Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22464 on 7 November 2023. 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

Analysis of data from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) shows that approximately 690,000 students have benefitted from free tuition fees at university between 2007-08 and 2022-23.

The Scottish Government provided no direct funding to the British Allergy Foundation in 2022.

The terms and conditions of GB Railcards are set out by National Rail (part of the Rail Delivery Group). Neither Transport Scotland nor ScotRail regulate the rules for the use of national railcards.

As such, future decisions on when discounts would be available using the 16-25 national railcard are not controlled by the Scottish Government.

Where a National Railcard dictates a minimum fare for travel during peak times - such as the 16-25, 26-30, and Veterans Railcard and the minimum fare will still apply.

I would encourage the member to contact Jacqueline Starr CEO, Rail Delivery Group to raise this matter at [email protected]

The new National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) is being developed with stakeholders and regional planners. Once adopted, the new NMP2 will provide the context for future regional marine planning by setting the vision for the sustainable management of our marine space. The updated NMP2 will also set national aims and objectives for marine planning as well as set out how these will be supported by regional objectives. The NMP2 will provide a new focus on regional issues and priorities which could be considered within future regional plans.

Regional marine plans must be in conformity with the National Marine Plan currently in effect, unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise, and are developed by delegates known as Marine Planning Partnerships. The current Plan sets out that the precise approach and coverage of the regional plan will be for these Partnerships to determine based on local priorities and taking account of existing partnerships, methodologies and alignment with other local plans.

The purpose of Scotland’s National Marine Plan is to set out the strategic policies for the sustainable development of our marine resources. Regional marine plans are currently being developed for three out of the eleven defined Scottish Marine Regions (Orkney, Shetland and the Clyde). Unlike the National Marine Plan, which ‘must’ be prepared and adopted under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, regional marine plans ‘may’ be prepared and adopted, under the same legislation. It is not within the scope of any National Marine Plan to require the production of Regional Marine Plans by a set date.

Eleven Scottish Marine Regions are spatially defined under the Scottish Marine Regions Order 2015. Certain functions for marine planning for these regions can be designated to a delegate, known as Marine Planning Partnerships, through Ministerial Direction. The current National Marine Plan provides guidance to support the development of regional marine plans but specifies that the precise approach and coverage of the regional plan, will be for Marine Planning Partnerships to determine based on local priorities and taking account of existing partnerships, methodologies and alignment with other local plans.

The National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) is in the early stages of development, working with Marine Planning Partnerships and stakeholders, it will set the context for future regional marine planning and consider options for spatially explicit planning as part of the NMP2 process.

The total funding for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championship is in the process of being finalised and will be confirmed in due course. It includes contributions from the Scottish Government, UK Sport, British Cycling, Glasgow City Council and a number of other local authorities, as well as from commercial revenue streams. Any additional funding that may be required will be managed centrally by the Scottish Government and will not be derived from the Culture portfolio’s budget.

The Civil Contingencies Act (2004) places a statutory duty on responders to cooperate and share information.

There are several technical layers of fallback capabilities in place for communication during circumstances that challenge the usual methods of communication. However, work continues to review current arrangements and ensure they are resilient to a wide range of risks. The existing resilient telecommunications plan for Scotland is currently under review, led by Police Scotland.

As I set out in my statement to Parliament in May, I will begin to take forward a more focused consultation in the autumn on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict the promotion of less healthy food and drink where those are sold to the public. We have begun engaging with stakeholders as part of this process. It is important that engagement on our proposals is extensive and as inclusive as possible.