Chamber and committees

Workforce requirements remain under consideration as part of the development of the initial capacity planning proposals.

The Scottish Government provides around £198 million annually to support modern, graduate and foundation apprenticeships, with a commitment to funding at least 150,000 apprenticeship opportunities over the Parliamentary term and to develop a new Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant focused on supporting businesses, particularly SMEs.

Skills Development Scotland is responsible for Scotland’s national career service, providing support to all individuals in Scotland, to help them explore their career preferences and the pathways to achieve their goals.

Scotland’s colleges are responsible for decisions related to learning pathways and courses, including apprenticeship opportunities, based on their understanding of needs in their region. Areas including the Scottish Borders and Elgin have long-established links to the textile industry and continue to support employment opportunities in the sector.

The provisions relating to the Code came into force on 25 January 2018. Draft Codes were issued to statutory consultees and other stakeholders during December 2017 and January 2018. Responses from that statutory consultation were considered and incorporated into revised drafts.

At the point the Coronavirus pandemic began, the Code had not reached a stage at which it was ready to be finalised and published.

Once revised, a public consultation was subsequently undertaken between May and July 2021. Further revision was required thereafter.

Progression of the Code was affected by competing priorities and demands arising across the criminal justice system during this period, including those associated with the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Code has also required further refinement to reflect significant developments in law, policy and practice arising since its original development. Publication of the Code has required consideration not only of changes already implemented, but also of the wider legislative and policy landscape within which the Code will operate, to ensure that it remains accurate, relevant and fit for purpose on publication.

Transport Scotland continues to work with promoters to develop and assess a number of rail proposals, including a proposed station at Winchburgh. Transport Scotland also continues to support work arising from the Buchan Sustainable Transport Study, including advancing consideration of improved rail connections to Fraserburgh and Peterhead, and the exploration of a potential extension of the Borders Railway to Carlisle. Any future rail station or rail infrastructure proposals will be considered against the strength of their business case, alignment with Scottish Government priorities, Transport Scotland’s rail investment strategy and affordability.

ScotRail continually reviews passenger demand and allocates available rolling stock accordingly, although opportunities to increase capacity are constrained by a fixed fleet that is already fully utilised. The Scottish Government expects ScotRail to make the best use of available rolling stock and continue efforts to reduce short-formations. To support this, investment is being made in Scotland's railway through the Fife Electrification Project, ScotRail's Suburban Fleet Replacement Programme and the replacement of Scotland's InterCity fleet, helping to deliver more reliable and resilient services on routes serving Dalmeny.

Scottish Ministers have met representatives of the Beattock Station Action Group on a number of occasions. These include a site visit by Keith Brown, then Minister for Transport and Veterans, on 24 September 2014, discussions involving Derek Mackay, then Minister for Transport and the Islands, on 28 January 2016, and a meeting between Humza Yousaf, then Minister for Transport and the Islands, and representatives of the Action Group, local MSPs and pupils from Moffat Academy on 31 January 2018, which is the most recent ministerial meeting identified.

Whilst the Scottish Government expects ScotRail to allocate its rolling stock in a manner that maximises operational efficiency and meets passenger needs, responsibility for these operational decisions rests with ScotRail as the train operating company, drawing on its in-house expertise.

ScotRail continually monitors passenger demand across the network and uses this information to inform rolling stock allocation and timetable planning. Demand patterns are kept under review and are considered alongside operational requirements, fleet availability and wider network constraints when decisions are taken regarding train formations and service provision.

The Scottish Government continues to engage regularly with ScotRail and Scottish Rail Holdings regarding capacity, reliability and passenger experience across the network.

Decisions on licensing for new offshore oil and gas exploration, as well as those on consenting and the associated fiscal regime, are currently reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government's position is clear - the UK Government must make decisions on North Sea oil and gas on a case-by-case basis, with climate compatibility and energy security as key considerations.

The Scottish Government committed in the Programme for Government to publishing a refreshed Energy Strategy to provide long-term certainty for industry and communities. Energy security, emissions, economic opportunities and affordability will be key considerations alongside developments in reserved energy policy and the international landscape.

Police Scotland already accepts reports of road traffic offences supported by digital evidence through existing reporting mechanisms.

To build on these arrangements, Transport Scotland are supporting Police Scotland to develop Journey Cam. It will provide a more streamlined and accessible reporting process which members of the public can use to submit video footage of suspected road traffic offences and improve the efficiency with which digital evidence is received and assessed.

Journey Cam is intended to deliver many of the same benefits associated with reporting systems operating in England and Wales, while being designed to meet Police Scotland’s operational requirements.

Our planning guidance will be published before Christmas, as we have previously made clear to Parliament. We are seeking targeted input from planning authorities, key agencies and relevant experts from within the scientific community to ensure the guidance is informed by the best available evidence and expertise.

There are existing mechanisms within the planning system which provide opportunities for communities and the public to influence decisions about future development proposals, and the guidance will help support that.