ScotRail received early payment, bosses confirm

1. The connectivity committee receives an update on rail services in Scotland from ScotRail chiefs
2. Rural economy, environment, climate change and land reform ministers face portfolio questions
3. Scottish Labour hosts debates on social care and rail services
4. A Tory MSP leads a debate on the recent climate change report

That's all from Holyrood Live!

BBC

That's it from Holyrood Live on Wednesday 14 November 2018.

ScotRail was handed an advance payment of taxpayer funding despite concerns over falling performance levels, it has emerged.

Bosses of the rail franchise were questioned by a the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee over the quality of service in Scotland.

Scottish Tory MSP Jamie Greene raised the question of whether payments by the Scottish government and Transport Scotland had been brought forward from the due date of April 2019.

ScotRail Alliance director Alex Hynes said: "It's true to say that ScotRail has received some revenue support payments, which it is contractually due from April next year in advance of April next year."

But he insists the company had not received any payments which it had not been due, meaning the overall subsidy amount will not change.

'A global issue which requires a global response'

BBC

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says she is "proud" Scotland is one of the first countries to put legal targets on climate change in place.

A 90% target is in line with meeting the 1.5 degree limit according to the Committee on Climate Change, she insists.

It is up to other countries to do more as this is a global issue which requires a global response she says.

The environment secretary says the Scottish government is working internationally to tackle climate change.

Background: New advice sought on Scotland's climate change bill

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The Scottish government is to seek fresh independent advice on its climate change targets after the latest warning on rising global temperatures.

An international reporthas said the world is currently heading for a 3C rise, way above the 1.5C target.

A coalition of charities has called on Scottish ministers to strengthen the forthcoming Climate Change Bill.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said action was a "massive priority" but Scotland's record was "exemplary".

• Scientists urge rapid change to curb warming
• Campaigners urge Scottish ministers to 'up their game'
• Read more here

Background: What can I do?

Climate change: What would you be prepared to do?

The report says there must be rapid and significant changes in four big global systems:

• energy • land use • cities • industry

But it adds that the world cannot meet its target without changes by individuals, urging people to:

• buy less meat, milk, cheese and butter and morelocally sourced seasonal food- and throw less of it away • driveelectric carsbut walk or cycle short distances • taketrains and busesinstead of planes • usevideoconferencinginstead of business travel • use awashing lineinstead of a tumble dryer• insulatehomes • demandlow carbonin every consumer product

People's homes are at risk in Orkney due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says the IPCC report is a stark warning of the challenges we face.

Mr McArthur says people's homes are at risk in Orkney due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels.

Background: Final call to save the world from 'climate catastrophe'

Climate change: How 1.5 degrees could change the world

It's the final call, say scientists, the most extensive warning yet on the risks of rising global temperatures.

Theirdramatic report on keeping that rise under 1.5 degrees Csays the world is now completely off track, heading instead towards 3C.

Keeping to the preferred target of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels will mean "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society".

It will be hugely expensive - but the window of opportunity remains open.

After three years of research and a week of haggling between scientists and government officials at a meeting in South Korea, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a special report on the impact of global warming of 1.5C.

• What could be wiped out by temperature rise
• What is climate change?
• Read more here

Green MSP highlights farming sectors role

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Green MSP Mark Ruskell

Green MSP Mark Ruskell uses his speech largely to focus on the impact of the agriculture sector on climate change.

He says ambition and leadership is poor in this sector, suggesting the subsidy regime is largely blind to climate change.

The IPCC report gives us 12 years to change, he says.

The implications are unimaginable if we do not act, Mr Ruskell concludes.

'Climate change is the defining issue of this century'

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Labour MSP Claudia Beamish

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says the IPCC report on climate change is "really, really concerning".

"Climate change is the defining issue of this century."

Ms Beamish argues the evidence for net-zero emissions being achieved by 2050 and she asks if the government is considering expanding the evidence base.

She says: "Expenditure on climate change is simply prudent."

Short-term action needed to meet long-term goals says Tory MSP

Tory MSP Maurice Golden says there is a need for action in the short-term to meet our long-term climate change goals.

Transport has effectively seen no reduction in emissions since 1990, he highlights.

BBC

Green MSP Ross Greer intervenes to ask: "Does the member and does the member's party accept the scientific reality that 90% of oil and gas reserves, that we know to be in the North Sea, never mind what might be explored and located in the future, must remain in the ground, unburnt?"

"No," replies Mr Golden.

He says his party has a "major commitment" to climate change but we must be realistic.

The Tory MSP suggests the Scottish Green party has the least credible environment policies in this chamber.

Aspiration must be backed by action that delivers positive outcomes for the planet and people alike, he says.

We now move to a debate on climate change......

PA

Tory MSP Maurice Golden will now lead a member's debate highlighting the IPCC report on climate change calling for a limit in the rise in global temperature to 1.5C.

Mr Golden is calling for a renewed commitment to reducing Scotland’s carbon footprint via circular economic practice.

bbc

Here's the motion......

MSPs agree on nothing from the debate on ScotRail

SNS GROUP ROSS BROWNLEE/ PA WIRE

Connectivity Minister Paul Wheelhouse's amendment falls as it was a tie 60-60 and the presiding officer votes against it.

The Tory amendment is defeated with 27 MSPs backing it and 93 against.

However the Labour motion is also not agreed to with 34 MSPs voting for it and 85 against.

MSPs are voting on the ScotRail debate motion and amendments...

Scottish Parliament

Scottish government amendment on social care agreed

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The Scottish government's amendment on 'investing in social care for Scotland's future' is agreed, with 92 votes for and 28 against.

The Scottish Tories amendment is backed unanimously.

The final Labour motion, as amended, is agreed (91 for and 28 against).

Background: Public sector to compete for ScotRail franchise

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Public sector bodies will be able to bid for the next ScotRail franchise, Scottish ministers confirmed in August.

Bidders which are wholly owned by the Scottish government could compete with private firms to run the train service.

The parent company of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne appears likely to be among those bidding for the next contract which begins in 2025.

Transport Scotland said David MacBrayne Limited has confirmed its interest in exploring the possibility of a bid.

• Talks planned on public sector trains
• Read more here