the vast majority of buildings to be found to be safe, but we have to understand the extent of the problem to be able to fix it.

The Scottish Government along with the Scottish Funding Council work with and engage on an ongoing basis with a range of stakeholders including Universities Scotland and individual institutions, to monitor and secure the long term sustainability of the sector as a whole and ensure that Scottish Universities continue to deliver world class education. These issues were discussed at a recent meeting between myself and Universities Scotland. As part of that discussion, it was recognised that as autonomous institutions Scottish universities are responsible for managing their long term institutional stability as operated through their own entry requirements, admissions policies and budgets. It was also agreed that it was vital to explore further the impact of the UK Government’s policy on immigration on Scottish Universities’ international student recruitment.