Chamber and committees

The risk assessment in relation to inflation on the delivery of the remainder of Control Period 6 (April 2019 – March 2024) and for Control Period 7 (April 2024 – March 2029) is reflected in the draft forecasts presented by Network Rail and the amount of risk funding allocated to it.

The impact or risk of inflation in Control Period 6 continues to be monitored by Network Rail and reported to Transport Scotland as part of the normal four weekly monitoring process.

As for Control Period 7, the potential impact of inflation is being considered by Network Rail in their planning for Control Period 7 via the ongoing Periodic Review 2023 process. This will be assessed and regulated by the Office of Rail and Road and be reflected in their final determination for CP7.

Highland Council-run services between the Ardnamurchan peninsula and Corran have been cancelled for at least seven weeks as two vessels are repaired. The implementation of any temporary replacement service is a matter for the local authority.

The Scottish Government understands that in addition to the alternative foot passenger routes in place, significant work has taken place to improve road safety measures for vehicles using the detour along the A861. We understand that 24-hour works have been ongoing on the A861 and since the start of these arrangements a number of additional passing places have been introduced and extended, as well as improvements to drainage, patching works and use of roadside recovery where required. Further information on mitigations taken by the local authority can be found here .

The Scottish Government continues to engage with the Council on this important issue and the Minister for Transport met with the Council on 26 April. We understand that the expected return to service of the MV Corran remains early June.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government recognises the challenge for local authorities, including The Highland Council, that have responsibility for ferries, and have provided more than £136m over the last 5 years to support the running of these services.

Since October of last year, 29 women have been approved for referral to the independent providers. For reasons of patient confidentiality, this is not broken down by provider. To date, 13 surgeries have been carried out.

Circularity Scotland are working on the agreement currently and will update in due course. Producers can contact Circularity Scotland directly for updates.

We received around 3000 responses to the consultation on restricting alcohol advertising and promotion.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17540 on 11 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Scottish Government are investing £7.08m through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme in 2023-24 to reduce the number of casualties on Scotland’s roads by encouraging improved driver behaviour through the targeted deployment of safety cameras.

A range of safety camera resources are already deployed across the North Coast 500 and plans are in place to increase the level of resources during peak tourist season.

In addition, Transport Scotland are in regular discussions with local stakeholders to explore ways to further enhance road safety in the north of Scotland. This includes discussion through the Road Safety Framework Local Partnership Forum – North which next meets on 15 June 2023.

Highland Council-run services between the Ardnamurchan peninsula and Corran have been cancelled for at least seven weeks as two vessels are repaired. The implementation of any temporary replacement service is a matter for the local authority.

The Scottish Government understands that in addition to the alternative foot passenger routes in place, significant work has taken place to improve road safety measures for vehicles using the detour along the A861. We understand that 24-hour works have been ongoing on the A861 and since the start of these arrangements a number of additional passing places have been introduced and extended, as well as improvements to drainage, patching works and use of roadside recovery where required. Further information on mitigations taken by the local authority can be found here .

The Scottish Government continues to engage with the Council on this important issue and the Minister for Transport met with the Council on 26 April. We understand that the expected return to service of the MV Corran remains early June.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government recognises the challenge for local authorities, including The Highland Council, that have responsibility for ferries, and have provided more than £136m over the last 5 years to support the running of these services.

We remain determined to reduce alcohol-related harms and take a proportionate, whole population approach to address them. For example, we are reviewing our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing as well as Alcohol Brief Intervention Programme.

We are also working collaboratively with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) across Scotland to understand and help resolve local issues and support them in identifying ways to improve services, such as monitoring waiting times. Last year, £106.8 million was made available to ADPs, and nationally there is ongoing work, including the upcoming UK Alcohol Treatment Guidelines and development of alcohol treatment targets for April 2024.

£250 million has been put in place over five-year National Mission to tackle drug-related harm and a substantial part of it offers help to those impacted by alcohol. This includes £100 million investment in residential rehabilitation, where the majority of patients are being treated for issues related either solely to alcohol or a combination of alcohol and drugs.

We will publish both the stakeholder roundtable notes and the consultation findings later this year, which will inform the potential content and scope of any policy proposals and our consideration of appropriate next steps for this work.

The content of future legislative programmes for the remainder of this Session is subject to Cabinet consideration and will be announced in Programme for Government in the normal way.