Chamber and committees

Since the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) opened in 2015, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has faced challenges linked to the original build quality.

The Board has a range of ongoing legal proceedings against the main contractor as a result of these significant failures, which include defects with ensuite facilities.

Where issues are identified, these are managed on a case-by-case basis. This can include precautionary closure of individual rooms or areas while investigations and remedial works are carried out. This is a dynamic position reflecting ongoing inspection, maintenance and repair activity.

Patient safety is at the heart of the Board’s work, and their Estates and contractor teams continue to repair defects on an ongoing basis as required.

The Board is working with designers and specialist contractors to develop a long-term refit design option for all ensuite rooms in due course. There is currently no confirmed timetable for completion of this programme.

As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on potential recovery of costs from contractors or insurers.

The continued public investment in Scotland’s Railway, more than £1.6 billion this financial year alone, has enabled our industry partners to continue to deliver many of the aspirations shared with the rail unions. This includes the successful move to public ownership of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper; investment in stations and infrastructure; ScotRail driver recruitment at an all-time high; and new trains on the way.

The Scottish Government recognises that constructive engagement with trade unions and industry partners is fundamental to a flourishing Scotland’s Railway.

The Private Jet Tax will be implemented as higher rates of Air Departure Tax (ADT)which will apply to the carriage of passengers by air on private jet flights from Scottish airports.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00438 on 8 June 2025. 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.

Transport Scotland continues to work with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Glasgow City Council and other regional partners in the development of Clyde Metro. The ongoing stage of the development process, known as the Case for Investment, is being led by SPT, with Transport Scotland providing a project assurance role.

Through the Glasgow City Region Deal, £6.1 million is being provided by Scottish Government, as part of a total allocation of £12.2 million, to take forward the development of the Clyde Metro project Case for Investment – a clear sign of this government’s commitment to supporting development of Clyde Metro. This key stage, which will inform decisions around network selection, phasing and implementation, is well underway and is anticipated to be complete in 2027.

Scottish Government Ministers are focused on delivering manifesto commitments. Further updates on this commitment will be provided once discussions with ETZ and ONE have progressed.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00360 on 8 June 2026. 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 £2 bus fare cap is currently being delivered as a 12 month pilot and has been successfully rolled out across the Highlands and Islands. A local authority based model was developed as part of the process of establishing the pilot, and the Scottish Government will undertake a formal evaluation of the pilot with partners and bus operators to assess its impacts and identify lessons learned. These findings will inform the development and design of future schemes, including consideration of how a national bus fare cap could be implemented.

On 3 March 2026, the former Deputy First Minister and the former Cabinet Secretary for Transport informed Parliament of the Scottish Government’s proposal to directly award contracts for four new vessels Ferguson Marine. These contracts cover replacements for the research vessel Scotia, the fisheries protection vessel Minna, and two additional ferries to be delivered as part of Phase 2 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP2).

Fulfilment of the proposed programme, subject to due diligence processes to assess viability, would secure a pipeline of work and allow the shipyard to move ahead with its modernisation plans while pitching for additional orders on the open market.

The proposed contracts would also unlock the remainder of the £14.2m committed by the Scottish Government to upgrade the yard’s infrastructure, improve productivity and streamline production.

The Scottish Government does not hold information relating to the costs of works to upgrade the Port of Rosyth to deliver a ferry service from Scotland to Europe.

The Scottish Government and its agencies continue to support the wider development of our ports and the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.

We established a Green Freeport at Forth Ports, which includes Rosyth. This involves both seed capital funding, along with businesses locating within the tax site being able to access a package of devolved and reserved tax incentives.