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The Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessments regarding the viability of a fixed link across the Corran Narrows.

The Scottish Government is aware of work carried out by HITRANS on behalf of The Highland Council to consider a range of options for the Corran Narrows. As any decision to deliver a fixed link would be a matter for the Local Authority, it would not be for the Scottish Government to undertake an assessment of viability.

No airports were forced to close.

I am pleased to confirm that we have today published a package of announcements to provide information and financial certainty farmers and crofters need to help them prepare for the change necessary to deliver the ambitious aims set out in the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture. Links are available here:

• New payment for farmers to improve animal health and welfare launched under Preparing for Sustainable farming ;
• Route Map for agricultural reform ;
• Guidance on the list of the measures being considered and evaluated for inclusion for future agriculture support in Scotland ;
• Full 2023 Payment Strategy timetable ;
• Opening of a new round of the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) .

Last year I announced plans to hold a National Rail Conversation with the people of Scotland to seek their views on passenger rail services provided by Scotrail and the Caledonian Sleeper. The National Rail Conversation will also engage the views of regional transport partnerships, rail unions, local authorities, equalities groups, businesses, emergency services and rail industry organisations – as well as non-rail users – for their input in to the vision for rail services in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland’s railway for the future. It needs to be affordable; accessible; sustainable; offer fair and secure employment, and provide a safe environment for all who travel and work across it, now and in the future. It is also an important component of our public transport system, offering an alternative to car use, and is key to cutting transport emissions, and achieving our Net Zero ambitions.

There will be two key areas of focus for the conversation:

1. A series of stakeholder meetings, hosted by the Scottish Government, to discuss all aspects of rail passenger services. These events will take place over the next few months and stakeholders will be contacted shortly.

2. An extensive public engagement campaign aimed at giving as many people as possible the chance to have their say on the future of rail. It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible, including those who currently do not travel by rail.

Further details of both of these strands will be provided when I formally launch the National Rail Conversation in April, marking the one year anniversary of ScotRail coming in to public ownership.

When ScotRail came into public ownership the Scottish Government was clear: this would be a new beginning for our railways with a new guiding vision. My resolve remains on creating real opportunities to deliver a railway run for the benefit of its customers, staff and stakeholders. Through the National Rail Conversation, we will listen to feedback from passengers and stakeholders and shape a vision for ScotRail which best meets the needs of the people of Scotland.

As a result of the pressures that household budgets are under the Scottish Government confirmed last year that there would be no change to rail fares before March 2023. Any change to rail fares this year will be confirmed in due course but Scottish Ministers are very clear that they will not rise by an amount equivalent to the July Retail Price Index rate of 12.3 per cent.

As part of the Scottish Government’s fair fares review Transport Scotland will take forward the pilot to evaluate the removal of peak rail fares. The pilot will apply to the whole network for the six-month period, commencing in the next financial year. Work on the precise methodology, design and evaluation is ongoing with Transport Scotland officials working closely with Scottish Rail Holdings and ScotRail Trains Ltd to derive maximum benefit for this scheme.

Further details on the peak fares pilot will be confirmed over the coming weeks.

The Scottish Government provides the most generous concessionary fare scheme in the UK, investing £300 million annually to provide free bus travel for over 2 million people. Over 2.3 million people, including everyone under 22 and aged 60 and over and eligible disabled people, can benefit from free bus travel.

We introduced free bus travel to everyone under 22 one year ago. In that time almost 45 million journeys have been made through the scheme helping young people and students cut their travel costs and also helping protect our climate. I strongly urge any under 22's, students or not, who have yet to make use of this scheme to do so.

Additionally, the Scottish Government is progressing the Fair Fares Review to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares that supports the long term viability of our public transport system as we recover from the pandemic. The Review is considering both the cost and availability of services and the range of discounts and concessionary schemes which are available on all modes including bus, rail and ferry.

As part of the Fair Fares Review, we have announced a pilot to remove peak-time rail fares on all Scotrail routes for a six month period, during the next financial year, as a way of making rail travel more affordable and attractive to travellers. Further details on both the rail peak-fares pilot and the Fair Fares Review will be announced in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question: S6W-14424 on 10 February 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 .

No Ministerial direction was issued related to the freezing of ferry fares.

The diagnosis and care of people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is largely managed and coordinated by primary care, as people with ME/CFS experience a wide spectrum of symptoms and commonly require input from clinicians from a variety of specialisms. This can include referral to consultant-led care within neurological services where appropriate.

People living with ME/CFS who need assessment or provision of care by a consultant or other professional can access this after an appropriate GP referral. Individuals can be referred to any further services as required for investigation, management and support, including within neurological services.

The Scottish Government has engaged with The Highland Council during the previous appraisal work carried out by HITRANS, on behalf of the Council, which considered a range of options for the Corran Narrows. We are aware the Council is now pursuing an upgrade to the existing ferries, but maintain a longer term aspiration for a fixed link connection across Loch Linnhe.

The Highland Council was part of regional working group which helped to inform the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. During this time, the transport options for the Corran Narrows was raised by the Council. However, ferry services and their replacement were not within the scope of that national review.