Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you. Harald Høyem, do you want to come in?

I want to ask about access to private rented sector accommodation and whether creative solutions are starting to come through on that. I am aware that, in Spain in 2015, Spanish cities were calling on the banks to make available for refugees empty vacant properties that were in their asset portfolios at that time.

I wonder what the options are in Scotland. You mentioned modular accommodation. In rural Scotland, we have empty properties or empty homes—in the community where I live, there is an empty bed and breakfast. It is frustrating to see homes and houses in our communities that are unavailable for general private rented sector accommodation, particularly for displaced Ukrainian people, who often want to stay in communities and continue to thrive and be a part of those communities. I am interested in what creative ideas are being developed to meet their needs right now.

The committee has heard that there have been delays to in-country applications for the Ukrainian visa scheme from Ukrainians who were without leave to remain when the war began. Are you aware of that, and have there been discussions with the UK Government about how we can ensure that there are no delays? Initially, the committee had concerns that seasonal workers who had maybe left seasonal employment and were without leave to remain would be trapped and unable to go through other routes. It was a surprise to see evidence that suggests that that is still an issue.

Thanks—I appreciate that.

Another issue is about a potential path to permanent settlement in the UK. The vast majority of Ukrainian people whom we meet wish to return home, but some of them may wish to stay. Understanding what that path to permanent settlement might be is important for them in weighing up options. Is there clarity on that? If not, what can you do to try to get clarity for those who have the power to decide?

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on whether oil and gas companies are investing enough of their profits to support a just transition in Scotland. (S6F-01815)

We have long been promised investment at Longannet by the rail industry. We have the right infrastructure sitting there to provide thousands of green jobs and reopen an important freight and passenger route on the back of any potential investment. Does the minister agree that regeneration at Longannet remains key to the future of Scotland’s railways and the supply chain that is based in Scotland?

Despite the utterly obscene profits of oil and gas companies, investment in transition is not being made at anything like the pace that is needed to keep 1.5°C alive. Over the past week, I have met Shell and ExxonMobil, which operate the Mossmorran complex in Fife—the third-largest climate polluter in Scotland. Does the First Minister agree that we cannot meet Scotland’s climate targets without slashing Mossmorran’s emissions, and will she call on the operators and the UK Government to commit to investment in a just transition plan for the Mossmorran complex?

It is clear from speaking to Perthshire constituents who live alongside the A9 that acceleration of road safety is everyone’s top priority. The minister has helpfully outlined some of the urgent safety measures that are being delivered. Can she update me on what consideration is being given to proposals to reduce speed limits on dangerous sections of the road, particularly the section between Birnam and Dunkeld?

Right—because it reflects the circumstances of how the offence perhaps came to be. It is a very technical regulation, but that brings me to the end of my questions.

I do not have much more to add to those points. There is a proportionate approach in the regulations. The introduction of civil penalties makes sense and is in line with the approach that industry wants. The critical thing right now is building certainty with the DRS, and, clearly, some of the public narrative is about undermining it and attempting to show that the scheme will perhaps not be introduced, but I have confidence that it will be introduced and will be a success. The order is an important part of putting in place another part of the scheme to ensure that there is that business certainty and that business knows what is coming and what the penalties will be if there is a failure to apply the scheme adequately.