Chamber and committees

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 established the discretionary power for local authorities to implement road user charging schemes, including congestion charging and they are best placed to determine whether a local road user charging scheme supports the objectives set out in their local transport strategy.

Any approach should support our shared ambition to a Just Transition to Net Zero, taking into account the needs of those who may be less able to reduce car use, such as carers and those living with a disability, or in rural locations.

As outlined in our draft route map to reduce car use, the scale of the challenge means that we need to take forward a broad combination of interventions, including infrastructure, incentives and regulatory actions. We continue to work closely with local and regional partners to update the route map and will be published on completion of this engagement. We work with all local authorities to support equitable measures which encourage active travel and accompany greater investment in public transport for a fairer and greener transport system in order to ensure a just transition to net zero.

It is anticipated that services operated by MV Glen Sannox will commence in mid-January 2025 on the Troon to Brodick route.

This is an operational matter for train operating companies and those managing railway stations in Scotland.

Ministers must collectively consider all factors, particularly antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls. Therefore, Ministers will continue to be informed by the equally safe strategy, alongside the strategic review by the independent working group on antisocial behaviour, which will present its report to Ministers, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Police Scotland this year.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Announcements of ministerial appointments to all public bodies, including NHS boards, since 2020 can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/collections/public-appointments-announcements/. Each announcement includes a declaration of any political activity within the five years preceding appointment.

This information is not available for appointments prior to 2020 and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Recent ScotRail analysis suggests around £160,000 net revenue per annum is foregone from being unable to sell alcohol on ScotRail services.

The economic and social benefits of salmon farming are clear. The sector produces the UK’s number 1 food export and supports around 12,000 jobs in Scotland across its supply chain, providing a steady stream of revenue to Scotland’s coastal communities.

National Planning Framework 4’s policy on aquaculture seeks to ensure that new aquaculture development is in locations that reflect industry needs and considers the impacts of proposed developments and how producers contribute to communities and local economies. The new National Marine Plan 2 will set out a coherent vision for the future development of Scotland’s land and seas and will guide all marine licensing and consenting decisions.

The planning system ultimately delivers a cost benefit analysis of every development proposal. The planning system carefully considers the economic, social and environmental impacts of fish farms and experienced local authority planners are charged with making decisions in the best interest of their communities and in line with the statutory development plan.

We continue to believe it is for local authorities to analyse the impacts of development proposals through the planning system.

The Scottish Government is providing financial support for buildings with known cladding issues through the Cladding Remediation Programme.

The Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 addresses the risks posed by unsafe cladding on residential buildings. This legislation gives Scottish Ministers the power to assess and remediate buildings with unsafe cladding, establish a Cladding Assurance Register, and create schemes requiring developers to contribute to remediation costs. The Act is expected to be commenced in early 2025.

The Scottish Government’s Cladding Remediation Programme Pilot utilised a self-nomination process to identify buildings, of different tenures, that are potentially affected by unsafe cladding. For the Pilot, the Scottish Government funded Pilot Single Building Assessments to test the concept and deliverability of the Assessment. Following the introduction of the Act we have introduced Single Building Assessments (SBA).

The Scottish Government will continue to fund assessment and remediation where no linked developer can be identified. The level of financial support that will be needed is determined by the comprehensive SBA assessment. We continue to publish spend information for the programme which can be accessed here

Single Building Assessment programme: spending information (gov.scot)

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

To specifically support scope based diagnostics we have published an Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan backed by £70 million. The plan focuses on key areas such as: Balancing Demand and Capacity; Workforce Training and Development; Infrastructure; and Innovation and Redesign.

Long waits are regrettable and patients continue to be seen based on their clinical urgency, for example, those referred with an urgent suspicion of cancer continue to be prioritised for scope-based diagnostic tests. If a patient feels that their condition is deteriorating in any way, they should contact their GP who can provide a clinical update to their Specialist Consultant. The GP can also provide support and management advice to patients.

Third sector organisations like Crohn’s and Colitis UK also provide information and support for those living with or affected by IBD including on safeguarding: Crohn's & Colitis UK