Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is taking a range of actions to promote and support sustainable fishing practices in Scotland’s waters through the implementation of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 as set out in the Strategy's 2025 Delivery Plan . Scotland already has a strong fisheries management framework based on quotas, effort controls and technical regulations, and we continue to build on these foundations through measures that support sustainable fishing practices while balancing economic, environmental and social objectives.

We use quota management to encourage sustainable fishing, including dedicated allocations for the non-sector fleet such as 1,000 tonnes of North Sea mackerel for handline fishing. In 2025, we also introduced an initiative that provides access to additional west of Scotland cod quota for vessels using selective fishing gear and techniques or demonstrating a reduced environmental impact.

We are further strengthening sustainable fisheries management through the development of 21 of the UK’s 43 Fisheries Management Plans, the introduction of mandatory remote monitoring on high-risk fishing vessels, and work to improve fishing selectivity and reduce bycatch. The Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement Programme will also deliver a step-change for fisheries management — supporting a resilient, evidence-led and regionally tailored approach for the diverse and innovative inshore fisheries sector. All these measures demonstrate our commitment to ensuring Scotland’s fisheries remain productive, resilient and environmentally sustainable for future generations.

Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL) is responsible for the assessment of rolling stock on its services, with oversight from Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH). The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible as the safety regulator for ensuring that the rolling stock is maintained in line with the safety management system. The Member may wish to contact these organisations directly regarding this matter. The Scottish Government does not hold the information centrally.

Responsibility for assessing grid stability, system inertia and generational adequacy rests with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator (NESO), as electricity security of supply is a reserved matter.

Caledonian Sleeper and Transport Focus, the independent passenger watchdog, publish statistical information on passenger satisfaction. Recent survey results can be accessed here: Caledonian Sleeper_GSS_Dashboard_2027_RP03https://www.sleeper.scot/about/our-performance/#3; and https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/publication/caledonian-sleeper-guest-satisfaction-survey-25/.

Previous results of surveys undertaken by Transport Focus can be found in the ‘Publications’ section of its website: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/publications/?hba_otd_searchable_posts%5BrefinementList%5D%5Bpost_year%5D%5B0%5D=2022.

Transport Scotland offers a subsidy through Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) to fund operational costs of the Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL), which are not met by other income, including passenger revenue. The information on level of that subsidy including capital funding is available publicly from various sources, including Caledonian Sleeper Ltd accounts submitted to Companies House: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC328825/filing-history. No loans are offered to CSL by the Scottish Government or Transport Scotland.

The national minimum amounts for School Clothing Grant were agreed with local government. Local authorities are responsible for administering the School Clothing Grant, including setting eligibility criteria, and have the flexibility to pay families more than the national minimum. The Scottish Government is providing increased funding of £14.6m in 2026/27 financial year to support local authorities to maintain the School Clothing Grant. We have committed to uprating funding in line with inflation during this Parliament.

Our 2024 national guidance on school uniform and clothing makes clear that schools should consider their uniform policies in the context of the national minimum School Clothing Grant and design those policies on the basis that families can purchase all items needed for the school year within that budget. The guidance was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and informed by a range of evidence and stakeholder engagement, including consultation with pupils, parents and carers.

Responsibility for school uniform rests with individual schools and education authorities.

The Scottish Government published national guidance on school uniform and clothing in 2024. It supports headteachers, school leaders and education authorities to work collaboratively with their school communities to develop affordable and sustainable uniform and clothing policies that meet the needs, circumstances and identities of their pupils.

The guidance has a strong focus on affordability and makes clear that schools are expected to do all they can to minimise costs for families, in line with wider efforts to tackle child poverty and reduce the cost of the school day. The guidance is clear that branded items should not be compulsory and that schools should not expect families to purchase them. Schools are encouraged to adopt flexible uniform policies that promote the use of pre-loved clothing to improve affordability and reduce waste.

Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL) performance is primarily monitored by Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH), who oversees CSL’s operations. The member may wish to contact CSL or SRH directly for the information requested.

In addition, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes statistical information on performance data regularly. Information starting from 2022-23 can be accessed here: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/.

Statistics on performance in years prior to that, can be found in the National Archives here: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20200503203004/https:/orr.gov.uk

The Scottish Government regularly engages with CalMac on ferry services. CalMac has advised that there are currently no plans to reintroduce non-landing tickets on the Mallaig-Small Isles service. With the initial decision having been made in response to growing concerns about the impact these sailings were having on the availability of passenger capacity for local residents and visitors travelling to and from the islands.

The Scottish Government is working closely with its appointed bookrunners to assess market conditions and achieve the most favourable terms available.

Releasing information on the criteria underpinning a potential bond issuance prior to execution could prejudice the Government's position in the market. Such disclosure may shape investor expectations, constrain pricing flexibility and adversely affect the terms on which borrowing can be secured. To do so before a transaction has taken place could therefore risk higher costs to the taxpayer and poorer value for money.