Seòmar agus comataidhean

I can confirm that, Network Rail Scotland, has developed a plan for installing platform edge tactile paving at all Scottish stations by the end of the current Rail Regulatory Control Period 6 (end of March 2024). The work is being completed over two phases. Phase 1 installed tactile paving at 18 high priority stations by the end of March 2022, phase 2 will address the remaining 148 stations.

I have discussed this with stakeholders over the summer and CalMac has been asked to investigate options to consider how there can be greater access for 'Islands Essential Travel' for those who need to make bookings at shorter notice. We will need to carefully consider any system and look to mitigate any unintended consequences.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10694 on 27 September 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-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11074 on 5 October 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-answers

The Scottish Government has had no formal discussions with private operators on this matter since 2016.

Questions S6W-11074 - 77 are operational matters for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and I have asked Stuart Black, HIE’s Chief Executive to respond directly. I have also provided detail below which I hope the member will find helpful.

The agency's statutory functions are laid out under the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990 (the Act). It fulfils a series of financial duties and other functions, under Section 24 of the Act. It also operates under a range of general and specific powers, set out in full in Section 8 of the Act.

HIE is required to follow guidance on the proper handling and reporting of public funds, as detailed in the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM). This includes its duty to focus its activities to deliver Best Value. The SPFM is also clear that guidance in HM Treasury’s Green Book has been adopted by the Scottish Government and applies to all organisations to which the SPFM is directly applicable.

HIE operates a number of funding schemes for which companies and other organisations can apply. For one-off and bespoke support, HIE’s process is aligned to treasury appraisal principles with market failure being a key consideration for all funding decisions. Any support provided by the Scottish Government and its associated public bodies must be contingent upon completion of satisfactory due diligence as required by the Borrowing, Lending & Investment section of the SPFM. This would require a robust business case. Prior to any investment, all other avenues of finance should have been explored and the additionality of HIE’s intervention confirmed. This includes availability of other government schemes, financing options and private sector support. Any investment should also consider Government or public sector support already being provided to the business.

HIE does not exclude companies or organisations that have submitted complaints. Its funding is discretionary and decisions are supported by proportionate appraisal aligned to Treasury guidance and Best Value characteristics.

The Scottish Government will not collect any monies as a result of Low Emission Zone enforcement. Any funds received by the relevant local authority will be ring fenced for LEZ enforcement system running costs, and/or air quality improvement works. The penalty charge structure of the LEZs has been designed to deter entry by non-compliant vehicles, in addition, a grace period has been included so that members of the public have time to familiarise themselves with LEZs and how they might impact their lives and travel habits. To help with this, we have launched a national website and a targeted marketing campaign. We anticipate that this will result in fewer fines being issued.

The Scottish Government introduced the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 to provide an enhanced suite of options for local transport authorities to improve bus services according to their local needs. Local Authorities now have the power to run their own bus services, and secondary legislation to enable bus franchising and partnership options will be introduced before the end of 2023.

It is important that the options within the Transport Act 2019 are fully explored to ensure they are appropriate for the area, and are sustainable for local authorities long term. As such, the Community Bus Fund aims to support local authorities to explore their powers under the Transport Act 2019, and enable options to be trialled on a smaller scale.

Fampridine (Fampyra ®) was accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) as a treatment for improvement of walking in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with walking disability, with a score of 4-7 on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) in April 2020.

There is also an alternative route of access to fampridine out with the SMC advice through the Peer Approved Clinical System (PACS) Tier Two process, where a doctor considers there would be a clinical benefit for an individual on a case-by-case basis. Individuals can discuss this option with their treating clinician.

It is worth noting that the decision to prescribe any medicine for an individual, and which medicine to prescribe, is entirely one for the clinician in charge of the individual’s care to make, having taken into account their clinical condition.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11074 on 5 October 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-answers