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The outputs from Project Neptune will be considered alongside the suite of existing documents that support our ambitious vision for Scotland’s transport system for the next 20 years.

The value and duration of the contracts the Scottish Government has signed with Ernst & Young in connection with the Scottish ferries network since 1 January 2015 are listed below:

Project Neptune - £156,000 – 2021-2022

Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services: Financial Support - £404,000 – 2015-end of CHFS contract .

We aim to publish a draft of the Islands Connectivity Plan for consultation by the end of the 2022.

Transport Scotland has not held any discussions with Network Rail on proposed staff reductions in Scotland.

Network Rail advise that UK wide it has undertaken two rounds of an industry special Voluntary Severance Scheme, focused on management grades where it could be verified there would be no impact on safety, performance or customer service. However, no representations have been made to Scottish Government on this matter.

During the Covid pandemic Network Rail and Transport Scotland examined ways where efficiency savings could be made. There has been no reduction to the maintenance budget in Scotland.

There has been no assessment of impact on services as there has been no reduction to Network Rail’s maintenance budget in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is not aware of any staff reductions that would impact upon rail services in Scotland. The member may wish to contact the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) as the safety and economic regulator of Scotland’s railway.

Community Needs Assessments were carried out for all routes included in the 2012 Ferries Plan and will be updated alongside the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP). We have commenced work to support the following live investment projects;

Mallaig – Lochboisdale Vessel Replacement Project

Oban – Craignure

Gourock – Dunoon – Kilcreggan

Our Adult Learning Strategy will be launched in May. It has been co-produced with adult learning stakeholders, including senior staff from adult learning organisations and adult learners themselves, and aims to improve life chances for adult learners across Scotland. We want to create the conditions for connected adult learning opportunities that link Scotland’s communities, local authorities, third sector organisations, colleges and universities around an offer of learning for adults, particularly those furthest from inclusion and experiencing disadvantage.

To improve the lives of adult learners we need to ensure that there is a strong, well-understood, well-connected and well-resourced system of adult learning in Scotland. The strategy will set out our commitment to evaluating the suitability and levels of future funding arrangements for community-based adult learning. Through the delivery of the strategy we want to ensure that appropriate levels of funding are available to engage and support adult learners across Scotland to meet their needs.

The Routes and Services Methodology (RSM) used in the Ferries Plan has been reviewed and updated to support the preparation of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP). In addition to refreshing data sources it will also consider: reliability and resilience; capacity and connectivity; and wider socio-economic needs and alignment with the National Transport Strategy and the National Islands Plan.