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As investigations into this matter are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment.

The Scottish Government along with the BMA and other stakeholders provide evidence to the Doctors and Dentist Review Bodies (DDRB) who make an independent recommendation on pay uplifts for medical and dental staff across the UK.

We take part in this process in good faith and in the knowledge that the DDRB make independent recommendations which can be above or below what participants are seeking. This year, the DDRB have recommended a pay award which we have implemented in full for all Medical and Dental staff.

The Patient Travel Guidance is a substantial exercise for the Scottish Government and NHS Boards and, regrettably, a start date is not confirmed at this time. This important piece of work requires prioritisation alongside our ongoing response to Covid and recovery of services and will be taken forward as soon as possible.

We recognise that installer skills for zero emissions heating systems and energy efficiency measures will need to scale up significantly to support the scale of ambition in our heat in buildings strategy.

Since publishing our draft Heat in Buildings Strategy for consultation in February 2021, we have increased our investment in skills and training opportunities within this sector. Over £1.49 million has been invested through our National Transition Training Fund (NTTF), which has supported over 3,350 participants to access courses for heat pump, energy efficiency and retrofit construction skills. NTTF is now complete and the findings from this and other skills programmes will inform the development of a lifetime skills offer. This is one of the key skilled workforce commitments set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation

We have also provided £160,000 capital investment for colleges in the north of Scotland for heat pump and thermal insulation training equipment, with further investment in the South of Scotland colleges provided by the SP Energy Networks Green Economy Fund.

Further initiatives include the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF), the Heat Pump Skills Grant and MCS Certification Fund.

FWDF provides funding to help employers address priority skills gaps and training needs in their organisations. It provides up to £15,000 of training support to UK Apprenticeship Levy payers, and up to £5,000 is accessible to non-levy paying SMEs. Training can be delivered in partnership with a local college, the Open University in Scotland or through an independent training provider.

The Heat Pump Skills Grant is delivered in partnership between the Energy Saving Trust and Energy Skills Partnership and has supported 10 colleges across Scotland in providing additional heat pump training to their plumbing and heating apprentices.

The MCS Certification Fund is offered to assist Scottish SMEs installing heat pumps in achieving MCS certification for the first time. This funding is for installers who are not currently MCS certified for heat pumps and who want to become MCS certified for any heat pump technology (air, water, or ground source).

A wide range of training opportunities for individuals, including heating related courses, are also available through the Individual Training Account scheme. The Scheme offers unemployed individuals or those on a low income, aged 16 and over, up to £200 per year to help them develop skills to enter into or progress in jobs within key sectors.

We recognise the need to continue our support for skills and training in this sector. We will shortly publish a new Supply Chains Delivery Plan, setting out a broad system of support for businesses working in the energy efficiency and zero emissions heating retrofit sector.

The Scottish Government welcomes continued engagement with health service unions in developing appropriate proposals on pension issues. We are currently modelling member contribution rate structures for the NHS Pension Scheme (Scotland) and will shortly be consulting with the NHS Pension Scheme Advisory Board before holding a public consultation on proposals towards the end of this year.

I can confirm that today Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited has been advised that its proposal to rebase the Franchise Agreement with Scottish Ministers for the provision of Caledonian Sleeper rail services has been rejected on the grounds of not representing value for money to the public.

Additionally, I can confirm that a notice was served today which confirms that the Scottish Ministers will terminate the Franchise Agreement with Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited on 25 June 2023.

Work is underway to determine arrangements for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper rail services beyond 25 June 2023 and this will be updated to Parliament once determined.

It is worth noting that Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited has, broadly, delivered well and significantly improved Caledonian Sleeper services over the last 7 years.

As set out in the joint Bidding Prospectus, all green port bidders were required to ensure that their proposal embedded the second National Transport Strategy vision, priorities and outcomes for the transport system with in it as well as ensuring alignment with regional and local transport strategies.

Following selection there will of course be intensive discussions with each of the successful designations on all aspects of their proposals.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11074 on 5 October 2022. 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

Around 170 representatives from a wide range of stakeholder groups were invited to attend events across Shetland, Orkney, Stornoway, Oban, Glasgow and Benbecula in direct reference to the work highlighted.

As set out in the joint Bidding Prospectus, all green port bidders were required to ensure that their proposal embedded the second National Transport Strategy vision, priorities and outcomes for the transport system with in it as well as ensuring alignment with regional and local transport strategies.

Following selection there will of course be intensive discussions with each of the successful designations on all aspects of their proposals.