Seòmar agus comataidhean

The information requested is available on the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023, published on 27 March 2024, at Tables 9.15 and 9.16 and via CalMac’s website and can be found by following the links below:

www.transport.gov.scot/publication/scottish-transport-statistics-2023/

www.calmac.co.uk/corporate/your-carrying-statistics

The carryings statistics for 2023 on the CalMac website, are up until 16 May 2023, although further carryings should be available in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26745 on 18 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

I have asked Janet Egdell, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

The next release of census data will be May 2024. This release will include:

• Population by age and sex at all geographies down to output area (unrounded)
• Number of households at all geographies down to output area (unrounded)

Please note, output areas are made up of approximately 50 households. Up to date information on future releases can be found on the census outputs schedule webpage .

In line with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Statistics, National Records of Scotland will publish the specific release date and time for each publication at least four weeks in advance.

£11.3 million of additional funding has been directed to support Cancer Waiting Times improvements in our NHS across 2023-24, of which NHS Ayrshire & Arran received a share of £838,000.

Funding has been targeted towards the most challenged specialties, including breast, colorectal and urology. This funding includes investment to support extended working days and weekend working to increase capacity and treat patients as timely as possible.

In addition, NHS Ayrshire & Arran have established a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS). The RCDS provides primary care with access to a new referral pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer. The Services are a useful addition to how cancer can be diagnosed in Scotland providing a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss and fatigue.

The Scottish Government takes animal welfare very seriously and is committed to the highest possible welfare standards. There is however a balance to be struck between protecting animal welfare and protecting public safety.

The scheduling of court cases is an operational matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who operate independently from the Scottish Government. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment or intervene on such matters.

Both the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme targeted support toward disadvantaged and fragile rural communities. They have been delivered on a competitive basis, open to all local authorities and Clyde Gateway URC and it is for councils and Clyde Gateway to bring forward proposals that responded to the purpose of the funds.

In addition to access to these funds, Fife Council also receive a share of capital funding from the Place Based Investment Programme through the direct allocation to local authorities. Between 2021-22 to 2023-24 Fife Council have been allocated a total of £7.826 million. Fife Council are also one of five eligible councils able to access the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.

The Scottish Government invests significantly in skills development, including through a £2.4 billion investment in the post-school education and skills system. This includes £200 million for Skills Development Scotland to deliver against Scottish Government priorities, including our net zero ambitions.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on what proportion of this support is targeted to SMEs in the construction sector.

The nature of Scottish Government funding for bus and rail sectors is fundamentally different. Funding provided to the bus sector is primarily through reimbursement for concessionary travel schemes which provides free bus travel for eligible passengers, and the Network Support Grant to support local bus services. This makes fares more affordable for the public, whilst supporting bus operators. Funding for rail provides subsidy to ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper which is necessary to provide services, with the majority of funding supporting Network Rail Scotland to operate, maintain, renew and enhance the rail network infrastructure.

Almost one half of all bus journeys in 2022-23 were made under the National Concessionary Travel scheme, 12 percentage points more than in 2021-22. In early 2022, the scheme was expanded to include those aged under 22.

The Scottish Government welcomes the participation of civil society in developing local responses to issues affecting people in Scotland.

It is for Local Authorities, Health Boards and other public services to best engage on issues regarding service delivery at a local level, and the Scottish Government encourages all voluntary and community organisations to work with public bodies for the best outcomes for their communities.

The Scottish Government continues to protect investment in digital within health services, as shown in the published budget. Planning remains underway to fully assess the impact on planned activity for 20242-5 that takes into account the considerable financial challenges facing the Scottish Government in the forthcoming financial year.

Rather than provide specific financial allocations to NHS Boards for the transformation of NHS IT Services, the Scottish Government provides funding to support investment programmes which are aligned to our Digital Health and Care Strategy. We will shortly publish our updated Delivery Plan for Digital Health & Care. This will confirm delivery priorities for the year ahead using the investment available.