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The specification of the review of the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme has yet to be determined. The review will, however, include consultation with scheme members and other stakeholders.

As set out in the Scottish Budget, the financial position for 2024-25 is extremely challenging and we continue to operate in a volatile period, with difficult decisions being made and robust spending controls in place. In light of the potential financial risks and uncertainties, we are unable to confirm the 2024-25 Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) funding position for local authorities at this current time.

Ministers have, however, authorised an initial release of PBIP funding to support projects that are well underway and at risk of stalling, to protect significant investment made to date, and to reduce the risk of losing match funding. Scottish Government officials have been working closely with councils to identify these priority projects.

We hope to be able to provide further clarity on the full PBIP allocation for 2024-25 in the autumn.

Given the nature of Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) funding, it is the responsibility of local authorities to administer and manage their respective PBIP allocations. As such, the Scottish Government does not hold that level of information on local authorities’ provisional plans for use of their PBIP funding.

We hope to be able to provide further clarity on the full PBIP allocation for 2024-25 in the autumn.

The final spend for 2023 survey amounted to £155,238. The final spend for 2024 is yet to be finalised but will come within the total approved spend allocation of £111,954.

There has been no ministerial engagement with BAE Systems regarding any potential reacquisition of Spirit Aerosystems at Prestwick.

The Scottish Government has been made aware of the ongoing commercial reacquisition of Spirit Aerosystems by The Boeing Company and remains open to engagement with all parties as the commercial process develops.

Minutes from the Scottish Bracken Working Group meetings are available at the following link: Bracken: Scottish Working Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

A number of alternative methods of control are available to aid bracken management, which should be determined on a case by case basis.

UK Preliminary Best Practice Guidance for bracken management was published in June 2024 and can be viewed at the following link: Bracken | NatureScot .

In 2023, the Health and Safety Executive, the pesticides regulator, did not authorise Asulox for use in Scotland because of the risk it poses to the environment and human health.

The Scottish Government recognises that there is a lack of information on which areas in Scotland are most impacted by bracken and how coverage is changing. We are working closely with NatureScot to progress development of a bracken map. Mapping the presence of bracken would better identify concerns, support treatment methods and allow prioritisation of potential further research.

Cabinet minutes provide a full account of decisions made but are not a verbatim record. As such, it is not possible to determine with certainty when or how many times a particular topic has been discussed at Cabinet. The Cabinet discusses issues relating to the natural environment on a regular basis.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Shipping safety is a matter reserved to the UK Government. Coastguard operations are the responsibility of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, reporting to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, is responsible for providing an effective response to maritime incidents in UK waters.

The Scottish Government expects the highest shipping safety standards and for these to be followed by those accessing our coastal areas.

The Scottish Government has not had any recent discussions regarding regeneration of Niddrie with the City of Edinburgh Council or other stakeholders.

We are committed to supporting our most disadvantaged communities and places to build their capacity, resilience and sustainability through a place-based approach to regeneration, which is underpinned by our Regeneration Strategy. However, as set out in the Scottish Budget, we are in an extremely challenging financial position which has resulted in this year’s pause of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme. As such, we do not have plans to provide funding support for the Niddrie area.