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In addition to the meetings I had with Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland soon after becoming Minister, the Scottish Government has engaged extensively with further and higher education institutions, trade unions representing members in these sectors – including the Education Institute of Scotland, the University and College Union Scotland, Unite, and Unison – and the National Union of Students through the Covid Recovery Group, which I Chair. The minutes of the Covid Recovery Group are available on the Scottish Government website at this link: .

This group has worked collaboratively to develop the Beyond Level 0 guidance, which includes guidance on face coverings, to help support students, staff and institutions prepare for the academic year. This guidance was published on 15 July, and is subject to periodic review to account for developments relating to alleviating the harms of the virus, and the latest expert and legal advice as that evolves.

It is consistent with, and where necessary, builds upon, the measures identified within our Strategic Framework and put in place for broader society.

Outwith the Covid Recovery Group, I have met individually with all the Trade Unions and the principals of all colleges and universities since taking up post as Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training. Our Colleges and Universities are at the heart of our recovery and I am committed to working in partnership with Colleges, Universities and Trade Unions to achieve this.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02895 on 23 September 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Ministers will set out a statement of policy on the factors to be taken into account when considering whether to use the discretionary power within the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 in the coming months .

The Scottish Government is clear that we wish to maintain and advance the high standards Scotland has enjoyed as part of the EU. Ministers have no current plans to use the discretionary powers to align with the European Union legislation provided through the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 in the area of nature restoration legislation.

The delivery of training by Police Scotland’s International Development and Innovation Unit is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. The Scottish Police Authority has responsibility for oversight of Police Scotland and to scrutinise the decisions of the Chief Constable.

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the revenue levels generated by Police Scotland, through the activities of its International Development and Innovation Unit, as the management of all financial matters in relation to Police Scotland, is the responsibility of the Scottish Police Authority.

The Scottish Government are making paper copies of the consultation paper available on request. We have a dedicated mailbox: [email protected] for any individual/organisation who wants a copy posted to them. We also have a dedicated telephone number for people without digital access to call to request a paper copy. The National Care Service Consultation automated telephone number is 0300 244 2425.

Our consultation on the National Care Service is very wide ranging. We are aiming to capture as many experiences of care as possible from across the whole population of Scotland. We particularly want to hear from people who access social care now, their families and friends, unpaid carers and social care workers as well as people who will access social care in the future.

We have had around 200 responses to the consultation so far on our digital consultation hub. We are also holding open digital consultation events as well as a wide range of other events and meetings with organisations and groups. We do not have information on how many of the people taking part in our consultation events or responding to the consultation are older people.

All responses to the consultation, whether received through our consultation hub or via other means, including at the events and meetings and paper copies of responses, will be carefully analysed together with contributions to our engagement events and we will publish this analysis.

As set out in the answer to S6W-02758 on 21 September 2021, The Scottish Government are making paper copies of the National Care Service consultation available on request.

As set out in the answer to S6W-02759 on 21 September 2021, we are engaging with a wide variety of organisations including care providers and third sector, voluntary and charitable organisations to make sure that we capture the views of those with lived experience in the consultation. If requested, we will provide paper copies of the consultation and any other supporting material that is needed to make the consultation accessible.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Scottish Government has not made representations to Police Scotland, in relation to the work by the International Development and Innovation Unit, in providing training to police forces from other countries, as the Scottish Police Authority has responsibility for oversight of Police Scotland and to scrutinise the decisions of the Chief Constable.