Chamber and committees

I am grateful for that, but the issue of delivery has been raised with various ministers a number of times over the past few months—perhaps longer. From a business point of view, you will recognise how important the roads are, particularly the A9, to the Highlands and Islands, all the way up to Orkney, where I am from. However, the entirety of the road is meant to be dualled within two and a half years, and we have not had confirmation—

I was trying to get clarification on something that is vital to—

Thank you. It is the bits that are not yet finished that interest me. The minister will be aware that there has been slow progress on both projects. Dualling of the A9 is meant to be completed by 2025, and it is clear to everyone that that target date will not be met, but we have not heard that yet from the Scottish Government, despite it being obvious to anyone who uses the road. Will you confirm that the 2025 target will be missed? Is a revised timetable for completion being prepared? If so, will it be part of the new delivery plan in April next year?

It is encouraging that you are looking at ways of streamlining. Perhaps it would be useful if you could provide us with an update, at some point, on how the work is progressing and whether a more streamlined process is being provided.

Before I come to my questions, I will ask Ian Laird to comment. We have heard a lot in the past from domestic home owners in particular about the need for clarity on and signposting to energy advice, because that can be quite difficult to find. Do you think that that sort of support is available for SMEs, in particular? If it is, is it signposted clearly enough to enable them to access funding to support transition?

Does Paul Sheerin want to come in on that?

Thank you for that. I come back to Ian Laird, and we can then hear from the other witnesses.

We know that the next few months and the year ahead are going to be difficult, but we know that people will still be starting new businesses, and there will be new initiatives and the like. Given the pressure on budgets, particularly for the enterprise bodies and other organisations that support start-ups, is there enough in the budget, both currently and in the future, to support new starts properly? What do you think the impact on them could be?

Thank you.

I have one last quick general question. A chief entrepreneur was appointed in, I think, April, and we have talked about some of the changes that will happen with business, particularly with regard to innovation. Has your sector had contact with the chief entrepreneur, and what are your thoughts on how innovation and entrepreneurship are supported in Scotland? Perhaps Ian Laird can respond first.

Good morning. The Scottish Futures Trust was set up in 2008 and it became an NDPB in 2011, which was 11 years ago. Why is the change being made only now?