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This information is not held by the Scottish Government. COVID-19 death data is published by National Records of Scotland, but is not currently available for these pre-existing health conditions.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00457 on 14 June 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

No agreement has been signed between CalMac and Pentland Ferries as commercial discussions are still taking place

The Scottish Government has received no assurance from the UK Government that the MV Pentalina or MV Alfred, are safe to operate on ferry routes in Scotland. All vessels are required to meet all relevant regulatory requirements as set out by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and any other regulatory authority.

Berthing trials of the MV Pentalina were carried out during the week commencing 14 June 2021, at the following ports on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network: Campbeltown, Ardrossan, Brodick, Craignure, Kennacraig, Port Ellen, Oban, Stornoway and Ullapool.

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