Official Report 173KB pdf
14:04
The next item of business is general question time. Before I take the first question, I wish to clarify that, as in the previous session, members who have a general question also have a supplementary question. Other members can also press their request-to-speak button should they wish to ask a supplementary to a particular general question. The fact that a member has been selected to ask a general question does not preclude that member from asking a supplementary to another general question or, indeed, putting a question to the First Minister later this afternoon.
Sheriffhall Roundabout
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Sheriffhall roundabout project. (S7O-00002)
Congratulations on your new role, Presiding Officer—it certainly suits you.
The Scottish Government is committed to the promotion of improvements at the Sheriffhall roundabout as part of a £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal. The Scottish spending review includes funding to continue to make progress in delivering those improvements, and the project is also included in the infrastructure delivery pipeline. The scheme remains subject to a statutory authorisation process, including the consideration of outstanding objections and the report of a public local inquiry.
I know that Colin Beattie MSP eagerly awaits the conclusion of that process, and I want to assure him that work on it is continuing at pace. I am awaiting urgent advice from officials on the project, and I will provide a further update to Mr Beattie and others with an interest in the matter as soon as possible. If the scheme is ultimately authorised, the construction of the proposed scheme can commence thereafter, when a programme and timetable for the scheme’s progress can also be set.
It is now almost nine years since funding for the project was first announced, and my constituents are growing very concerned about the delay. Will the cabinet secretary outline what reassurance can be given to the people of Midlothian North on when the scheme will be delivered?
Absolutely. I am new to the chamber, but I am certainly not new to the challenges of traffic at the Sheriffhall roundabout, the delays that have been experienced in relation to the project or the advocacy of Mr Beattie, which is reflected in the fact that he has been elected to the chamber on four separate occasions. I share the frustration of individuals who have been impacted by the delays in the project, and who are keen to see progress made. However, I remind colleagues that 2,770 objections were made, and some 1,200 pieces of information are there to be analysed. Notwithstanding the depth of that detail, I can give an assurance that we are very keen to make progress. I will try to come back to the chamber as soon as possible with further details for Mr Beattie and others who have an interest in the matter.
What the cabinet secretary has had to say is incredibly frustrating. When I raised the matter before we went into the election, the former transport secretary said that she was angry and frustrated that we did not have an opportunity for a decision to be taken. For 10 years, I have been asking different transport secretaries to get on and take a decision. What timetable can we expect for the transport secretary to come back to Parliament? Before summer recess would be ideal.
I reiterate the points that I have already made. I understand Mr Briggs’s frustration, but I re-emphasise to him that there were 2,770 objections and that more than 1,200 pieces of evidence were given to the public local inquiry. I am sure that he would agree with me that it is important that due process is followed, but I share his frustration and that of those who want progress to be made. I commit to him that we will come back to the chamber as soon as possible to give further detail.
I call Katherine Sangster.
To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to address wildfire risks and to ensure appropriate—
Excuse me. I called you for a supplementary to the question that was asked by Colin Beattie.
Sorry.
Please resume your seat.
The next question is from Emma Roddick.
Public Sector Reform (Inverness and Nairn)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it will undertake of any impact of its planned public sector reform on employment in Inverness and Nairn. (S7O-00003)
The Scottish Government will consider the impacts of public service reform across communities, including on employment, as we implement the public service reform strategy. The strategy recognises that improving delivery will involve workforce changes. Impact assessments, including an equality impact assessment, will be undertaken as proposals are developed. We will work closely with partners, including staff and trade unions, to support redeployment, reskilling and transition where necessary, while empowering staff, who know their roles and service users best, to improve and better integrate services. We will continue to engage with partners, including in Inverness and Nairn, as that work progresses.
The cabinet secretary will appreciate that there is great concern among employees of Government and arm’s-length organisations in the Highlands, who often do incredibly valuable work to ensure that national policies and decisions work for us. Many comments were made during and after the election campaign by various parties regarding the size of the current workforce and budgets. Will any public service reform keep it in mind that Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Land Commission and many other organisations that are headquartered in the Highlands add real value to our policy landscape and protect local jobs in Inverness and Nairn?
We are committed to providing effective and efficient public services across the country. That includes the Scottish Government’s objective to support economic activity and employment across all regions, including rural and island areas. As our public service landscape changes, we will work with all parties, including public bodies, service users and trade unions, to ensure a smooth transition. That will include organisations in the Highlands and Islands and across the rest of the country.
Subsidence (Coalsnaughton)
To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in response to the incident of subsidence in Coalsnaughton Road, Tillicoultry, in which 30 houses have been evacuated—the figure is now 97 houses. (S7O-00004)
Presiding Officer, I welcome you and congratulate you on your new role.
Residents’ safety is my first priority. On Friday, I was pleased to meet the leader of Clackmannanshire Council and Keith Brown, the local constituency MSP, to ensure that immediate support is in place for those who are affected. Following that meeting, the Scottish Government continues to work directly with the council and the local resilience partnership to co-ordinate response efforts. Ministers have also activated the Bellwin scheme and stand ready to assist.
The Mining Remediation Authority, whose decision making is crucial in a case such as this, is leading site investigations, and we will work closely with it to ensure that decisions are made as quickly as possible, so that clear next steps can be identified for residents who will be understandably concerned and upset by what has happened to their homes.
As has been acknowledged, the number of houses had reached 97 at the latest count. I also met some of the residents, and it is good to know that that work is happening. Due to the incident’s seriousness and the likelihood of lengthy disruption for residents, will the Government commit to establishing an emergency hardship fund?
I congratulate Helen McDade on her election and thank her for her questions. The Government has already taken a number of steps to support residents and Clackmannanshire Council in its immediate response. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the immense effort that has been put in by Clackmannanshire Council staff, who have gone above and beyond to support local residents.
We have triggered the Bellwin scheme. The Government is looking to provide additional human resources support to Clackmannanshire Council. Neighbouring authorities are also assisting through local resilience partnerships. We are looking at providing potential support for geological surveying, and we are working with utility companies to support residents and ensure that they do not continue to be charged.
I am pursuing an immediate meeting with the MRA to ensure that an immediate decision is made on whether the mine workings will have an impact, as well as looking to engage with the United Kingdom Government, given its MRA responsibilities. I am happy to keep in touch with Helen McDade and Keith Brown, the constituency MSP.
This is not the first time that Clackmannanshire residents have been evacuated at short notice. The reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete evacuations were handled badly by the council; houses were boarded up and personal possessions were left to rot for months on end. I hope that lessons were learned from that incident about the need to address the evacuees’ trauma while, at the same time, protecting their personal safety. What reassurances has the cabinet secretary had that the evacuation will be handled more sensitively than the previous one?
I welcome Mr Ruskell back to his place and congratulate him on his re-election.
I hear his point. That is part of what was discussed with the leader of Clackmannanshire Council and Keith Brown on Friday. I am confident that the local authority is doing all that it can to provide such support. The greatest uncertainty that residents and Clackmannanshire Council face is the Mining Remediation Authority’s future decision making, which will be critical for insurers, residents, the council and this Government.
Responsibility for the MRA rests with the UK Government, which is why I am pursuing an urgent meeting with the MRA and asking the UK Government to ensure that the fastest possible decision making is undertaken in this case, so that residents are able to get a clearer picture of the situation.
Market Economy
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports a market economy and the role of the price mechanism within it. (S7O-00005)
The Scottish Government supports a fair economy and recognises that, already, not all goods and services in the economy operate on an unregulated free market price basis. Prices are often regulated to affect wider externalities, such as societal or environmental harms, or to ensure a fair market price for industries or sectors with natural monopolies.
Scotland faces a cost of living crisis that is disproportionately affecting vulnerable households and placing pressures on public services. Rising energy, food and housing costs have made it harder for people to maintain a reasonable standard of living. As a result, the Scottish Government is clear that it will take action, when necessary, to protect people and support those who are most impacted by the cost of living.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his response. However, in the light of the Government’s conversion of price controls, can he confirm whether my constituents in South Scotland who work day in, day out to put food on our plates will be allowed to keep the full value of their produce, or will they have to settle for an arbitrary sum decided by the Government?
Alas, you are only a minister, Tom.
Jamie Langan raises a very important issue, which is the wellbeing, welfare and sustainability of those who provide the food that we put on our tables. I reassure him and other members of the Parliament that, in recognition of the significant interest that has been reflected in the number of written questions that I have received, I will engage thoroughly and comprehensively with all relevant stakeholders. My door is open, as it always is on such matters, to all members of the Parliament for deep, considered and thoughtful discussion on the policy.
Before the election, the First Minister had a fantastic visit to the farm that is operated by Cammy Wilson of “The Sheep Game”, who explained that eggs are an important strand of his farming business. Similar to the member who asked the previous question, I am looking for assurance that, as we tackle the cost of living and get affordable food in supermarkets, farmers such as Cammy will still receive a fair price for the produce that they produce and will not be squeezed by the supermarkets.
I thank Mr Brown for reiterating this important issue. I want to work constructively with all relevant stakeholders in recognising the nature of the policy and the importance of achieving effective implementation that realises the policy aim, which is to ensure that the weekly shop is affordable. I think that everyone in the chamber agrees on that aim. To that end, I would welcome the constructive engagement of members to ensure that, collectively, we achieve that policy outcome.
Does the minister share my view that the Government has a responsibility to ease the burden on households during a cost of living crisis, including through targeted interventions when a broken Brexit economy places essential goods out of the reach of Scottish households that are struggling under decades of Westminster austerity?
Paul McLennan raises a number of important points. I recognise that immediate and acute pressures on the cost of living are emanating from the war in Ukraine and will ensue from the war in Iran, but those pressures are coming after a concatenation of crises, including Brexit, austerity, the financial crash back in 2008 and the legacy of the pandemic. Although the Parliament does not have the full range of powers to address and mitigate all the impacts that are affecting people and their standard of living, it is incumbent on us to intervene, when we can, in an effective and proportionate way that supports those whom we have been elected to serve.
Island Communities
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the resilience of island communities. (S7O-00006)
Our new national islands plan sets out a programme of targeted actions that are collectively aimed at advancing social, economic and cultural prosperity on our islands and strengthening their long-term resilience. Delivery of the plan is supported by a dedicated £6.25 million budget in 2026-27, in addition to continued island investments across all Government portfolios.
That funding will continue to support projects such as the development of Kirkwall nursery, which received £1.6 million of funding in 2022-23. Our resolve to help island communities to thrive will be further supported by our commitment to establish a £10 million islands resilience fund within the Government’s first 100 days.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that response, and I welcome her to her post. I look forward to working with her. In the past year alone, communities across Orkney and Shetland have suffered multiple subsea cable failures, including a month-long broadband outage affecting Orkney’s northern isles in the spring. On each occasion, households, businesses and essential services have been hit hard. Does the cabinet secretary accept that those repeated failures demonstrate that network resilience remains inadequate in the northern isles? What specific steps will the Government take to strengthen critical digital infrastructure, and will the cabinet secretary agree to meet me to discuss options as to how those measures might be taken forward?
I want to meet Mr McArthur to discuss not just this specific issue—in the previous session he fiercely represented his constituents on the particular issue of cable outages—but every single area of my portfolio that affects Orkney.
We have project gigabit procurement to further extend gigabit-capable broadband coverage to more than 13,000 eligible premises across Orkney and Shetland. I note that Mr McArthur had been trying to get the provider to do more, and I will certainly do what I can to augment his attempts to get better and quicker resolutions to some of the issues that he has found, if he wishes me to do so.
East Kilbride Shopping Centre
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported extension of the administration process of East Kilbride shopping centre, whether it will provide an update on its discussions with local stakeholders. (S7O-00007)
East Kilbride shopping centre is an important economic asset that serves its local community through its wide range of shops, restaurants, offices, hotels and leisure facilities. My officials have spoken with the administrators, Interpath Advisory, which is working closely with key stakeholders, including South Lanarkshire Council, to realise the site’s master plan and to secure the best outcome for East Kilbride. I will remain updated on the situation as it progresses.
The impacts of the news on the East Kilbride master plan and indeed on the local economy of the town are worrying for many of my constituents. Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government is working to support the retail economy, particularly in towns such as East Kilbride where there is a shopping centre rather than a high street, and also to support culture and an affordable housing supply, given the links with those areas in development plans?
I recognise Collette Stevenson’s long-standing advocacy on behalf of her constituents regarding this issue. I assure her that the Scottish Government is committed to supporting the retail industry, and it will continue to engage directly with the sector to monitor the evolving impacts of the ongoing cost crisis. We will continue to work with the strategic housing leads in South Lanarkshire Council to deliver on their priorities.
We recognise that culture is important to Scotland’s prosperity and national identity, and we are offering a package of support to expand the reach and impact of cultural activities in communities. That includes funding the Camglen Buddies Leisure and Social Club in South Lanarkshire, which gives adults with additional support needs the opportunity to produce their own films.
Capital Projects (Delays)
To ask the Scottish Government whether its commitment to reform public services includes removing reported blockages and inefficiencies in delayed capital projects, such as the A9 and A96 dualling, to expedite their completion. (S7O-00008)
The Scottish Government is committed to public service reform to ensure the delivery of excellent public services in a fiscally sustainable manner. The infrastructure delivery pipeline sets out investment plans for the next four years, and our work on public service reform will inform future updates.
We have met all key targets since the A9 2023 delivery plan was published. Changes at this stage would increase disruption and reduce cost certainty, and they would introduce a greater risk of delay than under the published delivery plan.
We also remain committed to dualling the A96, and we are already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer and I welcome him to his new post. I take the opportunity to pay tribute to my constituent, the former MSP Fergus Ewing, for his steadfast work in holding the Government to account on this issue.
The A96 dualling from Inverness to Aberdeen was supposed to be completed by 2030. In February this year, the then transport secretary admitted that construction of the Nairn bypass would begin in 2030. With new housing developments and growing traffic, local residents frequently report that it takes as long as an hour to drive the 2 miles on the A96 through Nairn. Is it fair that local people should have to endure a worsening problem that should have been fixed by now?
I am familiar with the A96, given my local geography. I have to admire the brass neck of Max Bannerman in coming to the chamber to lambast the Government on the delivery of the A9 and the A96 when the Reform UK manifesto has not one mention—not a single mention—of either of those projects. Perhaps that is why he came third in his constituency contest and won less than half the votes of the Scottish National Party.
We are committed to both those projects. Max Bannerman can sit this one out; we will get on and deliver.
It is wholly disingenuous to talk about delays to capital projects without talking about the financial pressures that have been placed on the Scottish Government by fiscal and economic mismanagement at Westminster. On behalf of the new SNP Government, what is the cabinet secretary’s message for my Moray constituents, who are eagerly awaiting the dualling of the A9 and the A96? What benefits will those projects deliver for my region?
My message is simple and unequivocal—we will deliver on our manifesto commitments in relation to the A9 and we will dual the A96. Work has already begun and we will conclude it.
I welcome the cabinet secretary to his new role and wish him well. He will be aware that my Liberal Democrat colleague Andrew Baxter has called for a dedicated A9 scrutiny committee in this session of Parliament. Although the matter is for the Parliament, will the cabinet secretary welcome that? What further steps will he take to ensure that the project has the level of transparency that communities in the Highlands deserve?
I am more than happy to meet the member to discuss both those matters. On scrutiny, there is evidence of scrutiny in action right now on the Government’s commitment to delivering the A9. We will continue to be scrutinised in the chamber to ensure that David Green’s constituents and people across the Highlands know that they have a Government that will deliver on its commitments to them.
Wildfire Risks
To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to address wildfire risks and to ensure appropriate resource is given to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, in light of last week’s fire on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. (S7O-00009)
I congratulate Katherine Sangster on her election. Her eagerness to get under way has been evident in this general question time.
I put on record my thanks to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for its work to deal with the Arthur’s Seat grass fire so timeously. The Scottish Government’s strategic action plan on wildfires sets out a co-ordinated approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires. It includes actions to raise public awareness of wildfire risk, promote responsible outdoor behaviour and enhance danger assessments. We have seen the widespread damage that wildfires can cause so, to prevent fires from starting, it is crucial that everyone plays their part in acting responsibly, heeding wildfire warnings and following advice when in the countryside.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be meeting this month to decide on station closures that will have impacts across the Edinburgh and Lothians East region. The proposed changes are expected to push average local response times from the current four to six minutes to six to eight minutes. Given the present risk of wildfires, can the public be sure that they are being made safe by such decisions?
Yes. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received an additional £23.8 million in the latest budget, which takes total funding to £456 million. That underlines the Government’s commitment to keeping Scotland safe.
The operational decisions on the deployment of those resources are for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to take. We will work with it to ensure that decisions on infrastructure across Scotland are taken in a proportionate way that ensures that the continued safety of residents is paramount.
We also need to be cognisant of the fact that, with increased wildfires and reduced levels of house fires, the service is responding to the changing dynamic in the right locations and with the necessary resources. That is exactly what I expect the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to do.
That concludes general question time. I apologise to all the members who were unable to ask questions. I have to say that ministers were quite languid in some of their answers in the first half of the question session, so not everyone could be taken.
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