Chamber and committees

So, it is not just producers of products who would have to pay, but importers of products, too.

I will follow up. The cabinet secretary is right that this is a policy decision at present. I completely respect that there is the preference of the Scottish Government, but is it not the case that what is coming through will take away the ability to do something different? The Scottish Government has the ability and right to make decisions on Scotland’s railway, but that will be eroded slightly by what is coming through here.

I, too, welcome the four-nations approach, which is the right way to go about the regulations. The only other thing that I will add—the cabinet secretary has mentioned it—relates to flavours and packaging. That is a problem in relation to single-use vapes, but it is also a problem in relation to multi-use vapes. I understand why that would not fit in with the regulations, but I would like it to be addressed somewhere—maybe in a health regulation or something—because the cabinet secretary is right that the flavours and packaging are targeted at younger people. We have heard a lot about how vapes are good for smoking cessation, but we are seeing now that, often, vapes are being targeted at people who go straight into the use of vapes. It would be good if the Government addressed those issues, too.

Can the cabinet secretary confirm whether the change will mean that Zero Waste Scotland is open to freedom of information requests at this point?

The bank was established in November 2020, and the legislation says:

“The Scottish Ministers must establish and maintain an advisory group to provide them with advice on the Bank’s objects, conduct and performance.”

Through a freedom of information request, I found out that the wage bill for the bank has almost doubled over the past two years, to a whopping £9.7 million. Cabinet secretary, when there is no advisory group in place to monitor the bank’s conduct and performance, how can we be assured that the Scottish National Party has not created another gravy train?

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish National Investment Bank is operating legally, in light of reports that the advisory group that was meant to be established by the Scottish ministers has not yet been established. (S6O-03646)

I extend my best wishes to Màiri McAllan as she heads off on maternity leave. I am sure that she will be a fantastic mum, and I look forward to seeing her back in Parliament later in the session. As a parent, I remember only too well the sleepless nights, the stress and the worry, but I guess that, as a member of the SNP Government, that is something that Ms McAllan is already used to.

I also welcome Gillian Martin to the role of cabinet secretary. She will bring a wealth of experience to the position, and it is good to see a former oil and gas spin doctor, as The Ferret referred to her, becoming cabinet secretary. I enjoy debating with Gillian Martin because I am sure that, deep down, she does not agree with her party’s presumption against oil and gas, and I am sure that, deep down, she supports the Rosebank development. I look forward to her changing her party’s position and protecting the north-east economy. I also want to congratulate Dr Alasdair Allan on getting back into Government—finally, a recycling target that the Government has met. We will support the motion today.

On electricity infrastructure, I have already said that we would work with communities to put in place infrastructure that works for those communities.

I must admit that I am a bit perplexed about why the Scottish National Party has decided to bring to the chamber a debate on the subject of the climate emergency when it has failed so dismally to meet its own climate targets and obligations.

Only six days ago, it was revealed that another target has been missed. That brings the grand total to nine failures out of 13 targets. The devolved SNP Government is asking the public to judge it on its record. That record is one of failure, overpromising, underdelivering and an abandonment of industries in the north-east.

To come to the chamber today and laud so-called achievements is complete nonsense. I have no idea how the minister can say such things with a straight face.

Once again, we see the Scottish Government taking no responsibility. As far as I am aware, the Conservative Party has not blocked anything that is coming through the Scottish Parliament. Only the Greens and the SNP are blocking issues—as we saw yesterday, when they blocked our proposals to put back recycling targets into legislation.

All those questions should be the focus of the Scottish Government’s remarks today, not false patting on the back for the great achievement of missing targets and failing in its obligations on climate change.

The Climate Change Committee also noted that the policy and plans that the Government had in place would not be enough to achieve the legal targets that are required under the Climate Change Act 2008. There was significant concern, particularly in relation to devolved areas of competence including buildings, transport, agriculture, land use and waste. Yet again, rather than coming forward with a clear plan for how we can move forward, the devolved SNP Government is coming forward with platitudes and promises.

If we are to meet our obligations, we need a clear plan with achievable and measurable targets that works with communities and industries. We also need a Government that will take that forward and deliver a true, just transition for everyone in Scotland as we move towards more renewable energy sources. However, we have no plan in Scotland.