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The terms and conditions of the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (R100 SBVS) require that suppliers meet Ofcom's definition of 'affordable' broadband - set by Ofcom as no more than £46.10 per month, as per the terms and conditions of the UK's broadband Universal Service Obligation. As Starlink's satellite service currently costs £84 per month (set to rise to £94 per month from 9 May 2022), it does not meet this requirement and, therefore, Starlink is unable to register as a supplier for the R100 SBVS.

Across the whole UK, median annual pay for employees was £25,891 for the tax year ending 5 April 2021.

In the current tax year, someone earning that much would pay £2,662 in the rest of the UK, but £2,647 in Scotland.

Schools are best placed to support learners and give them the best chance to demonstrate their potential. Guidance makes clear that schools should ensure remote learning materials are in place in circumstances where they are required. We continue to make resources available to support that contingency.

£4 million of funding is being made available to schools and colleges to increase Easter study support where appropriate, particularly for those from the most deprived backgrounds. Schools and colleges have the flexibility to deliver that support as they see fit, including online.

This support is complemented by an enhanced range of options for online learning through the National e-Learning Offer (NeLO). In the event of school staff absences and learners revising at home, even at short notice, NeLO is available. Educators can refer their learners to collections of resources - recorded, supported and often live interactive webinars - and schools can make parents and learners aware that these resources are available whenever remote learning is required.

The routine vaccinations for pregnant women have continued in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage all those who are eligible to take up the offer of vaccination.

The flu vaccine has been available to pregnant women, (via their midwife) from the start of the current programme, which launched on 6 September 2021, and continued to be offered until the end of the flu season, 31 March 2022.

An evidence review on international approaches to challenging demand is being carried out by Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Services (JAS), and will be published later this year as an official social research report.

As is the case with all Analytical Services Divisions within the Scottish Government, JAS provide impartial evidence-based advice to support policy development - with all social research needing to comply with the Scottish Government’s ethical principles. These principles specifically require researchers to consider and address ethical risks to protect against distortion and bias in the interpretation of findings.

This analysis will support the development of a model for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution, whilst taking into account Scotland’s unique legal and societal landscape.

The routine immunisation programmes have continued in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite code black status being declared in some NHS Boards.

Uptake rates for routine programmes have remained consistently high across Scotland. Maintaining the best possible uptake of immunisations is a priority for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, and this reflects the hard work and commitment of our colleagues within the NHS.

The latest statistical releases from Public Health Scotland can be found here: Publications - Public Health Scotland

An exam exceptional circumstances service will be available for learners who miss their exam due to, for example, illness which would include being ill with Covid-19.

This service is based on SQA’s established annual process. If a candidate is eligible for exceptional circumstances, their centre will provide appropriate assessment evidence gathered during the course of the year. The SQA will review this, along with any exam script and coursework, against the national standard to award appropriate grades.

Recruitment of invigilators is an operational matter for the SQA. SQA is working with centres to ensure sufficient numbers of invigilators are available, with contingencies in place to mitigate any unexpected absences due to Covid-19 during the exams.

We are extending the retail, hospitality and leisure relief by offering 50% relief for the first three months of 2022-23, capped at £27,500 per ratepayer. This follows 100% relief for retail, hospitality and leisure premises for the past two years without any cap. We are also maintaining a competitive package of reliefs, including the UK’s most generous Small Business Bonus Scheme which takes over 111,000 properties out of rates altogether.

Throughout the pandemic we have consistently delivered more direct support to business than we have received in consequentials and recognise the difficulties the necessary additional public health measures brought for businesses including retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

In December we announced a £375m support package for firms impacted by the necessary measures introduced to control the spread of Omicron.

We also announced an £80m Covid Economic Recovery Fund for local authorities to support local economies and cities recover from the pandemic. This fund empowers councils to consider the needs of local businesses, communities and households and to target support to maximise economic recovery in their areas.

The Scottish Government closely monitors all emerging evidence on COVID-19 treatments and their clinical effectiveness.

On 17 March 2022, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that it had granted a Conditional Marketing Authorisation for Evusheld in Great Britain . The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is carrying out further testing on the treatment’s effectiveness against Omicron and its sub-variants. As part of the additional testing being undertaken by the UKHSA, an assessment of the most appropriate patient groups which could potentially benefit, as well as the deployment and administration process for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is also being considered. Once completed, these results will help inform any decisions on next steps for this treatment, including whether this medicine is procured and made available to patients. The Scottish Government will therefore closely monitor the outcome of this additional testing to ensure that any decisions to make Evusheld available to patients in Scotland are based on the best available evidence.