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The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.

There are official figures available for businesses that have ceased trading during a given period. These figures do not represent a complete picture of business activity as only businesses that are registered for VAT and/or operate a PAYE scheme are included.

These figures, sourced from the Office for National Statistics Business Demography data, show that for Creative Industries in Scotland there were 1,810 businesses that ceased trading in 2019 and 2,170 in 2020 (Table 7.3 at Growth sector statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . Data for 2021 will be available in February 2023.

The Scottish Governments understands how deeply the cultural sector has been affected by rising energy costs and the cost of living crisis which have come just as they are beginning to recover from the pandemic.

The Scottish Government is meeting regularly with the sector to discuss these issues.

We recognise the significant role cultural organisations play in our lives and we are committed to the long term recovery of the sector.

Resilience of the Energy Sector is reserved and therefore the responsibility of the UK Government.

The Scottish Government works closely with power companies and recognises the many aspects of resilience of the energy networks in Scotland, including the management of felling trees.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans recently met with SSEN and visited one of their tree cutting sites in the North of Scotland. The issue of damage to power lines and the complexity of felling trees was discussed in depth, including:

Legislative limitations

Land owner complexities

Secondary impacts such as additional tree blow

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with power companies and UK Government on all aspects of resilience to the network in Scotland.

The Young Patients Family Fund is available to families of all young inpatients aged under 18 - no matter their diagnosis. Posters and leaflets to promote the Fund are available in all Health Boards and we continue to work with Health Boards to best ensure families are aware of the Fund.

The Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer is currently reviewing its web content and has confirmed that it will be signposting to the YPFF in its update.

The SLWG has yet to be established as we are presently intending to recruit additional clinical advisory capacity and expect to progress once this resource is in place.

This decision was taken on 14 September.

I last met with Gill Murray, Chief Superintendent, Scotland Division of British Transport Police on 15 June to discuss various aspects of my concern around women’s safety and anti-social behaviours on rail services in Scotland. Additionally, Additionally I will be meeting with Chief Constable, Lucy D'Orsi next month to discuss a range of factors relating to the British Transport Police

I regularly meet with and engage directly with island communities to seek their views on the provision of ferry services and areas which the travelling public are keen to see improvements.

This work will be carried out as part of the preparatory work for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) contract. We are committed to ensure that the views and perspectives of key stakeholders and communities are considered, reflected upon and help shape the detail within the next CHFS contract.

I already set out my initial thoughts and response to the findings of Project Neptune in my statement to Parliament on the Future of Scottish Ferries on 8 September. Full and detailed consideration is now being given to all the findings and options, including as I announced, engagement with key stakeholders and local communities. I also undertook to update Parliament at the appropriate time when in a position to announce any relevant decisions. That will include a fuller response to the key recommendations highlighted.

Additionally, a presentation on Project Neptune, to which all MSPs were invited, was delivered in Parliament by Ernst & Young on 25 October. I know that Ms Clark has accepted the invitation, which I welcome, and hope she found the session informative.

The statement of requirements for Project Neptune clearly states, “the likelihood would be that the final report and recommendations will be published by Scottish Government. It is imperative that the content remains confidential until the Scottish Parliament has been informed.” By signing the Project Neptune contract on 9 of March 2021, the consultant, Ernst and Young, have agreed to requirements as set in the statement of requirements.

The Subsidy Control implications of (a) merging CMAL and CalMac Ferries and (b) directly awarding public ferry contracts to an in-house operator will be considered in full as part of Ministers’ consideration of the issues.