Seòmar agus comataidhean

We aim to extend the scheme to provide free bus travel to those accompanying eligible disabled children under age five during the coming financial year, 2020-21.

We are currently working with stakeholders with a view to introducing a time-limited local pilot of free bus travel for modern apprentices later this financial year, following which we will decide whether or not to extend the scheme nationally.

The £500 million will be invested in improved bus priority infrastructure to tackle the negative impacts of congestion on bus services.

We are currently awaiting State Aid approval for a new capital fund for green buses developed in consultation with the bus industry. It remains our intention to launch the fund this financial year.

The Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit Programme will continue in 2019-20. This third round of retrofit funding is offering £8.857 million for the bus and coach industry.

Transport Scotland is working with stakeholders to consider an extension to discounts available on public transport to those under the age of 26. This review will incorporate an appraisal of options and a cost- benefit analysis, as any changes to concessionary travel schemes must fully consider financial sustainability.

The scope of the review includes the following:

• consideration of options to extend discounts on public transport to those under the age of 26, including free bus travel;
• an appraisal which considers the costs and benefits of the options.
• exploring more broadly how all areas of transport, including travel concession schemes, can best support the delivery of the child poverty reduction targets.

The first phase of this work is to develop a robust evidence base informing the review including areas of further research which will help determine the benefits. We will report on progress as part of the annual Child Poverty Action Plan progress reports with the next due in spring 2020.

As I set out during my parliamentary statement on 9 January 2019, the Government is progressing the development of a fox hunting Bill. Introduction of a Bill in this parliamentary session is subject to final decisions on the content of the Government’s next legislative programme and the extensive and wide-reaching impact of Brexit.

I refer the member to S5W-18860 answered on 3 October 2018 which details the estimated subsidy costs for operation of the Northern Isles Ferry Service over the 18 month period between April 2018 and October 2019.

The total amount paid for contract year 7 (July 2018 to June 2019) has not yet been finalised.

The total amount for the period July to October 2019 has not been finalised.

I refer the member to S5W-21620, S5W-16302 on 15 May 2018 and S5W-04450 on 14 November 2016 which detail the total, final subsidy payments to Serco NorthLink Ferries from contract year 1 to contract year 6.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The funding model for the Learning Estate Investment Programme was agreed with COSLA leaders on 30 August. In addition, the first phase of projects to benefit from the Programme was announced on 9 September by the First Minister, Councillor Macgregor and I.

On 9 September, the First Minister, Councillor Macgregor and I launched the Learning Estate Strategy at Peterhead Academy.

The Root Cause Analysis review is complete and the report is currently being finalised with Dumfries and Galloway Council and other stakeholders. We expect that process to be complete in the coming weeks, after which Scottish Futures Trust will publish the report along with lessons learned to be taken forward.