Chamber and committees

The latest UK wide figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles has grown reflecting the increased emphasis on the development of these vehicles by the automotive sector.

The Scottish Government is supporting this transition by providing interest free loans for Scottish residents to fund the cost of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Funding for this scheme is increasing this year.

The number of offences recorded by the Police in Scotland that specifically relate to animal cruelty, between 2012-13 and 2016-17 are shown below. The National Statistics for 2017-18 will be published in September this year.

The only elements of social security spending in Scotland which were funded by the Scottish Government during this period were Scottish Welfare Fund awards and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Government began funding these benefits in 2013-14. All other elements of social security spending were within the competence of, and were funded by the UK Government. The following table shows the amounts spent by the Scottish Government, by financial year:

With the exception of Scottish Welfare Fund awards and Discretionary Housing Payments, all elements of social security spending, during this period, were within the competence of the UK Government. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the overall number of social security claims made to the UK Government each year. Statistics are published separately for each benefit by the Scottish Government or UK Government.

The Scottish Government takes animal welfare seriously and is continuing to take forward its Programme for Government 2017-18 commitments to provide the highest standards of protection for all animals.

To date the Scottish Government has consulted on a modern system of registration and licensing of animal sanctuaries and rehoming agencies with legislation being prepared; consulted on the introduction of compulsory video recording of slaughter at abattoirs in Scotland; agreed guidance with welfare stakeholders to tightly control the use of electronic dog training collars; is preparing for consultation on dog, cat and rabbit breeding and dealing; held an evidence based social media campaign to enhance public awareness of the irresponsible or illegal breeding and sale of dogs in preparation for a wider marketing campaign later this year; and is seeking primary legislation which will permit the maximum sentences for cruelty to domestic and captive animals to be increased.

The Scottish Government has also committed to increase the maximum available penalties for wildlife crime offences during the current Parliament, including those involving cruelty to wild animals.

I have been very clear that one of my key priorities for NHSScotland is the improvement of waiting times and that I fully expect all Boards to make significant progress in eradicating long waits in the coming year. In May the Scottish Government announced it was making an additional £50 million available to NHSScotland in 2018-19 to improve acute hospital waiting times. NHS Boards have initially received a share of £25 million and further £25 million later this year. This additional funding will build up capacity and make sure all patients are seen and treated in a more timely fashion.

The Scottish Government is investing an additional £20 million per year, for the lifetime of this Parliament, to help reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs. We will set out detailed actions for reducing the number of drug-related deaths in our alcohol and drugs strategy in the autumn of 2018.

In the year from 5th June 2017 to 4th June 2018, 13% of delays were categorised as having arisen from points/track circuit/signals and other signalling equipment failures.

I would note that the infrastructure issues affecting ScotRail are properly the responsibility of Network Rail (ScotRail’s Alliance partner).

In the period 2nd January - 2nd June 2018 inclusive, 42,195 trains have run between Edinburgh and Glasgow; either to Glasgow Queen St High Level (that is, via Falkirk High), or to Glasgow Queen St Low Level (via Airdrie) or into Glasgow Central High Level.

In the period 2nd January - 2nd June 2018 (inclusive), the number of trains which have had delays of less than five minutes and more than five minutes is as follows, with the numbers of trains which ran on time, and the total number of trains run, included for context: