Official Report 179KB pdf
14:06
The next item of business is general question time. To accommodate as many questions as possible, I ask for concise questions and answers.
Draft Curriculum Improvement Cycle
To ask the Scottish Government whether the publication of the draft curriculum improvement cycle, which introduces new concepts, big ideas and a know-do-understand framework, reflects an assessment that the existing skills-focused approach within curriculum for excellence has not achieved its intended outcomes for pupils. (S7O-00136)
In 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development endorsed curriculum for excellence as the right approach for Scotland, while noting that it would benefit from a systematic approach to curriculum review, which is exactly what we are undertaking, seeking to clarify the position of knowledge and create clearer progression between the broad general education and the senior phase.
The curriculum improvement cycle represents the most significant reform to our curriculum in a decade. It will ensure that learners can continue to achieve positive destinations in record numbers and the strong vocational and academic excellence that was shown in this year’s exam results.
At this time, teachers are delivering results through a knowledge-based senior phase that contradicts the existing curriculum for excellence skills-based focus. The curriculum improvement cycle adds yet another layer to the Government’s Jenga education system, and the non-contact focus in the Scottish National Party manifesto admits that workload is already too high. Is it not the truth that teachers are expected to hold the system up while the Government keeps piling on the weight?
I disagree with that characterisation. As I mentioned in my initial answer, what we are doing is part of a recommendation from the OECD, which endorsed curriculum for excellence but was clear that systematic periodic review would benefit the system. As I said, that is exactly what we are undertaking just now.
Angela Ross is right to mention teacher workload, which is always an ongoing concern for the Government. However, the work of the curriculum improvement cycle in clarifying the roles of knowledge and progression through the curriculum will, I hope, aid teachers in relation to their workload, as will our work on reducing class contact time, which we continue to take forward with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that thousands of pupils across Scotland received their exam results last month. What is her assessment of how pupils have handled this year and how curriculum for excellence has supported that?
There is much to celebrate in this year’s exam results, which were released over the summer. Pass rates at national 5 and higher improved on last year, which had itself involved increases, and are above the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, and the advanced higher pass rate also increased, demonstrating academic excellence. Alongside that, there was a further surge in young people gaining qualifications in vocational subjects—great subjects such as journalism, personal finance, childcare and construction. That demonstrates the breadth and strength of Scotland’s education system. Those results having been released over the summer, I take the opportunity to thank the teaching workforce, supportive parents and carers, and the young people who did us very proud.
Recorded Hate Crime Charges
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported 17 per cent increase in recorded hate crime charges in 2025-26, including rises in race, sexual orientation and disability-aggravated charges, alongside providing appropriate support to victims and affected communities. (S7O-00137)
Hatred, prejudice and intolerance are unacceptable. We know that a minority of people will seek to divide communities and stoke division through their actions and words, and we must stand against that. While increases in recorded hate crime are certainly concerning, they may reflect greater awareness of what constitutes hate crime and increased confidence in reporting, which we encourage. We will continue to encourage reporting and will support all those who are affected.
In my region alone, NHS Lothian had 147 racially motivated incidents over the past year, and data obtained through freedom of information reveals that at least 1,000 racially-motivated incidents were recorded. What reassurances can the Scottish Government give our hard-working health workers and organisations such as the Royal College of Nursing to ensure that that does not continue to happen and get worse, as it is currently on track to do?
I appreciate the member’s question and her focus on the people who work hard in our national health service. They absolutely do not deserve to be the focus of hate crime. Indeed, nobody in Scotland deserves to be the focus of hate crime.
The Scottish Government has a clear hate crime strategy that is focused on raising awareness and on preventing hate crime, and it works through education, community engagement and targeted interventions. I reassure the member that that is an ongoing piece of work that we will continue to pursue with vigour.
The rise in race-aggravated crime is worrying, along with the recent far-right mobilisation on the streets. More than 3,500 incidents of racism in schools have been reported. What more does the minister believe can be done with young people and, indeed, in schools to address those issues?
I am grateful to Katy Clark for her focus on the importance of all young people in our education system having a safe place to learn, where they are not impacted by that really detrimental behaviour. I point out to her that significant work is going on in education, as well as more broadly, and it is important that we retain that focus. Part of that is the work that we all do here in Parliament, where we have an influence on people of all ages, including our young people, through our behaviours. We should reflect on that.
Abortion Law Reform
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform abortion law in 2026-27. (S7O-00138)
The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that abortion services are, first and foremost, a healthcare matter. However, we have no plans to reform abortion law in 2026-27. Law reform is a complex process and we must engage with a wide range of stakeholders and weigh up a considerable volume of evidence, including the recommendations of the expert group on abortion law reform. That will include delivering on the 2026 manifesto commitment to consult on the expert group’s recommendations. This work inevitably takes time, but it is essential to ensure that future decisions are driven by evidence and to avoid unintended consequences.
Can the minister set out what action is being taken to ensure that women who require later-stage abortions do not have to travel long distances to England to receive the care that they need?
We are firmly committed to establishing a later-stage abortion service and to improving access to abortion at all gestations, so that women can receive care locally. A task-and-finish group that was set up in 2025 has set out a clear and clinically supported model for a nationally commissioned service, and we are working urgently with Public Services Delivery Scotland to implement that model. The chief medical officer has written to all health boards, setting out clear expectations regarding local abortion service provision at all gestations, and we have funded specialist training for clinicians to enable sustainable delivery of later-stage abortion care.
Sky Lanterns and Helium Balloons
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to prevent the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons into the environment, including whether it supports legislation prohibiting their sale, supply and release to reduce litter and protect wildlife, livestock and marine animals. (S7O-00139)
The Scottish Government has no plans to bring in legislation to prevent the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons. There is not currently enough evidence to support such an outright ban. However, the Government is aware of the risks that those items can pose, and it will continue to work with Keep Scotland Beautiful and other partners through the delivery of the national litter and fly-tipping strategy to prevent all sources of litter, raise awareness of their environmental impacts and encourage responsible behaviours that will help to protect Scotland’s natural environment.
My question follows the death of a calf in my constituency, which choked to death on a helium balloon. I have since discussed the issue with Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Marine Conservation Society, the charity Animal Concern and NFU Scotland, and all those organisations are united around the principle of a ban on the deliberate release of helium balloons and sky lanterns. Will the minister outline whether the Government will focus only on awareness-raising measures? Will the minister meet me and stakeholders to discuss how legislation could form part of the solution?
I very much understand the principle behind David Barratt’s question, and I absolutely sympathise with people who have lost livestock, because it is a very distressing thing to happen. I have also said that the Scottish Government is committed to monitoring and considering all options that are available to us. So, yes, I am happy to meet Mr Barratt and his colleagues to have a conversation about what else can be done.
Recorded Crime Statistics
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reason for the reported 13 per cent increase in recorded crime since 2022. (S7O-00140)
I am, of course, concerned by the rise in recorded sexual and Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 crimes. Although I welcome the fact that more women are reporting those crimes and I know that they will be treated with the seriousness that they deserve, ultimately we need to tackle such crime in the first place by men addressing their behaviours and attitudes.
Overall, the biggest driver of the increase in recorded crime is the rise in shoplifting, as seen across the United Kingdom. Our 2026-27 budget provides an additional £3 million to Police Scotland to tackle retail crime, as part of record funding of more than £1.7 billion, including continued support for the retail crime task force.
The level of every category of crime is up, including sexual violence, rape and attempted rape. During the recess, I accompanied Danielle MacDonald to Bute house to see the First Minister, who said that he would do more to combat violence against women and girls. Yet, a year on from the passage of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, what are we to make of the Government’s attitude towards victims when the Crown Office reports that there is still no funding for the sexual offences court? Why not?
The First Minister’s leadership in tackling violence against women and girls has been there for all to see over the summer. I am very pleased to have been part of the round-table discussions that he has led, which have helped to inform the programme for government that we will discuss shortly.
In recent weeks I have met Crown Office representatives, the Crown Agent, the Lord Advocate and others to discuss how we can take forward the proposal for a sexual offences court. There has been no ask for financial support to progress that in the 2026-27 budget.
It is a complex area that we must make sure that we get right for victims and for those justice processes. I remain committed to doing so, and I will continue to work with partners across the justice system to ensure that we do just that.
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the scheduled replacement of the exterior façade and windows of Inverclyde royal hospital. (S7O-00141)
I very much recognise the importance of Inverclyde royal hospital to local patients, staff and the wider community, and I understand concerns about the condition of the building.
The Scottish Government continues to engage closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding Inverclyde royal hospital, including proposals for the replacement of the external façade and windows. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde submitted a strategic assessment for the proposed overcladding project, which the capital investment group considered on 26 August.
All strategic assessments submitted through that process are considered against agreed criteria and in line with established governance arrangements. We will continue to work closely with the board as the process progresses.
I welcome the investment that has already been put into the IRH in recent years, but further upgrades are required to increase the longevity of the building, and the work on the façade and windows must be undertaken as soon as possible. Given my engagement with the health secretary on the issue in the chamber in June, can she give me an assurance that the Scottish Government will work with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to get the plans over the line, including having funding agreed before the end of the year?
I thank Mr McMillan for raising that important issue; he has always been a strong advocate for his local hospital. We absolutely recognise the importance of Inverclyde royal hospital to patients, staff and the local community, and the strong case for engagement for investment in the hospital estate. As I said, the proposed external-envelope works have recently been considered through the strategic assessment process, and there is a clear recognition of the need to address the issues with water ingress and conditions that affect the hospital.
As with all NHS capital projects, the proposal must be considered alongside other infrastructure priorities across Scotland and within the capital funding that is available. However, I can assure Mr McMillan that Scottish Government officials will continue to engage closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as that work progresses.
Reading and Literacy (Promotion)
To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing across the country to support and promote reading and literacy by ensuring that books and libraries are adequately resourced and available for everyone, including in rural areas such as Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley. (S7O-00142)
Libraries are at the heart of our communities, which is why, on top of our funding for local authorities, we provide more than £1 million annually to the Scottish Library and Information Council. That funding includes more than £0.5 million towards the public library improvement fund, which supports libraries across Scotland, including in rural areas such as Ms Hagmann’s constituency.
We know that libraries play a vital role in the development of our children and young people, which is why, since 2017, we have invested more than £2 million in the school library improvement fund, alongside initiatives such as bookbug, read write count with the First Minister, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the reading schools programme.
Given the sad passing of the wonderful Dolly Parton, following which members have lodged various motions in Parliament celebrating her international work on literacy, I note the previous pledge to work with the Dollywood Foundation to deliver a nationwide Imagination Library. Can the cabinet secretary outline how that might be delivered?
I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Dolly Parton’s death just a day after I visited an Imagination Library day in Carstairs Junction in my constituency and saw how much it meant to the children and their parents there. However, she leaves an absolutely incredible legacy not only of music and kindness, but of supporting children to find a love of reading, and we want to ensure that that legacy continues. We want to build on the excellent programme that we already have, whereby our youngest care-experienced children in Scotland are supported through the Imagination Library as well as through the bookbug programme. We have commenced discussions with the Dollywood Foundation to expand the Imagination Library over the current session of Parliament so that the offer will include all children up to the age of five, thereby strengthening the existing support for our care-experienced young people.
Wildfire Strategy
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to review the wildfire strategy following the recent such incident in the Cairngorms national park. (S7O-00143)
The Scottish Government’s wildfire strategy sets out a co-ordinated approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires. I want to ensure that the strategy is able to respond to what is an increasing risk to our natural environment, which is why I have commissioned a review of it. Aerial firefighting support and actions to raise public awareness of risk, enhance danger assessments and ensuring a co-ordinated multi-agency response are key areas of focus as part of the review, which is the subject of ongoing engagement.
Last week, I met retained firefighters in Moray who were part of the huge effort to fight the Cairngorms fire over several weeks. They shared with me their experience of what worked well and where things needed to improve, including around personal protective equipment and training. I will, of course, share their feedback formally with the Government.
Can the cabinet secretary assure firefighters, gamekeepers, land workers and all the first responders that their views will be heard as part of the review?
Yes, I can. I encourage all the stakeholders that Laura Mitchell mentioned to ensure that they are providing their input into the review.
I take the opportunity that Laura Mitchell gives me to thank again all those who worked so hard to fight the Cairngorms fire and other wildfires that we have seen across Scotland this summer, including all the retained firefighters who support that effort. I assure her that the review will involve listening to and engaging with them, especially on the points that she has raised around access to PPE, which I have already raised with the chief fire officer and discussed with the Fire Brigades Union, among others.
The Cairngorms blaze was horrific, and it was one of many this year, including near Lochinver in my constituency. However, Lochinver and Durness fire stations have fewer than half their intended personnel. Tongue has two of an intended 12, while Scourie has one. Across the far north, crewing rules are preventing capable volunteers from responding. As part of a review of the wildfire strategy, will the cabinet secretary look again at those recruitment challenges and test why the current model is not working for rural communities?
That point was raised with me when I was in Mr McArthur’s constituency in Orkney during the summer, where a question was posed to me about the recruitment of retained firefighters and the training requirements.
It is important that we maintain rigorous standards for those who serve our communities for the fire brigade. However, we continue to discuss that area with the chief fire officer in order to ensure that we provide as much support as possible for participants, because we know that, in the communities that he represents, as well as in others represented by members across the Parliament, many of those individuals are wearing many hats in order to keep communities running.
That concludes general question time.
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