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Information on the specific technology and communication equipment that is available in NHS boards is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support is being delivered across Scotland by NHS boards, primarily through speech and language therapy and often in collaboration with Education, Social Work, and the Third Sector, as appropriate to the assessed needs of each individual.

Monitoring will be expected as part of the grant award process. Successful applicants will be informed in due course.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. We are currently analysing bids to the School Meal Debt Fund and following up with local authorities on the information provided.

The following table gives the number of live homeless applications at December 25th 2023 for each local authority, along with the number of adults and children these applications refer to.

The Scottish Government announced in the Programme for Government that we would undertake a review of Creative Scotland as part of a wider review of how the sector is supported. My officials are currently undertaking preparatory work and I will provide a further update in due course. In the meantime, I would refer you to the update I provided to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on 18 September: https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/correspondence/2024/letter--cab-sec-to-ceeac--creative-scotland--cs-open-fund-18-sep-2024.pdf.

The Scottish Government is aware of complaints of bullying by senior members of staff in the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).

Whilst Scottish Government provide support in applying the appropriate policies, this is a contractual issue which, by law, must remain between an employee and SAS as their employer. We expect all health boards to thoroughly investigate any complaints made about bullying, regardless of grade, and to ensure that these are appropriately actioned.

The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a Promise Bill in this Parliamentary term.

The Government’s future legislative programmes will be announced in the relevant Programme for Government in the normal way in due course.

We are currently conducting a number of consultations which will inform the next steps on key areas and, where appropriate to inform The Promise Bill.

This includes the next stages of reform of the children’s hearing system; the future of foster care; the definition of care experience; and the support available to those moving on from care.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of early diagnosis of cancer and would expect any child or young adult presenting with potential cancer symptoms to be assessed as quickly as possible.

To support earlier diagnosis, a clinical refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer is currently underway to help ensure the right person is on the right pathway at the right time and will be published in 2025.

This will include updated guidelines for suspected cancer in children and young people. These guidelines, developed with input from clinicians in primary and secondary care and third sector, will support primary care clinicians to identify those children and young people with symptoms suspicious of cancer who require urgent assessment by a specialist.

A new primary care cancer education platform – Gateway C – was launched on 30 April 2024 across NHS Scotland. Gateway C provides innovative and tailored information to support earlier cancer diagnosis efforts and enable effective decision-making. This free online platform is accessible to all primary care clinicians and includes specific education on cancers affecting children and young people.

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

SPS has invested in technology to support and enhance an existing range of security measures and remains vigilant to the continuously evolving nature of drug use to ensure that these tactical measures remain current and capable of detecting and preventing drugs from entering our prisons.

Despite these measures, individuals do still attempt to introduce contraband into prisons using methods such as drone activity, secretion on a person, impregnation onto and within articles and perimeter wall throws.

SPS recognise the profound impact that illicit articles entering prisons have and acknowledges the continued need to support those in our care who misuse substances as well as those on their recovery journey.

SPS will continue to work with partners to prevent the introduction of contraband and seek convictions where appropriate.

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

SPS does not record this information.