SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Local Income Tax
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates would be payable in local income tax by a household with two people earning average wages and how that compares with the average band D council tax in Scotland. (S2O-12223)
The report of the Burt committee shows that a rate of 6.5p in every pound would be needed to match the income raised by council tax. On that basis, estimates show that a couple on average earnings would pay approximately £883 more in local income tax than the current band D average.
Sixpence ha'penny in the pound, to use the old terminology. Am I right in thinking that it would cost a fireman and a nurse who were living in a band D house in East Lothian a very nasty £934 extra in tax every year if the Liberals or the nationalists had their way? Will the minister comment on the Liberal view that a fireman and a nurse are a rich family that can afford to pay more, and on the irony of the Liberals' and nationalists' opposing identity cards on civil liberty grounds while at the same time planning to give local councils access to people's bank accounts and employment records in order to calculate local income tax bills?
In the interest of limiting the decibel level in the chamber, I had better leave it to those parties to try to justify some of the statements to which Mr Home Robertson refers. No one is sure about the exact nature of any local income tax system, but there are questions about how, if it did not have discrete knowledge of the earnings levels in its local community, a local council would know what rate to set to ensure that it pulled in the same yield as other councils.
The problem is that the stability that the Labour Party pursues has seen Scotland have one of the lowest growth rates in western Europe over the past decade. Have the minister's officials advised him that, under the SNP's proposals, a couple who are each on the median wage would save £119.52 a year compared with what they will pay in band D council tax?
Under the SNP's proposals, as announced in the chamber, there is a black hole of at least £1 billion in the funding of local services. If we add to that the SNP's pre-announced alleged two-year freeze, there is a shortfall of between £1 billion and £1.2 billion for local services.
Fair Trade Nation Status
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in obtaining fair trade nation status for Scotland. (S2O-12243)
We are making good progress. In January, Scotland's first ever conference of the fair trade movement took place in Perth. A smaller stakeholder working group, of which the Executive is a member, is taking forward the conference's recommendations, including that for the establishment of a Scottish fair trade forum to co-ordinate implementation of the fair trade nation criteria. We are working closely with stakeholders to maximise the awareness-raising opportunities presented by Fairtrade fortnight and are participating in a number of events around the country.
I am pleased to learn that we are making good progress. Is the minister aware that North Lanarkshire has one of only two fair trade zones in Scotland and that the zone includes Cleland in my constituency? Will she join me in recognising the important role that is played by local schools and retailers such as the Co-op in delivering fair trade products to our communities? Will she also join me in congratulating North Lanarkshire Council on its decision to use only fair trade tea and coffee at all civic functions?
The decision that North Lanarkshire Council and other authorities and organisations around the country have taken is exactly the kind of action that will help us to achieve fair trade nation status. More important, such actions raise awareness of the difference that fair trade organisations can make to those who produce the goods. It has been refreshing and interesting to watch the progress that is being made in Scotland's schools. Pupils, teachers and others in school communities are to be congratulated on the work that is being done around Scotland.
I am sure that the minister will agree that it is marvellous that towns, schools, councils, universities and zones have achieved fair trade status. However, if we are really to be a fair trade nation, a much more ambitious commitment is needed. If fair trade nation status is to be truly what it purports to be, it must involve not just retailers' providing fair trade tea, coffee and smaller consumer goods but an examination of the nation's procurement targets and practices. Will the remit of the working group allow that issue to be taken forward so that, for example, our public bodies will be able to procure fair trade goods for public services?
The criteria for fair trade nation status have now been agreed, and we are working to meet those criteria. Linda Fabiani is right to mention procurement practices, but the issue is fairly complex, not least because some of the regulations that we are required to follow are made at European level. The Scottish Executive's aim is to ensure that local authorities and other public bodies in Scotland, including the Executive, are able to maximise the opportunities to purchase fair trade produce, and to ensure that we do that within the law. We hope to issue guidance in the near future that will supplement the existing guidance that explains to local authorities how far they can go on the issue.
I identify myself with the comments that the minister and Karen Whitefield have made, but I put it to the minister that it will be difficult for Scotland to attain fair trade nation status if we do not have fair trade at home. What pressure has she put on her Cabinet colleagues to ensure that our farmers are allowed fair trade, especially with the supermarkets?
We all want our farmers to be dealt with fairly, but I am not 100 per cent sure that farmers in this country can be compared with those in countries such as Malawi, where the situation is very difficult as there are literally no outlets for the produce that farmers have to offer. We are setting an example by encouraging farmers in those countries, but I am sure that the Executive will be happy to do whatever it can to assist our farmers further. However, I am aware that not all the levers are in our hands. Obviously, the issue is important for farmers and producers in this country, too.
I, too, welcome Scotland's progress towards becoming a fair trade nation. Further to the minister's remarks about schools, will she join me in congratulating the University of Edinburgh on its continuing progress since it became Scotland's first fair trade university, given that it now serves more than 1 million cups of fair trade tea and coffee every year? Will she encourage other colleges and universities in Scotland to take up fair trade status? Will she commend the work of the University of Edinburgh's People & Planet society, which recently produced a short film encouraging other student associations to ensure that their institutions become fair trade universities?
I am tempted just to say yes, but I think that Mr Ballard expects a bit more from me. I am delighted to be able formally in the Parliament to congratulate the University of Edinburgh on the work that it has done, not just in recent times, but over a long period. Along with other partners, the university has been at the forefront of driving the fair trade agenda. I am sure that its contribution will continue as we work towards fair trade nation status.
West Edinburgh Planning Framework
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be increased community involvement in the on-going work on the draft west Edinburgh planning framework. (S2O-12203)
The draft west Edinburgh planning framework was issued for public consultation on 29 November 2006. The consultation closed on 21 February 2007. In preparing the draft, a wide range of stakeholders, including community councils and residents associations, were involved. My officials will now assess the responses before bringing forward the final framework for ministers' approval later this year. Where points require clarification or options suggested in representations require further discussion, my officials will be prepared to meet community representatives.
The west Edinburgh planning framework acknowledges the important economic situation of west Edinburgh, but it is also important to note that a number of the developments, such as the airport's expansion, the shift of the Royal Highland showground and the new proposed business gateway, will have an impact on residents and schools in local villages. I hope that the west Edinburgh partnership, which it is proposed will take forward the work on the framework, will have an increased level of community engagement involving not just the community councils—although their involvement is helpful—but the new Newbridge regeneration working group, which is working to regenerate one of our local villages.
The draft west Edinburgh planning framework states clearly that regeneration in Newbridge is outside the scope of the framework and is a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council in its development planning role. However, I can confirm that the final planning framework process will include opportunities for people to make representations and objections, which will be considered carefully. With the final framework, a report will be published that will set out how each representation or objection was treated. Throughout the process, we will attempt to ensure that every aspect of consultation is properly dealt with. I hope that that will be set out clearly when the draft is published.
Marine National Park (Objections)
To ask the Scottish Executive what weight will be given to local objections when determining the location of Scotland's first marine national park. (S2O-12165)
I have published today the non-confidential responses and summary analysis following the Executive's consultation on Scotland's first coastal and marine national park. The report summarising the responses shows that 72 per cent of respondents to the consultation expressed support, in principle, for a coastal and marine national park to be progressed in Scotland. However, a significant number of respondents expressed detailed reservations both on specific sectoral concerns and on aspects of the proposed locations. We will now consider the next steps as we seek to address the issues that have been raised. I plan to make a further announcement on the way forward in March. No decisions have been taken.
The minister will be aware that the Scottish National Party—whose acronym, in this instance, appears to stand for "Stop the National Park"—has frequently drawn attention to the significant levels of local objections in most candidate areas along the west coast. In view of that opposition, which the minister has just mentioned, will the minister care to save himself a lot of time and trouble by simply announcing that the park will be located in Dumfries and Galloway, where there have been few significant objections and where those of us who have the real interests of the region at heart would thoroughly welcome it?
As I said in my initial reply, respondents to the consultation were very split. Even for those who indicated continuing support for—and, in some cases, a growing degree of acceptance of—a park in principle, a significant number of issues remain. It seems sensible for me to do what I said. I will consider further the detail of the responses and how best to progress the matter, and I will make an announcement to the Parliament in due course.
Will the minister publish, in the Executive's analysis of the responses, the analysis in respect of each proposed candidate and, in particular, the views of the people who live in the west Highlands on the notion that there should be a park in that area? Will he confirm that he will not seek to foist national park status on any community that does not want it? Does he agree with me and the Scottish National Party that the money that will be spent on setting up a new bureaucracy—perhaps £5 million a year—would be better spent on creating more affordable housing in rural Scotland?
It would be better for Fergus Ewing to direct the latter point to his colleagues. I do not see John Swinney in the chamber, but he is a strong advocate of national parks. Indeed, he advocated them in the chamber and said that we need to extend the existing national parks. Whether we should spend more or less money on national parks is a question that Fergus Ewing could properly raise in a debate with his colleagues. I suggest that he lodges a motion on the matter at the next Scottish National Party conference.
Schools (Western Isles)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an update on the public-private partnership scheme for schools in the Western Isles. (S2O-12236)
Western Isles Council is responsible for taking the matter forward. I understand that it is in dialogue with bidders and that it aims to reach a decision on a delivery partner in the next month or so.
As everyone knows, our Administration is committed to building new schools. Our record of investment in the past decade speaks for itself and tens of millions of pounds have been invested appropriately. As the minister knows, the parents and pupils of the Western Isles are no different in their aspirations regarding new school facilities. Will the minister assure me that he and his officials will continue to liaise constructively with Western Isles Council? Will he also highlight the nonsense of the separatists' policy regarding Scotland's school building programme?
I will certainly keep a dialogue going with Western Isles Council. Indeed, I will be in the Western Isles shortly to meet not only council officials but teachers and pupils.
Is the minister aware that the extra costs of 2.5 per cent over the contract term, as projected by Audit Scotland, mean that the four new primary schools and the new Nicolson institute will cost £30 million more than the original £40 million capital contract costs under PPP? That is enough to build a new Nicolson institute twice over. Does the minister really think that PPP is value for money? Is it not about time that we had a Scottish futures trust to build schools for pupils in Scotland?
I do think that we are providing value for money. Fiona Hyslop's analysis of the figures is wrong. I invite her, yet again, to tell us very clearly how the SNP would find the money to pay for the PPP projects that it would cancel. It cannot afford it and it cannot borrow. We are very clear that the SNP would cancel those projects and that there would be no schools.
Before we start questions to the First Minister, members will wish to welcome the ambassador of Germany, His Excellency Wolfgang Ischinger and the President of the Parliament of Flanders, Marleen Vanderpoorten. [Applause.]
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