Chamber and committees

In the spirit of our coming up to the festive season, I will allow Fulton MacGregor to come in with a final quick question. We will then need to bring the session to a close.

We know that local businesses in town centres across Scotland will be facing increased costs due to inflation, and that will compound pre-existing issues that they have been facing due to changing shopping habits. Can the Deputy First Minister say any more about how the budget will support our local high streets and town centres in this very difficult time?

Throughout this week, Scotland has seen a significant drop in temperatures, with associated yellow weather warnings issued. Industrial action south of the border has moved travellers on to roads, Shetland householders have been without power and, tragically, the risks around frozen ice on lakes were highlighted earlier in the week. Will the cabinet secretary outline what steps our constituents should take this winter to ensure that they stay safe during adverse weather events, and where they can find the best available information and advice?

The Aberdeen to Laurencekirk multimodal corridor study, which was published earlier this year by the north-east of Scotland transport partnership—Nestrans—shows significant public interest in reopening two local train stations in my north-east constituency. That would be a positive development for the local economy, the environment and our emerging renewables sector. What action is the Scottish Government taking in response to the study’s findings, given the commitment in the recently announced STPR2 delivery plan to enhance choice and access to public transport?

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has recently had with the Scottish resilience partnership in preparation for the winter. (S6O-01703)

Thank you. Do you want to come in, Sandra? I will then hand over to Rona Mackay.

Yes, of course.

Okay. Thanks very much.

I see that Rona Mackay wants to come in. After that, though, I would like us to move on to questions on release from custody.

I think that Sharon Stirrat would like to come in.