Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-44340 on 19 March 2026, S6W-44341on 24 March 2026 and S6W-44342 on 19 March 2026. 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

The number of full-time equivalent teachers is shown in the statistics from the annual teacher census as published on the Scottish Government website, here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/teacher-census-supplementary-statistics/

The purpose of any pilot, is to gather evidence and through the bus fare cap pilot we are testing the feasibility of a fare cap model. We will be monitoring the impact on bus patronage and services in the pilot areas to help inform future national fares policy.

The merits of any proposal, both onshore and offshore, are considered on a case-by-case basis and in reaching their decision, the decision maker must determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements, relevant policies and representations from consultees and members of the public.

The A7 is only a trunk road and hence the responsibility of Scottish Ministers, between its junction with the A6091 near Galashiels and the Canonbie (Bypass) (England Border). The northerly sections of the A7 from Galashiels to Edinburgh are the responsibility of the respective local authority through which the road passes.

Transport Scotland and its Road Operating Company have regular engagement with a range of stakeholders in the course of their roles to manage, maintain and operate the route safely.

A recent example of this is regarding the Center Parcs proposal, located off the A7 between Selkirk and Hawick, in this case Transport Scotland, as one of the statutory consultees in the planning system, was approached by transport consultants representing Center Parcs. Discussions have taken place which are related to the likely effects of the proposed development on the Trunk Road network and the application now has consent and is required to upgrade its immediate access. There are no requirements arising for further upgrades to the A7 as a result of the Center Parcs development.

More widely, the Scottish Government published the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) in December 2022. STPR2 uses the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy, as outlined in our second National Transport Strategy (NTS2), which prioritises maintaining and safely operating existing assets over targeted infrastructure improvements. STPR2 was a Scotland-wide transport appraisal informed by significant stakeholder engagement, and in this case, through a South of Scotland - Regional Transport Working Group, which comprised officers from Regional and Local authorities, as well as wider public consultation. The A7 trunk road and potential future improvements were considered by the supporting transport appraisal.

Further to the answers to questions S6W-43890 on 4 March 2026 and S6W-44014 on 11 March 2026, I met with Alistair Cochrane, Interim CEO of Royal Mail Group on 19 March. We discussed planning for the election and I highlighted the major concerns which have been raised around whether poll cards, postal votes and campaign material will be delivered on time. I received an assurance that Royal Mail recognise the vital role they play in the democratic process and that election mail will be prioritised. They are working closely with Returning Officers and the Electoral Management Board for Scotland ahead of 7 May.

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

Creative Scotland embeds Fair Work as a strategic priority, and Fair Work principles informed its engagement with the CCA as the organisation faced sustained financial challenges. After detailed consideration, Creative Scotland assessed that further public funding would not resolve the underlying issues and therefore would not represent responsible or effective use of public money.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact of the CCA’s insolvency on staff. We continue to receive updates on engagement with the liquidators and share Creative Scotland’s aim of securing the future of the venue as an important cultural asset.

The insolvency of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) is a regrettable situation for staff and for Glasgow’s cultural community. Creative Scotland has kept the Scottish Government informed throughout its engagement with the appointed liquidators, who are responsible for administering redundancy payments and staff entitlements.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring former staff receive their redundancy claims, wages and entitlements in a timely manner. Creative Scotland continues to emphasise this in its discussions with the liquidators.

Environmental Impact Assessment requirements for marine developments are set out in the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations). The Regulations define EIA projects as works which are either schedule 1 works or schedule 2 works likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as their nature, size or location.

Where a proposal is identified as falling under Schedule 2, a company may request a screening opinion from the Scottish Ministers. It is for the Scottish Ministers to determine whether or not an application for the proposed works must be supported by an environmental impact assessment report. This decision is based on the likelihood of significant effects on the environment.

The Scottish Government does not have any plans to establish a genetic testing programme for feral pigs or wild boar.

Previous testing undertaken by NatureScot and Science and Advice for Scotland’s Agriculture (SASA), which assessed the DNA of shot pigs in Scotland, highlighted that feral pigs originated from a wide mix of wild boar, domesticated pigs and hybrids.