Chamber and committees

Business in Renfrewshire will benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; expanding the small business bonus scheme threshold for 100% relief from £10,000 to £15,000 and a 12.5% cap on bill rises for pubs, hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Correspondence received by the Scottish Government is not held on a constituency level basis.

Business in the West of Scotland region will benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; expanding the small business bonus scheme threshold for 100% relief from £10,000 to £15,000.

In addition, Local Councils can, under the Community Empowerment Act, create their own local reliefs to assist any business, area or sector.

Business that deliver childcare and early years services may benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; expanding the small business bonus scheme threshold for 100% relief from £10,000 to £15,000.

In addition, Local Councils can, under the Community Empowerment Act, create their own local reliefs to assist any business, area or sector.

As in all such cases, I will come to a decision based on what I think is in the best interests of patients when I have carefully considered all the available information and representations.

The anticipated total cost of the contract to Design, Build, Finance and Operate the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project for 30 years remains at the £500 million I announced in February 2014. Under the terms of the contract, no payments are made until the roads are open to the public.

In addition to the costs associated with the provision of these services, there are other costs for the Public Sector account in delivering this important project, including those associated with the necessary land acquisition, public utility diversions and protection, design, site supervision and preparation works.

Prior to the start of construction the Public Sector costs incurred were: £37.85m.

Since the start of construction the Public Sector spend per year is:

Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested substantially in successful rail improvements such as the Airdrie to Bathgate project, two new platforms at Glasgow Central, electrification of the Whifflet and Paisley Canal lines and the Paisley Corridor Improvements.

We are concentrating our continued investment in projects such as the electrification of Edinburgh – Glasgow (via Falkirk High) route, to Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane as well as the Shotts line. These improvements will increase capacity and improve journey time and quality on one of the busiest sections of the Scottish network.In addition, we are making substantial improvements to Glasgow Queen Street station to improve its operational capability and enhance the passenger experience.

The Franchise Agreement specifies that ScotRail report on performance by Sector Group and not specific route [made up of Express, Suburban West, Suburban East and Rural Sector].

The following table provides the relevant information. In terms of publishing - this information is published by ScotRail on a four weekly basis and is displayed at selected stations:

The following table shows the amount paid by ScotRail on alternative transport for passengers due to delays or cancellations in each four-week period since April 2015. A breakdown by method of transport is not available.

Progress on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 is published annually, with the next report being due for publication in March 2017. The Progress Report for 2015, published in March 2016, is available from the following link: www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/8126.

In addition, updates on the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 - Project Pipeline are published in March and September of each year and is available from the following link: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/IIP.

The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), which outlined Scottish Ministers’ future strategic transport priorities, considered the “Glasgow CrossRail” proposal and concluded that it would not make best use of the rail network or integrate well with the menu of schemes required to satisfy the objectives of the STPR.

The STPR did however recommend the West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements (Intervention 24), a £430 million investment project which provides better opportunities to enhance connectivity in and around Glasgow.

Although the Glasgow CrossRail proposal does not feature in the Scottish Government’s current £5 billion investment programme to 2019, we are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity. Projects will be considered subject to the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the strategic transport network, a robust business case, affordability and other competing proposals.