- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that current ScotRail employees transfer to a new nationalised organisation under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations, which groups or grades of employees will remain on terms and conditions that include (a) bonuses, (b) car allowances and (c) private healthcare, and whether it will provide details of their (i) current and (ii) anticipated post-transfer renumeration packages.
Answer
Abellio ScotRail staff will transfer to the new operator, ScotRail Trains Limited on 1 April 2022. In accordance with the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations, all employees will transfer on their current contractual terms and conditions, which in some cases may include car allowances and healthcare provisions. Non-contractual bonus schemes are not covered by TUPE. As new staff are recruited, previous terms and conditions covered by TUPE need not apply to new contracts.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to purchase any additional rolling stock for the ScotRail fleet.
Answer
ScotRail Trains Limited will be responsible for operating services from 31 March 2022 and it is currently finalising plans for its future fleet requirements, including the new emission free vehicles needed to deliver the Scottish Government’s Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan.
Further information on the Decarbonisation Action Plan can be accessed via the following link:-
Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan (transport.gov.scot)
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Network Rail about the arrangements for the nationalisation of ScotRail.
Answer
A series of Transport Scotland led workshops has been held from June 2021 with Network Rail and ScotRail. The purpose of these workshops has been to develop the policies and strategies for the new ScotRail Trains Limited arrangements.
Transport Scotland is also engaging in bi-weekly joint steering group meetings with both Network Rail and ScotRail at senior level to ensure the coordination of mobilisation arrangements between the parties.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what formal discussions have been held with ScotRail employees about the arrangements for the nationalisation of ScotRail.
Answer
The information necessary for formal consultation with ScotRail employees is being prepared between Transport Scotland, its advisors and Abellio ScotRail with a view to commencing staff consultation in early 2022 as is properly required for staff who will transfer under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) to ScotRail Trains Limited.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office of Rail and Road about the arrangements for the nationalisation of ScotRail.
Answer
Transport Scotland has been liaising with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) about the appropriate processes necessary for the commencement of ScotRail Trains Limited including issues such as Operator Certificates.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to close the attainment gap in light of the report, Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Levels 2020-21.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2021
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Emergency Measures Agreements that were put in place in 2020 will remain in place or be withdrawn when ScotRail is nationalised.
Answer
The Abellio ScotRail franchise agreement, currently in place (which has been temporarily varied by Emergency Measures Agreements), will be replaced by a Grant Agreement which will take effect from 1 April 2022, when ScotRail Trains Limited will take over the operation of ScotRail passenger services in Scotland.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans for a new recognition agreement to be negotiated with rail unions when ScotRail is nationalised.
Answer
The Scottish Government has a well-established transparent engagement with rail trade unions and this will be maintained when ScotRail Trains Limited will take over the operation of ScotRail passenger services in Scotland from 1 April 2022.
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what the governance arrangements will be for (a) ScotRail once it has been nationalised and (b) any arm’s-length organisations that are created in relation with this.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04716 on 13 December 2021. 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 .
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to prepare for the nationalisation of ScotRail in 2022.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04716 on 13 December 2021. 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