Chamber and committees

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd (FMPG) sits within the portfolio remit of myself.

I last met with the GMB on 9 July 2020 to discuss FMPG.

The Scottish Government has and continues to be open and transparent with the trade unions in our continued efforts to do everything possible to ensure that Ferguson Marine has a sustainable future for the benefit of its' skilled employees and the wider community. The Unions were informed of our intention to create a Board of directors and the Turnaround Director was fully informed of all developments.

On 21 May this year, the First Minister published a Route Map setting out the steps to transition safely out of lockdown. The Transport Transition Plan, published on 26 May, aligns to the route map and is regularly updated. Guidance for public transport users and operators is published within the Plan.

The guidance includes a requirement for bus operators to carry out a risk assessment and undertake mitigation measures as appropriate if they are considering moving from 2 metres to 1 metre physical distancing. These mitigation measures may include seat blocking.

In addition, the Scottish Government has been in ongoing dialogue with the bus industry on how best to provide a safe transport system to ensure Scotland can keep on moving, whilst continuing to suppress the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Scottish Government officials are in regular dialogue with the Confederation of Passenger Transport and the larger bus operators in Scotland on how best to engage with passengers and inform them of the requirements for physical distancing and wearing a face covering on their journey.

This work includes bus operators sharing information in order to monitor the effectiveness on the bus network of the measures put in place.

The Transport Transition Plan, published on 26 May, includes guidance for public transport users and transport operators. It continues to be updated to take account of evolving physical distancing and other measures as we ease out of lockdown. Exemptions to the 2 metres distancing measures, to 1 metre, are now allowed on public transport where appropriate mitigations are put in place. The guidance emphasises the importance of transport operators undertaking a risk assessment and implementation of risk mitigation measures, if required, prior to applying the 1 metre rule.

The wearing of face coverings became mandatory for most people on public transport from 22 June. People must wear a face covering on public transport and public transport premises such as bus and train stations.

The Scottish Government continues to encourage everyone to keep to the rules and wear a face covering when travelling on public transport. Bus drivers can ask why a face covering is not being worn, and should accept the reasons given for this. Enforcement by Police Scotland is very much a last resort.

While it is too early to determine the full impact of COVID-19 on the levels of waste being recycled and sent to landfill, we are extremely grateful to those who have worked hard in difficult circumstances to keep essential waste service going in communities across Scotland.

We have set ambitious targets for reducing waste and increasing recycling, including to reduce total waste arising in Scotland to less than 85% of 2011 levels, and to increase recycling to 70% of waste from all sources by 2025.

The most recent statistics are from 2018 and are available from: https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/waste/waste-data/waste-data-reporting/waste-data-for-scotland/

The Scottish Government has several major initiatives in train to increase recycling and reduce waste arising. For example, the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan, published in April 2019, sets out a number of actions that will reduce food waste in Scotland; and the introduction of our Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will significantly increase the quantity and quality of materials collected for recycling.

It is too early to determine the full impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on waste and recycling and how this will affect progress towards longer term targets.

The Scottish Government and the newly appointed Chair are committed to looking at how the workforce can best be represented to the board. We are clear that this should be an effective and collective voice of the workforce and not a specific grouping within same. This requirement is being explored in order to consider how this will be best achieved at Ferguson Marine. The matter is an agenda item and will be discussed at the next board meeting on 30 July. We are happy to consider the views of the workforce and unions in considering and implementing an appropriate arrangement for the organisation.

The Scottish Government notes Aviva’s recent decision to move some of its operations to a new location at Eurocentral from June 2021 and the potential impact that this may have at a local level.

Through Scottish Enterprise we are in regular contact with Aviva and have been advised that the company made this announcement early in order to engage with its staff and trade unions in order that the most appropriate flexible working arrangements are developed including options to work from home or from the new office facility. Scottish Enterprise has offered engagement to provide advice on fair work practices and flexible working arrangements in order that employees are fully supported.

Scottish Enterprise works in close partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council and will continue to support its economic growth activity such as its Economic Recovery Plan and City Deal project.

We intend to publish regional data as soon as it becomes available. This will apply from 28th May when Test and Protect was rolled-out.