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The Scottish Government does not currently hold this information. Due to the wide-ranging nature of the question, (a breakdown, per year, per island from every government body who may or may not have delivered diversity initiatives) attempting to gather the information necessary would incur high costs in terms of official and ministerial resources and breach the disproportionate cost threshold.

Collaboration and engagement is a cornerstone of all transport activity and there is community engagement at all levels of transport decision making. My predecessors and I, and Transport Scotland officials have engaged and will continue to engage with communities in developing and implementing strategies and on specific projects, such as the Islands Connectivity Plan and Project Neptune, and will continue to do so in the future.

For example, Transport Scotland recently chaired an Uig Resilience meeting on my behalf on 27 March 2023.

Whilst local transport issues are the responsibility of local authorities, Transport Scotland, my predecessors and I, have engaged and will continue to engage constructively with local authorities where proposals or projects are considered to have a potential impact on transport assets and services owned and/or provided by Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government understand the importance of sport and physical activity and the positive impact that it has on physical, mental, and social health. We want to create and provide every opportunity for participation in sport and physical activity for everyone in Scotland.

As part of The National Islands Plan Implementation Route Map, which can be viewed here , the Scottish Government have committed to support relevant local authorities to plan and develop sports facilities on the islands that respond to the needs of communities.

As the national agency for sport , sport scotland invests Scottish Government and National Lottery resources to help the people of Scotland get the most from the sporting system. sport scotland works in partnerships with Scottish Governing Bodies of sport (SGBs), local authorities, leisure trusts, sports clubs and community organisations, schools, colleges, and universities to provide greater opportunities for all to participate in sport.

The table below details sport scotland’s investment in each island local authority area, in each year, since 2013-14 (10-year period). This data covers investment by sport scotland, in both the local authority and other organisations in the local authority area, including investment for Active Schools, Community Sport Hubs, Sport Facilities Fund, National and Regional Facilities, Cycling Facilities Fund, Cashback for Communities, Active Places Fund, National Lottery Awards for All, Direct Club Investment, and Get Into Summer.

Table 1:

Information regarding superfast broadband coverage in Scotland can be accessed on Ofcom’s website. Ofcom’s most recent figures, published in December 2022 , show that as of September 2022 the percentage of residential and commercial premises able to access superfast broadband (30 Megabits per second or above) in the island local authority areas was as follows:

I recognise the unavailability of the Corran Ferry is causing major disruption for communities, businesses and visitors to the area.

While the operation of transport links across the Corran Narrows is the responsibility of the Highland Council and any decisions on maintenance, upgrades, or options to replace ferries is for them, I recently met with the Highland Council to hear more about their plans for the route. I would be happy to visit Lochaber to learn further about The Highland Council’s plans and to meet the local community.

SaxaVord Spaceport has the potential to have a major beneficial impact for Shetland’s economy.

An economic impact assessment produced as part of the Spaceport’s planning application, estimates that once operational the spaceport will support over 209 jobs in the Shetland Islands, and generate c.£7.5 million GVA per year. This increases to 255 jobs and £9.3 million GVA when considered at a Scottish level.

According to the Spaceport's website the company is set to invest upwards of £43m over the next 18 months, rising to £100m in the next five years as it seeks to establish three launchpads and continues to attract both domestic and international launch customers.

I recognise that every cancelled sailing can have a significant impact and realise that this is not just about ferry service performance, it’s about delivering the confidence needed to sustain island communities, businesses, and populations.

In addition to investment in new vessels, Scottish Minsters have provided funding for the charter of MV Alfred to improve resilience over a nine month period. I can assure you that I, along with my officials at Transport Scotland, will continue to work closely with and support CalMac to resolve issues as best we can and minimise periods where services are restricted.

The Scottish Government is enabling access to superfast broadband through the £600 million R100 contracts (North, Central and South) and the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS).

All three island local authority areas are covered by the R100 North Contract, with build already underway in Orkney and Shetland which is expected to conclude in 2026. Build is currently expected to begin in Na H-eileanan Siar in 2025 and conclude in 2028.

In 2022, as part of the R100 North contract, 16 new subsea fibre broadband cables were laid, providing future-proofed, resilient connections to 15 Scottish islands, including 4 islands in Shetland and 7 in Orkney.

All premises not in commercial or R100 contract plans can access a minimum of a superfast service via the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. However, this is a demand-led scheme, meaning it is ultimately up to tenants and owners to secure a connection through this route.

Creative Scotland, as the national arts development body and funded by the Scottish Government, provide a range of support for cultural activities across Scotland including the islands.

To provide the specific information requested, Creative Scotland will write to the member directly.

I am delighted that the Tall Ship Races will be coming to Lerwick at the end of July this year. They represent a fantastic opportunity for Scotland, in particular Shetland and our island communities. This event, supported by £130,000 of EventScotland funding, is expected to attract up to 30,000 spectators and around 1,300 participants from 8 countries to Shetland. Ministers with a portfolio interest will be delighted to consider any invitation in line with current commitments.