The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) provided support to purchase new ultra low emission buses. The scheme was open to bus operators, local authorities and companies leasing buses to authorities/bus operators who run local registered bus services in Scotland. The bids included information about the buses that would be acquired, including the manufacturer, but whether the manufacturer was domestic or otherwise was not factored into the assessment of the bids. Scotland is bound by World Trade Organisation (WTO) subsidy control rules and the WTO’s principle of National Treatment prohibits discrimination between imported and domestically produced goods, however of the 272 buses purchased under this scheme 207 have been ordered from Alexander Dennis Ltd, the bus manufacturing company based in Larbert, Scotland.

I pre-recorded a keynote speech for the Scottish Maritime Cluster’s reception at London International Shipping Week. Transport Scotland officials attended the event at Dover House to highlight the Scottish Government’s continued support for an active relationship with the Scottish Maritime Cluster and key stakeholders from the wider maritime sector.

There are a large number of ports and harbours around the Scottish coast ranging in size from large commercial ports to local piers, slipways and marinas. Ownership models include harbour trusts, privately owned harbours, local authority ownership and harbours owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. We value the diverse range of port ownership in Scotland and the benefits this brings for communities and other stakeholders. Any public sector expenditure on port infrastructure should be carried out with the aim of achieving the best value for money.

We continue to engage with Peel Ports; and remain committed to finding a solution at Ardrossan that delivers value for money and provides facilities that best meets the needs of ferry users and vessel operations.

Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is delivered across the public, private, third and childminding sectors. Since August 2021, all local authority areas have put in place an expanded offer of up to 1140 hours of funded ELC for all eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

Funded ELC is delivered in a ‘provider neutral’ way, which means that families can access high quality funded ELC with the provider of their choice – in the public, private, third sector or a childminder – if that provider meets the criteria set out in our National Standard, has a space available, and is in contract with their local authority to deliver the funded hours.

Sustainable and thriving public, private, third and childminding sectors are essential if we are to realise the full benefits of the ELC expansion. The landmark multi-year funding agreement reached by Scottish Government and COSLA in April 2018 to fully fund the expansion to 1140 hours includes funding for the payment of sustainable rates that reflect the cost of delivery and enable payment of the real Living Wage to childcare workers delivering the funded entitlement. In addition, the Scottish Government announced on 4 December 2020 that qualifying day nurseries will continue to benefit from 100% relief on non-domestic rates until at least June 2023.

The Scottish Government has also taken a range of actions to support providers in the private, third, and childminding sectors during the pandemic, including making available more than £22 million of dedicated support.

On 31 August the Scottish Government published the Financial Sustainability Health Check of the Childcare Sector in Scotland . The Health Check collected evidence on the sustainability of the childcare sector, in particular in light of the impacts of COVID-19. It set out a range of actions to improve sector sustainability, including:

• Developing a programme of targeted business, financial management, marketing and human resources support for all types of childcare services.
• Developing a five year workforce strategy to support recruitment and retention in the sector and introducing a Childcare Taster Programme as part of the National Transitions Training Fund in 2021-22.
• Strengthening the process for local authorities to set sustainable rates for providers in the private, third and childminding sectors to deliver funded ELC; and
• Reviewing the administrative requirements on providers, particularly for private, third and childminding sector services.

Each of these actions will help us to support the sector to recover from Covid and get onto a sustainable footing so that they can continue playing a vital role in delivering our ambitious vision for expanding high quality early learning and childcare.

Throughout the pandemic we have supported bus operators to keep Scotland moving, and have made up to £210 million in additional financial support available since June 2020. Operators receiving this funding enter into public service contracts and are required to meet certain conditions including running a specified level of service mileage set at 95% of pre-COVID levels unless otherwise agreed with Transport Scotland. Some operators are running less bus mileage due to constraining factors such as bus driver shortages. Given reduced patronage and changing travel patterns, operators are also required to adapt services to meet demand as it now arises. When doing so, operators are required to consult and cooperate with local transport authorities, have regard to public transport connectivity, and keep services under review. The model public service contract, setting out the full terms and conditions, can be found on the Transport Scotland website: https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant/

(a) Four Transport Scotland officials participated in a series of live and virtual events during London International Shipping Week 2021.

(b) Three Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd officials attended events, although one of the officials was there in their capacity as an Executive Director of the Scottish Maritime Cluster.

This would be a matter for North Ayrshire Council to consider. However we continue to work closely with North Ayrshire Council to secure an appropriate outcome for Ardrossan.

The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme has now been replaced by the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB). Bidders are strongly encouraged to put in place arrangements with partners or collaborators, to minimise the level of subsidy being requested. Bids from domestic manufacturers, or involving domestic manufacturers, will be assessed on the same basis as bids from other eligible parties. Scotland is bound by World Trade Organisation (WTO) subsidy control rules and the WTO’s principle of National Treatment prohibits discrimination between imported and domestically produced goods.

Transport Scotland have ongoing engagement with Peel Ports regarding Ardrossan Harbour re-development and on 12 July 2021 wrote to Peel Ports Group regarding the potential commercial terms of the project. Officials are currently considering the response received from Peel.

I can confirm that we remain committed to a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost effective way reflecting the needs of all of the partners involved.