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As set out in the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, published 4 February 2021, and projects, working with CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Marine Assets Ltd, we aim to replace ferries by the end of their normal working life.

A direct comparison of the costs of renting and buying is complicated because a range of factors need to be taken into account. For example, the capital element of a repayment mortgage creates an asset for the owner, which rent does not; conversely, renters will need to provide a smaller deposit than home owners. Other factors that should be included in a comparison are that, unlike a renter, an owner will be liable for costs such as buildings insurance, repairs and maintenance, and LBTT. It is unclear from the Hamptons Report whether any allowance has been made for these factors in their methodology.

In the year to end September 2020, the average 2-bedroom rent in Scotland was £689, [1] as compared with £793 in England. [2] In May 2021, private rental prices rose by an annual 1.3% in Scotland as compared with 1.1% in England. In April 2021, the average house price in Scotland was £160,632, up by an annual 6.3%, while the average house price in England was £268,321, up by annual 8.9%. [3]

We are committed to ensuring that everyone has a warm, comfortable and safe place to live, and to expanding our social and affordable housing stock. Housing to 2040 , Scotland’s vision for housing to 2040, includes a commitment to take action to ensure the housing market operates more fairly across Scotland, providing affordable housing options and choices in all communities.

For the social and private rented sector, we will publish a new draft Rented Sector Strategy, by the end of this year, which will be consulted upon in 2022. The Strategy will be informed by those most affected, that will seek to improve accessibility, affordability and standards across the whole rented sector.

These commitments, builds on the significant reforms already put in place through our 2016 Private Housing Tenancies Act, which provided private renters with a range of new rights and greater security, stability and predictability in their rents. We will also reform Rent Pressure Zones, so that this is a workable tool for local authorities to address high rents in localised areas.

[1] Scottish Government,

[2] ONS,

[3]

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining and improving the reliability of lifeline ferry services that play a key role in supporting the economic, social and cultural development of island and remote communities - including the Arran service.

We continue to invest in the reliability of vessels in Clyde and Hebrides network through the Resilience Fund which was established in 2008 to improve the future reliability and availability of vessels, including both vessels operating on the Ardrossan to Brodick route and for ensuring the resilience of the Lochranza service.

It is extremely disappointing that Pentland Ferries has taken a business decision not to make the MV Pentalina available for charter. However, the Scottish Government will continue to work with CalMac and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to actively explore opportunities for chartering alternative additional tonnage for the Clyde and Hebrides network.

CalMac invests significantly in vessel maintenance. Each vessel is taken out of service annually to undergo an established programme of inspection and maintenance activities. This includes planned maintenance, preventative maintenance, repair and certification renewal to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the service.

The annual cost of maintenance and repairs by CalMac Ferries Limited on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services fleet since 2010 is detailed in the following table:

The figures are given as a fleet value rather than per vessel to retain commercial confidentiality of CalMac Ferries Limited.

In responding to the pandemic, The Scottish Government have been guided by the principles outlined in our Framework for Decision Making. Here we set out the direct and indirect harms of the pandemic, which we consider in our "four harms" approach: one of those being that protective measures have a damaging effect on our prosperity.

Decisions to allocate areas to Levels are finely balanced, taking into account a range of factors. These factors include the need to control the virus and minimise harms from Covid, in terms of morbidity and mortality, as well as the wider economic and social harms or the restrictions. In addition any decision has to ensure that restrictions are justified, necessary and proportionate, and in a way that ensures impacts on fundamental rights are understood and minimized.

The Scottish Government has engaged extensively with businesses and their representative organisations during the pandemic, and are in close and regular dialogue with business leaders on a range of priority issues. We have also provided additional financial support to businesses in areas which have remained subject to higher levels of restrictions and we have worked closely with councils to ensure businesses subject to restrictions for a longer period of time remain supported.

Regulations amending the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 were made today.

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (“the principal regulations”) and will take effect on 19 July 2021.

The Regulations provide that all of Scotland is in Level 0 for the purpose of the principal regulations and accordingly the restrictions and requirements applicable at Level 0 and set out in schedule 1 to the principal regulations apply in all areas of Scotland.

The Regulations also make some adjustments to the restrictions and requirements which apply in Level 0.

The physical distancing requirements at Level 0 are reduced to 1 metre indoors and outdoors and the requirement for physical distancing between people in a gathering of up to 15 people outdoors is removed.

The Regulations also provide that in Level 0 children under the age of 12 years do not count for the purpose of calculating the number of households permitted for gatherings indoors.

Hospitality and casino opening hours in Level 0 are also adjusted to restrict opening to between 04:00 and 00:00.

The regulations have been published at

Ministers have tasked CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to seek out potential charter opportunities and the MV Arrow is one vessel that is being considered.

The First Minister announced on 22 June that on 9 August, subject to confirmation nearer the time, all physical distancing requirements will be removed.

Ferry operators have been planning for the removal of physical distancing in order to increase passenger capacity wherever possible.

Any additional passenger capacity released will be made available on a first come, first served basis, as per the terms of the Clyde & Hebrides and Northern Isles ferry services contracts.

Scottish Ministers and the principal funder of Winchburgh Developments Ltd met twice in 2020 to discuss the proposed Winchburgh station. Transport Scotland and rail industry partners continue to work with West Lothian Council and Winchburgh Developments Ltd to progress the proposals for a new developer funded station at Winchburgh.

The New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) scheme aims to assist first time buyers and priority access groups to purchase a new build home from a local authority or housing association. There are no set criteria for determining a “significant change of circumstances”. Decisions on when to apply flexibility to the primary eligibility criteria are considered on a case by case basis, based on the evidence available and demand from the primary target groups.

The Affordable Housing Supply Programme: process and procedures guidance provides further information -