Infrastructure, Investment and Cities
Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business is portfolio question time. In order to get in as many members as possible, I would be grateful for short, succinct answers—and questions—wherever possible.
Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme (Business Case)
The “Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme: Final Business Case” includes provision for compensation paid under the rail regulatory regime for planned disrupted access to the rail network.
The minister confirmed in written answers earlier this year that 28 trains stop at or pass through Dalmeny every day at peak times. Under the plans that are outlined in the business case, an additional 28 trains will be diverted at peak times while the Winchburgh tunnel is closed. How does the minister expect that to be managed such that he can still meet the commitment that he made in a previous written answer that
In the past, I have provided information about how Network Rail and others intend to manage the disruption, which is inevitable with a capital improvement project of this type. Buses will be used, as I have mentioned previously. Work is continuing to minimise the length of time for which that disruption will occur. All the partners involved are doing a great deal of work to minimise the disruption, but disruption is inevitable if we are to make the substantial improvements that are required, many of which should, in my view, have been made decades ago.
According to the Government, the failure to construct the Almond curve on the line will mean that the Winchburgh tunnel will close for a minimum of 44 days at a cost of £10 million that will have to be paid in compensation to ScotRail. That will mean 44 days of expensive travel disruption across central Scotland. Will the minister look again at that crazy decision with a view to building the Almond chord, thus investing in much-needed infrastructure and avoiding the waste of scarce public funds?
I am sure that all the experts who have been involved in the process, such as Network Rail, the engineers and Transport Scotland, will take note of the member’s reference to a “crazy decision” but, of course, the alternative that Neil Findlay proposes would be to spend upwards of £60 million on a chord that would be superseded by EGIP—in other words, much of it would be abortive expenditure. We are not in the game of wasting that level of public resource—his party might have been previously, but we are not.
Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme (Business Case)
The EGIP final business case was completed in October 2013—that was consistent with the recommendation by Audit Scotland that Transport Scotland should review and update the business case process by December 2013—and was published at the earliest opportunity. That followed a review of the commercially sensitive elements of the business case, to allow the production of the version that was approved by Scottish ministers for publication on 27 January 2014.
Does the minister not accept that there is huge disappointment in the business case? Project costs have gone up, the ambition has gone down—the project will not do what it was intended to deliver initially—and the timeframe has been abandoned. A once-lauded flagship transport policy is now completely unrecognisable. Does the minister not realise that the final business case poses even more questions about the long-term vision and sustainability of this key project for Scotland and his handling of it?
No, I do not accept that. The history of the case shows that an extensive consultation process took place after 2011. We have had a drop of around 26 per cent in our capital budget and 11 per cent in our revenue budget. We must look at such projects in the context of the resources that are available. That is what we do—we manage them extremely carefully, which was not the case with some previous transport schemes that I could mention. With the support of Atkins, we came up with the new version of the scheme, which was to contain at least 80 per cent—perhaps more—of the original scheme, but at a reduced cost of £650 million.
Labour keeps painting all these doomsday scenarios about the project. I see what is happening on the ground in my constituency. In Stirling, work is already going on to strengthen bridges and create new crossings into the riverside area, where many people are employed. Lots of money is being spent on the local economy. Does the minister agree that EGIP is having a beneficial effect now in the areas of Scotland that are affected?
Mr Crawford is right about the money that we have already spent. We are spending up to £742 million on capital works, which will bring employment and increase the productivity of the country by improving our transport network. That is a very good thing, which I would have thought would be welcomed by members throughout the chamber.
Question 3, from Claire Baker, has not been lodged, but a satisfactory explanation has been provided.
East Coast Railway Line (Upgrading Cost)
That would depend on the nature of the upgrade that is proposed. Network Rail considered three options as part of its “Route Utilisation Strategy Generation Two”, which was published in June 2011, to remove the single-line constraint at Montrose, which affects journey times on the Aberdeen to central belt route. The high-level cost estimates to undertake that infrastructure work are between £50 million and £200 million at 2010 prices.
There are two ways to address the costs that the minister has just mentioned, as well as the challenge of reducing journey times between Aberdeen, and Glasgow and Edinburgh, which is indicated as something that the next Scottish railway franchise would support. One is to improve the infrastructure and the other is simply to have trains stop at fewer stations. Which route does he intend to go down? Is the Scottish Government committed to making progress with the infrastructure challenges that are responsible for so many of the long journey times on those routes?
The member rightly raises the issue of the tension between having more stations and more access for people, and having shorter journey times. Both issues are very important. We try to find the right balance, and we have seen new stations open on that route. Rather than saying which route I would continue to go down, or which route I would choose, it is best that I wait until we have the feasibility study, which is on-going, to see how we can best achieve a reconciliation between having shorter journey times, which are very important, and having as much access as possible. Laurencekirk station is one example where we are seeing huge interest, a huge uptake and increased patronage across the network. Those are two live issues. However, the member raises an interesting point. Some months ago, before he asked his question, I asked officials about what would be possible on that route. I undertake to keep him updated on that.
Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme
Cost increases in the final business case incorporate more ambitious plans around the redevelopment of Queen Street than originally planned. Although no further upgrades are planned during the first phase, which I announced in July 2012, remaining elements of the Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme will be delivered in future phases.
The Scottish National Party’s 2011 manifesto beguiled us with journey times of just over 30 minutes between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Now we are told to forget that and accept that we might get journey times of 42 minutes in five years’ time. Bigger trains and longer platforms may address a capacity issue, but what I and the many other regular commuters on that route want now are quicker trains and shorter journeys. When will the minister even partly deliver on his manifesto promise?
I have laid out exactly when we will do that, with the publication of the final business case. I made the point in my original answer and will make it again that this is the first phase of the Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme and there is more to come. We have also said that, after we have electrified the Edinburgh to Glasgow line, we will start to electrify around 100km of the remaining track in Scotland every year. That is a substantial commitment.
When will passengers in central Scotland benefit from those journey-time reductions and service improvements? The minister has repeatedly stated that phase 2 will go ahead, but his business case states that ministers will not take a decision until a later date.
Of course, the initial benefit will be to reduce the journey time to 42 minutes. In the original case, the target was not just over 30 minutes, which Annabel Goldie suggested it was, but 37 minutes. The major reduction to 42 minutes represents a reduction of around 20 per cent in the time that it takes to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow. That is in the first phase. Further phases will come after that. Of course, that decision is one to be taken as time and resources allow.
Mobile Phone Coverage
The Government is committed to achieving improved mobile coverage across Scotland. The development of future-proofed mobile and fixed networks will be essential to realise our ambition of world-class connectivity by 2020.
The cabinet secretary is aware that mobile phone coverage in many communities in Scotland is still poor, despite the coverage obligations that have been placed on the mobile network operators.
As I said, we are committed to doing everything within our powers to improve connectivity. I agree with Willie Coffey that coverage needs to improve. It would be premature at this stage for the Government to take direct action in the way that we are doing in relation to, for example, the step change programme, given that the extent of the commercial 4G roll-out and the UK Government’s mobile infrastructure project is not yet known. At this stage, we are very much focused on removing the barriers to investment that it is in our power to address. For example, one of the issues that is often raised is the Scottish planning system, which is often cited as being less permissive for telecommunications companies than are planning regimes elsewhere in the UK. The Minister for Local Government and Planning has already committed to reviewing the planning system.
Transport Scotland (Trunk Road Closures)
For planned maintenance schemes, our operating companies carry out prior consultation with the emergency services, elected members, community councils, local roads authorities, haulage and freight companies and other affected stakeholders. Planned closures are also advertised in the local press and letters are issued to residents and businesses in the area.
Does the minister agree that consultation needs improvement, particularly consultation with the communities in the Strath Fillan area when planned closures of the A82 are taking place? Is he aware that, on 21 to 23 January, for instance, the A82 was closed at Pulpit Rock apparently without any consultation being undertaken with, or notice given to, the Strath Fillan community? Does he recognise that closure of the A82 can cause major disruption for people in places such as Tyndrum, Crianlarich and Killin as they attempt to access services in Helensburgh, Dumbarton or Glasgow? Will he, therefore, ensure that the situation is reviewed through Transport Scotland and that improvements to consultation are made?
Given what the member says, I am happy to go back to Transport Scotland and ask it to examine the processes by which it consults local communities. In my original answer, I mentioned a fairly long list of people whom it consults for planned closures.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport
I wrote to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee yesterday outlining the actions that the Government has taken since acquiring Glasgow Prestwick airport. A copy of the letter has been sent to all MSPs for their information and awareness.
Since the purchase of the airport, no business case or further information about the Government’s plans for the airport have been forthcoming. What steps will the minister take that can be reported to the Parliament today to return Prestwick to profitability without skewing the market away from Glasgow airport? Does she agree that the future of Glasgow airport and Glasgow Prestwick airport is of the utmost importance to the Scottish economy?
On the latter part of Margaret McCulloch’s question, yes, I absolutely agree about the importance of Prestwick airport. That is why the Government stepped in to acquire it, to save it from closure and, of course, to safeguard the jobs that are directly and indirectly dependent on it.
The Deputy First Minister first announced to Parliament in October the intention to take Prestwick into public ownership. Why has it taken four months for us to get any update in the Parliament? Has she been too busy running the referendum campaign instead of looking after Scotland’s priorities?
I am happy to have banter across the chamber at any time, as members are aware. The Government made the move reluctantly, because it would have preferred another option for Prestwick airport, to secure the airport’s future and to safeguard the jobs that depend on it. I would have hoped that James Kelly could have put to one side the temptation to score political points and, instead, got behind the Government.
Culture and External Affairs
Creative Scotland (Youth Music Initiative)
The youth music initiative plays a vital role in creating career opportunities for Scotland’s talent of the future as well as the chance for Scotland’s young people—some of whom would not otherwise have had the opportunity—to participate in music making.
My constituency is fortunate to have much musical talent among its young people, epitomised by initiatives such as the fantastic Whitelees primary school of rock. Will the cabinet secretary set out how areas and groups that may be eligible for funding but are not aware of it can be identified? What steps can be taken to raise awareness of such opportunities?
I, too, have heard talented young musicians from North Lanarkshire.
Independence (Overseas Properties)
The Scottish Government has considered information from a range of sources. As “Scotland’s Future” makes clear, an independent Scotland will establish an overseas network of 70 to 90 international offices, building on Scotland’s existing capacity and our share of the UK’s international assets.
In recent weeks, in a variety of settings including evidence sessions at Westminster, a series of experts have cited international law and legal opinion to highlight their concerns about the practicalities of sharing diplomatic assets that are currently held by the UK.
The member might not be aware of this, but the Permanent Under Secretary to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Simon Fraser, told the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 November 2012 that the UK is already co-located with Canada, Germany and France in different areas, as well as with New Zealand and Estonia. Therefore, the practical experience perhaps outweighs such legal opinions.
Independence (Overseas Representation)
As our “Scotland’s Future” document makes clear, an independent Scotland will establish an overseas network of 70 to 90 international offices, building on Scotland’s existing capacity and our share of the United Kingdom’s international assets.
As the cabinet secretary’s answer made clear, any estimate that she has—and she did not appear to have one—assumes an actual share of overseas assets and properties, not co-location. As she admitted in her answer to Michael McMahon, the question of whether that would be the case is neither clear nor settled.
Iain Gray acknowledges in his question that agreement on co-operation with the UK Government would be the responsible way to move forward, and that would be perfectly possible. The “Scotland’s Future” document states that the estimated running costs for a network of offices are in the region of £90 million to £120 million. Given our population share, that is perfectly achievable.
Quite apart from the embassies and consulates, does the cabinet secretary recognise the work that is done in the 110 international offices of the British Council to promote Scotland’s interests overseas? That work would not be guaranteed to continue in an independent Scotland. Is that not another good reason for staying in the UK?
As Jamie McGrigor will be aware, the British Council works with a number of organisations, and we have a very productive relationship with it. As the British Council is established by trust, it is part of the responsibility and assets that we have and would continue to share, as we have set out.
Can the cabinet secretary inform the chamber about the overseas representation of other small European nations such as Ireland, which recently confirmed its intention to open an embassy in Zagreb following the accession of Croatia as the 28th member state of the European Union?
Ireland, which is expanding its foreign representation now, is an example to be commended. Countries such as Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia and New Zealand usually have between 50 and 100 overseas missions and between 1,100 and 2,700 staff. I note Ireland’s proposals for greater representation, and there is no reason that an independent Scotland could not carry out its responsibilities as successfully as those other small independent nation states do.
Historic Locations and Events (Promotion)
The Scottish Government encourages partnership working in many different areas with a wide range of organisations to promote our historic locations and events.
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests.
I was pleased to visit Arbroath in the summer at the invitation of the member. At that time, I had the opportunity to engage with the local action group and hear about its initial plans. I am pleased to hear how much that work has progressed in recent months. A lot of that has to do with co-operation between volunteers in the local community and national agencies such as Historic Scotland. That early preparation for the 700th anniversary, which is bringing everyone together, bodes well for the future.
Independence (Inward Investment in Film and Television)
The Scottish Government and its partner agencies already actively promote inward investment in the screen sector. In particular, Creative Scotland’s locations service has helped films such as “The Railway Man”, “Sunshine on Leith” and “Skyfall” to shoot on location in Scotland. The “Outlander” television series, which is currently filming in Cumbernauld, involves Scotland’s biggest-ever inward investment in screen production.
Edinburgh has certainly had notable recent successes as a film location, but generally speaking Scotland still looks enviously on our neighbours’ film and TV industries. What steps does the cabinet secretary envisage taking on infrastructure in particular, which seems to be the key factor in attracting inward investment, as has been expressed by many experts in the field?
The Scottish Government is considering the report, which was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and the film studio delivery group, into infrastructure—in particular, film studios—which has been raised repeatedly in the Parliament. However, we also need to look at other aspects. For example, Ireland gives more generous tax reliefs than are available in the United Kingdom, and it devotes 7 per cent of licence fee resources to aid independent production. Interestingly, the Irish Government did that during a period of recession. There are infrastructure and tax measures that we could use with independence and full fiscal powers.
British Embassies (Scotland’s Interests)
As is set out in the concordat on international relations that forms part of the memorandum of understanding on devolution, the Scottish Government considers that United Kingdom embassies, high commissions and other missions overseas should serve the United Kingdom and all its constituent parts, which of course includes the promotion of Scotland and Scottish interests, whether they be trade and investment interests, diaspora engagement or geopolitical interests.
Can the minister confirm that, although any European Union embassy is available to our citizens when they are in distress, the promotion of Scottish interests is the responsibility of United Kingdom embassies alone?
To be fair to British high commissions, I say that when I have travelled abroad in my ministerial role in the past year and a half, I have found they tend to hold Scotland-themed days—but those are on one day out of 365. I saw with concern the Business for Scotland article that reported that the organisation had contacted 20 UK embassies around the world, including in Paris, Berlin, Brasilia and other key Scottish markets, but not a single one had planned any function or wider form of activity to promote Scotland’s national day. It is only with independence and our own network of embassies that we will promote Scotland and the interests of our people 365 days a year.
I am sure that Mr Yousaf will confirm that British embassies have supported ministers from successive Scottish Administrations in an absolutely professional and effective manner in promoting Scotland’s interests—not one day a year, but every day and on every occasion on which Scottish ministers have sought that support.
I said in my answer, very fairly, that whenever we have travelled we have been supported. My point is just a logical fact: if an embassy represents constituent parts of the UK, most of its time will be focused on the City of London. That is the case. We would not be able to expect a UK high commission to represent Scotland’s interests 365 days a year, but with independence, our own network of 70 to 90 embassies around the world could represent Scottish interests not just on Burns’ night or St Andrew’s day, but all year round. That is something of which we all could be very proud.
National Libraries Day
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of public libraries in Scotland. We work with the Scottish Library and Information Council to support libraries and to promote national libraries day 2014 in Scotland. I encourage all MSPs and communities to visit their local libraries and to attend events that are being held to mark national libraries day on 8 February.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that libraries provide an essential foundation to our local communities, and that events such as the love your library programme, which is being held throughout Midlothian in the week including 3 to 8 February, are crucial in promoting library services to the general public?
Yes. I commend Midlothian Council on its five-day series of events to promote libraries.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Scotland has five world heritage sites of outstanding universal value. Four of them are designated for their cultural heritage value: the Antonine wall, heart of neolithic Orkney, New Lanark, and the old and new towns of Edinburgh. The fifth site—St Kilda—is one of the few world heritage sites to hold dual status for both its natural and cultural qualities.
I am a former resident of Queensferry, so it is good to see that after 124 years the Forth bridge is finally being recognised for its iconic design. Will the cabinet secretary outline the boost to tourism that Scotland can expect from that rail bridge being granted world heritage status?
The bridge’s famous beauty is already well known. In the preparations for the nomination last year, we invited the economist and world heritage expert James Rebanks to assess the potential impact on tourism. He concluded that world heritage status could significantly boost tourism and other local and national businesses. There are no baseline figures with which to compare it, but one of the reasons why the nomination was made by a consortium of partners, including VisitScotland and local business interests such as Queensferry Ambition, was to ensure that the tourism potential is recognised.
International Strategy (Priorities)
The Scottish Government’s international priorities support our purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.
The budget line for international strategy and reputation will fall by 48.5 per cent next year. Can the minister explain that?
We are continuing to promote Scotland’s interests and are doing it efficiently, but we are cutting costs on travel and on the promotion that we do oversees. I thought that the Conservatives would, as the austerity budgets filter through from Westminster, welcome the fact that we are being more efficient in Government while still promoting Scotland’s international and global reputation on the world stage.