Question reference: S6W-03218
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 22 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 6 October 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide bus operators, to help them offer more competitive wages and retain staff, in light of reports that they are losing drivers to the HGV industry.
Answer
Since June 2020 the Scottish Government has made up to £210 million in additional financial support available to enable bus operators to continue to run services during the pandemic. It is for individual operators to lead dialogue with trade unions and to determine pay arrangements with their employees. Scottish Government funding is provided on a not for profit basis and any pay increases for staff would need to be funded by bus operators through efficiencies or any reserves they may have accrued prior to the pandemic.