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Good governance and regulation is not captured by a single number. We will work with public bodies leaders and other stakeholders in the coming months, to agree the optimal public body landscape for achieving improved outcomes, good governance and regulation. The spending review provides a platform for engagement ahead of the next budget. We do not intend to take the same approach as set out by the UK Government, but we do need to reshape and refocus. We will work together across the public sector to look creatively at reform in order to become more efficient and deliver better outcomes.

The scope for reform applies to all public bodies. After years of growth in the public sector, due to Brexit and the pandemic, we need to reset. We expect all public bodies to demonstrate that they remain fit for purpose against the present and future needs of Scotland’s people, places and communities. The spending review provides a platform for engagement ahead of the next budget. We do not intend to take the same approach as set out by the UK Government, but we do need to reshape and refocus. We will work together across the public sector to look creatively at reform in order to become more efficient and deliver better outcomes.

We are working to publish the external report regarding the implementation of the 2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS as soon as possible, and anticipate that it will be published by the beginning of July 2022.

The Scottish Government is a member of the UK Government ME/CFS Delivery Plan Task and Finish Group, which is scheduled to convene in June and to meet monthly thereafter. Officials are maintaining close and regular contact with the UK Department of Health and Social Care regarding this work, with the UK Government planning to publish its draft Delivery Plan later this year.

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) publish spending in relation to PPE and Covid-19 testing kits as part of their annual accounts, which are published on their website.

NSS’ 2021-22 annual accounts, once finalised, will be published in line with their financial reporting timetable.

Detail not provided within their accounts would require to be requested from NSS.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08988 on
‎ 22 June 2022. 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 Gourock – Dunoon ferry service was incorporated into the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network from 21 January 2019 and therefore integrated as part of the monthly subsidy paid to the operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). The subsidy is not split out on a route by route basis.

The Gourock - Kilcreggan service, was operated by Clyde Marine Services (CMS) on behalf of Strathclyde Partnership Transport (SPT) until 31 May 2020 when it transferred into the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) contract.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that women can access comprehensive universal healthcare, including abortion services, without fear of intimidation or harassment. The First Minister has convened an emergency summit on abortion rights which take place on 27 June, and will consider what can be done in the short, medium and long term to ensure that women accessing abortion care can do so safely and without fear of harassment.

Additionally, I convened a working group in December 2021 with the sole purpose of finding solutions that would address the issue of protests and vigils outside of abortion clinics. The working group has members including Police Scotland, CoSLA and affected councils and Health Boards. To date, the working group has agreed to explore dialogue between the various parties involved with protests, and commission independent research into the impacts of protest and vigils.

In light of the recent protests, Police Scotland have agreed to a number of measures to reduce the impact of protests at Sandyford clinic. These measures include, but are not limited to, agreeing a designated space for protests to take place, a single point of contact in Police Scotland for staff when protests occur and confiscating voice implication devices used by protestors.

The Scottish Government has no part to play in the recruitment of officers for British Transport Police.

Safety and security on our railways is reserved to UK Government and as such it would be inappropriate for me to comment on resourcing or operational plans for British Transport Police. However I have asked my officials to request BTP (D-Division Scotland) contact you directly to advise of its current and future plans to tackle anti-social behaviour on our rail network.