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The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role that colleges play in our country and the challenges faced by the sector in recent years, as set out in reports by Audit Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council in September 2025. The 2026-27 budget provides the college sector with a combined increase of £70 million in resource and capital funding, equivalent to a 10 per cent uplift on last year’s budget, and is a clear signal of this Scottish Government’s commitment to the sector.

While a number of the issues facing colleges have been discussed and progressed through the work of the College Tripartite arrangement, there is broad consensus that a bolder sector and system wide approach is now needed to secure a strong and sustainable future, and enable the college sector to play its full part in the new landscape created by the reformed tertiary education funding system.

We announce from today an ambitious, short-life workstream to design and deliver a college sector suitable to support the skills needs of Scotland, economically and socially, both in the shorter-term and in the future. This workstream, which has been co-designed with Colleges Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council, will draw on the views and ideas of college leaders, lecturers and professional service staff, trade unions, learners of today and tomorrow, businesses and employers, and independent experts. It will challenge the status quo and design and deliver recommendations to Ministers, setting out actions, initiatives and policies for all parties to consider and take forward.

The first phase will synthesise previous reports and reviews, alongside other learning from the sector and more widely, to build on previous successes, lessons and evaluations.

With a strong regional emphasis, priority will also be given to identifying early adopter initiatives that can showcase new and innovative ways for the sector to collaborate to support learners and regional needs more effectively and efficiently, and to contribute to the aims of the Scottish Government’s public sector reform programme.

This activity is a partnership between the Scottish Government, Colleges Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, and crucially, the people who need, rely on and deliver learning and skills opportunities all across Scotland.

The Scottish Government looks forward to working closely with a wide range of stakeholders and with colleagues across the Scottish Parliament on this important next step for the sector. Further details will be made available as the work progresses.

There has been a significant increase in demand for neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessments in recent years, including for autism and ADHD, which is creating challenges for a range of services. In response to this, the Scottish Government is working with the National Autism Implementation Team to develop national Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathways, building on learning from pilot programmes across NHS Boards.

We continue to support Health Boards and local authorities to implement the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People, by taking forward actions from the review of its implementation in 2025. This work is being supported by the cross-sector Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopment Taskforce.

An additional £3.4 million has been invested in 2025-26 to support a range of projects aimed at improving access to neurodevelopmental support and information, as well as supplementing autism and ADHD assessment capacity in health boards. A further £7.65 million is included in the 2026-27 mental health programme budget to enable continued improvements in neurodevelopmental assessment and support for children and young people.

I have also brought together stakeholders and MSPs through two cross-party summits to support coordinated efforts to address these issues.

The scheduling of fixtures in the KDM Evolution Trophy is the responsibility of the SPFL.

I understand the frustration of supporters in relation to return travel from the fixture. The Scottish Government supports any measures put in place by the clubs that make the game as accessible as possible to all fans.

In discussion with the SPFL around this issue, they confirmed that Firhill stadium was the only feasible venue for the match, given both the impact of recent bad weather on alternative venues, and the existing SPFL fixtures taking place on Easter Sunday. The timing of the match allows it to be shown live on BBC Alba, which provides free national coverage and makes the game as accessible as possible for those fans unable to travel.

The Permanent Secretary has responsibility for the operational running of the Scottish Government, including workforce-related policies such as hybrid working.

As the hybrid working policy is an internal operational matter and does not alter staff contractual terms and conditions, a formal Islands Communities Impact Assessment was not required. However, we continue to monitor the policy in practice, including any impacts on colleagues across Scotland.

Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.

The new National Islands Plan prioritises retaining and attracting population, and while it has no specific commitment on public-sector job locations, it underlines the value of local employment. The Scottish Government also maintains a significant rural and island estate, including Marine Scotland and the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) offices.

Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.

Social Security Scotland fast-tracks Special Rules for Terminal Illness applications, aiming to make a decision within seven working days of receiving a shortened application and confirmation of a terminal diagnosis.

Latest statistics show the average processing time for Adult Disability Payment applications made under Special Rules for Terminal Illness is two working days.

Social Security Scotland promotes awareness of the Special Rules for Terminal Illness policy on its website and social media channels, highlighting the fast-track, accessible application process and the support available for individuals. The organisation engages with health and social care stakeholders to strengthen their understanding of the process. Guidance for clinicians, including from the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, is available online.

Applications received under the normal rules process are reviewed for Special Rules eligibility and, where appropriate, are fast-tracked.

Adult Disability Payment statistics can be found on Social Security Scotland's website at: Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 October 2025 - Social Security Scotland

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including matters relating to workforce location policy.

The Scottish Government is committed to working in partnership with our recognised trade unions. The decision on the revised hybrid working policy was informed by a working group that included trade union representatives. As part of the implementation process, the organisation has committed to establishing a formal location policy. I understand that work will include consideration of any impacts on colleagues in rural and island communities and will be informed by consultation with staff networks and recognised trade unions via the Council of Scottish Government Unions. Work to finalise the location policy is expected to conclude later in 2026.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.