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The Scottish Government is committed to providing over £3.8m of grant funding towards the delivery of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy in 2024-25. This includes funding for Scottish Refugee Council to provide a comprehensive, nationwide Refugee Support Service. There is also funding made available to progress a Family Reunion service with the British Red Cross, a contribution to the continuation of Bridges Programme's Refugee Doctors Project, and partner resourcing to ensure actions they are responsible for delivering are progressed.

Additionally, we continue to fund a number of third sector organisations to support refugee integration. This funding totals £488,000 in 2024-25, with a number of these organisations working to the outcomes of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy.

Scottish Government are continuing to work with our partners COSLA and Scottish Refugee Council on the implementation of the actions set out in the Delivery Plan. There are no plans to cancel other actions.

The Scottish Government has ensured that we have enhanced the support we are providing to new Scots in 2024-25, despite a very challenging financial context. We have provided over £3.8m of grant funding towards the delivery of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy in 2024-25.

Additionally, we continue to fund a number of third sector organisations to support refugee integration. This funding totals £488,000 in 2024-25.

This investment represents an increase in the funding the Scottish Government has provided in previous years, to mitigate the impact of the end of EU funding.

I welcome the recent pay deal agreed between college employers and EIS-FELA, which brings an end to strike action across the college sector.

I am aware that local agreements are in place, as part of the pay offer, to repay any deductions of pay to staff once outstanding results have been processed.

I welcome this move and hope this now brings this long running period of industrial action to a close.

Successive Scottish budgets have demonstrated Scotland’s commitment to addressing the climate change crisis, using all resources at our disposal to accelerate the just transition to a net zero, climate-resilient and biodiverse Scotland. The 2024-25 Budget committed £4.7 billion for activities with a positive impact on our climate change goals.

Use of ScotWind revenue is an action we would rather not take but must carefully consider given the fiscal challenges faced, given the limited options available under existing fiscal framework arrangements. We will seek to minimise usage of ScotWind in 2024-25 – just as we did in 2023-24.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29704 on 17 September 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The interest rate is applicable to debt where private property owner occupiers pay back over an agreed period of time. The City of Edinburgh Council consider this a last resort for private property owners who may be able to source more favourable rates through re-mortgaging or external finance. This rate was agreed within the council in 2021 alongside the approval of the enhanced Scheme of Assistance and extension of the debt recovery terms. It is worth noting that interest rates were much lower in 2021.

The policy is aimed at getting the balance right for both the council and debtors whilst not encouraging owners to agree payment plans with the council by default. Debt recovery from owners for the works in Wester Hailes is very positive so far with 77% of debt paid or secured in payment plans.

The prescribed Notice to Leave that landlords must use to end a private residential tenancy includes important information for tenants and signposts to a number of organisations, such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland, should they need advice and support to understand their rights. It also directs tenants worried about having somewhere to live to contact their local authority to discuss their circumstances.

Local authorities are obliged by law to offer minimum of temporary accommodation, advice and assistance for people who are at risk or who are experiencing homelessness. They are best placed to provide advice on housing options and what further support they can offer.

For short assured or assured tenancies, the Notice to Quit landlords must use to end the tenancy advises tenants about getting legal advice or contacting organisations who provide housing support if they are unsure of the validity of the Notice. It advises that help with all or part of the cost of legal advice may be available under the legal aid legislation.

Scottish Government are providing up to £2 million this year to support the Early Resolution Advice Programme administered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, which supports projects in the third sector, to provide assistance and representation for people at risk of, or facing court action related to debt and housing matters.

The deployment of officers and staff is a matter for the Chief Constable, the Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The Scottish Government has provided a record £36m towards road safety in this year’s Scottish Budget. This funding has supported councils to improve safety on local roads, campaigns to tackle the behaviours identified as causing most harm on our roads, and the continued development of learning resources for children and young people.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to any repair and maintenance works, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.