The negotiation of police officer pay is carried out through the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland (PNBS), which has been negotiating the police officer pay claim since it was received on 10 May 2024.

The Official Side (Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland) made what I believe was a strong offer, of a 4.75% uplift for all ranks and changes to terms and conditions. However, this was rejected on 29 October 2024 by the PNBS Staff Side and they registered a ‘failure to agree’ with the PNBS.

Under the PNBS constitution, a period of conciliation will now take place and if agreement can still not be reached, the two Sides of the PNBS will enter into an arbitration process through ACAS. These procedures provide officers with the safeguard that, should the PNBS fail to agree on a position through collective bargaining, an independent panel can consider the merits of each side’s position.

I remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached through conciliation but I recognise that arbitration may be required, so that the independent panel can consider the sides’ positions and then make an award.

As reported in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26, Major capital projects progress update (December 2023), I can advise that a refresh of the Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan is underway. Timescales for this project will be updated in the light of current affordability constraints as part of the wider programme and the rolling stock procurement exercise.

Meanwhile, progress with development work for this project continues and I am pleased to confirm that a contract to provide a new electrification Feeder Station at Thornton has been placed with National Grid PLC.

All family members, including children and young people, need support in their own right when their family is affected by substance use.

The ‘Whole Family Approach’, supported by the ‘Family Inclusive Practice Framework’, is being implemented locally to ensure tailored support and access to resources for everyone in need. Local services will receive a £6.5 million investment per year over the life of the Parliament.

In addition to this, we provide annual funding to national organisation Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, which offers free resources, helplines, peer support groups, and counselling specifically designed for families using substances.

In 2023, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs received government funding to expand their ‘Routes’ initiative nationally for young people impacted by parental substance use.

Through the Routes initiative, young people can access counselling services and attend peer support groups to help reduce isolation, as well taking part in group experiences and developing practical skills to increase their chance of a happy and fulfilling future.

We are investing nearly £4 million to expand the successful Routes model in to Falkirk, Aberdeenshire, Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, East Lothian and Orkney.

On 23 May 2024 I met with David Kennedy and David Threadgold from the Scottish Police Federation, as part of my regular meetings with policing partners, where we discussed various topics of interest, including the pay claim for 2024-25.

During the discussion it was noted that negotiations on the police officer pay claim would progress through the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland.

The Police Negotiating Board for Scotland consists of two sides, the Official Side with representatives from Scottish Ministers; Scottish Police Authority; and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, and a Staff Side with representatives from Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association; Association of Scottish Police Superintendents; and the Scottish Police Federation. Representatives of both sides have engaged regularly to discuss the Staff Side claim, the full Board met on 25 June 2024 and most recently on 31 October 2024.

Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) recently submitted proposals for ScotRail (SRT) to redeploy staff to more passenger focussed duties across the Scottish rail network through changes to ticket office hours, and secured approval to this proposal from Transport Scotland. This acceptance was predicated on conditions that stipulate existing passenger assistance arrangements for disabled passengers will not be affected, and that additional help points are installed at stations where the ticket office is at a different level to the platforms. It should be made clear that these proposals continue to keep ticket offices open for passengers when they are needed and that no members of staff will lose their jobs as a result.

SRH and ScotRail have given assurances that reducing the opening hours at some stations will create opportunities for staff to offer enhanced face to face support for passengers, including those with disabilities.

ScotRail has adjusted its proposals to take account of feedback from its previous consultation. It’s important to note that Ticket Office opening hours haven’t changed for 33 years while ticket office sales over that period have reduced from 78% to 14%.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-30519 on 4 November 2024. 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

On 30 October I chaired the Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board. This meeting involved a range of operational partners, including Police Scotland and local authorities, to discuss measures aimed at enhancing road safety and progressing towards achieving our vision for Scotland, including the north east, to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.

ScotRail advises, it currently has no plans to increase service levels at Carstairs. ScotRail monitors passenger demand closely and wherever possible, adjusts service levels where it is required.

The option of a separate freight-only service to and from Islay has been considered. However, the Government is investing in two new vessels for Islay that will, together, provide 55% more space for Heavy Goods Vehicles than the two current vessels and are expected to meet growing demand in the coming years. We will continue to consider and discuss with key stakeholders provision of freight-only options which balance the roles and responsibilities of business and government.