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Our planning policy is important in encouraging that. We previously had a discussion in committee on NPF4 and its focus on vacant and derelict properties and bringing them back into use. We need to knit those different strategies together and work collaboratively to ensure that we are delivering and providing affordable houses where they are needed by communities and suiting the needs of businesses now and into the future.

There is a transport section in the annual report, and within that are the objectives and commitments that we have made in relation to ferries.

You are absolutely right that connectivity is vital in getting goods and services to islands, as well as for people to access healthcare appointments and live their day-to-day lives. There are issues in relation to that and there are a number of pieces of work that are on-going. I talked about the strategic transport projects review and the consultation that has been under way. There is also the islands connectivity plan. We aim to have the draft of that plan available for consultation towards the end of this year. It will be the replacement for the ferries plan and will consider the issues you mentioned.

Francesco Sindico spoke about the importance of partnerships. You are absolutely right that a lot of exciting work is happening on Islay. Those critical industries, which are looking at their sustainability and the impact that that has right through the supply chain, are taking a positive lead. It is critical that we work with them so that we do not duplicate anything that is already happening but do support their work.

I know that the bus provisions had been delayed because of the pandemic and because of on-going work with Brexit. We are due to engage with local authorities and with communities on that, too. I would be happy to take away that issue to look, in particular, at what more support we can provide.

As a Government, we have already given that commitment. I am happy to provide that assurance again today.

Undoubtedly, it has had an impact, with resource having to pivot completely to try to deal with the pandemic as well as EU exit. Despite that, though, and as you will see from the annual report, some actions have been completed, and I would say that we have made good progress right across the piece with the strategic objectives. Although some pieces of work had to be put on hold or delayed because of the pandemic, we have managed to make really good progress in all the different areas.

Coming back to the earlier point about healthcare, I think that, through the pandemic, we have seen such innovations being rolled out, as we have in a lot of other areas. The NHS Near Me service, which has now been rolled out across all health board areas, has been a particular success. There have been other developments in healthcare—I am thinking of, for example, the test of change pilot for diabetes that has been rolled out. I think that we have been fairly successful in working towards the objectives, despite the undoubted impact of the pandemic.

That is why the plan’s implementation and the monitoring of that are important. In an earlier response, I touched on the route map that we will be setting out to detail the actions that we will be taking on each of the commitments. That will be published shortly.

We have talked about the islands strategic forum, and there is also the national islands plan delivery group, which will continue to monitor things and ensure that we are dealing with the challenges being experienced by our island communities. By continuing that collaboration and getting that feedback, I think that what we have set out in the plan and the actions that we will be taking will remain relevant. After all, the route map will be a living document that will have to change. Indeed, as we are seeing every day with the cost of living situation and fuel poverty, different challenges can be thrown at us at the last minute, and it is important that we have a plan that can adapt and adjust to things as necessary.

I think that Nicola Crook would like to come in.

The islands connectivity plan is due to be the successor to the ferries plan. Progress on it had been delayed because of the pandemic, but it will progress this year and I believe that a draft of the plan will be ready for consultation by the end of this year. That is the aim.

I do not know whether officials have further information on the specific details of the connectivity plan and the issue that you have just raised.

I will say a few words about the Scottish Government’s second annual report on our delivery of the national islands plan for 2021. The report outlines where progress has been made towards each specific commitment in the national islands plan, and it details our projects and resource spend where that is appropriate.

I acknowledge the support that we have received from stakeholders in the past year. We have benefited from vital collaborations with local authorities, island stakeholders and communities themselves.

We have lived, and continue to live, through really challenging times. Approximately 12 weeks after we launched the national islands plan, the country entered lockdown and, like so many other communities across Scotland, our islands faced unprecedented challenges. Islanders experienced issues with supply chains, transport and access to services. Covid-19 has had a deep and lasting impact on the health, wellbeing and finances of many islanders, and we continue to work exceptionally hard to support them in the best way that we can.

Now that we are slowly moving out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the stark rise in energy prices and the associated negative effects on the cost of living are creating a new set of challenges. Islands already face some of the highest levels of fuel poverty, and they are being further impacted by the current energy crisis.

Despite the challenging times, however, the national islands plan continues to provide the Scottish Government with an opportunity and a focus to improve the lives of people on the islands. As you will see in the annual report, I am pleased to see good progress across the national islands plan’s 13 strategic objectives. I do not have time to detail all the work that has been done on every one of those objectives and commitments, but I want to share with the committee a few of the highlights from the report.

First, we have launched a number of funding streams that have enabled island communities not only to better cope through Covid-19, but to develop innovative and transformational projects. Secondly, we are developing the islands bond, which will play a role in tackling depopulation and promoting sustainable economic development on our islands. Thirdly, we have launched the carbon neutral islands project, which will support six islands in their efforts to reach net zero by 2040. Those islands will become climate trailblazers for all other Scottish islands. Fourthly, we are continuing to work with Kerrera and Fair Isle on two major projects, which are transforming both islands in a positive way.

I will be happy to talk about other projects and activities in answering the committee’s questions, but I hope that those examples give the committee a flavour of the range and breadth of work that we have done in relation to the national islands plan.

The cost of living, child poverty, depopulation and the climate are just some of the critical issues that islands face. The Scottish Government takes them all seriously and, together with my colleagues working across other portfolios, we will spare no effort in tackling them decisively.

Delivery of the national islands plan is a journey, and, although we still have a way to go, it is also an opportunity to provide support and capacity to islands so that they can emerge from these challenging times as resilient and, ultimately, more sustainable communities.

Yes—and to work constructively through that process.