Seòmar agus comataidhean

Do members agree with that suggestion?

Members indicated agreement.

Perhaps Murdo Fraser would like to comment.

PE1991, on developing an educational resource on abortion, has been lodged by Gemma Clark. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to work with Education Scotland to develop a health-focused and stigma-challenging educational resource on abortion and make it available to all secondary schools in Scotland.

Gemma believes that it is essential for all young people to receive medically accurate and health-focused education on abortion and that challenging the stigma around abortion is also essential for a well-rounded sexual health curriculum. In a written submission in support of her petition, Gemma has also raised concerns about anti-abortion groups visiting schools, and the importance of ensuring that young people are provided with factual information regarding their healthcare.

The Scottish Government has responded to the petition, as it often does in such cases, to state that the curriculum is not mandatory. It does not, however, share details of the relationships, sexual health and parenthood resources that are available to teachers.

It is noted that the resources have been developed and peer reviewed in partnership with educators, health professionals and third sector organisations, with the intention of providing young people with learning that is factual and objective and that enables them to make informed choices about their sexual health and wellbeing.

The committee has also received submissions from the Humanist Society Scotland and Scottish Teachers for Positive Change and Wellbeing, as well as a joint letter from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Back Off Scotland. The submissions are broadly supportive of the petition’s aim to ensure that pupils receive medically accurate and health-focused education on abortion.

Do members have any comments or suggestions?

PE1926, which was lodged by Alison Dowling, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to expand universal free school meals provision for all nursery, primary and secondary school pupils.

When we previously considered the petition on 28 September 2022, we agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills seeking an update on the work that is being undertaken to expand the provision of free school meals, specifically on where priority is being given to extending the provision to pupils in secondary schools.

In response, the cabinet secretary notes that £30 million of capital funding has been allocated to support the expansion of catering and dining facilities to help plan for the expansion of free school meals to pupils in P6 and P7. The cabinet secretary also states the Government’s commitment to running a pilot of free school meals in secondary schools to support its consideration of further expansion.

Do members have any comments or suggestions?

Stephanie, thank you very much for your opening statement, which must have been really heartbreaking and emotional for you to read out. Members have a number of questions that they would like to explore. If you are happy, I will ask the first question. What are your main concerns about Police Scotland’s current handling of unexplained deaths?

That is okay.

If members do not have any other comments, do we agree to close the petition?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you for that. Is there any real-world research being undertaken on Evusheld that could be considered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to help to promote its use?

Good morning. How do the witnesses respond to the assertion that Evusheld is not so effective against the omicron variant of the virus?

Good morning, everyone. Councils have various ways of dealing with unsafe memorials. What good practice would you like to see from councils?