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Whilst not aware of any specific actions at this time with regards to illegally modified e-bikes on our road network in Aberdeen, we are aware that the matter has been raised and discussed within the Road Safety North East Scotland (RSNES) Lead Officer Group, and at a national level via the Motorcycle Focus Group in conjunction with discussion on e-motorcycles. At this group, Transport Scotland statisticians were asked to obtain more specific casualty data about e-motorcycles to help understand the extent of the issue at a national level.

Addressing the role of modified e-bikes/e-motorcycles in antisocial behaviour, and serious and organised crime, is a matter for Police Scotland.

I would also refer the member to the answer to question S6W-32685 on 13 January 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Bill will place legal responsibilities on owners of large landholdings to set out how they use their land and how that contributes to key public policy priorities, like addressing climate change and protecting and restoring nature.

Also, in addition to my answer to S6W-32938 on 17 January 2025 about the new land management tenancy, tenant farmers and small landholders will have more equality of opportunity to deliver net zero improvements to the land they farm and cultivate. This will enable them to become more sustainable and productive in their farming and be rewarded for their investment of time and resources.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

ScotRail Trains Limited is a train operating company that is publicly owned by Scottish Rail Holdings (a Non-Departmental Public Body) on behalf of the Scottish Government. ScotRail is not an Agency of the Scottish Government.

The guidance quoted by the Member relates to questions about Scottish Government Agencies. The relevant guidance has been correctly followed when preparing an answer to question S6W-32555.

SEPA has been preparing for implementation of the new regulatory framework for several years, investing in new systems, people, processes and support mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition in November 2025.

Implementing the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 and bringing the integrated authorisation framework into effect is identified as a key priority in its 2024-27 Corporate Plan.

A dedicated project implementation team has been working since 2023 to support the work that needs to be done before the draft Regulations come into force. This team comprised of technical, IT and legal expertise apply robust project management principles towards developing risk mitigations and contingencies that might arise.

The Scottish Government does not currently plan to increase the availability of bicycles for use by staff. We do not have any plans to increase the availability of other sustainable transport options. 

Our staff already have access to cycle mileage expenses for official business journeys, a cycle to work scheme for commuting journeys, a season ticket scheme covering public transport operators, and discounted personal car hire and car club journeys through our staff benefits package.

NPF4 places climate and nature at the centre of our planning system and makes clear our support for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies. Potential impacts on communities and individual dwellings are important considerations in the decision-making process and all applications are subject to site-specific assessments.

Where new development proposals come forward, the planning system requires decision makers to weigh up all relevant policies, as well as relevant material considerations, in applying balanced planning judgement.

While Scottish Ministers can decide to amend the NPF or review it in full at any time, having an established and consistent policy framework enables confidence in the planning system and so we expect to exercise this power sparingly. We have no current plans to amend NPF4.

The preparation of NPF4 involved extensive engagement, including with rural interests. Legislation requires that within 10 years after publishing the framework, the Scottish Ministers are to either revise the framework, or publish an explanation of why they have decided not to revise it. When revising the framework, legislation requires that a participation statement must be published, setting out when consultation is likely to take place and with whom Ministers intend to consult, including such persons or bodies with a role in delivery of statutory outcomes. One such outcome is increasing the population of rural areas of Scotland.

We have no plans to review NPF4 at present, but any future review would meet the requirements to engage with relevant interests, including perspectives from rural areas, at the appropriate time. Regulations allowing for amendment of the NPF came into force in December 2025 and set out minimum requirements for engagement with stakeholders.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) places climate and nature at the centre of our planning system and makes clear our support for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies. Potential impacts on communities and individual dwellings are important considerations in the decision-making process and all applications are subject to site-specific assessments. Local Development Plans should seek to realise their area’s full potential for electricity and heat from renewable, low carbon and zero emission sources by identifying a range of opportunities for energy development.

All planning applications must be determined in accordance with the statutory development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. For any given area of Scotland this consists of the National Planning Framework and the relevant Local Development Plan(s). If there is a conflict between the policies in NPF4 and Local Development Plans in making any planning decision, the most recently adopted prevails.

When determining applications made under the Electricity Act 1989, representations from community councils and members of the public are taken into account.

NPF4 places climate and nature at the centre of our planning system and makes clear our support for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies. Potential impacts on communities and nature, including cumulative impacts, are important considerations in the decision-making process and all applications are subject to site-specific assessments.

While Scottish Ministers can decide to amend the NPF or review it in full at any time, having an established and consistent policy framework enables confidence in the planning system and so we expect to exercise this power sparingly. We have no current plans to amend NPF4.

ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper submit their forward forecasts as part of annual budget processes. Forward forecasts of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper revenue and the level of subsidy required are subject to ongoing discussions between the train operating companies, Transport Scotland and Scottish Rail Holdings.