- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how many laptops or other devices were received by pupils as a result of the £25 million announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 23 June 2020 to roll out the provision of digital devices to school pupils, broken down by (a) type of device and (b) local authority area.
Answer
Local authorities are responsible for distributing devices from the initial tranche of 24,485 chromebook devices, and for securing and distributing further devices and connectivity solutions from their grant allocations. We are working with local authorities to collate and assure information on how many devices have been ordered, received and distributed to learners, although indications are that up to 70,000 individuals will benefit from this investment.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 25 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with representatives of Serco Caledonian Sleeper regarding the RMT's dispute with it concerning worker safety and fatigue.
Answer
Transport Scotland hold regular discussions with Caledonian Sleeper. Transport Scotland has also discussed the issue with RMT directly and has encouraged both parties to engage meaningfully to have the matter resolved.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31747 by Michael Matheson on 23 September 2020, whether it expects any parts of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 to be fully in place by the end of the current parliamentary session, and, if so, which.
Answer
The implementation of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. However, Part 1 of the Act requires the publishing of a National Transport Strategy, and this was brought into force on 15 January 2020. Provisions around Regional Transport Partnerships and Canals are also fully in place. As I indicated at my appearance before the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on 2 September 2020, there is limited space in this current parliamentary session to implement the other aspects of the Act.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £25 million announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 23 June 2020, to roll out the provision of digital devices to school pupils, remains to be allocated.
Answer
Almost £24 million of this fund has been allocated to local authorities. We are considering how best to invest the remaining £1 million.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to begin group discussions to take forward the initiatives it has to support the aviation sector in its aims to return to growth.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s support for the aviation sector is focussed upon action led engagement in those areas where it can exert greatest influence. For example, we have been pressing the UK Government for a tailored substitute to the CJRS to help secure jobs in the short term. We have provided 100% non-domestic rates relief for aviation, airports and ground handling providers in 2020-21 - something that is not available in England or Wales. We continue to work with the UK Government and the aviation industry to explore the potential for alternatives to our border health measures which, although necessary, do have an impact on travel patterns. We have engaged directly with employers to explore whether targeted interventions could avoid job losses. We have offered support to employees who face redundancy through the PACE programme.
We are also working with airports on route recovery, to help rebuild connectivity for business and tourism and win back routes and employment opportunities.
The Scottish Government remains committed to convening structured, targeted discussions including trade unions and employers, which will focus upon maximising future employment opportunities at the appropriate and most impactful time.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 25 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address reported concerns regarding (a) worker safety and fatigue and (b) lack of rest berths for workers on the Serco Caledonian Sleeper.
Answer
Transport Scotland has held individual discussions with both parties and has encouraged both to engage meaningfully to have the matter resolved.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31976 by Michael Matheson on 30 September 2020, when it expects the management fees due to Abellio ScotRail and Serco Caledonian Sleeper to be agreed, and whether the amounts will be made public at that point.
Answer
The management fees due to Abellio ScotRail and Serco Caledonian Sleeper under the Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs), which were in place from April to September 2020, will be agreed in the coming weeks once a full financial reconciliation has taken place on the information provided. As soon as the fees have been confirmed they will be published on the Transport Scotland website.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 19 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of the Autumn Budget Revision, whether it will provide a full breakdown of all changes made in the Transport, Connectivity and Infrastructure budget since March 2020.
Answer
Through the two budget revisions to date a total of £583m has been added to the Transport and Infrastructure and Connectivity Budget in respect of Covid-19 and other funding changes. This has been partly funded through £193m reprioritisation of existing portfolio expenditure. There have also been 33m of transfers to other portfolios.
The breakdown of all changes to the Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Budgets through the Summer and Autumn Budget Revisions is as follows:
Budget Revision | Level 2 | Change | Amount £m |
Summer Budget Revision | Rail Services | Covid-19 support for the Rail Franchise | 220 |
Summer Budget Revision | Air Sevices | Logan Air Grant Prepayment | 2 |
Summer Budget Revision | Concessionary Fares & Bus Services | Covid-19 support for bus operators | 92 |
Summer Budget Revision | Air Services | Air services - costs of providing a skeleton service to islands | 1 |
Summer Budget Revision | Ferry Services | Covid-19 support for Ferry loss of income (£46m) | 46 |
Summer Budget Revision | Rail Services | Result of Reduced rail service provision to reflect lower demand whilst maintaining connectivity. | - 20 |
Summer Budget Revision | Concessionary Fares & Bus Services | To reflect forecast reduction in payments to bus operators on relation to the National Concessionary Travel Scheme and Bus Service Operators' Grant. | - 92 |
Summer Budget Revision | Ferry Services | Reduction in operating costs due to reduced Ferry services reduced passenger numbers | - 12 |
Summer Budget Revision | Air Services | Reduction in planned spend on Aviation Route Development. | - 1 |
Summer Budget Revision | Air Services | Repayment of Air Discount Scheme advances to Loganair. | - 2 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Digitial Connectivity | Digital Connectivity Resource: Transfer to Scottish Futures Trust to support infrastructure investment in digital workstreams | - 1 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Digital Connectivity | Miscellaneous minor transfer - The transfer of budget to EFWC Portfolio - Economic Advice is required to enable the Scottish Government to meet the costs of the annual boost of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) in Scotland from the OCEA budget. | - 1 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Energy | Transfer to Housing in relation to additional investment in local energy efficiency projects. | - 16 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Energy | Transfer to Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support the work of Wave Energy Scotland. | - 5 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Energy | Transfer to Environmental Services to fund Zero Waste Scotland - Energy Workplan. | - 3 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Energy | Release of emerging/planned underspend to support priorities. | - 2 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Energy | Miscellaneous minor transfers | - 1 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Cities and Investment Strategy | Release of emerging/planned underspend to support priorities. | - 10 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Rail Services | Further revenue shortfall as a result of reduced demand due to Covid-19. | 104 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Concessionary Fares & Bus Services | Additional Covid support measures for bus operators through to mid-November. | 110 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Active Travel, Low Carbon and Other Transport | Funding to support measures for Light Rail operators in Scotland. | 9 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Active Travel, Low Carbon and Other Transport | The TIC portfolio (Transport Scotland) approved budget includes £5.0 million indirect capital within the Future Transport Fund to support the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme managed by the Directorate for Environment and Forestry. | - 5 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Active Travel, Low Carbon and Other Transport | CapitalContribution from Transport Scotland to Major Events to take advantage of the opportunity of the UCI Cycling World Championships being held in Scotland in 2023. To showcase the progress and further the promotion of active travel.
| - 1 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Active Travel, Low Carbon and Other Transport | Miscellaneous minor transfers | - 1 |
Autumn Budget Revision | Motorways and Trunk Roads | Repayment of last year's budget transfer which allowed Transport Scotland to utilise Energy's underspend. | - 1 |
Autumn Budget Revision | TIC Central Government Grants to Local Authorities | Release of underspend on ‘Heat Networks Early Adopters Challenge. The
allocation of this funding was paused due to the Covid-19 lockdown | - 50 |
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what communications the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity has had with trade union representatives from the aviation sector to discuss short-, medium- and long-term support for the sector in the face of COVID-19.
Answer
The Scottish Government has regular meetings with the STUC and unions to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the transport system including the aviation sector.
I continue to welcome any specific suggestions that trade union representatives may have on additional measures that can be taken by Scottish Ministers now to support the aviation industry in its sustainable recovery.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 October 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity has to meet trade union representatives from the aviation sector to discuss what action can be taken to support the sector.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32020 on 9 October 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
