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The Scottish Government is working with local government partners on the Additional Support for Learning Project Board to deliver the recommendations of the 2020 additional support for learning review by March 2026. As outlined in our updated action plan , published in November 2022, we have committed to revise GIRFEC policy and practice guidance, including a single planning process for children and young people.

On 30 September 2022, the Scottish Government published a series of refreshed GIRFEC policy and practice guidance to provide practitioners and professionals working with children, young people and their families with the confidence, clarity and practical support to continue to embed the GIRFEC approach.

The next phase of the GIRFEC refresh includes guidance on planning for children and young people. This is in the early stages of development and requires a collaborative and pragmatic approach between all stakeholders to ensure its success within a shifting legislative and policy landscape.

The statutory Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice already provides advice on the relationship between statutory and non-statutory plans. However, this matter will be considered further as part of our work to refresh the Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice which will take account of the refresh of the GIRFEC Policy and Practice Guidance.

A further progress update is due to be published in May 2024.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.

sport scotland will write directly to Tess White MSP to provide the information requested.

The Scottish Government is working with the other UK administrations on reforms to the producer responsibility system for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to make it easier for consumers to recycle WEEE and incentivise producers to make more sustainable design choices. We will consult on these reforms in due course.

The Scottish Government has received no reports of shortages or problems with production of radionuclide leading to delays in scans for prostate patients.

The number of empty homes returned to use with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2021-22 is 1,152.

This information is published each year in their annual report and available to view on the website:

https://emptyhomespartnership.scot/ . The report for 2022-23 is due to be published in June 2023.

We do not collect a breakdown of homes brought back into use by local authority.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with the Scottish Snowsports sector and our economic agencies to contribute to the sectors financial sustainability.

Independent research commissioned by the Scottish Government ( Snowsports sector - Economic, Social and Cultural Impact: Research - Technical Report) was published in April 2023 and explored ways in which mountain resorts may improve their financial sustainability. In addition to improvements to the winter offer provided at resorts the research highlighted the need to expand the range of activities/sports which could be provided by venues all year round.

Financial support is available to snowsports venues via Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. Both economic agencies provide support for capital investments with specific intervention rates applied. The necessary due diligence is carried out and all proposed projects are assessed on an individual business case.

The date of the next Working Group on PCSD meeting has yet to be set. We are looking to arrange the next meeting of the Working Group in Autumn 2023.

The Scottish Government work closely with NHS Grampian and NHS Scotland Assure on all capital investment projects. The priority is ensuring that a safe, high quality healthcare facility is delivered and the Key Stage Assurance Review (KSAR) process has been recently introduced to ensure that happens. NHS Grampian are preparing an action plan to address the issues identified in the KSAR and we will review timelines once that exercise has been completed.

I welcome the innovative approach that Glasgow City Council have chosen to take on school meal debt.

Councils have the power to make discretionary offers of free school meals to families, where they are experiencing financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances, who do not meet the regular eligibility criteria.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with COSLA on a range of issues, which has included school meal debt.