SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Areas of Multiple Deprivation
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on how it is tackling areas of multiple deprivation. (S2O-7954)
Through the Cabinet delivery group on closing the opportunity gap, which I chair, I am working with my ministerial colleagues across all portfolios to ensure that effective and targeted action is taken to deliver better opportunities and outcomes for Scotland's most deprived neighbourhoods.
The city of Glasgow is ranked number one on the index of multiple deprivation and recent research shows that poverty on such a large scale leads to a poverty of place. Given that the community regeneration fund is allocated by using the index of multiple deprivation and that current levels of funding can have only a limited effect, what plans are there to improve or redistribute funding according to the poverty indicators? Further, can the minister assure me that the Executive is on target in tackling poverty and that it recognises the poverty of place aspect?
I certainly fully recognise the challenges presented in Glasgow. We know that there has, in fact, been great progress there. There has been, I think, a 15 per cent increase in employment there over 10 years, which is much higher than in the rest of Scotland. However, we also know that a large number of people in Glasgow do not benefit from that employment rise. Therefore, I am pleased that employment opportunities are at the heart of the new regeneration outcome agreement, which I will launch in Glasgow on Monday.
Will the minister advise us of what significant improvements have been achieved in areas of multiple deprivation beyond Glasgow as a result of the current funding formulas, which recognise needs that are related to deprivation? Has he any plans to produce targets for additional funding beyond Glasgow?
Many parts of Scotland benefit not just from the community regeneration fund but from targeted expenditure. It is always interesting to hear from the Scottish National Party —the deputy leader has just walked into the chamber, and I am sure that she would have been interested to hear—comments such as the member's comment, which implied that we should move resources from Glasgow to Aberdeen. We all recognise the particular challenges of Glasgow, but Aberdeen and many other places also benefit from the community regeneration fund and many other funding streams. If Brian Adam is suggesting changes in the formula for that or for whatever other expenditure—I know that he used to make the same argument in relation to health—he must say which areas of Scotland he wants to see lose because of such changes.
Kerr Report (Chronic Conditions)
To ask the Scottish Executive how the implementation of the Kerr report will improve the lives of people with chronic conditions. (S2O-7951)
In the "Delivering for Health" report that was published last week, we undertook to promote more systematic, continuous and local care of people with long-term conditions. We expect that to result in fewer unplanned admissions to hospital, more appropriate and accessible local care services and greater support to enable patients, with their families and carers, to take a more active role in managing their conditions.
I draw the minister's attention to the potential benefits to people with skin conditions of Professor Kerr's approach. The minister will be aware that much work has been done through the Parliament, through the efforts of my colleague Helen Eadie MSP, the Skin Care Campaign Scotland and the charity PSALV—Psoriasis Scotland Arthritis Link Volunteers—whose reception he was kind enough to attend last week, and through the recent members' business debate, to which his predecessor, Rhona Brankin, responded positively.
Representatives of the British Association of Dermatologists and the Skin Care Campaign Scotland wrote to my colleague Andy Kerr recently to make those suggestions, which we will consider and respond to in the usual way.
At what stage is the review of prescription charges for people with chronic conditions?
We are conducting the review of prescription charges. As a member of the Health Committee, Mrs Milne will be aware that it is looking into the matter. I expect to report to the committee on 29 November, when I will bring her up to date on the position.
National Health Service (Winter Pressures)
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it is issuing to NHS boards to cope with winter pressures. (S2O-7960)
Winter always brings additional pressures. In response, the national health service ensures that it has plans in place to cope with the challenges that it will encounter. NHS boards are putting in place additional capacity through extra staff, more beds, increased critical care ability and additional nursing home places while maintaining the required continued, co-ordinated action on delayed discharge.
Does the minister agree that elderly people who suffer from flu and flu-like illnesses tend to recover more quickly at home? Does he acknowledge that although that may release beds in the acute sector, it can place additional pressures on community services? Will he give an assurance that a joined-up approach to that aspect of winter pressures will be taken to ensure that our elderly citizens have the best possible care wherever they suffer from flu or a flu-like illness?
I absolutely support the member's view. We have invested £18 million this year in our campaign for the flu vaccination programmes. I urge everybody who is considered to be in an at-risk group or who is in the elderly community to ensure that they are vaccinated.
Child Abuse
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the recently published Social Work Inspection Agency report into child abuse in Stornoway. (S2O-7956)
The report was published on 7 October, and many of the recommendations were already in hand. Where that was not the case, officials are now working to take forward recommendations.
Has the minister established why, following the Orkney inquiry in 1991, one of Lord Clyde's recommendations, to create a multi-agency national resource for those who work with complex child protection cases, was not implemented? Lord Clyde simply wanted an agency that any local authority in Scotland could call on to help to cope with the pressures of distressing and complex abuse cases. Does the minister agree that it is regrettable that Lord Clyde's key recommendation was not implemented 13 years ago? Will he assure me that measures will be taken to put in place what Lord Clyde sought and what the Social Work Inspection Agency recommended a month ago following its inquiry into the Western Isles child abuse case?
Alasdair Morrison raises an important issue. In the light of the Western Isles case, it has obviously been further recognised—bearing in mind what Lord Clyde said—that such a resource is required. I have looked into the circumstances following Lord Clyde's recommendation and it is not entirely clear from the records why progress was not made, although there were major practical considerations at the time and disagreements between agencies about what was appropriate.
The issue is serious, the recommendations are stark and there is frustration—which has been acknowledged—that previous recommendations are being implemented slowly. Will the minister give an assurance that implementation of the recommendations will address people's concern that, although there must be care, protection and support for children, the ability to pursue prosecutions in future must not be affected?
As I have said, the Western Isles case—which is horrifying—is another chapter in the continuing and unfolding story of child abuse in Scotland. We learn more on every occasion and are absolutely committed to ensuring that we learn the lessons from all cases and apply them in the health service, local authority social work and education services, the police service, the voluntary sector and wherever we must make an impact. A major child protection reform programme is under way and we are making radical changes to the existing procedures. We will continue to learn and to apply what we have learned to ensure that we push to the margins the possibility of child abuse and, when abuse occurs, are able to pursue the perpetrators of such abuse as successfully as possible.
Luce Bay
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the designation of Luce bay as a Natura 2000 site, it will consider whether further restrictions on activities such as scallop dredging are necessary. (S2O-7893)
The Scottish Executive is currently taking advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on whether any further management measures are required for the Luce bay special area of conservation.
I understand that there might be quite a long timescale for Scottish Natural Heritage making its assessment. As the time that SNH takes proceeds, there is a danger that not only the sea bed, but fish stocks will be depleted, in particular fish stocks on which the booming sea-angling tourism industry depends. Indeed, there are already indications that that industry is suffering. It will certainly be too late to act if restrictions are imposed after fish stocks have been eliminated, perhaps for several decades. Will the minister reconsider the issue without waiting for the SNH report?
I fully understand the concerns that Alasdair Morgan has outlined, but there is a difficulty. It is clear that Scottish Natural Heritage has recognised the potential dangers, in particular from scallop dredging, that might give rise to difficulties in the Luce bay area, but it is always safer to advance on a positive evidential base. SNH recognises the dangers, but it is not absolutely clear about what precise measures would be the most effective. I would certainly be happy to have discussions with SNH on whether the process can be accelerated, but I hope that the member agrees that it would be better to have the benefit of the assessment before decisions are taken to implement any specific measures.
The minister will recall the extensive correspondence between his department and me in 2003 on the need for measures to protect the local livelihoods that are provided by the sustainable fisheries in Luce bay. Is he aware that evidence from two incoming vessels in the past few weeks strongly suggests that the so-called "super-crabber" raids in 2003 damaged the stocks to such a degree that a viable stock of scallops in the bay no longer exists? Will he concede that the measures that his department put in place in 2003 simply have not worked and should be strengthened and extended as a matter of urgency?
I am not able to confirm the precise nature of the damage, but the existence of those vessels in Luce bay gives me, as well as the member, great concern about the damage that they might be doing there. As I indicated in my answer to Alasdair Morgan, I am happy to have further discussions with Scottish Natural Heritage to see whether the combination of the information—
Minister, please address the microphone.
My apologies to you again, Presiding Officer. I am happy to discuss with SNH the issues that Alasdair Morgan has raised and the information that Alex Fergusson has brought, to see whether the process can be accelerated.
Crude Oil (Ship-to-ship Transfers)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the announcement that the United Kingdom Government is minded to approve ship-to-ship transfers of heavy crude oil in the Firth of Forth. (S2O-7966)
The UK Government has made no such announcement.
I thank the minister for that brief answer. I ask her to focus on the recent European Union ruling on the habitats directive. On the basis of that ruling, I have three questions for her. First, will she speak to Alistair Darling and impress upon him the point that if the Maritime and Coastguard Agency approves the current oil contingency plan, there is a risk that the Executive could be breaking the law again? Secondly, will she assess that risk by asking SNH to provide an assessment of the potential impact on our protected habitats of ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Forth? Thirdly, will she agree to meet me, local authorities around the Firth of Forth that are concerned about the matter and other concerned MSPs, such as Christine May and Bruce Crawford, who have raised the issue in the chamber before?
I am aware of the ruling of the European Court of Justice of 20 October on the UK's transposition of the habitats directive. The Scottish Executive is considering the implications of the ECJ ruling and my officials are today meeting officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss how to implement the ruling. The Scottish Executive is also fully committed to implementing the habitats directive, and SNH is advising on appropriate assessment of the proposal for ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth. Further discussions will take place with the UK Government, if appropriate, in respect of our devolved responsibility for environmental protection. I advise the member that I have already agreed to meet Christine May and that I am happy to meet any other members who have an interest in the issue.
The minister is aware of the fact that the anchorages that are proposed for the project lie off Methil, in my constituency. However, the implications for all members with Firth of Forth constituencies are considerable. We now have the welcome ruling from the European Court of Justice on the application of the habitats directive, which I understand may mean the reopening of some of the consultation processes. Will she assure me that, if it does so, the consultation process on environmental matters will be open and will include consideration of alternative sites? I welcome her agreement to meet me, which has answered my final question.
I will take advice, having had a discussion with officials following the meeting with DEFRA. I will also continue to take advice from SNH about the implications of the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice on the habitats directive.
I am pleased that the minister has offered a meeting; I was going to ask her about that. Now that we have the welcome judgment from the ECJ, and in the light of the grave concerns that are being expressed by my constituents and constituents around the Firth of Forth, will she hold urgent discussions with the UK Government to consider reviewing the current legislation, which is obviously inadequate to protect our local communities?
I reassure all members who have an interest in the proposal, and other members, that I am well aware of the recent judgment of the European Court of Justice and the concerns that SNH has stated in the past about the habitats directive.
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