Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government would welcome a ferry service between Lerwick and Bergen. This would have to operate on a commercially viable basis and would be for ferry operators to consider. While we encourage ferry operators to keep the option of introducing new routes under review, we are not aware of any firm commitments regarding any such service at this time.

The long term impact on the economy of lower EU migration was set out in our recent paper - Scotland’s population needs and migration policy: Discussion paper on evidence, policy and powers for the Scottish Parliament .

The analysis presented in this paper estimated that a reduction in migration, under a “central scenario” of the ONS principal migration scenario, could reduce Scotland’s GDP by 4.5% per year and Government revenue by 3.5% per year by 2040.

Under a “low migration scenario” GDP in Scotland could be 9.3% lower per year, with Government Revenue 4.7% lower per year by 2040.

The results show that these scenarios will result in less Government revenue, meaning less resources to invest in the NHS or other public services.

Plans on the use of Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy assessment materials have been under consideration since a short life working group was set up comprising representatives from SQA, Scottish Government, Education Scotland and local authorities in 2017. A decision was made not to release the materials at that time due to ongoing work to declutter the guidance and information available in the education system. We intend to review that decision during the summer of 2018.

HIAL is non-profit making and the aim is for HIAL to break even in any given period taking account of its commercial revenue and subsidy from the Scottish Government. The subsidy from the Scottish Government is set through the Scottish Budget process. Given this, HIAL does not get final confirmation of their subsidy until the Budget Act is passed by the Scottish Parliament.This provides HIAL with a relatively short period of time to finalise its revenue and cost projections for the coming financial year in order to achieve a break even position.

As stated in my answer to question S5W-15397, HIAL is consulting local authorities and others on the practical implementation of the extension of car parking charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports. This will include of a range of activities, such as meetings and questionnaires, targeted at specific interested parties including local authorities, elected representatives and the travelling public, HIAL’s most important stakeholders.

As stated in my answer to question S5W-15397, HIAL is consulting with local authorities and others on the practical implementation of the extension of car parking charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports. This will include of a range of activities, such as meetings and questionnaires, targeted at specific interested parties including local authorities, elected representatives and the travelling public, HIAL’s most important stakeholders.

While the financial situation means that car parking charges must be extended, as stated in my answer to question S5W-15397, HIAL is consulting local authorities and others on the practical implementation of the extension of charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports. This will include of a range of activities, such as meetings and questionnaires, targeted at specific interested parties including local authorities, elected representatives and the travelling public, HIAL’s most important stakeholders.

As a public body HIAL must operate efficiently and we expect the company to seek to reduce costs and increase commercial revenue. The financial situation means that car parking charges must be extended in order to fund the maintenance and improvement of facilities at HIAL's airports. HIAL is consulting on the practical implications of extending the charges.

I noted reports that a member of the Sumburgh Airport Consultative Committee was made aware of the decision to extend parking charges through a company news release. This issue has been raised with HIAL.

The purchase of the 3 Ropax vessels (MV Hamnavoe, MV Hjaltland and the MV Hrossey) from the Royal Bank of Scotland by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) secured the vessels for the Northern Isles ferry service contract. With the proposed reduction in fares to the Northern Isles it is anticipated that the volume of traffic will increase. On 25 April 2018 we published the NIFS study which considered the potential demand response and capacity issues and we will be considering further, in consultation with stakeholders.

We will keep vessel requirements under review, taking account of further consultations with stakeholders on demand and capacity.

Work on the Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan 2017 (VRDP) is underway which includes consideration of the addition of the Northern Isles Ferry services. The VRDP 2017 Plan will be produced during 2018.