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The following table shows the expected change in total gross rates bills for each NHS Board from 1 April 2017. Reliefs awarded, which may include disabled person relief, charity relief and small business bonus scheme will reduce these gross bills.

The NHS has worked closely with Scottish Assessors Association (SAA) to understand the impact of the Rating Revaluation 2017 and this has been factored into the financial plans of all NHS Boards. NHS funding will increase by almost
£2 billion by the end of this Parliament and the impact of these changes will be managed from within that increase. £6.4million equates to around 0.05% of the total 2017-18 health budget in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07518 on 7 March 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: .

Business that deliver childcare and early years services may benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; expanding the small business bonus scheme threshold for 100% relief from £10,000 to £15,000.

In addition, Local Councils can, under the Community Empowerment Act, create their own local reliefs to assist any business, area or sector.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07518 on 7 March 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: .

Business in the West of Scotland region will benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; expanding the small business bonus scheme threshold for 100% relief from £10,000 to £15,000.

In addition, Local Councils can, under the Community Empowerment Act, create their own local reliefs to assist any business, area or sector.

Business in Renfrewshire will benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; expanding the small business bonus scheme threshold for 100% relief from £10,000 to £15,000 and a 12.5% cap on bill rises for pubs, hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Correspondence received by the Scottish Government is not held on a constituency level basis.

As in all such cases, I will come to a decision based on what I think is in the best interests of patients when I have carefully considered all the available information and representations.

Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested substantially in successful rail improvements such as the Airdrie to Bathgate project, two new platforms at Glasgow Central, electrification of the Whifflet and Paisley Canal lines and the Paisley Corridor Improvements.

We are concentrating our continued investment in projects such as the electrification of Edinburgh – Glasgow (via Falkirk High) route, to Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane as well as the Shotts line. These improvements will increase capacity and improve journey time and quality on one of the busiest sections of the Scottish network.In addition, we are making substantial improvements to Glasgow Queen Street station to improve its operational capability and enhance the passenger experience.

The anticipated total cost of the contract to Design, Build, Finance and Operate the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project for 30 years remains at the £500 million I announced in February 2014. Under the terms of the contract, no payments are made until the roads are open to the public.

In addition to the costs associated with the provision of these services, there are other costs for the Public Sector account in delivering this important project, including those associated with the necessary land acquisition, public utility diversions and protection, design, site supervision and preparation works.

Prior to the start of construction the Public Sector costs incurred were: £37.85m.

Since the start of construction the Public Sector spend per year is:

The following table shows the amount paid by ScotRail on alternative transport for passengers due to delays or cancellations in each four-week period since April 2015. A breakdown by method of transport is not available.