The brief-laying ceremony is now complete. The Veterans Day program will begin momentarily. These rise for the arrival of the official party. The arrival of Joint Task Force National Capital Region in the United States Military District of Washington. Ms. Karen Durham Aguilera, Executive Director, Army National Military Cemetery in the Office of Army Cemetery. Mr. Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Honorable Dennis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. Please remain standing for the procession of our nation's colors and those of our Veterans Service Organizations. As we march on the colors, the United States Navy Band will play the National Emblem March. Please place your hand over your heart and render a hand salute. We invite you into this sacred space where we gather in community on the hallowed grounds of the Memorial Amphitheater to acknowledge, to remember, and to express gratitude to those who have served in the armed forces, to defend the higher ideas of America's promise, of the unfettered value of human dignity and striving, in the pursuit and attainment of freedom, equality, and justice for all people. They have selflessly stood watch from generation to generation, to sea to shining sea and abroad, in the still of the night and the deadliest of storms via air, land, sea, and space to ensure that the hope inherent to the city on the hill could be realized in the least and the greatest. Their call to duty did not come without sacrifice, and we thank you that you are the god of intimate connection, who knows each veteran and their families by name and to whom you have issued your own promise to never leave nor forsake.  You are the god who visits the hush harbors, where the secret things of their heart reside. You are also the god who dwells at the welling wall providing comfort to those who mourn the loss of their minted angels, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for a grateful nation. God, today, we pray that the sacrifices of our veterans serve as a beacon for every individual to take personal account and responsibility for the preservation of this great experiment called democracy, the uplift of the sovereign nation, and the human flourishing of all of its inhabitants. Now, may God bless the veterans service organizations who champion the cause of veterans and reminds us that no person is left behind, the families and caregivers of our veterans who companion them in their journey, and the Department of Veteran Affairs who faithfully binds the wounds of military service and facilitates the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of all veterans. Finally, may God bless each of you and may God bless the United States of America. We'd like to invite Mr. Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Protocol for this occasion is to stand and place your hand over your heart or render a hand salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. It is now my distinct privilege to introduce the members of the Veterans Day National Committee. The committee was formed by Presidential Order in 1954 to plan this annual observance in honor of America's veterans and to support Veterans Day observances throughout the nation. Please hold your applause until I have introduced each special guest. If you're able, please stand when your name is called. Mr. Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America, Mr. Timothy M. Borland, Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Mr. James E. Robbins Jr., National President, Fleet Reserve Association, Mr. Don McLean, National Commander, Amvets, Ms. Arlene Baker, National Commander, Army and Navy Union, United States of America, Retired United States Navy Fleet Master Chief, Paul A. Kingsbury, President, Non-Commissioned Officers Association of the United States, Ms. Patricia Harris, National Vice Commander, The American Legion, Mr. Chris Vedvik, National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Retired United States Marine Corps Sergeant Major Johnny Baker, National Commandant and CEO, Marine Corps League, Retired United States Army Chaplain, Brigadier General Robert Plaskowski, National President, Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America, Retired United States Marine Corps Corporal Charles Brown, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Mr. Donald Marx, National Adjutant, Legion of Valor of the United States, Retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Oaken, M.D., Commander-in-Chief, Military Order of the World Wars, Retired United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Deborah Elsig, National President, The Retired Enlisted Association, Mr. Brian Thacker, DC Agent and Medal of Honor recipient, Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States, Mr. Joe Parsetich, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans, Retired Air Force Colonel Jim O'Brien, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Military Officers Association of America, Commander Christie Purdy, Chair, Board of Directors, Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service, Retired United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Kerry Wright, International President, Air Force Sargeants Association, Mr. Michael Stetz, National Commander, Polish Legion of American Veterans, Mr. Jeffrey J. Brodure, National President, Korean War Veterans Association of the United States, Mr. Louise A. Vasquez Contiz, National Commander, American GI Forum of the United States, Mr. Joseph D. McNeil Sr., National President, Blinded Veterans Association, Mr. Nelson Melitz, National Commander, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. The associate and emeritus members of the committee are located to my front right. I'd like to ask the presidents and national commanders who comprise our associate and emeritus membership to stand and be recognized. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing our veterans' national leadership with your applause. It is now my pleasure to introduce the Executive Director, Army National Military Cemetery, and the Office of Army Cemeteries, Ms. Karen Durham Aguilera. Good morning. What a beautiful day. Yes, every day is a beautiful day here at Huntington National Cemetery. On behalf of the Secretary of the Army, Honorable War Month, dedicated men and women who serve here, welcome to our International Cemetery. I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to Madam Vice President Kamala Harris. Thank you. Thank you for being with us and honor our nation's veterans. I also welcome Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Honorable McDonough, Vietnam Veterans Association, Mr. Jack McManus, Secretary of Defense, Honorable Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, and to our visiting dignitaries, our cabinet secretaries, our service secretaries, our service chiefs, our veterans, families, and everyone watching across our great nation. Thank you. Thank you for being with us today. I can think of no better place to honor our veterans than here at the very center of our nation's most hollow grounds. We gather to recognize the honor, integrity, duty, courage, and patriotism of our service members, past and present. While today is a day of remembrance, it is also a day of celebration. At our International Cemetery, we have a sacred obligation to care for our veterans in their final place of rest. Yet we also hold a great honor and responsibility of sharing their stories and educating future generations about their services and their sacrifices. Veterans have shaped the history of our nation. At our International Cemetery, we proudly and humbly treat every day like Veterans Day. These grounds represent the lives of over 400,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guard men, Space Force, and families who have served in times of both peace and war. Today for Veterans Day, this year is honor. And everything we do here on these grounds intends to honor and remember our nation's veterans. At our International Cemetery, we work every day to honor our veterans interred or inert here with maintaining these hollow grounds in impeccable condition by educating and providing interpretation of the cemetery's rich history, both in person and virtually, and by the honors we bestow upon our nation's veterans during funeral services and at the tomb of the unknown soldier.  You're among the courageous few who raised your right hand and answered the call. We are forever indebted to you, but also like to thank spouses, and the Ghost Star community for your tireless commitment in supporting your service members. Today and every day for over 158 years, our International Cemetery is honored to serve our veterans and families with these most hollow grounds. We are a great people honoring service and sacrifice to a grateful nation, and the U.S. military people and families are its greatest strength. No place in our island can ever be purchased. Veterans, this day and every day here at Arlington National Cemetery longs to you. Thank you again and welcome to Arlington National Cemetery. To introduce our Veterans Service Organization host for 2022, the Vietnam Veterans of America. The Vietnam Veterans of America is honored to serve as this year's host organization for the 2022 Veterans Day National Commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery. Vietnam Veterans of America's Record of Achievement is a profile of tenacity and effectiveness. In January 1978, a small group of Vietnam veteran activists came to Washington D.C. to create an advocacy organization that would push for action of the unmet needs of their fellow Vietnam veterans. Today, Vietnam Veterans of America, the only Congressionally Chartered Veterans Service Organization dedicated to Vietnam era veterans and their families has a national membership of 89,000 with more than 600 chapters. Vietnam Veterans of America State Councils coordinate the activities of local chapters in 48 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization's ambitious agenda has always aimed to find creative, responsive solutions to concerns of Vietnam era veterans while at the same time fulfilling the Vietnam Veterans of America founding principle that never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. Vietnam Veterans of America will always work to make sure that those who serve our nation receive the care and treatment they have earned. The Vietnam Veterans of America is represented today by their national president. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Jack McManus. Thank you. Madam Vice President First Lady Dr. Biden Mr. Secretary Chapman distinguished guests and my fellow veterans. It's a great privilege for Vietnam Veterans of America to serve as the host at the Arlington National 69th commemorative celebration of Veterans Day. In our speak, our Vietnam Veterans speak welcome home. Today we recognize 19 million living veterans of soldiers, sailors, airmen guardians, Marines Coast Guardsmen who we owe a great debt of gratitude for the freedoms we have as a nation. We remember and honor our heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty and justice. And we honored their spouses, parents, survivors and many of whom are with us here today. To our comrades who remain missing in action, we remain true to our solemn promise to bring you home. May God bless you and your families. We've come a long way since 1978 when Vietnam vets had its start as members, chapters, state councils work hard in their lives and with their legislators to ensure that all veterans received respect and gratitude that they so rightly deserve. We have lived up to our founding principle never again will one generation of veterans abandon another. We are especially proud to see that our fight to change the public perception of Vietnam veterans is paid off and the newest generation of veterans are coming home to a warm welcome from a very supportive country. Thank you. To divide one veteran's service based upon the distinction in time or location at the expense of another veteran's equally honorable service is an injustice to all veterans. Could we really believe that the veterans lost in the past or at the embassy in Benghazi were any less of a sacrifice than those lost in Pelugia or in case on Vietnam. If our nation and all its institutions had simply recognized my generation of veterans as deserving in the honor and distinction of being recognized as an American veteran as were previous veterans I'll blame it for more popular hostilities that came before us it is likely VVA never would have come into existence. As Vietnam veterans we fought for the first laws assisting veterans from the diseases and the maladies of Agent Orange. We are ecstatic with the recent passage of the PACT Act the most comprehensive bill to address the health effects of military toxic exposures. We do know this adage to be true the willingness which our young men and women are likely to serve in any war is directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans in the past and today are treated and appreciated by the nation. We have come a long way much remains to be done. The future of our nation is dependent on the young women and men who raise their hands to uphold the constitution of the United States. There is little to be angry or little to complain about now with the way veterans are treated by our nation and that's largely because of the the way our leadership treats us and how the Department of Veterans Affairs has become so transparent and so efficient and because of the leadership of their secretary it's my honor to introduce the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Dennis McDonough. Jack, thank you very very much Madam Vice President Mr. Imhoff Secretary Austin and teammates from the cabinet most of all veterans your families caregivers survivors good morning everybody thank you for joining our country's annual Veterans Day celebration today is a day to honor veterans to remember all that they have done for our nation for each of us to reflect on those heroes still missing in action heroes whom we miss we love long for and hope to see come home and soon and recognize that when veterans served their families their caregivers survivors sacrificed right alongside them Veterans Day is something more it's a call to action for each of us to serve vets every bit as well as they have served us on Veterans Day indeed every day because as President Biden has said and reminded us again this morning veterans are the very backbone of this country they put profit and self-interest aside they put their lives on the line so that the highest ideals of this nation our core values might continue and the thing is veterans don't only keep those ideals alive by serving our country in uniform and fighting our nation's wars they also do it long after the last bullets of war have been fired by serving with steadfast courage and selflessness like the selflessness of the Vietnam vets of America that Jack just talked about right here at home think about it when our country needed someone to finally break the color barrier in Major League Baseball it was Lieutenant Jack Robinson who did it with his talent only exceeded by his courage discipline and determination when our country needed to win the space race it was Lieutenant J.G. Neil Armstrong who planted his foot on the moon in that giant leap for this nation and for all mankind when our country needed to heal after Vietnam it was Corporal Jan Scruggs who created the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and helped open the nation's hearts to the heroic service of Jack and his fellow Vietnam vets when our country needed for the first time to embrace the needs and challenges of disabled American kids it was World War II veteran Dr. Samuel Kirk the father of special education who led that historic change and when we needed to be educated on the effects of toxic exposure on the battlefield Specialist for Kelly Kennedy told human stories of suffering service members veterans and families including the 11 families I heard about over breakfast this morning so we would not forget those stories those vets Robinson Armstrong, Scruggs, Kirk, Kennedy those are the vets you already know but there are many more vets just like them whose names we may not know but whose impact resonates in every community across the country you see when the country needs something difficult done when we need to do the hard thing the right thing so often it's veterans who answer the call whether defending our nation overseas or strengthening the fabric of our communities here at home their honorable service your honorable service in uniform sets the example for the rest of the country they're the caretakers of our national ethos that deep and abiding sense of purpose they learned in serving their camaraderie their determination their sense of teamwork that made them stronger together in combat and now in their communities that's exactly what we need today camaraderie truth togetherness true service, true patriotism because we are indeed all stronger when we're together when we're one simply put through their service their selflessness veterans teach us remind us what it truly means to be an American it's something all of us each of us can learn from and for that we're forever in your debt Madam Vice President, last year at the celebration of America the heroes that veterans exemplify you encouraged us as you said to believe in what we can do together and with your and President Biden's leadership your and his tireless advocacy this country together is doing so much for veterans we're grateful for your leadership for your unrelenting advocacy on behalf of veterans their families their caregivers their survivors with that it is my great honor to introduce the Vice President of the United States of America Kamala Harris Good morning, good morning to Secretary Dennis McDonough I thank you for the work that you have been doing so tirelessly it is noble and important work First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff Secretary Lloyd Austin and members of our cabinet General Mark Milley and service chiefs leaders and members of veteran service organizations and all of the distinguished guests good morning and thank you and in particular to our veterans service members families and survivors it is a profound privilege to thank and honor you today and every day so we gather to pay homage to all those who have served our nation in uniform at home and overseas in times of war and in times of peace generations of veterans defended our country and our most sacred values from the fields of Yorktown to the trenches of the Marne from the beaches of Normandy to the banks of the Chosen Reservoir and the streets of Saigon from Baghdad to Fallujah to Kandahar you stood on to protect our democracy and our freedom and even when you returned home and took off your uniform you continued to serve and to lead in communities across our country veterans after all are nurses and firefighters little league coaches and small business owners faith leaders officials mentors and teachers every day through your life's work and your example you make America stronger and on Veterans Day we come together as a nation then to express our profound gratitude for all you have done and continue to do on hallow ground we also remember those who gave their lives for our nation we remember our service members who have not yet returned and their families and we reaffirm our commitment to bring home all those missing in action veterans represent the best of America unwavering courage unmatched talent an unshakable devotion you come from every corner of our country and out of many you become one the greatest fighting force in the world as Vice President at the DMZ in Korea aboard ships in the Indo-Pacific OCOM and CENTCOM in Florida and on NATO's Eastern flank I have seen firsthand how America's armed forces protect the highest ideals of our nation around the world since 1789 American service members have sworn an oath not to a person not to a party but to the Constitution of the United States to support and defend the principles of liberty, equality and justice to preserve and protect our democracy veterans you're the one who answered the call for doing you left often the people you love and the place you call home you missed birthdays holidays and graduations some of you first met your newborn baby on a video chat you risked everything and you gave up so much to safeguard the lives and the liberty of people who you may never meet to be a veteran is to have truly known the true cost of freedom and to have born it for all of us that is a debt that must always be remembered and I believe it is a debt we must all work to repay when I was Attorney General of California we fought to protect the health and well-being of our veterans and service members and as Vice President I am proud to serve alongside one of the greatest greatest champions of our nation's warriors our President Joe Biden and I believe that as Americans we have a sacred obligation to take care of our veterans and our military families fulfilling that obligation means making sure veterans can access the support and the resources they need to thrive for example it has meant connecting thousands of veterans with job training to help them leverage the skills and experience they gained while serving to build a new career and to strengthen America's workforce fulfilling that obligation means taking on veteran homelessness this year alone we have placed 31,000 veterans in permanent housing and we are on track to house thousands more by year end taking care of our veterans also means taking care of those who love them because while our veterans wore the uniform they were not the only ones and no one understands that better than Dr. Jill Biden through her leadership of joining forces Dr. Biden fights for military families caregivers and survivors and Dr. Biden our nation applauds your extraordinary work and taking care of our veterans means making sure that they receive the benefits they have rightly earned since we took office we have worked to reduce the VA claims backlog by upgrading technology hiring more claims processors and streamlining evaluations and as a result this year and under the leadership of the secretary we processed more VA claims than ever before in history and we also came together Democrats and Republicans to support millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances while working and living near burn pits and other dangerous environments the PACT Act as has been mentioned is the most significant expansion of health care and benefits for veterans and their survivors in three decades and it was passed because of the leadership of our president and because of the leadership of so many of you and we are indebted to you for that hard work and success a month ago I received a letter from Lieutenant Travis Acres so Lieutenant Acres wrote about a friend and a fellow sailor Lieutenant Chris Reed Lieutenant Reed served our nation in Afghanistan and Iraq and he worked as a Navy EOD officer near a burn pit tragically Lieutenant Reed passed away in 2018 from leukemia he is buried here in Arlington section 60 plot 11854 Lieutenant Acres fought for the PACT in his friend's memory he advocated he testified and thanks to him and so many veterans like him our nation is closer to living up to our highest ideals so all of that to say America is a promise a promise of security opportunity and freedom not for some but for all on Veterans Day we celebrate the generations of Americans who fought to make that promise real and we recognize to truly honor our veterans we must come together as a nation to defend that promise too so on that point I will conclude by sharing the words of Private First Class A. Blurry veterans joining us today so Abe served our nation in World War II he was a member of the 58th QM Sales Company of the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 Abe traveled across England, France and Belgium going from camp to camp to outfit the men and women fighting to free Europe and the world in his travels Abe met thousands of Americans they came from towns and cities he had never heard of and yet as he tells it even if they only crossed paths for a moment Abe felt a connection with each and he said and I'm quoting Abe he said in the service we were one people one people a pluribus unum out of many one and that is the story of our armed forces and it is the story of our nation that is who we are that is who we must be one nation united for liberty united for equality united for democracy one nation united to preserve and strengthen the freedoms our veterans gave so much to defend may god bless you and may god bless the united states of america ladies and gentlemen please remain standing and join the united states navy band sea chanters chorus in singing god bless america as we retire please place your hand over your heart or render a hand salute retire the of the united states united for joining us today to celebrate


That concludes general questions. Before we move to First Minister's Questions, I've agreed to allow the First Minister to give a brief update on Covid-19. At my request, the First Minister wrote to party leaders to provide details of that update as far as possible in advance so that members would have the opportunity to consider that and ask questions. I'm going to extend this session to facilitate this, First Minister. Thank you very much for that, Presiding Officer. Before I do update Parliament on Covid protections cangwch i chi i gael i chi i eistedd, wedi'u cyboel a'i teimlo i'r standby os yng nghynydd ddweud o'r amser iawn. Rydyn ni'n ei ddiwedd i'r pethau i siwbwylleth, yn rhaid i gael i'r hollol sydd i'u hunain ddysgrifion a syffordd yn gwneud eu rhagorol. Rydyn ni'n wedi bod yn i wneud erbyn i'r traffiau儿 ac mae'n meddwl oddi задoedd sy'n gael i'ch amser ni'n meddwl i'r gael i'ch meddwl i'ch meddwl i'ch meddwl i'ch meddwl i'ch meddwl i'ch ond cwyd-protections in schools, including the use of face coverings in classrooms. I have been clear that we do not want to keep these or any other measures in place for longer than necessary, but that we must continue to be led by scientific and expert advice and put the safety of our young people first. On Tuesday, the advisory sub-group on education met to discuss a number of issues, including the use of face coverings. The group reiterated its previous position that cwestiynau cyfleidol ar gyfer parents i ddechrau aethau y brifysiwn ysgrifennu Соeddwn Amur lodgegr Llywodraeth Cymru sifatig, ond rydyn ni'n gweithio ar Gyfer Ffaithwyr na'r pertherdog, o ffèin gymryd iawn, o'r ddalig yma ar y brifysiwn yng ngyfnidog i'r ffaithwyr ar gyfer ffaithwyr yn y clasruwn. Nid ydych chi'n gwybod beth sy'n byw i'n iddydd yn dechrau a phamau genedlau a sydd yn gweithio i ffaith wrth gwyzęd y 28 gerddoronol cyfieithiol rydyn ni'n hawdd y rhan bryg ymarfer. Mae hyn yn ddweud bariwyr i'r lleiuniau rydyn ni, ac mae gweithio i ni i gael ei ffaith cof Challenge wedi ei bwysig o ran ddwyngiol ond bysgwrs ein bod yn gallu bod yn cyddiad amddwng i'r lleiuniau i gael. Felly, ac efallai hynny wedi'u bod nhw'n gallu gweld o dd sportsau—ibion hynny mi wneud unrhyw a chyloedd o'r cyffredinol o postiwyr chyloedd yn y cwestiyn, should be fully supported in doing so. We currently expect that face coverings will still be required outside the classroom in indoor communal areas of schools for a period after 28 February, but this will be kept under regular review. In arriving at its recommendation, the advisory subgroup pointed to reducing case rates for secondary aged pupils, which is a recent development, following hospitalisation rates across all age categories and the fact that at this stage the estimated R rate is now below 1. In addition, of course, vaccination rates for young people continue to increase. In recognition of this encouraging situation, the subgroup also advised that the remaining restrictions on school assemblies should be lifted and that school visits linked to transitions, for example primary 7 children visiting a new secondary school, should be given greater priority. Those changes were all discussed with the Covid education recovery group this morning. Our guidance will be updated next week, but I want to confirm the decision today in order to give children and young people, their families and school staff, certainty about the forthcoming changes before the February break. They represent a further step in allowing children and young people to return to a more normal experience in school after many, many months of sacrifice. I hope that they will be welcomed not just across the chamber but more importantly across the country. I want to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and her incredible service over the past 70 years. I was in the chamber yesterday when my colleague Stephen Kerr led a debate on the subject and I was pleased almost every member participating in that debate was able to recognise the incredible service of Her Majesty the Queen. In terms of the statement that we have just heard from the First Minister, Scottish Conservatives have urged for weeks that young people should no longer be forced to wear face coverings in classrooms for seven hours a day. Young people's education has been unnecessarily disrupted for far too long. Finally, after weeks of refusing to budge, the Government has returned and, while it is welcome, it has taken far much longer than was necessary. I want to ask about another pressing issue. Earlier this week, ScotRail confirmed that they are going ahead with planned cuts to 250 services across Scotland from May of this year. In April, the Scottish National Party Government took charge of Scotland's railways, so will the First Minister commit today to cancelling those cuts? First Minister, in response to Douglas Ross's comments about my statement a few moments ago, the fact that he has been urging this change for weeks is not a demonstration that he has been right. It is a demonstration of his deep, deep irresponsibility. Had we made this change weeks ago, we would have done so at a time of soaring infection rates among school-aged children and, indeed, those who work with them in schools at greater risk. Of course, secondly, had we done it before today, we would have been acting against expert and scientific advice. It would have been the wrong thing to do. We are doing it now at the right time and in line with advice. I think that marks the responsibility of this Government in contrast to the irresponsibility of the main opposition. On the issue of ScotRail, first, I welcome the Transport Minister's confirmation yesterday that ScotRail will come into public ownership on 1 April, of course, upholding a manifesto commitment of this Government, which was also overwhelmingly elected just under a year ago. We will continue to do what ScotRail is already doing, making it sure that we have a railway that is fit for the future. It is the case that travel patterns and the numbers of passengers have changed substantially and significantly in the course of the pandemic and the pattern of rail services needs to reflect that, but we also need to keep that under review. As we see people begin to go back to the office, although we are still in a period of hybrid working, as we see passengers increase on our railways, we need to ensure that the timetable and the routes that are serviced by ScotRail remain fit for purpose. This Government will take on that responsibility to make sure that we have a railway that is fit for the future and the type of railway and the quality of railway that the public has a right to expect. The First Minister welcomed the Transport Minister's statement yesterday. Did she also welcome what the Transport Minister said about the cuts when they were announced in her local area and said that they were not acceptable? I will be interested to see whether the First Minister agrees with that previous comment from her Transport Minister. Here is the problem. The Government says that it wants more of the public to use public transport, but it does not do enough to improve services or bring down rising ticket prices. What is the use in nationalising services if the SNP is just going to do the exact same as ScotRail? The First Minister has just accepted that she is going to continue with the cuts that ScotRail is planning. First Minister, if you will not change the cuts that are planned, will you at least guarantee that when the Scottish Government assumes control of ScotRail, not one further service will be cut? Let us talk in terms of reality rather than the mischaracterisation and misrepresentation that we have just heard. The timetable—I know that Douglas Ross will not want to hear this, but I am going to persevere in answering the question. The timetable, which initially proposed to add 100 extra services compared to December 2021, is now adding nearly 150 services following the consultation. From May 2022, ScotRail will operate around 2,150 daily services, providing almost 600,000 seats. The key point is that I am not sure if Douglas Ross or anybody else across the chamber is suggesting that there should not be changes to ScotRail timetables to reflect changes in passenger usage. We have seen a significant and substantial change following the pandemic. That change, to some extent, will continue after the pandemic. It may revert back to what the usage of services was like before the pandemic, and the timetable needs to adapt to that. That is the sensible and responsible approach to take. Of course, on rail fares, we will continue to take steps to keep rail fares affordable. That is one of the key benefits of public ownership in the years to come. I will end this answer with a reminder that rail fares, on average, are significantly lower already in Scotland than they are where the Conservatives are in power in England. The First Minister urged me to listen to her answer, which I did, but it had nothing to do with the question that I posed to her.  To defend the changes that are coming in May based on what was happening in December 2021—we know what was happening in December 2021—the First Minister was warning about the tsunami of cases and urging people not to go out of the house or go to work. It is not really a fair comparison about December 2021 with the situation that we are in today. All the First Minister is doing is replacing ScotRail with SNP rail. Different owners have the same problems. Although public transport services are being cut, her Government has turned against drivers as well. She has abandoned plans to improve roads, and now she is bringing in the workplace parking tax without any cap on the amount people will be forced to pay. When it was first proposed, organisations such as the EIS, the Scottish Police Federation and the Unite Union warned about the cost falling on teachers, police officers, care staff and shift workers—all warnings completely ignored by Nicola Sturgeon and her Government. This week, the Scottish Retail Consortium has said that the workplace parking tax is a recipe for extra cost and complexity. Today, the AEA is warning that workers are going to be hit with levies as much as £1,000. First Minister, when people are already on the brink with bills increasing and the cost of living rising, why is your Government in favour of a costly workplace parking tax at the same time? First Minister, before you respond, I would just remind colleagues that I very much like to hear both questions and responses. Many people in this country right now are on the brink because of benefit cuts and tax rises being imposed by the Conservative Government at Westminster, and because of their complete failure to respond appropriately or accordingly. What I guarantee is that when the Scottish Government takes ownership of ScotRail, we will operate a timetable that is reflective of the usage of the railways by passengers. That is about the real-world running of a railway that is fit for purpose. Secondly, we will continue to ensure that we have affordable rail fares. We will take action to ensure that rail fares are affordable. Let me just remind Douglas Ross that right now rail fares are, I think, 20 per cent cheaper on average in Scotland than they are across the rest of the UK. That is a good foundation on which to build, I would suggest. Let me turn to the workplace parking levy. This gives a discretionary power to local authorities. They do not have to use it if they do not want to, or if they do not think that it fits their local circumstances. I remind Douglas Ross that it was before he was leader of the Scottish Conservatives, I grant you, but in their last local government manifesto the Tories said, and I quote, "...we need to empower councils and give them a renewed sense of meaning and purpose." We are giving discretionary powers to local authorities on what we have, the Scottish Conservatives opposing it and moaning about it. The second point is that this is simply giving local authorities in Scotland a power that local authorities in England have had for a decade and more, which is allowed to local authorities in England by the Conservative Government. Not for the first time, there is a deep hypocrisy at the heart of Douglas Ross's question. Lastly, all parties across this chamber are rightly signed up to our climate change objectives, to our net zero ambition, and we need to get people out of cars. We need to get people on to public transport, which is why public ownership of the railways is a good thing, which is why free bus travel for under-22s introduced by this SNP-green government is a good thing. We will not just set the targets, we will take the action to help meet those targets and we will leave Douglas Ross and his colleagues whining as usual on the sidelines. Douglas Ross Here is the difference between myself and the First Minister. I want to empower councils. She wants to use them as a shield. Last week, it was her shield about chopping the bottom of the doors, and this week she is using councils as a shield against her tax rises. It is going to be councils led by the SNP and the Labour Party that will introduce these car park levies, because I can assure her that Scottish Conservative councils will not. Her Government is anti-driver. Her Government is anti-driver. The First Minister does not seem to understand that, for many people, particularly those living in rural areas, they need their car to get to work. Instead of delivering better public transport to make up for the difference, her Government is going to nationalise the railways and make no improvements to the services. Just what can people expect from a nationalised railway service from the same Government that cannot even build a ferry? From the same Government that launches ferries with painted-on windows and sends ferry contracts to Romania instead of Port Glasgow? First Minister, are trains under your Government going to go the same way as ferries have? First, on railways, this is a Government that has connected or reconnected more of Scotland to the railways in the last number of years. Since 2009, the communities of Allawa, Lawrence Kirk, Armadale, Blackridge, Cogartrooks, Connain Bridge, Shoffair, S-Bank, Newton Grange, Gorebridge, Stouw, Gallashale, Tweedbank and Tor have all been reconnected to the railway through the reversal of beaching cuts. In the next three years, Reston, East Linton, Del Cross, Cameron Bridge and Leven will all follow in being reconnected to the railways. The Government has a record to be proud of, and we will build on that record. Listening to Douglas Ross, it is quite clear what his approach is. He will empower local authorities if he ever gets the chance, which I would humbly suggest is unlikely. He would empower local authorities only if they then do exactly what he instructs them to do. That is not empowerment. We have given powers to local authorities. It is up to them to judge whether and to what extent to use those in line with their local circumstances. That is empowerment. We will get on with improving public transport and meeting our net zero targets. That is why people continue to put their trust in this Government. I start by joining others in paying tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, 70 years of dedicated commitment and service to the public of this country. On face masks, I welcome the developments today, but after almost two years, that will add anxiety for staff and workers in schools, as well as for parents. It makes ventilation and HIPAA filters even more crucial in our schools, so we need a credible plan from the Government on those issues. We are in the midst of a cost of living crisis. At the same time, energy giants are posting record profits. Shell is a £14 billion profit this year. BP is a £9.5 billion profit this year. Combine that over £44,000 a minute. At the same time, household energy bills are going up by almost £700. We need a windfall tax on energy companies with the money going into people's pockets. It is unbelievable that SNP and Tory MPs refuse to back it, but they are also failing in this Parliament. This SNP Government has known that this crisis is coming, but despite months of pleading for action, why are people still waiting for help? This is quite an incredible line of questioning by Anas Sarwar. It is a serious line of questioning, and I will come on to the very serious point about the cost of living crisis in a second. He asked me about a windfall levy on oil and gas companies last week. I made clear that I have no objection to that. I said again yesterday that I think that companies saying that rising profits should make more of a contribution, and it is for the UK Government to come forward with proposals on that. However, he is asking me about something that, regrettably, I have no power to do. Perhaps, rather than Anas Sarwar asking me about things that I lack the power to do, he should join with me in seeking those powers for this Parliament, so that we can actually do those things, as opposed to just talk about them. It is not the case that this Government has not been taking action. We have taken a range of measures to help people in poverty. Of course, we have set up the child payment. We have recently announced plans to double the child payment. We have taken action to help people with the costs of winter and rising fuel costs already. Of course, in spite of believing, as we do at the moment—although it is still to be finalised—that the announcements from the chancellor last week will not deliver any net increase to what we were already expecting to have in the Scottish Government budget, the finance secretary will set out further plans this afternoon to help those who are struggling with the rising costs of energy. We will continue to do everything that we can to help. However, looking to the future, wouldn't it be better if more of those powers lay in the hands of this Government in this Parliament, rather than them being left at Westminster in the hands of Conservative Governments? Forgive me, Presiding Officer, but this is classic SNP. Say one thing, do another. Your MPs had a chance last week to vote for a windfall tax and failed to do so. I asked the First Minister about what this Government plans to do, because, while the First Minister scrambles to put together a last-minute plan, we set out proposals months ago, which could have been helping people right now. In response to the deepening crisis, we have published plans to support hard-pressed Scots. That includes a UK windfall tax that provides most households with £200 off their bills and a further £815,000 household in Scotland with £600 off their bills. The First Minister says that she will set out plans for Scotland this afternoon. We have already set out detailed plans that would help over half a million of the hardest-hit Scots, £400 to people who receive council tax reduction, pension credit, child winter heating assistance, or a carence allowance supplement and a top-up to Scottish welfare fund, giving councils the ability to award £400 to those not covered by the scheme, but also struggling to pay their bills. Will the First Minister support those plans? The finance secretary will set out additional plans this afternoon. Of course, we will look carefully at any proposals that come from Labour or anybody else, but, like most of Labour's proposals, they lack any indication of how the plan should actually be paid for. The Scottish Government has actually got to fund the things that we do. In terms of what we have already done, we have already taken significant action. For example, we have provided pandemic support payments to more than half a million households. We have delivered the Scottish child payment. We have delivered bridging payments to those for older children. We have continued an increased funding for discretionary housing payments, which, of course, is how we also mitigate against the Tory bedroom tax, which would not even be there if we had more powers in the hands of this Parliament. We have delivered our £41 million winter support fund to help people to heat their homes and meet the rising costs of food. We have continued investment in the Scottish welfare fund. We are supporting debt and welfare advice services. We are taking a range of actions on the back of the Chancellor's announcements last week. We assumed that there would be additional money coming to the Scottish Government. It now does not look as if that will be a net increase, but notwithstanding that, we have committed and we stand by the commitment to deliver an additional £290 million worth of support, which would have been the equivalent of the consequentials had they been passed on to us. The finance secretary will set out the detail of that this afternoon, where she will balance helping as many people as possible with getting the support to people as quickly as possible. We will continue to do everything that is within our power and our financial resources to help people. We have published a fully-costed plan, which goes alongside the £290 million figure that the First Minister has just quoted. We knew that the problem was coming, and the Government has just set a £44 billion budget. Why was that not a priority when we knew that we were in the midst of a cost of living crisis? We are in the midst of a cost of living crisis, and Scots are being failed by two Governments who just do not get it.  The SNP increased water charges, increased rail fares while taxing people to park their work and squandered hundreds of millions of public money due to incompetence and mismanagement. Both failed to back a windfall tax on energy companies who are raking in billions while bills go up for millions. We have known about this crisis for months, but both Governments have failed to support people struggling across the country. First Minister, your answers just aren't good enough. If you really want to help family budgets, will you reverse your decisions to increase rail fares and water charges and back Labour's plan? First Minister, both rail fares and water charges on average are lower in Scotland than they are elsewhere in the UK, but can we go back to the point about votes in budgets and the use of our budget? It is only a few weeks, of course, since we had the stage 1 vote on Niccia's budget in this Parliament. That was a budget that included plans and included the money to double the Scottish child payment, game changing in helping lift children out of poverty. Scottish Labour voted against the budget that doubled the Scottish child payment. It will be interesting to see this afternoon whether Labour votes for or against the budget at its final stage, but if it votes against it or fails to support it, it will vote against the doubling of the Scottish child payment. Anna Sarwar is saying to me that that is not how it works. I am afraid that it is how it works, that if you want money for a child payment to lift people out of poverty, you have to vote for it in the budget. It is exactly how it works. We will do everything. The support for people in poverty in Scotland exceeds that in other parts of the UK, including in many respects in Wales, where Labour is in government. We do everything within our powers, everything within our resources to help, and that will continue. Labour will lack credibility on this issue for as long as it team up with the Tories to keep those vital powers over benefits, over energy in the hands of Conservatives at Westminster instead of arguing for those powers to lie here, where we can use them to do more to help the most vulnerable in our society. We will now move to supplementaries, and I call Christine Graham. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. First Minister, what is your response to the actions of Kurt Zuma, the Premier League footballer for West Ham? He tormented one of his cats for fun, with a video of his actions posted on social media for the entertainment of others. Can she advise the chamber whether she considers the laws and animal welfare here are sufficiently robust to deal with such horrific actions should they occur here? This incident is certainly what I know about it, which is the same, I am sure, as what everybody else knows about it. It was absolutely appalling and sickening. In terms of the question about Scotland, we have one of the most robust animal welfare frameworks anywhere in the world, and we continue to strengthen and develop the measures in place to protect animals and enable effective enforcement action. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006 provides sufficient powers to take enforcement action in a case like this, and to remove animals away from abusive keepers. Criam Simpson. Thank you. The latest bombshell from Ferguson Marine is that cables on one of the ferries that they are allegedly building are too short and will have to be replaced. The First Minister will be familiar with the ferry because it is the one that she launched in 2017. Can she say how much extra this will cost and what the delay will be? First, this is an issue around cabling that was installed by FML contractors in late 2018 and early 2019. Prior to the shipyard coming into public ownership, the Government and the Finance Secretary will be working closely with the yard to ensure that it is rectified as quickly as possible and as cost-effectively as possible. She will, of course, keep Parliament fully updated. Pam Duncan-Glancy. The First Minister will be aware of the situation with Trinity towers in the Glasgow area and may know that 100 households in my region have been evacuated as a result of risk of this dangerous structure. Despite being advised that the evacuation could last two to three months, my constituents are being told by insurers that because no damage has been done to their homes, then no alternative accommodation is provided. In June 2018, following the Glasgow School of Art fire, the Government made £1,500 of emergency funding available for households displaced, and it was matched by Glasgow City Council. Can the First Minister, my constituents are anxious and distressed about being removed from their homes and possessions? Will the Government take action to ensure that similar support is now provided to them? This is an incredibly difficult situation for residents of Trinity towers and residents in surrounding buildings who have all been evacuated from their homes and remain out of their homes. I know that the constituency MSP and the constituency MPs have been very involved. I will continue to be very involved in supporting their constituents. We will, of course, liaise with and continue to liaise with Glasgow City Council and offer any reasonable support that we can to help to rectify the situation and get people back into their houses as soon as possible. To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is marking LGBT history month. The Scottish Government has a very strong commitment to advancing LGBTI equality, inclusion and rights. We work closely with national LGBTI organisations to protect, promote and improve equality. We also show support for key events such as LGBT Youth Scotland's annual fundraising day, Purple Friday. We recognise that many people feel under or misrepresented in history, so LGBTI history month provides an opportunity to reinforce the sense of belonging, value and respect that everyone has a right to feel. It is also a time to reflect on what more we need to do as a society to ensure that Scotland is truly equal and inclusive and a place where everyone feels safe and valued for who they are. LGBTI history month gives us an opportunity to celebrate Scotland's diversity and reflect on historic injustice and persecution. Let's be clear, Scotland is an inclusive nation and our commitment to human rights must not waver. That's why it's so shocking for many that bigotry and damaging practices such as conversion therapy still happen in this country. This week, it was revealed that crimes against LGBTI people have accounted for more than a third of all hate crimes reported to transport police in the nine months to January this year. Will the First Minister stand with the LGBTI community and condemn these acts of hate crime and outline what more she and her Government can do to tackle anti-LGBT discrimination in Scotland? I agree very strongly with the sentiments and, indeed, the substance of that question. I condemn all forms of hate crime, prejudice and discrimination. We should never be complacent and we should never assume—this is an important lesson for Scotland and many countries right now at this moment in history—that progress is not reversible. We have to fight for progress each and every single day. I am sure that everyone in the chamber stands shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTI community and, indeed, condemn any and all hate crime. Later this year, the Scottish Government will work with partners to publish a new hate crime strategy to guide how we tackle hatred and prejudice, including when it is directed towards LGBTI community. We will also work with the Parliament's Equalities Committee to introduce legislation that is as comprehensive as possible within our devolved powers to ban conversion practices by the end of next year. Those are harmful discriminatory practices that have no place whatsoever in our society. I associate myself with the comments of Gillian Mackay and, indeed, the First Minister as we celebrate LGBT history month. Access to sport for LGBT plus people has been historically challenging and remains so today due to barriers of stigma and discrimination. As we have made progress on sporting role models globally, we still have a long way to go, with many professional footballers in this country speaking of the barriers that remain to players coming out. Would the First Minister agree with me that the work of organisations such as Leap Sports and campaigns such as Stonewall's Rainbow Laces are vital in supporting LGBT plus people to participate in and enjoy watching sport? What more will the Government do to support this important work? I absolutely take the opportunity to support the organisation and campaigns that he has cited. I think that they are really important. There is continuing stigma in our society and in sport. Perhaps in some sports in particular, that stigma remains particularly strong. All sports people should be encouraged to be themselves and to be open about them being themselves. When they do, it is incumbent on all of us to make sure that we show them full support for that and to stand shoulder to shoulder against any discrimination and stigma. We will continue to work with a range of organisations to look at what more the Scottish Government can do to support this. It is something that I know many of us, and I certainly include myself strongly in this, feel very passionately about that it is still work to do and the Scottish Government is fully committed to playing our full part. To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with professional footballing authorities regarding the protection of women and girls within football. Violence and abuse against women and girls is abhorrent and unacceptable. Football, of course, has a very special place in our society, and that is why it is so vital that football authorities and clubs ensure that they and their players are positive role models for both children and adults across the country. Scottish Government officials have recently discussed those issues with the Scottish FFA, who have advised that they have safeguarding policies and guidance in place for players and coaches. Of course, Scottish women's football also has comprehensive policies in place. The Sports Minister will be meeting with the football authorities in the near future to discuss what further steps they could take to support women and girls within the sport more generally. Now that Wraith Rovers has withdrawn its offer to David Goodwilly, the immediate media storm has died down, but an issue remains within the footballing environment where two clubs fell to offer a job to a proven rapist despite no apology or contrition. Furthermore, claims have been made that no payment was ever made to the victim, Denise Claire. First, given the leadership role that footballers have in our society, does the FFM support the concept that was floated by Val McDermott of an independent regulator that could, for example, undertake a fit and proper person test for footballers? Secondly, what steps can be taken by the Scottish Government to support a change in the misogynistic culture of football, where scoring goals is awarded a higher priority than the safety of women? First, I think that Val McDermott's proposal merits further consideration in the interests of full transparency. Val McDermott is a friend of mine, but notwithstanding that, I think that she has said many sensible things on the issue. Football clubs have a particular responsibility, which reflects their special place within our society. Being a footballer, for different reasons, obviously, but I suppose a bit like being a politician, it is not an ordinary job. People look up to footballers—that is perhaps not always true of politicians—but there is a responsibility on football clubs to make sure that those playing for them are role models for the wee boys and the wee girls who look up to them and see them as heroes. That is an important responsibility. The football authorities perhaps need to reflect on recent events and ask the question about whether current rules and regulations are sufficient. Of course, there is a deeper culture within our society, and that is reflected in football. We need to tackle misogyny. Of course, we have Helena Kennedy right now looking at the issue for the Scottish Government due to report relatively soon, and we will reflect carefully on all of that. That is a more general response, but it obviously has particular questions for football. There has been comment made, including about my comments, when this particular player signed for Clyde, the same outrage was not expressed. It is the case that there are things that, when uncommented upon perhaps in past years, are now called out. That is progress, and it shows us that there is less of a tolerance for misogyny, less of a tolerance for violence against women, but it is not yet zero tolerance, and it is zero tolerance that we have a responsibility to achieve. Question 5, Rachael Hamilton. To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to restore Peatland as part of its net zero targets. Since 2012, we have funded the restoration of 30,000 hectares of degraded peat. We are committed to significantly increasing that to help meet net zero targets. In 2020, we announced that a record funding package of £250 million to support the restoration of 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland by 2030. That commitment is helping to grow this new industry. It is supporting a pipeline of multi-year landscape scale restoration projects. It is boosting the confidence of contractors to invest in the people's skills and machinery needed to get this job done. It is attracting private finance into the sector, and it is supporting green jobs and communities across rural Scotland. It is helping our just transition to net zero. I thank the First Minister for this answer, but we know that her Government's desktop approach to rural areas is failing. Peatland targets for the past four years missed. Emission targets for five key sectors missed. Since 1994, 50 per cent of Scotland's iconic species vanished. Lord Devin says that the credibility of the Scottish climate framework is in jeopardy. First Minister, when will your SNP-green coalition take climate change seriously and produce a robust moorland strategy to save Scotland's iconic species and protect biodiversity from rural jobs and livelihoods? I could not hear your question. I am not convinced that the First Minister would have been able to hear your question. Would you be good enough to repeat the end of your question? At least, thank you. First Minister, when will your SNP-green coalition take climate change seriously and produce a robust moorland strategy to save Scotland's iconic species and protect biodiversity from rural jobs and livelihoods? First Minister, I have to beg her's belief that a Tory MSP is getting up, talking about taking climate change seriously. Clearly they did not listen to the questioning of their leader at an earlier stage. The approach of the Conservatives, of course, is to say that we should take climate change seriously but then opportunistically oppose every measure that we take to tackle climate change when it suits them to do so. We saw that very clearly earlier on today. The Government's record on peatland restoration is a good one. I have already spoken about the restoration of 30,000 hectares, the record funding package and all that that is enabling. We will continue to get on with taking the actions to tackle climate change, and perhaps it is the Conservatives who need to learn to take it a bit more seriously. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can the First Minister outline what funding has been made available to the 45 hectares of peatlands at Langlands Moss? Does she agree with me that the work undertaken by the Friends of Langlands Moss has been a huge factor in promoting the local environment and improving people's health? In 2019-20, the Scottish Government funded peatland restoration programme, funded work at Langlands Moss to the value of £63,800. I would certainly agree that the Friends of Langlands Moss is an excellent example of the type of partnership that is needed to allow communities to make decisions about management of their local environment and help address the twin climate and biodiversity crisis. To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to reduce delayed discharge from hospitals in light of reports that it is at the highest recorded level since the Covid-19 pandemic began. The Scottish Government is committed to reducing the number of people delayed in hospital. In October, the health secretary announced an investment of £300 million to help address winter pressures. That included £40 million to support alternative interim care arrangements and £62 million to enhance care at home. Part of the funding is being used to rapidly scale up hospital at home services to, first and foremost, provide better care but also to help to alleviate pressures on acute services. There have been significant recent developments with new services launched in Ayrshire and Arran and Greater Glasgow and Clyde. We have also recently launched the Discharge Without Delay programme, backed by £5 million, to help local health and social care partnerships to improve discharge planning arrangements over the longer term. I thank the First Minister for her response. We know that by ending delayed discharge it frees up bed capacity in hospitals, has a positive effect on A and E waiting times and it even has a positive effect on ambulances queuing at the front door. The cabinet secretary for health is quite right to set out his plan to help the NHS through the anticipated winter crisis. Given the record high levels of delayed discharge, does the First Minister believe that her cabinet secretary's strategy has worked? Why is it that seven years on from the SNP promising to end delayed discharge completely are there more than 1,600 people unnecessarily stuck in hospital? I do believe that the actions that we are taking are the right ones, but we are not complacent and we will continue to take whatever steps we can to address this. In fact, the health secretary and I and senior officials have a session just this afternoon to look at progress on this and what further steps we need to take. It is worth noting that the average bed days occupied by delay for 2020-21 represent a reduction on the previous year, a reduction of 34 per cent, but it is still too high. This is a whole system challenge and it is one that we are very focused on addressing. It takes steps across the whole of the health and care system and, of course, the work to establish a national care service in the longer term is important in this context as well. To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on what steps the Scottish Government is taking to improve CAMHS waiting times. We know that the pandemic has been exceptionally difficult for the mental health and wellbeing of many children, young people and families. We have allocated almost £40 million additional funding in 2021-22 to NHS boards to improve CAMHS. That comes from our overall recovery and renewal fund. More than £4 million of that allocation is directly focused on offering treatment to those already on CAMHS waiting lists to tackle the longest waits. We are working closely with all NHS boards, particularly those with the most significant challenges to develop and implement detailed local improvement plans to clear backlogs and meet targets. The Royal College of Psychiatrists this week have called on the Scottish Government to quote, pull out all the stops and explain how it will meet its target for investing in mental health services for our children and young people. I was contacted by a teacher who is more than happy to meet the First Minister and this teacher said, could you ask her, can she rescind the free bus travel, stop giving out laptops and put some money into mental health provision for our young people? What good is a laptop and a free bus pass when you are in a deep state of anxiety and depression? Will the First Minister agree to meet with this teacher to find out what CAMHS delays feel like for those who are left to support our young people through this waiting period? Of course I or the health secretary will be happy to speak to the teacher quoted or indeed any professional working with young people. This is a really serious issue. I am not entirely sure if the member is seriously asking me or just quoting somebody else asking me to rescind free bus travel. I think that that would be the wrong thing to do for the broader wellbeing of our young people. Perhaps that is something that the member could clarify at some stage in the future. In terms of the action that we are taking, the NHS recovery plan commits to providing extra funding for more than 300 additional staff in CAMHS over the coming years. That has the potential to increase capacity to see cases by over 10,000. Long waits are always unacceptable but it is important to stress that long waits are not the norm. The median wait nationally for a first treatment appointment in CAMHS was seven weeks and of course almost eight out of ten young people, which is not good enough but eight out of ten right now of children and young people are seen within the target we set. The final point I would make Presiding Officer is that while the investment I am speaking about to tackle longer waits is really important, there is a bigger challenge here which is to redesign and reform CAMHS services so that there is more preventative treatment, that there is more early intervention. That is why councillors and schools are so important, the approach to a national wellbeing service and indeed policies like free bus travel which supports the overall wellbeing of young people. That is something that we need to address on all of these fronts and this Government is doing exactly that. I acknowledge that today's announcement on face masks in schools was made on the basis of clinical advice but for many clinically vulnerable staff and pupils in our schools this will only increase their anxiety. Can I ask the First Minister to confirm that no school or council should seek to prevent any pupil or member staff who wishes to wear a face covering from continuing to do so? Yes, I think that this is a really important point so I am grateful to Ross Greer for giving me the opportunity to underline it. The requirement to wear face coverings in classrooms will be removed from the end of February but any young person or indeed any member of staff who feels safer and would prefer to continue to wear a face covering should absolutely be fully supported in doing so. In all of the decisions that we are taking right now it is important that we balance that understandable and perfectly legitimate desire to get back to normal with understanding that those who are more clinically vulnerable do have a real sense of anxiety and we need to consider their needs and concerns as well. That is a really important point and I am glad to have the opportunity to underline and emphasise it. Over 200 nurseries wrote to the First Minister this week to raise concerns relating to the roll-out of 1,140 hours and the funding and equity between private and voluntary industry and local authority nurseries. Private nurseries have warned that these are serious flaws in the delivery of 1,140 hours and if they are not addressed many will have to reduce opening hours or close completely. Can I therefore ask if the First Minister will respond immediately to the concerns contained within the letter and if the Scottish Government will commit to an audit on early learning and childcare funding comparing best value between all sectors? Of course we will respond and indeed listen carefully to the views expressed in that communication but I am really proud of the fact that since last August all councils have been offering 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare to all eligible children and that the private, third and child-minding sectors are playing a vital role in the delivery of that and increasing choice and flexibility for parents. I want to thank everybody across the sector for that. We are investing more than £1 billion in early learning and childcare in this financial year and it is important to stress that the funding agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA enables local authorities to pay sustainable rates to private nurseries who provide free early learning and childcare places and to child-minders. That is an important principle but of course we will pay close attention to the points made in the letter and respond as quickly as possible.


This paper provides an overview of the current research into defect engineered metal-based photocatalysts for water splitting. It discusses how defects can be used to control the optical absorption, charge separation and migration, and surface reactions, as well as their impact on the overall efficiency of the catalyst. Additionally, it examines the characterization techniques and DFT calculations used to understand the defect structure and its effects on the catalyst's performance. Finally, it highlights the challenges associated with developing more efficient and cost-effective defect engineered metal-based photocatalysts. This article was offered by Yongchao Zhang, Nisha Afsel, Luan Pan, and others.