Demand for concessionary bus travel, in terms of number of journeys, fell slightly between 2013-14 and 2015-16, from 146.9 million journeys to 145.2 million journeys. The latest forecast outturn suggests there will be around 144.4 million concessionary journeys in total during 2016-17. For the purposes of next year's reimbursement terms, we have assumed, following discussions with bus industry representatives, a slight increase in journey numbers in 2017-18, to 144.7 million.

In the coming months the Scottish Government will be consulting on ways in which to ensure the longer term sustainability of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme and on the implementation of our commitments to extend free bus travel to young modern apprentices and job grant recipients.

Transport Scotland will be engaging initially with stakeholders to get their views, so that we understand the social, equality and other impacts of any potential changes. This will help inform a formal public consultation later in the year.

People are living longer, staying healthy longer, and staying in work later in life. We want to ensure that our successful concessionary travel scheme continues to benefit those who have the greatest reliance on free bus travel. However, we do not plan to make any changes to the eligibility criteria for the scheme for those with a disability. We will also safeguard the position of existing card holders and ensure that any changes will not affect those already in possession of bus passes.

The Scottish Government and its agencies continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council to support inclusive growth and employment opportunities in the area, responding to the potential impact of recent company decisions. We welcome Chivas Brothers' commitment to offering its permanent staff at its Paisley site posts at the Dumbarton facility and working with staff to address the practical issues associated with the transfer. We recognise that the relocation will have an impact on Paisley and I am convening a roundtable in February to explore workforce issues and the future use of the site to ensure we can deliver the best outcome for the workforce, Paisley and the Renfrewshire economy.

Transport Scotland officials have met bus industry representatives on a number of occasions to discuss concessionary travel reimbursement terms for 2017-18.

The draft budget for concessionary bus travel in 2017-18 reflects a number of factors.

Bus fares and concessionary passenger journey numbers have risen by less than expected in the last two years. As a result, we have spent less than anticipated on reimbursing bus operators. The proposed funding cap for 2017-18 is just over 2% more than the latest forecast outturn for reimbursement claims in 2016-17, which is £192m.

The draft budget also reflects the possibility that options might be identified through engagement with stakeholders and consultation that start to ensure the long term sustainability.

Please see the following tables for information on sustainable and active travel, which comes from several budget headings.

SSAT Capital

This budget supports walking and cycling infrastructure.

Please see the following tables for information on sustainable and active travel, which comes from several budget headings.

SSAT Revenue

This supports several policy areas including the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, low carbon transport advice from the Energy Saving Trust, cycling behaviour change and training (such as Bikeability).

Saving Trust, cycling behaviour change and training (such as Bikeability).

Financial Transactions

Providing interest free loans for low carbon vehicles.

The total for Smarter Choices, Smarter Places is included in these figures and more information on the individual projects is available on the Paths for All website (Paths for All administer the programme): http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/scsp2015

Scottish Enterprise’s business cases for premises are based on criteria agreed by Scottish Government and are subject to scrutiny by Ministers.

Scottish Enterprise cannot remain in its current premises in Paisley as there are significant issues around security and health and safety which Scottish Enterprise have assessed as unresolvable.

Scottish Enterprise is currently working with public sector partners to establish a more appropriately sized flexible workspace in the town centre that better meets demands in serving businesses in Paisley. In considering the Town Centre First Principle, Scottish Enterprise concluded that the changes to their premises are proportionate, deliver best value for the taxpayer and will have a negligible effect on the town centre economy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29965 on 4 March 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The designation and protection of land through the planning process is a matter for the relevant planning authority. Scottish Planning Policy sets out the Scottish Government’s policy on nationally important land use planning matters.

There are no plans agreed to delay the introduction of HSTs to Scotland. The Scottish Government are happy to work constructively with partners in DfT and with ScotRail to assist where we can, but our priority properly must remain further improvements to rail services for the people of Scotland.