Thread by @theSNP

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Watch First Minister @NicolaSturgeon answer MSPs' questions at #FMQs.

⏰ Tune in now: scottishparliament.tv

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "Pre-pandemic, the poverty-related attainment gap was closing - and the negative impact of the pandemic can't be ignored.

What we see in the statistics published this week is that recovery is now underway and we're starting to see improvements again." #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "The percentage of pupils achieving their expected levels in 2021-22, which is what the latest statistics cover, is higher than in previous year for all primary school ages." #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "In fact, we saw the largest single year increase in primary school literacy and numeracy since the data collection began.

There are also signs of the attainment gap again narrowing - with the biggest single year decrease since records began." #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "We also see progress in exam results - the gap in attainment levels between the most and least deprived areas is narrowing from the 2019 level.

We've also had a record number of 18 year old Scots securing a university place this year." #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "The number of 18 year olds from the most deprived areas securing a university spot has also increased by 31% since 2019 - again, to a record high, demonstrating the progress we're making on closing the attainment gap." #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "There are more teachers per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.

Spending on education in Scotland is higher than anywhere else in the UK.

And we have a record number of 18 year olds from deprived areas going to university." #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon 📣 The Commissioner for Fair Access hailed @scotgov's higher education policies as an "unambiguous success".

🎓 We have abolished tuition fees, invested record sums in student support, and record numbers of Scottish students from deprived areas now enrol at university.

#FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon @scotgov 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "It's our responsibility to do everything we can to lift people out of poverty, and our Scottish Child Payment is the foremost example of that."

✅ This year, we increased the Scottish Child Payment from £10 to £25 and we're providing even more support. #FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon @scotgov 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "We're taking decisive actions to widen access to public transport and make it affordable, particularly during this cost-of-living crisis."

✅ 2.3 million Scots now benefit from free bus travel.
✅ Rail fares frozen.
✅ ScotRail in public hands.

#FMQs

@NicolaSturgeon @scotgov 📣 @NicolaSturgeon: "My approach to industrial disputes is very simple - it's always to get round the table and to try and find a resolution.

That is why Scotland is the only part of the UK today that doesn't have strikes in the NHS." #FMQs