Chamber and committees

The details of the budget we have provided to the Just Transition Commission to date is as follows:

I refer the member to the answers given for S6W-35156 and S6W-35159 on 27 February 2025.

It is for independent licensing authorities to consider their own approaches on requirements for MOT testing, subject to meeting legal requirements.

Chapter 5 (vehicles) of the Scottish Government best practice guidance for local licensing authorities and taxi and private Hire Car (PHC) operators on the licensing of taxis and PHCs and their drivers, provides examples of best practice that independent licensing authorities may wish to consider in relation to MOT testing for taxis and PHCs: https://www.gov.scot/publications/taxi-private-hire-car-licensing-best-practice-licensing-authorities-taxi-private-hire-car-operators-3rd-edition/pages/7/

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

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-35156 and S6W-35159 on 27 February 2025. This information is not held centrally. 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.

To date, no applications under Freight Facilities Grant have been received specifically promoting low carbon or zero emission solutions. However, the movement of freight by rail rather than road, especially over long distances, can result in lower emissions.

Any company which wants to move freight by rail or water rather than by road and which is proposing to invest in new freight handling facilities in Scotland or re-invest in existing facilities in Scotland may apply for FFG. Before making a formal application for FFG, a company is expected to approach Transport Scotland who will be able to give informal advice on whether, and to what extent, a freight facility may be eligible for FFG.

On receipt of the formal application, Transport Scotland may decide to seek independent engineering advice to examine the design and specification of the project. The costs of this will be borne by Transport Scotland. A visit to the site of the proposed facility, by Transport Scotland and by its appointed consultant, will be necessary.

Since the introduction of the scheme in 1997, applications have typically taken between 3-6 months to complete. However, it can take longer depending upon the complexity of the proposal and the time taken by the applicant to supply the information.

The application process for FFG is currently under review ahead of potential awards in financial year 2025-26.

With all applications, Transport Scotland officials are available to discuss any proposal and provide assistance on what information should be included in an application and what evidence is required prior to any formal decision being made on awarding a grant.

To date, no applicant has applied for a grant under the Freight Facilities Grant with the specific purpose of supporting the transition to greener technologies such as alternative fuels.

I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-35156 and S6W-35159 on 27 February 2025. This information is not held centrally. 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 Freight Facilities Grant scheme is demand-led. All applications are assessed on their own merits. There is no specific consideration given to freight in urban areas.

Policies to support the decarbonisation of Scotland’s manufacturing base will be summarised in the forthcoming Climate Change Plan which is being informed by discussion with representatives from key industrial sectors.