Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03825 on ‎15 November 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
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There has been no reduction in Control Period 6 budget for rail infrastructure renewals and enhancements activities in Scotland.

The published Statement of Funds Available (SOFA) covers funding available towards Network Rail operations, maintenance and renewal activities in Scotland as well as enhancement projects. The funding available for Control Period 6 as per the SOFA includes allocation for the completion of projects which carry over from Control Period 5 as well as projects commencing in Control Period 6.

As per the Statement of Funds Available, the budget figure for Control Period 6 in Scotland is £4.85 billion. We are currently in the process of considering the basis on which the funding required for Control Period 7 will be determined and expect this to be reflected in a further SOFA publication to align with the commencement of Control Period 7 anticipated as April 2024.

Further information on the SOFA can be accessed via:- sofa-2019-24-25-jan-2018.pdf (transport.gov.scot)

Railway safety is a matter reserved to the UK Government and is overseen by the Office of Rail & Road (ORR), to whom enquiries should be addressed.

I am pleased to confirm that, notwithstanding the severe financial pressures caused by the Covid Pandemic, sufficient funding can be made available to complete fully the preferred option for the electrification and significant enhancement of both the East Kilbride and Barrhead routes.

This preferred option was recommended by and agreed with rail industry partners Network Rail and ScotRail following detailed consideration of a wide range of options, the business case appraisal of which has followed appropriate Scottish Government processes

The following table details how many vehicles have been in the Government Car Service (GCS) fleet since 2020/21 to date, broken down by Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV’s

We understand that the UK Government's Heat Pump Ready funding programme will be open to businesses across the UK and our enterprise agencies have highlighted this funding opportunity to companies based in Scotland. We will carefully consider any further funding requirements for heat pump innovation in our Heat in Buildings Supply Chain Delivery Plan, to be published next year.

The organisation promoting the scheme is responsible for reviewing and approving designs. Cycling by Design advocates a high level of service whereby schemes will be suitable for most users, including new and less confident users. Where a high level of service cannot be achieved the reasons for this should be documented in the ‘Design Review’ process as recommended in the guidance.

Transport Scotland and CMAL fully understand the importance and significance of engaging with the relevant trade unions on ferry services and future vessel contracts. In relation to the Islay vessels project regular meetings were held with unions by Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac, from the outset of the project in January 2019. Similarly, these bodies have provided unions with progress updates on the development on the new Islay vessels, listening and taking action on their views when appropriate. A similar approach will be taken with all future projects.

Emissions data for offshore oil and gas is part of the UK Government’s Greenhouse Gas inventory and is therefore required to decarbonise by 2050. Only refinery and onshore emissions data is part of Scottish Government’s inventory.

We recognise that countries around the world cannot continue to maximise economic recovery of fossil fuels if the Paris aims are to be met. As the First Minister said last week our focus will now be on achieving the fastest possible just transition for the oil and gas sector - one that delivers jobs and economic benefit, ensures our energy security, and meets our climate obligations.

That is why we have committed to undertaking a programme of work to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero and how this aligns with our climate change targets. We recognised that our vision and roadmap for the energy sector can’t happen in isolation - a Just Transition Plan for Energy will be at the heart of our refreshed Energy Strategy, publishing as one coherent document in 2022. The principle underpinning it will be the one already encapsulated in our Co-operation Agreement - that unlimited extraction of fossil fuels, or maximum economic recovery in UK policy terms, is not consistent with our climate obligations.