Official Report 390KB pdf
14:07
The next item of business is general question time. To accommodate as many questions as possible, I ask for concise questions and, indeed, concise answers.
Gypsy Traveller Communities (Compensation)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its apology on the matter, what its position is on the recommendation of the Scottish Human Rights Commission to provide compensation to victims and families affected by forced assimilation, displacement and other historic wrongs perpetrated by the state in connection with the “tinker experiment”, which sought to assimilate Scotland’s Gypsy Traveller communities. (S7O-00174)
The First Minister formally apologised in June 2025 for the harm caused to Gypsy Travellers by historical policies. That was an important first step towards rebuilding trust and renewing relationships with those affected. Since then, we have continued to improve understanding of Gypsy Traveller history and culture, including through £10,000 of support for community-led awareness raising on the tinker experiment. Through successive Gypsy Traveller action plans and the anti-racism delivery plan, we are also working to improve outcomes for those communities. We know that there is more to do, and we will continue to engage with communities to help to inform further decisions.
I agree that the apology that was delivered by Scotland’s First Minister to Scottish Gypsy Travellers in June 2025 was a positive first step on the path to righting the wrongs that have been done by Scotland’s institutions. However, it was just that—a first step. Will the minister outline what actions have been taken since the apology on any of the other recommendations from the Scottish Human Rights Commission regarding addressing the continuing harms that are faced by Scottish Gypsy Travellers across housing conditions, poor health outcomes and discrimination in education and accessing employment?
I put it on record that the Scottish Government welcomes the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s report, and its recommendations are being considered very carefully. I want to let Ms Nevens know that we invested nearly £15 million between 2021-22 and 2024-25 through the Gypsy Traveller accommodation fund to support projects across six local authority areas, alongside funding through the affordable housing supply programme.
I will meet campaigners and other community members impacted by the issue in October. I also welcome any further conversations with Ms Nevens outside this space.
Survivors and campaigners are clear that they believe that there needs to be reparation and restitution, given the ongoing trauma and issues. When the minister meets campaigners, will she listen very clearly to what they are saying? They believe that compensation is the way to address the inequalities and trauma that they continue to experience.
I reassure Ms Clark that I listen intensely at every meeting that I attend, and that at this one I will do so especially. Our pause for reflection was exactly that: it was about intense listening and understanding.
Any potential compensation scheme requires detailed assessment, taking account of findings, engagement with the Gypsy Traveller communities, legal considerations and resource implications. With all of that in mind, I will be engaging with the community, and I am happy to take forward any conversations with Ms Clark.
School Curriculum
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to embed the teaching of the Scottish enlightenment in the school curriculum. (S7O-00175)
The enlightenment, as a pivotal period in Scottish history, provides an excellent way to engage school pupils in history, philosophy and science in particular. Although Scotland’s curriculum does not mandate specific topics to schools, the social studies curriculum provides a number of opportunities for teachers to cover the development of the Scottish nation.
Within national qualifications, the enlightenment features in advanced higher history, and David Hume features in national 5 philosophy.
I agree with the cabinet secretary that the Scottish enlightenment of the 18th and early 19th centuries was truly remarkable, with an extraordinary explosion of intellectual, scientific and philosophical achievement, giving birth to the age of reason and the modern world.
Astonishingly, that is rarely, if ever, taught in Scotland’s schools. Does the cabinet secretary agree that teaching of the enlightenment and Scotland’s positive contribution to the world should be compulsory? If so, when could such a progressive step be implemented?
As I said in my initial answer, although our curriculum does not include mandatory history topics, it provides a range of opportunities for teachers and school leaders to focus on the enlightenment as a topic of study.
I should like to encourage the teaching of the enlightenment and Scottish history, alongside Scottish literature, music, art and more—noting, of course, that the Scottish enlightenment is of global significance and not uniquely important to Scotland.
There may also be further opportunities for Education Scotland to promote relevant learning and teaching resources. I should be happy to look into that and to engage with Patricia Gibson on it.
I hope that the cabinet secretary will agree that the history of Scotland is long and proud, and something that we should all make sure is taught in an accurate and appropriate way. Will the Scottish Government therefore make a commitment to ensuring that the teaching of any Scottish history is balanced and free from modern political bias, and provides full historical context for all events discussed in our classrooms?
One of the facets of our education system, which I stressed in response to Patricia Gibson, is that it is not prescribed and that we do not mandate content. We trust our teaching profession to navigate our curriculum, making it relevant and engaging for pupils in their classroom. That includes perspectives on historical events.
I trust our teachers to undertake that task, without giving them instructions on how to do so. In relation to the phrase that was used—which I think was “without modern political ideology”—I will leave that to our teaching profession to work through.
Antisocial Behaviour (Motorised Bikes and Scooters)
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Police Scotland regarding efforts to deal with antisocial and criminal behaviour involving illegal e-bikes, e-scooters and off-road motorbikes in West Lothian and across Scotland. (S7O-00177)
Ministers and officials engage regularly with Police Scotland on the antisocial and criminal use of e-bikes, e-scooters and off-road motorbikes, including issues that affect communities in West Lothian and across Scotland. That engagement covers enforcement activity and our commitment to strengthen powers in that area.
Police Scotland already has powers to seize vehicles that are used unlawfully. Nationally, it seized 547 e-bikes in 2025, compared with 330 in 2024. A further 195 were seized between 1 January and 21 April this year. We are working with Police Scotland to strengthen the powers to confiscate and retain vehicles that are used antisocially while continuing to press the United Kingdom Government on reserved registration and licensing issues.
Towns and villages in my constituency are experiencing both a significant localised issue, with off-road motorbikes arriving from across the UK to use the Broxburn bing—which is a protected site—and, more generally, the widespread dangerous and illegal use of powered bikes and scooters. My discussions with residents and community groups over the summer highlighted a clear concern that weak enforcement is emboldening offenders and discouraging reporting. Will the minister give an update on the Government’s work to increase police powers to confiscate and retain illegal bikes? Given the scale of the problem, will she consider developing a dedicated and anonymous portal to encourage reporting?
The impact that the member has described is not acceptable, which is why we are taking action to increase Police Scotland’s powers to tackle the dangerous and illegal use of such vehicles. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and I have met Police Scotland to discuss enforcement in the area, and we are in discussions to gather its views on what additional powers may be required and how we can ensure that those are effective and workable.
I understand that in West Lothian, Police Scotland has undertaken a range of actions, including regular patrols of hotspots and the use of police off-road bikes. It has also engaged with landowners and undertaken targeted community engagement. To support further enforcement work, I encourage everyone to make reports, including anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Illegal e-bikes are indeed blighting communities across West Lothian, with many residents feeling unsafe in their local spaces and parks and, as Pauline Stafford said, around the bings. Police enforcement is the primary means by which that criminal and antisocial use of illegal vehicles can be tackled; however, there are not enough police officers. Recent data showed that, across J division, police officer numbers per 10,000 people were well below the national average. Does the minister accept that more police officers are needed on the ground to tackle the issue, so that they can carry out the enforcement that is needed in our communities?
I appreciate that question. I point the member to the 2026-27 budget, which made a record £1.7 billion investment in policing. There are more police officers in Scotland per 10,000 population than in England and Wales. Our officers receive the best basic pay in the UK, at the minimum and maximum for each rank.
Obviously, the deployment of officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland but, if there are particular issues in the member’s area, I encourage her to report them, and I would be happy to speak with her about it as well.
Suicide Prevention (Rural Areas)
To ask the Scottish Government how the actions set out in Scotland’s suicide prevention action plan 2026-2029 will be delivered in rural areas such as the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency, including what measures will be used to assess their local impact. (S7O-00178)
The implementation and evaluation of the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities joint suicide prevention action plan is being driven forward by Suicide Prevention Scotland, which is our national delivery collective. That collaborative approach brings together national and local partners, local suicide prevention leads, academics and those with lived experience, to ensure that anyone who has thoughts of or is affected by suicide gets the support that they need, wherever they are in Scotland, and feels a sense of hope. Across rural communities, including the member’s constituency, extensive work is being delivered to prevent suicide and provide support.
September is suicide prevention awareness month. Our national suicide prevention action plan highlights the importance of understanding suicide and tackling stigma as well as ensuring that people who are affected by suicide can access support. What plans are in place to mark suicide prevention awareness month, to support those aims?
Our suicide prevention action plan has a focus on strengthening the awareness of and responsiveness to suicide, addressing suicide-related stigma and providing effective, timely and compassionate support across Scotland.
Suicide Prevention Scotland’s national awareness-raising campaign normalises conversations about suicide and encourages people to seek help, which saves lives. The next phase launches on Thursday, with a powerful new film, featuring Phil Wanless, who, tragically, lost his son, Fraser, to suicide in 2021. I will see the preview of that show this evening.
We are also continuing to build compassionate support through our clinical services and communities, and providing information, advice and resources to anyone who is affected by suicide in any way.
Seafloor Protection
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking following Environmental Standards Scotland’s finding that Scottish ministers have failed to fulfil their legal duties to protect and restore Scotland’s seafloor. (S7O-00179)
Environmental Standards Scotland published an analytical report on Scottish ministers’ implementation of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010 on 23 June. The report contained a number of findings and recommendations, which we have been carefully considering, and we are working constructively with ESS to seek an agreement on an appropriate action plan within the timescales suggested in the report. As I am sure the member would expect, the Scottish Government’s position on the report’s findings and recommendations will be set out through that engagement and in our formal response to ESS.
Environmental Standards Scotland found that the Scottish Government cannot provide assurance that its existing measures are sufficient to achieve good environmental status. Will the minister confirm that the remedial action plan will identify and assess new or additional measures, including a strategically designed network of static gear reserves across 30 per cent of Scotland’s inshore waters?
As the member knows, a number of actions are under way across the marine sector, and she is well aware of the areas of action. As I said, we are working constructively with ESS, and we will look to publish our findings after we have dealt with those actions.
As the minister considers the action plan, will he also consider the cumulative impact of the laying of power cables off the coast of Fife, including the impact on prawn fishing grounds? In particular, I am referring to the new eastern green link 4 and the Inch Cape cable, which are having a massive effect on prawn fishing grounds. Those cables are actually threatening their viability, and they receive no compensation from the power companies, so will the minister consider that as he considers the action plan?
The member has raised that issue before, but, so far in my period in this post, it has not come up as part of my brief. If the member wants to arrange to come to speak to me, we can have a conversation and take it from there.
Delayed Discharge (NHS Highland)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce delayed discharge at Raigmore hospital, in light of the reported reduction in nursing home and community beds in the Highlands. (S7O-00180)
It is unacceptable for anyone in NHS Highland to remain in hospital for longer than necessary, once they are clinically ready for discharge. Although 97 per cent of discharges happen without delay, we very much recognise the pressures that delayed discharge places on patients, families and services. That is why I have published a new plan to improve patient flow, including implementing discharge without delay across all health boards this winter, removing barriers to weekend discharge, expanding hospital at home services and strengthening community care.
This is a genuine attempt to reach out, given some conversations that I have had with local medical staff, who really just want to do their best for patients. Highlands is a bit of an outlier, with delayed discharge representing around a quarter of hospital beds, while people wait for the care that they need elsewhere. Given what was in the programme for government that was published last week and the review that will be ongoing, will the cabinet secretary meet with me to discuss this Highland problem in more detail?
Yes, of course, I would be pleased to meet Mr Eagle and to have the opportunity to discuss that important matter further. I very much recognise that delayed discharge remains a significant challenge in NHS Highland, and it is essential that people receive the right care in the right place at the right time. We both very much agree that hospital care should be for emergencies and for life-threatening and acute conditions and that it is not in a patient’s best interests to remain in hospital longer than necessary. The new national hospital flow plan, the purpose of which is to support the appropriate movement of patients throughout the health system, recognises the importance of services in the community to not only prevent unnecessary hospital admissions but support discharge.
The end-of-life care together partnership between Highland Hospice and NHS Highland is helping to reduce delayed discharge. Between May 2023 and September 2024, people supported by the partnership spent more than 4,000 fewer days in hospital, which generated estimated savings of around £3.8 million.
Highland Hospice estimates that an investment of around £1 million a year would enable the service to be delivered right across the Highlands. Will the cabinet secretary examine the case for funding and visit Highland Hospice to see its work first hand?
I very much welcome the invitation that David Green has extended to visit Highland Hospice. The point that he raises is twofold—on dignity of care, and on the improvements that can help across the entire health and care system. I will arrange a visit as soon as it is feasible.
NHS Forth Valley (Progress)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been with NHS Forth Valley due to it being in special measures. (S7O-00181)
NHS Forth Valley has made substantial progress since being escalated to stage 4 of the NHS Scotland support and intervention framework in November 2022. Following sustained improvements in governance, leadership and organisational culture, the board was de-escalated from stage 4 to stage 3 in October 2024, to stage 2 in October 2025, and, most recently, to stage 1 in June 2026. NHS Forth Valley is no longer in special measures. The focus now is on maintaining and building on that progress for patients, staff and local communities.
I thank the staff and management of NHS Forth Valley for their work to realise that improvement. How can the cabinet secretary encourage NHS Forth Valley to invest in models that deliver early intervention on and prevention of mental health problems, such as the nooks that are delivered by Scottish Action for Mental Health in Glasgow and Aberdeen, which in the past year have held more than 5,000 one-to-one conversations with people seeking support?
Although decisions on local service models are appropriately matters for national health service boards, I am keen that boards consider innovative and evidence-based approaches that can provide people with timely support before their needs escalate.
Our programme for government commits to supporting the expansion of walk-in mental health hubs across Scotland, including the five nooks that are planned by Scottish Action for Mental Health. Such initiatives demonstrate the potential value of community-based models in helping people to access support at an earlier stage.
I encourage NHS Forth Valley and other boards to consider learning from such approaches as they continue to develop services that improve access, prevention and early intervention.
In the previous session of Parliament, Audit Scotland provided repeated damning testimonies of various health boards across Scotland falling into precarious financial positions. In the light of the new programme for government’s announced policy of merging all Scotland’s health boards into two regional bodies, what assurances can the minister provide that those new structures will prevent areas of our national health service falling into special measures or financial trouble again?
First and foremost, NHS simplification and the move towards two territorial boards is about patient care, improving timely access to care and putting people first—before structures. Julie MacDougall raises the point that, to serve our people, we must have financially sustainable services. Where there are opportunities to remove duplication or delay, it is prudent that we take those opportunities. The move towards two regional boards is in the interests of our patients and our taxpayers.
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