 Os oedd ond y cwmaint o'r cwnghwm sydd aethau'r hollwyrwyr. Y rhai cannot o bobl sydd, mae o'r cwmaint o bobl o'r hollwyrwyr yn modd yn gobl i ddimentu'r ffordd o gwyllwyr ond mae'n ddau'n eu等一下r o'r cymddi, ac y gwyllwyr o'r cymddi wych. Yn cwmaint o bobl o'r hollwyr, rydyn ni'n gyfweld i ddechameld drwng. Rhywbeth yr archwmwyllt yng ngylet steel, y bydd ganddraen gyhoedd呼yn y bydd yn gyntafolordeid, ar gyfer hwyl Cficol arermaen, i gyd ymnyddiaeth ymwiel Cynllun session! Fylau'r iawn am gyd yn cyfrifol ar gyfer hwyl Cficol, yn cyfrifol wedi rhannu bwysig i gyd ac i gyd yn cyfrifol ar gyd yn cyfrifol. Fylau'r iawn am gyd yn cyfrifol ar gyd yn cyfrifol, yn cyfrifol ar gyfer hwyl Cficol ar gyd yn cyfrifol, ac mae'r iawn o gwzol yn cyfrifol ar gyd yn cyfrifol ar gyd yn cyfrifol. Those calls included consideration of the latest data, international travel vaccination programmes, testing and self-isolation, and the impact on public services. Funding to support additional interventions was also discussed. The First Minister confirmed last week that we will publish a revised strategic framework in the next few weeks that seeks to be more sustainable, less restrictive and more proportionate as we continue to live with Covid and manage any future variants. Jackie Dunbar. There has been much speculation that the UK Government is going to unilaterally end the free provision of LFDs. Given our recovery from Covid requires us to keep the virus under control, does the Deputy First Minister agree that decisions on the continued need for LFDs must be made on a four-nation basis and not by the UK Government in isolation? I think that a four-nations approach on this question would be essential. Lateral flow tests form a very significant part of our approach in managing the pandemic and also those of the rest of the United Kingdom. The availability of these free tests has been an integral part of the way in which we have managed the pandemic. I certainly would want to see any question about the future steps that are taken on LFDs to be taken on a four-nations basis. Murdo Fraser. In recent weeks, we have seen a divergence in the approach to restrictions taken across the four different parts of the United Kingdom, but there is very little divergence in terms of case rates. Indeed, there have been circumstances in the past few days where the case rates in Scotland have actually been higher than the case rates south of the border where there have been fewer restrictions. Given that we are likely to see more variants of Covid coming in the months ahead, how will the Scottish Government reflect on this experience in deciding whether to impose additional restrictions as we go forward? As Mr Fraser will be aware, we look at a range of data to inform our judgments about the appropriateness of any restrictions that are applied. Ministers have to be satisfied that those restrictions are proportionate in relation to the evidence before us. I would counsel Mr Fraser against jumping to the assumptions that underpin his question, because what also has to be factored in is the fact that variants can affect different parts of the United Kingdom at different times. For example, the developments in London preceded developments here in Scotland and have no doubt taken their course and completed their course earlier than they are taking their course in Scotland. Fundamentally, the Scottish Government must take the appropriate decisions that we judge to be essential to protect public health in Scotland. To ask the Scottish Government to provide an update on its handling of freedom of information requests against the 20 working days statutory deadline. The Scottish Government routinely publishes FY performance statistics on a monthly basis, and in November 2021, the most recent month for which data is available, we answered 90 per cent of FY requests within 20 working days. The equivalent figure for 2021 up to and including November was 85 per cent. The Scottish Government response time has recovered significantly since the initial impact of coronavirus outbreak in 2020. That has been achieved at the same time that we have handled our highest ever volume of requests. Nevertheless, we are not complacent about performances and remain committed to achieving the 95 per cent target agreed within the Scottish Information Commissioner and to maintaining performances at the level that we were doing prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Russell Findlay. The Scottish National Party Government has a track record of hostility towards FY. What justification is there for making de facto public bodies like Zero Waste Scotland funded by government and set up to carry out government policy exempt from FY? And will the minister consider widening FY to bodies such as these? We have previously used our power under section 5 of FOISA to extend coverage of the act to further entities in significant ways. Most of the recently extended coverage of FOISA to all registered social landlords and their subsidiaries in 2019. The Scottish Government will set out its broad approach soon to the future use of Scottish ministers' powers to extend FOISA. I can confirm that we will consider all areas highlighted in response to our 2019 consultation on the future use of ministers' powers, including the social care sector, transport provider, NFD, PPPP, PFI projects and the work of regional hub cause. Aside from the time taken to respond to FOIs, there are issues about the substance of those responses. Although I am sure that the Scottish Government is not deliberately withholding information, there are questions raised about the quality of the responses, both to FOIs and to written parliamentary questions that suggest a lack of transparency at the heart of government. Will the minister therefore review the quality of the responses and take action to improve transparency in government? I thank the member for the question. As we have continuously reviewed and looked at how we can make those things work better, obviously, working within the constraints that we have had during coronavirus, there have been many challenges there. However, I am aware of certain situations, and I have been working towards them with officials to make sure that we can make things better. To ask the Scottish Government how its policies across government will support people living in the Cardinbeath constituency to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid recovery strategy sets out how we will recover from the pandemic by working collaboratively with our partners in local government, business and the third sector. Priorities for recovery will vary by location, and we are committed to working with communities to understand those and tailor services to support them. I recently shared the first meeting of the Covid recovery programme board with the president of COSLA. Its members include representatives from Scottish Government, local government, business and the third sector. The Cardinbeath constituency benefits from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city deal, which aims to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the region through investment in housing, innovation, transport, skills and culture. I thank the Deputy First Minister for his answer. My science in terms of Covid recovery is that people in my Cardinbeath constituency are most focused, in fact, on the need to see the full reinstatement of health and social care services. In that regard, can the Deputy First Minister advise as to what extent the planning for this will be led nationally since, obviously, at the present time local health boards such as NHS Fife must prioritise their resources to deal with the critical Covid winter challenges that they face? This is a very important issue, and I think that the response has got to be a collaborative approach between national and local government. The Scottish Government has initiated discussions with our local authority partners to satisfy all of us that the necessary steps have been taken to strengthen the delivery of social care services, recognising the critical dependence on those services within local communities. I had a discussion along with the health secretary and the social justice secretary last week with the leadership of COSLA. I have a follow-up session later on this evening, at which we will be looking at the responses of local resilience partnerships to satisfy ourselves that all steps have been taken to strengthen social care to address the priorities that Ms Ewing highlights on behalf of her constituents in Cardinbeath. To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gives as part of its cross-government Covid-19 strategy reviews, the long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Through the course of the pandemic, our strategy has changed with factors such as the vaccine take-up and vaccine waning, levels of adherence to Covid-19 rules and guidance and new variants. All can combine to produce very different outcomes requiring different responses. In the long-term, we must adapt our thinking to how we can manage the virus and become more resilient to it in the future. That will mean seeking ways that are more proportionate, sustainable and less restrictive. The Scottish Government is therefore currently working on and will publish over the next few weeks a revised strategic framework, which will set out more fully how that process of adaptation can be managed with a view to building that greater resilience. Brian Whittle I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, but he will be aware that the pandemic has greatly reduced public access to physical activity and leisure activities, which have had a significant impact on people's physical and mental health, as well as increasing inequalities. Can I ask the cabinet secretary what the Scottish Government will actively do to encourage and help the restart of those activities and leisure activities and ensure that all will have access to those opportunities? I recognise unreservedly the importance of the point that Mr Whittle makes, and that such services and opportunities must be available to all communities. We are working with our local authority partners as part of the Covid recovery programme board that I referred to in my earlier answer to enable such an approach to take place and for those services to be available. However, I would put in one caveat to that point, and that is this. The First Minister made reference to that point yesterday. We have to ensure that social care services are available for all of our constituents as an absolute priority. In my answer to Ms Ewing, I indicated that we were reviewing with local resilience partnerships the effectiveness of that delivery, because I am conscious because of staff absence through Omicron that there is intense pressure on the availability of social care services. The implications of prioritising social care might be that some of the services that Mr Whittle would like to see restarted for absolutely understandable reasons might have to be restarted slightly later to enable us to prioritise social care. It is important that I am candid with Parliament about that point. However, valuable and important the point that Mr Whittle makes, which I unreservedly accept, we have to make sure that we prioritise the measures that will enable us to deliver social care effectively. I have had numerous constituents in touch about issues with their vaccination status. I know that my Labour colleagues and other MSPs across the chamber have raised that, but boosters are now adding another level of challenge. When will the Scottish Government ensure that boosters show on the app as a booster if someone has received both doses in the EU or in another part of the UK, because they are currently showing as dose one or two which makes travel to some countries impossible and constituents have not been able to get help from NHS Inform? As I have said to the Parliament before, in a programme of this scale where we are talking about in excess of 10 million vaccinations, there are bound to be difficulties for some individual cases. I would say to Sarah Boyack that the NHS Inform team is working hard to address any of those discrepancies that emerge. If members of Parliament are having difficulty resolving those issues on behalf of constituents, I would be happy to hear from members of Parliament and to make sure that they are addressed. I have had a number of representations directly from members of the public, which I have asked to be addressed and they have been addressed, so I would be very happy to address any points that members of Parliament wish to draw to my attention. 5. Beatrice Wishart To ask the Scottish Government what considerations it will give in relation to its proposals for the scheduling of government business in the chamber in order to take account of the various impacts of Covid-19 and Scotland's recovery from it. Minister George Adam Thank you, Presiding Officer, and I thank Ms Wishart for her question. Responding to the impacts of Covid-19 and managing Scotland's recovery from the pandemic is central focus of the Scottish Government. That will be reflected in our approach to the scheduling of future government business. The First Minister's weekly statement to Parliament is an example of her commitment to ensuring that Parliament is updated on all developments. 6. Beatrice Wishart I thank the Minister for that answer. 100,000 people are living with long Covid and for many it has radically altered their lives. Thousands are also self-isolating, ill and relying on others. Covid has significant impacts on those that it lives with, including children now supporting adults with daily tasks. Will the Scottish Government provide a ministerial statement on or any update on its support, whether it is financial, educational or other, for those young carers? Thank you, Presiding Officer. I thank the member for the question and probably the best bet at this stage would be to say that that is probably an issue for your business managers to take up. In your case, that is a bit difficult, right? Sorry, but with regards to, it might be an idea for me to possibly talk to other business managers and bring up what you have brought forward here today, Ms Wishart, and we could possibly discuss it at the next bureau. I apologise if I have offended you in any shape or form. 7. Stephen Kerr The Parliamentary Portfolio Question is available months in advance, and yet we continue to see Scottish ministers answering questions on their brief in portfolio questions virtually from their homes or even from their offices. Does the minister for parliamentary business agree with me that meeting their obligations to appear in this chamber in person allows ministers to show their respect for the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people whom we have been elected to serve? I can just say that the Deputy First Minister and I are here today answering her questions as is the way it should be. However, we live in extremely difficult times and there are situations and there will be times from now and again where some members or ministers might be answering remotely, but, as a rule of thumb, we tend to agree—the member knows this, Presiding Officer, from our discussions at the bureau—that we tend to try to ensure that ministers are at least one of us who are here physically in the chamber at one point. Should there be a problem with any remote communication, then there will be someone else on site, another minister, to make sure that the question can be answered. Should someone be remote, there is still the option for us to have an answer physically in the chamber. Presiding Officer, to ask the Scottish Government when it last met the UK Government to discuss the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and what the outcome was. Presiding Officer, there are frequent foreign nations ministers and officials' calls focusing on Covid, which take place at every level, including the participation of the First Minister. The most recent First Minister call took place on 19 December to discuss the response to the Omicron variant, and one is due to take place later on today. A separate call for health ministers took place on 6 January. We will continue to engage proactively at a four nations level to protect as effectively as possible the health of the people of Scotland and to recover from the pandemic. I thank Mr Swinney for that answer. He will no doubt be aware of the impact of the pandemic and the recovery from it covers a wide range of Government policy. Although there is much that needs to be tackled to recover from the pandemic, one of the most pressing things right now is the cost of living and, in particular, the unsustainable rise in energy costs. Has the Deputy First Minister made representations to the UK Government regarding that, and does he agree that reducing the cost of energy will be essential to recover from the cost of living crisis following the impact of the pandemic? I understand entirely the point that Mr Rowley puts to me. Scottish ministers have raised those issues with the United Kingdom Government. I imagine that we share the concerns that Mr Rowley has about the impact of rising energy prices on household incomes, coupled with the reductions in, for example, the child payments under universal credit. That has further eroded the incomes of households. The Scottish Government has taken measures by doubling the child payment to try to remedy some of those issues. However, I agree with Mr Rowley about the importance of energy costs, the necessity of addressing them and those are obviously reserved issues, which is entirely proper. The discussion is with the United Kingdom Government, and I assure him that Scottish ministers will continue to press those arguments to protect households within Scotland. To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government strategies have been identified as part of its work on Covid-19 recovery to support communities and businesses most affected by the pandemic. The Covid recovery strategy focus on supporting those most affected during the pandemic and complements a range of sector recovery plans. Our NHS recovery plan, published on 25 August 2021, sets out key commitments that will support recovery over the next five years and is backed by more than £1 billion in investment. Our education recovery plan, published on 5 October, puts improving educational outcomes at the heart of our learning recovery. The plan details the key next steps, including measures to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap. The Scottish Government has also worked with a range of different public authorities around the country to develop regional economic strategies in relation to Mr Kidd's constituency with the Glasgow City Region, which was launched in December 2021. That collaboration has ensured alignment around inclusive growth, increasing productivity and net zero ambitions. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. I have been contacted by small local businesses that were allowed to remain open throughout the pandemic due to being essential, but I have nonetheless taken a substantial hit to their income. They did not receive the same kind of funding as forcibly closed businesses during the height of the pandemic. I would be obliged if the cabinet secretary could outline what strategies have been discussed by the Scottish and UK Governments to strengthen the long-term viability of small to medium-sized local businesses, including those categorised as essential, as we continue to move forward out of the grip of the pandemic. One of the measures that we have tried to take, which I understand the distinction that Mr Kidd makes in his question between businesses that remained open, but one of the measures that we have taken, which has affected a whole range of different businesses, has been, for example, some of the release of some business rates that have been present for a number of sectors on a continuous basis. The cabinet secretary has set out that they will continue for part of the next financial year. There is obviously on-going support that the Government makes available through the small business bonus scheme, which assists with the cost of running small businesses in all localities in Scotland. We have a number of strategies in place around, for example, the support to the retail sector and other developments in the enterprise policy, which are designed to support the very companies to which Mr Kidd refers. To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it is making for the local government elections in 2022 in order that people can vote safely. The statutory responsibility for funding delivering local government elections rests with councils and returning officers. The Parliament has already approved a number of legislative measures designed to help returning officers to ensure that people can vote safely. In addition, the Scottish Government is funding the system that will electronically count the votes cast, and my officials are in dialogue with the commission about the arrangements for delivering safely in the context of the pandemic. The legislation passed by Parliament and the discussions with the electoral community have been and continue to be informed by experience of successfully holding last year's Scottish election. Voters in the bellerno area of my constituency at the last election in May had lengthy queues at polling stations well beyond the 10pm normal closure time with the last vote being cast at 11.30pm. Can the minister outline what steps will be taken to ensure that people can cast their vote and avoid this situation being repeated at the forthcoming local government elections in May? The operation of each polling station is a matter for the relevant returning officer. The returning officer in Edinburgh has told me that they have reviewed polling provision in light of the experience in May 2021, which was largely a result of adverse weather during the day, which encouraged a large proportion of voters to delay their attendance at the polling place until the evening. All those who were in the queue at 10pm were able to cast their vote. For this May's election, each returning officer will seek to ensure that voters can vote safely, take into account public health advice and guidance from the Electrol Management Board for Scotland, including directions in relation to the operation of polling places. I thank those across Scotland who put in the power of work to make sure that the Holyrood election was able to go ahead safely. I also acknowledge the work of Graham Day on a cross-party basis to make sure that we were able to have that election. I do not think that we should undermine the work that actually went in to that election, but will emergency proxy votes still be in place for the council elections in case people still have to self-isolate? Will the Scottish Government look to review the provision of a royal mail delivery for each council candidate standing in this election? With regard to Mr Day, I always have difficulty giving credit to my former colleague or current colleague, even. However, in this case, I probably will do it. With regard to emergency papers, that is part of the SSI that has already gone through at this stage, where they will still be able to do that. With regard to the second part of your question, that would probably be brought up to local authority areas to decide in their actual area whether they want to do it or not. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Of course, we would all want to see safe elections. I would associate myself with the comments that were made about the conduct of the 2021 elections, but it is not just about polling days, but about the run-up to the election and the campaign itself. We would all want to see candidates being able to meet voters face-to-face, because we know how important that is, obviously, in line with public health regulations. Is it the minister's expectation that the election will be conducted in a more face-to-face manner of the campaign? Can he explain to Parliament how decisions will be taken about any further restrictions due to any emerging variants? I will get my crystal ball out right now and try to work out where we are going to be when it comes to the election. In all honesty, I understand where you are coming from. I understand where you are coming from. I know myself as a candidate last year, how difficult it can be for us all to sit there and not be able to physically go out and do anything about it. What I can assure the member is that, should there be any changes, one way or the other, I will make sure that I bring it to the chamber myself to make sure that you are aware of what is going on with regard to the election and ensure that, hopefully, we end up in a place where we have as close to normal election as possible, but I cannot make any promises, because who knows after the last 20 months? There will be a very short pause before we move to the next portfolio. Thank you. The next portfolio question is net zero energy and transport. If a member wishes to request a supplementary question, they should press the request-to-speak button or enter the letter R in the chat function during the relevant question. I call question number one, Tess White. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when its refreshed energy strategy will be published. Cabinet Secretary, Michael Matheson. The Scottish Government will publish a draft energy strategy and just transition plan in spring this year. As part of its approach to the refreshed energy strategy, can the cabinet secretary confirm whether the Scottish Government will consult with a wide range of stakeholders to assess its position on nuclear as part of Scotland's future energy mix? The Scottish Government's position on nuclear energy has not changed under present technologies, and we do not support the building of any new nuclear power stations in Scotland. Therefore, it will not feature as part of the wider energy strategy review. Supplementary question from Fiona Hyslop, who is joining us remotely. Hydrogen technology and its deployment and delivery needs to be a key part of Scotland's energy mix. Other countries are marching ahead on this work for mass production and deployment rather than just pilot projects. Will the cabinet secretary assure the chamber that the energy strategy will see a step change in Scotland's work on hydrogen development, use and deployment as an energy source? The cabinet secretary will be aware that, on 10 November last year, we published our draft hydrogen action plan, which sets out a very strong strategic approach to the development of a hydrogen economy here in Scotland. It is also supported by £100 million of programme investment over the course of the next five years, which is specifically targeted at exhilarating the development of renewable hydrogen at scale here in Scotland. I can assure the chamber that, as part of our energy strategy and just transition plan, we will ensure that we develop further support around the hydrogen economy in Scotland and ensure that we do so at pace in order to ensure that Scotland is able to maximise the potential that can come from the development of hydrogen technology and its production here in Scotland. supplementary from Mark Ruskell, who is joining us remotely. Thanks. Can the cabinet secretary update the chamber on how the cost of nuclear energy currently compares with renewables? Nuclear power is a bad deal for consumers. In 2016, Hinkley Point received a contract for different strike price of £92.50 per megawatt hour, which has now increased by some 25 per cent since then. Recent power price spikes underline the need to create better outcomes from energy investments, particularly for those struggling with household finances. Internal analysis has identified that, in 2030 alone, Hinkley could add almost £40 a year to a consumer's bill, whereas an equivalent offshore wind farm would reduce bills by some £8 a year. Significant growth in renewables, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture are, in our view, the best way in which to secure Scotland's future energy needs and to meet our net zero objectives. To ask the Scottish Government in what ways the Internal Market Act of December 2020 could impact on its ability to meet its net zero targets. Cabinet secretary. The Scottish Government is determined to take all actions within our powers to tackle the climate emergency and deliver the legally binding targets set by this Parliament of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. However, the Internal Market Act can undermine decisions made by this Parliament, including in wholly devolved climate and environmental policy. The act means that standards elsewhere in the UK must be accepted here in Scotland, regardless of our regulations. It is, in my view, an attack on the powers of this Parliament, and it poses a direct threat to our ambitions to achieve net zero. Misa Thomson. I thank the cabinet secretary for that reply. In today's economy and fair work committee, it became clear that the Internal Market Act acts as an enabler for a whole raft of other legislation. For example, the subsidy control bill is one area of concern. Professor David Bell of Sterling University in his submission noted that, and I quote, it is also not clear how the bill might interact with policies that are intended to move the economy towards net zero. For example, if the Scottish Government proposed to subsidise industrial plants to reduce their carbon footprint, would it be forced by the Secretary of State for Bays to request a CMA assessment of this action? To what extent does the cabinet secretary share the concerns of Professor David Bell? The concerns that have been raised by Professor Bell are serious. The Scottish Government has consistently highlighted its concerns about the reservation of subsidy control in the UK Internal Market Act, and what that means for devolved policy making. The Internal Market Act has sweeping implications for a wide range of decisions made by this Parliament. The act not only reserved state aid, a previously devolved matter, but gives the UK Government powers to decide how public money is spent in wholly devolved policy areas, as well as imposing new market access principles that could force us to accept standards set in other parts of the UK. It is an unprecedented assault on the devolved powers and the responsibilities of this Parliament, which is why the act should be repealed. 3. Rhoda Grant To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to support ferry services in Scotland. The current ferries plan delivered transformational changes with new routes for Gwrectigol, Cregan, Camelton, Loch Boy, Stil, Malig, a dedicated barra vessel and increased sailings to Mullen Arran. The planned investment of £580 million will improve Scotland's ferry infrastructure and the procurement of new Iowa vessels. The purchase of the MV log freeza is what continues as the small vessel replacement programme for new vessels and for Danoone, Cregan, Mal and South East, and freighters for Orkney and Shetland moves forward. We also continue to explore possible options for second hand tonnage, both for passenger and freighter purposes. We recognise the pressure on local authority since 2017. We provide an additional £50 million of funding to help them to deliver the ferry services that they are responsible for. Communities that rely on the Scottish Government for lifeline ferry services have been failed. The minister must involve operators, unions and communities in strategic planning to make sure that services meet their needs. Currently, there is no strategic plan, only service cuts and eye-watering delays in building our new ferry services, which is on-going. Capacity has been cut due to lack of funding and no alternative services are proposed from Harris for six months when the Uigh harbour is upgraded. I could go on daily, the list gets longer. How on earth the minister proposed to deliver lifeline ferry services in the face of now additional budget cuts? I have acknowledged in the past that we must improve the delivery of ferry services to our island communities. I have never shut from that. On strategic planning, there are a multitude of options moving forward on how we do that. One, for example, is one that I have instigated, which is for the role and enhanced role for the communities board to hear the voice of communities held through that. We also engage with local authorities. Of course, we can and we must do better, but let me pick up on the point that is a reasonable one about the services to Harris later this year because of the closure of Uigh harbour. Interestingly, Uigh harbour is closing for an upgrade being funded by the Scottish Government, a substantial upgrade for a harbour that we do not actually own. That demonstrates our commitment. I see the road of grant shaking in our heads, but £60 million is a considerable sum of money to be invested in a port that has not been maintained to the standard that we would require. However, to be more constructive on that point, I absolutely recognise the concern of the community. My officials are working with CalMac to see how we can mitigate the impact of the necessary work on the community. There are a number of supplementary requests on this question. I will be able to take some of them, but sadly not all given time constraints. CalMac has admitted that some of its skippers are neither experienced nor content enough to sail to a droswn or guru at its port of refuge in moderate, not to mention bad weather, leading to sailings being cancelled needlessly. What discussions has the minister had with CalMac regarding the training of its skippers to minimise the problem going forward? I should stress at the outset—I am sure that Kenny Gibson agrees with this—that the decisions around the safety of passage and birthing at various ports must lie rightly with the masters of the vessels concerned. It would be wrong for anyone to challenge those individual decisions, which are always taken on the basis of the safety of passengers' crew in the vessel itself. I have had officials in dialogue with CalMac on this matter over the past 48 hours, because it is concerning what has been suggested. All of the crews are fully trained in enormous circumstances. Experienced masters are familiar with specific routes, and they will be deployed in those locations. However, given the very acute circumstances that are in place at the moment, as a result of the Covid-related absences, we have had crews on vessels that are less familiar with particular routes in order to ensure that there is the operation of the service. On the particular issue of familiarity in training with usable alternate ports, that is something that would be ideally done. CalMac would look to work towards that, but, of course, in doing that, we need to take vessels out of the service in order to do it. Equally, I understand the impact that the issues have on the concerns of ferry users, and I will undertake personally to discuss that with senior management at CalMac tomorrow. Thank you. The minister will be aware that, in terms of local government funding, the perhead of population settlement received by Western Isles Council is significantly higher than that received by Orkney Islands Council, yet ferry replacement costs on west coast routes are covered by the Scottish Government, while OIC is left to pick up the significant tab for replacing the ageing vessels on the internal services. Does the minister believe that that is fair, and, if not, what is he going to do about it? Minister? This is a conversation that Mr MacArthur and I have had on numerous occasions, and I note that he did not acknowledge the substantial amount of funding that has already been provided to Orkney Islands Council, both in terms of the service delivery, and I think that there was capital funding provided for the replacement of a vessel previously, if memory serves. Those vessels are the responsibility of the local authority, but I am aware that there is dialogue between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Orkney Islands Council and others on the very subject of what ferry replacement funding would look like going forward. Is that documentary, Jenny Mintle, who is joining us remotely? Thank you, Presiding Officer. A combination of adverse weather and horizon Covid cases among crew and shore staff have had a severe impact on service provision in recent weeks and days. What difference will the changes to the isolation rules make, and what more can be done to encourage compliance by passengers with relevant protective measures? Transport Scotland continues to engage daily with CalMac on the impacts to services, and to monitor that as we move forward. The reduced isolation period has already appeared to provide some relief to the pressures that are being faced, although, of course, there always remains the risk of disruption due to further infections of crew and staff. Let me place in record my appreciation of the work of the crew and staff throughout the pandemic, both on the west coast and in the northern isles. As the sixes are eased, the emphasis will continue to be on personal responsibility, good practice and informed judgement. I encourage everyone using our ferries to ask themselves if the journeys that they are considering on ferry routes are necessary at this time in order that we best protect services and ensure that space remains available, particularly for our island communities. To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to revise the conditions of eligibility for the bus service operators grant. The bus service operators grant is currently suspended and, other than exceptional circumstances, emergency Covid-19 support grants are in place to support operators to maintain services. We are monitoring passenger numbers closely and developing options for future financial support for bus services, taking account of the continuing impact of the pandemic. I thank the minister for that response. Indeed, it is clear that the bus service operators grant was no longer fit for purpose. When looking to the future, can we look at alternative ways of doing that, such as looking at the provisions in the 2019 transport act powers for local authorities to regulate private providers to regional franchises and invest in publicly-owned and accountable bus companies? Previously, we have seen operators provided with financial support that they continue to withdraw and extract and reduce bus services from communities across Glasgow and Scotland. Minister? In terms of some of the concerns that he has expressed and his aspirations, I am not a million miles away from the views of the member, insofar as it is imperative moving forward that the bus provision that we have in this country is tailored to meet the needs and the requirements of our communities and bus users, that must be the priority. I know that Mr Sweeney has a real interest in this issue and I would be more than happy to meet him and discuss this matter further. What impact does the minister think that the provision of free travel for all under-22s in Scotland might have on bus services, incomes for the bus companies and their viability? We are in a state of flux at the moment and there is no doubt about that. In the context of the under-22 provision, we have set reimbursement terms carefully in line with the statutory objective of the free bus schemes that bus operators should be financially no better or no worse off as a result of their participation. In the short term, I would not therefore expect the scheme to have any negative effect on services. Over time, by creating more demand for bus services and by supporting young people to dot sustainable travel habits early in their lives, I would expect it to lead to increased bus usage, improving services and their viability. Given the immediate impacts of the pandemic, it will take some time for all of that to work its way through. To ask the Scottish Government what the priorities will be for the new chief scientific adviser for environment, natural resources and agriculture. The new chief scientific adviser for environment, natural resources and agriculture, Professor Matthew Williams, will lead the integration and effective use of evidence in policy across a really wide range of subjects, including the environment, agriculture, climate change by diversity, food security, land use and animal health. The overarching priorities for the role include delivering a strategic approach to science across the portfolio, providing assurance that scientific evidence and advice is robust. Ensuring that ministers receive the most up-to-date advice on key scientific issues. I thank the minister for that answer. Professor Matthew Williams has 25 years of experience of monitoring and modelling terrestrial ecosystems and the resources air responses to global change. Does she therefore share my view that Professor Williams is exactly the right person to ensure that we continue to produce evidence to inform policy development and delivery at the heart of our journey towards net zero? I absolutely do sound scientific advice. It is utterly crucial to help us to tackle Scotland's environment and climate challenges. As the member has set out, Professor Williams' expertise will be invaluable in helping us to address the challenges and indeed the opportunities that we face in the coming years in order to meet Scotland's world-leading net zero ambitions. 6. Willie Coffey, who is joining us remotely. Thank you to ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling fuel poverty in Kilmarnock and Irran Valley. We target all four drivers of fuel poverty but decisions about low income benefits and regulation of the energy markets are reserved to the UK Government. Since 2013, we have allocated £12.4 million through our area-based schemes to improve energy efficiency in East Ayrshire. Those projects have benefited more than 2,974 fuel poor households. Families in Kilmarnock and Irran Valley have also benefited from improvements through our national warmer homes Scotland service. In addition, we continue to provide free and impartial advice to every household in Scotland through our Home Energy Scotland service. Scotland is an energy-rich nation yet nearly a quarter of all our households are still living in fuel poverty. Scottish Government initiatives are extremely important in helping us to drive fuel poverty down but does the cabinet secretary agree that energy price heights, raising the fuel price cap and continuing to charge VAT will have a severe impact, particularly on the poorest in Scotland? What can the Scottish Government do to press the UK Government to intervene in these matters before thousands more households in Scotland fall further into fuel poverty? Mr Coffey makes a very good case about the increasing pressure that households are facing as a result of the financial pressures that they are experiencing, including the significant increase that we have seen in energy prices. Regulation in the pricing of the energy markets is reserved to the UK Government. It is critical that the UK Government now takes this matter seriously and takes action in order to try and minimise the financial impact that significant energy prices could experience once the cap is reviewed in the next few weeks. The consequence of that if the UK Government does not take action is that potentially hundreds of thousands, if not millions of households across the UK as a whole, will be forced into fuel poverty. That is why there are a range of measures that the UK Government should look at taking, not just including the issue of that but the various levies that are applied to energy tariffs at the present moment, which can have a disproportionate impact on households that are reliant on in the electrical heating. The UK Government now needs to act in both myself and Shona Robison to have made representations to the UK Government on that matter, and we are seeking a meeting with them at a nearly date in order to explore what further measures they are prepared to take in order to try to address what a household financial crisis is, which has been fuelled by the ever-increasing costs of energy prices. I thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Tackling fuel poverty must include ensuring that homes are energy efficient. With that in mind, I can ask the cabinet secretary when the Scottish Government will set embodied carbon targets at early design stages for new builds and redevelopment projects and that those energy efficient measures are affordable for developers and accessible for all homes. The member will be aware that, last year, we published our strategy for heating buildings and to make sure that we were taking forward the right measures in order to reduce fuel poverty and to improve insulation of properties that are being retrofitted. Alongside that, we are also looking at whether the existing building regulations need to be amended further in order to ensure greater fuel efficiency. All of that is part of our wider work in order to make sure that we meet our 2030-75 per cent net zero target and our 2045 net zero target. Those are all issues that we are continuing to look at in order to make sure that residential premises in particular are increasingly fuel efficient and that we do so in a way that helps to reduce fuel poverty. To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to change electricity levees schemes in order to tackle fuel poverty in rural and island areas of the north of Scotland. The legal powers to regulate the energy markets and to set associated levees are reserved to the UK Government and we have called on them to take action to protect energy consumers against the significant increases that are expected in retail prices in the coming months. We must see a review of the energy levees for social and environmental obligations as set out in our own heat and building strategy, as we also set out in our fuel poverty strategy and also are a key ask that the Scottish Government has made of the UK Government through our own representations. I would certainly encourage anyone who is facing high energy bills to contact Home Energy Scotland for advice on how they can reduce their fuel costs. I thank the cabinet secretary for that reply. The north of Scotland is a region rich in green energy and also has twice the Scottish levels of extreme fuel poverty. As the cabinet secretary has recognised, I think that part of that problem is the unfair and archaic transmission charges set by the UK Government, which in effect charge consumers by how far they are from the south. In Scotland, there is a significantly higher distribution cost levy per unit for customers in the north of Scotland than in the south. Will the Scottish Government continue now to lobby to get rid of that once and for all? Mr Alam makes a very good point, and he represents a constituency where there are greater levels of fuel poverty, which is exacerbated by some of the environmental and social obligation costs that are applied to energy bills, which end up causing a premium to be set for some customers making greater use, particularly of electricity-based heating. That is why the Scottish Government will continue to make representations to the UK Government on the matter and the need to take urgent action to address the issue, because a figure should do so will simply cause more households to fall into fuel poverty. That is why it is essential that the UK Government take urgent action on the issue before the review of the fuel price cap is completed and implemented in the months ahead. The cabinet secretary is very quick to blame the UK Government, yet fails to mention that, by removing subsidy for LPG heating systems through its warmer home Scotland scheme, the Scottish Government is forcing electric only heating solutions on to fuel-poor off-grid households when they might not be appropriate or what the consumer needs. Will the cabinet secretary consider reinstating support for heating technology such as LPG, which has a clear transition to renewable bio-LPG, in order to give fuel-poor households meaningful choice? The way to address that particular issue, is to deal with the unnecessary levies that are being applied to electricity costs that are being imposed by the UK Government and, through off-gen, in order to reduce the cost of electricity, rather than continuing to sustain forms of energy technology that are not compatible with their net zero objectives. That requires a significant approach to changing the way in which energy is provided in this country. To think about the issue in a way in which Liam Kerr would suggest that it is not going to address fuel poverty significantly, because the regulation of the present market is not working effectively and is not working in consumers' interests. That is why the UK Government needs to get serious about the matter and start to take action before households find that their energy costs by the course of the next coming few months start to almost increase by 50 per cent if the fuel price cap is lifted to the levels that it is expected to go. It is essential that the UK Government step in and deal with this issue. If it does not do so, it will potentially send millions of households into fuel poverty as a result of their inaction and failure to regulate the energy markets properly. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that public transport is accessible to disabled people. People with disabilities should be able to travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens. That is why the 10-year accessible travel framework was created in 2016. It identifies 40 issues through discussions with disabled people and organisations that represent them. The Government continues to work closely with transport providers and disabled people's organisations to address those issues through a series of annual delivery plans. I thank the minister for that answer. The pandemic has exacerbated those challenges, particularly for people with sight loss in accessing public transport. For example, with short notice timetable changes and service cancellation. What work is the Scottish Government doing to ensure that information is available to passengers, given that lots of transport apps appear to be developed separately? As we come out of the pandemic, what support will be available to enable people with sight loss to access public transport services such as access to support on trains and at stations? A lot to unpack there. Passenger assistance and provision of information were two of the 40 issues that were identified in the 2016 framework. I acknowledge that there is still work to be done there. If on public transport, despite our best efforts, we are coming up short in the way that Sarah Boyack highlights. I particularly note the point about the pandemic, which is concerning. That would be a matter of concern to me, so I would be happy to meet the member to hear first-hand from her more about the concerns in the immediate and the longer term and see how we might better address those going forward. That concludes portfolio questions. There will be a very short pause before we move on to the next item of business.