Meeting of the Parliament 28 November 2024
I should point out that, with the agreement of Parliament and the Presiding Officer, we were able to provide a response to a Government-initiated question earlier this morning. I recognise that that is not enough time for everyone to look at the 2,000 pages, but it was an attempt to respond to requests to have more time for consideration.
In my statement today, I have made it quite clear, and I think that it is obvious, in particular if we look at the financial pressures that the Scottish Government is under, that meeting the target by 2030 is not possible.
In 2011, it was a different time. I remember the financial crash and Gordon Brown’s first budget, and subsequent Conservative Government budgets. At that time, I do not think anyone would have anticipated the capital collapse that subsequently happened in our financial provision, for a variety of reasons that I do not necessarily need to relate today. That has caused immense issues.
However, I can say that we are commencing the dualling of the A96 with the Inverness to Nairn section, including the Nairn bypass, and the Inshes to Smithton provision. That is our commitment on the issue.
With regard to jettisoning something that has barely been published—it was published only a few hours ago—there was a commitment made by this Parliament, and MSPs from all parties, including from the Conservatives, had asked for that information to be published. That is what we have done, and there is now a 12-week period in which people can have a look at the detail of that content and provide feedback.