Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-17820 and S6W-17821 on 18 May 2023. 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-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The ScotRail Trains Ltd (SRT) project team comprising of SRT employees and advisors was established in 2022 and has been developing the necessary preparatory work to enable a procurement competition to take place.

ScotRail submits complaints data to the rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This data is published quarterly on the ORR website and can be obtained via the following link:-

Passenger rail service complaints | ORR Data Portal

Glasgow Prestwick Airport periodically receives expressions of interest regarding purchase of the Airport. The management team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport follow due process in reviewing proposals to ensure that offers are credible and provide value for money.

It is important that we safeguard the integrity of confidential and commercial discussions to avoid any detrimental impact on any negotiations, therefore further disclosure would not be possible.

We have committed to updating Parliament at the appropriate time on the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Section 22 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 enables the Auditor General to raise concerns of any public body. Audit Scotland, in their 2021-22 audit of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow Ltd (FMPG) criticised the payment of bonuses to senior managers of FMPG, particularly in light of the delays to delivery of vessels 801 and 802.

Scottish Ministers concur with the issue highlighted by Audit Scotland and do not support the payment of bonuses. That is why the Former Deputy First Minister’s Statement to Parliament on 16 March 2023, opened with an acknowledgment of the concerns and agreed with the criticism of payment of bonuses to senior managers at FMPG and committed to ensuring that new arrangements were being put in place to ensure that such as eventuality did not arise in the future.

The Scottish Government has been working closing with FMPG in formulating a revised remuneration model applicable to the senior management team at FMPG to apply in future years. Ministers will update Parliament as soon as details of this revised remuneration packages for the FMPG CEO and senior management team have been agreed.

An update will be provided to Parliament upon the conclusion of the due diligence being carried out on the cost estimates for the delivery of MV Glen Sannox (801) and Hull 802. We expect this work to be concluded soon.

The recruitment, training and retention of the workforce at Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Ltd (FMPG) is a matter for FMPG.

The workforce at FMPG is diverse ranging from trades specialising in ship building as well as other professions and trades which are transferable to other sectors.

Apprenticeships continue to be a valued part of Scotland’s future workforce in cultivating fresh talent in sustaining specialised trades for our future industries. There are 52 apprentices gaining valuable industry recognised qualifications at the ship building yard in Port Glasgow.

Scottish Government have been made aware of details of the bonus scheme for senior management at Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) (Holdings) Ltd. The scheme allocates payments on 3 levels with the CEO at level 1, directors at level 2 and other senior management at level 3. Table 1 sets the total amount paid in bonus payments to FMPG Senior Management from 2018-19 to date.

Table 1 Bonus Payments at FMPG 2018-19 to 2022-23

1. Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow Ltd (FMPG) have been awarded no new contracts since 16 March 2023.

2. Three bids have been submitted by FMPG since 16 March 2023.

3. FMPG have paid out a total of £23,608.83 in bonuses since 16 March 2023.

Transport Scotland is unable to estimate the annual daily traffic flow (AADT) for the entire A1 trunk road within the Scottish Borders. However, the following table provides the AADT taken from the two traffic counters Transport Scotland operate on the A1 trunk road in the Scottish Borders.