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The Scottish Government is funding Scholar to provide online resources to support the Applications of Mathematics courses at National 5 and Higher level from 2021-22. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is developing resources, including additional question papers and exemplar coursework, and are working with Education Scotland and the University of Strathclyde to support teachers with the roll out of the qualification.

The University of Strathclyde secured funding from the Scottish Funding Council to develop and provide online courses to upskill teachers in statistics and mathematical modelling to enable them to be well prepared to deliver the new Higher. A significant number of teachers have successfully completed these online courses. In addition, information has been made available to teachers through events such as the Scottish Mathematical Council’s Annual Conference. The most recent online conference, held on 6 March, had almost 1000 participants, with 130 attending the SQA session on the new Higher course.

The new Higher Applications of Mathematics course is designed to get more young people studying mathematics and developing the skills they need for modern citizenry, such as statistical literacy, financial literacy and being able to use technology to solve problems and inform decision making.

The course has been in development for more than two years and the specification and specimen assessment materials were made available at the start of the current session for first teaching in 2021-22. An additional specimen paper and sample coursework will be made available in June 2021.

There is considerable interest in, and appetite for the new Higher, and there is no intention to delay the introduction of the course.

There are no plans to provide guidance on this specific point. The existing schools guidance available at: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on schools reopening - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) provides a range of information on preparing for and implementing the return to in-school learning. Schools and local authorities are best placed to make decisions on appropriate arrangements for individual learners during the return to school and beyond.

As the member will be aware, employment law is reserved to Westminster. We therefore do not have the powers to provide parents with the employment protections they need, particularly during the health crisis.

Employees who have caring responsibilities for someone suffering the effects of Covid-19 can be furloughed using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), however it remains at the discretion of the employer to access this scheme.

Our fair work principles, published during the pandemic, call on employers to support workers to follow the public health guidance and apply Fair Work principles, and a flexible approach to dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 on workers and workplaces, to protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce and prevent financial hardship.

Financial support may be available through the UK social security system - for example through Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, which are reserved to the UK Government.

We have urged the UK Government to make improvements to those systems and to reflect more broadly on the lessons learned during the outbreak. Employees who are unable to work, or someone they have caring responsibilities for are unable to work due to long-term symptoms of COVID-19, are able to claim £95.85 per week Statutory Sick Pay, paid by their employer for up to 28 weeks.

The Scottish Government recognises that sport has operated safely under robust guidance when restrictions have permitted it to take place. Currently only professional athletes are able to resume competition and events due to current status of the virus. The First Minister plans to set out a firmer timetable on 16 March for the period after 26 April.

The Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) is clear that school staff who have underlying health conditions are able to work within schools. Where there are any concerns about the impact of COVID-19, these should be discussed with their employer and individualised risk assessment undertaken.

Advice for those on the shielding list, which is available from Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding advice and support - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) , is that they should not go to work during lockdown, unless they can work from home. This includes school staff. This advice continues to apply when they have had a coronavirus vaccine.

The non-domestic rates system does not include a supplement or penalty for empty properties. The independent Barclay Review of non-domestic rates proposed a supplement on long-term empty properties but the Scottish Government did not ultimately accept this recommendation which was superseded by the commitment made during the Scottish Budget 2019-20 negotiations to devolve empty property relief to councils in time for the next revaluation. The devolution of empty property relief is now scheduled for 2023.

Vacant and empty properties may be eligible for empty property relief, which delivers 50% relief for 3 months (for non-industrial premises) or 100% relief for 6 months (for industrial premises), and 10% thereafter.

In addition, the Scottish Budget 2021-2 expands on Fresh Start relief in order to incentivise the re-occupation of long-term empty properties, a move which is in direct response to the economic challenge of COVID-19. From 1 April 2021 this relief will provide 100% relief for up to 12 months to premises that have been previously unoccupied for over 6 months and that have a rateable value of up to £95,000 (increased from £65,000).

The Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc. Act 2000 places duties on education authorities to make special arrangements for children or young people who are unable to attend school due to ill health to receive education elsewhere than at an educational establishment.

This applies to all children and young people who are unable to attend school due to ill health, regardless of their medical condition. Where a child or young person is absent from school due to the effects of long-COVID, schools should take this into account when deciding upon the most appropriate form of educational support whilst they remain absent.

In June 2015, the Scottish Government published revised guidance to education authorities to support them in implementation of their duties under this legislation. This guidance is available on the Scottish Government’s website through the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/6846/0 .

Vessel deployment is a matter for the operator. During an outage, CalMac will consider the feasibility to cascade vessels from within the fleet or may seek to charter a vessel, taking into consideration the circumstances and vessel availability.

Any redeployment or charter of vessels requires to take account of vessel certification, harbour infrastructure design and vessel capabilities.

The Scottish Government is aware that there are additional challenges for deaf people or those who rely on lip reading and facial expressions when communicating with others who are wearing face coverings.

We actively encourage the use of transparent face coverings in the community and recognise their important role in facilitating lip reading for deaf people and those who rely on lip reading to communicate.

In order to support deaf people and those who rely on lip reading and facial expressions, there is an exemption within the regulations which permits someone to temporarily remove their face covering in order to communicate.

Guidance on face coverings can be found on the Scottish Government website .