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Transport Scotland continues to engage with Glasgow City Council regarding their aspirations for this area, noting it is they who are responsible for bringing forward land use changes and the associated planning duties. Transport Scotland’s interests lie in the safe and effective operation of the M8.

Transport Scotland has communicated to Glasgow City Council, that in order to take forward potential proposals, a robust assessment of the potential impacts on the mainline, access roads and adjacent facilities should be carried out. Officials from Transport Scotland are currently scoping an assessment of the future of the M8.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26829 and S6W-26830 on 29 April 2024.

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 Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report sets out the ratio of total revenue to GDP for Scotland, which in 2022-23 was 41.1%. This presentation is consistent with the UK Public Sector Finances. The latest GERS publication is available at:

Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2022-23 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

There are no plans to produce estimates of Scottish public sector net debt. The Scottish Government has limited borrowing powers, and borrowing by the UK Government is not identified to any country or region in the UK. As such it is not possible to calculate estimates of Scottish public sector net debt in the same way as other countries do.

This called-in case is still under consideration and a decision will issue as soon as possible. A response on the project is expected to issue by 29 May.

The Scottish Government has invested over £7.3 million to deliver the Breathing Space service over the last 3 financial years, as follows:

2021-22: £2.372 million

2022-23: £2.354 million

2023-24: £2.6 million

Breathing Space forms part of a wider range of mental health and wellbeing services delivered by NHS 24, including the Mental Health Hub, the Enhanced Mental Health Pathway and Living Life.

The 2024-25 funding for mental health services, including Breathing Space, is currently under discussion with NHS24.

Last week I sought urgent clarity from the DWP that people receiving our Adult Disability Payment will not be penalised and will continue to automatically receive the reserved benefits that they rely on. I have also sought assurances from the UK Government it will not seek to impose any resultant cuts to expenditure on the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government will never accept the cruel welfare reforms being pursued by the UK government. These punitive proposals will only further stigmatise and impoverish disabled people and have been rightly called out by stakeholders as a “reckless assault on disabled people”.

In contrast, Scotland’s social security system is designed on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect. Those are the values of this government, of the people of Scotland, because disability payments are there for all of us whenever we should need them. The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to deliver Adult Disability Payment in a compassionate and caring way.

CMAL has taken further advice on this question. The financial institutions providing the bank refund guarantees for the Little Minch vessels are Yapi Kredi and Halk Bank respectively.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail.

Scottish Enterprise has been working with partners and Bruntwood SciTech on proposals for the redevelopment of the Met Tower in Glasgow. Scottish Enterprise has advised that Bruntwood SciTech has recently confirmed that commercial property market conditions, including a fall in values and an increase in construction costs, have made the proposed redevelopment scheme commercially unviable. Discussions are ongoing to explore all options to secure investment in the city.

The Scottish Government recognise that people in rural areas can experience particular challenges in relation to their mental health and wellbeing.

We have a specific focus on rural communities within the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. Across the first two years of the Fund, over 700 awards have been made to projects supporting people disadvantaged by geographical location (including rural areas).

We have also provided £50,000 per year to fund the National Rural Mental Health Forum managed by Change Mental Health. The Forum focuses on exchanging knowledge, experience and learning about mental health and wellbeing in rural areas, enabling it to better understand and support rural communities.

We are committed to supporting rural mental health services to develop their workforce and increase service provision. We also provide tailored support to those Boards with the longest waits to ensure that those who need care can receive it in a timely manner, including regularly engaging with remote and rural Boards, providing access to professional advice.