Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland were informed on 2 February of Peel Ports decision to close the Irish Berth permanently.

The number of timetabled sailings CalMac has provided with the charter vessel, MV Alfred since 27 April 2023 until 9 February 2024 is 882.

The Scottish Government funds delivery of 1140 hours of high quality funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds. This entitlement is regardless of the working status of their parents - putting children first.

We recognise how important both early learning and school age childcare are for families, especially those experiencing poverty. Within this year’s Programme for Government we have committed to work with local government and partners in the ELC sector to expand our childcare offers.

We are already delivering school age childcare services to around 1,000 priority families through our early adopter work in Glasgow, Dundee, Clackmannanshire, and Inverclyde - and through our Access to Childcare Fund projects.

Over the next year we will expand our early adopter work to include Fife and Shetland and also to broaden the work to include younger children. This work will provide us with a clearer picture about what approaches deliver the greatest impact for families.

In parallel we will continue to work with local authorities and our partners in the sector to support up-take of the existing two year old offer, to ensure as many children as possible receive the benefits of high quality ELC. We will also begin the work necessary to plan for an expansion of funded ELC for more families with a two year old, focused on those who will benefit most.

We know that the needs of younger children are different to those aged three and four and in developing our plans for an expansion we will be guided by what the evidence tells us is best for children and families.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The Member may wish to contact ScotRail directly.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24748 on 2 February 2024. 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 audits ScotRail under the Service Quality Inspection Regime (SQUIRe). The SQUIRe inspectors undertake sample inspections, including checking cleanliness of the trains and stations.

The SQUIRE regime is one of the toughest performance regimes in the UK with many of the target levels set at 90% or higher. ScotRail is required to address any issues identified during inspections as quickly as possible. This regime makes it possible for ScotRail to achieve one of the highest independent passenger satisfaction survey results amongst UK train operators.

We know that safety of passengers and staff alike is a number one priority for ScotRail.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The member may wish to contact ScotRail directly.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The member may wish to contact ScotRail directly.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The member may wish to contact ScotRail directly.

Transport Focus carries out passenger satisfaction surveys on behalf of all train operating companies on the GB Rail network. In the last survey published in September 2023, ScotRail achieved one of the highest independent passenger satisfaction survey results amongst UK train operators, at 91%. This is a 2% increase from its previous score of 89% between December 2022 and March 2023.

It also represents a 1% increase in overall satisfaction with ScotRail since it came into public ownership.

Our Programme for Government published in September 2023 committed to the introduction of a Housing Bill this parliamentary year. This Bill will deliver our New Deal for Tenants including the introduction of long-term rent controls for the Private Rented Sector; creating new tenants’ rights; and introducing new duties aimed at the prevention of homelessness.