Official Report 260KB pdf
Good afternoon, colleagues. The first item of business is general question time.
Energy Infrastructure (Planning)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the strategic spatial energy plan and whether it has any plans to set out where new energy infrastructure should be built in Scotland. (S7O-00449)
We regularly engage, and we have been clear that the plan must reflect Scotland’s full renewable energy potential, including Scotland’s full offshore wind pipeline. The UK Government must act quickly by backing Scotland’s renewable energy industry through delivery of the SSEP as soon as possible in order to provide certainty and to secure jobs, investment and economic growth across the country.
I call, er, Duncan Dunlop.
Thank you for remembering me, Presiding Officer.
The Scottish Government has the devolved powers to give clearer guidance on planning applications for wind farms. It can set out where they should be built, how many can be built in any given area and what proper community benefits developers must pay. If the Government does not do that, we risk turning more people, such as my constituents in Tweedsmuir and Stow, who are naturally pro-renewable energy, against new projects. Will the minister inform my constituents when the Scottish Government will use its devolved planning powers to issue clear guidance and end the current free-for-all, developer-led approach?
I thank Duncan Dunlop for raising the issue on behalf of his constituents. The SSEP is now with the UK Government and is a matter for it. More broadly, I am always keen that we engage with communities on such projects and make sure that we take them with us, including on community benefit. I am happy to discuss that with him further.
When building new energy infrastructure in Scotland is in conflict with reducing energy bills, which is the Scottish Government’s priority: the infrastructure or lower energy bills?
I am not sure that those things are always mutually exclusive if we get them right. It is about getting the infrastructure right and getting the energy. We have huge potential that is delivering jobs across Scotland, including in the north-east. I know that Liam Kerr is supportive and mindful of that. I share concerns with him about the infrastructure, and I am not sure that giving people £200 off their bills when their bills are skyrocketing, as we saw from the UK Government, is quite the way to do things.
As I said, the two are not mutually exclusive. We need to make sure that new energy delivers for communities across the country, including in the areas that Liam Kerr and I represent.
Bonfire Night (Public Safety)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to address public safety concerns regarding this year’s bonfire night, particularly in relation to the work of operations amberlight and moonbeam. (S7O-00450)
There is a comprehensive, police-led, multi-agency approach in place for this year’s bonfire night period. I was pleased to join partners at the launch of operation moonbeam to reaffirm our shared commitment that the period around bonfire night is safe for communities. We continue to be briefed by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and we have been assured about the level of preparation that has been put in place.
This year, a rare combination of events is taking place on 5 November, contributing to the need to ask for mutual aid, so that Police Scotland has enough resources and capability to police the Celtic versus Beşiktaş UEFA Europa league match and possible protest activity.
Through the provision of guidance and finance, we have supported local authorities to exercise their powers to designate firework control zones. A number of such zones are in place in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
I encourage everyone to act safely and responsibly tonight. In my constituency, there is particular concern about the use of fireworks outwith bonfire night, and I thank the local community council for High Knightswood and Anniesland for its continued efforts in highlighting residents’ concerns. Will the minister say what the local community can do and whether the Government is considering further efforts to address people’s concerns, such as through further restrictions on sales or supporting calls for reduced statutory noise limits for fireworks?
I am grateful for Colm Merrick’s interest in this area. We have provided local authorities with powers to designate firework control zones, which ban the use of fireworks in specific areas. Their designation is a local decision, and local authorities are accountable for their introduction and use. I understand that Glasgow City Council is encouraging communities that are interested in pursuing a zone to begin early engagement ahead of the next application window opening.
We have also introduced other measures, including a ban on buying fireworks for, or providing fireworks to, under-18s, and making attacks on emergency workers using fireworks an aggravating factor that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders.
In response to the United Kingdom Government’s recent consultation on fireworks, we supported a reduction in the maximum noise levels for consumer fireworks, recognising the distress and disruption that loud fireworks can cause. If Colm Merrick’s constituents, or anyone else, witness fireworks misuse or antisocial behaviour, I encourage them to contact Police Scotland or Crimestoppers
My Glasgow Southside constituency is home to one of the largest firework control zones in Scotland, covering Pollokshields and Govanhill. Residents welcome that, but many say that it does not tackle the root of the problem. A more comprehensive step would be to restrict the public sale of fireworks, as has been indicated. When will the Government implement the licensing powers that it introduced as part of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022?
I am grateful to Holly Bruce for raising the experience of her constituents. I reflect on what one of her constituents said about firework control zones on Radio Scotland this morning. They said that, since the zones have come into place, their experience has been like night and day when compared with the previous challenging experiences. Therefore, I understand her focus on this area, and it is also an area of focus for the Government.
We continue to look at the 2022 act’s provisions, the majority of which have been introduced, and we continue to examine the potential for further provisions. I welcome the fact that communities are able to engage on the issue so that the system can work effectively for them.
The Scottish Government has done a lot of good work in this area, some of which the minister has outlined. Does she agree that, until the Scottish Parliament has all the devolved powers to ban the sale of fireworks except for specially licensed community events, we cannot truly tackle the roots of the challenges, the social costs and the disruption that we always see in our communities at this time of year and beyond?
Patricia Gibson is correct that we do not have the power to ban fireworks entirely. We have done and continue to do significant good work, and a lot of that is built on important partnerships with the emergency services. I put on the record that the emergency services do exceptional work, and they have been planning for this evening for many months. They and everybody else should be able to enjoy bonfire night without any antisocial behaviour and without any of the challenges that Patricia Gibson outlined.
I absolutely encourage people to think about their behaviour and, if they have any concerns, to report them.
Voluntary Sector (Collaborative Working)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to the voluntary sector to promote collaborative working with the public sector. (S7O-00451)
Collaboration between the public sector and the third sector is more important than ever, as Scotland faces increasingly complex social and economic challenges. Partnership working is central to the public service reform strategy, and we are committed to strengthening how we work together to improve outcomes for people and communities.
We are committed to developing a new third sector partnership agreement, and a steering group has begun to co-design the shared vision. Collaboration is also at the heart of the new whole family support third sector delivery fund, enabling more joined-up, locally tailored support for families across Scotland.
I have been truly inspired by the incredible work of POP Shop Enterprises, a community interest company in my constituency, which runs Dunoon’s rhubarb revolution and supports enterprising women and social entrepreneurs. However, real challenges exist for such groups and organisations due to the lack of parity of funding between the third sector and the public sector. How can the Scottish Government ensure that the situation improves?
From Jenni Minto’s description, POP Shop Enterprises sounds fantastic.
The Scottish Government recognises and greatly appreciates the third sector’s essential role in providing person-centred support to our communities. We have heard from the sector that the current system is not sustainable. As the demand for services increases, so do the financial pressures.
We recognise that the Government has a shared responsibility with the sector and other third sector funders to make changes to the current system in order to support the sector’s ability to thrive.
The minister mentioned some of the work that is going on with third sector organisations and how much their role has changed over the years, as they have increasingly taken a primary role in delivering key services across councils. Will the minister confirm whether a cohesive third sector strategy will be embodied in the up-and-coming local government reforms?
We are working in collaboration and partnership with all our partners. Any public sector reform provides an opportunity to work with our third sector services. As Julie MacDougall rightly said, they are providing more services, so we need to take a cohesive approach.
On Tuesday, in the chamber, we heard about the amazing work that is being done in the hospice sector across Scotland. Given the increasing need for hospice care, how will the Scottish Government ensure that the valuable expertise across Scotland is recognised and championed during public service reform?
That goes back to my answer to Ms MacDougall. The third sector, including those who provide fantastic hospice care, is part of the fabric of Scotland. I see PSR as an opportunity to ensure that those partners are equal partners in our discussions.
Rent Increases (Landlords)
To ask the Scottish Government how it proposes to hold mid-market rent landlords to account for how they implement rent increases, including where the developments concerned have received Scottish Government funding for their construction. (S7O-00452)
If mid-market rent homes have been supported through Scottish Government funding, landlords must comply with contractual conditions governing rent levels. Should any concerns arise regarding compliance with those requirements, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing’s officials will engage with the landlord concerned to establish the relevant facts and, when necessary, will work with them to ensure that the matter is addressed appropriately.
I expect landlords to consider affordability when implementing any mid-market rent increases, and I encourage anyone who has concerns about a proposed increase to make an application to rent service Scotland.
I thank the minister for that, but I rebut her answer. What is the meaning of “affordability”? In my constituency, members of the C~urb tenants group have been forced to band together to try to protect themselves from rent hikes, which put immense pressure on older people and families. They are scared about their future and how they will be able to feed and clothe their kids.
In light of the homelessness financial pressure in Glasgow, does the minister agree that it is vital to keep people secure in their homes and that mid-market landlords risk pushing more people into homelessness with irresponsible rent increases?
I absolutely understand what Holly Bruce has said about the responsibility of landlords. She will know that the issue does not sit in my portfolio, but I hear her concerns. I can take those concerns to the cabinet secretary and officials before corresponding with her accordingly.
Of course landlords must be mindful of the affordability crisis. I am concerned—and I urge caution from the minister on the matter—about the fact that we spent a lot of time during consideration of the Housing (Scotland) Bill in the previous session of Parliament trying to incentivise investment. We are in the middle of a housing emergency and there is no point in someone having control of their rent if they do not have a home at all, as is the case far too often.
I urge the Government to act cautiously, to treat landlords with respect while ensuring that they comply with contracts, and to incentivise the building of more houses, because—for goodness’ sake—we need to get out of this housing emergency.
I absolutely understand where Mr Rennie is coming from in relation to being cautious and our reliance on landlords. We must take the partnership approach that I spoke about. I will relay what he has said back to the cabinet secretary, so I thank him for his supplementary question.
Moray FLOW-Park Project
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on the proposed Moray FLOW-Park development. (S7O-00453)
In August this year, Offshore Solutions Group, the developer of Moray FLOW-Park, requested a scoping opinion from the Scottish ministers to identify the environmental topics to be covered in its marine licence application supporting documents. Officials are working on that, and it will be issued shortly.
I am immensely proud of the campaigners who have worked tirelessly to show that the Moray FLOW-Park is not required in the area. They have told me that the exclusivity agreement with Crown Estate Scotland runs out in March 2027. Will the minister give a cast-iron assurance that he will ensure that Crown Estate Scotland properly and fully considers its environmental responsibilities if an extension is asked for after that date?
That is an important issue for the member, and Laura Mitchell has raised it with me, too. Of course we want to ensure that anybody is mindful of their environmental obligations and of the visual impact, the impact on fisheries navigating and other issues. That needs to be addressed as part of the due process.
Audiology Services (Rural Areas)
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve access to audiology services in rural Scotland. (S7O-00454)
Our recent programme for government included a commitment to work with the national health service, the third sector and other stakeholders to deliver an audiology improvement plan that is focused on the creation and implementation of more community-based models of care. The plan covers governance, quality assurance and workforce pipelines, ensuring that we have a strong foundation in place from which we can deliver sustainable improvements to audiology services over the long term. That will enable us to deliver more accessible, consistent and patient-centred care, including for our rural communities.
Responses to recent freedom of information requests by Caithness Health Action Team have revealed that there are 946 Highland patients waiting on average 47 weeks for their first audiology appointment, and 632 patients waiting more than 40 weeks for hearing aids. Significant delays to audiology care have a profound impact on patients’ ability to be independent and connect socially and to prevent cognitive decline.
What actions will the minister take to ensure that my constituents are seen within the 18-week treatment time guarantee? Will she confirm when the welcome expansion of RNID near you community services will reach the Highlands?
I thank the member for his questions, and my sympathies are with everybody who has had to wait too long. We want to make improvements to audiology services, because the position just now is clearly not good enough. The sustained pressures that we are facing are not unique to Scotland, and many similar challenges are being faced in audiology services across the United Kingdom.
The Scottish Government is committed to bringing down those long waits. The 2026-27 budget provides a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, and we have underlined our commitment to improve audiology services by increasing the funding for those services by £1 million. I am happy to meet the member to discuss the RNID near you service and to look at what might be done to improve services in his area.
I welcome the commitment that the Scottish National Party Government gave to meeting the audiology sector within the first 100 days to develop plans for future community audiology services. What was the outcome of those meetings and how will plans be enacted moving forward?
The developments will include an audiology improvement plan with Public Services Delivery Scotland, which will include supporting NHS services to work towards a target operating model for audiology; the creation of a regular audiology stakeholder forum; work to strengthen the collection and publication of data on audiology; the roll-out of the RNID near you initiative, as signalled in our manifesto; and work to learn from some of the excellent practice that happens in audiology in Scotland, in particular in NHS Tayside, which I understand has a particularly good audiology service.
In August, the Scottish Government announced a move to more local audiology services in rural areas to bring down backlogs. Have community clinics been identified to deliver the near you roll-out? When does the Government hope that those services will be operational nationally?
The RNID near you service is excellent—I visited one such service fairly recently and was really impressed by what could be done with the support of volunteers in the community to help provide a very local response to audiology waits. Those volunteers can, for example, help to clean hearing aids and do small hearing tests; I was glad to have a test when I went to visit, so I can really see the benefit of that. I am happy to discuss further with the member where he thinks that that service would be useful in his region.
Scotland Together Fund
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that the £30 million Scotland together fund will open to applications. (S7O-00455)
As the First Minister said when he announced the Scotland together fund, it is vital that our communities are empowered to fight poverty and inequality and to tackle the blights of racism, division and hatred. That is why community organisations across Scotland will share £30 million over three years, enabling them to take forward projects that boost living standards and help our communities to become more cohesive, inclusive and resilient. Details of the application process for the fund will be confirmed soon.
Healthy n Happy is a long-established and well-respected community development trust that is based in Rutherglen in my constituency. Previously, it received around £300,000 in Scottish Government funding through the investing in communities fund. I hope that it will be one of the many organisations that benefit from the new Scotland together fund. Can the minister provide more details on the criteria for the scheme and whether it would welcome applications from organisations such as Healthy n Happy that work to address local inequality, health disparities and poverty?
The eligibility criteria are yet to be confirmed. We will determine them during the detailed design process, which is currently taking place.
I warmly congratulate Healthy n Happy on the significant difference that its work is making for the people of Cambuslang and Rutherglen. I strongly encourage it to apply to the fund, should it meet the criteria.
Police Officers (Non-crime Demand)
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports from the Scottish Police Federation that measures introduced to reduce non-crime demand on officers have had no impact on operational policing. (S7O-00456)
Of course I recognise and understand the concerns raised by the Scottish Police Federation about the impact of mental health and vulnerability-related demand on front-line policing. I have heard directly from it in that regard.
The Scottish Government is clear that people experiencing a mental health crisis should receive the right support from the right service at the right time. That is why we have been working closely with Police Scotland, national health service partners and community and voluntary organisations to improve pathways of support and reduce unnecessary demands on police officers when a health-led response is more appropriate. Although there is more to do, that work has contributed to a reduction in mental health-related incidents recorded by Police Scotland over the past two years. Through our programme for government, we are continuing to expand access to mental health support, strengthen early intervention and improve partnership working to ensure that police officers can focus on their core public safety responsibilities.
The Government has acknowledged that police should not be the default response to people in mental health distress. The framework for collaboration has been in place for nearly two years, yet people in crisis are still being left without appropriate support. Police officers are still picking up the pieces when other services are unavailable.
In September, the cabinet secretary discussed a cross-portfolio plan with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, which is intended to deliver demonstrable improvements. When will that plan be delivered? What concrete commitments will it contain to ensure that people experiencing mental health crises can access timely and appropriate support in their communities, including during out-of-hours periods, rather than having the police turn up at their door?
I respect the question from Maggie Chapman, and I acknowledge her long-standing interest in this area. Ms Constance and I, along with our respective officials and partners, are in collaboration to deliver on all those areas.
The Government considers that progress is being made through a range of measures, including the enhanced mental health pathway, the expanded access to NHS 24 mental health services, clinical triage arrangements, improved transfer of care processes and the development of community-based alternatives to police attendance. The Scottish Government also continues to work with partners through the mental health unscheduled care network and has committed to expanding mental health triage cars and other crisis response services across Scotland.
Alongside that, on Tuesday, I gave evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee about the work that the Scottish Association for Mental Health is doing through the nook service and in other areas that will assist in ensuring that the core activity of the police is able to be led in just that way.
Gynaecology Services (Waiting Times)
To ask the Scottish Government how phase 2 of its women’s health plan will address the impact of prolonged gynaecology waiting times on women’s ability to work and their financial security, particularly for those whose symptoms leave them unable to work. (S7O-00457)
I appreciate that waiting for gynaecology treatment can have a significant impact on women and that symptoms can stop them working and enjoying their lives. Our first priority is to further shorten waits, and an additional £17 million is available this year for that purpose. We have also provided more than £18 million to organisations such as citizens advice bureaux, which can help people who are experiencing financial difficulties to claim the payments and support for which they are eligible. In the longer term, we aim to transform gynaecology services so that women can get the treatment that they need more quickly, often without having to go to hospital.
I bring to the minister’s attention my Glasgow constituent Alison, who is a teacher. Sadly, Alison experienced a miscarriage in April, had surgery and has ongoing issues. She is in a lot of pain, is unable to go to work and has had to pay £10,000 for private treatment. She is waiting to see a specialist gynaecologist, but has been told that the first appointment will not be before August 2027. She wants to work, but she cannot afford to pay for any more private treatment. What can the Government do now to help women such as Alison?
I pass on my condolences to the member’s constituent, because that sounds as though it is a very difficult situation. I am more than happy for the member to write to me with details, so that I can look into the case to ensure that it is being appropriately responded to by the health board. A number of workplace adjustments are available for employers to support people with chronic conditions to work, but I recognise the situation that the member is describing.
I am pleased that the Scottish National Party Government is delivering a radical new phase of the women’s health plan and, importantly, that it is backing it with investment of almost £17 million in gynaecology services. Can the minister elaborate on how those measures will support plans to transform services across the country, including in rural areas?
We are seeing sustained improvements as a result of our investment to address the longest waits, which is helping to create more capacity within our wider healthcare system. The investment will continue in every year of this parliamentary session in order to shorten the time that women wait. We will also publish a vision for transformed gynaecology services in early 2027. As we redesign services, we will be working to reduce inequalities in access and outcomes, including for women and girls in rural and island areas. That will provide the basis for a national plan that will aim to ensure that women can get the care that they need in the right place and at the right time.
Public Procurement (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with SMEs regarding the accessibility and effectiveness of public procurement processes. (S7O-00458)
We have a long-standing commitment to SME engagement, which is reflected in Scotland’s procurement legislation and practices. The quarterly procurement supply group includes SME representatives and supports supplier engagement and influence on public procurement policy and practice. Alongside that, we have monthly engagement with the supplier development programme and regularly attend meet the buyer events to engage directly with SMEs where it matters. We also facilitate targeted SME engagement through round-table meetings.
I regularly hear from SMEs in Midlothian North that are keen to offer their services to the local authority, but fail. Can the minister advise what discussions she has had with local authorities to ensure that the procurement process is accessible for SMEs?
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Midlothian Council, which is a member of the supplier development programme. We regularly engage with Scotland Excel, which is the centre of expertise for local authority procurement. The council also regularly engages with our stakeholder forums. Procurement is an important lever for unlocking business growth, economic growth and community wealth. I encourage all local authorities to ensure that they engage with the Scotland Excel programme.
That concludes general questions. I apologise to members whose questions I was unable to take due to time pressures.
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