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The Scottish Government has continued to engage with UK Government regarding university collaborations with Chinese state-linked institutions. Whilst national security is reserved to the UK Government, we expect universities to comply with relevant legal requirements, including the National Security Act 2023, and National Security and Investment Act 2021.

The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities, as autonomous bodies, to consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with international partnerships, and conduct appropriate due diligence.

MV Glen Sannox has consumed 683m3 of marine diesel and 369 metric tonnes of LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) since she entered service. This has involved sixteen separate LNG deliveries by road tankers.

All Scottish Government grants are managed in line with the terms of the relevant grant offer letter and the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities, as autonomous bodies, to carefully consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with pursuing joint research ventures within global academic networks. Alliances that universities form within these networks are a matter for them and their governing bodies, as long as they are within the law.

As part of this, we expect universities to carefully consider advice and existing guidance on international partnership risk management from bodies like Universities UK and the UK Government’s Research Collaboration Advice Team.

Additionally, the Universities should conduct due diligence in relation to national security, which is a matter reserved to the UK Government, and compliance comply with relevant legal requirements, such as the National Security Act 2023 and National Security and Investment Act 2021.

The Young Person’s Guarantee last and final update report was published in March 2023 and outlines the outcomes and opportunities provided by the funding from the Young Person’s Guarantee.

The Scottish Government has set up a short life working group to consider existing policies, guidance and legislation which may be impacted by the judgment.

This work will position us towards a state of readiness to take all necessary steps when the EHRC’s revised Statutory Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations and updated guidance are published.

All public bodies must comply with the law.

The Scottish Ministers have removed 3 property factors from the Property Factor Register for failing to comply with the Code of Conduct for Property Factors, and failing to comply with a Property Factor Enforcement Order, with one being removed in each of the years 2015, 2016, and 2019.

Scottish Ministers, including the First Minister, have urged UK Ministers on numerous occasions to take tangible and decisive action to secure the site’s long term and sustainable future. We have continued to assert that the Scottish Government stands ready to play its part but that we require the weight of the UK Government’s vast resources to be deployed.

The UK Government’s commitment of £200 million from the National Wealth Fund to support Grangemouth’s transition is welcome but it must be available now. I hope the member will join me in calling on UK Ministers to provide clarity as to how businesses at Grangemouth can access this money to ensure new employment opportunities are made available in the near future and not much further down the line.

To date, we have never received a request from the business for such an intervention therefore no discussions have taken place.

I refer the member to the publication, A stronger economy with independence, which sets out detailed proposals on how the Scottish Government would use the full powers of independence to build an inclusive, fair, wellbeing economy that works for everyone in Scotland, and will allow us to replicate the success of many neighbouring countries which are more prosperous, productive and fairer than the UK.