Official Report 173KB pdf
Back-bench Members
14:30
We will try to speed up in this question session. That is important because I have been told that we have more questions for the First Minister than ever before in the history of this Parliament, which means that not everyone’s question will be taken. Members who wish to ask a question should press their request-to-speak buttons.
STV News (North-East Scotland)
Yesterday, the television regulator Ofcom announced that it had approved controversial plans to end STV’s dedicated news coverage for the north of Scotland. Those plans are deeply unpopular and mean that my constituents will lose a news institution that they have trusted for decades.
Broadcasting matters are reserved to Westminster, but the Labour media minister, Ian Murray, has assured me that he will not intervene on the issue. What will the First Minister do to hold Ofcom to account in relation to both its conduct throughout the process and its obligation to protect local news? What steps will his Government take to help retain the jobs and wider economic activity linked to broadcasting in the north-east of Scotland?
I entirely agree with the concerns expressed by Mr Middleton on behalf of his constituents. Before the election, I expressed to Parliament the deep unease that I felt about the diminution of STV North news production capability and broadcast, because of the importance of broadcasting reflecting interests across the whole of Scotland.
I have written to Ofcom and STV to once again urge them to ensure that they are meeting their obligations to audiences and to dedicated journalists and to reiterate my whole-hearted opposition to the decision that Ofcom has made, which I think is ignorant of the needs and circumstances of the north and north-east of Scotland.
I know that Mr Middleton will meet tomorrow with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic and the Minister for Business and Fair Work to establish further actions that can be taken and I assure him that the Government will do all that we can to support him in the efforts that he is taking forward on behalf of his constituents and those of many other members in the north and north-east of Scotland.
Apprenticeships
The First Minister will be aware of Alan Milburn’s interim report on young people who are not in education, employment or training. Although the report shows that Scotland is performing marginally better than the United Kingdom as a whole, the trend is in the same direction. Crucially, the proportion of young Scots who are not in education, employment or training and are economically inactive has increased from 42 per cent in 2016 to 60 per cent in 2026, with more and more young Scots not looking for work at all. That highlights a growing structural gap between young people’s skills and talents and their routes to employment.
Despite that, the number of the Scottish Government’s apprenticeship starts has declined every year since 2021 and is down on the number 10 years ago. Does the First Minister agree with the broad analysis in Alan Milburn’s report and what will he do to arrest and reverse the downward trend in modern apprenticeship starts?
Although Alan Milburn’s report focused on services in England, I recognise that there are lessons to be drawn from its conclusions. Ensuring the maximum participation of young people in the labour market is, obviously, a priority for the Scottish Government.
One important measure that the Government uses to assess our performance in that respect is positive destinations after leaving school. In 2024-25, 95.7 per cent of school leavers were in a positive destination three months after leaving school. That is an encouraging indicator of the pathways in place for young people. However, we must focus on supporting schools and young people to take forward positive pathways. The Government has a commitment to delivering 150,000 modern apprenticeships during this session of Parliament and we will pursue that approach.
I note Mr Johnson’s long-standing interest in this issue and if there are areas of common ground where we can work with him, we will be very happy to do so. I want to see the maximum level of economic participation across a range of sectors in which we face challenges in the availability of employees to contribute to our economy, and young people have a vital contribution to make to that.
Private Tenants (Protections)
Given that no rent control areas are likely to be designated until the summer of 2027 at the earliest, that rents have increased above inflation in Edinburgh and Lothians East and that the increasing cost of living and high interest rates will further squeeze renters, who are already struggling, what interim protections will the Scottish Government put in place for private tenants, including those on mid-market rents, who are facing unaffordable rent increases while the rent conditions assessment and designation process under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 is completed?
That is an important issue. In the legislation that we passed in Parliament before the election, we put in place the rent control arrangements, which are an important part of the safeguards that Q Manivannan is searching for on behalf of constituents. I believe that that framework is appropriate.
The Government will continue to assess the assistance that can be made available through the other housing support that we provide. In the election campaign, I advanced the argument that renters who are in a situation in which the property that they occupy is being put on the market should have the right and first opportunity to purchase it at a sustainable market rate.
The Government has put in place the legislative arrangements to ensure that the objectives that are being sought can be fulfilled. As part of the Government’s wider programme, we will take measures to support individuals who are facing cost of living challenges, in recognition of the significance of those to individuals today.
Air Services (Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles)
Loganair has announced plans to cut services between Inverness and Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. It cites a lack of support from Government-owned Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd as a reason for the cuts, which could get even worse if further reassurances are not provided in the coming days. The routes are lifelines for all three communities, and cuts will affect all those who rely on those services, including many hospital patients, which could potentially push up costs for national health service boards.
Will the First Minister instruct HIAL to reach an agreement with Loganair that protects lifeline air services to and from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles as a matter of urgency?
I want Highland and Islands Airports Ltd and Loganair to work collaboratively to ensure that the services can be sustained. I recognise their importance, particularly given issues in connection with access to healthcare services. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport will ensure that appropriate dialogue takes place between Loganair and HIAL to ensure that everything that can be done to safeguard those services is, in fact, put in place.
Motor Neurone Disease
My constituent Mark Sommerville was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2023. It is a rapidly progressive and cruel illness, which means that Mark and so many others simply do not have time to wait for slow-moving systems and delayed decisions. Our manifesto made welcome commitments on MND, but progress on specialist care and support for clinical research demand that there is meaningful focus as soon as possible.
Will the First Minister outline what he will do to ensure that progress is made? Will he meet the Mark Sommerville Foundation and hear directly about the challenges that are being faced and the promising work that the foundation is already undertaking to support those who are living with motor neurone disease?
I would be very happy to meet the Mark Sommerville Foundation, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care will also take a keen interest in the issue. I very much welcome the points that Steven Bonnar has made. It is vital that, where individuals have a diagnosis as challenging and devastating as that of motor neurone disease, we have in place the support services and the assistance to aid them and their families as quickly as possible.
The Government is trying to ensure that, through the funding that we have put in place through the NHS Research Scotland neuroprogressive and dementia network, we will be able to provide enhanced levels of support. Some of the learning from the Mark Sommerville Foundation will be helpful to us in advancing that, and I look forward to having those discussions with Mr Bonnar.
Transport Strategy (Cycling)
Following thousands of cyclists pedalling on the Parliament on Saturday to ask for safer streets, what assurances can the First Minister give that getting infrastructure right, preventing deaths on our roads and making sure that everyone feels that cycling is accessible to them will be at the heart of the Government’s transport strategy?
The national transport strategy prioritises active travel through the sustainable travel hierarchy, placing walking, wheeling and cycling at the top.
This year, the Government is continuing to invest in active travel infrastructure through the Scottish budget, which was passed by the Parliament, including £226 million for sustainable and active travel. The majority of that will deliver high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure in communities, with inclusive design principles embedded, to improve safety and accessibility for more people who want to make more of their journeys by active travel modes.
We are also supporting local authorities, through the £14.5 million road safety improvement fund, to enhance safety and reduce the number of injuries on our road network.
I hope that those measures give Kate Campbell and her constituents the assurance that the Government prioritises active and safe travel routes and the encouragement of cycling, walking and wheeling as part of the active travel hierarchy.
Islands Business Resilience Fund (Ferry Disruption)
Today, once again, Uist is receiving a significantly reduced ferry service, given that the MV Hebrides is out of action and the MV Lord of the Isles is experiencing ongoing technical problems. Last week, the First Minister told us that the amplification of such issues is damaging to island communities. What is in fact damaging to them is his Government’s failure to deliver an adequate ferry service.
A recent survey that was carried out by Visit Outer Hebrides revealed that 96 per cent of the businesses that responded had encountered problems as a result of ferry disruption this year. Those businesses are struggling and need support now. When will the islands business resilience fund open, and will the First Minister consider widening access to all affected island businesses?
I recognise the importance of those issues and, as Donald MacKinnon will know, am pretty well versed in the issues and challenges around the ferry network.
When I answered the question last week, the indicators on the ferry service were very strong. Indeed, when I checked the CalMac Ferries service updates shortly before I came in for question time, I saw that most routes are operating normally today, with the exception of the Uig triangle, which is not operating normally because of the mechanical problems with the MV Hebrides. The MV Lord of the Isles is operating a service to Uig just now—or, certainly, it was doing so yesterday.
There will be challenges on the ferry network, but we are in a more robust and stronger position than we were. The MV Isle of Lewis has returned to the Barra service, which is a welcome development.
I confirmed to the Parliament last week that the islands fund would happen. The Government will take forward the eligibility criteria. We have delivered funds of that nature in the past, so we know exactly how it has to be constructed. We have to make an assessment of where the patterns of disruption have taken their course. That is the approach that we applied in previous cases. I accept that there is an aspiration for there to be compensation in all circumstances but, as part of the assessment, there has to be a recognition of the scale of disruption. That is what the Government will engage on. We will shortly announce the details of how the fund will be taken forward and distributed.
Domestic Heating Oil (Market Operation)
Like me, the First Minister represents a large area of rural Scotland in which people are dependent on domestic heating oil because they are off-grid. There have been some spectacular rises in the cost of that oil, and I am sure that many of our constituents are deeply worried about that. I have written to the Competition and Markets Authority because I am concerned about the operation of the market in heating oil. Does the First Minister share my concerns as we look towards a cold winter?
I share the concerns that Alyn Smith has set out. Like him, I have many constituents who are reliant on domestic heating oil, and some of the increases have been significant. The Government has established the Scottish emergency heating oil scheme, enabling households to apply for £300 towards their bills.
I am glad to hear that the member has written to the Competition and Markets Authority, because it is currently undertaking a market study into the retail supply of heating oil for domestic use in the United Kingdom, and the Government’s officials are engaged in that work.
The issue is one on which we require, and have been encouraging, greater intervention from the UK Government.
Business Rates (Fresh Start Initiative)
North-east businesses are struggling due to the Government’s punishing business rates regime. Under the fresh start initiative, businesses that move into premises that have been vacant for six months receive rates relief for a year. The Press and Journal, The Courier and The Sunday Post are campaigning for that six-month eligibility period to be scrapped, so that the relief is applied to any business that moves into a vacant unit. The First Minister has expressed support for that campaign. Will he confirm what that support looks like in practice and, thus, when that vital change will take place?
I recognise the challenges on business rates that are coming and that businesses are facing. I have engaged with the excellent initiative by The Press and Journal, The Courier and The Sunday Post, which is raising awareness of business rates issues and seeking an approach that incentivises growth, encourages development and enables businesses to invest for the future and deliver greater economic success. Their approach chimes directly with the approach of my Government and what we want to achieve.
I gave a commitment to those newspapers—as I did to Sir Tom Hunter when I met him to discuss issues on economic development a couple of weeks ago—that I would consider carefully what improvements the Government can make, as quickly as possible, to ensure that businesses are given the support that they need to continue investing, without issues to do with business rates impeding their success and growth in the economy.
Lower Melville Wood Fire
The First Minister will be aware of the huge fire at Lower Melville Wood in my constituency, which burned for two weeks. The conditions were intolerable for local people, especially those with lung conditions. Today, I have written to the Government asking for an independent investigation, because it involves multiple agencies, into what caused the fire, the handling of the fire and the future of the site. Does the First Minister agree that there should be a Government-commissioned independent investigation?
I am very sympathetic to Mr Rennie’s point, because I want to ensure that his constituents are satisfied by the examination of the issues. I recognise the level of inconvenience and distress that was caused to the public as a consequence of the fire, but I will have to consider in more detail whether that requires an independent investigation. However, I assure Mr Rennie that we need to have a much better understanding of the circumstances and causes of incidents of this type.
I also consider that some of the investigations into such matters take far too long. That concerns me, because we must learn the lessons and change practice—should that be necessary—at a much swifter pace than we have done up until now.
I will take away those issues, and the justice secretary will consider the issues on my behalf and provide me with recommendations on how we can properly address Mr Rennie’s concerns and those of his constituents.
Peter Mandelson
The latest release of the Peter Mandelson files has exposed several senior Scottish Labour politicians for maintaining a disturbing and often sycophantic relationship with Peter Mandelson—a man who, it was known, had a close relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and who remains a member of the House of Lords.
What assessment has the First Minister made of those alarming relationships that have been exposed, and what discussion has the Scottish Government had with the United Kingdom Labour Government on the latest release of the deeply chilling Peter Mandelson files?
We have not had dialogue with the UK Government on that question. However, before the election, I authorised the permanent secretary to examine all issues relating to engagement between the Scottish Government and Peter Mandelson, in order to satisfy ourselves that there had been no circumstances in which information material to the public interest in Scotland had been in any way jeopardised by those contacts. I was satisfied with the permanent secretary’s assessment in that regard.
However, I assure Mr Kerr that, notwithstanding those issues, the Scottish Government will always work to promote Scotland’s interests in the international community, with the objective of promoting our cultural interests and securing investment.
Local Authority Funding
Yesterday, parking meters came into force in North Berwick, which is in my region, and local people are worried about what that will mean for the high street, the local community and their livelihoods.
The high street literally went from a bustling hub on Sunday to quite an empty and desolate place on a Monday. It seems that the state runs out of money and then heads straight for the pockets of hard-working people.
Does the First Minister accept that the current funding framework is driving councils to make difficult choices in order to make up shortfalls, and that reform of funding should occur sooner rather than later?
I understand the importance of Angela Ross’s point. I visited North Berwick with Mr McLennan during the election campaign; it was very busy on that occasion. From my knowledge of the town, I can see that is a bustling and vibrant community. The concerns that the member raises were spelt out to me directly by a number of local businesses on that occasion, so I recognise the seriousness of those points.
The decision on parking meters was taken by East Lothian Council and it is up to the council to explain to its constituents exactly why it took that decision. When it comes to funding arrangements, we as a Parliament have to ensure that we provide adequate levels of funding on a sustainable basis to a variety of different public organisations, and the needs of local authorities will be central to that judgment. If Parliament wishes to spend more money on local authority services, we have to be prepared to take the decisions that enable that to be the case.
The Government has given an increased local authority settlement to local government and that gets translated into funding for individual local authorities. We will engage with Parliament about the composition of the budget bill as the budget process takes its course through Parliament later this year.
Data Centre (Auchtertool)
The First Minister may be aware of a live planning application for a new data centre just outside of Auchtertool. On the back of last week’s energy debate, can the First Minister assure my constituents in Auchtertool that the Scottish Government will take our community council’s concerns seriously and ensure that decisions on planning applications for data centres across Scotland are not imposed on the community or rushed through without serious consideration of water and energy demands?
Obviously, this is a live planning application, so I cannot comment specifically on the details involved. However, I assure Julie MacDougall that the planning process must take into account the representations that are made by local communities. There will be statutory considerations to take into account as well. Depending on the course of that planning application, there may well be a determination that the Government has to make. I assure Julie MacDougall that, should the Government be in that position, the views, concerns and issues raised by communities and statutory objectors will be considered in detail by ministers in coming to any determination that the Government has to make.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board is due to make a decision at the end of June which could have far-reaching implications for Scotland’s communities, as there are options for closure of some fire stations. The Glasgow Union Street fire, which we have discussed before, is a stark reminder of why the city of Glasgow needs a well-resourced fire service to save lives and protect businesses, with a need for appropriate high-reach appliances.
Will the First Minister support my view that, given the concern that all of us will have about this issue in relation to our constituencies and regions, there should be parliamentary oversight of the decision? Will the Scottish Government be prepared to look at that and, if necessary, reconsider the funding of the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure that Scotland’s communities remain safe?
The issues that are connected with the review that has been undertaken by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service relate to an assessment of fire risk as it applies in Scotland at present. We know that, over the course of the past 40 years or so, fire risk in Scotland has changed quite significantly. Thankfully, there has been a welcome decline in domestic fires because of the increase in protective activity that has taken place, in relation to sprinkler systems and so on. We have also seen a change in the deployment of the Fire and Rescue Service because of the implications of climate change.
Earlier, Katherine Sangster asked about the fire on Arthur’s Seat, which is a local example of the changing nature of the fire risk that we are having to deal with. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has to make an assessment based on that risk and the resources that the Government is making available. There are statutory obligations on the Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the exercise of its powers, but Parliament can consider issues that arise from the decisions that are taken by the service.
I commit the Government to engaging constructively with members of Parliament on the issue, because I recognise the concerns that will exist in all parts of the chamber about ensuring that the Fire and Rescue Service comes to the right conclusions in the important exercise that is under way.
Dundee and Angus College (Support)
Both my party and the First Minister’s party are committed to vital support for ambitious capital works at Dundee and Angus College. The college leadership has waited for years for the Government to agree to a solution, and I can now confirm that the deadline to address reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete problems at the Kingsway campus in Dundee has been missed. What can the First Minister say about when we will finally get a decision from the Government?
As Mr Marra will know, the issues at stake are about long-term financial commitments to support an ambitious development by Dundee and Angus College. For absolute transparency, I place on the record the fact that I represent a constituency adjacent to Dundee and Angus, so there may be implications for my constituents.
The questions that are being wrestled with concern how long-term financial assurance can be given to Dundee and Angus College to enable it to enter into commitments to undertake what I recognise to be a significant regeneration opportunity in Dundee city centre. I assure Mr Marra that those issues have been given active consideration in Government. They are not straightforward, because of the nature of the commitments that are sought, but equally the challenges in the college infrastructure are not straightforward, nor is the situation sustainable, because of the issues that Mr Marra cites. I give him an assurance that ministers are actively taking forward those issues.
Aviation Fuel (Sanctions)
Unite the union has rightly called out the Labour Westminster Government for easing sanctions on aviation fuel that is produced from Russian oil while allowing Scotland’s refinery at Grangemouth to close. Let us be clear: Keir Starmer will reward Putin by bringing in jet fuel that is made from Russian oil. Can the First Minister today reaffirm his Government’s solidarity with Ukraine, and will he join me in condemning this betrayal of the Ukrainian people and Scotland’s energy workers?
My Government’s support for the people of Ukraine is absolute, and it has been a central part of the Parliament’s position to support the people of Ukraine in the terror that they face from the Putin regime.
The issue is that one of our biggest vulnerabilities is the production of jet fuel, which is why I find it inexplicable that the United Kingdom Government, which assured everybody that it would protect the refinery at Grangemouth, has allowed that refinery to close.
I reaffirm my strong support for the people of Ukraine and for the sustainability of our energy industries to ensure that our country’s energy needs can be met through the activities that we undertake in Scotland.
Food Price Cap
Report after report shows that food prices are continuing to rise and that Government needs to act now.
We know that the Labour United Kingdom Government has been caught out begging supermarkets to lower prices rather than taking action, as the Scottish Government is doing, to ensure that there is a food price cap. Given what we know now, does the First Minister expect that Westminster will try to block our food price cap plan?
The Government is committed to bringing forward legislation to ensure that individuals are able to afford a range of items in our supermarkets at an affordable price. That is my Government’s commitment. We are developing the legislation and we will engage with Parliament on it to ensure that we take practical and tangible action to support members of the public who are experiencing such significant pressures as a consequence of the cost of living issues with which they are wrestling.
Energy Strategy
Over the weekend, the Scottish National Party’s new Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy said that the Scottish Government’s energy strategy may not be ready until the end of the year. That is a shocking dereliction of duty by the SNP Government. Oil and gas workers are losing their jobs now, and Aberdeen is suffering as a result of damaging anti-oil and net zero policies from Ed Miliband, yet the SNP still has a presumption against oil and gas developments in the north-east.
What on earth will it take for the SNP Government to wake up to the crisis in our oil and gas industry and support drilling now?
As I have explained to Parliament on a number of occasions—I explained it to Malcolm Offord at First Minister’s question time last week—the Scottish Government’s position is founded in the existing law of the United Kingdom, which is that if we are to take forward new developments, a climate compatibility assessment has to be undertaken to ensure compatibility with net zero. That is the legal framework of the United Kingdom today and, as a Government that operates within the law, that is exactly the position that we take.
I have also said that, because of the very volatile situation that we are experiencing in the middle east, issues of energy security need to be taken into account in the judgments that are formed. I have just answered a question from a member about the issue in relation to jet fuel and the damage that has been done because of the closure of Grangemouth. That extends our energy vulnerability.
Let me say to Rachael Hamilton that the Scottish Government has set out a very clear position in relation to oil and gas, which I have communicated on multiple occasions. [Interruption].
Mr Flynn, you are not in Westminster now.
I can tell.
At the heart of the question that Rachael Hamilton put to me was decision making by Ed Miliband. I just want to clarify that Ed Miliband is not a member of my Government; he is a member of the hostile United Kingdom Labour Government, which does not deliver for the people of Scotland. It is a good job that the people of Scotland have a Scottish Government to rely on.
That concludes First Minister’s question time. I apologise to the huge number of backbenchers who we could not call. There is always next week.
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