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In June 2017, Healthcare Improvement Scotland published their report on the Review of Ayrshire Maternity Unit, University Hospital Crosshouse, NHS Ayrshire & Arran (Adverse Events).

Recommendation seven said that NHS Scotland should develop and agree a list of mandatory skills and competencies for maternity services to support ongoing training programmes in NHS boards . NHS Education for Scotland facilitated a short life working group which identified a package of core mandatory update training for midwives and obstetricians. In December 2018 Scottish Government requested all NHS Boards ensure that midwives and obstetricians undertake the core mandatory update training required.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it has not been possible for staff to undertake face to face training, including elements of the package of core mandatory training, and staff time to undertake training has been significantly curtailed. Boards are actively looking at ways to take forward training in a COVID safe way, and many of the training packages have moved to virtual platforms to mitigate restrictions as a result of COVID.

As routine business is remobilised we expect Boards to move forward with completion of the package of Core Mandatory Training.

Everyone attending the Glasgow Fan Zone is encouraged to take a lateral flow test prior to the event. From Monday 14 June, rapid lateral flow test kits were mailed to 17,000 ticket holders due to attend the Glasgow Fan Zone, as part of a series of measures to help reduce the risk of transmission before and after the event.

A mobile testing bus has also been based at Glasgow Green to provide on-site lateral flow testing as an additional option for attendees. A selection of attendees have been asked by COVID marshals on site whether they have taken a test as part of ongoing reporting on the site.

These testing measures are in place in addition to other robust public health interventions, such as physical distancing, contact tracing, hand sanitiser stations, frequent cleaning, table-service, PPE for staff, and clear and informative signage.

Data on vaccination is compiled and forwarded to the Scottish Government by Public Health Scotland.

We do not hold data on vaccination rate for specific illnesses of conditions, but on how many people in a specific cohort have been vaccinated.

Latest vaccination figures can be found here : Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and COVID-19 Daily Dashboard | Tableau Public

The Scottish Government is taking forward a wide range of action in schools and colleges to address gender based violence and sexual harassment.

To support schools to deliver learning on relationships, sexual health and parenthood education, Education Scotland have produced experiences and outcomes which set out what each pupil is expected to learn and how their learning is expected to progress through the four levels of learning.

In addition to this, we are funding a number of targeted programmes to support positive behaviour and relationships. This includes the Mentors in Violence Prevention Scotland Programme which is working to tackle gender stereotyping and attitudes that condone violence against women and girls; pilot of a whole schools approach to tackling gender based violence with Rape Crisis Scotland and Zero Tolerance; and, running up to three Fearless campaigns nationally to educate and support young people to speak up about crime, making their lives and that of their communities safer.

We are also developing a National Approach guidance document, with partners on the Gender Based Violence in Schools Working Group, to ensure consistency in messages on sexual harassment and gender based violence to everyone working with children and young people.

In colleges and universities, institutions are expected to adopt and adapt the Equally Safe in Higher Education Toolkit, and in doing so adopt a Gendered Analysis to this issue, assess their own policies and practices against the Toolkit and put in place policies, reporting processes and support arrangements to keep students safe.

The Scottish Government continues to fund several projects aimed at support the further and higher education sector, by developing online training and resources, particularly for the college sector; developing an institutional GBV Charter Mark and the parameters of effective risk management approaches to work already undertaken by Universities Scotland; and, to purchase an online tool to enable staff and students in certain Glasgow-based institutions to anonymously report gender based violence and racial harassment issues.

The Scottish Government is working with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and ferry operators to develop and deliver a programme of major and small vessel replacements. Detail of the current programme is included in Annex D of the Infrastructure Investment Plan.

A National Mission with Local Impact: Infrastructure Investment Plan for Scotland 2021-22 to 2025-26 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Most recently, CMAL provided an update on the new vessel for Islay with the first phase tender process scheduled to take place during the summer 2021.

CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets LtdPROCUREMENT OF NEW ISLAY FERRY GETS UNDERWAY - CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (cmassets.co.uk)

As we continue to move out of lockdown, with the safety of Scotland’s workforce a priority, we are also focused on supporting the recovery of Scotland’s businesses.

We are in close and regular dialogue with business leaders on a range of priority issues, including economic recovery and business support. As we face the challenges of EU exit and Covid, we have an opportunity to design an economic recovery that works for all of Scotland’s people.

We are living in more hopeful times. With the success of the vaccination programme we can now see a route to a more normal way of life.

The £1,500 initially awarded to Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers was based on estimates of what we could afford to pay at the time the Fund was launched in January 2021 based on the number of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers licensed in Scotland and the availability of funding. As there is not an equivalent scheme run by the UK Government in England we have received no direct consequential funding to support taxi and private hire drivers, and instead have prioritised funding for this area from wider business support funding. Following the allocation of further consequentials we have set aside an additional £62 million to support the sector as part of which we are paying another £1,500 grant to taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who received the initial payment.

In October 2019 PWC provided support and detailed analysis on a full range of options for Ferguson Marine. Scottish Ministers considered the evidence and on that basis the Scottish Government stepped in to take ownership, to ensure a viable future for the yard, it's workforce and completion of the much needed vessels. The Scottish Government continues to work closely with the yard to explore all possible options to ensure a viable future for the business.

Ferguson Marine closely tracks all projects that could potentially benefit the shipyard.

CalMac Ferries Ltd will apply its standard ticketing arrangements and fares for whatever route the MV Pentalina is operating on.