Mr Matheson says achieving low and zero carbon transport is essential to our future wellbeing and to achieve net zero gas emisions by 2045.

The minister cites £0.5bn of long term funding for the bus sector to remove congestion and improve journey times and reliability.

He says the transport strategy provides a strategic framework for the next 20 years.

"Work has already begun on increasing the accountability of the transport sector."

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson says there are four key priority areas that underpin the new transport strategy:

• Reducing inequality
• Taking climate action
• Helping deliver inclusive economic growth
• Improving health and well-being

Image source, Transport Scotland

Last July the consultation on the new National Transport Strategy for Scotland opened and ran until 23 October 2019.

The National Transport Strategy (NTS2) sets out Transport Scotland’s vision for the next 20 years and was developed in collaboration with over 60 partner organisations around Scotland.

The global climate emergency and the role of transport in helping to deliver net-zero emissions by 2045 is a key priority, along with how transport can play its part in building a fairer society – including reducing child poverty.

The strategy redefines investment priorities, putting sustainable and public transport at the heart of decision-making.

Read the National Transport Strategy, external and view the submitted responses here at consult.gov.scot, external.

Image source, Transport Scotland

The new National Transport Strategy for Scotland (NTS2) sets out a vision for a transport system which will protect our climate and improve lives over the next 20 years.

NTS2 was developed in collaboration with more than 60 partner organisations around Scotland and a consultation on the draft version, external ran from July to October 2019 and will be laid before parliament this month.

This is a requirement of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, external which puts into law the need for Scottish Ministers to develop a National Transport Strategy for Scotland.

• View the draft National Transport Strategy (PDF) which was issued for consultation, external
• Read consultation responses, external
• National Transport Strategy homepage, external

Image source, Getty Images

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson delivers a ministerial statement on the new Transport Strategy for Scotland – Protecting our Climate and Improving Lives.

The former director of Ferguson Marine has told MSPs that the ferries would be sailing already if the company had been dealing with Calmac rather than CMAL, the government agency which placed the order.

Jim McColl was giving evidence to Holyrood's rural economy committee which is investigating the failure of the yard to complete the ferries on time and on budget.

He said claims the project was badly managed were grossly misleading and that CMAL had refused mediation.

The industrialist also called for a public inquiry, accusing CMAL of being "the elephant in the room".

Former FMEL CEO Gerry Marshall said the time frame for firms to work on the design of two Calmac Ferries, that have gone over budget and behind schedule, was too little.

The two CalMac ferries are £100m over budget and likely to be three years overdue.

Earlier a maritime procurement expert Luke van Beek said relationship between Fergusons shipyard and the government agency CMAL were adversarial.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says the Prime Minister Boris Johnston would do well to take a lesson from the effective way the Scottish government collaborates across the parliament on climate change.

Ms Cunningham says the event has the potential to be a "very significant moment". I think it's really important it's not going to be about political differences.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says it is important COP26 is inclusive and includes those countries from the global south who have contributed to climate change the least.

The cabinet secretary says the Scottish government will seek to encourage the UK government makes sure the process of getting visas is as easy as possible.

Mr Kidd asks if the cabinet secretary agrees with his criticism of Boris Johnson's reported hostility to co-hosting the conference

Ms Cunningham says the Scottish government is determined that political difference will play no part of COP26 and is committed to working in collaboration with the UK government and other partners.

Image source, EPA

Boris Johnson refused to give Nicola Sturgeon an official role in the Glasgow COP26 climate summit, according to the event's former co-ordinator.

Claire O'Neill said she had made the suggestion in a bid to end the "stand-off" between the UK and Scottish governments over the global conference.

She said Mr Johnson had "heartily and saltily" rejected the proposal.

Ms O'Neill also accused the Scottish government of behaving "disgracefully" ahead of the conference.

• Climate change: UK sacks its UN conference president
• Ban on petrol and diesel car sales brought forward
• PM 'admitted he doesn't get climate change'
• Is Scotland leading the way on climate change?
• Read more here

SNP MSP Bill Kidd asks the Scottish government how it plans to encourage representation from countries in the global south when Scotland hosts COP26.

Image source, Getty Images

Read all the questions here., external

Image source, Getty images

Read all the questions here, external.

Image source, bbc

The former director of Ferguson Marine has told MSPs that the ferries would be sailing already if the company had been dealing with Calmac rather than CMAL, the government agency which placed the order.

Jim McColl was giving evidence to Holyrood's rural economy committee which is investigating the failure of the yard to complete the ferries on time and on budget.

He said claims the project was badly managed were grossly misleading and that CMAL had refused mediation.

The industrialist also called for a public inquiry, accusing CMAL of being "the elephant in the room".

Former FMEL CEO Gerry Marshall said the time frame for firms to work on the design of two Calmac Ferries, that have gone over budget and behind schedule, was too little.

The two CalMac ferries are £100m over budget and likely to be three years overdue.

Earlier a maritime procurement expert Luke van Beek said relationship between Fergusons shipyard and the government agency CMAL were adversarial.

Mr McColl says there is no need for CMAL to be there, and that it worked perfectly well before.

He says it's surplus to requirements and CalMac know what they want, they engage with island communities.

"There is no need for anything more complicated."

He also says this should be going to a public inquiry as "this mess is not going to get any better".

Conservative MSP Edward Mountain asks: "Do you think the documents released by the Scottish government represent a full and comprehensive record of events?

Mr McColl says: "I believe there are key documents missing."

Mr Mountain says CMAL were unhappy Fergusons were awarded the contract, but Mr McColl says it was CMAL who awarded the contract to them and signed for it.

He then says: "Maybe they were put under pressure by the government to do it."

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about Mr McColl's call to scrap the two vessels.

The industrialist replies the government have taken over the yard, dismissed the remainder of the management and lot of people have left.

They'll have to build that up from scratch, says Mr McColl, pointing out you could build smaller vessels at Fergusons but not under the current management, you'd have to go to China at the moment.

He says you need to have more smaller vessels not two big ones, saying CalMac and the island communities are not getting what they want.

He argues the two current vessels will never work on LNG and they will be more damaging to the environment.

Mr McColl says the best thing to do would be to finish the Glen Sannox and sell it to someone who wants an LNG vessel, but you have a shortage of vessels to service the island communities.

Conservative MSP Jamies Greene asks why the overall cost will be over £200m.

Mr McColl says that it is because there is still a lot more to do and there are complications that have come up because of the changes to the design.

Mr Greene asks if the £100m cost was ever feasible, to which Mr McColl replies "No".