 Thank you. That concludes general questions. Members will be aware that tomorrow is the first anniversary of the passing of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. In the days that followed her passing, the Parliament came to together to convey our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and to lead with people across Scotland and tribute to Queen Elizabeth remarkable life and, in particular, of tomorrow's anniversary, we will have contributions from leaders before we move to First Minister's questions and I call the First Minister. Thank you, Presiding Officer. One year since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, it does present a moment for reflection on a long and dedicated life of public service. I'm sure that colleagues will remember with great pride the beauty of Scotland's landscapes, but perhaps more importantly, the warmth of Scotland's people on Her Majesty's final journey. Her Majesty's deep fondness for Scotland was well known. It is here that Queen Elizabeth chose to spend her most private family moments each summer. It is within the halls and gardens of the palace of Holyrood house that Her Majesty welcomed thousands of community leaders, volunteers, artists, activists, faith leaders and essential and key workers in recognition of their service to Scotland. On behalf of the people of Scotland, I send my thoughts to King Charles and the Royal Family and their private remembrance tomorrow. Tomorrow, our thoughts will be with the King and the Royal Family on the first anniversary of the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Twelve months ago, thousands of Scots gathered, as her courtage made the final poignant six-hour journey from Balmoral to Holyrood palace as she had wished. Flowers marked the route in Ballotyr, bagpipes played in a boin, farmers lined their tractors on the roadside and thousands stood on the royal mile to pay their last respects. Our late Queen brought the country together in her life and in her death. The late Queen cherished Scotland and in her passing the country showed how much it cherished her. Tomorrow marks one year since we lost our late Queen, but every day since then we've remembered her warmth, her leadership and her unstinting and dedicated service to this country for 70 years. Our longest-serving Queen Elizabeth II was a dedicated public servant, demonstrating strength, leadership and empathy when her country needed it the most. She brought our nation together at times of crises and left a legacy of compassion in the various causes that she championed. She reminded us that, despite our political disagreements and arguments, everyone here in Holyrood is here in the service of the Scottish people. Her kindness, wisdom and integrity are timeless values that we pass down through the generations. Scotland will remember her fondly. The passing of Her Majesty ended a constancy in the lives of everyone in this chamber. It was a moment in time that will come to define the early years of this century. Across these islands, the Commonwealth and indeed the whole world, there was a collective sigh of sadness and thanksgiving for her life of service. Then, in the minutes and hours and days that followed the announcement from the palace, Operation Unicorn unfolded with quiet precision. I pay particular tribute to the staff of this Parliament and public service workers across Scotland for the many hours and days that they dedicated to that task. From the roadsides of Aberdeenshire to the catafolk at Westminster Hall, those days showed Scotland and the United Kingdom at its very best. Her Majesty would have been pleased that so many marked her passing by engaging in the great British pastime of standing in line. On this anniversary and all those to come, we hold the royal family in our thoughts and remember the extraordinary life and service of Queen Elizabeth II. I remind the chamber that my wife is a serving officer with Police Scotland. As part of a pilot in the north-east of Scotland, front-line officers are being told to no longer investigate certain crimes. S&P funding cuts are forcing dedicated officers to ignore criminal acts. Some victims of crime will report it to the police only to be told that it is not important enough to investigate. So will the First Minister tell us which crimes will not be investigated? First of all, Police Scotland's funding is not being cut. I am pleased to say that, despite UK Government austerity and recognition of the crucial role that police officers pay, we have just announced this week an excellent pay offer that I am pleased that police officers have accepted. The service is receiving an additional £80 million in resource funding in 2023-24. Again, from the north-east pilot that Douglas Ross mentioned, let me quote directly from the news release that the police put out in that region. It says, on some occasions, crimes are reported where there is no associated threat, no risk, no harm, no vulnerability—this is the important bit—and no proportionate lines of inquiry for local police officers to investigate. When that happens, our staff will inform the caller that the inquiry has been recorded and a crime reference number will be supplied, but no further action will be taken. That, to me, seems to be a proportionate approach to tackling crime. Douglas Ross is quite happy about that. That is incredible. First of all, more pay for our officers is welcome, fewer officers is not, and that is what we have now in Scotland. The First Minister cannot dodge responsibility. That is a result of SNP funding cuts, and it is laid clear in the letter that he has just read out from Chief Superintendent Graham Mackey. However, that pilot is unfairly treating communities in the north-east as guinea pigs. They will receive a poorer service despite paying their taxes like everyone else. In response to that, the Scottish Police Federation chair David Threadgull said that areas could be at increased risk as criminals target places where they know crime won't be investigated. Humza Yousaf would not let this rash experiment happen in Glasgow, so why is he content to let victims in the north-east go without justice? That is complete and utter nonsense turning one community in Scotland against another community in Scotland. What else would you expect? What else would you expect from the divisive Conservatives? That, of course, is a policing operational matter. Let me pull up Douglas Ross on a couple of points. First and foremost, Scotland has more police officers per capita than England and Wales, and, of course, on significantly higher pay here in Scotland, because we believe in paying our police officers fairly. In Scotland, we have 30 officers per 10,000 of the population of Scotland, that compares to 25 in England and Wales. Let me go back to the central point. What people in Scotland, whether they are in Glasgow or the north-east care about, is ensuring that recorded crime is at low levels? I am pleased to say that, under this SNP Government, recorded crime continues to be at one of the lowest levels ever since 1974, down 42 per cent since 2006-2007. Douglas Ross, north-east families, should not be paying the price for SNP funding cuts, and that is what is happening here. The Scottish Police Federation said that this pilot could set a dangerous precedent. Officers are warning that this could be a slippery slope unless HUMSA use of steps in with more funding. Even today, Audrey Nicholl, the SNP, MSP and convener of this Parliament's Justice Committee has raised concerns about what is happening in the north-east of Scotland. Will the First Minister tell us, is he going to act on those concerns, or is he going to let this happen across the country? If Douglas Ross does not correct the record after the session, he is frankly happy to be inaccurate and misleading. Let me read again the facts. We are investing £1.45 billion in policing in 2023-24, increasing the resource budget by 6.3 per cent and an additional £80 million. Any suggestion that we are cutting funding is simply untrue. Let me go back to the press release that was sent out by the police in the north-east, because that is an operational matter. Again, if crimes are reported and there is no associated threat, risk, harm or vulnerability and no proportionate lines of inquiry, of course officers will give a crime reference number. The crime will be recorded, but no further action will be taken. On this side of the chamber, we are ensuring that our police are funded. We are ensuring that more police officers are on the street, but crucially we are ensuring that recorded crime remains at one of the lowest levels in 42 years. If anyone can be correcting the record, it is the First Minister. Of course we know that the Police Scotland's budgeted officer establishment has reduced from 17,234 to 16,600. There are less police officers on the beat in Scotland and they are being told not to investigate crimes. Why are they being told? It is because of funding. If the First Minister will not believe what I am saying, he may listen to Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Thompson. She said that the force is facing hard choices. She continued that the levels of service that we provide to the public will inevitably reduce. First Minister, this is a direct consequence of SNP funding cuts. Officers do not have the resources to do their jobs. People who report crimes will be told tough luck and it is open season for criminals under the SNP. So why is the First Minister telling offenders that they can break the law and get away with it here in Scotland? Douglas Ross demonstrates that he should never be allowed to be First Minister of this country. Panicking people, alarming people, sensationalism and all for cheap political headlines is what Douglas Ross is interested in. What we are interested in is results. Those results see more police officers in Scotland than other parts of the UK per head. What we see is further investment in our police in comparison to the previous year. What we also see is lower recorded crime rates here in Scotland than when we took. What I would say to Douglas Ross is that when he talks about difficult public finances, they are difficult because of Westminster austerity, because of cuts to our budget, because of the disastrous many budget that Douglas Ross just under a year ago demanded the Scottish Government follow Liz Truss' path. Now he wants to see tax cuts for the wealthiest. We will continue to invest in our public services. When it comes to the public finances, Douglas Ross has no credibility whatsoever. 2. Anna Sauer The news this week of the risk of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete known as RAC in our schools is causing understandable anxiety for parents, pupils and staff. The Government has confirmed that 37 schools have been identified as containing RAC. When the Government first became aware of the issue and what steps it took, will the Government commit to publishing the list of the schools impacted so that parents and pupils have at least some of the answers that they deserve? Anna Sauer for his question. We were informed about RAC for not just many months, but for years. That is why, for example, we ensured that our education leaders had the appropriate guidance from the institute of structural engineers last year. We have been proactive over that period, particularly that the education secretary has been proactive in relation to her discussions with local authorities to ensure that we have a full understanding of the picture. I can confirm that, given that we have further information back from local authorities that 40 schools have been identified that have RAC in them and, of course, the appropriate mitigations have been put in place. In terms of Anna Sauer's direct question—I think that it is a very fair question—we will work with local authorities to ensure that that information is published. I would expect that publication to happen at the end of the week, not just a list of the schools that have been affected, but if we can give more information about the mitigations in place, that will give some confidence to parents and pupils and staff who are in those schools. We are working with local authorities to ensure that that information is published. There is, of course, a statement later this afternoon, where the cabinet secretary will lay some of that detail out. Anna Sauer. The institute of engineers said that they began inspections in schools for RAC in 2018. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said that they warned that buildings at risk have collapsed two years ago, so it is important to know what steps the Government took, especially as the First Minister said that they have known about this for years. Specifically on the schools impacted, how many schools have either a partial or complete closure? How many are subject to the additional building works or emergency engineering support? Finally, what resources are being made available to local authorities to deal with those affected buildings? The number of questions, which I am happy if we do not get to the detail of, to write to Anna Sauer in full detail. In terms of the mitigations in place, they vary from school to school to school. Various schools, for example, and other public sector, owners of public sector buildings, have taken a number of mitigations. If I take local authorities in schools, for example, St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian, they have closed part of its estate, including the dining in kitchen areas, Preston Lodge High School in East Lothian. It has closed off impacted classrooms in other areas, so each school will determine that, given the Institute of Structural Engineers guidance, it will then choose to take the appropriate mitigation in place. Fire stations, of course, have been affected as well. They already have put mitigation in place. Again, I am happy to furnish Anna Sauer with some of the detail. In terms of funding, we are aware of some local authorities wanting a discussion in and around funding, and, of course, we will continue to have those discussions with local authorities, but ultimately they are the ones who are responsible for the safety of the school estate. I did note the chancellor of the UK, the Prime Minister, back to the UK. Say, funding will be made in order to help with mitigations in relation to RAC, but I have seen in the last 24 hours, 40 hours, them roll back on that commitment. We will continue to have conversations with the UK Government. In fact, the Deputy First Minister wrote to the Treasury on 16 August last month to call for the allocation of additional funding to the immediate RAC, but I know that there are a number of questions that Anna Sauer has asked. I am happy to go back to him in writing with full detail. I welcome the commitment to publish a list of schools and can ask that public information to include what mitigations are taking place in those schools to give that reassurance to patients. Sorry to parents. The Government have delayed the next phase of their school rebuilding programme. Local authorities submitted bids a year ago. They were meant to get an answer by the end of 2022. We know that at least five of the schools on that list contain RAC, although I suspect that that number will be far higher. Those schools are still waiting, so that must be dealt with urgently. The issue also goes beyond our schools. We know that 255 NHS buildings across Scotland are being surveyed for suspected RAC. When will the surveys be completed? When will we have a complete list of all public bodies affected? How soon will we have a timetable for any required remedial action so that we can give patients, staff, parents and pupils the reassurances that they deserve? Again, I am more than happy to furnish Anna Sauer for further detail writing if I am not able to get to all the questions that he answers in terms of the school estate. We will make a decision on the leap imminently, but we are also looking at that programme through a RAC lens. It is important for us to do so. The Government has a good record when it comes to building schools or substantial refurbishment of schools since 2007-08. We have had 1098 school builds or substantial refurbishment projects that have taken place. Anna Sauer will be aware that school estate statistics came out just a couple of days ago and showed that 91 per cent of schools in Scotland had a good or satisfactory condition rating. That has significantly improved from when we first took office. A major study of the NHS is already very much under way, which NHS Scotland assure. The desktop review exercise that took place showed that 254 buildings have two or more characteristics consistent with the presence of RAC. The next phase of the survey has commenced and nine buildings have now been confirmed to contain RAC. That is from 40 buildings that have been surveyed. Going back to Anna Sauer's very original point, which is a fair one, we will work with partners, not just local authorities but NHS boards and others, to see how much of that information can be put out publicly. I hope that Anna Sauer and others will appreciate that that will be an evolving picture as those surveys continue to progress. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's responses to data showing that the attainment gap has increased. In fact, the poverty-related attainment gap is narrower than it was pre-pandemic for national fives, for hires and advanced hires. That shows progress in education recovery and closing the poverty-related attainment gap over the longer term. We have seen good progress in primary school literacy and numeracy, the latest data showing the biggest ever reduction in the gap. We have seen a record low poverty-related attainment gap in positive destinations for school leavers nine months after leaving school, with record high numbers of students from deprived areas entering university in 2021-22. All that plus the ambitious aims that local authorities have set and indeed are setting for the longer term gives me great confidence that we are making good progress and our £1 billion investment in the Scottish attainment challenge is indeed having an impact. The First Minister chooses his data carefully yet fails to acknowledge that the attainment gap between the least and most deprived pupils has widened for the third year in a row. We must be clear that that is through no fault of teachers, pupils or staff. Whilst his predecessor promised to eliminate the attainment gap, his ambition, as set out in the programme for government, is limited to merely narrowing it, so what narrowed gap would be acceptable to this First Minister and when does he project he'll deliver it? First of all of course Liam Kerr is not comparing like for like. We are comparing of course this year's figures compared to pre-pandemic figures and of course Liam Kerr what I would say to him is the emphasis that he forgets to put is that this is of course a poverty-related attainment gap and that's the very point, Presiding Officer, that poverty-related attainment gap. If Liam Kerr really cared about tackling it he would use any of the minuscule influence he has within his own party to demand that they scrap the true child limit, to demand that they scrap or reverse the reduction in universal credit, that they scrap of course the benefits freeze. Those three measures alone would lift 30,000 children in Scotland out of poverty, so while Liam Kerr may well wipe away those crocodile tears, we in this Scottish Government will get on with the job of protecting Scots from the harm of a Westminster cost of living crisis. I thank the First Minister for his answer to that question but in many areas in Scotland, including Glasgow, the attainment challenge funding is being used to backfill cuts to core education funding. So can I ask the First Minister why does he think that that is and does he accept that that dedicated funding put in place to tackle the attainment gap has failed to do so in a substantial way? I have just said to the previous member that we are making inroads in relation to narrowing the poverty-related attainment gap. When it comes to funding for local authorities, that funding has increased in comparison to the last financial year. What we are doing with that £1 billion Scottish attainment challenge is making sure that we are giving £520 million to the pupil equity funding for headteachers and direct funding also for all 32 local authorities for the first time, and additional funding to support care experience children and young people's attainment and wellbeing. What I would say to Pam Duncan-Glancyff and what cares deeply about those matters is that we can only go so far in relation to the poverty related attainment gap because when it comes to reducing and tackling poverty, we have some of the powers but I am afraid that the substantial levers are still in my hands of a Conservative UK Government. I want to change that, I hope, but Pam Duncan-Glancyff does too. To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the steps that are being taken to reduce drug deaths in Scotland. We remain absolutely committed to delivering the national mission to reduce drugs deaths and improve lives of those that are affected by drugs. The latest drug deaths statistics reported a 21 per cent decrease in 2022. I welcome that reduction, which is the highest on record, but I am also quite clear that the numbers of course remain far too high and every life lost is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts are with the families that have been impacted and affected. That is why the national mission includes an additional £250 million investment over the course of this Parliament to improve services and back radical approaches that are evidence based. That phrase is absolutely crucial. Whether that be a proposal to establish a safer drugs consumption facility or arguing for drug law reform, the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy will make a statement later this month to update Parliament more fully. Emma Harper I thank the First Minister for that response. The misuse of drugs act is over 50 years old. It is not fit for purpose and it must be reviewed urgently. The Home Affairs Committee recently published a report calling for a review of drug classification and a new health-led approach to tackling drugs with a trial of safe consumption rooms. Can the First Minister provide an update as to what engagement the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the urgent need to reform the draconian misuse of drugs act? The points that Emma Harper makes are well made. In July, the Scottish Government published a paper, as Emma Harper said, setting out our bold and ambitious proposals for drug law reform to ensure that we treat problematic drug use as a health, not a criminal matter. I was heartened that there was much support for it not just domestically but internationally and globally from experts and those who are working on the ground to tackle the issue of drugs misuse. That is complemented by the recent very welcome report, as Emma Harper said, from the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is clear for the need to reform the misuse of drugs act. The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy did meet with the UK Minister for Policing on Tuesday this week and did raise the issues with him. The UK Government will not take the necessary actions to use the powers that it has to help us to combat this crisis, but to at least devolve the powers to us, so that we can take a different approach here in Scotland. The Dogs Against Drugs Charity assists Police Scotland with search and seizure of illegal drugs arriving in Shetland alongside its educational preventative work. Police Scotland's Shetland area commander has credited the dogs with a vital role in drug seizures in Shetland, with the value of around £750,000 in the past 18 months. OneDog.thor is retiring, and it is credited to have found an estimated £1 million worth of illegal drugs over its nine-year career. However, without core funding, the charity's future is under threat, and if it ceases, it will likely cost the taxpayer more in the long run. I have recently met with the justice secretary to discuss the issues, but I wonder if the First Minister would agree with me that dogs against drugs is an important asset to Police Scotland and the Shetland community, and that it would be a significant loss where it to cease. I do agree with Beatrice Wishart. I know of the programme Dogs Against Drugs. I remember them well when I was justice secretary. Funding has been an issue for a long period of time, and that is why I was pleased that the organisation received some additional funding from the Serious Organised Crime Task Force. I believe that there is a good meeting between the justice secretary and Beatrice Wishart. If there is anything more that we can do to try to support Dogs Against Drugs, we will be open to that in the difficult financial circumstances that we are operating in. To ask the First Minister following the publication of NHS Tayside's due diligence review of documentation that was held relating to Professor Eljamel, whether the Scottish Government will immediately approve an independent public inquiry. That is a deeply important issue, and I can inform the chamber today that Health Secretary Michael Matheson will use his statement to the chamber this afternoon to confirm that he, that the Government has decided to commission a full independent public inquiry. That comes after very careful consideration of the recent due diligence review, which said concerns about Professor Eljamel were not acted on with the urgency that they deserved. In commissioning an inquiry, it remains important that those people directly affected are still supported to find the answers that they need and that both staff and patients across Scotland know that lessons are being learned. The cabinet secretary has considered the latest report on NHS Tayside, and we have collectively concluded that that requires an investigation independent of both the board and, indeed, of the Scottish Government, and I agree with that. He will set out—the cabinet secretary for health will set out—the details of the next steps in his statement this afternoon. Michael Marra Scottish Labour welcomes that inquiry. It should not have taken us so long to get here. This inquiry has been wrung out of the Government like blood from a stone by Jules Rose, Pat Kelly and the many victims who were weeping outside this Parliament yesterday—many in permanent debilitating pain. As late as last week, the First Minister and Health Secretary maintained a public inquiry would not take place, and that damming internal review that he mentions from NHS Tayside says that they knew Eljamel was incapable and dishonest and yet allowed him to continue unchecked. That review also revealed that the NHS Tayside board has done nothing to deliver on a raft of recommendations from previous reports into this scandal. What will the First Minister do today to ensure that those recommendations are acted on immediately? I disagree with Michael Marra's characterisation. Both the health secretary and I have always said that a public inquiry has not been ruled out, but I hope that Michael Marra would understand that it is appropriate that we allow reviews like the due diligence review that was taken place to progress right to the end of its conclusion. In doing so, having seen the extremely disturbing detail of that due diligence review, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Welfare discussed this at Cabinet on Tuesday, the Government has come to the conclusion that a public inquiry is therefore necessary because of the failings that that report has exposed. Let's be clear about two things, first and foremost, that Professor Eljamel is responsible for his despicable actions, but where there are systemic failings, then they must absolutely be exposed, interrogated and lessons must be learned, and that is why public inquiry is so important. Secondly, let me agree in a point of consensus with Michael Marra that, although many MSPs deserve credit for raising those issues, it is, of course, to the credit of the brave patients who have spoken out about the suffering that they have due to Joe Rose, Pat Kelly and many others that have raised those issues. They deserve the credit for public this announcement around the public inquiry. There is still a further question for us to explore and Michael Matheson will lay this out in detail in his statement. It is whether or not there will need to be another process alongside the public inquiry that answers the very individual patient questions that rightly patients have in terms of their individual cases, something that a public inquiry would not necessarily be able to do. Thank you. I also welcome this decision, but can I pay a very considerable tribute to Joe Rose, Pat Kelly and all the other patients who for 10 years have been fighting this case? I ask the First Minister if, aside from the public inquiry, the Scottish Government will consider a victim support fund for the former patients and their families. Again, there are, of course, as Liz Smith knows well, appropriate routes in relation to compensation that families can go through when it comes to health boards. Of course, if there are other avenues that we can explore to support patients, we will give that consideration, but there are already established avenues for patients who have suffered as a result of the NHS to be able to claim compensation. However, they can at times be difficult to navigate, so we will give consideration to any other avenues of support that we can provide. I want to mention that there has been a good cross-party effort on MSPs such as Shona Robinson, Jo Fitzpatrick, John Swinney, Jim Fairlie, Graham Day, Willie Rennie and Michael Marra have all raised those issues, but it is important to play, perhaps, a particular credit to Liz Smith, who has raised those issues for many years, diligently and in a considered manner. I thank all the MSPs who have raised those important issues on behalf of the patients that they represent. To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government plans to maximise the economic benefits, including the number of new jobs that result from any growth in renewable energy sources, including onshore wind. Scotland has the skills, the talent and the resources to become a global renewables powerhouse. We are investing almost £5 billion over this Parliament in the energy transition and finalising an onshore wind sector deal, including having the average determination time for new section 36 onshore wind applications, as well as maximising the benefits for Scotland's economy, but crucially also for local communities. We are determined to maximise the opportunities from offshore wind as well and welcome the commitment of developers to invest an average of £1.5 billion per project in the Scottish economy. We are embracing the opportunities that a flourishing clean hydrogen sector will bring, helping to support jobs, boost energy security and open up export potential. Our finalised energy strategy and just transition plan will set how we can maximise those opportunities, including jobs in renewable energy and energy supply chains and a highly skilled, flexible workforce. Windpower in Scotland is growing. That is good for our climate, jobs and our economy. In fact, onshore renewables grew last year at almost twice the rate in Scotland than in England. That programme for government will further unlock growth in green energy. In contrast, this week the UK Government failed to genuinely lift their absurd windfarm ban in England. The Tories are wrecking our climate and holding back growth in a key industry. However, the Scottish Government must do more to capture the benefits of that and other growing green industries for the people of Scotland. Can I ask the First Minister how the new green industrial strategy and the sector deal for onshore wind will create new jobs and supply chain opportunities across Scotland? Ross Greer is absolutely right about the damning approach that the UK Government has taken in the face of all the scientific evidence of the climate catastrophe that is unfolding right now. As I announced this week, we are establishing a sector deal. I think that sector deal will be incredibly important because of the scale of potential that we have to realise that collective ambition of 20 gigawatts by 2030. Deliver that in a way—Ross Greer is absolutely right—in a way that benefits local communities. That is why this deal that we are negotiating will enable increased investment in skills training and, indeed, additional investment in communities. It will create pathways for long-term sustainable energy job supply chains with a focus particularly on the circular economy opportunities. Furthermore, building on our final energy strategy and just transition plan, we will work closely with businesses and industry to develop that green industrial strategy by summer of next year. That will set out how we will help businesses and investors to create good, well-paid jobs as part of our fair green and growing economy. Industry, including industry body Scottish renewables, is clear that to maximise the economic opportunities from renewable energy, there is a need for a robust, evidence-led, action-driven green industrial strategy, including addressing challenges on skills and investment that the Government and industry can deliver on together. Can I ask what plans the Government has to bring forward that strategy in the timescales that we are involved in? We will work closely with businesses and industries to develop a green industrial strategy by summer of next year, setting out how the Scottish Government will help businesses and investors to realise the enormous economic opportunities, including jobs of the global transition to net zero. The strategy will build on that final energy strategy and just transition plan to offer that clear, evidence-based view of the economic sectors and industries in which we have the greatest strengths and most potential. Will there be everything that we can to support them to thrive? Of course, some of those levers are very much in our hands, many of them, particularly when it comes to incentives, tax incentives, financial incentives, lie with the UK Government. That is why I wrote to the UK Government this week, to urge them to have a discussion and around some of the good ideas that I think were in the Hunter Foundation report by Sir Tom Hunter's Foundation around using our economic levers, whether they are in the Scottish Government's hands or in the UK Government's hands, to the maximum effect to boost growing sectors like the renewable sector of Scotland. We move to General and constituency supplementaries, and I call Alexander Stewart. First Minister, over recent weeks there have been continued disturbances at the new prison facility HMP YOY Stirling, which is causing great distress to local residents. The incidents include screaming, shouting, swearing and banging, coming from the prison at all times of day and night, since it opened. Therefore, First Minister, what action can the Scottish Government put in place, together with the Scottish Prison Service, to tackle and rectify these disturbances, which are being described by locals as a living hell and support these vulnerable offenders? We certainly do not want local communities to be disturbed, to be inconvenienced in the way that Alexander Stewart articulates. I will ask the cabinet secretary for justice to write to Alexander Stewart to see what more can be done. Of course, the prison service takes its obligations seriously to the young people in particular that are within their facilities in order to, hopefully, aid rehabilitation and to also take their obligations very seriously in terms of the communities that they are in. I will ask the cabinet secretary for justice, who undoubtedly raises the issues with the Scottish Prison Service to also meet with the member and see what more can be done. Recently it has been reported that nature has caught over five years issued 46,985 licences authorising the culling of native wild species, including thousands of geese also, ravens and the iconic mountain hare. Does the First Minister share the concerns of animal welfare organisations and indeed myself at the size of those numbers? I should have declared an interest as convener of the cross-party group on animal welfare. I noticed that it took a bit of time, as Christine Grahame was not sure if she was being called. Do forgive her, Presiding Officer. She is quite new to this Parliament. In terms of the serious question that Christine Grahame raises, those numbers do, I think, cause us all to pause and to reflect. Nature Scotland, I know, takes the issue of licenced control of wildlife very seriously indeed, and it is only done where there is no alternative licences are only issued in accordance with strict criteria laid down in law. However, there are occasions when wildlife needs to be controlled where it presents a risk to human health or safety. Therefore, as I say, those decisions are not taken lightly at all. Those decisions can also involve, for example, considerations of protecting air safety around airports, safeguarding food production and retail environments and protecting crops in fields as well. As part of the bute house agreement, we will undertake a full review of the species licensing system during this Parliament, but I will also ensure that the appropriate Cabinet Secretary and Minister investigates the numbers that have been raised by Christine Grahame and Wright's Bactor with a fuller response. Covid rates are rising, and two wards at the Vale of Leven hospital have been closed due to Covid. The number of beds occupied in hospitals across Scotland is also going up, putting even more pressure on the NHS. We know that vaccination is an important line of defence, yet there appear to be problems with the vaccination programme. A couple in their 70s booked for their Covid and flu vaccinations, but when they arrived this week at their vaccination centre, they were told that there was no Covid vaccine available. They and 350 other people were sent home. Can the First Minister tell me if he is aware if there is a problem with the supply of vaccine and when will Covid vaccines actually start? No, I am not aware of any problem with the vaccine programme or indeed the vaccine supply or stock. Good supply and good stock is my understanding, but I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to examine that point in further detail and again write to Jackie Baillie in that regard. Jackie Baillie is absolutely, the vaccination is the best form of defence in relation to Covid. We are not, as a Government, complacent about the fact that Covid is still harming people in our communities and still causing impacts to our public services, including our NHS. The very specifics of Jackie Baillie would be able to furnish us with the details. I will ensure that the low-specific incidents are looked into and we will give her assurance around the vaccination supply and stock. The disaster of Brexit that Scotland did not vote for has, among other things, narrowed opportunities for some of our young people. With that in mind, can the First Minister update me on what proportion of school leavers have gone on to positive destinations? The summer, we had very encouraging statistics indeed that showed that over 93 per cent of 2122 school leavers were in a positive destination nine months after the end of the school year. That is the highest level since comparable data was first gathered in 2009-2010. The member is, of course, right to note that Brexit has narrowed opportunities for young people. One of the most damaging examples of that has been the UK's decision not to participate in Erasmus+. We are determined to ensure that young people, particularly from our most disadvantaged communities, can benefit from educational exchange opportunities. That is why, in the programme for government, I committed to developing the Scottish education exchange programme, delivering some of the opportunities to our young people that Brexit has robbed them of. I am afraid that anything that we do as an alternative to Erasmus+, will never quite be as good as the programme, the Erasmus+, programme, in the European Union, and those in Scotland know that the only way Scotland will be able to rejoin the European Union is as in an independent nation. The First Minister will be aware of the repeated desecration of the Snowdrop memorial garden at Dunfermline cemetery. Desecration of memorials is detestable. Words cannot describe how detestable acts of vandalism are and the emotional trauma caused to the families of babies remembered at the site. Instances like those are happening too often and it is left to volunteers to clear up the mess left by mindless vandals. So what more can the Scottish Government do to support our local councils with funding and resources for something as simple as CCTV cameras to deter these horrific crimes and help to bring culprits to justice? The First Minister was absolutely right. Those are despicable acts. There can be no words of condemnation that are strong enough to articulate and express our collective horror, such acts of desecration. In terms of what more can be done, I would be more than happy for the appropriate minister. To have conversations with our local government partners to see if there is anything further that we can do collectively in order to deter. I would say that it is really important also that we try our best to work with anybody who is desecrating these memorials to see if there is more we can do to hopefully divert them from such despicable behaviour. Of course, the police will determine whether or not there are crimes committed and what action can be taken. I know that one of our local councillors, the councillor Naz, I know him well, was one of the volunteers who was involved in cleaning up the baby memorial. Of course, I commend the volunteers for cleaning up the memorial, but it should not be left to volunteers. The desecration should not be taking place in the first place and therefore the government will reach out to local authority and see if there is anything more we can do to support them in any action that they are taking to stop this desecration from happening in the first place. Stuart McMillan, Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, I agree with me that the draconian proposals by the UK Government's Transport Commissioner about football supporters' buses needs to be shown the red card. First Minister. Absolutely. I have no idea why those proposals have been touted in Scotland. I have no idea why the UK traffic commissioner or the UK government think that those proposals have any place here in Scotland. They are voluntary guidance and, therefore, I suspect that they will be ignored and I would support that action. I align myself very closely with the SPFL, the SWFL and many teams across the country who condemn those proposals. They have come forward, I have to say, to Stuart McMillan and to other members without any consultation, without a single word of consultation, with the Scottish Government ministers, neither with the football authorities or, indeed, most importantly and most crucially, I would suggest, with the thousands, if not millions, of football fans who would be negatively impacted by those proposals. The minister for sport, Marie Todd, yesterday wrote to the commissioner to better understand where the ludicrous proposals have come from and the Scottish football governing bodies and football fan organisations have already issued very strong statements setting out their concerns and they have my absolute full support in that. Three months ago, I asked the First Minister about a murderer and rapist who received a shorter prison sentence due to new under-25 sentencing guidelines. Since then, countless other violent criminals, adults by any definition, have also had their sentences reduced. I can tell the victims, most of whom are women, why his Government will not step in and scrap this weak and dangerous practice in the Scottish justice system. The member asked the question, knowing fully the answer, that those are sentencing council guidelines. They are guidelines that are not made, derived and approved by the Scottish Government, but they are approved by the senior judiciary. It can be often quite tempting, given how horrifying some of those cases are and the cases that Russell Finlay mentions are absolutely horrifying. I can understand the temptation for MSPs to demand that the Government takes action, but, of course, if we were to do so, we would be interfering in the very independence of the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of our democracy and a cornerstone of the rule of law. Sentencing decisions are very much for the independent judiciary. I am sure that they will have heard the concerns that Russell Finlay has raised, but it is important to say that that sentencing council guidelines are evidence-based. I would say to Russell Finlay to end on that we have an important bill that will go through this Parliament that puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the justice system, even more at the heart of the justice system than they are, and I hope that Russell Finlay and the Conservatives will support that bill. The First Minister will be aware that the new eye pavilion in Edinburgh has suffered delay after delay. Over the past few weeks, fresh doubts in its 2027 opening have arisen after NHS Lothian told patients and campaigners that timescales would be confirmed once the Scottish Government had completed a review of funding and sequencing on a number of capital projects. Can the First Minister today confirm to Parliament that the new eye pavilion will open in 2027, and will he meet me and eye pavilion patients to reassure them that the Scottish Government will fund this vital project because it was not mentioned in the programme for government? Of course, what I would be happy to do is confirm that we are absolutely committed to the eye pavilion. Sarah Boyack is right that there is a capital review going on in terms of the capital projects that we are funding right across Government. That review is very much still on going, and that is why we are not able to confirm the timelines. However, we have had a significant reduction to our capital budget from the Westminster UK Government, and that comes, I am afraid, because it has impacts, let alone the disaster of the mini-budget last year, which has meant that inflation costs and construction costs have risen exponentially. That is why this capital programs review has to be undertaken. Of course, when it is complete, we will ensure that Parliament is updated according to the minister. The cabinet secretary, in fact, will be happy to meet Sarah Boyack and indeed patients in the local area around their plans in relation to the eye pavilion. Thank you. That concludes First Minister's questions. The next item of business is a member's business debate in the name of Carol Mocken, and there will now be a short suspension to allow those leaving the chamber and public gallery to do so.