Chamber and committees

We are currently considering the appropriateness of such agreements, similar to those developed south of the Border, for Scotland. Initial discussions have been held with trade union colleagues and we are keen to explore constructively how they might be involved in any such future arrangement.

It isn’t standard practice for Scottish Government to provide specific funding for maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations, and as such we do not hold such information. Units funded through Scottish Government schemes would have a 3/5 year warranty/maintenance pack included within the initial quote to install the unit, after this initial 3/5 year period it is the responsibility of the owner/host to maintain the unit and pay for any work that may be required to keep the unit fully operational.

As at Scottish Budget 2020-21, 4% of Scotland’s GDP was planned to be spent on infrastructure, which is on a par to the percentage of UK GDP allocated to capital expenditure by the UK Government at Budget 2020.

From 1 April 2022, ScotRail Trains Ltd will be responsible for engaging with the trades unions.

The Scottish Government is committed to contributing to international development as an essential part of being a good global citizen. Within that, we have committed to Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) as part of a holistic, cross-Government, approach to our international development offer. The aim of the Ministerial Working Group on PCSD is to support that ongoing commitment by the Scottish Government. Our work on PCSD considers not just our needs but the needs of others overseas, the overall impact of our policies on poor people and poor countries. It will remain a vital component of our contribution to international development as we strive to build a green economy and “leave no one behind” in line with the ethos of the UN SDGs. Our approach is for responsibility for PCSD and its delivery to reside across all Ministerial portfolios, with the Group providing Ministers with the opportunity to reflect on how their portfolios shape and influence these issues, and what is required to improve policy coherence, not just within but across portfolios.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, as the procuring authority, have confirmed that Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd expressed an interest and submitted a bid for the contract to build the two new ferries.

Following publication of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), Initial Appraisal: Case for Change Reports in February 2021. The following fixed links were included for consideration as part of the appraisal process for Phase 2 of the review:

• New rail connection to/from Cowal linking to the West Highland Line or rail network in Inverclyde or North Ayrshire, including fixed link or ferry crossings
• New rail connection to/from Kintyre linking to Cowal, including fixed link or ferry crossing
• From South Ronaldsay (Orkney Islands) to Gills Bay (Scottish Mainland)
• Sound of Harris
• Sound of Barra
• From Western Isles to the Scottish Mainland
• Between Mull and Scottish mainland
• A tunnel between Benbecula and Skye

The number members, and the makeup, of the Working Group, which is to be chaired by me, will depend on the issues to be discussed. I believe that in order to get the best out of the group we should be flexible in its membership. Ministers will be invited to attend meetings from time to time if an agenda item is relevant to their portfolio, so membership will be amended to reflect the Group’s discussions and future changes in priorities.

I am happy to commit to publishing participant details once the Group has met.

The frequency of Working Group meetings will be decided by the group itself when it meets, as it will depend on the issues to be considered.

The roll out of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET), which delivered significant reductions in ferry fares, was completed on the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service network in October 2015 and led to an estimated average fare reduction of 34% for passengers and 40% for car traffic and it continues to save travellers around £25m a year. We are also continuing work to explore options to introduce RET on all Northern Isles routes.

The 2021-22 Programme for Government (PfG) also reiterated our commitment to maintain Road Equivalent Tariff on all current island ferry routes, helping make ferry travel more affordable and more accessible, and enhancing island economies.

A review of ferry fares policy will be conducted as part of the upcoming Islands Connectivity Plan, to be published by the end of 2022. Consultation and engagement will be central to the development of the Plan and the review provides the opportunity to ensure that our fares policy continues to address the needs of island residents, businesses and communities.