In light of the move into phase 1 of the transition out of lockdown, will the First Minister say whether new guidance will be issued to allow parents to collect their student children and take them back to the family home? I have had many emails from worried parents and stranded students who are concerned that communal living and the lack of job opportunities over the summer will put students at risk from Covid infection, mental health issues and a limited income or no funds.

It is important that I declare an interest: my son is studying at Edinburgh Napier University, so I feel that anxiety keenly myself.

I think that Gillian Martin’s anxiety is well understood. I am sure that parents across the country will very much relate to it at this time.

It is an important issue, and I assure the member that the Scottish Government is considering it carefully. Given the proximity to the end of the academic year, with associated leases ending, the collection of students’ belongings and travel home from accommodation are matters that we are considering in the context of the framework for decision making. We will issue revised guidance, as appropriate, as soon as possible.

I want people to be aware that, in trying to deal with that issue—and generally, to some extent—we understand the multitude of different circumstances and detailed issues that are at stake. As we go further through this crisis, we will try to take account of and respond to as many of those issues as we can, while staying consistent, as we must do, with the imperative of keeping the virus under control.

The Presiding Officer:

That concludes First Minister’s question time. I apologise to the members in the chamber and joining us virtually whom we could not accommodate.

Parliamentary business will resume at 2.30 with a statement on Brexit.

13:32 Meeting suspended.

14:30 On resuming—