Contents
- General Question Time
- First Minister’s Question Time
- Nuclear Weapons
- Portfolio Question Time
- Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Report
- Early Childhood Development Transformational Change Programme
- Appointments of the Chair and Commissioners of the Poverty and Inequality Commission
- Motion without Notice
- Decision Time
Portfolio Question Time
Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition
Good afternoon, colleagues. The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio question time, and the portfolio on this occasion is transport, net zero and just transition. Members who wish to ask a supplementary question should press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question.
Newburgh Railway Station
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the proposal for a railway station in Newburgh, Fife. (S6O-02664)
Transport Scotland officials considered the initial detailed options appraisal for a Newburgh station submitted by the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership and provided feedback.
Although it opted not to take up the offer of a meeting to discuss Transport Scotland’s comments on the draft detailed options appraisal report, SEStran provided a revised detailed options appraisal report. That report outlines a number of multimodal options, including a rail station, and is being considered by Transport Scotland, which will provide feedback to SEStran on the revised report during the coming weeks.
Locals have put years of work into the plan. An appraisal, in line with the Scottish transport appraisal guidance, was submitted in June last year but it took more than six months for Transport Scotland to respond. Suggested changes were made to the plan, which was resubmitted months ago, in June of this year. There is overwhelming and enthusiastic support for a new railway station at Newburgh, so when exactly will a decision be made?
As I said in my first answer, there will be a response in the next few weeks. To be fair, there has been a considerable amount of work by everyone, not least by the community and by those who put forward the options appraisal report. It is clear that SEStran has wanted to revise its proposal at every stage. Although that will make for a better proposal, constantly going back to revise it takes time. In this case, although patience may be a virtue, the people of Newburgh may want to see action sooner rather than later. I understand why the member asks that question.
Willie Rennie is right to say that the project is well supported by the local community. A site has been identified and there are plans to construct a platform at a relatively low cost, but progress has been glacially slow. Will the minister facilitate an early meeting between Transport Scotland and the local community action group so that we can finally see some progress on what would be a very welcome project?
SEStran submitted a report on the project and a revised detailed options appraisal report. As I said, there have been three revisions as part of the process. As the member well knows, the STAG appraisal must be robust and must consider a number of areas. The community case, which has been set out by many, is strong, but there are also financial and economic factors. I know that the member has held finance briefs for his party in the past and that he will know the severe financial constraints that the budget is under, not least because of the failure to provide for inflationary increases on capital budgets for this Government.
Every consideration will be given to the report and a response will be given in a few weeks time.
The local community has made a really good case for bringing a station back to Newburgh, proposing a low-cost modular station that would be of great benefit. Does the minister agree that the new modular stations have an important role to play in expanding Scotland’s rail network and that developing one at Newburgh could be a trailblazer for developments that could benefit other communities?
It is my understanding that modular railway stations have already been used but may not be applicable to every circumstance. If a strong business case is presented for rail intervention, plans must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the plan for Newburgh is taken forward, we must consider the fact that modular stations are not suitable for all sites and that the design of any new or altered station must take into account the characteristics of that particular location. Acceptance of the design of station platforms is ultimately a matter for Network Rail, as the infrastructure owner, and ScotRail, as the operator.
Local Bus Services
To ask the Scottish Government when it last received an update from the traffic commissioner for Scotland on any complaints regarding local bus services. (S6O-02665)
Scottish Government officials have regular engagement with the traffic commissioner for Scotland. However, the traffic commissioner is an independently appointed regulator and does not inform officials about specific complaints that she receives. Findings of any proceedings against bus operators can be found on the office of the traffic commissioner’s website.
As the minister is aware, the traffic commissioner has a standard of 95 per cent for the punctuality of buses. Following a number of complaints, an investigation by Bus Users Scotland showed that only 88 per cent of some McGill’s Buses services in my constituency ran on time. However, I suspect that figure to be much lower, as my constituents regularly tell me that services are cancelled at short notice, that they are unreliable and that communication is poor. That impacts on people’s ability to get to work and access education and healthcare on a daily basis, and it often leaves people stranded late at night.
Can the minister outline the steps that the transport commissioner can take to ensure that McGill’s takes action to improve the levels of service that are so crucial to many of my constituents?
In relation to punctuality and service complaints, the traffic commissioner relies on evidence that is submitted to her by BUS arising from the monitoring exercises that it carries out. If BUS finds evidence that an operator is failing to run a service in line with its registration, it can inform the traffic commissioner, who has the power to take action against the operator. That could include issuing a fine, imposing conditions on its public service vehicle licence or rejecting future service applications from the same operator.
I am aware that, on 14 August, in recognition of the punctuality and reliability issues, McGill’s made a number of service changes that were designed to improve bus services in the Clackmannanshire area.
Sustainability (Net Zero Targets)
To ask the Scottish Government how it defines “sustainability” when creating policies aimed at reaching its net zero targets. (S6O-02666)
Specific definitions can be adopted, depending on the subject matter. Of course, the natural definition is:
“development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
When exercising our functions under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, including developing policy for our next climate change plan, Scottish ministers take into account the need to do so in a way that contributes to sustainable development, including the United Nations sustainable development goals. The 2009 act defines the goals as those that are set out in “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
I visited Dalswinton Estate, in Dumfries and Galloway, to meet the owner, Peter Landale, and discuss how Scotland’s estates are working to support rural communities and housing and to meet Scotland’s net zero targets in the face of the global climate emergency. Peter described his six tenets of sustainability: efficiency of production, animal welfare, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, quality and community. Does the cabinet secretary agree that those tenets are important in ensuring that we have true sustainability that works for rural Scotland and our planet?
Yes—I absolutely agree with the point that Emma Harper makes. I welcome the fact that businesses, including Dalswinton Estate, are recognising the need to consider economic, environmental and social sustainability in their businesses. I certainly commend the six tenets of sustainability that she narrated. That is exactly the kind of work that my colleague Mairi Gougeon and I had hoped that our vision for agriculture—among other climate strategies across the Government—would elicit.
Just Transition (Role of Industry)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the just transition secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the role of industry in delivering a just transition. (S6O-02667)
Ministers including the cabinet secretary regularly discuss Scotland’s just transition—including the role of key economic actors such as industry—in Cabinet meetings, Cabinet sub-committees or regular bilateral discussions. Industry and business will be critical in Scotland’s just transition, ensuring that we capture the economic opportunities and mitigate the risks from the transition.
I am very grateful for that answer, but the Scottish Trades Union Congress has previously slammed the Government’s strategy for failing to outline even the basic steps to ensure a just transition, particularly for offshore oil and gas workers. We have had promise after promise about Saudi Arabia’s renewables and the 120,000 green jobs by 2020, all of which have failed to happen.
More significantly, the Scottish Government has also failed to deliver a renewables supply chain of jobs here, in Scotland, or the publicly owned energy generation company that was promised back in 2017. After that, why should Scotland’s energy industry have any faith in this lacklustre Government to secure Scotland’s energy needs and create a smooth transition to net zero?
I recall some recent independent reports showing that, in relation to the creation of green jobs, Scotland was outpacing the rest of the United Kingdom. Further independent research carried out by a couple of universities showed that up to 100,000 new green jobs had been created in Scotland. We are making really good progress.
The Scottish Government helps to fund posts in the STUC to work on just transition issues. That was warmly welcomed by our trade union movement.
We will continue to work closely with the business community in Scotland and the trade union movement to secure a just transition for Scotland. Countries around the world are looking at Scotland with admiration and are full of praise for what we are achieving. It is a pity that some of the members in the chamber cannot recognise that.
Scottish supply chain businesses are key to delivering a just transition and ensuring the lasting industrial and economic benefit of Scotland’s renewable energy potential, which will support highly paid jobs locally. What work is the Scottish Government doing through its supply chain development programme to leverage procurement, in particular, to help to build robust local supply chains?
Ivan McKee raises a very good point. The supply chain development programme uses public sector procurement to improve the capacity and capability of Scottish manufacturing supply chains in the country. The programme is currently linking the opportunities that arise from our energy transition with the innovation and enterprise support that is provided by enterprise agencies such as the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and others. At the moment, the programme is prioritising the opportunities in low-carbon heat networks and the Scottish Government’s affordable housing programme, so it is playing an important role in the transition.
Access to Public Transport (Motherwell and Wishaw)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve access to public transport for people in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency. (S6O-02668)
This Government and its partners have rebuilt Motherwell station, with passengers now enjoying new facilities in the station. This project has also provided enhanced interchange for bus services and has improved active travel routes to and from Motherwell town centre and the local area.
Passengers throughout Scotland, including in the member’s constituency, are benefiting from lower fares as a result of our decision to trial the removal of peak fares on ScotRail services to encourage modal shift.
We are also providing unprecedented levels of support through our concessionary travel schemes, which allow free bus travel for passengers who under 22 or over 60.
Those measures are very welcome in my constituency, especially our wonderful new station.
At surgeries, I frequently come across constituents who are suffering from the effects of an austerity-driven cost of living crisis, including many people with disabilities who have not accessed free bus travel even though they are entitled to do so. Will the minister advise how we can better raise awareness of concessionary bus travel as a passported benefit for people?
All MSPs in the Parliament have a role in highlighting the issue to promote take-up. I agree that the schemes can make a real difference to those who are entitled to access them.
In March 2022, the Child Poverty Action Group reported that free bus travel can save a total of
“£3,000 in the lifetime cost of a child in Scotland”.
In spring 2023, Transport Scotland co-funded and delivered a successful national marketing campaign with the Confederation of Passenger Transport and bus operators to encourage people to return to bus or to use it for the first time. The campaign had a considerable reach at that time, and the number of concessionary journeys by older and disabled people increased by 5.8 per cent during the campaign.
Although we can have such campaigns and spend more than £300 million on such schemes, it is important that eligible disabled people, as the member mentioned, and everyone else who is eligible take up free concessionary bus travel.
Climate Adaptation Funding
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss climate adaptation funding. (S6O-02669)
Ministers regularly meet COSLA, including with regard to funding, particularly as we approach a budget period. Most recently, Scottish Government officials met COSLA to discuss climate adaptation on 24 October. At that meeting, a range of issues were covered, including funding and on-going engagement with COSLA ahead of public consultation on the new climate adaptation plan, which will open early next year.
In the past month, we have seen the impact of devastating floods. When we talk to councillor colleagues, they all comment that they are cash strapped and not getting enough support from the Scottish Government. My understanding is that funding for flood defence in Scotland is far lower per capita than it is in England and Wales, and it has flatlined over the past decade. Given the clear cross-party support for action expressed in yesterday’s debate, could the cabinet secretary say how she intends to ramp up financial support for adaptation investment in our communities?
In yesterday’s debate, the cabinet secretary did not comment on the Scottish Government’s failure to report on progress on flood risk management plans, as is required by the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. Could she confirm when the Scottish Government will report on that for 2021-22?
There are a number of matters in that question; I will try to answer them all.
I agree with Sarah Boyack that funding for climate adaptation is essential. It is very clear that the future prosperity of our economy, our society and our environment is wrapped up with our ability to adapt to climate change. As we go into the budget period, I will, of course, be arguing very strongly for support for adaptation. However, I have to point out, as my colleagues will, just how difficult—how unrecognisable, frankly—the public finances are on this side of the pandemic and Brexit.
I point to the £42 million per annum that has been provided to local authorities for flooding for many years and the additional £150 million that we are already making available over the parliamentary session.
An update on the flood risk management cycle development is pending and I will bring it to Parliament as soon as I can.
Rail Services (Mid Scotland and Fife)
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve rail services for passengers in the Mid Scotland and Fife region. (S6O-02670)
The Scottish Government has invested consistently in the improvement of rail services in Mid Scotland and Fife. For example, new trains that are faster and greener are providing passengers travelling to Alloa with quicker journeys due to electrification, and the Levenmouth railway will reopen next year. As I mentioned earlier, passengers throughout Scotland are also benefiting from lower fares during the ScotRail peak fares removal pilot.
As the minister recognises, the impact of Covid on rail passenger numbers has been significant. On taking ownership of ScotRail, the Scottish Government said that it would meet the needs of people, and those needs include inclusive pricing. Can the minister confirm when the delayed rail fares review is expected? It was expected by the end of the year; can she confirm that that is still the case?
Also, given that public finance has contributed to the rail fares pilot that she referred to, how is the Scottish Government involved in the on-going monitoring of the pilot and, in particular, its progress in encouraging new passengers on to the rail network?
We want to see modal shift. We have removed peak fares to encourage that, and I ask all MSPs to help to publicise that pilot. The member will be aware that, in October, we were subject to severe weather, which has clearly had an impact on the running of some services. It is important that we get behind the peak fares removal pilot to encourage modal shift.
I think that the member is referring to the fair fares review, which is due to report by the end of the year—that will happen. On the national rail conversation, as I reported to the Cabinet, I am more focused on delivery and action, so that has now been rolled into the fair fares review, as part of the analysis of rail fares.
I remind members that the question is about rail services in Mid Scotland and Fife. I call Jackie Dunbar.
O ye of little faith, Presiding Officer.
As the minister has said in answer to a previous question, the Scottish Government has reconnected one station in Mid Scotland and Fife to the railway and will reconnect two more shortly. Will the minister remind us why that action, which had not been taken by any previous Scottish Government, was necessary?
This Government has a great track record on reconnecting communities. The opening of Cameron Bridge and Leven railway stations in Levenmouth will help to reconnect communities, and the opening of the Leven station in particular will make a big difference.
We have invested more than £11 billion to give Scottish people the railway that they want and deserve. Since 2009, we have reconnected 15 communities. As I mentioned, people in Mid Scotland and Fife will benefit particularly from the opening of the stations on the Levenmouth railway.
One of the direct consequences of improving rail services in Mid Scotland and Fife is a new ScotRail timetable under which local train services in the north-east will be slashed. What impact does the minister predict that those cuts will have on the accessibility of places such as Aberdeen, Inverurie and Stonehaven, the businesses and economy there and the modal shift that she speaks of?
I think that the geography of the member’s region is being stretched somewhat. Looking at Mid Scotland and Fife, I note that the consultation on the Fife timetable was launched in early September and it closed on 23 October. One of the proposed options is an additional service running in Fife, which could ease the capacity issues on existing services.
My faith is restored.
Transport Infrastructure (South Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to develop transport infrastructure in the South Scotland region, including in relation to an upgrade of the A75 and rail links from Ayr to Stranraer and Cairnryan. (S6O-02671)
The Scottish Government is committed to the proposals for transport infrastructure improvements that are contained in the 45 strategic transport projects review 2 recommendations, which include improved and resilient connections to Stranraer and Cairnryan, among others. The Scottish Government is using all the levers that are at our disposal to maximise investment in those recommendations as effectively as possible during these challenging times.
Following the United Kingdom Government’s announcement of the availability of funding for initial appraisal work on pinchpoints on the A75, a business case was submitted to the Department for Transport in April 2023. I have received confirmation from the UK Government that it is supportive and I urge it to formalise that as soon as possible.
Long before my seven-plus years in this Parliament began, Scottish Government ministers were promising investment in the long overdue—and, some would say, forgotten—development of the A75, the A77 and rail links from Ayr to Stranraer. In 2010, Alex Salmond committed to significant transport infrastructure around the port of Cairnryan. Here we are, 13 years later, with a commitment from the UK Government to develop the A75 Euro route. Will the Scottish Government now focus on developing an A77 development plan, along with a plan for the wholly inadequate rail link from Ayr to Stranraer?
I say to the member that there has been considerable investment along the A77, as he well knows. He talked about the longer timeframe, but that has already happened, and investment can continue to happen.
It is not the Scottish Government’s responsibility that the UK Government decided on a union connectivity review. It demonstrated that, on the A75, most of the benefits would fall outside Scotland, because the A75 is the connection to Northern Ireland. It is not my responsibility that the UK Government wants to do the Scottish transport appraisal guidance exercise. I am pleased that it has undertaken to do that. I just need formal recognition.
Work has been undertaken on the A75 and particularly the A77, with the Haggstone climbing lane, the new carriageway at Glen App, the Park End to Bennane project, the Symington and Bogend Toll project and the Maybole bypass. That bypass is a considerable improvement to the road. For the member not to recognise that does his constituents a disservice.
With a similar reminder to my earlier one about the geographic focus of the original question, I call John Mason to ask a supplementary.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will try to be closer than Liam Kerr managed to be.
As well as the A77 and the A75, the Conservatives are demanding road improvements on the A9, the A96 and the A82, yet the Conservatives at Westminster have cut our capital budget by some 7 per cent. Can the minister explain to the Conservatives that the finances have to add up and that we have to set priorities, or does she think that they do not understand the finance?
We are a responsible Government. The UK Government’s mini-budget under Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, which is within living memory, caused financial havoc. For the Conservatives not to take responsibility for that and then to come to the chamber asking for investment right across our capital infrastructure at a time of a 7 per cent reduction in our budget and a time when construction inflation is outpacing other increases in costs is unrealistic, and it is why it would be extremely unrealistic to think that another Conservative Government will ever hold office either here or at Westminster.
That concludes portfolio questions. Before we move to the next item of business, there will a brief pause to allow the front benches to change.
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