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In response to the UK Climate Change Committee’s recommendation, by the end of 2024 we will publish an Implementation Plan identifying the key actions to be taken to deliver our Vision for public EV charging. The key findings of the study will be published as part of the Implementation Plan.

As set out in the 2021-22 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government is committed to “Introduce a Natural Environment Bill, putting in place key legislative changes and statutory targets to restore and protect nature” before the end of the current parliamentary term.

Future legislative programmes will be announced in relevant Programmes for Government in the usual way. Meantime, we continue to take action to deliver nature restoration through, for example, our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund, which has already committed nearly £40 million since 2021.

We are in the process of analysing the approximately 1650 responses to our consultation which closed on 8 March 2024. This will allow us to take into account the feedback and perspectives from those who responded as we consider next steps. This follows the commitments made to develop proposals for legislative change, including in relation to Heat in Buildings as established in the Programme for Government where the legislative programme for 2023-24 is set out.

We have no plans at this time to consult on introducing an independent regulator for Scottish football. However, I am hosting a round table meeting on the subject of Enhancing Scottish Football on 8th May and I look forward to on interesting discussion on a range of topics.

We will set out the high-level principles of ADT, including how it will support emissions reductions in due course.

A progress update on the Fiscal Framework was published in December 2023 - Progress Publication, December 2023: Fiscal Framework between Scottish Government and Local Government (www.gov.scot) . We continue to work closely with COSLA and our shared intention is to agree and publish the framework in advance of Budget 2025-26.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering vital public services and supporting households, but to balance the budget with a focus on supporting public services, tackling child poverty, and transitioning to Net Zero, limited funding must be prioritised to deliver the best value for every taxpayer in Scotland. This requires some difficult decisions and robust spending control.

Discussions are continuing to finalise allocations, with funding being released as decisions are taken to ensure activities in agreed areas can proceed as soon as possible. To enable progress and support continuity of service, I can confirm the decision to release funding equivalent to the first quarter of the financial year allocation for No One Left Behind.

Grant Offer Letters for the first quarter were issued to Local Authorities as Lead Accountable Bodies for No One Left Behind on 2 May 2024.

Wildfires typically require a significant emergency response and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as part of its new wildfire strategy, is in the process of providing a package of specialised vehicles including All-Terrain Vehicles, additional 4x4 vehicles and logistical support units. Additionally, a large amount of new equipment has been provided to support crews as they respond to these types of incidents as part of its wildfire strategy. Crews are also supported by wildfire tactical advisors from around Scotland.

Land managers are alert to the risks of wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park which can occur throughout the year. There is a large pool of people across the Cairngorms National Park who are expert in fighting fires and are well equipped and trained to do so. There are good communications between land managers and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Land managers also take preventative action to prevent fires from occurring through patrols and signage at periods of high fire risk.

The Park Authority Ranger Service plays an important role in patrolling, visitor management and fire prevention through educating the public. The Park Authority is developing an integrated wildfire management plan to improve measures around wildfire prevention and response to any wildfires.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority recently consulted on fire management and the potential requirement for byelaws in the Cairngorms National Park as part of the measures to help control the risk of wildfire. Responses to this consultation are now being analysed.

Raising awareness of all cancers, including bowel, remains a priority for the Scottish Government. We published our Cancer Strategy for Scotland Cancer strategy 2023 to 2033 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) along with an initial three year Cancer action plan 2023 to 2026 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

A new Earlier Cancer Diagnosis Vision was developed as part of the new strategy. The vision has a focus on reducing the health inequalities gap and raising awareness of cancer symptoms, particularly for those from areas of deprivation.

We know that the earlier cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat and even cure which is why we continue to invest in our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme.

The Scottish Government, along with Health Boards and the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), is actively considering opportunities to allocate funding to deliver activity utilising the £30 million investment announced by the First Minister on 1 April. This funding is being targeted at a series of national and local plans to reduce backlogs in orthopaedics, ophthalmology, diagnostics and cancer backlog by maximising the use of local and national resources across Scotland.

Once we have concluded this process we will provide a breakdown of how the funding has been allocated by Health Board.

The initial £30 million of targeted investment is the first instalment of a £300 million plan over the next three years to help reduce waiting lists, subject to the Scottish Budget process.

Decisions on the Government’s spending plans for future years are subject to the outcome of the annual Scottish Budget setting process and associated approval by the Scottish Parliament. In-year revisions to the 2024-25 Scottish Budget are subject to parliamentary approval in the same way.