Chamber and committees

Local Authorities have a duty to investigate light pollution complaints under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). The Scottish Government engages with local authorities through the Environmental Health Officers network and relevant working groups, where any emerging issues on light pollution could be raised.

I recognise the unavailability of the Corran Ferry is causing major disruption for communities, businesses and visitors to the area.

While the operation of transport links across the Corran Narrows is the responsibility of the Highland Council and any decisions on maintenance, upgrades, or options to replace ferries is for them, I recently met with the Highland Council to hear more about their plans for the route. I would be happy to visit Lochaber to learn further about The Highland Council’s plans and to meet the local community.

Social Security Scotland’s most recent statistics show that the majority of people who have applied for Child Disability Payment received a decision within four months, although processing times vary from a few weeks to over six months or more. A key part of the application process, and a key difference from the Department for Work and Pensions’ service, is that Social Security Scotland can gather supporting information on behalf of clients. Whilst this process takes time, it allows Social Security Scotland to make robust decisions.

Work is underway to speed up processing times. This includes liaising with organisations who most often provide supporting information. For example, an option for GPs to upload supporting information online was recently introduced. In addition, work continues with clients and stakeholders to ensure they understand the kind of information needed to make decisions and how to provide this at the earliest opportunity.

The methodology used to assess dwellings’ EPCs is adjusted over time to update modelling assumptions and reflect changes in technology. According to our National Statistics publication on the conditions of the housing stock, the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS), 24% of dwellings had an EPC rating of A-C in 2010, and 51% had an EPC rating of A-C in 2019. This is calculated using SAP 2009, an older methodology, which allows comparisons back to 2010.

The most recent methodology, SAP 2012 (RdSAP v9.93) provides figures for only 2018 and 2019. In 2018, 43% of dwellings had an EPC rating of A-C. In 2019, 45% of dwellings had an EPC rating of A-C.

Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Scottish House Condition Survey, 2019 is the latest year for which we have National Statistics for EPC ratings across the Scottish domestic housing stock. Figures for 2023 will be published in late 2024 or 2025.

The provision of local bus services is a matter for individual bus operators who use their own commercial judgement on conditions of carriage in the open de-regulated market, as established by the Transport Act 1985.

A number of operators of bus and coach services allow the carriage of folding bikes or standard bikes being stored in a box or bag, in a luggage compartment. The recently published cycling framework for active travel recognises the importance of supporting cycling journeys to and from public transport hubs and working with operators to support multi-modal journeys.

I recognise that every cancelled sailing can have a significant impact and realise that this is not just about ferry service performance, it’s about delivering the confidence needed to sustain island communities, businesses, and populations.

In addition to investment in new vessels, Scottish Minsters have provided funding for the charter of MV Alfred to improve resilience over a nine month period. I can assure you that I, along with my officials at Transport Scotland, will continue to work closely with and support CalMac to resolve issues as best we can and minimise periods where services are restricted.

The Scottish Government is committed to a fair, inclusive and fiscally sustainable form of local taxation. We convened a Joint Working Group co-chaired by Scottish Ministers and COSLA which is actively considering targeted changes to reflect the current circumstances created by the cost crisis, including delivering a joint consultation on measures which would allow local authorities to increase the rate of Council Tax on second and empty homes. The group will also consider approaches to longer term reform, utilising effective deliberative engagement. I will ensure that Parliament is kept appraised of this work at suitable junctures.

As is standard practice, any planned changes to Scottish Income Tax will be announced during the regular annual Budget process. Our approach to taxation will continue to be guided by the strategic objectives and principles set out in our Framework for Tax, which underpins our fair and progressive approach.

We are committed to engaging with the public to explore how best we can use our existing powers to continue to deliver the most progressive taxation system in the UK, and achieve the Government’s three key missions of equality, opportunity and community.

The Scottish Government is committed to building resilience to the impacts of climate change as part of Scotland's just transition to a net-zero economy and society.

Alongside continuing to deliver over 170 policies and proposals in the current Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, the Scottish Government is also now developing the next programme. Public consultation is anticipated for the start of 2024 with the aim of publishing a final statutory programme in Autumn 2024.

This third five-year Adaptation Programme will respond to the full range of current and future climate risks for Scotland, as independently identified by the Climate Change Committee in its evidence base for the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2022. The Scottish Government is also looking for additional, early actions we can take to address the highest priority risk areas identified by the Climate Change Committee.

While progress is being made, we acknowledge that more needs to be done. Adaptation to the locked in impacts of climate change is a global challenge and we are not alone in needing to accelerate progress.

The results of NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme show:

(a) 240 out of 307 (76%) freshwater habitat and associated species natural features are in favourable condition

(b) 3,773 out of 4,864 (78%) earth science, terrestrial habitats and associated species natural features are in favourable condition

There are no legal requirements for owners of protected sites to manage their land in order to achieve a specific standard of condition. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage a protected area. Owners and occupiers must not carry out certain operations that could potentially damage SSSIs without prior consent from NatureScot.

The main sources of financial support for land managers for positive management of protected areas is through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and Forestry Grant Scheme. NatureScot can also enter in to management agreements with owners and occupiers of land to support a range of actions to improve and maintain their condition.