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In March 2022, the Scottish Government agreed that the Delivering Equally Safe (DES) funding period should be extended beyond September 2023, to allow suitable lead in time for a new funding model to be developed, following the conclusion of the Independent Strategic Funding Review.

Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) and its centres will continue to receive Delivering Equally Safe (DES) Funding until March 2025, along with all the other DES funded projects.

Ministers will consider the Funding Review findings when they are published on 6 June.

n line with the digital strategy for Scotland - A changing nation: how Scotland will thrive in a digital world , the Scottish Government is committed to the responsible use of data to transform the way that public authorities work together to reach some of the most vulnerable people in society and to improve services, increase efficiency and support delivery of the National Outcomes, set out in the National Performance Framework.

The Scottish Government is supporting data sharing across public services through implementation of Part 5 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 (the Act). The provisions enable data to be shared by specified public authorities for tightly defined purposes, to help them to deliver their responsibilities more effectively, while ensuring safeguards and protections are in place to prevent unlawful disclosure. As with any legislative framework, the Scottish Government is monitoring and reviewing implementation of the Act in Scotland.

The Scottish Government welcomes the findings of the Information Commissioner’s Office in The ICO’sreview into data sharing under the Digital Economy Act 2017 , published in March 2023. The report highlights that the Act provides a supporting framework for data sharing including robust safeguards that ensure organisations share data responsibly and in alignment with data protection principles, while also safeguarding people’s rights.

The UK Government is reviewing and consulting on the effectiveness of the debt and fraud data sharing powers in the Act. The Scottish Ministers have responded to the consultation in support of retaining the data sharing powers.

Scottish Government and local authority websites provide information on a range of non-domestic rates reliefs, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme, with advice on eligibility criteria and how to apply. It also has a Non-Domestic Rates Calculator which is a tool which can provide ratepayers with an estimate of their non-domestic rates bill for the year and indicates whether a property may be eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief.

In response to a recommendation in the Barclay Review, the Scottish Government issued templates to all local authorities to support standardized bills across Scotland. These templates have been widely adopted and bills issued include advice that a range of reliefs and reductions are available to support ratepayers and direct them to further information.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to alter the Road Traffic Act 1988 to make it an offence not to stop and report an accident involving a cat.

Under Section 170 of the Act, a driver is required to stop and report an accident involving specified animals, including horses, cattle, asses, mules, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs, due to the their status as working animals rather than domestic pets. The Highway code however does advise drivers to report any accidents involving animals to the Police and that if possible they should make enquiries to ascertain the owner of domestic animals and advise them of the accident accordingly.

The Scottish Government's Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats recommends that all cat owners should consider microchipping their pets as the best way of being reunited with their rightful owners should they be separated.

Over the last two years our £1bn increased investment in our Agenda for Change staff has seen a Nurse at the top of Band 5 receive an uplift of 14.4% - more than £4,700

We recognise the need to modernise our service for both our current and future workforce and so we are undertaking a review of the Agenda for Change system in conjunction with Staff Side and NHS Scotland Employers. In addition, a bespoke Nursing and Midwife Task Force expert group has been set up to improve working conditions for nurses and boost workforce numbers

Work is underway to implement the Health and Care (Staffing) Act by Spring 2024 to support the wellbeing of Health and Care staff and Patients. Specifically, it aims to ensure appropriate staffing levels are in place to support high quality care for patients and service users.

As per standardised Terms and Conditions, the Scottish Government expects NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff, including nurses, to be paid in full any amounts due for all the hours they work.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17748 on 18 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/questions-and-answers .

A total of £85.9m has been awarded to bus operators to support the purchase of new battery electric buses through rounds of the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme and the Scottish Zero Emission Challenge Fund, and 26 of these new buses have space for transporting bikes.

Phase 2 of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund launched on 15 May 2023 notes that our support for the purchase of new buses and coaches will be, where appropriate, conditional on space being available for bike transport.

Planning for the review of the Agenda for Change system has commenced. The process will be undertaken in conjunction with NHS Scotland Staff Side and Employers in a confidential space with any amendments to Agenda for Change announced via existing channels.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of priority species within our woodlands, such as red squirrels, very seriously, and when appropriate conduct their operations out with the Red Squirrel breeding season to avoid disturbance.

FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot. They are recognised as a trusted and competent land manager and have an agreed licencing process in place that reflects that recognition.

FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.