SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
A9
To ask the Scottish Government what effect improvements on the A9 will have on communities through which it runs. (S3O-1127)
Our current programme of improvements on the A9 will improve access to communities served by the A9, improve safety, reduce accidents and save lives.
I know that the improvements that the minister has talked about in respect of the whole of the A9 will be widely welcomed. I am grateful for his acknowledgement that dual carriageways have their own safety issues, particularly at junctions with local access roads where the junctions are not grade separated. He has rightly anticipated my concern about the number of accidents that occur on the A9 around the Auchterarder, Blackford and Aberuthven area, where we have a number of such junctions. What is the likely timescale for the potential improvements that he has indicated might be on the cards? The situation in the area is becoming difficult, particularly given that there is a railway station there too.
The member will know that I share her concerns, and those of members throughout the chamber, about road safety. Transport Scotland has agreed in principle to a developer contribution for the improvement of the Loaninghead junction at Auchterarder. The timing of the scheme is linked to development proposals, but we know that the developer is anxious to proceed.
What timescale does the minister envisage for dualling the whole of the A9 north of Perth? He will be aware from my written questions that the Scottish Government does not own even a fraction of the land necessary to dual the A9. Is that another Scottish National Party broken promise?
I always feel uneasy when Labour members use that sort of language, given Labour's long track record of broken promises. The member should be absolutely assured of our commitment to ensuring that the A9 is dualled. That is why we are planning for the dualling of the A9 and doing intensive studies to identify the next part of the A9 to dual.
Although I completely understand why Roseanna Cunningham asked the question that she asked, I remind the minister that the A9 extends much further north than Inverness—it extends right up to Caithness. What about the Berriedale braes and the Navidale bends? Will the investment in the southern part of the A9—welcome though it is to Roseanna Cunningham—mean that the much-needed improvements in my constituency are going to be kicked into the long grass for a long time?
It is slightly ungracious of Gentleman Jamie to express things in those terms. He will of course know that I was up in his constituency to initiate a project in Helmsdale relatively recently. Of course the A9 all the way to the very north of Scotland is an important part of the road infrastructure that receives my close attention.
The minister has been telling us for some time, and has repeated today, that the SNP Government's commitment is to plan for the dualling of the A9, yet we read in today's press that transport improvements are likely to be the victims of a tight budget round. Will he give us a commitment today that by 2011 we will see real progress in dualling the A9, or is his commitment to plan for dualling simply an empty slogan?
I give an absolute commitment not to believe everything I read in the press. There will be real improvements on the A9 in the timescale.
A recent report in The Press and Journal highlighted research that showed that upgrading the A9 to a dual carriageway would boost the Highland economy by around £1 billion over 30 years and would create 4,500 jobs. Based on those figures, the Highlands could have missed out on a boost to its economy worth £333 million during the past 10 years of Lib-Lab Executive mismanagement, as well as on the opportunity for much-needed employment. Will the minister do all that he can to redress that lack of action and to put the Highland economy back on track?
The P and J, that ever-reliable publication, quoted directly from the source in question—the report by the Highlands and Islands transport partnership and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The report is a useful contribution to the debate on the value to the Highland economy of the A9 as a dual carriageway. I note that the area of Scotland where the greatest growth may be being experienced is Inverness, and the Highland economy is absolutely vital to sustainable economic development in the north. That is why we are looking at the figures, planning for the dualling of the A9 and making real progress on the A9, and members on other parties' benches should listen carefully.
Sports Facilities (Resources)
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to develop sports facilities across Scotland. (S3O-1153)
Future levels of funding for the development of sport will be made known following the strategic spending review announcement on 14 November 2007.
I am delighted to give that endorsement. As the minister with responsibility for sport when the Commonwealth games bid concept was developed, I wish Scotland success tomorrow. I am particularly aware of the benefits that the Commonwealth games could bring to my constituents in the east end of Glasgow.
As Mr McAveety will understand, a number of discussions are taking place with local authorities on specific local bids. Those discussions are on-going and will continue after the comprehensive spending review.
Spending Review
To ask the Scottish Executive how the forthcoming spending review will support capital projects, such as the building and refurbishment of schools in South Lanarkshire. (S3O-1149)
I will set out our spending plans to deliver on the Government's purpose, its five strategic objectives and our manifesto commitments on 14 November.
We all look forward to that with great interest. However, my local council, the Labour-led South Lanarkshire Council, has at the past two elections sought and secured the support of the community to increase council tax not only by inflation but by inflation plus 1 per cent in order to fund new primary schools all over South Lanarkshire. That policy is supported by Mr Swinney's party locally in South Lanarkshire.
We are engaged in substantial and constructive discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on the application of the Government's programme and the funding for that programme and on meeting the needs of local authorities throughout Scotland. We will take into account a whole range of different issues in the formulation of that programme and in developing it in the light of the spending review, which I will announce on Wednesday. I assure Mr Kerr that I am working extremely hard to ensure that Scotland's public services are strongly and adequately funded by the spending review, and that the spending review will have particular relevance to the refurbishment of schools in South Lanarkshire and in other parts of Scotland.
Question 4 was to have been asked by Ross Finnie, but he is not present, so we shall move on to question 5.
Free Central Heating Scheme (Cap)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will lift the £3,500 cap that it has introduced on the free central heating scheme. (S3O-1172)
As the Minister for Communities and Sport has already said in a written answer on 13 September 2007, there are currently no plans to lift the cap that was introduced by the previous Administration.
Is the minister aware that people applying for free central heating in rural areas are being offered only electric heating on a take-it-or-leave-it basis? It is the cheapest option to install, but no consideration is being given to running costs or energy efficiency issues. Will she re-examine the issue? This is not about the policy but about the implementation of the policy. What we need is a sensible approach to the implementation of the scheme, not an inflexible one.
We are aware that electricity can be a more expensive fuel option than mains gas, but we have to strike a balance between the sometimes not insubstantial capital costs of preferred systems in specific circumstances and helping as many people as we can to keep warm. Mr Rumbles might be interested to know that we are running a renewable heating pilot to see whether technologies such as air-source and ground-source heat pumps would be more affordable alternatives for homes that are off the gas grid. I would be pleased to have further discussions with him about that if he so wishes.
Does the minister agree that there does not seem much point in lifting the cap at the moment in any case, as elderly people who are currently assessed and deemed eligible will not be provided with a central heating system until next spring? Will she tell Parliament today what she proposes to do about the unacceptable situation in which Scottish Gas is telling vulnerable people in Coatbridge and Chryston and in other parts of Scotland that they will have to face the winter with no central heating and perhaps no hot water? Does she consider that acceptable?
Scottish Gas has had a number of problems in delivering the programmes, but it has now prepared a remedial plan and has given assurances that it will meet its contractual target this year. Elaine Smith can be assured that we will be holding Scottish Gas to that.
In her discussions with Scottish Gas, will the minister consider the introduction of prioritisation in the scheme for people with special health needs, such as those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness?
Christine Grahame will be aware that the Minister for Communities and Sport is considering how certain aspects of the policy can be improved. There is a debate to be had about whether other groups, such as those mentioned by Christine Grahame, should be included, and I am sure that the minister will be prepared to discuss that with her and with others.
Farmers Markets
To ask the Scottish Executive how it aims to enhance the role and profile of farmers markets. (S3O-1125)
The Scottish Government supports farmers markets through the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, which provides advisory services to the Scottish Association of Farmers Markets.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the excellent farmers markets in Partick and in other areas of Glasgow, which have grown substantially in popularity and use. Will farmers markets be included in the food policy that was debated yesterday? If so, will those involved in farmers markets be consulted?
I assure Sandra White that the role and future of farmers markets will certainly be part of the national food policy, on which there will be consultation with the people of Scotland and with all relevant parties, so that they will be able to have a great say in the contents of the policy.
I declare an interest in the matter.
Yes, I certainly agree with the sentiments that John Scott outlines. We would certainly support maximum co-operation along the supply chain—from farmer to markets to the consumer. Indeed, one of the primary purposes of developing a national food policy for Scotland—which I know that John Scott supports—is to bring everyone together to work towards the best possible policy.
Climate Change
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to tackle climate change. (S3O-1148)
The statement that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth made to Parliament in June committed us to consult on proposals for a Scottish climate change bill. The bill will propose a statutory target to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. It will establish a clear, long-term statutory framework to help us to hit that target and thereby contribute to the global effort that is required to tackle climate change. In the meantime, we are taking forward emission reduction measures in addition to developing additional measures.
I am sure that the minister agrees that microgeneration is an excellent mechanism by which to reduce both carbon emissions and fuel bills and thereby tackle fuel poverty. Does he agree that the swift passage through Parliament of Sarah Boyack's proposed energy efficiency and microgeneration bill would provide immediate benefits to householders and the environment?
We have convened an expert panel on building standards and have had helpful contributions from experts from Norway, Denmark and Austria. Microgeneration is included in the considerations to which they have applied their minds. I expect to publish the results of their deliberations in the near future, and James Kelly should expect microgeneration to play an important part in future plans.
Supermarket Code of Conduct
To ask the Scottish Executive what its timetable is for delivering the SNP manifesto commitment to consult on replacing the supermarket code of conduct with independent regulation. (S3O-1103)
The Competition Commission has published the initial findings of its review of the groceries market. We need to digest that comprehensive report in detail. Nonetheless, I welcome the commission's recognition that the supermarket code of practice could and should be improved. The Scottish Government will seek to influence its further development or, indeed, replacement.
I am sure that the minister agrees that there is a mountain of evidence to back the case for imposing regulation of supermarkets' power in the marketplace. The Green party raised the matter for debate in 2004 and is glad that, despite the echo of discord across the chamber then, the SNP and MSPs from other parties now back the case for action. The regulation of supermarkets was in our manifesto and the SNP's; in yesterday's debate, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MSPs all raised concerns about the supermarkets' power. Does the minister have a timetable for action? When does he expect to introduce proposals to help the high street and the many small businesses and suppliers throughout the country that want action to be taken?
I recall Professor Donald MacRae of Lloyds TSB Scotland telling the Parliament a few years ago that primary producers receive only 13p of every £1 that is spent on groceries in Scotland. I assure Robin Harper that the Scottish Government takes the issue seriously and will act on it. Indeed, in our first few months of government, we have had many meetings with the chief executives of the supermarkets at which we have asked for action to be taken. We will pursue that point, but it would make sense to await the outcome of the Competition Commission's final report so that we can ascertain exactly what the situation is at the moment and take appropriate action.
Town-centre Regeneration (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will make available for town-centre regeneration over the next three years. (S3O-1151)
The Government is currently considering funding across all policy areas as part of the Scottish spending review. All funding decisions will be announced in due course.
Is the minister aware that just 10 per cent of retail development that is completed in Scotland between 2007 and 2011 will be in town centres and that a £16.5 billion increase is predicted in out-of-town retail sales? When faced with such stark facts, what opportunities exist for town centres and their communities? Where does the regeneration of our towns and city centres stand in the SNP Government's priorities?
The Government is committed to a range of actions that will benefit town centres and support their regeneration. We are committed to reducing business rates for thousands of small businesses. We intend that measure to help to kick-start the revival of town centres throughout Scotland. I am aware of the regeneration activity that is being taken forward by the Kirkcaldy renaissance partnership and I support the role of local partnerships in resolving local issues. Any further measures will have to be considered as part of the spending review.