There are a number of overhead microphones in place in the Chamber. These microphones allow the inclusion of ambient noise in broadcast outputs so that coverage can provide a sense of the atmosphere of the Chamber during proceedings. The overhead microphones do not form part of the audio system that has been designed to ensure that Members contributions can be heard with sufficient clarity by those in the Chamber but is used for broadcast and webcast output and for the purposes of producing the Official Report. The design of the audio system in the Chamber also reflects that contributions are made through the Chair and that Members should primarily be facing the Chair while speaking. At this point there are no plans to add additional microphones.

The Scottish Government has not provided direct funding to Clydebank Women’s Aid. However, in 2021 the Scottish Government awarded £2,250,000 of funding, over a three year period, to Scottish Women’s Aid through the 100 Days (Covid emergency) funding. The funding was provided to frontline services for women and girls affected by gender-based violence, to deal with additional pressures that occurred during the pandemic. Scottish Women’s Aid divided the funding amongst local Women’s Aid organisations including Clydebank Women’s Aid.

The main objectives of the 100 days (Covid emergency) funding are to fund additional staff to respond to an increase in demand from victims of abuse for support services; improvements to organisations’ IT and digital resources; and additional training to allow services to be augmented so that more people can quickly and easily access help.

Launched in April 2023, the first public procurement strategy for Scotland articulates a high-level vision and roadmap for Scottish public procurement. A copy of that strategy can be accessed on the Scottish Government’s website at Public procurement strategy: 2023 to 2028 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

There is a multifaceted approach to monitor the effectiveness and impact of procurement policy and practice in Scotland, informing continuous improvement. This approach includes:

• publishing the Scottish Ministers annual report on procurement, evidencing the impact of procurement activity across Scotland
• researching and evaluating evidence to measure and benchmark our impact, to inform opportunities for improvement and to address emerging challenges
• engaging with businesses of all shapes and sizes to underpin our policy development and implementation
• benchmarking our policies and practices domestically and internationally
• regularly reviewing, testing and refreshing our tools and guidance
• taking cognisance of external scrutiny.

It is by focusing on what the evidence is telling us, responding to that evidence, and by working together with public, private and third sector organisations, that we will maximise the impact of public procurement for communities across Scotland.

In line with normal processes, transfers of budget are communicated to Parliament through the Autumn and Spring Budget Revisions. The Autumn Budget Revision supporting document was published on 28 September 2023. The Spring Budget Revision will provide further details when it is completed in early 2024.

Autumn Budget Revision 2023-24: Supporting document - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

In line with normal processes, transfers of budget, including those to the Scottish Police Authority, will be communicated to Parliament through the Autumn and Spring Budget Revisions.

Scottish Government guidance is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that information for the public and organisations/businesses aligns to current policy.

The Scottish Government Marketing Resource Centre is the central repository for stakeholder resources which reflect that no Covid restrictions are now in place. Material for the Stay Well campaign is available via the resource centre from stakeholder toolkits. Any out-of-date resources are removed from circulation. If a stakeholder was to visit the resource centre for relevant materials, they would only have access to valid guidance.

Strategic Environmental Assessments, carried out by NatureScot for beaver translocations in new catchments, have identified where potential beaver habitat overlaps with important infrastructure including railway lines.

Network Rail, who are responsible for rail infrastructure in Scotland, are aware of the reintroduction and translocation of beaver species within Scotland. They have established a working group made up of engineers from different parts of their business which seeks to raise awareness internally of potential issues posed and highlight where beaver activity is already present as well as proposals for where they are going to be introduced. Network Rail are also active in the national Scottish Beaver Advisory Group (SBAG) which has been set up to oversee delivery of Scotland’s Beaver Strategy with NatureScot.

Network Rail’s existing rail infrastructure inspection and maintenance regimes are sufficient to detect any impact on the railway and they can and do respond with detailed assessment on a case specific basis as required. Network Rail have carried out mitigation of beaver activity under licence from NatureScot at a number of locations in Tayside in response to the risk to public safety.

Scotland' Beaver Strategy , published in September 2022, aims to assess the biological, environmental, economic and social implications of beavers. This includes the benefits that beavers can bring alongside mitigating any impacts on other species, habitats, physical processes, land use and wider ecosystem services. We aim to use this knowledge to inform decision making.

NatureScot also operates the Scottish Beaver Mitigation Scheme and keep records of where they have been asked for advice or support with mitigating beaver activity.

We welcome the agreements reached with police officers and staff, which sees them receive a 7% pay increase for 2023/24. The agreement reached with officers, through the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland, means that police officers in Scotland remain the best paid in the UK.

The agreements recognise the valuable contribution police officers and staff make to keeping people and communities across Scotland safe, while cognisant of the current economic climate. They provide a fair pay deal amounting to 12% over 2 years, which broadly mirrors wage growth for firefighters over the same period.

Police welfare, wellbeing and morale are matters for the Chief Constable, who has set out a range of support for officers and staff through the Your Wellbeing Matters and Your Voice Matters programmes.

The Scottish Government remains committed to modernising and improving the prison estate, to ensure it is fit for purpose for those that live and work in prisons and supports the rehabilitation of people living there.

Our current infrastructure priorities are the replacements for HMP Barlinnie and HMP Inverness.

Neither the Scottish Government or the Scottish Prison Service have current plans to redevelop the site of HMP Shotts.