Official Report 740KB pdf
Electrofishing Trial
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it received in relation to the decision to allow the continued use of electrofishing for razor clams beyond January 2025, when the trial that started in February 2018 was due to end. (S6O-05139)
The razor clam scientific trial has yielded promising results that point to the potential for a sustainable commercial fishery, with appropriate management measures in place. A progress report was published in 2024 that presents those findings in detail, including completed stock assessments for two locations—the Firth of Clyde and Firth of Forth trial areas. The trial was extended for a further two years to gather data to update those stock assessments and enable completion of assessments for additional areas, giving us confidence that fishing for razor clams with that technique can be achieved sustainably across Scotland’s seas.
The seven-year pseudoscientific and inconclusive experiment, which the Government said will now end in 2027, seems to be more about protecting a commercial fishery that is worth more than £5.5 million to just over 20 boats. The minister knows that electrofishing for spoots is banned in the European Union. Surely, then, in 2027, the Scottish Government, under the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, will need to keep pace with the EU and ban electrofishing of spoots, or will it continue the farce of a scientific experiment?
As with many other areas when it comes to our fisheries, we like to lead by example. An example of that work is the roll-out of our remote electronic monitoring. However, it is important that we consider issues relating to why we had the trial in the first place and the type of fishing that we were attempting to stop. We want to make sure that it is sustainable, and it is important that we gather all the evidence for that, which is why the trial was initiated in the first place and why it has been extended. We want to ensure that we have as robust an evidence base as possible for any future considerations.
Will the minister give an indication of the importance that the Scottish Government places on further developing a razor clam fishery in future, specifically in areas such as the Western Isles?
I assure the member that we put a great deal of importance on supporting our fishers in rural and island locations. As I have outlined, the trial that we have undertaken on razor clams was extended to ensure that we have a strong evidence base and that a sustainable and economically viable fishery for razor clams is possible in many areas around Scotland, including the Western Isles.
I am keen—as I know other members will be—to see the trial culminate in a commercial fishery, if the evidence supports that. The science and regulatory background to that is very complex, but it is important that we arrive at the right decision by using the best available knowledge.
Regeneration (South-west)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to help deliver regeneration in the south-west, including any plans for future infrastructure and housing investment. (S6O-05140)
We are delivering regeneration across the south-west of Scotland region through our place-based regeneration programmes, including more than £27.6 million through the regeneration capital grant fund. We will publish a new infrastructure delivery pipeline alongside the budget, the Scottish spending review and the draft infrastructure strategy early next year.
This financial year, we have made available more than £34 million in the south-west to support the delivery of the affordable housing priorities of local authorities. We have also committed up to £4.9 billion in housing investment across Scotland over the next four years.
As the Deputy First Minister will know, communities across Stranraer and Wigtownshire are working and have worked incredibly hard to regenerate and renew the area following the withdrawal of ferries from the town in November 2011. Will the Deputy First Minister advise what funding the Scottish Government has provided over recent years to help that regeneration and directly boost the Stranraer economy?
A total of £16 million is earmarked for Stranraer marina through the Borderlands growth deal, and Stranraer and Wigtown will benefit from a share of £20 million in the deal’s place programme to stimulate their reinvigoration. More than £700,000 in capital funding this year is helping to deliver priorities in the local place plan, building on the £2.7 million that has been provided for town centre regeneration and the millennium centre. A further £500,000 is enabling capacity building and supported delivery of the place plan. Last week, officials met Dumfries and Galloway Council and the local community to learn more about regeneration plans for the town.
I am sure that the Deputy First Minister is very aware of my decade-long lobbying and campaigning for much-needed investment in the A75 and A77, which, sadly, has been lacking from the Scottish National Party. However, given the importance of all forms of connectivity to economic regeneration, I want to highlight the railway line into Stranraer and the moves to develop the waterfront. I have been working with various parties for the past nine years to upgrade the railway station. What consideration is the Scottish Government giving to improving rail links to Stranraer, and how might that support wider efforts to revitalise the south-west?
I mentioned in my previous answer that the Scottish Government intends to publish a new infrastructure delivery plan alongside the budget. It is very important that plans that are included in the infrastructure delivery pipeline can be delivered with the capital budget that is available. We are all watching carefully to see what the chancellor will outline at the end of the month, because that will heavily inform the budget that my colleague Shona Robison can present and the infrastructure and transport plans that my colleague Fiona Hyslop can support.
Glasgow Airport (Rail Link)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the impact on Glasgow’s economy, and the wider regional economy, of the absence of a rail link from Glasgow airport to the city centre. (S6O-05141)
Transport is key to our economic prosperity. The Glasgow connectivity commission and the second strategic transport projects review both identified Clyde metro as a transformational regional project, which we agree with. Development of the metro, which could include a link to the airport, is being led by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, supported by Glasgow City Council and Transport Scotland. Through the Glasgow city region deal, we are providing £6.1 million towards the case for investment for Clyde metro, which is anticipated to be completed early in 2027. That will provide a clear route forward for the project.
I am sure that the Deputy First Minister agrees that a rail link from Glasgow city centre to Glasgow airport is not just about getting travellers to the airport but about getting workers there, particularly the 5,000 workers who are in advanced manufacturing in the district around the airport. I am sure that she will agree that another bus service will not cut it; the M8 cannot cope as it is. A rail link to the airport must be in the first phase of the Clyde metro project, which is the position of SPT and Glasgow City Council. I want to confirm that that is also Transport Scotland’s position. What financial commitment will the Government make not just for the planning but for the delivery of the project?
I agree unequivocally with Pauline McNeill’s analysis that the link will not just be about visitors but about workers and many others. It is a transformational project that will address a gap in public transport provision in the region and will allow more effective transport links. That is precisely why the Scottish Government has made the investment of £6.1 million, as I outlined in my first answer. It is important that we have a clear route forward for the project and that we pick up at the right point on how all key partners, led by SPT, can continue to support the delivery of the project.
Transport (Edinburgh Pentlands)
To ask the Scottish Government what impact its transport policies are having on people in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency. (S6O-05142)
Public transport in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency is primarily delivered by Lothian Buses. In October alone, more than 240,000 card holders in Edinburgh made 3.6 million free bus journeys through the young persons and older and disabled persons schemes. Residents and visitors also benefit from local, active and sustainable travel infrastructure developments and behaviour change projects, with Transport Scotland’s investment through the active travel infrastructure fund, the people and place programme and the bus infrastructure fund. The Scottish Government has committed £20 million as part of the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal to improve public transport infrastructure in west Edinburgh.
The United Kingdom Labour Government has recently ruled out introducing free bus travel for under-22s in England and Wales. Further, south of the border, older people are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach 66, unlike in Scotland, where entitlement begins at 60. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the Scottish National Party Government’s travel policies are designed to help to reduce barriers relating to age, disability, income and geography, enabling better access to education, employment, healthcare, social activities and essential services?
I absolutely agree. The member is correct to identify all the various benefits that free bus travel can bring, but he is also correct to point out that the free bus pass for under-22s is available only here in Scotland under the SNP Government and that older people in England and Wales have to wait another six years to receive their free bus pass. That is another example of the SNP Government, at a time when household bills are increasing, providing support for older people, younger people and families, along with all the other benefits that he set out.
International Ferry Route (Rosyth)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the potential economic benefits of the reinstatement of an international ferry route from Rosyth. (S6O-05143)
I acknowledge the tenacity with which Annabelle Ewing has pursued the issue.
The Scottish Government is clear that a direct trade route between Scotland and Europe could have real economic and social benefits, which is why I have instructed my officials to consult on legislation that will enable the reintroduction of a ferry route, between Rosyth and Dunkirk. Last week, I met the project sponsors of the ferry service proposal to confirm that a short consultation will be launched as soon as possible, with a Scottish statutory instrument planned to be laid early next year.
The proposed changes will increase access to the European Union market for Scottish exports, which have been negatively impacted by Brexit—which we did not vote for—by allowing flexibility on the location requirements for a border control post.
We will do all that we can to ensure that a direct freight and passenger ferry service to Europe is delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible.
As the constituency MSP for Rosyth, and, as the minister noted, having pursued the issue—along with others, on a cross-party basis—for some years, I very much welcome the Scottish Government’s now taking the lead on the removal of the Brexit obstacles to the re-establishment of an international passenger and freight ferry route from Rosyth.
However, time is of the essence. In that regard, will the minister confirm when the consultation on the draft regulations will be commenced and how long the consultation will last? When exactly will the regulations be laid in the new year? Will the minister also advise us whether the United Kingdom Government has confirmed a timetable for its dealing with the reserved components of the border control obstacles that remain outstanding?
I am pleased that the work on the consultation has already begun and that it is proceeding at pace. A short consultation will be launched as soon as possible, with time for an SSI to be laid before the Scottish Parliament is dissolved prior to the elections in 2026. The Deputy First Minister has sought confirmation from the UK Government of its willingness to address at pace the components of effective border control that remain reserved. I will instruct my officials to share further details with Ms Ewing as soon as possible.
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which notes that I am the convener of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Scottish parliamentary group.
I welcome the Government’s consideration of the proposal, which would benefit our international links. However, in its consideration of the proposal, can the minister give an assurance that any operator would have to follow the fair work principles and recognise trade unions, and that we will not see the blatant negation of workers’ rights that we witnessed at P&O Ferries, which sacked and replaced 800 seafarers by video message?
The Government will continue to communicate with potential operators in Scotland’s main ports and to explore the opportunities for all new commercial ferry services, so that Scottish exports and passengers have more direct routes to and from Europe. All those considerations will be taken into account.
Income Tax
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase income tax in the forthcoming Scottish budget. (S6O-05144)
As is the normal course for any budget, we will outline our income tax policy for 2026-27 in the Scottish budget, on 13 January 2026.
Let us be clear: the Scottish National Party has broken its manifesto pledge on income tax and has repeatedly misled this Parliament about how many Scots may pay more tax than they would in the rest of the United Kingdom.
Today’s Audit Scotland report shows that more than £1 billion of projected income tax gains from previous tax rises have simply not materialised. If the SNP increases tax again in January, it will only deepen the fiscal doom loop that this Government is presiding over.
Will the cabinet secretary now listen to the Scottish Conservatives and engage in a zero-based budgeting approach to identify the savings that are required to restore sustainability to Scotland’s public finances?
I repeat that, as the Scottish Fiscal Commission has said, the majority of taxpayers pay less in Scotland than they would elsewhere in the UK.
Of course we will look at the Audit Scotland report, but our income tax policy has meant that there is more money for households. Protecting investment in our public services and the social contract would be put at risk by the Tories’ unfunded tax policies.
On the day that the two top global credit rating agencies—[Interruption.]
Let us hear one another.
—are giving Scotland the highest feasible credit rating that it could achieve, citing our credit strengths as a nation—[Interruption.] Craig Hoy might not want to hear this, but I will say it anyway.
Let us hear one another.
Standard & Poor’s said that
“Scotland’s economy is strong, with high GDP per capita in an international comparison”,
and the other agency said that
“Governance has a positive impact on the rating ... stemming from good budgeting practices, a supportive institutional framework and a good fiscal track record.”
I know who the public will believe. It will not be Craig Hoy—it will be the credit rating agencies. That, of course, shows the underlying strength of the Scottish economy and our fiscal management.
ScotWind (Investigation)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will request that the Auditor General conducts an investigation into the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, in light of the finding in the Future Economy Scotland report, “Rethinking ScotWind: Maximising Scotland’s offshore wind potential”, that, on a per megawatt basis, a comparable leasing round in England and Wales is projected to raise up to 40 times more than the £755 million raised in one-off fees in Scotland. (S6O-05145)
The ScotWind leasing round, which was developed by Crown Estate Scotland, was informed by a 2021 review that was based on expert independent advice to ensure long-term value. It is important to take a holistic view of all the economic value that can be derived from ScotWind—not simply initial option fee payments. For example, ScotWind developers have committed to investing an average of £1.5 billion per project in Scotland, which is expected to deliver jobs and significant economic benefits.
I note that Mr Ewing has written to the Auditor General to ask for an investigation. Scottish Government officials discuss future audit programmes with Audit Scotland, but, ultimately, any decision will be a matter for the Auditor General.
The cabinet secretary has not answered the simple question, and he seems to take complacency to new, Olympian heights.
The report found that we have lost a sum of between £15 billion and £30 billion. That is between two and four times the whole of the Scottish Government’s capital budget in one year. Surely there has to be an investigation into why there was an auction with a cap. Is getting the best price not the purpose of an auction? Whose advice was that decision based on? How on earth was advice not obtained about comparable value figures that were available just south of the border?
I am sure that Mr Ewing knows this, but the English and Welsh leasing round 4 is not comparable to ScotWind. It comprised fixed-bottom developments in shallower waters, in contrast with the ScotWind programme, which is comprised of a majority of projects that use floating technology further offshore in more challenging conditions, therefore requiring a higher cost base for projects to be constructed.
As I have already confirmed, reviews have been based on expert independent advice. If Mr Ewing has any suggestions about those, I would be happy to pass them on to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy.
That concludes general question time.