Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government response to the consultation on Developments in Environmental Justice will issue on 29 September.

Tripartite discussions have already begun between SG, UKG and partners to refine and prioritise the Tay Cities Region Deal proposals. Any plan must fit within the overall framework of Scotland’s Economic Strategy – making a clear and measurable significant long-term contribution to both prosperity and fairness. As with any other deal, full consideration will be given to proposals and projects brought through the Tay Cities Region Deal before reaching a Head of Terms. Given the nature of these discussions it is not possible, at this stage, for me to confirm when a decision will be reached.

The Scottish Government, in partnership with local authorities, will introduce low emission zones into Scotland's four biggest cities between 2018 and 2020. The location of the first low emission zone will be announced shortly, and we are working closely with the cities to set up LEZ delivery groups to ensure we meet our Programme for Government commitment.

The Programme for Government sets a bold new ambition on ultra-low emission vehicles, including electric cars and vans, with a target to phase out the need for petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032. This will have a positive impact on air quality by significantly reducing tail pipe emissions.

This is only one of the actions we are taking to improve air quality. In partnership with local authorities, the Scottish Government will introduce low emission zones into Scotland's four biggest cities between 2018 and 2020.

Scottish Ministers expect to publish the rail enhancements and capital investment strategy before the end of 2017.

Between 8 January and 19 August, there were 2,903 separate incidences of skip-stopping reported to Transport Scotland. This is 0.6 percent of the total numbers of services planned to be run over this period (474,570 in total). A table providing a detailed listing by station is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 59042).

Through the Scottish block grant, Scottish Government will receive £221m in 2017-2018 as consequentials from the UK Apprenticeship Levy representing a per capita share for Scotland. As public sector organisations will pay an estimated £73m to the Levy in 2017-2018 its introduction has reduced public sector spending leeway in Scotland by approximately £30m. The Scottish Government has been clear that this largely replaces money previously received and will continue to be invested in skills, training and employability to meet the needs of employers, the workforce, young people and Scotland’s economy.

The Scottish Government is providing support for more Modern Apprenticeships than ever before, in line with our ambition to make available funding for 30,000 new starts per year by 2020. Employers of all sizes and across a broad range of sectors already take on Modern Apprentices as new recruits, and also recruit from existing staff, therefore upskilling their existing workforce. We are also expanding Graduate Level Apprenticeships which support the education and development of employees to acquire the skills, knowledge and competence required to work and progress in the labour market. Investment in Apprenticeship programmes in Scotland is in excess of £90m in 2017-2018.

The recently launched £10m pilot Flexible Workforce Development fund is available to levy-payers in Scotland. It is delivered through Scotland’s college sector bringing it together with industry to better support in-work training through up-skilling or re-skilling of existing employees. Establishing the new fund is in direct response to the level of employer support expressed in the consultation we undertook last year. The fund aims to address skills gaps and contribute to increased productivity.

To further support those in employment earning £22,000 or less and those not in employment to gain additional qualifications to aid their progress, we are providing £4 million per year for Individual Training Accounts to better meet the needs of people within the evolving labour market.

Employers and the workforce in Scotland are encouraged to consider how to make best use of the publicly funded package of skills, training and employability programmes available to improve performance and productivity across their workforce.

The Scottish Government is in discussion with a wide range of stakeholders from the veterinary profession, pet industry, animal training and animal welfare sectors with a view to bringing in tough new regulations on the use of electronic training collars for animals in this parliamentary term.

Getting the Best From Our land: A Land Use Strategy for Scotland 2016-2020 is a cross-portfolio policy and is taken forward by a number of policy areas across the Scottish Government, using existing budgets rather than a specific budget for implementing the strategy. Decisions on whether there will be a second phase of pilot projects and on the establishment of any regional land use partnerships are still to be taken.

The Franchise Agreement sets contractual benchmarks to minimise instances of cancellations and part cancellations (i.e. skip stopping) to scheduled services. These benchmarks are not enforced via financial penalties, but by contractual measures to incentivise performance. Failure to meet the targets set in Schedule 7.1 (Train Operating Performance) of the Franchise Agreement can result in a contravention of the contract, which if unremedied, can ultimately lead to early termination of the Franchise Agreement.