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Chamber and committees

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 15 August 2025
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Displaying 1524 contributions

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Economy and Fair Work Committee

Broadband Connectivity

Meeting date: 22 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

Aspirations are all well and good, but l will ask about delivery. From a commercial point of view, the cities were already connected to the levels that were required, so I go back to Colin Smyth鈥檚 point: how are we ensuring that the additional Scottish Government spend of more than 拢600 million is leveraging economic growth in other areas? I ask about that aspect in particular, given that we are the Economy and Fair Work Committee.

You have gone through the Government鈥檚 plans, but what difference will that money make? You have talked about aspirations, but how will you know that your plans are being delivered? What will success look like in places that are being connected as a result of Scottish Government spend?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Broadband Connectivity

Meeting date: 22 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

I am very familiar with the digital boost fund; I was instrumental in delivering it as part of economic recovery. We have had evidence, particularly from women who are involved in business that, because of the nature of their business, they have had challenges in accessing the fund. Therefore, I would be grateful if the cabinet secretary would agree to look further into access to that for women, and for businesses in rural areas, as has been raised previously.

10:15  

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Broadband Connectivity

Meeting date: 22 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

Good.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Broadband Connectivity

Meeting date: 22 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

The Scottish Government鈥檚 spend of 拢600 million in what is, in effect, a reserved area represents a considerable investment. The provision of such digital connectivity must be for a purpose. How are you ensuring that the R100 programme, and the 4G and 5G support, fits in with the Scottish Government鈥檚 aims and responsibilities in devolved areas? I am thinking, in particular, of the green recovery, the wellbeing economy, city deals and the work of the enterprise agencies. How are you ensuring that there is synergy with your national strategy for economic transformation to make sure that we are getting best value for that additional complementary spend?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero

Meeting date: 21 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

John Cunningham can perhaps give us a view from the Western Isles on his experience of leveraging private finance into nature-based solutions.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero

Meeting date: 21 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

Thank you very much. I will pass back to the convener.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero

Meeting date: 21 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

Thank you. I think that the committee is looking forward to visiting Linlithgow, my home town, which did a community bond on solar panels, although it was on a very small scale.

I will move on to Ben Howarth. Investors are looking at rewards. I suppose that that is about the mechanisms and the financial packages and products that would be helpful to bridge the gap between clear demand for net zero investment and supply of that investment.

You also talked about standardisation, which gives some comfort to investors. What would they be looking for, exactly? You talked about low-level long-term rewards and returns to your investors. What shape would that take and what policies and mechanisms need to be put in place at local authority or Scottish Government level to enable those products to be developed? Are there existing products that you would like to use for investment?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero

Meeting date: 21 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

I will change tack slightly. I was struck by what Julie Waldron said about needing a nature-based equivalent of Sustrans or heritage conservation areas. City deals are another mechanism that is bringing together public and private finance in strategic planning. Some city deals have been established for some time. Are the city deals adequately aligned with nature restoration goals and use of natural infrastructure to achieve net zero, or do we need to look again at some of the city deals through a net zero lens?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero

Meeting date: 21 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

I want to talk about private sector finance. I will put my first question to Nick Halfhide.

How well does the public sector currently leverage support and finance from the private sector for nature restoration and nature-based solutions? What are the key barriers and hurdles to achieving that? What returns is the private sector looking for from nature-based solutions?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Role of Local Government in Delivering Net Zero

Meeting date: 21 June 2022

Fiona Hyslop

Professor Parsons, do you have any comments on leveraging private finance?