Chamber and committees

The other R100 issue that I want to ask about is the fact that Scotland has more than 90 inhabited islands. I understand that Fair Isle was connected to full fibre two years ahead of schedule and used world-leading technology to boost the signal. Will you provide an update on where the roll-out of R100 is in relation to the islands?

My final point relates to the final contracts for R100, which were signed fairly recently but prior to the price inflation that we have seen in construction costs. Will there be an impact on the Scottish Government’s budget as a result of the recent increase in construction costs in the economy? Does the contract allow additional charges for that? Is it to be borne by the supplier?

Thank you very much.

Good morning, cabinet secretary. In your opening remarks, you mentioned that the digital connectivity capital budget has increased by 50 per cent. Looking at the numbers, I see that it is, indeed, up from £93 million to almost £140 million. What do you expect to achieve from the increased budget in the forthcoming financial year?

You touched on the R100 programme and how important it is, but, as you mentioned earlier, broadband is reserved to the Westminster Government, so why did you feel that it was necessary for you to increase the budget in that area? Are we still on target to complete the R100 programme by 2028?

In an article in the Scottish Licensed Trade News in January that touched on a number of people within the industry, Andrew Morrison of the Edrington Group stated, emphatically:

“The Scottish hospitality industry is robust and strong. Despite challenges, there’s a resilient spirit across the sector. Continued collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to quality will undoubtedly contribute to the industry’s strength and recovery.”

What would be your comeback to what the Edrington Group is saying?

Okay. Thanks.

My point was covered, thanks.

Colin Wilkinson, how much of the reduction in pub use is down to societal change? There is a lot more home consumption, and the cost of living rises mean that folk are going out less. There is pre-loading: youngsters might not be drinking as much, but, when they do, they tend to do so at home before they go to clubs and pubs at night. How much of the change that you are talking about relates to societal change?

I have a point of clarification on the email that you read out, Marc. I was busy taking note of all the points that you raised. Apart from a tourism levy—which is a Scottish Government responsibility, if it is introduced and if councils decide to take it up—you mentioned energy prices, high interest rates, cost of living, economy and social security. Those are all within the remit of the United Kingdom Government, so who was the email pointing at? Was it at the UK Government, or just more generally?