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The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a Job Grant, comprising a cash payment and a 3 month bus pass, for young people aged 16-24 years who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. We are currently engaging with local partners, as well as young people, to develop the detail of the Grant and we will announce a date for implementation in due course.

In addition, we have consulted on our pledge to provide free bus travel to young modern apprentices, many of whom will be undertaking further education as part of their apprenticeships. We estimate that it would cost around £8 million per annum to provide free bus travel to all Modern Apprentices aged under 21 and around
£16 million to extend the offer to all Modern Apprentices. We will be working next year with our partners to develop a pilot Scheme for Modern Apprentices.

The Scottish Government takes allegations of sexual abuse of footballers extremely seriously, and we have been working closely with all key stakeholders on this issue.

It is vital victims feel safe and confident to come forward and that all allegations of abuse in Scottish football are thoroughly investigated by the appropriate authorities.

The NSPCC, Scottish FA, PFA Scotland and Police Scotland all provide routes for victims to report crimes, and I would encourage anyone who may be affected to come forward.

The NSPCC received 2,500 calls to the dedicated hotline from across the UK.

Reston and East Linton stations are a key element of the comprehensive programme for the East Coast Main Line rail corridor which Network Rail is currently developing proposals for. It is expected that Reston and East Linton will be delivered within the next railway control period 6, which runs from 2019-24 and our desire to do it early in CP6.

We continue to press the UK Government for a fair rail funding deal for Scotland for control period 6. The current offer is below (by £600 million) early industry estimates for renewing and enhancing the network to meet future demands for rail travel. This will undoubtedly impact on our future rail enhancements.

Network Rail is developing proposals for a range of interventions as part of a comprehensive programme for the East Coast Main Line rail corridor that will enhance capacity and meet forecast demand. Work has already started on the construction of an additional platform at Dunbar station which will relieve a significant capacity constraint on the East Coast Main Line and the expectation is other interventions under consideration would be commissioned for delivery in the next rail control period from 2019-24 and our desire to do it early in CP6.

We continue to press the UK Government for a fair rail funding deal for Scotland for the next control period. The current offer is below (by £600 million) early industry estimates for renewing and enhancing the rail network to meet future demands. This will undoubtedly impact on our future rail enhancements.

We fund Disability Equality Scotland (DES) which works in the Scottish Borders. Our funding to DES supports Tweeddale Access Panel, which works toward achieving equality for disabled people and creating an accessible environment for all. Tweeddale Access Panel provide the vital, frontline access and inclusion support on which so many disabled people in the Scottish Borders rely.

As set out in A Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016-2021 measures and approaches were being developed for inclusion in the Third Report on Policies and Proposals (RPP3) document which is now known as the Climate Change Plan. The draft of this document was published in January 2017 and demonstrates how the Scottish Government is committed to working closely with the agriculture sector as we look to move towards low carbon farming. The Climate Change Plan (CCP) is currently being finalised and is scheduled for publication early in 2018.

The agriculture chapter of the CCP will include a mixture of policies, proposals and milestones all aimed at achieving GHG emissions reductions within the sector.

We are making progress on the policies and proposals put forward in the Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016-2021, such as the publication of the Scoping an Upland Vision report from SNH on 31 July 2017 and the publication of the Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement on 28 September 2017. There has been a delay in publishing the reporting framework. In light of the EU referendum result, the Scottish Government is working on future strategic policy for the environment and for agriculture, and we will look to integrate this work with the further steps on the Land Use Strategy.

In terms of resources, it is not possible to identify a specific number of full-time equivalent staff contributing to the delivery of the Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016-2020. The cross-portfolio nature of the objectives mean that a wide range of officials contribute to them, from various policy areas such as land reform, agriculture, climate change, planning and environment.

In Policy 7 of the Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016-2021 we proposed establishing a limited life expert group to assist with developing guidance in relation to regional partnerships, in recognition of the fact that further work was required to clarify a range of issues relating to them before they were established. We are currently considering possible approaches to securing this expert advice.

We recognise the important protection the flu vaccine can offer.

Every year the Scottish Government invests in a national marketing campaign to promote the flu vaccine and to encourage uptake amongst those who are eligible. This year's campaign highlights the importance of the flu vaccine and challenges perceptions of the risks and consequences of flu amongst different eligible groups.

The national campaign this year is taking a multi-channel approach that includes television, radio and newspaper advertising, social media and digital activity, as well as the usual range of leaflets and posters.

We also have ongoing partnership activity providing information and materials to organisations such as health and age charities, supermarkets, community and childcare settings, and large workplaces.

It is important, however, to acknowledge that whilst we actively encourage those eligible to take up the offer of the free flu vaccine – vaccination is not mandatory, and it is a matter for each individual to decide whether or not they wish to receive the vaccine.

The Scottish Government is continuing to work with partners and the Youth Experience Fund will be launched in due course.