Chamber and committees

The Programme for Government 2021-22 stated that we will work alongside Police Scotland to develop an online reporting system that will enable anyone to upload camera footage of dangerous road use. The National Dashcam Safety Portal (NDSP) initiative, which deal with all matters of careless road use including riding, cycling or walking, is being led by Police Scotland with financial support from the Scottish Government through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework Fund.

The project to introduce a pilot Dash-Cam Safety Portal into Police Scotland is in the initial business case stage with Police Scotland currently looking at the internal processing, handling and storage of digital images and how that best fits with current and projected processes.

The management of Scottish waters is an area of devolved competency. Whilst there are currently no supertrawlers in the Scottish fishing fleet, a number of other fleets operate within Scottish waters, including a small number of EU supertrawlers. As well as vessels from the rest of the UK, the TCA UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement allows EU vessels full access to fish shared stocks within UK waters.

It is important to note that all vessels authorised to operate in Scottish waters do so under the appropriate licenses, and are obliged to follow Scottish domestic management rules, including mesh size restrictions and closed areas. These vessels also operate within agreed quotas. The majority of commercial stocks fished are managed by the use of Total Allowable Catches (TACs). TAC levels are informed by the best available independent scientific advice, and are used with an aim to ensure sustainable fishing levels in the long term. Vessels, regardless of size or gear, are only permitted to fish the quotas that they have been allocated, in line with TACs set for each stock.

I am aware that a multinational fleet has operated in the UK/Faroe ‘Special Area’ for a number of years under the Faroese Government’s authority. This is an area of water overlapping both UK (Scottish) and Faroese waters, which the UK and the Faroe Islands both claim, and over which both Parties are entitled to exercise jurisdiction and other rights. Both the UK/Scottish Government and the Faroese Government can issue sea fishing licences, including to third country vessels, which include the right to fish within the Special Area. Under the 1999 Agreement, neither Party can prevent or impede the other from issuing such licences.

I was, however, deeply troubled by the Russian fishing activity within the Special Area earlier this year. Whilst I fully recognise that the Faroese Government has the right to license third country vessels to fish in this area, I do not condone or support the continuation of any activities which will deliver economic benefit to the Russian Federation at a time when their unlawful invasion of a sovereign state continues to pose such a threat to the global order. In the spirit of the constructive relationship we have developed with the Faroese Government, I met with the Faroese Fisheries Minister on 11 July to discuss this matter, and to reaffirm Scotland’s strong position.

We laid a brief update before parliament last week on progress against our Heat in Buildings Strategy since its publication in 2021: https://www.gov.scot/publications/heat-in-buildings-strategy-2022-update/ .

Delivering the Strategy will be an essential part of meeting our net zero ambitions. The update confirms our intention to consult next year on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, and publish our Public Engagement Strategy.

Recognising the important part that rail plays in facilitating longer distance journeys, the draft STPR2 recommendations published for consultation in January 2022 included one concerning investment in rail freight terminals and facilities. This recommendation (#44) recommends Transport Scotland supports industry partners in carrying out an updated market study for rail freight growth in Scotland (linked to the 2019 industry growth plan) including a review of rail freight terminals/hubs to confirm how to meet long-term mode shift requirements.

The potential for rail freight facilities to serve the dock area (at Methil Port) within Levenmouth would be considered as part of the aforementioned study. The STPR2 recommendations are currently being finalised and will be published later this year, informed by consideration of the consultation feedback received.

The STPR2 recommendation will build on the Scottish Government’s policy approach to supporting rail freight as outlined in our rail freight strategy of 2016 . This is strengthened by industry targets to grow rail freight and backed by the Scottish Government through past and current investment via our mode shift grant schemes.

In addition, SEStran are currently undertaking the “Go Forth Freight Study” funded by Transport Scotland’s Local Rail Development Fund, in conjunction with Forth Ports, to determine the potential cargo flows in/out/within the River Forth region and its associated ports and hubs which could be transferred onto more sustainable transport modes.

Moreover, Scottish Government Officials working with rail industry partners have engaged with potential rail freight customers to highlight the potential for the Levenmouth Rail Link. This has stimulated positive interest and discussions between potential customers and potential rail freight operators are known to be under way.

The national framework for the Supply of Electricity wholesale volumes are bought up to 2½ years in advance in tranches, following a proven ‘hedging’ purchasing strategy overseen by a cross-sectoral Risk Management Committee. The Committee comprises senior managers representing procurement, finance and energy management interests.

Whilst energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels because of global influences, the Scottish Government purchasing strategy has mitigated some of the increases for customers on the framework. However, given the substantially increased risk that this market volatility has brought, the Risk Management Committee has temporarily suspended the on-boarding of all new customers with immediate effect in order protect the risk strategy and the organisations currently using the framework. Organisations that are currently customers (including some third sector bodies) will remain on the framework.

The Risk Management Committee will keep that decision under regular review and when market conditions and risk profile allow, will permit new customers to join.

In the 2021-22 Programme for Government and as part of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Government committed to undertake an in-depth analysis to better understand our energy requirements as we transition to net zero. Work is underway and analysis will include a detailed assessment of oil and gas production in Scotland; a study of energy demand; and assessment of the just transition implications of the energy transition. This work will enhance the evidence base for policy making and is expected to report by the end of 2022.

In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence based approach to policy development, we have committed to undertaking a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero and how this aligns with our climate change targets. We continue to engage with BOGA and as part of a wider programme of analysis and engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders.

Scottish Water is currently prioritising the CSOs which it intends to monitor as part of its Improving Urban Waters Route Map. Scottish Water will consider proximity to designated water bodies (for example Bathing Waters), high amenity areas, predicted spill frequency and where environmental problems have already been identified. Scottish Water expects to complete this activity before the end of this year and will publish these locations on its website.

Scottish Water has made commitments in its route map to publishing CSO monitoring data over the next two years. By the end of this year, Scottish Water will look to publish data already reported to SEPA on its website. Additional monitoring data will be made available as new monitors are installed.