To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for regeneration within the Levenmouth area of Fife. (S3O-571)

Plans for regeneration of the Levenmouth area of Fife are first and foremost the responsibility of Fife Council and its local partners in the Fife partnership. Through Communities Scotland, the Scottish Government has invested more than £5 million over the past four years and it will invest a further £2.7 million this year.

What specific plans does the Minister have to build on the successful local regeneration initiatives in my Constituency? In particular, what does the SNP Administration have planned for Buckhaven, given that it plays a pivotal role within the Levenmouth area and that its social and economic success is important to the local communities? What specific policy initiatives does the Administration have for the area? The minister mentioned that the Administration will spend £2.5 million this year, but what budget increases will be committed to the on-going regeneration of our villages and towns? I am concerned that little has been said on the issue so far.

Clearly, the local community regeneration partnership has responsibility for deciding the priorities in Fife. However, it is clear that some areas have received more funds than others. In the next short while, we will announce our overall strategy and plans on how regeneration will be taken forward over the next four years and on what priority will be given to it. Those plans will be outlined before Christmas. On the budget issue, the member will be aware that the spending review is still on-going. When the spending review is completed, we will announce plans on how much money will be made available for regeneration.

Is the Minister aware that the average weekly household income in Levenmouth is £100 less than that of the rest of Fife and of Scotland? Does he agree that the Levenmouth area was devastated by the closure of the pits and by the past 10 years of criminal neglect by the Labour Party at every tier of government?

Will ministers meet me to discuss the importance of reopening the Leven to Thornton rail line to freight and passengers so that people in Methil and Leven can access jobs elsewhere and so that our large companies such as Diageo and Tullis Russell can transport freight by rail if the Forth road bridge is closed to freight traffic in 2013?

I absolutely agree with the member for Central Fife that the deplorable situation in some areas of Fife is the result of many years of mismanagement both at local and national Government level. That is just a matter of fact. I am more than happy to meet the member to discuss issues that fall within my responsibility; I am sure that other ministers will be happy to meet her to discuss issues that fall within their responsibility.

Tricia Marwick has already covered some aspects of my question. In addition to the restoration of the rail route, which has been asked for by Diageo and which would help companies such as Tullis Russell, a passenger service to link Methil and Leven to the Fife circle is a possibility. Could the Minister update us on how the Government plans to advance those proposals?

Clearly, transport matters are outwith my responsibility, so the member might want to write to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change about such issues affecting Fife.

Our priorities will be to ensure that regeneration takes place not just in Fife but in those areas throughout the country that were left behind by previous Administrations. We intend to ensure that the people of Scotland receive good value for money and efficient service from the public services that they deserve rather than those that they have been left with by previous Administrations.

Does the Minister agree that, with Aberdeen recognised as Scotland's oil capital and Dundee recognised as our capital of life sciences, it is time that Fife—and, in particular, the Levenmouth area through its regeneration project—was recognised as being at the forefront of renewable energy production and that it should be given the appropriate support to achieve that?

I think that the people of Fife do an excellent job in the work that they do, whether that be in the production of renewable energy resources or in other sectors. We need to ensure that every sector in Scotland—whether it be renewable energy or oil and gas or any other area of manufacturing and production—is not just a leader in Scotland but a world leader. Such things should not be just a sop to the local area but should be because we are at the cutting edge of technology. Renewable energy is a priority for the Government. We will ensure that each area that is involved in that gets the chance to show what they can do.