Chamber and committees

In late 2025, in line with the process agreed by the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government issued revised directions to the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) for Scotland's share of dormant assets funding. The revised directions include a new focus on financial inclusion, with specific reference to affordable credit.

The NLCF recently undertook a consultation to inform the development of its funding programme for the financial inclusion element of the revised directions. It is now developing a strategic plan outlining how it will deliver against these priorities, which will be presented to the Scottish Government before being laid in the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Government expects credit unions and community finance providers to play a key role in supporting people who face barriers to accessing fair and affordable financial services. The NLCF have awarded Social Investment Scotland with a £92,000 development grant to undertake sector-wide consultation and help ensure that future work on affordable credit is informed by lived experience, sector expertise, and practical delivery considerations.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that church buildings play as places of worship and as valued community assets. Responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of Church of Scotland buildings rests with the Church of Scotland and its congregations.

The Scottish Government welcomes the Scotland's Places of Worship Fund announcement by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on 18 August 2026. This new pilot scheme for 2026-27 will provide up to £1 million to help eligible listed places of worship across Scotland recover VAT costs associated with repair and conservation works.

The Fund has been developed in direct response to the closure of the UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and is expected to open for applications in autumn 2026.

The Scottish Government and HES have worked closely to explore options to ensure that Scotland's listed places of worship are not disproportionately affected by the withdrawal of the UK-wide scheme. This pilot scheme will help assess demand and gather evidence to inform consideration of future arrangements.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with faith and belief organisations, heritage bodies and other partners on issues affecting places of worship, including the sustainability and preservation of historic church buildings.

National Concessionary Travel Schemes reimbursement rates are negotiated annually between Transport Scotland and the Confederation of Passenger Transport on behalf of bus operators, using an agreed economic model. The model is updated annually to take into account the latest developments in fares, operating costs, passenger behaviours and travel demand, to ensure that the rates are set to leave operators financially no better and no worse off for their participation in the schemes. The model uses a weighted average fare, which reflects the fares and relative volume of concessionary journeys made on all services under the scheme.

Since taking up the post of Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, I have met formally with the STUC and some of their affiliated trade unions.

I attended a meeting with GMB and Unite on 2 July and with GMB on 8 July in relation to economic development. On 22 July I met with Unite to discuss matters related to energy industries. I met with ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, Unite and STUC on 29 July in relation to rail. On the same day I also attended an introductory meeting with Rozanne Foyer, STUC General Secretary.

Additionally, trade unions are often represented on many other forums I engage with such as the recently established National Council for Economic Growth, which last met on 4 August 2026. My Ministerial colleagues also meet regularly with trade unions and the STUC, reflecting their important role as key social and economic partners.

The information provided in this answer is correct at the time of answering but may not reflect any urgent meetings or engagements involving trade union representatives that take place before publication. Information on ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website as part of the Ministerial Engagements publications.

The Scottish Government remains committed to introducing Road Traffic Diversionary Courses (RTDCs), including Speed Awareness Courses, as part of Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2030. However, legislative changes by the UK Government are required before they can be introduced in Scotland. While no implementation date has been confirmed, we will continue to work with the UK Government to bring forward the necessary changes as soon as possible.

National Railcards are managed and administered by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) under UK Government rail industry rules, and the terms and conditions of use are set at the UK level. The Scottish Government officials engage regularly with its counterparts at Department for Transport and with ScotRail on various matters pertaining to rail.

Transport Scotland officials are engaging with UK Department for Transport regarding potential amendments to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, including the introduction of simple ‘paint only’ side road zebra crossings. These crossings have been subject to associated trials on their effectiveness and safety. Transport Scotland will consider the published trial findings when available.

Should it be established that side road zebra crossings are appropriate for use in Scotland, their incorporation in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 as it applies in Scotland is intended. In this case, it is anticipated that Transport Scotland would also direct roads authorities and designers to suitable guidance on their use.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00690 on 10 June 2026. 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.

The Scottish Government is carefully considering Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) report Protecting Scotland’s Seafloor: as assessment of Scottish Ministers’ implementation of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010, and will work constructively with ESS to seek to agree an appropriate action plan within the timescale suggested in the report.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific research comparing the costs of road-building in Scotland with those in other European countries.

However, Transport Scotland monitors the costs of major trunk road projects in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK and considers relevant industry cost information, market conditions and lessons learned from comparable infrastructure projects where appropriate. Transport Scotland also engages with other UK home nation road authorities, which includes discussions on road-building.

Direct comparisons of road-building costs between countries, and even in different locations within Scotland, can be challenging due to many variables, including the differences in type of road (rural, urban, semi-urban); interface with existing roads, railways, rivers and other infrastructure; engineering requirements; terrain and site geology; drainage; environmental mitigation; utility diversions; traffic management; land acquisition costs; legislative frameworks; and market conditions at time of contract award.

Any assessment of road construction costs therefore needs to take account of the particular circumstances of individual projects rather than relying solely on headline cost comparisons.