Seòmar agus comataidhean

In relation to measures taken before the end of transition, under Articles 93(1) and 95(1) of the Withdrawal Agreement, the European Commission remains competent until 31 December 2024 to open a State aid investigation in relation to any such measure, and the results of any such investigation are binding on the United Kingdom (and have direct effect in UK law by virtue of Article 4 of the Withdrawal Agreement and section 7A of the EU Withdrawal Act 2018 (“the 2018 Act”)).

We are currently engaged in ongoing discussions with TATA Steel and cannot share any further information due to the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions.

In facilitating the sale and purchase of the plants, officials sought external advice as the guidance of the Scottish Public Finance Manual recommends. The decision to support the transfer of ownership between the businesses considered this external advice and this intervention acted to effectively ensure that steel production and employment resumed.

A soil and groundwater contamination liability assessment covering the Lanarkshire steelworks was prepared for the Scottish Government in 2016.

A copy of the report with redactions in line with FOISA exemptions is available from the Scottish Government website here

( https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/foi-eir-release/2021/07/foi-202100216003/documents/foi202100216003---information-released-2/foi202100216003---information-released-2/govscot%3Adocument/FOI202100216003%2B-%2BInformation%2Breleased%2B2.pdf ).

The Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway is an employee of Network Rail, which is owned by the UK Government. His salary may be found in line 175 of the ‘Senior Officials high earners salaries as at 30 September 2020’ spreadsheet contained in the HM Government website and can be accessed via the following link:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-officials-high-earners-salaries

Scottish Government officials initially informed Ministers of the potential presence of State Aid with respect to its 2016 contract with Tata Steel UK on 17 August 2021. There was no breach of State Aid rules as no aid has ever been provided in the contract.

Referrals of this nature to the European Commission can only be made by the member state.

Abellio ScotRail Ltd. made the Chief Operating Officer appointment, using an open and fair recruitment process. Questions concerning this process should be addressed to Abellio ScotRail Ltd.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible, noting all of the options require complex civil engineering.

Identifying the preferred route corridor for a solution last year was a major step forward for this vital project and we continue to push forward the design and assessment of alternative options within that online corridor, as we look to identify a preferred route option next year.

As with other trunk road improvement projects, we will need to complete the necessary engineering and environmental assessments and statutory process to allow any land to be acquired before construction can commence.

A detailed timetable for the construction phase of the project can only be set once the statutory procedures have been successfully completed.

Yes. We fully acknowledge and understand the importance of coordinating any work on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful with the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme.

Delivery of both projects can only commence following statutory approval, and the coordination of construction works will be given full consideration as both schemes continue to be developed.