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The Scottish Government set out proposals in the paper A Stronger Economy with Independence for the two main trunk routes between Scotland and England in a scenario in which an independent Scotland was in the EU and the rest of the UK was not. It should be noted that the Common Travel Area means there would be no new passport or immigration checks at any of an independent Scotland’s land, sea or air border points with the UK and Ireland for those travelling within it.

The UK Government is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. Precise border arrangements between the EU and the UK will not be known until the conclusion of those negotiations. The Scottish Government supports an ambitious agreement to minimise checks and delays. We also continue to press the UK Government to drop its red line on UK membership of the Customs Union and Single Market to mitigate some of the damage of Brexit and smooth trade between the UK and EU.

The number of full-time equivalent civil servants is broken down by policy area and condition as follows:

It is the statutory responsibility of all local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate. However, the Scottish Government are engaging with Local Government via the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and Scottish Heads of Property Services networks regarding the school estate, including the School Grounds in Scotland 2025 report.

The Scottish Government expects that all policies and proposals set out in the forthcoming Climate Change Plan will be delivered. Progress of these policies and proposals will be monitored closely throughout the plan period through a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. Regular monitoring will establish progress and allow Ministers to consider appropriate action to support any off track indicators on a case to case basis.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-33307 on 28 January 2025. 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

Funding and resources available will be published as part of the series of Action Plans.

We are considering using an evidence based process to determine which improvement work will be prioritised and details of this will form part of the Long Term Conditions Framework which we will publish in December 2025.

It is the statutory responsibility of all local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate. However, the Scottish Government are engaging with Local Authorities via the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and Scottish Heads of Property Services networks regarding the school estate, including the School Grounds in Scotland 2025 report.

As we develop our new integrated Long Term Conditions Framework, we will consider how it and its series of action plans are governed and implemented to ensure all conditions are considered and action plans are implemented effectively. Future planning for current advisory committees and taskforces will be considered at the same time

Details of the governance arrangements will form part of the Framework and will be published in December 2025.

The consultation on a Long Term Conditions Framework is currently live and will close on 20 July.

An analysis report, detailing the number of responses and who responded will be published and the results will assist in the development of a Long Term Conditions Framework.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38001 on 25 June 2025. 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.