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The Scottish Government’s 2021 Population Strategy sets out the factors driving population decline in some parts of the west of Scotland, recognising the different demographic challenges that individual communities face. It shows that areas are each uniquely shaped by natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration. We know that specific local factors influence population outcomes and that no single solution will apply to all communities.

We are assessing a range of factors affecting population outcomes in parts of the west of Scotland as we develop the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, including: housing; transport and digital infrastructure; local and regional economic development; and public service provision and accessibility. Following this assessment, we will apply a place-based approach within the Action Plan and set out action at a national, regional and local level to address population decline and meet the discrete needs of communities.

The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games received international recognition as an outstanding fortnight of sporting and cultural events.

The Scottish Government will of course explore if Scotland can support a multi-city, multi-partner hosting opportunity however the Commonwealth Games Federation will need time to consider next steps, and it would be premature to comment further at this stage.

From academic year 2023-24, the Scottish Government have updated the residency criteria for home fees status and student financial support in Further Education and Higher Education. This update means we can now consider applications for tuition fees, bursaries and/or loans from students with all forms of leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom providing they meet the other eligibility tests set out in Regulations. This extension of support has seen more groups of students become eligible, including those students granted leave on the British National (Overseas) visa route.

The Scottish Government does not have any immediate plans to waive the requirement for 3 years ordinary residence in the UK for this group.

The Scottish Government recognises improving population health as a key priority and invests in a range of initiatives to support people with health conditions to sustain or return to work, including Healthy Working Lives (HWL). HWL is a programme delivered by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and statistics on the online platform is a matter for PHS. The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government recognises improving population health as a key priority and invests in a range of initiatives to support people with health conditions to sustain or return to work, including Healthy Working Lives (HWL). HWL is a programme delivered by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and the detail of the spend on the online platform is a matter for PHS. The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Introduction of the new trains into passenger service is a matter for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) given SPT is responsible for both the Glasgow Subway modernisation programme and the operation of the Glasgow subway and is not the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government understands that SPT did make an application, as part of the regulatory process, for an exemption from the Department for Transport (DfT) under the Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Applications for Exemption Orders) Regulations 2010 for the headroom in the new trains which incorrectly stated the first new trains would enter passenger service January 2023 to March 2023. SPT has advised that this incorrect statement was clarified and rectified with the DfT at the time.

Testing of the new trains and development of the safety case is ongoing and the trains will not be handed over to SPT until the fault free run testing is complete, with introduction of the fleet expected to be autumn 2023 as set out in SPT’s Partnership Report on Subway Modernisation - progress update for its 23 June 2023 meeting .

Colleges are responsible for their own operational decisions, including course provision, and must adapt and respond to the current economic constraints flexibly.

The Scottish Government, despite the unprecedented fiscal challenge, has maintained college and university resource budgets at last year’s levels and I understand that Fife College will continue to offer counselling courses in Academic Year 2023-24.

The recently published Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy places strong focus on prevention, early intervention and recognises the importance of a diversity of service provision.

Later this year we will publish the accompanying Delivery Plan and the Workforce Action Plan. Thereafter, we will publish actions to support students.

A grant of £15 million for the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults was distributed to Third Sector Interfaces across Scotland in August 2022, to support local, grassroots community organisation. £14,975,678.28 had been distributed by the end of March 2023. Third Sector Interfaces reported a total underspend of £24,321.72 for that year.

A grant of £1,136,695 was provided to support administration costs and the capacity building efforts of Third Sector Interfaces in 2022-2023. Third sector interfaces reported a total underspend on the administration grant of £4,948.63.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17658 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 .