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The NHS Scotland COVID Status app is being developed for release to the public by the end of September with vaccination information initially. We are developing our app to meet the EU requirements so we expect this to be compatible with the IATA Travel Pass. We are engaging with international stakeholders and UK Government to ensure the app is compatible with the other countries requirements of entry.

We are making PDF downloads of vaccination status and 2D barcodes (known as QR codes) available for international travel from early September to facilitate international travel.

Rail accessibility is a reserved matter for the UK government and the criteria for selection for an accessibility scheme is set by the Department for Transport and assessed by them via the Access for All scheme:- Access for All: funding to improve accessibility at rail stations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

No discussions have been held as the station does not meet the UK government’s criteria.

Transport Scotland is, however, considering four possible route options for the A9 Dualling Pass of Birnam to Tay crossing section, all of which improve access to Dunkeld and Birnam station. The project team is currently in discussions with Network Rail regarding possible improvements, including accessibility, and the team will look to work closely with stakeholders to consider these improvements in more detail once a preferred route option has been selected.

The Scottish Government remains committed to improving access at stations beyond the UK Government programme. Where possible, we look to improve accessibility as part of wider rail investments and a £2 million Scottish Government Local Rail Development Fund was relaunched in February 2019 to respond to the interest and enthusiasm shown by local organisations in looking at opportunities to tackle local transport issues including accessibility. The 2019 fund is now closed however, Tactran applied for funding and is currently undertaking appraisal work for a potential Tay Cities Park & Choose Strategy at Stirling and Bridge of Earn Strategic Park & Ride along the Perth-Montrose rail corridor.

Information on NHS staff dismissals is not held centrally. The recruitment and employment of NHS staff is the responsibility of NHS Boards.

The Scottish Government expects Boards to apply workforce policies in adherence to NHS Scotland’s values of: care and compassion; dignity and respect; openness, honesty and responsibility; quality and teamwork.

The Scottish Government works closely with Scottish public sector bodies in improving their cyber resilience capabilities. As a consequence of this work, in December 2017, we introduced a reporting system for public sector bodies to notify the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the National Cyber Security Centre of serious cyber incidents with the purpose of providing as much support to those affected as quickly as possible. During the last 3 years we have been notified of 27 separate attacks, some of which have been in the public sector or educational institutions.

I have not met with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland representatives since I came into post. Mr Lochhead, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work was scheduled to meet Tom Ballantine, chair of SCCS on 26 August.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02190 on
‎ 31 August 2021. 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

The Gateway Review was focused on activities that lie on the critical path for delivery of DRS, such as establishment of the scheme’s infrastructure and implementation of the regulatory function. This determined which organisations would be interviewed during the short timeframe of the review. The Scottish Government has also met with other sectors, including hospitality and small producers, to understand the impact of the pandemic on them and to ensure that their views are taken into account.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02164 on
‎ 31 August 2021. 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-02164 on
‎ 31 August 2021. 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

We remain committed to financial transparency. Transactions are reported to Audit Scotland and disclosed in the Scottish Government’s annual accounts. Ministers also keep Parliament and Committees informed at appropriate junctures. This transparency is balanced against the need for commercial confidentiality where required to protect commercial interests.

To improve our approach when providing support we have strengthened our internal commercial capacity and are making updates to the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

The Permanent Secretary wrote to the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee on 19 February 2021 on how the Scottish Government is strengthening its approach to providing support and managing its on-going interests in businesses. Please find a link to the letter here .