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The recruitment and retention of markers is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in its independent role as an examination body.

SQA works closely with the wider education system to promote and source markers, who are all experienced teachers and lecturers. There are established contingencies in place, should this be required, to ensure marking is completed on time.

The 2024 Higher History review is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in its independent role as an examination body. The Scottish Government accepts the findings of the review.

Richard Harry, Executive Director of Qualifications and Assessment at the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC), Wales’ largest awarding body, independently peer reviewed the report and agreed that its conclusions and recommendations are supported by evidence.

The Scottish Government received a draft of the full Higher History Review report from the SQA on 30 October 2024, and the Executive Summary report on 1 November 2024.

Within our 2024-25 Programme for Government we committed to working across the four nations on banning the sale of single use vapes (SUV) as well as the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill. SUV’s have been linked to a rapid increase in the number of young people vaping, particularly due to their low price. The SUV ban will be implemented from 1 June 2025 in line with the rest of the UK. If passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, will restrict the promotion, advertisement and brandsharing of vapes.

Our ‘Take Hold’ marketing campaign educates parents, carers and children about the dangers of vaping and increased the awareness of the harms and risks of nicotine addiction.

We continue to work with Young Scot to support young people to understand the risks of using tobacco and nicotine products, and raise awareness of available cessation services and avenues to support young people to stop smoking/vaping.

Our Tobacco and Vaping Framework recognises that price can be a critical factor in people’s decisions on starting to smoke and vape. The Scottish Government welcomes the UK Government’s commitment in the Autumn budget to introduce a duty on vapes from 2026 while ensuring the price differential between tobacco and vapes will be maintained.

We continue to support our local authority partners with £16 million in funding a year to ensure all school pupils aged 10 and above have access to counselling services across Scotland.

Prior to delivering the commitment, the Scottish Government published a set of aims and principles, agreed in partnership with COSLA. These principles require school counselling services to be delivered within an agreed definition of counselling by qualified counsellors registered with an appropriate registration body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA).

Publication of the 2024 Higher History marking review is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in its independent role as an examination body.

SQA published the review on 6 November 2024, and it can be accessed at:

Higher History Review finds marking standards did not change - SQA

Higher History Review 2024

Higher History Review 2024 – Summary Version

SQA’s Process for Awarding Graded National Courses – Infographic

Operational decisions on course planning and delivery are for individual colleges to determine. I encourage the City of Glasgow College and the Trade Union Congress to build upon its recent partnership agreement and work together to ensure sustainable delivery of trade union education at the College on a longer term basis.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-30812 on 19 November 2024. 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-30812 on 19 November 2024. 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 values trade unions in providing a strong and effective voice for Scotland’s workers, and believes a progressive approach to industrial relations is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society. Ensuring trade union representatives have the skills and training required to effectively represent members is key to maintaining the vital role of trade unions.