The areas for the non-domestic rates relief pilot scheme were chosen to align with existing mobile pilot projects in development by the Scottish Futures Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government, which fit the organisational and commercial models the Scottish Government wishes to test. We have considered a number of areas across Scotland for mobile pilots; crucially, all of which have been driven locally by communities and other stakeholders.

This relief is available from 1 April 2016 for a period of five years.

The Scottish Government does not assess the way that Scottish public authorities meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including their obligations to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and service users. It is for Scottish public authorities to ensure that they meet their obligations.

In her programme for government statement in September 2015, the First Minister announced additional funding to ensure that eligible kinship carers receive improved allowances to bring them up to the same level as those received by foster carers in their local authority. The Minister for Children and Families confirmed that £10.1 million funding had been agreed with COSLA for this purpose on an annual basis and this funding was put in place from 1 October 2015.

Some kinship carers will be eligible for child-related benefits, which are intended to cover accommodation and maintenance. If a kinship carer is in receipt of any child-related benefits, then the local authority may deduct these (actual amounts) from the amount of allowance that it pays to the kinship carer. In this situation, any additional payment to bring the allowance rate up to that of a foster carer is to be considered a wellbeing payment – the kinship carer is already receiving payment from the state for accommodation and maintenance and the additional money is to ensure that the kinship child is able to benefit from opportunities that many children have but that they would otherwise be unable to access.

The draft implementation strategy is being revised following the public consultation. Scottish Government officials have continued contact with the nuclear decommissioning authority, the committee on radioactive waste management, nuclear site managers and stakeholder groups. There is no material effect on radioactive waste management, with Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste arising continuing to be placed into safe storage.

Telecommunications, including mobile telephony, is a reserved matter for which the UK Government has responsibility to ensure adequate coverage and to fund improvements and developments. The Scottish Government is committed to using devolved levers where appropriate such as business rates relief to improve the commercial case for investment.

With effect from 1 April 2016, the Scottish Government launched a scheme offering non-domestic rates relief for new mobile masts in certain non-commercial areas for a period of five years. This initial pilot covers parts of Arran and the Cairngorms, and it is our intention to widen the scheme across Scotland if the pilot is successful and once an intervention area can be accurately defined.

Maps showing the pilot areas eligible for relief can be found at:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/digital/Publications/NDR-maps

Competition in the mobile backhaul market is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator.

Wider assessment of enhanced connectivity, its usage, and the socio economic benefits arising - which assumes the availability of sufficient backhaul – has been undertaken by the Scottish Futures Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government. This report, published in July 2015, suggests that a fully digitised Scotland could see GDP growth of £13 billion by 2030: http://www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/files/publications/Impact_of_digitalisation_in_Scotland.pdf

We continue to engage with UK Government Ministers and Ofcom to make the case for improved investment in mobile infrastructure in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00373 on 13 June 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

It is our intention to widen the scheme across Scotland if the pilot is successful and once an intervention area can be accurately defined.

The Strategic Transport Projects Review, published in 2008 considered the future transport performance of the A75 corridor from the M74 to Stranraer, including the economic benefits of upgrading sections of the route.

Since 2008, the Scottish Government has invested approximately £50 million in six new roads schemes along the length of the A75 and will continue to explore opportunities to better connect Dumfries to the M74.

Mr Swinney and I plan to host a transport summit in Dumfries and Galloway and I will provide the member with further details in due course.

The National Transport Strategy (NTS) Refresh, published in January 2016 makes reference to the consideration of a full NTS review in the next parliament, to tie in with the next National Planning Framework and followed by a refresh of the Strategic Transport Projects Review which was published in 2008.

This will enable the Scottish Government to take a comprehensive review of national infrastructure priorities including projects within Dumfries and Galloway.

In addition, Mr Swinney and I plan to host a transport summit in Dumfries and Galloway and I will provide the member with further details in due course.