Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-18763, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on 20 years of Scotland’s railway providing a strong platform for the...

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Fiona Hyslop) SNP

Scotland’s public transport system provides a cleaner and greener alternative to the private car. It is a key enabler of growth and opportunity, and it provi...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

While the cabinet secretary is talking about improvements, will she give an update on when she plans to give some positive news about the new rail developmen...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I did, indeed, have a very good visit to Newburgh, where I heard the passion of the community. I have made it clear to my officials that I would like their a...

Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con) Con

You have mentioned lines from east to west, but will you comment on the need for the Almond chord in order to revitalise and bring back to life the lemon of ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Always speak through the chair.

Fiona Hyslop SNP

We recognise the previous work on the EGIP and the recommendations on the Almond chord. Electrification is taking place, particularly between Haymarket and D...

Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I want to move on just now. It has now been three years since the Scottish Government took the decision to end the Abellio ScotRail franchise, and it has be...

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (LD) LD

If the cabinet secretary has time, I will briefly intervene and say that, with devolution comes fiscal responsibility. The cost of upgrading the tracks and o...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

We already fund Network Rail’s responsibilities with £1.5 billion as part of control period 7. That is already part of our budget. The issue with rail reform...

Paul Sweeney Lab

Does the cabinet secretary also recognise the importance of rail and rolling stock maintenance in Scotland? In particular, does she welcome the reopening by ...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I welcome that. Part of rail’s role in the economy is to help the supply chain, and it is important that the jobs and the welcome, continued investment from ...

Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con) Con

I think that we can all agree on the importance of rail to the Scottish economy and Scottish business, such as in the transportation of whisky and fresh prod...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Will the member give way?

Sue Webber Con

Not at the moment. That fact is one of the reasons why so many people are reluctant to get back to office working, and that decision has a direct correlatio...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I note the terms of the Conservative amendment. Does Sue Webber recognise that, if what her amendment sets out had been the policy in the past, it would have...

Sue Webber Con

This is part and parcel of today’s debate. The motion that the SNP has lodged looks back. I want to look forward to the future. Winchburgh is a perfect exam...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to open the debate for Scottish Labour as we mark 20 years since the devolution of rail powers and recognise the progress that has been made on ...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Will the member give way?

Claire Baker Lab

I will, briefly.

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Does the member acknowledge that Covid caused disruption for all rail operators, but that ScotRail is one of the fastest-growing operators with regard to pas...

Claire Baker Lab

I started my speech by saying that I recognise the successes, that I believe that taking ScotRail into public ownership was the right thing to do and that it...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, Ms Baker. I advise the chamber that we have exhausted all the time in hand that we had. I call Mark Ruskell. 15:38

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I thank the Scottish Government for giving us the opportunity to acknowledge the progress that has been made in the devolution era to restore our railways an...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Is the member aware that ScotRail has already declassified its first-class carriages on most commuter routes? For example, services between Dunblane and Edin...

Mark Ruskell Green

I am very much aware of that, because I regularly sit in such seats when I travel from Stirling. However, the reality is that, on some of the busiest routes,...

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (LD) LD

I was rather surprised when I saw that the Scottish Government had pencilled in a debate on railways in Government time. It is about time. Over the years, we...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Jamie Greene LD

I do not have much time, unfortunately. Abellio posted a £65 million loss in the year just before the Covid pandemic, and we all know that Serco lost nearly...