Seòmar agus comataidhean

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that that this information is not held by the Registers of Scotland.

In order to establish the position for titles held in the Register of Sasines, an inspection of individual search sheets and deeds would be required, along with company searches to establish that the company was not registered in the United Kingdom.

These titles will move to the Land Register on the occurrence of a trigger event (such as transfer or long lease) or via a voluntary registration application made by the owner.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18042 on 30 May 2023. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13464 on 24 January 2023. 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 has previously advised that International Recruitment is a short term solution to build our workforce capacity and a target for 2023-24 has yet to be announced. However to continue to support Boards, based on current budget we have advised of interim funding of £3 million that is being made available to avoid a break in already developed supply lines, securing the recruitment of a further 250 nurses, midwifes and Allied Health Professionals from overseas in 2023-24.

The Scottish Government’s position is that the Erasmus+ programme had a major impact in Scotland. Scotland received a total of 143.2 million euros during the previous Erasmus+ cycle between 2014-2020.

Scotland welcomes international students and recognises the important and valuable contribution they make to the Scottish economy, our educational environment and Scottish society.

The European Commission Erasmus+ higher education impact study (European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Erasmus+ higher education impact study – Final report , Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/162060 ) has shown that participants in Erasmus+ have reported: higher levels of self-confidence, goal orientation, and social openness. The commission observed a relevant increase in several personality dispositions, attitudes, and behaviours, as measured by the memo© psychometric tool. This indicator also correlates with future income, job security, and career perspective. Furthermore, in the same report, a large share (>75%) of students interviewed after the mobility reported that they had a better idea of what they want to do in their career, they had re-oriented their study plans, and have higher academic ambitions. Also, on average, they are more satisfied with their jobs and social status.

Under the Erasmus+ programme funding in Scotland, a range of sectors benefited including higher and further education, vocational education and training, youth work, adult education and sports. The table below indicates the funding received by different sectors in Scotland from Erasmus+ between 2014-2020.

The then Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport Maree Todd MSP raised the consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion with Neil O'Brien MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care at a bi-lateral meeting on 1 March 2023.

Ms Todd set out the importance of taking action to reduce alcohol-related harms in Scotland, indicated that the consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion had issued and was live and highlighted that a UK wide approach on some areas of alcohol policy would be beneficial.

Teacher views are clearly important, and I have met with the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) to discuss the findings from their survey, as has the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) which has statutory responsibility for all operational decisions relating to national qualifications.

While I understand concerns raised by teachers around pupil readiness and workload associated with the reintroduction of coursework, SQA has advised that their decision to return to full assessment for most National Qualifications courses for the 2023-2024 session was carefully balanced and taken in the best interests of young people.

SQA evidence and advice suggested that, if retained for longer than necessary these course assessment modifications could have a detrimental impact on consolidation of learning, and progression to the next stage of education, employment or training.

I have also discussed these matters directly with the Chief Examiner, including the feedback from the SSTA, and received assurance that the impact of the removal of modifications will be carefully considered in the grading process in 2024.

The most up-to-date data on Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) spend for Academic Year 22-23, as provided by the Scottish Funding Council to the end of March 2023 and Skills Development Scotland to early June 2023, (rounded to nearest thousand):

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all students in Scotland. We will shortly be publishing Scotland’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and, thereafter, actions to support students.

The employability delivery landscape in Scotland remains diverse with complexity and duplication being addressed through No One Left Behind and its aim to simplify the system. We must ensure that funding is prioritised to remain focused on the needs of individuals first and foremost.

The Scottish Government funding for employability continues to support a mixed economy of provision from across the public, private and third sector and offers localised solutions to better meet the needs of people of all ages looking for support.