Seòmar agus comataidhean

The SFC’s teaching funding allocation to the Highlands and Islands (H&I) incorporates enhanced funding in recognition of the additional costs associated with delivery in such areas. This amounts to approximately 50% more funding than that provided for city colleges.  

The SFC also currently allocates £8 million annually to colleges across Scotland to specifically reflect the additional costs associated with rurality. The H&I Region receives over two-thirds of this funding (£5.4 million).

Avian influenza viruses remain predominantly a pathogen that affects birds with a small number of cases of mammals being infected worldwide. Evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission in the wild remains very limited and the available genomic surveillance data reported by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the UK does not suggest widespread mammalian adaption of the virus.

The infection of mammals with influenza of avian origin remains uncommon, including in humans. Public Health Scotland (PHS), who lead on public health responses, have established processes in place should a human case of avian influenza be reported in Scotland, in line with any other notifiable disease.

The Scottish Government are working closely with PHS, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on avian flu. Work undertaken by PHS to date includes; contributing to, and adopting interim guidance on the management of contacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and participating in the UKHSA national incident management team, and a 4 Nations Operational Avian Influenza Subgroup.

PHS are also part of the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group. HAIRS is a multi-agency cross-government horizon scanning and risk assessment group, which acts as a forum to identify and discuss infections with potential for interspecies transfer (particularly zoonotic infections). PHS contribute to risk assessments on avian influenza led from there, including on the risk of avian influenza from mammals.

We expect the Fair Fares Review to be published by Summer 2023, this will include the launch of a public consultation on our Draft Vision for Public Transport and an Action Plan setting our priorities for the future of public transport. The consultation will give people across the country the opportunity to shape the future of public transport in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14814 on 7 March 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 Maritime sector is supported by a range of apprenticeships. Recent employer led developments include a full review of Aquaculture provision and Engineering Apprenticeships to ensure that employers have skills programmes which support their current and emerging needs.

For those who are unemployed or in receipt of a low income, Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) currently offer support of up to £200 to help individuals move into or to progress in work.

The Flexible Workforce Development Fund offers employers flexible workforce development training opportunities tailored to their needs to support inclusive economic growth through up-skilling or re-skilling of existing workers. The Fund is in addition to apprenticeship support, access to which is available to all employers in Scotland; and ITAs.

Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council are ensuring that our annual investment in skills is fully aligned behind our economic ambitions and support for emerging sectors.

Our colleges are also committed to supporting the economy through their curriculum offer. Many colleges offer a maritime related courses and City of Glasgow College has a dedicated campus which specifically offers a wide range of nautical courses which put theory into practice in innovative shipping simulation suites, computer labs, and a Marine Skills Centre with its own jetty.

In addition to statutory surveillance for Avian Influenza in poultry and wild birds, he Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) conducts surveillance in wild mammals at risk of being infected with the avian virus on behalf of the Scottish Government. In the event of a positive result, genetic analysis is performed by the APHA and the UK Health Security Agency.

In February 2023 genetic analysis carried out on historical samples from two positive Scottish seals, collected in 2021 and 2022, identified a genetic mutation associated with increased risk to mammals. As a single mutation, this does not indicate that this virus is becoming fully adapted to a mammalian host, nor will trigger mammal to mammal transmission.

The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to the use of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) on board vessels operating in Scottish waters, this lies with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

As of the end of day 29th August 2022 there were a total of 499,822 National Entitlement Cards issued for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme. This is the closest data available for 1 September 2022.

As of the end of day 2 January 2023 there were a total of 639,795 National Entitlement Cards issued for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme. This is the closest available data for 1 January 2022.

The figures above include cards issued as a result of first time applications, replacement cards and cards which may no longer be active.

This data is supplied by the National Entitlement Card Programme Office (NECPO). NECPO support the 32 local authorities by assisting with the integration of various national and local public services on the National Entitlement Card (NEC) and are the joint controller with local authorities of this data.

Transport Scotland does not hold application information as the Improvement Service are in charge of applications made through getyournec.scot and all other applications are managed by local authorities.

I announced on 15 January that fares on the Northern Isles and Clyde & Hebrides ferry networks will be frozen for six months.

Building on the 3 month freeze I announced in early November, ticket prices will be held at current levels until the end of September to help people and businesses in both Shetland and Orkney.

With the fares confirmed, Serco NorthLink Ferries will imminently be opening their bookings until the end of September.

We are working to publish the updated Scottish Good Practice Statement as soon as possible, and anticipate that it will be published by the end of February 2023.