Sue Webber

20 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much from its 2025-26 budget has been allocated towards the potential purchase of Ardrossan Harbour.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Consideration of potential purchase of Ardrossan Harbour involves confidential commercial discussions between Peel Ports Group and CMAL. We are not able to share detail on potential costs at this point. An indicative allowance has been made within the wider V…

17 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Transport Scotland and Scottish Rail Holdings to encourage the public to use the Caledonian Sleeper service.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for Caledonian Sleeper Ltd (CSL).CSL advises that it is taking a number of actions to promote its iconic services, which are fully booked for a growing proportion of the year. The Member may wish to contact CSL directly for more …

17 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to the Caledonian Sleeper service for (a) engine repairs and (b) carriage upgrades in 2024-25, also broken down by how much of this has been used to date.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Member may wish to contact Caledonian Sleeper Ltd. directly.

17 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many electric vehicle (EV) charge points it plans to install in 2025-26.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has provided over £65 million to support the development of public EV charging across Scotland. As a direct result of this funding, and increasing private sector investment, Scotland met its target for 6,000 public charge points …

4 Feb 2025 · Portfolio Question

 To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the housing minister has had with ministerial colleagues regarding what action is being taken to tackle homelessness in relation to care experienced individuals.

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what upgrades are planned for the A82 in 2025-26.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: From a trunk road maintenance perspective, the following upgrades are currently being planned for the A82 in the 2025-26 financial year:Renton Rd U/B to Cardross Rd U/B – Structural MaintenanceLomond Gate roundabout to Barloan Toll roundabout NB & S…

28 Jan 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how reform across health and social care will progress, following the decision not to proceed with part 1 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.

20 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to cultural venues and theatres across the Lothian region.  

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve safety at major bus stations in the next financial year.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Everyone has the right to be, and feel, safe in their community. Passengers and staff must feel safe when travelling or working on our public transport networks, including bus stations. We have established an Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour …

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with bus providers to enhance services in rural areas in the next financial year.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Bus services in Scotland were deregulated by the then Conservative UK Government under the Transport Act of 1985 and are mostly provided by private operators.Our commitment to bus travel includes the investment of almost £465 million to support concessi…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with bus providers to enhance contactless payment mechanisms on buses.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Between 2018 and December 2022 the Scottish Government provided a £1.1m ‘Smart Pay Grant Fund’, matched with European Regional Development Fund investment, to provide all small to medium bus operators in Scotland access to funds to improve t…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with bus providers to transition towards lower-emission vehicles.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since 2020 the Scottish Government has provided over £150 million to support the introduction of zero emission buses, which will bring the number servicing Scotland’s communities from less than 20 to more than 800. This includes our most recent ro…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to improve the bus network in the next financial year.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: In 2025-26, we are increasing funding for bus services and concessionary travel from £430 million in 2024-25 to almost £465 million. This includes £50 million to support bus services so that operators can continue providing access to afforda…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what major rail infrastructure improvements it plans to commence in 2025-26. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has provided £4.2bn of funding from 2024 to 2029 for Network Rail to operate, maintain and renew Scotland’s rail infrastructure. The Scottish Government expects Network rail to deliver significant improvements in the capabi…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to advance the upgrade of Ardrossan Harbour in 2025-26, and, if so, how it will do so.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government remain committed to ensuring the Arran ferry service is fit for the future, and to finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost effective way, reflecting the needs of all of the partners involved. We understand and s…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which major road improvements it plans to commence in 2025-26.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to improving road infrastructure throughout Scotland as a key factor in securing economic growth and high-quality public infrastructure across Scotland. This includes our ongoing commitment to dual the A9, delivering impro…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any structural damage to the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow, other than that reported on 14 January 2025.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Kingston Bridge Complex in Glasgow receives a rigorous programme of regular inspections. The output from these inspections is used to inform current and future maintenance programmes. Any defects identified from these inspections are prioritised and taken…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans any upgrades to the A1 in Scotland before May 2026 and, if so, what impact the decision by the UK Government to cancel the dualling of the road between Morpeth and Ellingham might have on these plans.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The recommendations set out in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), published in December 2022, guide long term investment in Scotland’s strategic transport network.The evidenced led appraisal that supported STPR2 did not recommend an…

17 Dec 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to strengthen Scotland’s ferry fleet over the coming year.

12 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much Transport Scotland has spent on Project Neptune to date.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Project Neptune was commissioned in March 2021, culminating in the publication of its findings on 8 September 2022. This was followed up with community engagement, by Angus Campbell, resulting in the publication of the 'Communities Report on Future Management…

3 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23717 by Jenni Minto on 19 December 2023, what progress it has made in identifying areas where there is the potential to further explore or support aspects of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) service development and the re…

Answer · Jenni Minto: In May 2023 we published an analysis of survey data of health boards’ arrangements for the care and support of individuals with ME/CFS, with the aim of establishing a clearer picture of variations in service provision around Scotland.We have since gathe…

2 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it first received the A96 Corridor Review before it was publicly released on 28 November 2024.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I received initial advice from Transport received on the emerging outcomes of the Corridor Review in February 2024 followed by comprehensive advice on the outcomes from the Review’s appraisal and assessment work including full details of the magnitude o…

25 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Police Scotland to increase law enforcement resources in Scotland’s cities.

25 Nov 2024 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is preparing for winter, in light of widespread weather-related disruption over the weekend due to Storm Bert.

19 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support mental health services across NHS Lothian.

18 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the Aberdeen Harbour Board to enhance connectivity with Orkney and Shetland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland, CMAL and NorthLink have regular ongoing engagement with Aberdeen and other port operators regarding existing services and future plans. The introduction of new vessels involves all of the respective ports to which they operate. Each of the…

18 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the Aberdeen Harbour Board to fix any damage to the harbour.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish ports are deemed to be commercial entities; therefore, it is not possible for the Scottish Government to dictate business decisions made by a harbour authority on how best to manage its harbour or utilise its resources. It is the responsibility of th…

18 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with CMAL to fix any damage to harbours.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31455 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…

18 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve the harbours that CMAL owns.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government works closely with CMAL in relation to improvements and upgrades to its ports and harbours as required. Ministers and officials meet with CMAL regularly to discuss challenges and opportunities for the sector and how these can be consid…

18 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Scotland’s different harbour owners to achieve a joined-up approach to the ferry network.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We continue to work with CMAL and a range of other port owners including Local Authority, Trust Port, and Private operators, to invest in essential infrastructure required to maintain and enhance the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles routes. The Islands C…