Chamber and committees

I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-42084 on 21 November 2025. 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.

Since the publication of the Rail Recharged strategy, the newly constructed electrification system on the East Kilbride line entered service in December 2025.

Below is a link to the Rail Recharged document:

Rail Recharged: Scotland’s Fleet Transition Strategy - Delivering a Modern Fleet for a Connected Scotland | Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government remains confident in the strength and long-term potential of Scotland’s world-leading university sector, while recognising that institutions across the UK are managing a challenging financial situation. We also appreciate the pressures currently impacting the sector across the UK, due to a range of factors including the impact of inflation and energy prices, UK Government immigration policies hampering international student recruitment, and UK Government increases to employer National Insurance contributions.

Under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has a statutory duty to secure the coherent provision of high-quality further and higher education and research. In line with this duty, and on behalf of the Scottish Government, the SFC monitors financial health across the sector, engages directly with institutions on sustainability, and considers appropriate forms of support. We receive regular and timely updates from the SFC on delivery and financial performance as part of robust assurance arrangements.

Alongside this, the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland have jointly launched the Framework for the Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities, which is exploring long-term options to help the sector adapt, innovate and remain competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Despite current financial pressures, universities continue to take proactive steps to reform, improve efficiency and strengthen their future position. For Scotland’s universities, Government investment will exceed £1.4 billion this year, which includes a combined increase of over £55 million in resource and capital funding via the SFC, the equivalent to a 5% uplift on last year’s budget.

With this level of investment and continued commitment to protecting free tuition, we remain focused on providing stability and supporting the sector to build on its considerable strengths in the years ahead.

The Scottish Government continues to engage constructively with the European Union.

A summary of meetings held by Scottish Government Ministers, senior officials and Envoys with the European Commission (including its President), the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union since 2025, is set out in the following table.

This outline is not inclusive of frequent official-level meetings, nor the hosting and attendance of events, involving Scottish Government and EU participation. It also does not cover all engagements held between the Scottish Government and member states of the EU. A list of Scottish Government Brussels office events - which routinely feature EU institution speakers and guests - is available here: Scottish Government events in Brussels: 2021 to 2025 - gov.scot

Council Tax is a local tax and each local authority already has discretionary powers conferred by the existing legislative framework allowing them to provide appropriate support in such circumstances. This framework also allows councils to take individual circumstances, including bereavement, into account when deciding whether, and if so how, to vary the council tax liability of empty properties and second homes.

Further, empty properties are usually exempt from council tax where the liable person has died, and liability subsequently rests solely with the deceased person's estate. This exemption applies until a Grant of Confirmation has been obtained, and for up to six months thereafter provided the property remains unoccupied and ownership has not been transferred.

The Scottish Government has always believed full association to the 95.5 billion Horizon Europe programme was the best outcome for Scotland and we have continued to work with our EU partners to tackle challenges in areas of mutual interest. We recognise the importance of maximising participation in Horizon Europe, across all its pillars to ensure the Scottish research and innovation ecosystem fully benefits from it.

International research is a key theme in Scotland's International Education Strategy with a commitment that the Scottish Government will work with and support the sector to amplify access and opportunities through the programme. The Scottish Government is funding the £65K International Collaboration Fund for a second year in 25-26 to support the Scottish research sector at universities and research institutes to build international partnerships and capitalise on the opportunities available through the Horizon Europe programme. In its first year, it supported 25 partnerships across 13 countries.

We also continue to work collaboratively with the UK Government and the European Commission to support in the boosting of participation rates - building on successful activities, such as of the Roadshow event held in Glasgow in 2024 and showcasing the Scottish research and innovation landscape as a desirable partner.

We continue to work with the Scottish sector for regional activities, most recently the Scottish Government worked collaboratively with Scottish Enterprise on the Health Innovation event to unlock potential in Horizon Europe pillar 2 under the Health Cluster.

Since 2020, the Scottish Government has awarded over £150 million to support the bus sector transition to zero-emission fleets. This is comprised of:

• £50 million through the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) to deliver 272 ultra-low emission buses and associated infrastructure.
• £62 million through the first phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB1) supporting delivery of 276 zero-emission buses and associated infrastructure.
• £368,000 through the Market Transition Scheme to help SME operators plan their transition to zero-emission fleets; and,
• £41.7 million through ScotZEB2 to support delivery of around 252 zero-emission buses and associated infrastructure

Up to £45 million through ScotZEB3 has been made available over the next two financial years to continue this progress and support the sector ahead of new zero-emission requirements under the UK Bus Services Act 2025.

In addition, the Scottish Government is supporting a just transition through targeted investment in workforce skills, including £400,000 through the Zero Emission HDV Skills Challenge Fund to help operators and supply-chain staff prepare for zero-emission technologies.

We are also supporting community-based transport providers through the Plugged-in Communities fund, which has made £4 million available in its latest round, building on over £4.2 million already awarded to support zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure for community operators.

The Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) contributes to Scotland's Net Zero transport targets by supporting the bus sector to transition to zero emissions. To date, £104 million has been awarded through ScotZEB to support delivery of 528 zero-emission buses and associated charging infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality across Scotland. A further £45 million is being invested through the third and final phase of the scheme (ScotZEB3) over the next two financial years.

Through encouraging investment, building skills, and providing long-term certainty to operators, ScotZEB supports immediate emission-reduction milestones and the broader shift to a cleaner, more sustainable public transport system.

The ScotZEB3 competitive funding round closed on 26 February with applications currently under consideration. Funding under ScotZEB3 is not
pre-allocated to specific operators or regions. All applications are being assessed by an independent evaluation panel against the published criteria, with Ministers making final funding decisions. The outcome of the funding round will be announced in due course, once the decision-making process is complete.

Whilst universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own strategic and operational decision making, the Scottish Government expects staff and trade unions to be consulted meaningfully on the potential impact of any cost-saving measures - in line with Fair Work principles. In line with its statutory responsibilities, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) will continue to offer appropriate support as universities develop their own cost-saving measures, and advise the Scottish Government regarding any financial or governance concerns.

The Scottish Government cannot compel universities to commit to no compulsory redundancies, however our clear expectation is that they are only considered as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

Implementation of Fair Work First must be the guiding criteria to promote fairer work practices for staff within the university sector. Universities in receipt of government funding through the SFC are currently expected to meet two mandatory Fair Work First criteria (payment of at least the real Living Wage; and provision of appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, such as trade union recognition), while being encouraged to meet all other non-mandatory Fair Work First criteria. From April 2027, universities will be expected to adopt all Fair Work First criteria, and the SFC will look to include these as a condition of grant. Further details are set out in my answer to question S6W-42976 on 13 January 2026.

I also expect universities to take appropriate steps to support and promote staff wellbeing, and comply with relevant legal requirements, including the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing health and safety requirements at UK workplaces, including universities.

The Scottish Government recognises the vital role that universities play in Scotland’s economy and wider society, which is why we are investing over £1.4 billion in the university sector in 2026-27. This includes a combined increase of over £55m in resource and capital funding via the SFC, equivalent to a 5% uplift on last year’s budget.

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.