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There are currently 21 ministerial working groups that fall under the remit of the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio. In addition, portfolio Ministers sit on a number of ministerial working groups which are led by other Scottish Government portfolios.

Ministerial working groups that are headed by the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio remit are as follows:

FM Environment Council

National Strategy for 20mph Working Group

National Litter and Flytipping Forum

Storm Babet Ministerial Taskforce

National Strategy for Economic Trans Private Investment in Natural Capital Working Group

Deposit Return Scheme Ministerial Strategic Assurance Group

National Transport Strategy Delivery Board

National Transport Strategy Business Group

Orkney Ferry Replacement Task Force

Shetland Ferry Replacement Task Force

A83 Taskforce Group

LEZ Leadership Group

SEFARI Gateway Waste Emissions Specialist Advisory Group

Environment and Economy Leaders' Group (EELG)

Cleaner Air for Scotland 2: Ministerial Group

Peatland Expert Advisory Group

Green Heat Finance Taskforce

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Ministerial Group

Climate Change Plan Advisory Group

Scottish Aquaculture Council

Hydro Nation Forum

The Scottish Government draft budget for 2024-25 allocates £0.5 million in revenue funding to Clyde Gateway. There is currently no capital budget specifically allocated to Clyde Gateway. Ministers have, however, yet to determine how the remaining budget within the portfolio will be prioritised.

The Scottish Government is committed to providing revenue funding to the Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and revenue budget allocation was provided in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget. Budget allocations are subject to Scottish Government in-year spend controls and assurance processes, and allocations will be communicated to all RTPs directly in the coming months.

The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) general capital support budget allocation is funded through the Local Government Finance settlement. A decision was taken to pause funding for 2024-25, given the current financial constraints, with a view to keeping under review in future years. Transport Scotland and SPT are in dialogue about the impact of this decision and maintaining their forward investment programme. These discussions will also explore the opportunity to utilise reserves currently held by SPT, and the impact of any use of reserve balances or re-phasing of capital funding, on SPT's forward maintenance and investment programmes.

Work to establish a Centre for Teaching Excellence, including co-design and consultation, is being taken forward by the already-established Education Reform Programme. As set out in my statement to parliament on 7 November 2023, the Centre for Teaching Excellence will be funded through repurposing investment currently directed to Regional Improvement Collaboratives. The overall establishment and launch costs for the centre itself will be scoped as part of the design process with key stakeholders.

An independent review of the current regulatory framework for Scottish aquaculture by Professor Griggs was published on 10 February 2022 and is available to view on the Scottish Government’s website: Aquaculture regulatory process: review - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

A wide range of aquaculture research is published by universities and research institutes, both in Scotland and globally, including research by public bodies such as Scottish Environment Protection Agency, as well as by the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate. These publications are subject to established academic peer review processes and add to the evidence base which will be utilised by the industry, regulators, researchers and innovators.

On 11 January 2024 I launched the Scottish Government’s Marine Science and Innovation Strategy, which outlines how we can utilise the best evidence and data available for making informed management decisions to deliver on our Blue Economy Vision.

Local authorities are responsible for considering the potential environmental impacts of fish farms, including escaped fish, when determining planning applications. NatureScot, District Salmon Fishery Boards and Scottish Government Marine Directorate provide advice as statutory consultees.

Scottish Government Marine Directorate is responsible for monitoring and enforcement of containment and escapes provisions within the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007, Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 and the Fish Farm Record Keeping (Scotland) Order 2008.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24412 on 22 January 2024, to the answer to question S6W-23642 on 7 December 2023, and to the answer to question S6W-20127 on 21 July 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24405 on‎ 22 January 2024. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Questions and answers | Scottish Parliament Website

The industry in Scotland already operates to robust environmental regulations and delivers high standards and we are committed to working with the industry to make continuous improvements. In terms of environmental standards for aquaculture, most of the relevant powers are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

The Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) ( Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ) set out how the Scottish Government works with the rest of the UK, including the UK Government, to manage aquaculture noting that there is a significant difference in size and different focus between the industries.

We work jointly to ensure that Free Trade Agreements safeguard the health of farmed salmon. We also work closely with the UK Government via the Aquatic Animal Health Policy Group to improve and ensure biosecurity of trade and domestic movements of live aquatic animals, minimising risk of introduction and spread of disease within UK waters.