 Yr olwnt ddiddordeb am ystod, mae eich oesio i'r dyfodol ar gyfer cael ei ffordd i'r oeid amser. Fy嚴, mae'n eich oesio i'r problemau a'r oesio i'r problemau. Mae'r oesio i'r problemau a'r oesio i'r problemau a'r problemau er mwyn i'r oesio i'r problemau oesio i'r oesio i'r problemau? To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the proposal for a railway station in Nьюbara Fife. Minister Fiona Hyslaw. Transport Scotland officials considered the initial detailed options appraisal of the Nьюbara station, submitted by Cestrand, and provided feedback. While Cestrand was opted not to take up the offer of a meeting to discuss Transport Scotland's comments on the draft detailed options appraisal report, sestrong provided a revised, detailed options appraisal Report. The set lines are remember a number of multimodal options including a rail station and is being considered by Transport Scotland. Transport Scotland will provide feedback to sestrong on the revised report over the coming weeks. Willie Rennie. It has been years of work by locals on the plan. The SDAG appraisal was submitted in yn dwynt y gyrbaen, ac mae'r cyffredinol yn dweud cael eu cyfnodd yn dweud â'r cyffredinol. Rwy'n dilydd i'n ffordd ar gael yn dwyndiol i gael yr awdraeth sydd yn dweud â'r cyffredinol. Mae yw'r achosedd gyda i ddefnyddio, ac yn dwyllg yn dwyfydol phoen â'i cyrraeth yma, ac eich gyrraeth yn dweud i dweud. Dydyn ni'n rhoi gweld i maith i'n rhoedd y f AWG, mae yna gond â'r cwrsfodus yn diwrnodd uwch ar y rhan o'ryllwch. I consider all my work by every not least by the community and indeed those putting forward the options appraisal report. I think that it's quite clear that in terms of responding to that the Cestrans has at every stage wanted to revise their proposal. Now that makes it a better proposal if they're constantly going back and revising it but it takes time to do that. So I think in this case patients may be a virtue but for the people of Newburgh perhaps they want to see something sooner rather than later and I understand the member in asking that question. Willie Rennie is quite right to say that this is a project well supported in the local community, a site has been identified, there are plans to construct a platform that could be done at relatively low cost and yet progress has been glacially slow. So can the minister facilitate an early meeting between Transport Scotland and the local community action group so that we can finally see some progress on which what would be a very welcome project? So clearly the project had been put forward with Cestrans report on that revised detailed options appraisal report as it's the third revision that's put forward as part of this process. In terms of that consideration he well knows the stag appraisal has to be robust, it has to consider number of areas, I think the community case which has been set forward by many will be very strong but there also has to be financial and economic factors involved indeed and he because I know he's held finance briefs in the past for his party will know the constraints, the very severe constraints financially that the budget will be under not least because of the failure to provide inflationary increases on capital budgets for this government so every consideration will be given, the report and the response will be given in a few weeks time. Mark Ruskell Thanks, the case for bringing station back to Nubra has been really well made by the local community proposing a low cost modular station which would bring large benefit. Does the minister agree that these new modular stations have got an important role to play in expanding Scotland's rail network and that developing one at Nubra could be a trailblazer potentially for other developments that could benefit other communities? Well my understanding is modular rail stations or indeed more consistent forms have been used already, they might not be applicable to every different circumstance so if there is a strong business case presented for rail intervention they have to be assessed on a case by case basis, if it's taken forward then we have to consider that modular stations are not suitable for all potential sites as the design of any newer auto station must take into account individual characteristics at a particular location and ultimately the design and acceptance of station platforms is a matter for network rail as the infrastructure owner and scot rail as the operator. Keith Brown To ask the Scottish Government when it last received an update from the traffic commissioner for Scotland on any complaints regarding local bus services. Minister Fiona Hyslop Scottish Government officials have regular engagement with the traffic commissioner for Scotland, however the traffic commissioner is an independent appointed regulator and does not inform officials about specific complaints she receives. Finding any proceedings against bus operators can be found on the office of the traffic commissioner's website. Keith Brown Can I thank the minister for her answer? I should be aware that the traffic commissioner holds a standard of 95 per cent for the punctuality of buses and following a number of complaints an investigation by bus user Scotland showed that only 88 per cent of some McGill's services in my constituency ran on time, however I suspect this figure to be much lower as my constituents regularly tell me that services are cancelled at short notice that they are unreliable and that communication is poor, impacting on people's ability to get to work and access education and healthcare on a daily basis and often leaving people stranded late at night. Can the minister outline the steps that the transport commissioner can take to ensure that McGill's take action to improve the levels of service that are so crucial to many of my constituents? Minister In relation to punctuality on service complaints, the traffic commissioner relies on evidence submitted to how bus user Scotland bus arising from their monitoring exercises would carry out. If bus finds evidence that an operator is failing to run a service in line with their registration, then they can inform the traffic commissioner who has the power to take action against them. That could include issuing a fine and posing conditions on their PSV licence or rejecting any future service applications from the same operator. Recognising the punctuality and reliability issues, I am aware that on 14 August McGill's had made a number of service changes designed to improve bus services in the Clutmanusure area. To ask the Scottish Government how it defines sustainability when creating policies aimed at reaching its net zero targets. Specific definitions can be adopted depending on the subject matter. Of course, there is the natural definition, which is the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to make their own needs. When exercising our functions under the 2009 climate change Scotland act, including developing policy for our next climate change plan, Scottish ministers take into account the need to do so in a way that contributes to sustainable development, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2009 act defines the goals as those set out in, quote, transforming our world, the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, which has been adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. I visited Dalswent in the state in Dumfries and Galloway to meet with the estate owner Peter Landale to discuss how Scotland's estates are working to support rural communities, rural housing and to meet Scotland's net zero targets in the face of the global climate emergency. I heard from Peter how he described his six tenets of sustainability, which are efficiency of production, animal welfare, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, quality and community. Does the cabinet secretary agree that those tenets are important in ensuring that we have true sustainability, which works for both rural Scotland and our planet? Yes, I absolutely agree with the point that Emma Harper makes. I welcome that businesses, including Dalswent in a state, are recognising the need to consider economic, environmental and social sustainability in their businesses. I certainly commend the six tenets of sustainability that she narrated. That is exactly the kind of work that my colleague Mary Gougeon and I had hoped that our vision for agriculture among other climate strategies across the Government would elicit. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the just transition secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the role of industry in delivering a just transition. Ministers, including the cabinet secretary, regularly discuss Scotland's just transition, including the key role of economic actors such as industry, be that within cabinet meetings, cabinet subcommittees or regular bilateral discussions. Industry and business will be critical in Scotland's just transition, ensuring that we capture the economic opportunities and mitigate the risks from the transition. I am very grateful for that answer, but the S2TUC has previously slammed the Government's strategy for failing to outline even the basic steps to ensure a just transition, in particular for offshore oil and gas workers. We have had promise after promise about Saudi Arabia renewables and the 120,000 green jobs by 2020, all of which have failed. More significantly, the Scottish Government has also failed to deliver a renewable supply chain of jobs here in Scotland, the publicly owned energy generation company that was promised back in 2017. After that, why should Scotland's energy industry have any faith in this lackluster Government to secure Scotland's energy needs and create a smooth transition to net zero? I recall some recent independent reports showing that, in terms of the creation of green jobs, Scotland was outpacing the rest of the United Kingdom and, indeed, further independent research carried out by a couple of universities, saying that up to 100,000 new green jobs had been created in Scotland. I think that we are making really good progress. In terms of the S2UC, of course, the Scottish Government helps fund posts within the S2UC to work on the just transition issues. That was warmly welcomed by our trade union movement, so we will consider to work very closely with the business community in Scotland and, indeed, the trade union movement to make sure that we can secure a just transition for Scotland. Countries around the world are looking at Scotland with admiration and full of praise for what we are achieving. It is a pity that some of the members in the chamber cannot recognise that as well. Scottish supply chain businesses are key to delivering a just transition and ensuring the lasting industrial and economic benefit of Scotland's renewable energy potential, supporting high-paid jobs locally. Can I ask what work the Scottish Government is doing through its supply chain development programme to leverage procurement, in particular, to help to build robust local supply chains? Whyver McKee raises a very good addition. Of course, the supply chain development programme uses public sector procurement to improve the capacity and capability of Scottish manufacturing supply chains in the country. That programme is currently linking, for instance, the opportunities arising from our energy transition with the innovation and enterprise support provided by enterprise agencies, the likes of the National Manufacturing Institute in Scotland and others as well. Of course, at the moment, the programme is prioritising the opportunities in low-carbon heat networks and the Scottish Government's affordable housing programme, so it is playing a very important role in the transition. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve access to public transport for the constituents in my mother-and-wish or constituency. The Scottish Government and its partners have rebuilt Motherwell Station with passengers now enjoying new facilities within the station. The project has also provided enhanced interchange for bus services and improved active travel routes to and from Motherwell town centre and the local area. Passengers throughout Scotland, including the member's constituency, are benefiting from lower fares as a result of our decision to trial the removal of peak fares in the ScotRail services to encourage model shift. We are also providing unprecedented levels of support through our concessionary travel schemes, allowing free bus travel for passengers under 22 and over 60. I thank the minister for her answer. Those who are indeed very welcome in my constituency especially at our wonderful new station. I frequently come across constituents at surgeries who have been in contact, who are suffering from the effects of a strategy-driven cost of living crisis, who have not accessed the free bus travel even though they are entitled to do so, including many people with disabilities. Will the minister give some advice on how we can better raise awareness of the concessionary bus travel as a passported benefit for people? Clearly, all MSPs in the Parliament have a role to highlight the issue, as the member just has, in terms of promoting take-up. I agree that the schemes can make a very real difference to those entitled to access them. In March 2022, the child poverty action group reported that free bus travel can save a total of £3,000 in the lifetime cost of a child in Scotland. In spring 2023, Transport Scotland co-funded and delivered a successful national marketing campaign with the confederation of bus transport and bus operators to encourage people to return to bus or to use it for the first time. It had a considerable reach at that time of that campaign. It increased older and disabled persons' concessionary journeys by 5.8 per cent during that campaign. Although we can spend more than £300 million on those schemes, it is important that eligible disabled people, as the member has mentioned, and everyone else does take up the free concessionary bus travel. Question 6, Sarah Boyack. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with COSLA to discuss climate adaptation funding. Ministers regularly meet with COSLA, including funding, particularly as we approach a budget period. Most recently, Scottish Government officials last met with COSLA to discuss climate adaptation on October 24. At this meeting, a range of issues were covered, including funding and on-going engagement with COSLA ahead of public consultation on the new climate adaptation plan, which will open early next year. Cabinet Secretary, in the last month we have seen the impact of devastating floods, but from talking to councillor colleagues, they all commented that they are cash-strapped and not getting enough support from the Scottish Government. My understanding is that Scottish funding for flood defences is far lower per capita than in England and Wales and has flatlined over the past decade. Given the clear cross-party support for action in the debate yesterday, could the cabinet secretary say how she intends to ramp up financial support for adaptation investment in our communities? In yesterday's debate, the cabinet secretary did not comment on the failure to report on progress on flood risk management plans, as required by the Flood Risk Management Scotland Act 2009. So, can the cabinet secretary confirm when it will report for 2021 and 2022? Presiding Officer, a number of matters on that question I will try to answer them all. I absolutely agree with Sarah Boyack that funding for climate adaptation is absolutely essential. It is very clear that the future prosperity of our economy, our society and our environment is wrapped up with our ability to adapt to climate change. As we go into budget period, I will be arguing very strongly for support for those, but I have to point out, as my colleagues will, just how difficult—how unrecognisable, frankly, the public finances are this side of the pandemic and of Brexit. I would point to the £42 million per annum that has been provided for flooding two local authorities for many years and the additional £150 million that we are making available already over the course of this term. With regard to the update on flood risk management cycle development, there is an update pending, and I will bring it to the chamber as soon as I possibly can. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve rail services for passengers in the Mid-Scotland and Fife region. The Scottish Government has invested consistently in the improvement of rail services in Mid-Scotland and Fife. For example, new faster greener trains are providing passengers travelling to Allawa with quicker journeys due to its electrification, and the Leave a Mouth railway will reopen next year. Passengers throughout Scotland, as I mentioned, are also benefiting from lower fares through the removal of the ScotRail peak fares as part of that pilot. I thank the minister for that response, as she recognised the impact of Covid and all rail passenger numbers has been significant. On taking ownership of ScotRail, the Scottish Government said that it would meet the needs of people, and that includes inclusive pricing. Can the minister confirm when the delayed rail fares review is expected, is expected by the end of the year? Can she confirm that still in the case? Given the public finance contributed to the rail fares pilot that she referred to, can I ask her how the Scottish Government is involved in the on-going monitoring and particularly the progress of the pilot in encouraging new passengers on to the rail network? We want to see model shift, which is why we have removed peak fares to encourage that, and I would ask all MSPs to help to publicise that as well. She might be aware that October has been subject to severe weather, so clearly that has had an impact, as she will know, on the running of some services. However, it is important that we get behind the peak fare removal to encourage that model shift. She is referring to the fares fare review, which is due to a report by the end of the year. That will happen. The national rail conversation that I reported to the cabinet and I am more focused on delivery and action. That has now been rolled in terms of her analysis of looking at rail fares. That will be rolled into the fares fare review. The reminder of the question is about rail services in Mid Scotland and Fife. I will call Jackie Dunbar first. Oh, you have a little faith. As the minister has already answered a previous question, the Scottish Government has reconnected one station in Mid Scotland and Fife to the railway and will reconnect two more shortly. Can the minister remind us why this action, which had not been taken by any previous Scottish Government, was necessary? This Government has had a great track record in reconnecting communities. I think that the opening up of Cameron Bridge and Leven will help in reconnecting communities. The opening of the Levenmouth rail station is a big difference. We have invested more than £11 billion to give Scottish people the railway that they want and deserve. Since 2009, we have reconnected 15 communities. As I mentioned, those in Mid Scotland and Fife will benefit particularly with the opening of those stations on the Levenmouth railway. One of the direct consequences of improving rail services in Mid Scotland and Fife is a new ScotRail timetable under which local train services in the north-east will be slashed. What impact does the minister predict that the cuts will have on the accessibility of places such as Aberdeen, Inverroory and Stonehaven, the businesses and economy there and the modal shift that she speaks of? I think that the geography of the member's region is stretched somewhat. Looking at Mid Scotland and Fife, the consultation for the Fife timetable was launched in early September and closed on 23 October. One of the proposed options includes an additional service running in Fife that could ease the capacity issues on existing services. My faith is restored. Question 8, Brian Whittle. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, to ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to develop transport infrastructure in the south Scotland region, including in relation to the upgrade of the A75 and rail links from Ayr to Strunrar and Cairnryan. The Scottish Government is committed to the proposals for transport infrastructure improvements contained in the 45 SBR2 recommendations, which include improved and resilient connections to Strunrar and Cairnryan, among others. The Scottish Government is using all levers at our disposal to maximise investment in those recommendations as effectively as possible during those challenging times. Given the announcement of the UK Government of funding available for initial appraisal work on pinch points on the A75, a business case was submitted to the Department of Transport in April 2023, I have received confirmation from the UK Government that they are supportive and I urge that to be formalised as soon as possible. Deputy Presiding Officer, long before my seven years plus in this Parliament, the Scottish Government ministers have been promising investment in the long overdue, some would say, forgotten investment in the development of the A75, the 77 and rail links from Ayr to Strunrar. In fact, in 2010 it was Alex Salmond committed to significant transport infrastructure around the Port of Cairnryan. Here we are 13 years later and now with a commitment from the UK Government to develop the Euro route A75. Will the Scottish Government now focus on developing an A77 development plan, along with a plan for the wholly inadequate rail link from Ayr to Strunmar? I would say to the member that there has been considerable investment along the A77, as he well knows. He talks about the longer timeframe and that has already happened. In terms of investment that can continue to happen. It is not the Scottish Government's responsibility that the UK Government decided on a union connectivity review that demonstrated that the A75 most of the benefits would fall outside of Scotland because it is the connection to Northern Ireland. It is not my responsibility that they want to do the stag appraisal. They have taken an undertaking to do that, and I am very pleased about that. I just did formal recognition. Work is undertaken on the A75 and, in particular, on the A77. Hagstones, Climberlain, Glenat, Wideset, Singul, Carriageway, Parkend, to Benanine, Simonton and Bogento, Meeble, Bypass. Meeble, Bypass is a considerable improvement to the A77. Not to recognise that, I think, does his constituents a disservice? With a similar reminder to the earlier one about the geographic focus of the original question, I called John Mason for a supplementary. I will try to be closer than Liam Kerr managed. As well as the A77 and the A75, the Conservatives are demanding road improvements on the A9, the A96 and the A82, yet the capital budget has been cut by the Conservatives at Westminster by some 7 per cent. Can the minister explain to the Conservatives that the finances have to add up, we have to set priorities, or does she think that they do not understand the finance? We are a responsible Government. I think that the UK Government, in its mini-budget with the Liz Trust and quasi-quadrank, is in living memory and caused absolute havoc financially. I am not to take responsibility for that, I think, and then come to this chamber asking for investment right across our capital infrastructure, a time of 7 per cent reduction in terms of our budget, and also a time of inflation in construction that is outpacing other increases in cost, is unrealistic, and probably is why it is extremely unrealistic that the Conservative Government will ever hold office either in this Government or indeed Westminster. Thank you minister. That concludes portfolio questions. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item of business to allow front benches to change.