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We set out our commitment to establish an independent taskforce to consider whether the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) should be given extra powers to investigate wildlife crime in both the 2021-22 Programme for Government and in our Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme.

The taskforce’s role will include due consideration of the potential implications of any proposed changes to the powers of the Scottish SPCA. The taskforce will report back by the end of 2022.

We will set out the remit of the taskforce in more detail in due course.

People who are experiencing financial hardship may be receiving, or be eligible for, a range of financial support services (both direct and in-kind), and the nature and amount of support will depend on individual circumstances. Therefore it is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of what would be required in terms of additional support to bring all those below the poverty threshold above that threshold.

Scottish Government recognise the positive contribution older people make to their communities and are committed to ensuring that people are financially secure and supported as they age. Fairness and human rights remain at the heart of the Scottish Government’s approach as we work to keep older people safe, cared for and connected, with access to the essentials they need, with funding of over £1.3 million to organisations who are directly supporting the needs of older people during the Covid pandemic, including funding for helplines, food distribution and keeping people connected.

The SSSC has been administering Postgraduate Bursaries on behalf of Scottish Government since 2004. Funding of £2,655m each year is provided to support up to 300 students undertake the postgraduate course in social work.

A review of the scheme was undertaken by SSSC in 2021 to widen access to eligible postgraduate students. In response to Covid -19 Scottish Government approved a Hardship Fund for postgraduate social work students in May 2020. The fund remains in place.

As part of the 2021 Manifesto Commitments, the Scottish Government committed to undertake a review into the funding provision for postgraduate students. The review will be led by SAAS and areas for exploration are in the early development stages and therefore I cannot confirm at this stage what courses will be considered as part of the review.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-06940 on 14 March 2022

The post graduate social work bursary scheme provides a contribution to the fees level set by the individual universities. This is to ensure that the funding available is able to support up to 300 students

There are other sources of funding that can be applied for. Full details of these can be found at www.saas.gov.uk and www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Funding-Support-Grants

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

Excessively long waiting lists are not acceptable and we offer our sympathies to all patients waiting for treatment. Pausing of non-urgent activity has taken place across the health system and has inevitably led to a build-up of patients waiting for treatment, and the emergence of Omicron is continuing to have an impact on existing significant pressure.

Remaining covid restrictions and infection prevention control measures mean that Audiologists are working on reduced capacity and a reduced numbers of patients have access to the services.

Additionally, all services have seen a surge in referrals since restrictions have started to ease and GPs have become more accessible. Waiting lists have grown as a result and services have to balance ensuring that patients receive good quality, efficient and effective treatment with reducing waiting times.

We published an NHS Recovery Plan in August 2021 which sets out our plans for health and social care, including audiology services, over the next 5 years.

Backed by over £1 billion of funding, the Plan will support an increase in inpatient, daycase, and outpatient activity to address the backlogs of care, which will be supported by the implementation of sustainable improvements and new models of care.

Yes, Scotland is a welcoming nation and tose who decide to come to Scotland from Hong Kong and elsewhere will be welcomed for the positive contribution they will bring to our communities, economy and society. The Scottish Government have published a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, on our website and linked to the Moving to Scotland website.

The British National (Overseas) visa scheme was launched on 31 January 2021 and as of the end of December a total of 103,900 applications have been received. The Home Office have said it does not publish location data, have it in the immediate underlying data or collect intended locations for Hong Kong applicants. They have completed a small scale survey of British National (Overseas) visa holders which indicates 2% intend to settle in Scotland but due to the small sample size were unable to provide any further data. The Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government for further information on numbers.

The introduction of a criteria to determine the reopening of the Edington Hospital in North Berwick was determined by the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership. The criteria was agreed with input from senior nursing colleagues and is intended to support NHS Lothian Gold Command consider the potential options for returning bed capacity to the Edington Hospital.

Decisions about local provision are best made locally, so when to re-open Edington is one for NHS Lothian and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to make. However, any decision made must take into account the needs of the local population, and ensure an appropriate level of service is in place to meet those needs.

The Scottish Government is resolute in its continuing commitment to the Act and its principles. A successful Implementation will only be achieved through the co-production of the relevant stakeholders. Their focus has naturally been on responding to the challenges presented by the pandemic.

As services remobilise we are re-engaging with stakeholders to ensure implementation takes account of the learning developed during the pandemic and recognises the new environment within which services will now operate.

Tables 1 and 2 present the number of patients covered by the Treatment Time Guarantee (TTG) waiting within an inpatient or day-case setting by NHS Board at 31 December 2021, and the number waiting over 1, 2 and 3 years for a hip or knee replacement procedure, respectively.

Table 1: Number of patients waiting for a hip replacement procedure 1,2 as an inpatient or day case at 31 st December 2021, broken down by NHS Board of treatment and length of wait.

Clinical guideline implementation is the responsibility of NHS Boards. The ultimate decision about a particular clinical procedure or treatment will always depend on each individual patient’s condition, circumstances and wishes, and the clinical judgement of the healthcare team.

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines have primacy in Scotland however NHS Boards and Integration Authorities may also choose to consider National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in the planning and delivering services. Where there is not a current SIGN guideline in place Boards are expected to use other guidelines, such as NICE.

The decision to create, update and/or replace any SIGN guideline is not made by Scottish Government, it is made independently by the Evidence Directorate Work Programme Committee in Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). Proposed guidelines under consideration can be found on the SIGN website: Our guidelines (sign.ac.uk) .