 It is general questions, convener. I appreciate reducing short and succinct questions and responses.asing, but I accept as many members can do. Question então 1. I call Bob Doris. I want to ask the Scottish Government freedom of function and protect the servants as its highest equality service. Did you email on public service organisations on socio-ind exceptionally-лей-washing? Did you ask the Scottish Parliament mae'r an excelad yr ysgol, yn ymgyrchon i ddweud, mae'n iawn rolyw'r ysgol ffiscol. Aol mor gofalau leoladau, aall y comisioner mewn ysgol pensión, a'r an fydd yn rhan o'r cyfeithio'r ffrindsau sobofa. Ysgolau ysgoliyd yn gwybod i'r ysgolodau sydd oedd ganu hynny i ddweud wneud credu yn gysteigio'r sgolog, ond mae ddiegfa marcheid o gyfrifegurau prosiectoriol. HM ysgolodau ysgolodau traiol iawn yn hynod ychydigol, ynghwylio i ddych chi'n byw yn cael ei bwysig o'r ddefnyddio cysylltu. C O P F S ymddwch gweithio ddim yn cyflei'r cymryd, ac yn cyffredinol i'r cyfwyd i'ch adael'r cydaint o'r cyfwyr ymdwyllteidwyr iawn o'r cyfwyr o'r cyfwyr o'r cyfwyr o'r cyfwyr o'r cyffwyr o'r cyfwyr. Gwelwch chi'n bwysig, mae'r dda i'r ddwynt gan dda i'r ddwynt yn cyfriddio'r cyfwyr o'r cyfwyr. ar y cymorth iawn, nid oes eu gwasanaethau o wneud sefydlu'r cyd-famfa yearn, a'i gwasanaethau ddiweddol i sicrhau allun o'r argyffurdd ddechrau'i Ewhelidz. Mae'r gwasanaethau ar gyffredinol yn ei ffiliaid honi, ac rhaid i'r createi, i Bas. Nid oes, mae gennym ni i dwyllfa ar gyffredinol i'r argyffurdd a'u dweud rhaid i gweithiool o phos i dd wych i ddysgu'r cerdwyr. Rhaid i ddysgu'r pierdol i ddysgu'r pierdol i ddysgu'r pierdol i'r cwymod i'r oedd cyddiadau ingyfyrdd y mae'r cyddiadau iechyd y ffordd i'n d halffair gyda hi i'r bwysigafol sydd wedi gynnugiwadau, ac mae'n gydag o Simon Daudfgatigaidd fel y ffordd i'r hoffi, mae'n allu'r cyddiadau allwch gyda hi'n ddefnyddio arnynno'n ei ddylai'r cyddiadau i'r cyddiadau? Mae gennyn Erydda Gweithgoedd o gyffin yn dda, sydd y cyddiadau i'n gyrrau hynod yn ei ffordd i'r cyddiadau case to which he refers has been subject to extensive review and consideration by the law officers. COPFS keeps all decisions under review. Ultimately, in this case, when the exculpatory material was received, the original decision to proceed was reviewed, and following this a decision was made to end the prosecution. I know that the Lord Advocate has already made an offer to meet with Mr Doris and his constituent, and I would gladly renew that offer today. In the letter to me regarding the horizon scandal, the Lord Advocate said that prosecutors could not would not have raised proceedings on the basis of the horizon evidence alone, and I'm aware that the Crown Office used an independent report presented to them by the Post Office prepared by Forensic Accounts, the firm's second site as corroboration. The director of second site has said that his interim report revealed system flaws and problems with the prosecution process, so I'm keen to understand why the Crown Office was content to use this report as corroboration. I wonder if the Solicitor General could at the very least commit to write to me on that point if she's not able to see today why the Crown still proceeded to use that report as corroboration. In a statement to Parliament in January, the Lord Advocate explained the position of COPFS as to its awareness of flaws in the horizon system and its approach to prosecutions consequent upon that. In terms of our openness to scrutiny of all decisions, practices and processes, matters are progressing with the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and the Appeal Court has also said that there's a public inquiry under way and the Crown has publicly committed to supporting all those processes. I would gladly write to Ms McNeill to take up the points that she's raised in greater detail. To ask the Scottish Government how it's working with North Lancer Council to improve the school of state. In Scotland, the school of state is owned and managed by local authorities. However, we have supported North Lancer Council through the previous Scotland Schools for the Future programme by awarding the council with significant funding of £55 million towards three new schools. We will further support North Lancer Council's Christen High School extension, which is through phase 3 of the £2 billion learning estate investment programme. The £2 billion learning estate investment programme is a joint programme with COSLA and follows on from the successful £1.8 billion investment in Scotland's schools for the future programme, which delivered 117 new or refurbished learning facilities across Scotland from 2009 to 2021. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. The Scottish Government has though cut capital funding for projects like schools in North Lancer by 31 per cent this year, far higher than the cut received by Government. The last new school project to receive money from the Scottish Government was back in 2014. Over the three phases of the funding programme, the cabinet secretary talked about that North Lancer only received funding for one existing secondary extension, despite presenting a number of excellent bids for much-needed new schools. Can I ask the cabinet secretary when can pupils in North Lancer expect to receive Government funding for new-build schools fit for modern education? I thank the member for his question. As I alluded to in my initial response, North Lancer Council has been awarded significant funding through the schools for the future programme and through the learning estate and investment programme. That has been, as a result of the direct question, North Lancer Council to prioritise that school in North Lancer. However, the capital challenges that the Government faces at the current time are well known to the member. He alluded to the cut of course coming from the UK Government, and that is undoubtedly impacting on the funding from this Government. We are protecting local government funding within that context, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Futures Trust on improving the remainder of Scotland's school estate. It is worthwhile pointing out, that, since 2007, the quality of Scotland's school estate has improved from around about 60 per cent of Scotland's schools being in good or satisfactory condition to over 90 per cent, thanks to investment from this SNP Scottish Government. Gordon MacDonald The SNP's record of investment in our school estate speaks for itself, but can I ask the cabinet secretary how much Labour's legacy of PFI is costing in North Lanarkshire? North Lanarkshire Council's PFI schools contract was signed back in 2005, and the associated estimated payments totaled around £764 million, with £430 million of that still to be paid out. So, 17 years after they were lasting government in Scotland, Labour's PFI legacy is still holding Scotland back, and it means that we have less money to spend on front-line services for Scotland's children. That is a shameful record, and Labour members in this chamber should be embarrassed, Presiding Officer. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Parents of ASN pupils protested outside North Lanarkshire Council last year. They said that teachers and pupils are being failed by an education system that does not recognise the specialised skills needed for children with additional support needs. Many school-age children end up being placed in mainstream educational schools, despite meeting criteria for an ASN school due to the lack of schools available. So what is the minister's response to the many families in North Lanarkshire being failed by the education system due to the lack of specialised schools and facilities for ASN pupils? I thank the member for her question. Of course, it is worthwhile putting on the record that we are seeing record levels of investment in additional support needs pupils through pupil support assistance. That is because of ring-fence funding coming directly from the Scottish Government. The Government also ring-fences £50 million worth of funding to protect additional support needs support in our schools. In general, as I alluded to in the response to the original question, the school estate is the responsibility of local authorities. We work with local authorities where we are able to do so and to prioritise the needs of additional support needs pupils. It is worthwhile saying that some of the funding that we announced back at the end of last year is going to improve the school estate for additional support needs pupils. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for any major rail development projects beyond the end of 2024. The Scottish ministers remain firmly committed to infrastructure investment as a key factor in securing economic growth and high-quality public infrastructure across Scotland. That has been made much harder due to cuts in our capital budget imposed by the UK Government. The Scottish Government's investment in network rail's operations, maintenance and renewals for Scotland's railway will increase by £0.45 billion from £3.75 billion in the 2019-24 period to £4.2 billion throughout 2024-29. We continue to progress a pipeline of enhancement projects, and the member may particularly note the planned electrification of the line from Glasgow to East Kilbride, which is targeted to be delivered by December 2025. I thank the cabinet secretary for her response and outlining some of the pipeline developments that are coming forward. She will be aware that residents of Winsborough are weary of the continued shirking of responsibility by the SNP green government to build a train station in their town. On 8 March, the minister, Jim Fairlie, wrote to me that his understanding is that West Lothian Council is responsible for organisation and invitations for the multi-stakeholder meeting. However, West Lothian Council first wrote to the Scottish Government in June 2023, and it was only yesterday that it received a response committing to a date for this meeting. Given that Winsborough train station is not developer-led, the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland must take charge and lead on this. Cabinet secretary, now that the minister has agreed to the meeting, can you assure us that building the station will be a priority for this Government? As the member well knows, I am the constituency MSP for Winsborough, and in that constituency capacity I have long campaigned for a station that was always to be developer-led. To avoid a conflict of interest, I am recused from having any involvement in government interests on this matter, but I can still act and will still act on such issues as the constituency MSP. I will ask the lead minister to write to the member to address her concerns as is appropriate, and the point about the meeting, if she has had a reply to that, I am glad to see that progress. Does the cabinet secretary believe that the London to Birmingham high-speed rail 2 project now expected to cost an eye-watering £583 million per mile benefits Scotland in any way whatsoever, and if so, how? Well, since 2009 this Scottish Government have reconnected 16 communities to the rail network with new stations and two more stations planned to open this year, but the eye-watering HS2 curtailed project will have limited, if any, benefit to Scotland, and the collapse in capital spend elsewhere by the Westminster Government harms the economy and harms Scotland. The minister will be aware that East Lothian is one of the fastest growing areas in Scotland and that Harrington is one of the fastest growing towns locally. The rail action group of East Scotland is campaigning for the reopening of Harrington's branch line. Will she agree to look carefully at this campaign and its calls and look to get Harrington back on track onto our rail network? Cabinet secretary, I am aware of the campaign in Harrington and I know the member and also the constituency MSP Paul McLennan have pursued that issue. I think it's really important to address the interests of communities. It can take some time as we are aware to develop such plans but clearly I will ask my officials to look and be aware of the Harrington developments along with colleagues at Network Rail in Scotland. Brief supplementary, Willie Rennie. The cabinet secretary told me last November that we would get a response to the Nubra stag transport appraisal in a few weeks time. It's now months later. When are they going to hear about their success in Nubra? My officials at Transport Scotland have met with Sestran and representatives of their consultants and the Nubra train station group on 16 January to discuss the Nubra detailed options appraisal report for that transport appraisal. That appraisal is considering a range of multimodal transport options, including a station at Nubra. It has requested further information underpilling the detail that is presented in the report. Once that additional information requested from Sestran, the promoter of the appraisal has been received and considered, Transport Scotland's official will provide feedback on the appraisal report. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scotland's further education sector is aligned with the needs of businesses in the renewable sector and other industries associated with the green economy. Our education and skills system is already adapting to the transition to net zero and institutions like colleges are key anchors. Funded by the SFC Energy Skills Partnership Act as the college sector lead for the transition to net zero and directly supports institutions to develop their capability, capacity and curriculum pathways for the transition. ESP also engages with employers on behalf of the sector, establishing partnerships across the further education sector and industry to enable the green economy. This week, I visited, for apprenticeship week last week, I visited electrical engineers in Kilmarnock, Aird, Walker and Walston. They said that their sluggiest lack of growth is actually a problem because they struggle to recruit their appropriate apprentices. They said that the biggest problem is that school pupils are unaware of potential careers through apprenticeships like electrical engineering. Colleges have the capacity to deliver the engineers' needs for the green economy. It seems that there is a missing link between schools, businesses and colleges. Can I ask what the Scottish Government can do to ensure that career guidance includes the opportunities that apprenticeships can bring in the growing green economy? Brian Whittle raises a relevant point. Promotion of green skills as career options for young people is incredibly important. I was at Nesco on Aberdein on Monday, where we were discussing just that issue, ensuring that young people are encouraged to consider energy and other such careers as long-term career opportunities. The career service absolutely has a role to play in that, of course it does, but I think that alongside employers working in conjunction with employers, perhaps offering work experience opportunities as well as working with the colleges to shape the curriculum, I am happy to engage further with Brian Whittle on that matter. Question 6 has been withdrawn. Question 7, Colin Smyth. Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve the accessibility for disabled people at train stations in Dumfries and Galloway. Dumfries station is currently being upgraded with a new footbridge and lifts to make access to the platforms easier, while the accessibility of stations is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government is fully supportive of and engaged with the project. My officials are independently progressing recommendation 19 of the strategic transport projects review 2, reviewing station accessibility across Scotland, including in Dumfries and Galloway. The review is anticipated to complete in spring 2024, and, although it is too early to comment on any outcome to the review, recommendation 19 reinforces the Scottish Government's commitment to improve access for all to Scotland's rail network. Colin Smyth. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Even after the work at Dumfries station, almost half of the stations in the region will still not be fully accessible. Cercornal station in particular has no disabled access whatsoever to the southbound platform. It means that my constituent, who is in a wheelchair, had to travel and stay on the train from Glasgow to Sankar, then change at Sankar and get a train back to Cercornal northbound, because he couldn't get off the train at Cercornal. We've had feasibility studies on what is needed to end the discrimination against disabled people, but what my constituent wants to know is when will we see action to see Cercornal station fully accessible? As I set out in my original answer, this is reserved to the UK Government, and the DFT are undertaking that detailed accessibility audit. I appreciate his frustration. I think that he sets out the concerns of his constituent very well. I will do what I can within my powers to ensure that, once that audit has been completed, the identification of the work and the priorities is progressed. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the creation of a national online support platform to expand music learning for children and young people in Scotland. This Government has transformed instrumental music tuition in Scotland schools by funding councils to eradicate unfair music tuition charges. This financial year, we are providing £12 million to continue this commitment. The most recent instrumental music survey published in December of last year shows that the number of pupils participating in instrumental music tuition is at a record high since the survey began 11 years ago. Since 2007, we have invested over £150 million in the youth music initiative, helping young people across Scotland to access music and develop their wider skills and learning. Schools across Scotland today already have access to the national e-learning offer, supported by £1.5 million of investment from the Scottish Government. That includes a range of online learning materials, recorded lessons and live lessons on music. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Music and the arts should be for everyone and it is clear that we need to do far more to create opportunities for working-class children. In Wales, the national music service working with Chiranga has developed a national bespoke online support platform to not just replace existing instrumental tuition but to help non-music specialist teachers to expand music learning in schools. For a relatively small cost, we could make that transformative change here in Scotland too. Can the minister agree to meet with me to discuss and explore that proposal? I am happy to meet with the member to listen to any contributions that he might have in that space, but I would put on the record, Presiding Officer, as Education Scotland has already advised, that what is being proposed, as I understand it, from Welsh Labour is very similar to the current offer that we have nationally in relation to the online ELO platform and also on Glow. That is available to all local authority areas in Scotland, but I am more than happy to meet with the member on that. It is worth putting on the record that it was the SNP in Government who removed fees for instrumental music tuition, making it free to all pupils. I remind the member that the reason we had to do so was because some councils, including Labour-run councils, decided to introduce charges, seeing parents build up to £300 per year.