Chamber and committees

The UK Spending Review will not be published until 25 November 2015 and we will therefore not know what block grant is available in future to Scottish Ministers and delivery partners until that date.

Under the current devolution settlement around 80% of the Scottish budget is directly determined by decisions taken in Westminster and the application of the Barnett formula. This means that we have no alternative but to await the outcome of the UK Spending Review before publishing future spending plans for Scotland. Our spending plans will support the strategic priorities established in the Programme for Government including maintaining our programme of investment in roads and sustainable transport alternatives.

Investment on the trunk road network will be required on a continuing basis to ensure the network is improved and maintained.

A total of £6 billion has been invested since 2007 to maintain and improve the trunk road network. Current investment plans total approximately £8 billion and include the new Queensferry Crossing, the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project and the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project as well as ongoing maintenance activity.

Each trunk road scheme is assessed for its potential to result in traffic emissions from construction and operation. The assessment involves the iterative design, assessment and identification of measures that could be taken to avoid or reduce adverse impacts or enhance the positive environmental performance of the scheme.

In Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022), published in December 2012, it was noted (chapter 2 paragraph 11) that the current ro-pax vessels chartered from RBS for the Northern Isles ferry services will only be 18 years old in 2018 and it will be feasible for them to continue on the routes for another contract period. We are taking that forward in discussion with RBS and local stakeholders.

Transport Scotland does not hold a formal recorded annual appraisal with any of the operators of its ferry contracts. Formal performance management meetings are held regularly with each operator and on an annual basis, in line with the provisions of the relevant public service contracts. This will include consideration of the annual outturn statement and discussion of the previous year’s performance.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish correspondence regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink.

Passenger fares have increased on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012 by the following:

2.8% on 1 January 2013

2.7% on 1 January 2014

1.5% on 1 January 2015

These increases are in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and approved by the Scottish Ministers.

Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) provides passengers with a wide range of on board accommodation opportunities. These range from reclining seats to premium cabins. Since taking on the contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services, SNF fares have increased in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and approved by the Scottish Ministers. For instance on the Aberdeen to Lerwick route a four berth inner cabin cost £100.70 (peak) at the start of the contract and the same cabin in 2015 costs £108.00.

In February 2013, Serco NorthLink Ferries introduced a new offering to passengers with 36 ‘Sleeping Pod’ style seats becoming available on board both the MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey. Details of the current fares structure, including cabin prices are available on their website by following the link below:

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/fares/

Under the terms of the Northern Isles ferries services contract fares are set by the Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish this correspondence.

The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) requires the user to consider a number of constraints such as:

Scottish, UK or EU legislation; and

Scottish or UK fiscal policy.

Depending on the nature of the state aid, further consideration would typically be undertaken once the STAG appraisal is complete, during the preparation of an outline business case.