Meeting of the Parliament 28 May 2024
I return to the point about the scheduling of business. Even Liam Kerr would accept that a statement this week will not change the fact of the coming of the LEZ. There will still be plenty of opportunity—indeed, there has been plenty of opportunity—for members to raise issues around low-emission zones. As he will know, or should know, the commitment to introducing low-emission zones stemmed from a 2017 programme for government commitment. That was seven years ago: there have been seven years in which to raise questions about such matters. The preparations for low-emission zones are very well advanced and have been going on for a number of years through national and local consultations and extensive national awareness-raising advertising campaigns.
Questions, such as on our support for small businesses and the impacts of the low-emission zone, have already been answered, and various questions have been put to ministers in the Parliament. The Scottish Government is providing £5 million for reopening of the low-emission zone support fund for next year. This is the fifth year in a row that the fund has supported low-income households and smaller businesses, with more than £13 million having been paid out since 2019.