Chamber and committees

The surveillance network that has been established as per the answer to S6W-01580 has been expanded to include additional pheromone lure traps and ground surveys in Scotland. Communications and discussions with the forestry sector in Scotland are also increasing to encourage the sector to manage their forests in a way to reduce the risk of infection. This includes leading presentations, through the Institute of Chartered Foresters, to highlight the driving factors and potential impacts of a major infestation. Joint communications with Defra for North England and Scotland are being planned to ensure a collective sharing of knowledge across the border region to help prevent spread further north.

Scottish Government considers industry involvement a vital component in preventing the spread of Ips typographus into or within Scotland.

Regular updates on surveillance and discussions are held with industry representatives from the nursery sector, growers and processing sector through the scheduled Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group and the Sottish forest and Timber Technologies Industry Leadership Group. Scottish Government is also involved in wider GB discussions with the forestry sector through the GB Incident Management team and Lead Government Department management groups overseeing the outbreak in SE England.

Work continues apace on the Post-School Education and Skills Reform Programme, developed in light of the recommendations of James Withers’ Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape and the Scottish Government’s own report on the Post-school education, research and skills - purpose and principles - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Following my initial update of March 2024 to the Education, Children and Young People Committee, I provided the latest update on progress in a letter to that Committee on 25 June 2024, available at Post School Reform 25 June 2024 (parliament.scot) . This letter includes an annex detailing our position and actions taken with regards to each of the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape.

The Scottish Government plans to launch a public consultation on a cruise ship levy before the end of the year, to formally hear the views of those potentially affected by such a levy.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant and unique challenges faced by our rural communities, and is committed to understanding and tackling those challenges.

For example, the forthcoming Mainland Rural Delivery Plan will set out how all parts of the Scottish Government are delivering for Scotland’s rural communities, and will cover a range of topics, including healthcare, education, social justice and transport. Furthermore, the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, sets out how we will work with regional, local and community partners to ensure that we collectively deliver a sustainable solution to the key challenges in rural communities.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with our international partners to secure a global transition to a net zero and nature positive future in a way that is fair and just for all.

My officials are aware of the review of Galloway Community Hospital as part of NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s long-term sustainability planning and the Right Care, Right Place programme. Officials have engaged Dumfries and Galloway on these proposals over the course of the past year.

We understand that a report on the future of the facility is in development, and this will be considered by Dumfries and Galloway IJB in September. Officials are also anticipating a final recommendation later this year by NHS Dumfries and Galloway board on the proposed changes to maternity services offered in Wigtownshire. This is to be accompanied by a statement from the board on the independent consultation that examined options for proposed maternity service changes presented in February.

As it stands, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the Integration Joint Board have publicly stated that they do not have plans to close Galloway Community Hospital. Scottish Government officials are continuing to engage with Dumfries and Galloway on their review and any proposals that will be made.

The Scottish Government remains fully committed to improving Scotland’s transport and trade links to the Continent, which carries even more importance after the UK Government’s damaging exit from the EU.

I have personally engaged with parties interested in introducing new ferry services, and Transport Scotland officials continue to communicate regularly with potential operators and Scotland’s main ports.

I also met with Lord Davies of Gower, then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, in London on 5 February regarding this issue. I subsequently received written confirmation from Lord Davies that the UK Government was not willing to financially support a new service from Rosyth, highlighting the risk of potential litigation should other operators consider such support to be subsidy.

Due to UK Subsidy Control restrictions, any service is required to operate on a commercial basis. I hope that prospective commercial operators are able to commit to operating a successful and profitable service, however this is ultimately a decision for those operators.

We will continue to engage with port operators and others to explore opportunities for new commercial services, so that Scottish exporters have more direct routes to markets on the Continent.

The specification of the review of the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme has yet to be determined. The review will, however, include consultation with scheme members and other stakeholders.

The need for an Environmental Impact Assessment would be dependent upon the site and whether there is any material change of use with regards to existing permissions. Ultimately, that is a local planning matter and determining whether the operator requires further planning permission is for the relevant planning authority to consider.