Chamber and committees

Since 2020 the Barrhead Line has been electrified (23 single track kilometres) and electrification and enhancement of the line to East Kilbride is underway with a planned completion of December 2025.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is a Competent Authority (CA) as defined in food law for the delivery of Official Controls (OCs) for all approved meat and poultry plants. FSS have a daily presence of Official Veterinarians (OVs) and Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) who operate in these plants to oversee animal health and welfare and protection of public health. They also undertake a series of audits, unannounced inspections, and where required enforcement actions to ensure compliance with food law.

Food Standards Scotland has a range of enforcement actions detailed in food law it can use to address noncompliance. They also have enforcement polices for each sector they regulate promoting advice and best practice with a view to a graduated approach.

Food Standards Scotland work in partnership with local authorities, other law enforcement agencies, industry and stakeholders at various strategic and tactical fora, including:

• Food Crime Strategic Assessment
• Tactical Tasking Coordinating Group (TTCG)
• Operational Tactical Assessment
• Horizon Scanning
• Engagement with Industry, local authorities and law enforcement partners
• Investigations
• Disruption activity
• Intelligence development and sharing
• Media awareness
• Food Crime Hotline
• Food Crime Risk Profiling Tool
• Inspections and regulatory controls
• Multi Agency Tasking and Delivery Board
• Scottish Multi Agency Strategic Threat Assessment
• Partners Intelligence Forum
• Food Crime Global Alliance
• European Food Fraud Network

Although this is an operational issue, ScotRail confirmed that there was a recent challenge in recruiting new permanent staff, which led to the closure of the ticket office on a number of occasions. The vacancies have now been filled and it is expected that the new staff will take up positions in February and March.

Staffing at railway stations is an operational matter for ScotRail. I have been informed that Troon Station ticket office has recently closed on a number of occasions due to staff shortages. The vacancies have now been filled and it is expected that the new staff will take up positions in February and March.

I also spoke with ScotRail management at the official opening of the award-winning refurbished and rebuilt Troon station on 13 November 2024. They confirmed that the new Changing Places facilities at the station would remain open even if the ticket office is closed during operational hours.

Additionally, ScotRail’s passenger assistance service is designed to help those who need support when traveling on the ScotRail network. Our vision is for all older and disabled individuals to travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity, and opportunity as other citizens.

While the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland, re-phasing of funding has meant that not all the challenges we are facing will be addressed in a single budget and therefore there is no community hearing service in operation at this time.

While our response to the Independent Review of Audiology is implemented, we will continue to work with the NHS, Third Sector and private providers to identify and cost an appropriate model of community care for any future service reform, and ensure that the voices of those with lived experience inform this work.

The Scottish Government is actively working with partners to establish the Investment Zone for the North East region. There is a jointly agreed and delivered Gateway process for the Investment Zone to follow through to delivery. This is currently underway, and it is anticipated that the Investment Zone will be established and operational later this year.

We assess the environmental impact of farming operations at Knocknagael through the use of Biodiversity and Carbon audits.

We do not hold information on the numbers of livestock owned and managed by our farm and croft tenants or assess any environmental impact of livestock farming on a tenant by tenant basis.

The information on potential job creation as a result of an award is unavailable to the Scottish Government as it does not form part of the criteria for an applicant to receive a grant under the scheme.