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sportscotland, our national agency for sport, continues to engage strategically with local authorities and island communities to identify opportunities to deliver improved local facility provision for sport and physical activity.

The Scottish Government recognises the commitment required from young athletes to develop and pursue their sporting ambitions, appreciating that this can place additional demands on athletes and families, such as time and money. Sportscotland’s Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS), run in partnership with Shetland, Orkney, Western Isles and Highland local authorities, is a key programme that helps to support athletes with those specific challenges. Successful applicants to the ATAS scheme benefit from up to £1,500 to support travel and accommodation costs, gaining better access to competitive and developmental opportunities.

The Scottish Government has also made significant investment to ensure that ferry fares are affordable, including the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET), a 50% discount on school bus fares, and, from 23 June 2025, an extension to the existing 4 free journeys per year scheme to include 16 to 21 year olds.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37086 on 6 May 2025.

Responsibility for any decisions on whether to publish the results of their investigation conducted in relation to the sharing of annotated materials is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

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 Scottish Government continues to discuss options on non-residential social care charges with CoSLA and other partners whilst acknowledging the challenging financial context and ongoing pressure across the system. The charges people pay can vary across the country and it is important to fully assess impact within this complex delivery environment for people facing charges before agreeing the possible approach to removal.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37086 on 6 May 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

Myself and the previous Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills have supported the annual Vision Schools Scotland Awards ceremony by attending and contributing to the ceremonies where achievement of schools and pupils in Holocaust Education are recognised.

Since 2021, Scottish Government has provided £126,247 in funding to the Vision Schools Scotland programme to further support Holocaust education in schools. This includes funding up to £36,352 for the 2024-25 financial year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37086 on 6 May 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37086 on 6 May 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

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6O-04553 on 23 April 2025. All answers to Oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Official Report: search what was said in Parliament | Scottish Parliament Website

In 2025/26, an additional £28m will be invested in additional support for learning, to support the recruitment and retention of the ASN workforce at a local level, to help enhance professional learning on inclusion for all teachers at all stages of their careers and to support teacher specialism in inclusion. A further £1 million will be provided to support national initiatives, which will enable us to build on the work being delivered through our Additional Support for Learning Action Plan.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6O-04553 on 23 April 2025. All answers to Oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Official Report: search what was said in Parliament | Scottish Parliament Website