SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Education and Lifelong Learning
Good afternoon. The next item of business is themed question time. Questions 1 and 2 were not lodged.
International Student Visas
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the effect on Scottish universities of the introduction of tier 4 of the points-based system for international students. (S3O-9049)
The First Minister and I have both taken a close personal interest in the matter and in my previous role I specifically raised this subject on several occasions in discussion with my counterparts in the Westminster Government. At the First Minister's behest, officials wrote to college and university principals to ask for their feedback and examples, if appropriate, of where the new system has had a detrimental effect on their recruitment or retention of international students.
The cabinet secretary will be well aware of the important contribution that international students make, both academically and financially, to Scotland's education institutions and economy. Concerns have been raised with me that the new tier 4 system discriminates against students from less wealthy countries by requiring them to show that they have thousands—often tens of thousands—of pounds available up front in advance of their studies. Can he assure us that everything that can be done will be done to ensure that access to Scottish universities is not being unreasonably restricted to the detriment of students, institutions and the country as a whole?
The member is right to say that a points-based system is not an ideal system. Indeed, at a national conversation meeting about migration that was held with a range of institutions, there was a feeling that we should not really have such a system at all. However, because such a system is in place and because we do not currently have the ability to change it, how we work within the system is very important. It is important that the Scottish Government makes representations repeatedly, regularly and clearly to the UK Government about the operation of the system. That is why, when we observe that tier 4 possibly discriminates against students from less wealthy areas, it is important that, with the backing of universities and colleges, we make strong representations to Westminster. I encourage the member so to do and not to take no for an answer. The UK Border Agency has an unfortunate tendency to try to brush off members of this Parliament, but I hope that we will resist that.
Class Sizes (P1 to P3)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its new 20 per cent pass mark on reducing primary 1 to P3 class sizes is a threshold to be met by each local authority or an average target across them all. (S3O-9008)
I do not, of course, accept the term "pass mark". Our continuing objective is that all local authorities should make as much progress as possible towards the concordat's class size target of 18 in all primary 1 to primary 3 classes. From the outset, the concordat recognised that progress towards class size targets would vary from authority to authority. In the short term, we are seeking to agree with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that more than 20 per cent of Scotland's P1 to P3 pupils will be in classes of 18 or fewer by August 2010. I remain hopeful that that will be the case.
With respect, that answer will not give a great deal of comfort to parents. The original promise was to reduce class sizes, but the Government failed to deliver on that promise. There is an expectation among parents that the 20 per cent target will be met by each local authority. Parents look for something more than a hope from the cabinet secretary that that will be the case.
In the interests of strict accuracy—I am sure that Mr McCabe would want me to be strictly accurate—this Government has reduced class sizes and has done so more effectively than our predecessors. Of course we have a shared responsibility with Scotland's local authorities to achieve the targets that we have set. If every one of Scotland's local authorities works as hard as I intend to on this topic, we will achieve what we have set out to achieve. I have clearly recognised the difference in circumstances between now and 2007. That is why I have been prepared to enter into genuine, substantive and quite open negotiations with Scotland's local authorities so that progress can be made and verified. If Mr McCabe would work with the local authorities in his area to support me in those aims, we would all get a result.
I want to ask a question that I have asked a number of times, but to which I have not had a response. How does the Government plan to deliver a 7 per cent increase in the number of classes of 18 or fewer in P1 to P3 in less than a year when it has delivered only a 1 per cent improvement over the past two years?
The member has had a response—it might just not be the response that she wanted. The response is absolutely clear. The Government intends to do that through negotiation with the local authorities and through the local authorities setting themselves targets that they believe that they can achieve within the parameters that we have discussed and in a verifiable way. Each local authority may have a different way of doing so, but let us keep in view and not forget the general aim—I respect the fact that Margaret Smith has said repeatedly that she supports the drive towards smaller class sizes—which is to improve the contact between teachers of pupils in those early years and the children involved. If we can agree on that aim and can drive towards ensuring the highest quality of contact, which is symbolised by the target of class sizes of 18 or fewer, we will get genuine progress. We are getting such progress and I think that we will make the target in question by August 2010, although I have not yet seen the full returns from Scotland's local authorities, which we expect to see in response to the discussions that we had before Christmas. When I have seen those, I will be happy to report back on them.
Apprenticeships (Central Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Central Scotland have benefited from the intervention to safeguard the completion of apprenticeships. (S3O-8966)
The Scottish Government has two schemes to help apprentices complete their training—the adopt an apprentice scheme and the safeguard an apprentice scheme. By the end of December, our adopt an apprentice scheme had supported a total of 254 apprentices back into employment, 45 of whom reside in local authorities in the Central Scotland area. The safeguard an apprentice scheme, which was launched in November 2009, is currently providing support to 49 individuals across Scotland.
I welcome the minister's response but, as he will be aware, certain employment rights are attached to apprenticeships and to the apprentices who hold them. What measures have been put in place to monitor the progress of the apprenticeship scheme and to ensure that employment rights, such as the right to the minimum wage, are in place?
Skills Development Scotland monitors the uptake of modern apprenticeships and completion rates across Scotland. That information is used when the programme is recontracted for each financial year. Through its skills investment advisers, SDS is in regular dialogue with training providers to provide support. It is also true that many training providers still choose to operate the Scottish quality management system, which involves self-evaluation. SDS is considering how to better monitor national training programmes in the future.
Will the minister outline what is being done to reduce the bureaucracy for local businesses that agree to take part in the apprenticeship scheme?
That is a legitimate point. It is quite a complicated landscape—different Government agencies and different Governments are involved in providing assistance on training and skills development.
Teacher Numbers
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to maintain teacher numbers. (S3O-8984)
I am pleased to say that, despite current financial circumstances, we are providing record levels of funding to local authorities, which will of course achieve the objectives that the member raises.
That is a most interesting response. I reflect that the cabinet secretary has said that he is quite happy for local authorities to shelve their commitments to free school meals for action on class sizes, so that looks like two SNP broken promises. Does he agree that the key to reducing class sizes is to ensure that there are sufficient teachers? If that is the case, can the cabinet secretary explain why SNP-controlled West Dunbartonshire Council has reduced its teacher numbers by 84, why SNP-controlled Renfrewshire Council has reduced its teacher numbers by a staggering 210 and why there are, in fact, 2,089 fewer teachers in our classrooms than there were when this Government came to power, if it is so committed to reducing class sizes?
It would be churlish of me to point out that Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council has reduced its teacher numbers by 379 and Labour-controlled North Ayrshire Council has reduced its teacher numbers by 97. We are not playing a blame game.
You are.
I emphasise that I am not playing a blame game. We will not get anywhere with that kind of pantomime performance.
Oh yes we will!
I am tempted, Presiding Officer, to say, "It's behind you," but I will not.
Getting us nowhere might be described as 2,500 fewer teachers than there were in 2007. In the interests of getting us somewhere, I will pursue the minister a bit further on the nature of his discussions with councils about increasing the number of post-probationary teachers getting jobs. I believe that this is a national crisis. Those teachers are well qualified and they are required in the classroom, but they cannot find employment. What are the sticking points between the minister and the local authorities in relation to getting a number of additional jobs in schools? Has the minister discussed with the local authorities and the trade unions the introduction of a more flexible wind-down scheme that would allow some older teachers to retire and new teachers to take their places in the classroom?
My predecessor offered to local authorities a new scheme that would allow them to introduce an earlier retirement for some teachers, thus creating space in classrooms. That offer remains on the table. Some local authorities have shown an interest in it and I encourage them to do so.
Question 7 was not lodged.
Synthetic Phonics
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will promote the formal teaching of synthetic phonics as a way to improve literacy standards. (S3O-8960)
The Scottish Government is committed to improving literacy for everyone in Scotland. The new curriculum—curriculum for excellence—has literacy at its heart and, for the first time, we are introducing specific qualifications in literacy in secondary school.
The cabinet secretary referred to the success of the projects in Clackmannanshire and West Dunbartonshire, where the use of synthetic phonics has had dramatic results in improving literacy. Given that the programmes have been such a success in those two areas, does he agree that we should use them as best practice and encourage other local authorities to promote similar programmes?
I agree that synthetic phonics has had considerable success. Many good teachers and lots of good schools are using the approach. However, it is important to stress that it is not the only approach. In certain circumstances, other approaches work well, in addition to or in place of synthetic phonics.
Scottish Literature
Tae speir the Scottish Guivernment whit it wull dae tae mak shuir awbodie at the high scuil gets Scottish leiteratur.
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the place of Scottish literature is emphasised in our schools. The literature of Scotland provides a rich and valuable resource for children and young people to improve their literacy and to learn about Scotland's culture, identity and language.
Wull the caibnet secretar tell's whit success compulsorie questions on Scottish leiteratur athin exams is haein in giein a heize tae the nummers o fowk stuidiein Scottish screivers, an whit place dis the Scottish edication colleges gie tae Scottish leiteratur noo tae alloo sic authors tae be teached?
We do a great deal of work, but there is always space for more work to be done. I am happy to give the member access to the information that we have on work in colleges.
Is the cabinet secretary aware of a project that Napier University runs, which allows third-year publishing students to manage the whole process of publishing and printing new editions of Scottish classics that are out of copyright? This year's project is James Hogg's "The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner". The books are given free to secondary schools, so that great Scottish literature is made more widely available to pupils. Does the cabinet secretary agree that this virtuous and simple project is worthy of recognition and will he join me in congratulating the Napier students who are doing their bit to keep Scottish literature alive?
Very much so. I am always keen to see writers' works being distributed as widely as possible, although given that the project that the member mentioned does that for free, as a working writer I am glad that it deals with works that are out of copyright rather than in copyright.
Colleges (Support)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is making available to colleges during the recession. (S3O-9029)
Scotland's colleges are central to supporting people and businesses affected by the recession. The Government plans to spend more than £2.5 billion on our colleges in the four years to March 2011. That represents an increase of 17 per cent on the previous four years and includes an extra £28.1 million last year to support young people at risk of unemployment.
Given the increasing number of students who are attending colleges during the recession and the number of school students who are accessing parts of their curriculum at colleges, can the minister assure me that our colleges are fully able to meet those increasing demands? In particular, will he encourage colleges to develop distance learning technologies to support their students?
I certainly agree that the colleges have played a tremendous role during the recession in providing opportunities, especially for young people, but others as well. I point out that, in addition to the moneys that I just mentioned, we provide a higher proportion of the Scottish budget to colleges than was the case under the previous Administration.
Europe, External Affairs and Culture
Question 1 was not lodged.
Joint Ministerial Committee (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government what was discussed at the last meeting of the joint ministerial committee. (S3O-9053)
The most recent meeting of the joint ministerial committee took place on 1 December 2009 in the format of the joint ministerial committee on Europe. I attended the meeting and the following matters were discussed: an update on the informal European Council meeting that took place on 19 November; priorities for the December European Council; horizon scan and co-ordination between the United Kingdom and devolved Administrations; and the common fisheries policy.
I thank the minister for her comprehensive reply. What are ministers doing to ensure that the UK Government takes account of Scottish interests in domestic and financial issues, as well as European ones, given the continuing difficulties in matters such as joint European resources for micro to medium enterprises funding and swine flu contingency funding?
We are pressing the UK Government through the JMC domestic process to take a more responsive attitude to the concerns of all the devolved Administrations and to take a new approach to resolving disputes, particularly in matters on which Her Majesty's Treasury is judge and jury on funding decisions. We hope to discuss that with the UK Government soon.
National Collections (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent meetings it has had with representatives of the national collections. (S3O-9024)
The Scottish Government meets representatives of each of the national collections regularly and frequently. I met the chair of the National Library of Scotland on 10 December 2009. In addition, officials have held constructive discussions in recent weeks with the national collections on their concerns about the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill. As a result, we will lodge amendments at stage 2 to ensure that duties regarding cultural heritage are fully protected.
I am sure that the minister is well aware of the concerns that the national collections have raised about the measures in the bill, which is being debated in the Parliament today. Indeed, they wrote to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee when it considered the bill and urged that serious consideration be given to the proposals in part 2 of the bill. What assurances will the minister give that those proposals will be abandoned?
It is important to stress that, as we discussed this morning, the bill refers to necessary protections for core functions. I assure Karen Whitefield that the amendments that are being drafted are intended to make it explicit that the Scottish Government and ministers could not use the order-making powers in the bill to undermine or cut across existing statutory functions in relation to cultural heritage—in particular, the duties on cultural property that is held in trust for the nation. The amendments are at an advanced stage of drafting, and I hope to be able to approve them shortly and lodge them at stage 2, but that is dependent on parliamentary approval today.
How does the Scottish Government support the national collections to increase public access to the nation's cultural collections?
The Government has shown great commitment to widening access to Scotland's national collections. We are funding more than £20 million on major capital projects that are due to be completed in 2011, allowing the National Museums of Scotland to display 8,000 items in the extensively refurbished royal museum of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland to double visitor numbers to 400,000 a year at the reopened Scottish national portrait gallery.
Scottish Culture (Local Newspapers)
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the impact will be on Scottish culture as a result of a reduction in advertising revenue for local newspapers if local authorities restrict advertising to the internet. (S3O-8956)
As the member will know, the Scottish Government is consulting on draft secondary legislation that would enable local authorities to consider online publication of public information notices as an alternative to newspaper advertising. Local newspapers and other interested parties will be able to respond to the consultation, which closes on 12 February 2010.
While I am always anxious to encourage savings in public spending, does the minister agree that it is clear that difficulties might arise from the proposal? Many small rural local newspapers, for example, are the only source of advertisement of the activities of many cultural organisations, from country dancing to cookery. It would be a tragedy indeed and a loss to Scottish culture if such newspapers were to fold because of a reduction in local authority advertising.
The member is correct to accentuate the importance to rural and other areas of community and local newspapers. A balance must be found between ensuring that local authorities and taxpayers have value for money and recognising the cultural identity and importance of local newspapers.
I have listened to what the minister has said, and I am particularly concerned about the elderly in our communities who may not have access to internet sites or council websites to gain information that is currently provided by statutory notices in local newspapers. I am interested to know what steps the minister has taken to ascertain the extent to which older people will not have access to public information notices if the advertising opportunities in local papers are withdrawn.
I point out that my responsibility is for the culture aspects of Bill Aitken's question and that other ministers have responsibility for the current consultation. However, I was interested to find research that suggests that fewer than 2 per cent of the population read public notices in newspapers. If the savings to local authorities are at the level that we expect if public information notices go online, that resource can be applied to help front-line services, particularly those that support older people. However, we must consider how people can access information in public notices in alternatives to newspapers, and that is what the pilots have been trying to achieve. If the member has further issues or concerns about that, I suggest that he might want to make representations to my colleagues in finance in order to get answers to his specific questions.
In the same vein, how can the Government argue that public notices online can be as effective as public notices in, for example, the Evening Times? In Glasgow, only one in four people has access to the internet. Surely the minister should be prepared to make the relevant representations to ensure that no changes are made to the legislation involved until more Scots have access to the internet. Will the minister assure members that the reliability of the 2 per cent figure will be tested? It seems so low and is questionable. I would like to think that ministers are on their toes and will have a way of monitoring that figure and showing the Parliament that it has been tested.
It is obviously a startling figure, and I share the member's surprise at it, but that was the research information that was provided. I am sure that we can test to see what the source was.
Question 5 was lodged by Cathy Jamieson, who does not appear to be present. I hope that the whips will take the Presiding Officer's strictures back to her.
Aberdeenshire Art and Culture
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it has taken to promote the arts and culture of Aberdeenshire across the European Union. (S3O-8962)
The Scottish Government actively engages with European institutions on the European cultural agenda in order to ensure that Scotland's interests are positively represented. During Scotland week in Brussels in November, for example, the highlights of the culture day included a photographic exhibition and stage and musical performances that showcased Scottish talent.
I declare an interest as a trustee of the Aberdeen international youth festival, which has, over many years, helped to establish strong links between Aberdeen and many parts of the world, including European countries. As part of future plans to promote Scottish arts and culture throughout the European Union, will the minister ensure that the Aberdeen international youth festival is included in Government promotions as a major Scottish arts and cultural event? Will she consider visiting this year's festival, which will run from 28 July to 7 August? She would be assured of a warm welcome; I know that the Minister for Children and Early Years, who is sitting beside her, will vouch for that from last year.
The member might realise that that minister is being enthusiastic about the festival and his visit to it. Its coverage and the promotion of the international aspect are growing, and it is a strong advert for Aberdeen and for young talent there. Diary permitting, I would be more than happy to attend the festival and to see what we can do to help to promote and showcase great talent—particularly young talent—further afield.
I echo the points that Nanette Milne has made about the fantastic Aberdeen international youth festival. Does the minister agree that the Stonehaven fireball festival has had another highly successful year in its long history and that it is a cultural event with significant potential to attract visitors from Europe and elsewhere to Aberdeenshire during the winter months?
The Stonehaven fireball festival at the end of 2009 was a huge success; indeed, it has been reported that it was one of the best in a number of years. It was attended by more than 10,000 people. I should declare an interest: my father-in-law was one of the many volunteers at the festival. In fact, his responsibility was to count everybody, so I hope that the figures are accurate.
Commonwealth Games 2014 (Culture)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Culture and External Affairs has held meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss cultural elements to the 2014 Commonwealth games. (S3O-9007)
The Scottish Arts Council and subsequently—depending on today's vote—creative Scotland have been mandated by the Scottish ministers to take a leadership role in the development and communication of a creative vision for cultural activity and co-ordinating relevant sectors to deliver activity in a cultural context for the Olympics in 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth games in 2014. I will receive regular reports on progress, and I want to engage with relevant stakeholders.
When the minister next meets the Scottish Arts Council or creative Scotland—things depend on members' wisdom at the end of the afternoon—I encourage her to stress the opportunity that 2014 presents to highlight the contribution that Glasgow and Scotland make to music globally. Will she consider pulling together the contemporary music promoters in Scotland, through the relevant agencies, to come up with a plan of action for an event that involves the wide range of music that is being created in Scotland and would be, perhaps, more alluring than the homecoming Scotland event was?
The suggestion of ensuring that contemporary music is part and parcel of the promotion of Scotland as part of the Commonwealth games is an excellent idea, and I am more than happy to take it forward. If the member has any particular suggestions in that regard, I will be more than happy to meet him to discuss them.
Will the minister ensure that ethnic minority stakeholders in Scotland will be encouraged to become involved in the cultural elements of the 2014 games so that we can show the world the cultural diversity of modern Scotland?
Yes. When we promote modern Scotland, we must ensure that we not only celebrate our achievements and abilities in the general cultural field but showcase to the world what Scotland is by ensuring that ethnic minority groups and others are as much a part of that promotion as they are a part of Scotland's society.
Scots Language Support
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with support for the Scots language. (S3O-9050)
I am pleased with the steps that the Government has taken in support of the Scots language. Within the past year, a number of important Scots initiatives have been taken forward. We have supported the first audit of Scots language provision; we have held the first Government conference on the Scots language; we have taken over the direct funding of two Scots language groups; we have established the first Government working group on Scots, which will make its recommendations later this year; and we have commissioned, for the first time, a survey into attitudes towards the Scots language, more details of which I will provide shortly. All of those are clear and positive steps that the Scottish Government has taken to raise the profile of Scots and promote confidence in its use.
The fèisean movement has been successful in the promotion of Gaelic. Does the minister have any plans to copy that success and encourage the transmission of Scots language oral culture in the same way?
In recent years, I have taken great pleasure in attending fèisean workshops in Ullapool. In my previous role, I met Arthur Cormack and discussed some of the issues around the development of the movement. It is important that we promote the movement in areas that are not traditionally associated with it, such as Edinburgh, because it is about the oral tradition in many different forms.
Creative Scotland (2010-11 Budget)
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made in the 2010-11 budget in relation to creative Scotland. (S3O-9002)
Creative Scotland will inherit the existing budgets of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen. The draft budget for 2010-11 sets out total provision of £57.5 million, comprising £35.5 million core grantn in aid and planned allocations for a number of initiatives that involve specific funding streams rather than core grant in aid.
The financial memorandum to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is being debated today, states that the establishment of creative Scotland will result in a headcount reduction of 30 employees, which will cost up to £1.5 million in severance payments. Can the minister indicate how many of those job losses will occur in 2010-11 and whether she thinks that making severance payments of £50,000 to employees who are losing their positions is a good use of public money?
With regard to its public services reform, the Scottish Government has a position of no compulsory redundancies. The unions have been supportive of that position, which—as Mr Kelly knows—is not necessarily the position that the United Kingdom Government has taken.