Official Report 1094KB pdf
Climate Action and Energy, and Transport
Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions, on climate action and energy, and transport.
Freight Crime
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the transport secretary has had with the justice secretary regarding action it is taking to tackle freight crime in Scotland. (S6O-05379)
Although the justice secretary and I speak regularly about matters of shared interest, we have not discussed freight crime in Scotland.
Increasing freight crime reporting is a significant challenge for hauliers. The true cost of freight crime is estimated by the national vehicle crime intelligence service to be around £700 million a year and, largely, it is carried out by organised criminal gangs. The second strategic transport projects review included a recommendation for a national audit of freight facilities—specifically, lorry parks and rest areas, which are crucial to drivers’ safety and secure parking.
Given the key role played by our road haulage industry in supporting our economy—not least in the building of new homes, constructing wind farms and improving our national infrastructure, to name but a few—can the cabinet secretary say more about the progress that is being made following the audit in order to improve safety for hauliers and reduce freight crime across the country?
I am aware of the valuable work of the national vehicle crime intelligence service, which is a United Kingdom national police unit that is funded by commercial companies. I recognise the importance of secure rest and welfare facilities for hauliers across Scotland.
The need for an initial audit of existing facilities was identified as part of the work of the second strategic transport projects review. That work is in its early stages and, rest assured, we shall work with the haulage industry, Police Scotland and other stakeholders on that important matter.
In the near future, I will be meeting the Road Haulage Association, which is one of the largest trade associations for hauliers, regarding the provision of heavy goods vehicle drivers’ welfare, secure facilities and aspects of freight crime.
Logistics UK has highlighted the fact that we are facing a shortage of safe and high-quality truck stops, which are needed for driver dignity as well as for safety. In relation to the cabinet secretary’s discussions with the justice secretary, another big ask is to have a specific crime code for the recording of retail crime.
Issues to do with the recording of crime codes and all the rest are a matter for the justice secretary and for Police Scotland. The member might want to contact them on that specific issue.
On the member’s point about dignity and respect—and in relation to planning for the future energy needs of HGVs—it is important that we look at the framework for those stops. I know that the UK Government is doing likewise.
The crime figures show that more crime tends to happen around distribution centres and on dense motorway networks such as those in the midlands—not necessarily here. However, we need to be vigilant, and it is important that the members have raised the issue.
Household Waste and Recycling (Statutory Code of Practice)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a new statutory code of practice for household waste and recycling. (S6O-05380)
A new statutory household recycling code of practice is being co-designed with local authorities, businesses and other waste sector stakeholders to promote greater consistency in services, increase recycling rates and cut emissions.
The first co-design workshop was in June last year. A second workshop is taking place on 27 January and a third workshop is scheduled for summer 2026. The findings of recent consultations on textile collections and rural food waste will support those workshops. The draft code of practice will be published for consultation by the end of 2026.
I am deeply concerned about the association between bulk uplift charges for domestic waste and the proliferation and environmental impact of fly-tipping. A Scotland-wide approach to providing minimum standards and affordable prices for bulk uplift services at low cost or, indeed, no cost would support our communities and reduce the blight of fly-tipping.
I introduced amendments to the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 that provided the Scottish Government with powers to include the operation of household bulk uplift and garden waste in any new statutory codes. Will the Scottish Government, in partnership with other stakeholders, consider such measures?
I am very appreciative of Bob Doris’s effort in working with the Government during the passage of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, and I know that the issue that he raises is one that he feels strongly about, as do many people.
The circular economy and waste route map sets out that a review of local authority charges for waste collection services, including the collection of bulky items and garden waste, will form part of the co-design of the household recycling code of practice. We have surveyed local authorities and are now considering the findings. A financial analysis and assessment of the behavioural impacts on recycling of such charges has also been undertaken prior to consideration of the issue at the co-design workshop in summer 2026. The review will ensure that the right incentives are in place to reduce waste and to maximise the use of recycling and reuse services, which we expect to reduce the scourge of fly-tipping.
What extra resources is the Scottish Government allocating to local councils to enable them to invest in new infrastructure so that they can separate household waste and maximise recycling, given their key role as waste producers, waste collectors and waste managers, and given the duty that they will have to take all reasonable steps to separate collections for metals, glass, plastics, paper and card? Will food be included?
As well as providing record funding of more than £15.1 billion to local authorities in 2025-26 through the block grant, in 2021, the Scottish Government launched the £70 million recycling improvement fund, which provides capital funding grants to help local authorities to improve infrastructure and related services. Through 47 projects, we have supported 27 councils to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.
Of course, the United Kingdom-wide extended producer responsibility for packaging scheme has also come into force. Those reforms are anticipated to increase recycling rates for packaging materials to at least 76 per cent by 2030. That scheme will augment the funding that the Scottish Government has provided.
Transport Links (Severe Weather)
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure transport links remain open during incidents of severe weather. (S6O-05381)
Transport Scotland has contracts in place with its operating companies to ensure that the trunk road network is safe, efficient and well managed during periods of severe weather.
Transport Scotland works in close partnership with other transport operators, including ScotRail, and with key agencies such as the Met Office and Police Scotland, through established multi-agency response team—MART—arrangements, which can be activated during severe weather events to support a co-ordinated and effective response to large-scale network disruption. Such arrangements, which form part of the Scottish Government’s wider resilience response, were active during the weather warning periods at the end of December and the beginning of January. I thank all partners for their important work over a prolonged period.
Maintaining strong collaboration with contractors and partners across the Scottish Government is central to planning and preparing for, and responding to, both planned and unplanned events, and it helps to keep Scotland’s transport links operating wherever it is safe to do so.
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a partner in a farming business.
The recent severe weather left communities across the Highlands and Islands cut off. The cabinet secretary will know what impact that can have on our rural communities. Patients who had to travel down the A9 and other roads faced issues, folk were cut off from care support in the Highlands and in Orkney, where I was, and people struggled to get to work in the public and private sectors, which has a massive knock-on effect on local businesses.
Farmers were affected, too, some of whom struggled to get to different parts of their farms or some of their more remote landholdings to check on livestock. Many of those same farmers were also busy helping to keep local roads free and helping out in their communities more generally. Is the Scottish Government considering my Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands colleague Tim Eagle’s call for the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, to look at how it might reward farmers for their community spirit and their efforts?
I put on record—as the First Minister did at the time—our thanks to everyone involved, including members of the farming community, who are obviously part of their local communities, for their efforts in helping to support their neighbours and colleagues. As the member might be aware, some of that activity is undertaken on a contracted basis. In Aberdeenshire, the amount of such activity that is undertaken by farmers on a contracted basis has increased. However, the voluntary effort, too, was significant.
The patience of so many people over such a prolonged time was a credit to the communities affected. Mutual aid was delivered to neighbouring councils by various local authorities. Transport Scotland provided and co-ordinated mutual aid to Aberdeenshire Council, and it helped Network Rail to make sure that the lines were open by helping signallers to get to where they needed to be.
With the exchange of assets, it is important that everybody pulls together. The public recognition and thanks have been given. There are more established arrangements that already exist in different parts of the country that are more directly led by local delivery partners through their strategic response, and they were working solidly right from the end of December.
Bus Provision (Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with SWestrans to discuss bus provision in Dumfries and Galloway. (S6O-05382)
My officials have been in regular contact with Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWestrans. The most recent meeting took place on 9 July to obtain updates on the changes to bus services in the area.
As the member knows, local authorities have a duty to identify where there is a social need for particular bus services, and they can subsidise those at their discretion. The Scottish Government has no powers to intervene on that decision making.
In November, I also agreed to meet Dumfries and Galloway Council to discuss bus services, and my office is awaiting feedback from it to make those arrangements happen.
I thank the minister for that answer, but I am somewhat shocked that he has not met SWestrans or Dumfries and Galloway Council since 9 July last year. In the meantime, I have held several meetings with SWestrans since the near collapse of bus services following the withdrawal of Stagecoach services right across the region last summer.
Since then, some at-risk services, such as the morning 74 service from Moffat to Dumfries, have been restored, thanks in part to Annandale Community Transport Service and the work of SWestrans. However, serious concerns remain on key routes, including in Annandale and Nithsdale.
The Government is allocating a further £56 million to concessionary travel in the budget, but the problem for many of the communities that I represent is that there is simply no bus for them to travel on, discounted, free or otherwise. Will the Government now commit to properly funding rural bus services to end the social injustice that affects too many of our rural communities, including in Dumfriesshire?
As I said in my initial answer, I have written to Dumfries and Galloway Council to set up discussions about what is needed in its area, and I am still awaiting a response. We will continue to look at that.
The member is right to say that the Scottish Government has put £50 million-plus into concessionary travel, but we have also invested £4 million to support local authorities to build business cases for local bus improvements. That is on-going. Our bus fare cap pilot, which will be delivered across the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership and Shetland Transport Partnership areas, is a commitment that we are giving to bus operators and local authorities to ensure that we can deliver those services. There will be a further round of the plugged-in communities grant fund, which will directly help rural communities.
We are taking a range of measures right across the piece to ensure that we have the engagement and the services that local people want in rural communities. I am determined to ensure that we continue to do more.
Blindwells (Transport Solutions)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding transport solutions to support the current and future development of Blindwells, East Lothian. (S6O-05383)
For the current development at Blindwells, Government officials are engaging with East Lothian Council and the developer to implement improvements to the A1 trunk road. Those improvements were agreed as part of existing planning permission for up to 1,600 homes.
For future development, officials are supporting the council as it prepares a new local development plan. Officials are also working with the council and other partners on a strategic outline business case for up to 10,000 homes that has been submitted to the Scottish Government under the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal.
As the cabinet secretary knows, housing colleagues in the Scottish Government are engaging with East Lothian Council and the United Kingdom Government on the Blindwells business case, which she referred to, which would see a potential new town for East Lothian. What actions can Transport Scotland and the cabinet secretary take to ensure that transport solutions are progressed in tandem with housing proposals?
The Government is committed to ensuring that infrastructure is considered and understood early, as stated in national planning framework 4. Transport Scotland staff are engaging with the council on the business case for Blindwells, using the normal appraisal and business case process, which will identify what transport infrastructure Blindwells might need and set out a clear plan for how it will be funded and delivered.
Cyclists (Visibility and Compliance with Highway Code)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage all cyclists to ensure that they are visible, particularly during the winter period, and that they comply with the requirements of the highway code. (S6O-05384)
We expect all road users to respect the rules of the road and follow the highway code, and advise cyclists to wear light or fluorescent clothing in poor light and reflective items in the dark.
In 2025-26, the Scottish Government invested a record £48 million in road safety, and a further £2 million was awarded to the bikeability Scotland cycle training programme, which promotes safe and responsible cycling to schoolchildren.
Police Scotland’s “Be Bright, Be Seen” campaign in Edinburgh is a great example of partnership working to promote cyclist safety during the winter months, with an emphasis on being visible.
To put down a marker, I am not demonising all cyclists, only a minority, although probably a growing one. There are far too many incidents of cyclists who do not have particularly effective rear lights—and some who have none at all—and they can be decked out from head to toe in black. On dark and often dreich evenings and mornings, some can hardly be seen until a motorist is almost on top of them and a collision just averted. I hear what the cabinet secretary says, but would she consider working with Police Scotland on a national campaign of “Be Seen, Be Safe” or “Be Safe, Be Seen” or “Be Bright, Be Seen” or “Do whatever you like, but, for goodness sake, be seen”?
The advice to “Be Bright, Be Seen” is absolutely essential for cyclists and for other road users who are concerned about cyclists who do not have lights or dress brightly, particularly in the winter months. The campaign in Edinburgh has been successful and I understand that it is being expanded to the EH6 area. I will ensure that that is brought to the attention of the strategic partnership group on road safety, which I chair, because it is essential.
I can also tell the member that Road Safety Scotland’s early years and primary learning resources introduce the topic early, because we must encourage good practice as early as possible.
We must look at all the contributory factors, because accidents are a problem but near misses distress people.
Transport Scotland (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Transport Scotland and what issues were discussed. (S6O-05385)
Transport Scotland civil servants provide the entirety of the official support to me on policy and all matters relating to my portfolio as Cabinet Secretary for Transport. They are responsible to me and deliver Scotland’s national transport needs. The most recent meeting, involving Transport Scotland officials and the Scottish road works commissioner, took place earlier today, and I have had 19 meetings with, or involving, Transport Scotland officials since 5 January, covering operational delivery and policy matters across a range of areas, including trunk roads, ferries and weather resilience.
Hamish Cullerton and Elizabeth Leslie own and run Highland Cuisine, which is the only food van that has been authorised by Highland Council to operate on the A9. In an article in The Press and Journal last year, they were described as
“a welcome sight, serving up a hot meal and a warm welcome to the A9’s weary travellers”.
They are providing a great service to local people—including me, as I often stop there on my way down to Edinburgh—and someone from Tasmania said that Hamish and Elizabeth had provided them with the best sandwich that they had ever eaten.
However, their problem is that they have not been given permission by Transport Scotland to put up signage to alert people to their food van, which means that drivers either pass by, missing the opportunity to take a break from driving and to get some hot food and coffee, or stop too quickly, which can cause an accident.
I have been in correspondence with the cabinet secretary about the issue and wonder whether, when she next meets Transport Scotland, she could ask for a more reasonable approach so that that food van, which is providing a great service to travellers on the A9, can get the signage that would make it safer for people to stop there.
The member knows that I have some sympathy with the situation, which is yet to be resolved. The concern is that any proposal for signage within the trunk road boundary or on the verge of the road would be problematic, but that would not exclude the possibility of having signage somewhere nearby, with a landowner’s agreement.
In her reply to the member on 24 September, Alison Irvine, the chief executive of Transport Scotland, indicated that Transport Scotland would be happy to consider that being done via the appropriate planning process. She has not heard back from Mr Ross’s constituents, but Transport Scotland stands ready to hear their proposals, which might involve talking to neighbouring landowners as they look for a solution.
Brown signs are for visitor attractions, and we have some concerns about the issue of people wanting to turn right when they are heading north. There are concerns about how to safely allow signage. Understandably, there are rules, but we stand ready to engage on some sort of practical solution, which might involve the use of neighbouring land.
Transport Scotland knows that, under the new contract, on which CalMac is supposedly accountable to communities, CalMac proposes to impose completely unnecessary cuts on the Largs to Cumbrae ferry service over the busy summer period, allegedly to provide additional maintenance that has for decades been undertaken during the 10 hours in every 24 when the ferry does not sail.
The cabinet secretary previously stopped CalMac from reducing its services to Cumbrae by a quarter, which was very much welcomed. Working with Transport Scotland and CalMac, will she ensure that the latest proposed timetable changes, which could only be detrimental to the island’s economy and which islanders vehemently oppose, are ditched forthwith?
The member has raised the issue previously. Reliability means regular maintenance, and regular maintenance is to be part of the new contract. However, I understand Mr Gibson’s concerns regarding the Cumbrae service. The regular maintenance outwith the annual overhaul schedule is intended to reduce unplanned disruption and overruns and improve overall service reliability over the piece.
CalMac is at the beginning of the process. I have been clear that it must work closely with local communities to ensure that any proposals are fully discussed. I will meet CalMac on 28 January to discuss a range of matters including its proposals to introduce scheduled maintenance windows. I reiterate that, at this time, no final decision has been taken in relation to its operations on Cumbrae. I will raise the issue at that meeting on 28 January.
Municipally Owned Energy Sources
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote the development of municipally owned energy sources. (S6O-05386)
The Scottish Government is committed to growing community and local energy to ensure that communities across Scotland play an active role in renewable energy development as part of a just transition towards net zero. That includes providing support to local authorities such as the recent funding that has been given to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which is exploring opportunities for shared ownership of energy projects alongside community groups.
We also continue to work with Great British Energy on its local power plan to ensure that any support and funding that are provided through that initiative will work for local authorities in Scotland to develop their own energy projects.
The new solar farm in Kilwinning, which was switched on in October, is the first of its kind in Scotland, being both owned and operated by a local authority. I commend the work of the previous Labour administration in North Ayrshire that pioneered the project, which will create enough energy to power 2,000 homes. The income that is generated by the solar farm will be used to fund local services and encourage the development of further local renewable energy projects. North Ayrshire Council is also set to deliver a second solar farm at Irvine.
Will the Scottish Government learn from the North Ayrshire experience? What more can be done to support councils in developing municipally owned energy sources?
I am delighted to hear of the success of the project that Katy Clark mentions. Of course, there are many others throughout the country. It is really important that councils share good practice in this area in the same way that they do when they work together at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other forums that they meet in. We have leaders in this space who can encourage and facilitate the learning of other councils, and the Government stands ready to support that work.
Now that the cabinet secretary is no longer responsible for approving large-scale energy projects, including municipally owned energy sources, will she do something that she has failed to do so far and meet the campaign groups up and down the country who are seeing their communities trashed with monster pylons, substations and battery storage?
The Scottish Government will be consulting on the good practice principles, and that will give me an opportunity, as the cabinet secretary who is responsible for the principles, to engage with all stakeholders throughout Scotland on good practice for all energy developments.
That concludes portfolio questions on climate action and energy, and transport. Before we move on to the next item of business, there will be a short pause to allow the front bench teams to change positions.