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Your question is about when somebody commits an offence outside of a bus, but that is not what the SSI is—

The two Scottish statutory instruments are completely different. They are not linked.

If someone uses indecent language and it is then discovered that they have Tourette’s as part of the process that is gone through to decide whether their bus pass should be removed, Transport Scotland will come to the appropriate conclusion. It is up to Transport Scotland to make such operational decisions.

Thank you, convener. I will start with the draft National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No 2) Order 2026. The order gives effect to an agreement that was reached with the Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents Scottish bus operators. It sets for 2026-27 the reimbursement rate and capped level of funding in the national bus travel concession schemes for older and disabled persons and young persons. The order will enable reimbursement of bus operators for journeys that are made under both schemes after the expiry of the current reimbursement provisions, on 31 March 2026. It specifies the new reimbursement rates and capped level of funding for both schemes for the next financial year, to 31 March 2027.

An updated reimbursement model for both schemes, which was agreed and developed in partnership with the industry, was used for the first time last year. This year, we have used that model once again to set the proposed rates and budget caps for the schemes. The model uses the latest available data and evidence on industry costs, passenger demand and travel behaviours. The proposed reimbursement rate for the older and disabled persons scheme in 2026-27 has been amended from 52.9 per cent to 53 per cent of the adult single fare, and the capped level of the funding will be set at £248.2 million, which is an increase of £33.1 million from this year.

The proposed reimbursement rates for the young persons scheme for 2026-27 are as follows. For five to 15-year-olds, the rate will be 48.1 per cent of the adult single fare, which is an increase of 0.2 percentage points from the current rate of 47.9 per cent. For 16 to 21-year-olds, the rate will be 72.5 per cent, which is an increase of 0.1 percentage points from the current rate of 72.4 per cent. Since it began, in 2022, the young persons scheme has not been subject to a budget cap, as demand and patronage have been uncertain while the scheme has become established. However, demand is now relatively stable, with uptake by young people reaching around 90 per cent of the eligible population. The draft order before you therefore includes a budget cap of £220.6 million to be applied to the young persons scheme for 2026-27.

The national concessionary travel schemes continue to deliver life-changing benefits, supporting social inclusion, embedding sustainable travel habits and supporting 2.4 million card holders to access essential services. The draft order being discussed today will ensure that we can continue to deliver those successful, highly valued schemes, which provide a degree of stability to the bus sector on a basis that is fair to operators and affordable from public funds. I recommend that the draft order be approved.

I have no preconceived outcomes whatsoever. Carole Stewart talked eloquently about all the things that could be done differently if the next Government chooses to do them, but those are decisions for the next Government and the next session of Parliament.

No, you would not, because the instrument is about behaviour on the bus.

There has been anecdotal evidence that some local authorities—I will be careful how I word this—are encouraging the use of an under-22 pass as an alternative to having dedicated school transport. There is evidence that that is being done in some areas.

I am sorry, but you are mischaracterising what I have said—

Again, that will be part of the discussion on how the budget for the schemes is used and whether the next Parliament decides it wants to take such a decision. What we are discussing today is the SSI in front of us, which is about reimbursement rates. You are taking the conversation into the area of policy decisions that will be made by whoever forms the next Government.

First, I will push back on what Monica Lennon said to me, which is that the scheme was asked for urgently and that it has not been delivered well. It has been delivered as quickly as was possible. As we go through these conversations, the complexity of what is involved is quite clear—it is not simply a case of somebody being able to say, “I’m having your bus pass.” It is far more complex than that. Several issues must be considered, and it will take time to get it right. If we want speed, we can get it, and we will get a scheme that will not work in the way that it is expected to work, or we can ensure that it is done properly so that people get a full understanding of what it will do.

Secondly, on the question that you have asked about the reviews, those will be an operational decision for Transport Scotland, which will work with partners—including operators and the young and older people who will be affected by the scheme—to work out the appropriate results. Those partners will look at the operational aspects in order to get the process to where it needs to be. The SSI is about giving the power to be able to do so, and it is not unusual for us in the Parliament to work through the guidance and policy development with the partners that will be on the ground doing it.