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Significant policy review in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and attention deficit disorder (ADHD) was undertaken through the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Taskforce which reported in 2019. The Taskforce recommended that the Scottish Government should develop a neurodevelopmental service specification for use across services in Scotland. The Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme Board and the subsequent Joint Delivery Board took responsibility for developing these principles and standards of care.

In September 2021, the Scottish Government published the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People which sets out seven standards for service providers to ensure that children and young people who have neurodevelopmental profiles with support needs receive the support that they require.

The Specification is purposefully inclusive and includes support for those who may be identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The Specification states that comorbidity and coexistence of a range of neurodevelopmental needs is common and that all children and families should experience joined up support, based on the single child’s plan, with professionals from different agencies working together to provide the range of support the child or young person needs.

The Scottish Government has backed Scotland’s economic recovery with more than £4.7 billion in direct business support since March 2020. The Scottish Government considered a range of options in advance of the Scottish Budget
‎ 2023-24, including options for sectoral reliefs such as for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Recognising the difficult economic climate, we announced a strong non-domestic rates package in the Scottish Budget 2023-24, including a freeze in the poundage – the number one ask of business organisations - delivering the lowest poundage in the UK for the fifth year in a row and a package of reliefs worth £744m. This includes the UK's most generous small business rates relief and also Rural Rates Relief which provides up to 100% relief for properties in rural areas.

We expect around half the properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors to be eligible for 100% Small Business Bonus Scheme relief next year. Properties in these sectors may also be eligible for the transitional relief schemes set out in the Budget.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13903 on 24 January 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/written-questions-and-answers .’

The wellbeing of firefighters is a priority set out in the Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Framework 2022. The Scottish Government is willing to consider and discuss any emerging issues and proposals from research on this issue with both SFRS and the FBU.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13903 on 24 January 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/written-questions-and-answers .’

Data from the industry itself clearly shows that a significant proportion of the oil and gas workforce will retire in the coming years.

As a responsible government, we have set out a pathway to ensure a fair and just transition for our energy workforce, and to bring a new generation of skilled workers into the industry. Given the North Sea basin is mature and production is already in decline, any other course of action would only serve to put jobs and our economy at risk.

The rollout of transformational IT projects are a matter for Police Scotland. However, as outlined at the Scottish Police Authority’s Audit and Risk Committee on 17 January, the second phase of Core Operating Solutions is being implemented as expected and within the anticipated timescales.

The Scottish Government has invested £11.6 billion in policing since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013, with a further £1.45 billion to be invested in 2023-24, an increase of 6.3%.

The Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Action Plan was published in December 2021 and, through this, three key principles have been identified for future services: equal access to service; clear and timely pathways to correct help; and improving support to providers.

The new Implementation Board will work to implement these principles and ensure that veterans have parity of care, no matter where they are located in Scotland. The Implementation Board is chaired by Dr Charles Winstanley, a veteran with considerable experience in the NHS and in the third sector. The board includes Combat Stress, representatives from NHS Health Boards, Veterans First Point and Veterans Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s final report on the evaluation of Minimum Unit Pricing will be published in late summer 2023 after Public Health Scotland’s report is published.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13760 on 24 January 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 .