Kenneth Stevenson

The Government is committed to decarbonising heavy-duty vehicles, and is supporting this through programmes such as the Plug-in Truck Grant, the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, further funding for the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme, and a bus decarbonisation measure in the Bus Services Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

The Government believes that more needs to be done to decarbonise the road freight sector. We are considering our regulatory approach to decarbonise new non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles and will engage with stakeholders in due course.

A reliable, accessible and visible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential. There are now over 5,560 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within 1 mile of the Strategic Road Network (England’s motorways and major A roads) (Zapmap, April 2025). This is an increase of over 60% since January 2024 (Zapmap Jan 2024 – April 2025).

The market has changed significantly since the previous government announced the Rapid Charging Fund in 2020, including increased private sector investment in infrastructure, a changed regulatory environment, and improvements in battery technology.

We will ensure taxpayers' money is used as efficiently as possible to make the transition to electric vehicles a success. The Rapid Charging Fund pilot was launched in 2023 to better understand where to target government support.

We will apply learning from the pilot and continue working with industry to inform future policy to boost charging infrastructure on the Strategic Road Network.

The budget delivered more money for public services in Scotland with the largest real terms budget in the history of devolution.

People now expect delivery from the SNP government in Edinburgh, especially in our NHS where over 100,000 Scots have been trapped on NHS waiting lists for more than a year. They have the money, they have the powers, there are no more excuses.

I have had a number of discussions with Scottish Government Ministers since my appointment, as have many of my Ministerial colleagues, including the Prime Minister.

My most recent meeting was with the Deputy First Minister, on Tuesday 1 October, who I am meeting regularly. We have discussed a range of issues such as our joint plan to secure the industrial future of the Grangemouth site, following confirmation of Petroineos’ decision to close the oil refinery next year.

This Government is committed to working with the Scottish Government. By working collaboratively together, we will deliver the change that the people of Scotland expect.