Chamber and committees

The Commission will ensure that the value and importance of lived experience is respected and reflected in its approach to gathering and considering evidence to inform its recommendations.

This will include meaningful participation and engagement with people with direct experience of selling/exchanging sex - which will also be reflected in the Commission’s panel of experts.

I refer the member to the answer to S7W-01438 on 20 July 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01438 on 20 July 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.

Early work on the Commission has begun, with its Chair Fiona Taylor QPM appointed in March 2026.

In terms of next-steps, Ministers will work with Ms Taylor to finalise the Commission’s terms of reference, and a panel of experts will be appointed to support her. The Commission’s first meeting will take place once its members have been appointed. Updates (including the terms of reference) will be provided on the Scottish Government website in due course.

The Commission will undertake its work independently of government.

CMAL, in collaboration with CalMac and Transport Scotland as part of the project working group, are currently reviewing the design and scope of the upgrades required to support the continuation of ferry services to Arran. Based on the current stage of the project; minimal spend is expected within this financial year (2026-27) with increased spend expected within future years from 2027-28 onwards.

Information regarding the annual subsidy level for the public contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services is available on the Transport Scotland website under ‘Transport Scotland Section 70 return – 2013-2014’ and ‘Transport Scotland Section 70 Return – 2024-25’.

The individual subsidy levels from these documents for the Northern Isles Ferry Services have been reproduced in the following tables.

 Web addresses:

http://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/transport-scotland-section-70-return-2013-14/

http://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/transport-scotland-section-70-return-2024-25/northern-isles-ferry-services/

The design and build fixed price contracts are covered by Builders Refund Guarantees.

Scottish Ministers are committed to reforming our public sector to ensure the delivery of excellent public services in a fiscally sustainable manner. Delivering such services is core to the government’s mission. The role of Public Service Reform is to deliver that mission, building confidence that the government is on Scotland’s side and can be trusted to take the next step in our constitutional journey.

Any reform of ferry services will be taken forward as part of this and will involve engagement with stakeholders. Parliament will be updated on any decisions in the normal fashion.

The Scottish Government continues to monitor the deck space reservation pilot, with a working group of Transport Scotland, CalMac and community representatives due to meet in July 2026 to review progress and consider next steps.

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the impact of a ferry service between Rosyth and Dunkirk. The decision to introduce an international ferry service is a commercial consideration for the ferry operator and relevant port authorities.

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 are happy to work with any ferry operator to explore opportunities to promote a new service.