Official Report 383KB pdf
Back-bench Members
14:30
Direct Flight Route to India
I welcome the First Minister back from India and hope that his visit helps to deliver real progress towards fulfilling the enormous potential of that relationship. Does he agree that a direct flight between Scotland and India would help to realise that potential while connecting families and communities? Will he provide an update on progress towards securing that route, working with airports, airlines and Indian partners?
I welcome Mr Day’s questions, because the issue that he raises represents a significant economic opportunity for Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport chaired a direct India-Scotland air connectivity round-table session during the Commonwealth games, which brought together stakeholders, including the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom and representatives of Scotland’s airports, to advance some of the discussion. Officials have been discussing the issue with Air India and IndiGo, and I raised the matter in my discussions with the Government of India last week.
Social Security Scotland (Procurement)
Will the First Minister explain why an Indian company has been selected, at a cost of £35 million, to process social security payments over a Scotland or a United Kingdom-based company?
For the simple reason that the procurement has been undertaken in line with the statutory framework of the United Kingdom.
Regulation of Fireworks
Although the Scottish Parliament has introduced measures through the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, key aspects of firework regulation remain reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament. That means that Scotland’s Parliament, which Opposition members ludicrously assert is one of the most powerful legislatures on earth, cannot even legislate on the sale, importation or manufacture of fireworks. Does the First Minister agree that, to effectively control firework safety, all legislation relating to fireworks must be devolved?
The point that Patricia Gibson advances would help us to take comprehensive measures in that respect.
The Scottish Government has consistently called for stronger action to reduce the impact of fireworks on communities. In our recent response to the United Kingdom Government’s consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK, we supported measures to reduce the maximum noise levels of consumer fireworks, recognising the distress that loud fireworks can cause.
In advance of bonfire night, I would encourage—I urge—everyone to act responsibly and to support organised firework displays, which are an essential way of maintaining public safety. In all circumstances and at all times, our emergency services will be working to protect public safety.
Closure of North Edinburgh Childcare
What action will the Scottish Government take to secure the future of North Edinburgh Childcare following the announcement that it terminated its activities at the end of last month?
I am very sorry to hear about the announcement concerning North Edinburgh Childcare. I have visited that organisation and am full of admiration for the high-quality work that it has undertaken over many years in an area of multiple deprivation, where, without doubt, it has had a formidable impact on the life chances of children.
I will look closely at the circumstances surrounding the decision. I know that, on my previous visit to the organisation, a significant amount of support was available but that there were financial challenges. I will explore the issue and write to Mr Ahmed setting out what action the Government can take.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway (Funding)
Last week, the health board in my constituency sent an SOS message to Dumfries and Galloway Council to ask for a further £2.4 million to prevent the system from buckling. Recently, as patients stacked up in corridors, one in three operations in Dumfries and Galloway royal infirmary were cancelled. Rural councils and rural health boards face acute financial pressures as they approach this winter. What can the First Minister do now—that is now, First Minister—to prevent systems from collapsing and lives being put at risk in my Dumfriesshire constituency this winter?
The issues that Mr Hoy has raised are important and relate to the interaction of social care provision with delayed discharge in our hospitals. As I have previously reported to the Parliament, the health secretary has intervened directly to provide support and assistance to the local authority and to press it to make resources available to ensure that social care placements can address the challenges that the hospital faces.
The Government is regularly engaged on issues in connection with the sustainability of services and the challenges of delayed discharge. Indeed, it is a regular feature of my weekly meeting with the health service leadership. I say to Mr Hoy that the Government’s reform plans are designed to ensure that we have much more coherence around the delivery of social care to avoid the circumstances that he has narrated to the Parliament.
Additional Dwelling Supplement (Property Ownership Rules)
A constituent of mine is in the process of trying to buy their first home with their partner, who fled Ukraine in 2023 at the height of the war and who still owns a flat in Kyiv, despite there being no prospect of them returning to or making use of the property. My constituents are now being hit with a £9,000 additional dwelling supplement charge. Does the First Minister agree that that is surely not the intended purpose of the tax? Will he therefore ask his ministers and officials to look into the case to see what can be done to arrive at a more reasonable solution?
I share Mr McArthur’s view that that is not the purpose of the additional dwelling supplement in the land and buildings transaction tax system. I will ask Revenue Scotland to look at the specific details of the case.
As Mr McArthur will know, the purpose of the supplement is to address issues around multiple house purchase in Scotland, but I understand why the rules have created the situation that he has narrated. If Mr McArthur would be so kind as to advise the Deputy First Minister of the details of the case, we will pursue it with Revenue Scotland.
Violence Against Women and Girls (Government Measures)
Recent reporting has highlighted a further rise in domestic abuse incidents and the deaths of women in Scotland. Given that the Government has announced new measures, including a misogyny offence, can the First Minister set out what practical difference they will make for women who experience abuse, and what outcomes the Government expects to achieve in reducing violence and supporting victims within the next two years?
The measures that I have set out to the Parliament on violence against women and girls are fundamental to the Government’s agenda. As Amanda Lindsay correctly said, legislation will be introduced to the Parliament before the summer recess that will create new criminal offences. In the short term, we will look at how we can work with a range of support organisations to ensure that they have the financial sustainability that is needed to meet the needs of women who face the horror of domestic abuse.
We have also set out details of a range of other measures, such as changing the culture in Scotland, using our education system as part of that platform to ensure that boys and young men are educated about all the evils of domestic violence and that behaviours are changed accordingly. I assure Amanda Lindsay that those measures will be rolled out in the short, medium and long term to ensure that we do all that we can to tackle the scourge of violence against women and girls in our society.
Public Service Reform Targets
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a member of South Lanarkshire Council.
Today, the Finance and Public Administration Committee has warned that there are substantial risks to the Scottish budget if public service reform targets are not met. Local government leaders are warning the Scottish Government not to rush into costly reorganisation or to put structures before outcomes. In a joint statement with trade unions, they also warned that radical reform takes years of planning and resource, yet an estimated £5 billion fiscal gap hangs over the Parliament now.
How can the First Minister reassure Scotland’s public servants that his reform targets remain credible and that he will remain focused on outcomes and improvements, not structures, to avoid public service reform degenerating into another round of austerity for Scotland’s public services?
Part of what we are having to wrestle with is the consequences of the prolonged austerity that has been inflicted on Scotland. Those are the implications of the United Kingdom Government’s financial structures for Scotland; my Government is having to pick up the pieces of all that austerity.
I assure Mr Fagan that I am always focused on outcomes. That is why long waits in our hospitals are coming down, it is why attainment is rising in our schools, and it is why Scotland is building more houses per head of population than other parts of the United Kingdom. I am always focused on outcomes, so I look forward to discussing the issues around public service reform, which discussion I think is long overdue, with the leadership of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities tomorrow. I was discussing the issues yesterday with the trade union movement and my ministers are actively involved in that debate. I think that the moment has come when we have to address those issues to secure the sustainability of public services in Scotland, and the Government is committed to doing that.
Gentex Workforce (Stranraer)
Lastweek, I wrote to the First Minister following the deeply concerning news that Gentex’s facility in Stranraer is at risk of closure, putting 110 skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at risk. In a town the size of Stranraer, that would represent one of the most significant private sector job losses in recent years. I thank the First Minister and the Minister for Business and Fair Work, Tom Arthur, for their response, but will the First Minister recommit to deploying the full weight of the Scottish Government and relevant agencies as a matter of urgency, not only to support affected workers and explore every opportunity to retain those jobs but to ensure that the highly skilled workforce that has been built up in Stranraer is not lost to the area, that those skills and experiences are retained, and that Stranraer is not abandoned yet again to suffer another major economic blow?
I offer that commitment and reassurance to Mr Carson. The Minister for Business and Fair Work, alongside the leaders of South of Scotland Enterprise, spoke with Gentex last week to express our concerns and to offer to work constructively with the company to explore all potential options to take forward the operations of the business.
I recognise the significant economic impact that the organisation has on the Stranraer economy. A highly skilled workforce is involved and I assure Mr Carson that the Government, through the minister and the partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise, will do all that we can to safeguard employment at Gentex in Stranraer.
Household Incomes
The Resolution Foundation has said that typical working-age households could see their disposable income fall by £1,050, or by 3 per cent, between now and 2029, while the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said that the current decade would be the worst on record for household income growth. As Labour offers no meaningful response to that decline in living standards, what steps is this Scottish National Party Government taking to grow Scotland’s economy and help people with rising costs?
The Government is taking a number of measures to support individuals with their costs. The most recent measure affecting Michelle Campbell’s constituents is the roll-out of the £2 bus fare cap in the west of Scotland. We are extending that to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire at the start of the next financial year.
We are taking steps through a range of other measures, including through our investment in early learning and childcare and the provision of prescriptions without charges, to support households in the challenges that they face around household incomes.
In relation to economic growth, along with the Deputy First Minister, I discussed many of these issues with the Prime Minister at the national economic council on Friday, and I set out the commitments that we are taking forward to ensure that we have a climate in Scotland that is attractive for investment and that enables us to invest in skills and infrastructure, supported by ventures such as the Scottish National Investment Bank, to ensure that we create new growth opportunities in the Scottish economy.
Industrial Strategy
The First Minister will be aware of significant concerns in my Motherwell and Wishaw constituency and in neighbouring constituencies following the announcement of the proposed closure of the Honeywell site, which puts manufacturing jobs at risk across the area. I am aware that the First Minister has written to the Prime Minister calling on the United Kingdom Government to commit to working with the Scottish Government and industry on a shared industrial strategy to protect jobs, retain skills and support the future of key industries. Given that the key economic powers sit with the UK Government, does the First Minister agree that it is vital that it comes to the table to ensure that our industry and communities are not left behind? Can he provide an update on his Government’s engagement with the UK Government so far?
I was concerned to hear the reports about the future of the Honeywell plant, and Tom Arthur, the Minister for Business and Fair Work, has arranged to speak with the company.
As Clare Adamson set out, I discussed issues in relation to industrial policy with the Prime Minister at the national economic council. In the light of the discussions that I had yesterday with the Scottish Trades Union Congress, I have written to the UK Government encouraging joint work on an industrial strategy to ensure that Scotland’s economic interests can be prioritised and that we have in place arrangements to enable the Scottish Parliament and Government to exercise as much scope as possible in trying to deliver economic growth in Scotland. That is at the heart of the Government’s economic agenda.
Mears Group (Purchase of Private Properties)
What engagement has the First Minister had with the Mears Group regarding the purchase of private properties to house asylum seekers in the Scottish Borders and the assessment it has made of the impact on local housing stock, public services and community safety?
I personally have had no engagement with the Mears Group, but I know that my ministers are engaged in those questions in their dialogue with the Home Office, which is responsible for the issues in relation to asylum policy. The arrangements that are put in place for the operation of the Mears Group are a responsibility of the United Kingdom Government.
Mother and Child Recovery Houses
Recent alcohol death figures highlight an urgent need for tailored recovery support in Scotland. Of the 574 residential rehabilitation places that are available, just eight are dedicated spaces for mothers and their babies. That falls drastically short of the overwhelming level of need. Aberlour’s two mother and child recovery houses saved an estimated £7.25 million in annual care costs for councils and, crucially, reduced harm and transformed the lives of the families involved. Will the First Minister continue to support those life-saving facilities? Does he intend to fund more recovery houses for mothers and their babies?
In policy terms, the approach that is taken by Aberlour in the mother and baby houses is absolutely robust. It is very effective and I pay tribute to Aberlour for the care and thoughtfulness that have gone into designing that model. I would like more of that work to be undertaken. Holly Bruce makes an important point about intervening as early as possible in a preventative way to deliver better outcomes for individuals.
The type of facilities that the member highlights are perfectly able to be supported through the wider drug and alcohol funding that the Government makes available. Obviously, those issues will be material to the budget decisions that Parliament has to take in the light of the announcements that the Deputy First Minister will make at the beginning of December.
Innovation Strategy
Last week, the Scottish Government published its third innovation scorecard. Unfortunately, yet again, it showed that more indicators were in decline than were improving. Specifically, the number of patents granted in Scotland last year fell by 29 per cent to the lowest figure since 2018. I do not know whether the First Minister is familiar with the innovation ecosystem diagram in the innovation strategy, but it is something of a spaghetti-tangled mess of responsibilities and convoluted accountability. Does the First Minister agree that, based on the scorecard, now is the opportunity to revive, reform and refocus Scotland’s innovation strategy and landscape?
I am always keen to make sure that the arrangements that we have in place to provide support to businesses and individuals are as accessible and cohesive as possible. That is exactly why we are undertaking the work on public service reform. I encourage Mr Johnson to engage with us constructively on how we might take that forward.
Our innovation approach—particularly from our university community—has delivered significant results in Scotland. So much of the innovative work that emerges from the private sector has its genesis in the university community, and I want to ensure that that community is closely connected to delivering such prospects for the economy.
Scotland has a very strong innovation ecosystem, and we have overcome the long-term problem of having the poor business birth rate that we had for many years—that issue has largely been addressed. Many of the challenges that we are now focusing on are about the scale-up of businesses, and the Government is investing in that vital policy area, too.
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
Today is the United Nations international day for biosphere reserves. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Galloway and Southern Ayrshire biosphere spans the vast majority of my Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency. I note the value of that designation across local communities, and it is also an international designation that supports our visitor economy.
Will the First Minister say how the Government is taking forward the NatureScot reporter’s recommendations to strengthen arrangements in order to have a
“better resourced and more influential”
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire biosphere? Will his Government work with the UNESCO biosphere to develop new proposals?
I thank Katie Hagmann for raising the UN international day of biosphere reserves and for highlighting that important contribution. The Government remains engaged with the three relevant local authorities that have been considering the national park reporter’s recommendations, and the Government will be happy to discuss the proposals that emerge from that local dialogue in order to determine what further steps should be taken.
Artist and Charity Workspaces (Edinburgh)
On Sunday, I held a public meeting in Edinburgh that was attended by councillors and MSPs from multiple parties. At that meeting, more than 250 artists and representatives of charities, unions and businesses came together to declare an arts emergency. Nearly 400 artists and charities could be left without a workspace by January. If those were to be 400 businesses on a high street, there would be immediate action. Will the First Minister commit to an urgent review of underutilised infrastructure in Government-owned and operated buildings and work with us to find a home for the affected artists, charities and enterprises before January?
The Government makes significant support available to the artistic and cultural community. Indeed, it has been a point of principle for me to ensure that such support has risen throughout the course of the budgets that I have presided over as First Minister. I am concerned to hear about the issues that Q Manivannan has raised. The Government will consider any specific proposals that are advanced to it, because I want to ensure that there is a thriving artistic and cultural community in Scotland. The Government will happily consider proposals that come forward and encourage other public authorities to play their part.
HMP Polmont (Riot)
On 26 September, a riot broke out at HMP Polmont that involved 30 inmates and which necessitated officers from four other prison establishments to restore order. There was also significant damage in the prison. MSPs had to learn about that from the BBC News website on Thursday night. Does the First Minister agree that it is unacceptable that the riot was not reported to the Parliament or the Criminal Justice Committee? Given that multiple prison officers were injured as a result of the riot, what reassurance can he give me that it will not happen again?
This is an operational matter for the Scottish Prison Service, which dealt with the incident swiftly and efficiently. [Interruption.] I hear the reaction of members of the Parliament to the issue and to Mr Linden’s question. However, I gently caution members about the judgment that is applied to the disclosure of incidents or potential incidents in the prison estate for which there are safety considerations. There are clearly implications that come from that type of behaviour, and careful judgments need to be applied by the Scottish Prison Service in that respect, which is exactly what happened in this case.
Hyperscale Developments (Community Responses)
Local communities increasingly face major planning applications such as hyperscale data centres and the Halfway energy park development in the Carse of Gowrie—part of the First Minister’s constituency—where I met community groups last week. Does the First Minister recognise that the communities that are responding to those hyperscale developments often lack the resources and expertise that are needed to properly scrutinise and respond to the proposals? If so, how might the asymmetry of resource between developers and communities be addressed?
Fundamentally, the planning process has to be accessible to all. The arrangements that are put in place through, for example, the work of organisations such as Planning Aid Scotland are designed to support communities to build that capacity to deal with these particular issues. However, local authorities and Government, in engaging in the consideration of planning applications, must ensure that, at all times, there is a route and an approach that will ensure that local communities can exercise their views and their contributions on individual planning applications, and the design of those processes has to take that principle into account.
Dog Control
Will the Scottish Government commit to reviewing and strengthening Scotland’s dog control measures, including the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010? Will it engage with the United Kingdom Government to advocate for reform of the breed-specific provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, with a greater emphasis on effective breed-neutral legislation, responsible ownership and the prevention of dog attacks?
We all want to see a rigorous regime in place in relation to minimising any risk that is prevalent from the actions of dogs, so I understand the point and the seriousness of the issue that Amanda Bland raises. The Government took action in the previous session of Parliament in relation to the control of dogs. The Government engages willingly with the United Kingdom Government on any other legislative provisions, and I will ask ministers to update Amanda Bland on exactly where those discussions have reached at the present time.
Allergy Services (Waiting Times)
According to the national allergy strategy, three adults in my constituency are expected to suffer a life-threatening food-related anaphylactic reaction this year. Although the Scottish Government’s commitment to make adrenaline auto-injectors available in eateries is a welcome and potentially life-saving measure, people who experience anaphylaxis can wait more than a year to access specialist allergy services, leaving them living with uncertainty, fear and the risk of further reactions. What action is the Government taking to reduce waiting times for those services and ensure that people living with severe allergies receive faster diagnosis, treatment and support?
I acknowledge the importance of the issues that Alex Kerr raises. Ministers have been considering the work that is under way in England in relation to Benedict’s law, which relates to some of this area of policy. We are investing to bring down long waits, which will address some of the issues that Alex Kerr raises with me. We will also publish our long-term conditions strategy next March, which will set out our approach to improving the care and support for people living with long-term conditions such as severe allergies. That will be part of the ongoing policy agenda of the Government.
Dr Gray’s Hospital (Maternity Services)
On 5 October, NHS Grampian announced that the restoration of full maternity services at Dr Gray’s hospital in Elgin would be delayed until next year. On 11 October, yet another Moray woman was subjected to the ordeal of giving birth in the back of an ambulance on the way to Aberdeen. I can scarcely believe that I am about to say this, but being born down a farm track is no way for a child to be brought into this world. What is the First Minister going to do to get full maternity services open in Dr Gray’s hospital as soon as possible?
That is what the Government is working to secure with NHS Grampian. We have to do that in a way that is safe and sustainable for the delivery of public services, and those are exactly the considerations that are going into these decisions. I assure Mr Bannerman that the Government’s intention is to restore those maternity services to Dr Gray’s, and they will be restored when it is safe to do so.
E-bikes
There appears to be confusion about what happens to e-bikes that are seized by Police Scotland. Last month, BBC reporting highlighted that seized e-bikes are being sold at auction. Following that reporting, my office submitted a freedom of information request to Police Scotland and was told that it does not have a specific policy regarding the sale of seized e-bikes. However, over the weekend, further BBC reporting stated that e-bikes and e-scooters that are seized by Police Scotland are now being destroyed.
The issue is of growing concern to many communities, including in the north-east, where Police Scotland recently seized about 50 illegal e-bikes in a crackdown on antisocial and criminal behaviour. The force has indicated that it intends to continue that enforcement effort. Given those apparently different approaches, does the Scottish Government know what the policy is once an e-bike has been seized? Is it satisfied that a clear and consistent approach is in place across Police Scotland?
There should be an opportunity for a clear and consistent approach to be taken across Police Scotland because it is a single force. I am advised that Police Scotland does not ordinarily auction those bikes any longer—or the policy says that that is the case. I will ensure that a detailed explanation is provided to the member by Police Scotland. Obviously, it is an operational matter for Police Scotland, and I will ask the chief constable to advise the member on the details of the approach that is taken.
Maternity and Neonatal Services (Serious Adverse Events)
Between 2019 and 2025, there were 736 serious adverse events in maternity and neonatal services, 406 of which involved a death, and that is just in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care met Julie Keegan and Angus McLean, whose baby son, Mason, died at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in 2023. Julie and Angus were protesting outside Buchanan Galleries on Sunday, when they were joined by more than 100 parents. They do not believe that the serious adverse event reviews are working or that the maternity review led by Professor McCourt goes far enough. Does the First Minister agree?
First of all, I express my sympathies to Julie Keegan and Angus McLean on the loss of their baby, Mason, and to all the other families who joined them on the demonstration at the weekend. I understand the seriousness of the issues involved.
The issues around maternity services prompted the work undertaken by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to scrutinise the performance of maternity units. From that has come Professor Christine McCourt’s wider review in relation to those questions. My firm view is that the approach that Professor McCourt proposes will provide us with the basis for investigating the issues that must be addressed in maternity services and will ensure that the Government is furnished with recommendations upon which we can act.
I do not support a public inquiry. I believe that what we have established with Professor McCourt will provide the opportunity to examine those important issues and that, just as the Healthcare Improvement Scotland reports have done, the process will provide an open and transparent assessment of very important issues where there must be an improvement in performance. I hope that goes some way towards addressing the issues that Jackie Baillie raised with me.
United Kingdom Budget 2027-28
According to the Resolution Foundation,
“the Chancellor delivered a scattergun Budget that did little to address the sharp challenges facing Britain. Cost of living support is being spread far too thinly and will leave even those families receiving help facing higher energy bills than they did during the last energy price shock.”
Does the First Minister agree with that assessment of the recent Labour United Kingdom budget? In the face of UK Government inaction, what steps is this SNP Scottish Government taking to support households with the cost of living?
The concerns of members of the public around the cost of energy are very clearly visible for us all to see. That sits against the backdrop of a commitment from the incoming Labour Government in 2024 to reduce energy bills by £300, and energy bills are now higher than when the Labour Government came into office. The payment of £100 put in place by the budget will not in any way address the issue I have just raised, nor will it deal with the expected increases in energy costs in January.
From my Government’s point of view, we are investing more than £3.5 billion in this financial year to tackle poverty and support people with the cost of living through a range of different measures designed to mitigate the impact of damaging UK policies. One of the issues that was not addressed in the budget was the freezing of local housing allowance. If that had been unfrozen, it would have helped to alleviate poverty in our society, but that freeze was kept in place. I assure Pauline Stafford that my Government will do all that it possibly can within the resources available to us, and I make the simple and important point to Parliament that, if the £2 billion of additional revenue that is expected to be generated from Scotland’s energy resources in the next financial year was used to lower the heating bills of people in Scotland, people in Scotland would really see a difference from Scotland’s energy wealth being used for the benefit of the people of Scotland.
That concludes questions from back benchers to the First Minister. Apologies to those members I was unable to call.