Chamber and committees

Just to refocus on delivery programmes, the second strategic transport projects review has just been launched in Scotland. I would be interested in your views on that. The next stage of that process is the prioritisation of a delivery plan. There are some big ideas in there, such as mass transit schemes in the cities. Are there things in STPR2 that you would question, or is it all in line with the 75 per cent target and the 2040 target? I am not sure who would like to take that.

I will move beyond that to look at wider industrial decarbonisation that may or may not feed into the Acorn project. What progress could the Scottish Government make by working with industry between now and 2030? Which options are most deliverable within that timescale?

Yesterday, I released a report that I commissioned on decarbonisation options for Mossmorran. I think that it is the first report on what a site-specific transition might look like for that plant. What are your thoughts on wider industrial decarbonisation, and what big step changes can we make?

What do you think about the French Government’s approach to banning certain domestic flights within 2.5 hours’ travel where there is a rail alternative? That came out of the French citizens assembly and the Government has now taken it on and is delivering. It is a different context, however.

It is just a brief question on the back of Liam Kerr’s point about diet change. Practically, what should Governments be delivering in that regard? Is it about changing the way in which public canteens and kitchens offer choice? Is it about food labelling? What are the tools? Is it all about market demand, given your comment that people are generally moving towards eating less meat anyway?

Good morning; it is good to see you all again. I want to ask about how Governments make decisions that are in line with net zero and targets and lead to the delivery programmes that are needed on the ground. You will be aware of the work of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government and the Fraser of Allander Institute in producing a report on budget reforms. The report focuses on the practice of how Government makes decisions as well as on a critical net zero test. The three steps that were agreed within that are the introduction of a climate narrative into this year’s budget, a revision to the taxonomy in next year’s budget and the full implementation of a net zero test across Government the year after that.

I want to get your views on that. Is that the right approach, or is something missing? What is your analysis of how Government intends to make decisions going forward?

My question is about whether local heat and energy efficiency strategies are the right approach. I heard Keith Bell’s response about conversion, retrofitting and the numbers that we can get through the current system. Could LHEES provide a step change with, maybe, a move towards more area-based schemes that involve whole communities or streets being retrofitted and invested in? Will that approach provide the right incentive for private sector investment?

It feels as if we are struggling to find the step change here. Some work is happening with LHEES, but does it fill you with hope, or is there still some way to go?

That is the local level. Why is the CCC so resistant to boiler scrappage schemes and scrappage schemes in general? The report really challenges Government, but I wonder why some policy options seem to be off the table. Emily Nurse said earlier that there was some scepticism about scrappage.

Thank you both for those comments.

I will move on to aviation. The Scottish Government has limited powers over aviation, but it does, or will, have some powers over passenger duty and it has powers over planning. How should the Government be tackling aviation right now, particularly in the light of a forthcoming aviation strategy?

Are there any other reflections on the exact actions that the Scottish Government has agreed in relation to budget? What would you expect to see in the years ahead, for example? Other witnesses might want to come in on that.

If I were working for your organisation and I saw a private sector body that was paying more, what would encourage me to continue to work for you?