I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01743 on 24 August 2016 regarding future meetings of this stakeholder group. It was agreed that the short term focus would be on the young adults over the age of 21 who are currently using Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS). This work is being taken forward by the CHAS Transition Team who are also working with younger adults as they approach transition stage. This will contribute to the medium to longer term focus of having options to meet a wider range of needs.

The Transition Team are continuing to support young people to explore options for their adult lives including respite options. It is my understanding that towards the end of 2017 there will be an evaluation of the full range of work undertaken by the Transition Team. We understand that CHAS will provide updates on this work to the Health and Sport Committee, which will help inform on progress towards achieving the aims set out in the "Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care"

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme assists low income households in meeting their Council Tax liabilities but is not part of either the devolved or the UK Government Social Security systems.

The Scottish Government considers that, whilst vacant properties may not be in active use to produce goods and to deliver services, owners of these properties still benefit by being able to rely on the continued availability of services provided by Scottish Water. There is a reliance, in particular, on drainage services to ensure that rainwater from roofs and car parks continues to be drained so that properties are not flooded. It is also important to note that the costs associated with maintaining services to these properties currently falls to other non-household customers. The revenue generated from the removal of the exemption is enabling a price freeze in business charges for the period 2015-21.

There are no exemptions proposed.

There have been 601 new jobs, 1,577 safeguarded jobs and 1,241 expansion jobs secured as a result of the 55 inward investment projects confirmed since April 2016.

We have no immediate plans to review this circular and addendum; however, we are currently consulting widely on proposals for changes to the planning system. We will consider future options in light of the results of the consultation.

Of the 55 inward investment projects confirmed since April 2016, 16 are new projects, nine are safeguarded projects and 30 are expansion projects.

Scottish Development International does not routinely record the value of inward investment. Data collated refers to the number of jobs and projects and those details are provided in the responses to S5W-06373 and S5W-06374 on 1 February 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been clear that they first need to take full account of the recommendations of the National Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services, which was published on 20 January. Should the Board then wish to pursue the same proposals that were designated as major in December 2016, they must be subject to formal public consultation and, ultimately, Ministerial approval.

Given the formal role that Ministers have in the major service change process, it would be inappropriate for me to accept an invitation to meet with campaigners until the consultation period is complete. I have, however, been clear that I'd be happy to meet with local campaigners and their representatives to help inform my final decision on any proposals that may come to me, once the formal consultation period has concluded.

On 11 January, Andy Willox, FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “The reasons for this divergence aren’t immediately clear".Brexit is by far the biggest threat to Scotland’s jobs, prosperity and economy. That is why the Scottish Government have always been clear that remaining in Europe – and maintaining full membership to the world’s largest single market of more than 500 million people – is the best option for our future. Last month we published a detailed set of proposals in “Scotland’s Place in Europe”. The Scottish Government will continue to use all available levers to foster economic growth.

As part of our support for the economy, the Scottish Government announced a package of action to reduce business rates as part of the draft budget. This includes expanding the Small Business Bonus Scheme from 2017 to lift 100,000 properties out of rates completely, while 8,000 business properties will no longer pay the Large Business Supplement, and the overall business rates poundage – the core tax rate that applies to the rateable value of business properties – will also be cut by 3.7% to 46.6p.

Care needs to be taken in reading too much into the results of a single survey result for one quarter. Other recent survey evidence has provided a more positive picture for Scotland. For example Lloyds Bank report ‘Business in Britain’ showed that business confidence increased markedly in Scotland in recent months whilst the latest CBI Industrial Trends Survey showed that in the 3 months to January 2017, the business optimism reading was higher in Scotland than the UK and had improved at its quickest pace since July 2014.

The Scottish Government has not set a time limit for Glasgow Prestwick Airport to repay the loan support provided.