Growing the economy is at heart of the Scottish Government's agenda. The First Minister has announced that the next Programme for Government will be published on Tuesday 6 May. It will be focused on targeted initiatives to boost Scotland’s economic prospects, now and for the long term – in particular sustainable and renewable energy resources – to draw in new investment and create rewarding and well-paid jobs.

The Scottish Government recognises that global economic conditions are creating a challenges economic environment for Scotland’s businesses. In addition, the Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK Government to reverse in full its decision to increase employer national insurance contributions from April 2025.

Recognising the challenges faced by the hospitality sector, in 2025-26 the Scottish Government is offering 40% relief for hospitality premises liable for the Basic Property Rate, with 100% relief for premises located on islands as defined by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 to tackle the specific pressures they face. A number of measures in the Budget will also benefit properties in the retail and leisure sectors including freezing the Basic Property Rate and the most generous small business rates relief in the UK.

The Budget provides capital investment in offshore wind, almost tripling the current support to £150 million and investment of £100 million will continue to rollout of the digital connectivity programmes across Scotland. Investment of over £2 billion in Scotland’s colleges, universities and skills system recognises their contribution to driving economic growth and to help ensure businesses have access to a skilled workforce.

The Scottish Government understands concerns regarding the withholding of cost information for publicly funded care home places under claims of commercial confidentiality. While commercial interests are protected under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), such exemptions are subject to a public interest test. While respecting legitimate commercial interests, the Scottish Government encourages public authorities and care providers to adopt best practices in information sharing

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37115 on 6 May 2025. 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.

Information on the number of violent incidents involving pupils is not held centrally.

Some information is available on physical assaults have either resulted in, or contributed to, the exclusion of a pupil. The latest data available is for school year 2022-23.

Table 1 shows those exclusions from school in 2022-23 which included the reasons of physical assault. It should be noted that each exclusion can include more than one reason.

Table 1: Reasons for exclusion from school, 2022-23

Each of the bodies referenced are responsible for setting their budgets in accordance with their strategic plans and to meet the needs of their local population. How they allocate funding to delivery partners to achieve their outcomes is a decision for them however there is an expectation that public bodies funded by the Scottish Government will develop Equality Impact Assessments through the Equality Act 2010.

Where individuals or organisations feel that public bodies have not fulfilled their obligations under the Equality Act 2010, this should be drawn to the attention of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as escalation is a matter for the Commission. The process involves the Commission's power to issue a compliance notice, and subsequently seek enforcement through the courts, if necessary.

Scottish Ministers cannot direct EHRC because it is independent from Government. As it is a reserved public body, the Scottish Parliament cannot change its powers.

The Scottish Government continues to discuss options on non-residential social care charges with CoSLA and other partners whilst acknowledging the challenging financial context and ongoing pressure across the system. The charges people pay can vary across the country and it is important to fully assess impact within this complex delivery environment for people facing charges before agreeing the possible approach to removal.

Since 2018 732 bursaries have been awarded to individuals who may not otherwise have applied for teacher training in STEM and modern language subjects.

The bursary scheme has been effective in increasing the number of teachers teaching in these hard-to-fill subjects.

Employers are key to the delivery of our ambitions for a skilled workforce to meet the demands of an ever-changing economy and society. The Scottish Government is committed to working with them and listening to them as we take forward our programme of post-school education reform.

I host an employer roundtable several times a year to engage on the Scottish Government’s programme of post-school education reform. The most recent roundtable took place in February 2025. The roundtable includes a range of employers from across Scotland, including small to large businesses.

In addition, a national employer network to engage employers on post-school education reform is being set up. This will include members of the DYW Employer Network, with which Ministers will also continue to engage. This new network will serve as a platform for sharing updates, seeking input on policy reforms, acting as a sounding board and facilitating workshops and discussions. The first meeting of the Reform Employer Network will focus on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill which was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 6 February 2025 and will take place in May 2025.

The Growth and Skills levy remains a reserved tax for the UK Government. The changes, as we understand them, will impact on what funding can be spent in England. We do not expect this to have an impact on Scotland. Officials will continue to engage with the UK Government to understand any impacts that changes to the Levy may have for businesses in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37115 on 6 May 2025. 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 Scottish Government is committed to offering flexible training pathways for learners and employers. That is why in 2025/26, Scottish Government investment will support 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeships, 5,000 new Foundation Apprenticeships and over 1,200 Graduate Apprenticeships. We will also continue to support around 38,500 apprentices already in training.

We are also taking responsibility for skills planning at the national level, while strengthening regional approaches. The SG led skills planning approach will help develop a better understanding of skills needs at the national level, and how we can better address them, particularly where solutions lie within the education and skills system.

As we take forward our programme pf post-school education reform, we will learn from the Flexible Workforce Development Fund to develop a skills system that is simple, straightforward, agile and responsive to Scotland's learners and employers.

The UK Government announced they will reform the Apprenticeship Levy into the Skills and Growth Levy. This remains a reserved tax. The changes, as we understand them, will impact on what funding can be spent on in England. We do not expect this to have an impact on Scotland. Officials will continue to engage with the UK Government to understand any impacts that changes to the Levy may have for Scotland.