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The reduction in the number of bursaries awarded in 2022-23 compared with 2018 is the result of a decrease in the number of applications received and as a result, less were approved. Information on the number of applications received and bursaries awarded is available in the Skills Development Scotland 2022-23 evaluation report. https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/50367/stem-bursary-evaluation-report-2022-23.pdf .

This information is publicly available and can be found on the Public Health Scotland website: National dental inspection programme - National dental inspection programme - Publications - Public Health Scotland

The conditions of eligibility and access to free bus travel for people aged under 22 are set out in the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Order 2021. There are no powers to enable local authorities to revoke a person's free bus travel card.

Between November 2020 and March 2023, awareness of the Young Person’s Guarantee among employability staff was achieved using existing networks and communication channels. There was no funding allocated to the specific promotion of the Young Person’s Guarantee aimed at employability staff.

The Scottish Government expects the outstanding responses by the end of the year.

Over the last three years (2021-24), £51 million has been provided through the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults. The following amounts have been provided in each year:

• 2021-22 (Year 1) – £21 million.
• 2022-23 (Year 2) – £15 million.
• 2023-24 (Year 3) – £15 million.

This is in addition to the £45 million allocated to local authorities since 2021 to provide community-based mental health and wellbeing support for children, young people and their families.

Future funding will be subject to the annual budget process and approval by the Scottish Parliament.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 5 October 2023 by Ms Gillian Mackay MSP. The Scottish Government has been working with Ms Mackay to draft and develop the Bill for the past 12 months, and I would like to congratulate her on reaching this important milestone.

Data collection and reporting for devolved employability services delivered under the No One Left Behind approach occurs quarterly, with provision in all 32 Local Authority areas aligning with the Employability Shared Measurement Framework. To support this, we have worked with Local Authorities in their Lead Accountable Body role to develop a single reporting template, and accompanying guidance, which has been made publicly available. This reporting contributes to our quarterly statistical publication.

Data collection and reporting has been a key theme identified in our recent national stakeholder discussion events and the actions will be reviewed to identify how we can improve. This will be outlined in the Strategic Plan and National Improvement Plan which will be published later this financial year.

We will continue to work with partners to refine data collection and reporting practices, including identifying where additional support would be beneficial.

The Scottish Government continues to explore options regarding the funding for employability services on a multi-year basis. However, we are required to deliver a balanced budget each year, and employability funding, like all other funded programmes and services throughout government require to be assessed against policy prospectus outcomes which are reviewed on a year-by-year basis.

The Scottish Government engages regularly with relevant stakeholders. Their work and input to our policies is valued greatly. We have met the Marine Conservation Society, and Surfers Against Sewage several times in the last two years. We have met them to discuss a wide range of topics including single-use plastics, the Circular Economy Bill, our Marine Litter Strategy and Aquaculture policy.