As concluded in the South West Scotland Transport Study, a new station at Beattock was one of the interventions recommended for the next stage of appraisal. This option is one of 58 potential new stations across Scotland that are being appraised as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

The appraisal process for STPR2 is considering the performance of all options against the transport outcomes we are seeking, the Transport Planning Objectives, which are aligned to our National Transport Strategy priorities and outcomes. The interventions will seek to contribute to our vision of a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.

Therefore, we need to consider the social and economic benefits and impacts based on performance against these objectives and the five Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance criteria, to determine the overall Value for Money. This also takes into account risks, uncertainties and other factors such as affordability, deliverability and the wider acceptability of options. This will be an important consideration given pressures on current and future public finances.

Also underpinning STPR2 is the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy where we will aim first to reduce the need to travel unsustainably, make better use of and enhance existing infrastructure, before investing in new capacity. This hierarchy is also central to Infrastructure Investment Plan. STPR2 will conclude later this year, with publication of recommendations for investment and an appropriate statutory consultation period.

Until the appraisal process is completed, it is not possible to make individual decisions on potential new stations such as Beattock.

Contractual monthly payments are made by Transport Scotland to the A74(M) concessionaire Autolink. The payments are based on a shadow toll. Provisional monthly payments are made based on historic traffic numbers using the A74(M) project road. A reconciliation is undertaken at the end of each year to adjust payments for actual traffic recorded. Monthly payments are also reduced to take into any account lane occupations by Autolink. The current provisional monthly payments are approximately £2.73m before VAT.

The Scottish Government continue to work closely with Scotland’s airports and airlines to help restore connectivity.

Transport Scotland, working in partnership with VisitScotland and Scottish Development International, has a well-established process in place to help Scotland’s airports recover routes lost as well as help secure new ones. Our ambition is to return to pre-Covid levels of connectivity as quickly as possible without restoring previous levels of emissions. We will remain focussed on restoring previous routes and securing new routes that are essential for inbound tourism, business connectivity and the economy as a whole.

We have a positive track record in helping airports secure new routes which meant that in 2019 Scotland was better connected than ever before. We do not underestimate the challenge but share the ambition of Scotland’s airports to make Scotland as well connected as peer nations and regions.

In relation to how the Scottish Government monitors the quality of customer service, specialist expertise and willingness to undertake and quote for work for Warmer Homes Scotland and Area-Based Schemes, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01002 on 21 July 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The following information relates to Home Energy Scotland (HES) advice services and the HES loans/cashback scheme, which includes domestic biomass as an eligible measure.

It is a condition of the HES loan/cashback that the customer must use an MCS certified installer for renewable heat systems (including biomass). Furthermore, the measure must be recommended on either the EPC or in a report issued by a HES specialist renewables advisor.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) advice service, managed by the Energy Saving trust (EST) on behalf of the Scottish Government, is the gateway to the HES loan/cashback scheme and other SG-funded schemes.

Customer service quality at HES is monitored through monthly customer satisfaction surveys. All HES advisors are trained and qualified in accordance with the Home Energy Scotland SQA accredited training programme. HES also recommends that all customers (whether accessing HES loans/cashback or not) use installers with relevant certifications, such as MCS for renewables installations. This ensures that the work carried out meets MCS’ technical standards which also requires membership of a consumer protection body. They also recommend that customers get three quotes for each piece of work to allow reasonable price and detail comparison for work proposed.

Customers are also directed to the Scottish Government-funded Renewables Installer Finder tool to search for local MCS-certified installers. HES are strictly impartial in terms of installer recommendations but this tool provides customer reviews to help support their decision making.

In terms of installer capacity to undertake and quote for work, the Scottish Government funds EST’s sustainable energy supply chain programme to help develop capacity amongst installers through development of support and training in low and zero emissions heating technology installations, webinars and events as well as support for training costs which we deliver in partnership with Energy Skills Partnership.

The Scottish Government currently only allows travellers returning from green and amber list countries to use NHS tests, reserved through the CTM booking portal. These PCR tests are the highest quality with established data flows into NHS boards and samples are sequenced to ensure early detection of variants of concern.

The Scottish Government is exploring ways to allow private testing for travellers coming to Scotland provided we are confident in the flow of data into contact tracing services and that all positive test results are analysed to identify any variants of concern.

As announced by myself, Professor Ken Muir has been appointed to act as the Independent Advisor to the Scottish Government on the reform of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland. In his role as Advisor, Professor Muir will provide advice to the Scottish Government as outlined in his revised remit that was published on 19 August 2021.

Since taking up role as Advisor on 2 August, Professor Muir has established an Expert Panel and a Practitioner and Stakeholder Advisory Group to support his work. We understand the Advisor has invited the Scottish Youth Parliament to join the Practitioner and Stakeholder Advisory Group. This Group will play a significant role in supporting the work of the Advisor and his Expert Panel - further information, including Terms of Reference and membership of these groups, is available here: Scottish Government | Education Reform

I also announced the creation of a Children and Young Person’s Education Council and we will ensure that this group and the voices of young people are heard during the process led by Professor Muir and broader plans to implement the recommendations of the OECD report.

The Scottish Government is pleased that three Scottish areas are involved in the expression of interest phase of the UK City of Culture 2025 competition. Scottish Government officials have attended the dedicated information session for potential Scottish bidders and are working closely with DCMS and Creative Scotland to support the overarching application process. Officials will continue to work with all of the bid teams and will continue to discuss the Borderlands bid with South of Scotland Enterprise and all relevant partners.

The following table provides information on gross revenue expenditure in Scotland per primary school pupil.

Table 1: Gross revenue expenditure per primary school pupil across Scottish Local Authorities in 2019-20

The Scottish Government currently only allows travellers returning from green and amber list countries to use NHS tests, which are reserved and paid for through the booking portal, CTM. These PCR tests are sent to individuals’ home addresses anywhere in Scotland, including rural areas. The individual should use a Royal Mail priority post box to return their test to the laboratory if they have access to one.

Individuals in Scotland are able to book PCR tests and request lateral flow home devices free of charge via the government portal, however these cannot be used for international travel.

My officials will conduct a trawl for the information requested and I will write to Mr Mundell when their findings are complete.