Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. I share the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route, which is why we are progressing measures for the short, medium and long term in tandem.

Transport Scotland continues to progress design and assessment work on both the medium and long-term solutions at pace. Transport Scotland also continues to explore methods to reduce the timescales to bring forward both the medium-term and long-term improvements as soon as possible, whilst continuing to maximise the availability of the existing A83.

Clearly market conditions have changed in the past few years - the pandemic, Brexit and inflationary pressures have all played their respective parts in changing the procurement and delivery landscape across Government. However, we will continuously review the impact of current inflationary pressures and market conditions on both medium and long-term measures.

A detailed programme for the proposed medium-term improvements to the Old Military Road through Glen Croe is now being developed. It is expected that these works will be carried out on a phased basis starting later this year. I will provide an update on the delivery programme for the medium-term improvements at the next A83 Taskforce meeting which is scheduled to take place in June 2023.

In terms of the long-term solution, we are working towards announcing a preferred route option by this Spring.

The Energy Saving Trust runs the ebike loan programme on behalf of Transport Scotland. Interest free loans of up to £3,000 are available for standard ebikes and up to £6,000 for cargo or specially adapted bikes. Applications are subject to credit and affordability checks however those on fixed incomes are not excluded from the programme.

The Energy Saving Trust also receive funding to run a grant programme designed to increase access to ebikes in communities. Depending on need and location, there may be a programme available that offers short and long term access to an ebike and help to purchase one. Cycling UK and Cycling Scotland also run community programmes that can offer support. More information is available on these organisation's websites:

Cycling Friendly - Our Programmes - Cycling Scotland

Cycling UK in Scotland | Cycling UK

Home Energy Scotland advice network - Energy Saving Trust

The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. This scheme is technically challenging and the landscape is dynamic so it is vital we understand the terrain we are working in, in order to develop a suitable solution of the correct standard in the correct place.

The necessary engineering and environmental assessment work is progressing at pace and whilst I cannot confirm a precise date for the announcement of the preferred route for the long term solution at this time, I can confirm that it remains our intention to announce the decision this Spring.

Scotland’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, outlines our ambitious programme that reflects the scale and the size of the challenge to reduce emissions from our buildings. Our commitment to allocate at least £1.8bn over this parliament will help kick-start growth in the market and support those least able to pay. This includes:

• At least £465m to support those least able to pay, delivered through our Warmer Homes Scotland and Area Based schemes.
• £300m for Scotland’s Heat Network Fund.
• £200m Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, investing in a sector already leading the way in the heat transition.
• £200m Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Scheme, supporting leadership for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation right across the public sector.

Of the £1.8bn allocated as part of the strategy , £154.8m has been spent to the end of January 2023.

The delivery of the Heat in Buildings Strategy will require a combination of both regulation and support. Our investment in support will be enhanced and gain momentum as we develop our package of regulation through our Heat in Buildings Bill and policy and as we work towards a dedicated Public Energy Agency in 2025.

Work is continuing on the different categories of support for the allocation of £366 million of funding in the for 2023/24 financial year. However, the broad expectation is that around 60% of this will be allocated to our schemes to deliver energy efficiency and zero emissions heating to homes with households at most risk of fuel poverty. The remaining 40% would be targeted at larger investment schemes that improve energy efficiency or installation of zero emissions heating in public sector buildings, social housing homes and towards installation and development of heat networks.

A number of steps have been taken to aid in the delivery aims of the HiBs’ programme. We are in the process of finalising the procurement of the successor to the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme, with a potential spend over the next 7 years of £700 million. This is a significant component of the overall spend in the next 3 years. The continued development of robust Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies will help all stakeholders have greater insight to the likely deployment of different heat and energy efficiency solutions across different parts of Scotland. We are also making an increased investment in feasibility, advice and pre-capital support that will help to drive the implementation of projects at scale (e.g. public sector and heat network projects), which will see further acceleration in 2023. Finally, we are investing in raising public awareness of the heat transition and our schemes and we are committed to developing the Agency that will help accelerate take up in part through creating stronger, clearer identity and improving cross industry co-ordination. The Agency has already been set up in virtual form and now has resourcing in place to help start to create the momentum needed.

The HiBs' programme regularly publish reports to the Scottish Government website detailing projects that have completed or are underway within a number of the funded programmes. Reports have recently been published for the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme , Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Fund and Social Housing Net Zero Fund .

Businesses may be defined by the Scottish Government as being “Small and Medium Enterprises” on the basis of a range of criteria. These criteria will depend upon the purpose for which a definition is being applied, as well as relevant legislation and standards.

The European Commission has adopted a definition of SMEs that further categorises these SME businesses as a) autonomous, (b) partner or (c) linked enterprises. However the European Commission definition and categorisation of SMEs is not applied as a standard for all purposes by the Scottish Government. Officials intend to remove or further clarify the references to the EC definition in setting out eligibility for the loan.

The Scottish Government is aware of several high profile fuel thefts in the Highland area. However, the investigations into potential criminal incidents are a matter for Police Scotland.

Police Scotland has highlighted a number of ways individuals can attempt to minimise these incidents, including installing locking caps and ensuring tanks are difficult to access.

Anyone concerned about suspicious activity in their area should contact Police Scotland by dialling 101 or report incidents online.

An ALERT platform aimed at tackling a rise in thefts from construction sites and fuel thefts started on Wednesday 23 March. The protocol known as Construction Watch Scotland seeks to enhance awareness between construction and trade industries, as well as police, to ensure intelligence relating to criminal or suspicious activity at one location is quickly provided to others along with prevention advice.

Construction Watch Scotland has been devised in partnership by Police Scotland and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland. It follows a rise in the thefts of plant equipment, tools and stored fuel and is supported by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, Secured By Design and Crimestoppers.

Further information can be found below

Construction Watch Scotland

The publication of the Agricultural Reform Route Map was announced on 10 February. The route map provides more detail on how SG will deliver the transition process and the steps that will be taken to get there. Furthermore, the route map sets out the timescales for information and interaction with the agricultural industry and is regularly updated to ensure that the most up to date information is available.

Decisions on the future support framework will be determined as part of the wider agricultural reform process. Work is ongoing and we remain committed to a co-design approach. This includes continued work with the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), engagement with wider industry, all committed to a vibrant and successful rural Scotland and drawing on the responses from the recent Bill Consultation.

It is in this further context that I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12369 on 2 December 2022. 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-answer

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14895 on 6 March 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 implementation of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will boost household recycling rates across Scotland. The Official Statistics for household waste which report against the national household waste recycling targets will include DRS materials once it is implemented. We are aware that the current guidance to Local Authorities on calculating recycling rates may need to be reviewed as it pre-dates the DRS.

This is a matter for CalMac Ferries Limited, Scottish Ministers do not have a role to play and have not been involved in any discussions.