Good morning. The first item of business today is general question time. Question 1, in the name of Rhoda Grant, has not been lodged. The member has provided an explanation.
Lobbying (Scotland) Bill
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill is fit for purpose. (S4O-04895)
Yes.
I thank the minister for that detailed answer. Has he heard of such radical new technologies as the telephone, conference calls, computers and email? If so, why are those methods of communication not included in the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill? Only face-to-face communication is included.
The Government has sought to introduce a proportionate bill that balances the legitimate interests of Parliament, the public and wider society. It is widely recognised that face-to-face meetings with ministers and MSPs are seen as the most effective and influential means of communication. It is important to consider carefully whether any extension of the scope of the register would continue to be proportionate and simple, would not place a burden on organisations and, importantly, would not potentially lead to a barrier to the openness of the Parliament and the public’s desire to engage in democracy.
It is vital in a democracy that the public can address their concerns to their elected representatives. What assurances can the Scottish Government give that the bill will not compromise accessibility?
The member makes an interesting point. It is about balance. We have tried to bring forward a bill that is proportionate and balanced and, therefore, will increase transparency while not eroding the openness that the Parliament cherishes so much. If there were proposals to extend the bill, it would be important for them to be examined carefully to ensure that they would not impact on that openness.
I call Annabel Goldie.
Sorry. I was not proposing to come in, Presiding Officer.
That is fine. You can sit down again. I will call you when you want to come in.
FirstGroup (Parkhead Bus Depot)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with FirstGroup concerning its proposed closure of the Parkhead bus depot and the potential for redundancies or job transfers. (S4O-04896)
As it happens, I visited First’s Caledonia depot on Tuesday and I was impressed by the substantial investment that has been made in what is now the biggest bus depot in Britain. First explained that it is discussing with staff how it can best use that investment to improve staff facilities across Glasgow. I understand that First Glasgow’s business director, John Cahill, has written to Mr Mason confirming that there will be no redundancies arising from the closure and offering a meeting to discuss the situation in more detail.
I wonder whether the minister would agree with me that First has been particularly poor at communicating with both the public and some of its employees. There remains concern in the east end of Glasgow about the impact on jobs and on bus services.
I know that Mr Mason takes such matters very seriously. I also know that FirstGroup has gone beyond its legal obligations. It is about being proportionate. I am advised that First consulted through a formal letter to the three Unite conveners in First Glasgow followed by a formal presentation to the joint consultative committee. It has gone beyond the requirements and has been clear about there being no redundancies. I am sure that that reassurance is welcome.
On the condition of the Parkhead depot, it is a 93-year-old building. As the changes and investment are made, I encourage good communication with the staff, because this should be a positive move from the operator that can improve facilities and, in due course, the wider transport network in the area.
Local Government Funding
To ask the Scottish Government how the reduction in its overall funding over the last seven years compares with that for local government. (S4O-04897)
No part of the public sector in Scotland has been immune to the United Kingdom Government’s sustained austerity programme but, despite real-terms cuts of around 9 per cent to the Scottish budget over the past five years, Scotland’s local authorities have been treated very fairly under this Administration and protected from the worst of the impact of the UK cuts.
Complexities of machinery-of-government changes make accurate time-series comparisons problematic. For example, the Scottish Government has taken on responsibility for council tax benefit, and a true comparison of local government funding over the past seven years is not straightforward, due to the transfer of responsibility for the police and fire services. Our best estimate of a like-with-like comparison shows that local government funding has reduced by 3.5 per cent in real terms over the period, compared with the Scottish Government’s departmental expenditure limit plus non-domestic rates income budget reduction of 4.5 per cent.
I am interested in the Government’s figures. Perhaps the minister should consult the Scottish Parliament information centre, which has done similar calculations. It estimates that the Scottish Government’s funding had declined by 3 per cent in real terms and that local government has suffered a 6 per cent real-terms cut. In other words, its cut has been double the one passed to the Scottish Government.
What is perhaps more important is that, looking forward, we know that the settlement for Scotland will not be good. Will the minister guarantee that our local authority colleagues will be able to protect public services and care for the elderly and those with disabilities because he will not pass on real-terms cuts that are any bigger than those that are inflicted on him?
The Scottish Government is in extensive, on-going discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on the spending review and the proposed settlement for local government.
If he wants to see what local government being cut looks like, I suggest that Ken Macintosh goes just a few stops across the border on the east coast main line—he would then see what happens when Governments do not try to protect local government and when ideological attacks are made. [Interruption.]
Order. Let us hear the minister.
I am looking at the International Monetary Fund’s analysis of the last UK Government budget. It found that the UK Government made reductions of 27.4 per cent to English local authorities’ budgets. That situation only got worse with the announcement on November 25. I ask Ken Macintosh to realise just how much this Government is doing to protect local government, especially when all those cuts Barnett over to our budget, too.
Does the minister recall any time over the past seven years when Ken Macintosh contacted him with suggestions on the areas of the Scottish Government budget that he wanted to cut in order to fund local government? Given that, up until now, the Scottish Government has had to operate with virtually a fixed but declining budget, does he agree that it is most cynical and disingenuous of Opposition members to demand increased expenditure in one portfolio without clarifying exactly how they would pay for it with reductions in another?
I note that Ken Macintosh has taken to the press to suggest that there should be £755 million more funding for local government. The Government is always open to suggestions from Opposition parties, so I invite anyone who thinks that funding to local government should be increased by £755 million to take the fag packet on which that was written and write on the back how exactly it would be paid for. It would be almost a 40 per cent increase in council tax, and the last I heard—although its position changes a lot—the Labour Party supported the council tax freeze.
Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund
To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake of grants was from the centenary memorials restoration fund in 2014-15. (S4O-04898)
Grant funding of £224,370 was provided under the centenary memorials restoration fund to 28 projects in the 2014-15 financial year, bringing the total to more than half a million pounds to 67 projects since the scheme started.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that positive answer. In my constituency of Glasgow Anniesland, as in all constituencies across Scotland, there is a significant number of war memorials. Unfortunately, the poor condition of many of them is sadly plain for all to see. We are all conscious of institutions such as schools, football clubs, bowling clubs and social clubs that have their own memorials. What is the Scottish Government doing to encourage such groups to apply for funding to upgrade their memorials?
The fund amounts to £1 million for the period for which it was announced, which is from 2013 to 2018. As I have said, more than half a million pounds has already been allocated. Members can help to promote schemes in their own areas; indeed, I understand that the War Memorials Trust conservation officer has visited the Yoker memorial, although I should say that an application has not yet been made from the member’s own constituency. The grant is for up to 75 per cent of eligible costs up to a maximum of £30,000, and we take every opportunity that we can to promote such work as well as give communities the opportunity to ensure that their memorials are in a good state of repair. I therefore encourage members across the chamber to look at what they can do in their constituencies, and the Government will continue to promote this work as we have been doing.
Winter Weather (Protection of Vulnerable People)
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to protect vulnerable people affected by the weather this winter. (S4O-04899)
The Scottish Government has taken a range of measures to protect vulnerable people against the effects of this winter’s weather. Tackling fuel poverty remains a priority for the Government, and this year a record budget of £119 million is being made available for fuel poverty and energy efficiency measures, which will help vulnerable groups to stay warm.
In November, we launched our 2015 ready for winter campaign to encourage people and communities to take simple steps to prepare for tough winter conditions. Our seasonal flu programme, which was launched on 1 October, offers free seasonal flu vaccination and will help to protect more than 2 million people, including vulnerable groups, from catching flu this winter. Of course, national health service boards have been working with their partners throughout the year to ensure that robust winter plans are in place.
The National Records of Scotland document “Winter Mortality in Scotland 2014-15” said that 22,011 deaths were registered in Scotland in the four winter months from December 2014 to March 2015, compared with 18,675 deaths in the winter of 2013 to 2014. It is clear that for an ageing population with growing health problems, winter is becoming a threat to good health. Which of the measures that the cabinet secretary just outlined is most targeted at that vulnerable group? Is she satisfied that, with the coldest winter for many years predicted, all attempts are being made to support people who find themselves threatened by such a challenge?
I am sure that the member is aware of the chief medical officer’s interest in the matter. This week, she has been very much engaged in looking at the analysis of the winter mortality figures and what lies behind them, and a lot of work has been done on that.
All the measures that I outlined, such as the plans that NHS boards have in place with their local authority colleagues, have a direct impact in protecting the most vulnerable. This year, those plans are far more integrated than they previously have been, and they will involve social care colleagues in ensuring that the most vulnerable can be supported during the winter.
Moreover, the general ready for winter campaign provides through the ready Scotland website some pertinent advice on how people can keep safe and warm at home, and the fuel poverty measures are of particular relevance to the most vulnerable. I am happy to write to Annabel Goldie if she would like further information.
South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the south west of Scotland transport partnership and what issues were discussed. (S4O-04900)
My officials from Transport Scotland met SWESTRANS last week to discuss local aspirations for the reopening of Beattock station.
I am delighted to hear that those discussions have taken place. The minister will be aware of community-led campaigns for not only the reopening of Beattock but a halt at Eastriggs and a station at Thornhill. Some years ago, the Scottish Government announced a stations fund for such purposes, and I wonder whether the minister can report on the progress towards opening those stations.
I have recalibrated the stations fund to focus on new stations where possible. A number of bids are in the system, and any application for a new station would have to be considered through the due process in the Scottish transport appraisal guidance, by which transport options and other approaches by relevant promoters—be they local authorities or regional transport partnerships—are appraised. I am happy to offer further support from officials to guide communities through that process.
Creative Scotland (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs last met Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed. (S4O-04901)
I last met the chair of Creative Scotland, Richard Findlay, on 12 November, when we discussed a number of issues of importance to arts and culture in Scotland, including BBC charter renewal and the spending review.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary will be aware of the fantastic campaign that has been run by the Remember Mary Barbour Association in my constituency, which seeks to create a permanent memorial to a remarkable woman, of whom the people of Govan remain proud. Does the cabinet secretary share my regret at Creative Scotland’s decision to reject an application for support for what is an exciting artistic project? Will she raise that disappointing response with Creative Scotland, and will she agree to meet me and members of the Remember Mary Barbour Association to explore how the Scottish Government could support this initiative to commemorate a hugely important woman in the history of Govan, Glasgow and beyond?
I am aware of and support the campaign. It is an important initiative that gives credence and support to the memory of an important campaigner at a very important time. However, I am frequently asked by Opposition members to direct Creative Scotland to fund particular projects but, on the other hand, not to have direct ministerial control of decisions that are taken.
I am more than happy to meet the member, but she can understand that the Government does not support new memorials, which tend to be funded by subscription. However, what we can do to raise the initiative’s profile in order to encourage public subscription to the statue is important. I cannot interfere with decision making on individual projects, but I am happy to help Creative Scotland to understand better the project and the community engagement that is involved.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. (S4O-04902)
Ministers and Government officials regularly meet representatives of all health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
I warmly welcome the Deputy First Minister’s announcement last week that the European funding classification issue has been finalised and that the new Inverclyde care home project can progress. That is welcomed by many constituents. Can the cabinet secretary provide assurances that Inverclyde Royal hospital has a sustainable future ahead of it and that it is firmly in the plans of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to provide services in Inverclyde for many years to come?
I, too, welcome the progress that has been made on the Inverclyde care home and I assure the member that Inverclyde Royal hospital has a bright future. The hospital is a valued local facility and is very much part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plans for the future. I am sure that the health board would be happy to meet Stuart McMillan to apprise him of its plans for the hospital.
During the cabinet secretary’s meetings with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has she discussed the Scottish public finances update, which ended the unnecessary and distressing delay to the Ravenscraig older care unit construction programme? Will the cabinet secretary confirm that any increases that are due to increased construction costs will be met in full by the Scottish Government and will she ensure that there are no further unnecessary delays to this very important project in my constituency?
The project is indeed an important one in Duncan McNeil’s constituency, and I am glad that he welcomes the progress that is being made. He will be aware that there is robust financial planning for the project, and I am happy to keep him informed of progress. The robust financial planning will deliver the project on time and on budget.
Elective Surgery Waiting Times (NHS Lothian)
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time from general practitioner referral is for elective surgery in NHS Lothian. (S4O-04903)
In the year ended 30 September 2015, the median waiting times in Lothian were 38 days for a first out-patient consultation and 42 days for in-patient and day-case treatment.
It is not good enough that patients are left in the dark for long periods about what the next stage of their treatment will be. That can be extremely distressing. What plans does the Scottish Government have to make users of the national health service consistently better informed?
We expect all boards to deliver timely treatment for patients. When there is any delay—for example, because of recruitment and retention issues—boards should communicate with patients and keep them fully informed of when their treatment can commence. If the member has specific concerns about individual patients, he can write to me and I will give him a fuller answer on those specific cases.