Friday 10 February 2017 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

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1 Friday 10 February 2017 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Economy Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each of the last 10 years. Holding answer issued: 11 January 2017 (S5W-05562) Fergus Ewing: Since Highlands and Islands Enterprise draft budget has been made available on SPICe and full details of income and expenditure are included in HIE s Annual Report and Accounts, published on HIE s website. Scottish Government funding and activities to support business has evolved and changed over time, most notably with funding transferred from the enterprise bodies to create SDS and Business Gateway in Further developments to the business support landscape have also taken place in more recent years such as the establishment of four Enterprise Zones spread over 14 sites and the introduction of City Deals. The Scottish Government has invested heavily in projects in the Highlands and Islands, either directly or indirectly (through our economic development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise), that have supported and progressed economic, social and community benefits to the region. These include: a clear commitment to our ferry services to support our island communities with an investment of a record of over 1 billion in port infrastructure, vessels and services in the Clyde and Hebrides and to the Northern Isles since 2007; investment in new vessels including the MV Loch Seaforth at a cost of 41.8m; two new 100m duel fuel vessels at a cost of 97m; three hybrid vessels, the latest of which, the MV Catriona, cost 12.3m; committing to dualling the A9 from Perth to Inverness by 2025, with construction now underway, and to complete the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030; investment in the Inverness to Perth and the Inverness to Aberdeen train lines; investment in national initiatives such as Wave Energy Scotland which has awarded 15m to 51 projects and worked with 129 separate organisations since formation, across five different countries; digital connectivity. The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme which is delivering over 400m of investment to extend fibre broadband access to areas where the market would not otherwise go. DSSB is progressing as two separate, but interlinked, projects: one led by HIE covering the Highlands and Islands, with SG leading the Rest of Scotland programme. Scottish Government investment in the 145.8m HIE contract to boost connectivity going ahead in the Highlands and Islands. HIE is also delivering SG funding of 7.5m through Community Broadband Scotland (CBS), an initiative designed to support the most hard-to-reach communities across Scotland to deliver innovative broadband solutions. commitment to delivering 100 per cent superfast broadband access by the end of HIE have been a key player in delivering broadband projects to date and are helping to shape future delivery plans. However, they don t yet have an agreed formal role in R100 delivery and are therefore not in receipt of any funding to deliver anything beyond DSSB and CBS. SG recently announced an additional 51 million in the budget as the starting point for delivering the 100% commitment, forming part of a wider 112 million investment in digital infrastructure that will support the final phases of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme and enable new activity to begin on the Reaching 100% programme (as well as mobile infill). the new SLF, launched in April 2016, has an annual budget of 10m. Communities across the whole of Scotland (including the islands) can apply for assistance towards the purchase of land and building assets; the Small Business Bonus alone has saved Highland and Eilean Siar ratepayers around 90m since it was established in 2008 and almost 11,000 properties in Highland and Eilean Siar benefit this year from up to 100% business rates relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme;

2 the 1.8bn Schools for the Future Programme which will deliver will deliver 112 new or refurbished schools by end of March 2020 and which includes 22 schools within the Highlands and Islands region; the 75m Orkney New Hospital and Healthcare Facilities which is the biggest project in NHS Orkney s history and will replace Kirkwall s Balfour Hospital as well as integrating other health care facilities. Construction is estimated to commence early 2017; the 315m Inverness City Deal which will see Highland Council and the UK and the Scottish Government working in partnership over 10 years. The Scottish Government will invest up to 135 million into the city s infrastructure with the UK Government committing up to 53 million and Highland Council and regional partners contributing 127 million. The deal was formally signed in January 2017 and funding will be targeted towards improving the regions transport and digital connectivity networks, fostering innovation of high growth businesses through the creation of a Northern Scotland Innovation Hub, promoting tourism and delivery of local housing and assisted living schemes.; and the 52m Inverness College campuses at Balloch and Beechwood which completed and opened to students in August Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the UK Government's Special Representative for Climate Change, Sir David King, that time is no longer on our side in global efforts in reduce carbon emissions and tackling climate change. (S5W-06911) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government agrees with Sir David King that time is of the essence in the global fight against harmful climatic change, with 2016 having been confirmed as the hottest year on record. Swift implementation of the Paris Agreement is central to the international response with action required at all levels of government and civic society. The Scottish Government is committed to delivering an ambitious domestic agenda to cut emissions, evidenced so far by having met our 2020 target of 42% six years early. Scotland s commitment to tackling climate change is further reinforced by publication of the draft Climate Change Plan, setting out how Scotland can reduce emissions by 66% by 2032, and the draft Energy Strategy, which outlines an ambitious vision for a modern, low carbon Scotland with a new target to deliver the equivalent of 50 per cent of the energy required for Scotland s heat, transport and electricity needs from renewable sources by In addition, forthcoming proposals for a new Climate Bill will seek to set a new more stretching target for It is now up to other countries to match Scotland s ambition. Learning and Justice Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an updated timeline for the establishment of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund. Holding answer issued: 9 February 2017 (S5W-06637) Jamie Hepburn: As announced in December, the Flexible Workforce Development Fund will be introduced in Autumn Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details on the new Flexible Workforce Development Fund. Holding answer issued: 9 February 2017 (S5W-06638) Jamie Hepburn: The Flexible Workforce Development Fund was announced in December 2016 and will be introduced in August The fund is currently in development and will be shaped by key stakeholders and employers. Further details will be released in due course. John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is to (a) Glasgow City College and (b) Caledonian MacBrayne of training a seafarer rating through the modern apprenticeship programme. (S5W-06668)

3 Jamie Hepburn: MAs are a joint investment between employers and public funding. The Modern Apprenticeship contribution rates table ( pdf) sets out the public funding contribution towards the cost of training a Modern Apprentice. Employers invest through wage costs and on-going support costs, including any additional costs of training over and above the public funding contribution. John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what role Skills Development Scotland has in implementing (a) the policy to increase the number of modern apprenticeship starts in each year to 2020, (b) the Modern Apprenticeships Equality Action Plan and (c) Developing Scotland s Young Workforce Programme, as set out in the Draft Budget (S5W-06670) Jamie Hepburn: Skills Development Scotland plays the lead role in the expansion of Modern Apprenticeships by contracting with training providers, monitoring delivery and promoting the benefits of Modern Apprenticeships to employers and young people. Skills Development Scotland has lead responsibility in implementing its Modern Apprenticeship Equality Action Plan, published in December Skills Development Scotland plays a significant role in Developing Scotland s Young Workforce through the expansion of Modern Apprenticeships, development of Foundation and Graduate Level Apprenticeships and supporting the implementation of the Career Education Standard (3-18). action it is taking to ensure that all schools are prepared for the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation. (S5W-06715) John Swinney: Data Protection is a reserved matter which is regulated by the Information Commissioner s Office (ICO) across the UK. Local authorities do not fall under the Scottish Government ICO registration therefore it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to answer for these bodies. The preparations and implications of the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation within schools is a matter for each local authority. The right to privacy is a right which the Scottish Government takes very seriously. We will continue to promote good practice to all public bodies when handling personal information. impact the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation will have on schools. (S5W-06716) John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W on 10 February All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website, the search facility for which can be found at: action it is taking to ensure that appropriate staff are in place to prepare schools and other public sector bodies for the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation. (S5W-06717) John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W on 10 February All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website, the search facility for which can be found at

4 Transport Scotland Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the government how it will alleviate the reported shortfall in employment in the road haulage industry in (a) the short-term to attract aspiring drivers and (b) the long-term to address issues such as training, insurance and the impact of Brexit on the industry. (S5W-06650) Humza Yousaf: Scottish Government support, for both employers and people looking to work in the industry, is provided by Skills Development Scotland. Funding for Modern Apprenticeship training in Freight Logistics and Driving Goods Vehicles is available. Support is available, to those oil and gas workers faced with redundancy, to help them transition to other roles or sectors, through the 12 million Transition Training Fund, which is nearing the end of its first year in a three year programme, Today we have also seen announced a successful second procurement round commissioned by the fund, which is looking to support 250 employment opportunities within the road haulage sector, amongst other successful tenders. In the longer term, and in recognition of the importance of the haulage industry to the Scottish economy, Skills Development Scotland commissioned work to gather evidence on the shortage of drivers within the sector and to put in place a plan of action to address it. The road haulage industry is on the steering group for this piece of work. We continue to work in partnership with freight industry stakeholders through the Scottish Freight and Logistics Advisory Group. The Scottish Government remains committed to protecting, as far as possible, Scotland's interests following Brexit. Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of First Group plc v Paulley, what its position is on revising the guidelines for public service vehicle providers regarding the treatment of wheelchair users. (S5W-06684) Humza Yousaf: The Government will carefully consider the judgement regarding the use of wheelchair spaces on buses. It involves a reserved policy area and Transport Scotland will work with the UK Government and affected stakeholders in Scotland to develop policy options which satisfy the published outcome. Transport Scotland works closely with disabled people and with them has developed an Accessible Travel Framework in which wheelchair accessibility on buses was identified as an issue. We are now working with stakeholders to identify actions which will deliver our shared vision where all disabled people can travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens. Government what information it has on how many bus companies have signed up to the RNIB bus charter. (S5W-06732) Humza Yousaf: Currently four bus companies in Scotland have signed up to the Charter: First, Stagecoach, Lothian Buses and McGill's. Government what action it is taking to promote the RNIB bus charter. (S5W-06733) Humza Yousaf: I signed a joint letter, with RNIB and Guide Dogs Scotland, to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) to help promote and encourage bus operators to sign up to the RNIB Bus

5 Charter. CPT has raised this with its members and has agreed to promote the Charter at their next meeting. Government how it ensures that bus services are user-friendly for people who are blind or partially sighted. (S5W-06734) Humza Yousaf: In line with our Accessible Travel Framework, the Scottish Government is supportive of the provision of information in an accessible way to blind or partially sighted bus passengers. The installation and use of audio-visual display technology is a matter for each individual operator to consider and fund using their own commercial judgement. However, the RNIB Bus Charter sets out reasonable actions which will help blind people to access and use buses and I have recently written a joint letter with the RNIB and Guide Dogs Scotland to the Confederation of Passenger Transport encouraging their members to sign up to it. Disability and vehicle construction legislation is reserved to the UK Government. An accessible information clause has been included in the UK Bus Services Bill, which will apply to Scotland. Scottish Ministers will be consulted on the relevant draft Regulations and we will engage fully so that the legislation enables delivery of clear accessible information allowing people to plan and take journeys on local bus services. The following questions received holding answers: S5W S5W S5W S5W S5W S5W S5W S5W S5W-06680