Official Report 414KB pdf
Back-bench Members
14:38
Knife Crime
Following the convictions for the murders of John McNab and Kayden Moy—who was killed on Irvine beach, in my constituency, last summer—the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit has said that knife possession increased by 15 per cent among 11 to 15-year-olds between 2020 and 2025. What further measures will the Scottish Government take to tackle the rise in knife crime and to divert young people away from gang membership?
I express my condolences to the family of Kayden Moy for their tragic loss and the suffering that they have endured.
I very much understand the concerns that Patricia Gibson has brought to the Parliament today. The Government takes a range of different measures to address knife crime, not least of which is the support that we make available for education programmes in our schools and in the wider community under the theme of no knives, better lives, as well as a range of other actions, which can lead to imprisonment for individuals who are convicted of knife crime offences. The Government will always review the steps that are in place to ensure that we have adequate measures.
Prior to the election, along with the then Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, I convened discussions with a variety of different stakeholders about issues relating to knife crime. From those discussions, I am confident that we have a range of appropriate measures in place, but we must constantly keep those under review. At the weekend, the current justice secretary made comments about looking at the question of an amnesty on knife possession, and the Government will give active consideration to that.
Loganair (Inverness and Northern Isles Services)
Does the First Minister share my concerns about the planned withdrawal of Loganair services between Inverness and the northern isles and about the potential impact that that could have on jobs in Inverness and Nairn—both jobs that are connected to Dalcross and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and those of the skilled workers who must be able to travel to the inner Moray Firth to support our growing energy sector?
I understand Emma Roddick’s concerns. The issue was raised with me last week, and I indicated then that I expected there to be discussions between Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Loganair to find a collaborative solution. I am encouraged that discussions between the parties have taken place, because that is the best way to resolve commercial issues.
Ministers will be kept apprised of progress. It is important that we support development in and around Inverness airport to ensure the sustainability of employment, to which Emma Roddick referred. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport is meeting colleagues from across the chamber regularly to discuss the issue.
Unpaid Carers (Support)
This is carers week, and this year’s carers week report found that almost half of carers in Scotland do not feel that their communities are carer friendly. The need for carer-friendly communities was first highlighted in a carers report in 2015. Does the First Minister recognise that more must be done to support unpaid carers in their communities? Can he identify any businesses, organisations or Government bodies that are working on that? What barriers would he identify to Government delivery on that?
First, during carers week, I record my appreciation to carers for the essential support that they provide in our communities. Without the love, care and attention of carers in our community, we literally could not provide the support that carers provide to individuals in our community. Carers week reminds us all to encourage the contribution that carers make, and I do so happily today.
The Government is investing more than £88 million in local carer support through local authority funding in line with the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. That is designed to be distributed at local level to meet the varying circumstances that exist in different parts of the country. We are also providing £600,000 of support in the current financial year for local carers centres, which give invaluable support to carers. That is in addition to funding from local authorities and integration joint boards. Through those different channels—whether direct funding for local authorities or direct funding for carers centres—the Government is trying to create capacity at local level to support the delivery of assistance to carers in our communities.
Legal Aid (Asylum Seekers and Refugees)
Will the First Minister outline what assessment, if any, the Scottish Government has made of the cost of providing taxpayer-funded legal aid to asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland? Does he consider it fair that taxpayers are funding legal representation for strangers who are accused of crimes, while many Scots struggle to access legal services themselves?
Decisions on legal aid are taken independently by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, in line with the highest standards of scrutiny and cognisant of the responsibilities that we carry, which are underpinned in the Scotland Act 1998, to be compliant with the Human Rights Act 1998 and with the provisions of the European convention on human rights. Fundamentally, Mr Kerr seeks to erode the rights of individuals in our society, and I make it clear to Parliament that I have absolutely no intention of eroding the human rights of individuals, because those rights are the foundation of a civilised society.
Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre (Delays)
Yesterday, the north-east received the devastating news that the new Baird family hospital and the ANCHOR centre, for maternity care and cancer care respectively, are to be delayed yet again, so that they will now be seven years overdue and at least £300 million over budget. After this Government’s catastrophic mishandling at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and at Edinburgh’s sick kids, will the First Minister now personally step in and channel the full weight of the Government to address this disastrous situation and get the new hospitals open?
I understand the concern that Mr Kerr brings to Parliament, and I share it, because I am deeply aware of the delays to those projects. The issue has been personally explored and examined by me, so let me assure him that the issue is no stranger to my desk. It is an issue about which I am profoundly disturbed.
Mr Kerr commented on the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and the children’s hospital in Edinburgh. I contend that the delay to the opening of the children’s hospital in Edinburgh was a direct result of the Government’s response to the early concerns that were raised about the Queen Elizabeth university hospital, so I do not think that those two issues are directly comparable.
The implications of the construction issues around the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and the essential scrutiny that is required of all these issues are part of what is raising the issues at the Baird and ANCHOR hospitals, because the questions that are being addressed are about the infection control and safety arrangements that must be in place. I know that Mr Kerr will understand the perspective that I am putting here. Those are the substantive issues that are at stake. However, that is resulting in an extraordinary increase in cost, which I find totally unacceptable.
Ministers are actively engaged on the issue. I have a briefing about it, because the issues have been explored by NHS Scotland Assure, which was set up to address the implications of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital situation. However, I air to Parliament my concern that the management of all these questions—to ensure that patient safety is a paramount consideration in our hospitals—is resulting in the presentation of extreme difficulties in the delivery of capital investment projects in the health service. The Government must address and resolve that issue so that we can continue our investment programme in health.
I assure Mr Kerr that there is no lack of attention to this particular question. Indeed, it is troubling me enormously, and I am determined to ensure that we get to a better place as a consequence. If it would help, I would be happy to meet him, with the health secretary, to discuss the issue.
Learning Estate Investment Programme
The learning estate investment programme has improved the school estate and learning journey for young people across Scotland. As the First Minister knows, Argyll and Bute Council has had an application to LEIP for a joint campus in Mull approved. However, will the First Minister commit to a review of the criteria and funding structures to ensure that they reflect the needs of education and the wider community in islands such as Mull?
I am familiar with the issues that Jenni Minto raises. During the election campaign, I discussed them with campaigners when I visited her constituency in Oban. I understand the issues that are at stake here.
On the general question of LEIP funding, I think that the criteria are robust and provide the appropriate governance. I accept that, in island community situations such as Mull, there may be a requirement for greater flexibility, and I am prepared to have that issue examined. I hope that that helps. I know that there are some controversies around the locations of schools, but if it would help Argyll and Bute Council to have some flexibility to resolve those issues, I am happy to confirm that in Parliament today.
Care System (Waiting Times)
This week, the NSPCC has warned that there is a “baby blind spot” in the care system. That warning followed recent University of Stirling research that shows that children in Scotland wait, on average, more than two years just to get a decision on where they should permanently live. That is four times longer than in England. The reality of that wait is that babies and young children are left without the stability of a permanent home, and those children are then likely to struggle to attach, as well as to give and receive love in later life.
I note that the Scottish Government is committed to reviewing the effect that delays to permanence have on children, but we do not need another review to tell us what we already know. The Promise was based on a three-year all-encompassing care review. We need to take action—
Can we have a question, please?
What action will the First Minister’s Government take now to help those mothers and babies who are in need?
This is an essential part of the work to implement the Promise. As Mr Dunlop knows, because he is very familiar with all this work, there is an intense focus on supporting families. It is also reflected in the Government’s commitment around whole family support to ensure that families in difficulty are supported to stay together when it is safe and sustainable for them to do so and to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place to care for and support babies and children.
That is part of the commitment that we take forward. Just last week, I had a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic and with the leaders of The Promise Scotland—the independent adviser, Fiona Duncan, and the chief executive, Fraser McKinlay. I assure Mr Dunlop of the Government’s focused approach to implementing the terms of the Promise to improve outcomes for babies and children in our country.
Women’s Healthcare
At a time when women’s healthcare in Scotland faces sustained challenges, we are concerned about the undermining of progress by external forces. Will the Government confirm that it is committed to expanding abortion care, tackling gendered health inequalities and taking forward planned maternity service reform?
In the Parliament on Thursday, there will be a statement on maternity arrangements by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care. That addresses one of the points that have been raised.
On the availability of abortion services and women’s health services, I confirm the Government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue to develop and enhance the services and support that are available to women. That is an essential part of the priorities of the health ministers in the Scottish Government, and I assure Ms Kinross-O’Neill of the steps that we are taking.
Discretionary Housing Payment
One of the cruellest austerity measures that was introduced was the bedroom tax, which has been continued by the Labour Government. It is mitigated through the Scottish Government’s discretionary housing payment. However, in community surgeries, I frequently come across constituents who face crisis and rent arrears and who have not had an assessment for that payment but are eligible for it. Will the First Minister work with local government colleagues to ensure the application of an assessment when people originally apply for housing benefit, so that my constituents get the help that they need?
Whenever individuals face financial hardship and there is legitimate scope for the Scottish Government to intervene, I want to make sure that such support is available. Part of that will involve local authorities making sure that the individuals with whom they engage are properly advised about their rights and entitlements.
This year, the Government is making available a record £115 million in discretionary housing payments to support individuals. We will work closely with local authorities to make sure that that financial support gets to those in our society who require it.
Coalsnaughton (Support)
On his visit to Coalsnaughton, in my constituency, the First Minister spoke to residents about the anxiety, uncertainty and disruption that are impacting families who have been evacuated following ground movement beneath their homes, yet there is still no resolution in sight. Although any support that might be provided through the Bellwin scheme would be welcome, the scale, shock and duration of the incident are placing exceptional pressure on one of Scotland’s smallest local authorities. What additional resources will the Scottish Government provide to ensure that residents continue to receive essential support and that Clackmannanshire Council is not left to bear the costs of this unprecedented emergency alone?
I am grateful to Keith Brown for raising the issue and for accompanying me—along with the justice secretary, who leads on resilience matters—on my visit to Coalsnaughton on Friday. In our discussions with Clackmannanshire Council, we saw at first hand the enormous burden that it is addressing in trying to support the residents who have been affected by the evacuation. In a discussion with families who have been affected, we saw the scale of the disruption in the turning of their lives upside down as a consequence of the incident.
From my discussions with Clackmannanshire Council, I am acutely conscious that it is dealing with an exceptional and unforeseen event. At my request, the Deputy First Minister has approved the allocation of £1 million of financial support to Clackmannanshire Council in advance of any Bellwin formula applications, to make sure that the council is equipped financially to provide the support to individuals that is required in the short term, because significant costs are being carried by a very small local authority in Scotland.
I hope that that initial allocation of £1 million will help to support the local authority in its moment of need, and I assure Mr Brown—as I assure the occupants who have been affected—of the Government’s sustained engagement with Clackmannanshire Council and the Mining Remediation Authority in the carrying out of the detailed investigation that is required to provide assurance on what has happened in a concerning incident.
Before I take the next questioner, who will be Stephen Kerr, I remind him that the criminal case in question remains active and the sub judice rule is engaged. He should please refrain from commenting on sentencing, which is still to take place, and from sharing information that is likely to identify victims who have not chosen to put their identity in the public domain.
Danielle MacDonald
Danielle MacDonald has shown immense courage in waiving her anonymity and speaking publicly about her experiences, so that others might not have to endure the same ordeal. Her case has prompted widespread concern and raised serious questions about how victims are heard, supported and protected when they come forward to seek help.
Will the First Minister meet Danielle MacDonald to hear her concerns directly? What action will he take to restore confidence that victims who ask for help will be listened to and protected?
I would be very happy to meet Danielle MacDonald and hear the points that she wishes to raise with me. Mr Kerr will be aware that, in the previous parliamentary session, quite close to the election, we passed new legislation on support for victims and witnesses. That legislation puts the protection and preservation of victims’ interests right at the heart of the criminal justice process.
I took extensive evidence about that bill when I sat on the Criminal Justice Committee, and I was impressed by the steps that the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain, took to strengthen protection, support and assistance for victims to ensure that they could properly and effectively present their evidence to courts in criminal proceedings. Steps have been taken to enhance the role and experience of victims and the support that is available to them, but I would be happy to listen to Danielle MacDonald about what further steps would assist in ensuring that that policy objective, which I am sure Mr Kerr and I share, is taken forward in a meaningful way for individuals.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Waiting Times)
Last weekend, I was contacted by my constituent, Cecile, about her son’s interminable wait for support for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His emotions have become increasingly dysregulated, and the family has been forced to pay for private assessment and medication as they await any support at all from CAMHS. Cecile told me:
“This is what waiting for support can look like. It is not just a name on a waiting list. It is a child becoming more distressed … families pushed to their limits before meaningful help is available.”
Does the First Minister accept that, despite the best efforts of staff, CAMHS are in a dire state? Will he look into this particular case to accelerate this boy’s path to treatment?
On the question of CAMHS waiting times, the national performance against the 18-week CAMHS standard has been sustained, with 91 per cent of children and young people starting treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
Some of the issues that Jenny Young has raised are broader issues about access to the appropriate levels of service, and engagement with families at the earliest possible opportunity. On that question, I want to make sure that we offer much earlier intervention at a much lower level of intensity—before individuals are judged to require CAMHS intervention—to provide support to families where children are presenting with dysregulated behaviour.
The Government is looking at some models. For example, as I shared with Parliament last week, I visited the services available from Scottish Action for Mental Health—SAMH—at the nook in Glasgow, which is a walk-in facility that provides immediate assistance to individuals. I am not suggesting that that is the answer to the point that Jenny Young is making, but I am saying that the model of early intervention and ease of access is what we need in order to make sure that children and young people receive support at the earliest possible opportunity. Our population health framework’s focus on early intervention supports that policy objective, and we will be working to roll that out during this parliamentary session.
Child Maintenance
Given that this Parliament is responsible for many of the services that support children and families, including education, family law and devolved social security, and in the light of cases such as those faced by my constituents, where lengthy child maintenance disputes have had a significant impact on families despite tribunals ruling in the families’ favour, does the First Minister agree that there is a strong case for considering whether responsibility for child maintenance should also sit here in Scotland, alongside the wider services that already support children and families?
There is a strong argument for the case that Mr Bonnar puts to me because we have extensive responsibilities around care and support for children, and I want to make sure that that support can be as comprehensive as possible. The points that Mr Bonnar puts forward are worthy of further consideration to make sure that there is an integrated approach to supporting children and families in Scotland.
University of Edinburgh (Striking Staff)
Striking staff at the University of Edinburgh are having their entire wages removed for participating in a marking and assessment boycott, despite that being just one part of their job. Remaining staff who are already overworked have been told to cover for their striking colleagues or go without pay. Does the First Minister agree with me that that is an unacceptable attempt to undermine solidarity between academic staff and that management must respect the rights of its staff to withdraw their labour?
In such circumstances, it is really important that there is good dialogue and engagement between the leadership of organisations and their workforce. I would encourage that dialogue to try to resolve the issues, so that employees can participate fully in their employment and the needs of students and academic interests can be met. Fundamentally, it is a matter for dialogue between the leadership of the university and the staff and trade unions, and I would encourage that dialogue to take place.
Energy Policy
Job losses have recently been announced at Aberdeen-based energy firm EnerMech. Sadly, there are stories every single week of oil and gas redundancies in the north-east of Scotland, but Labour will not scrap the energy profits levy that is costing 1,000 jobs a month, and Westminster will not allow the people of Scotland to control their own energy. With the powers available to him, what will the First Minister do to support Aberdonians who are bearing the brunt of the senseless Westminster energy policy?
There are a number of powers over energy policy—in fact, a whole range of powers over energy policy—that are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. I have made it very clear to the Prime Minister the importance that I attach to the removal of the energy profits levy, which is sucking the economic life out of one of Scotland’s most dynamic and important industries.
Given some of the issues that we are facing in relation to energy supply and security of supply, by not taking steps the UK Government is causing exactly the damage that Mr Middleton puts to me. I assure Mr Middleton that the Scottish Government will do everything that we can to support the north-east economy with the investment that we are making, which is supporting reskilling and new opportunities for individuals in the north-east of Scotland, and we will continue to press the UK Government to remove the energy profits levy at the earliest possible opportunity.
College Sector Funding (Forth Valley College)
I recently met the chief executive of Forth Valley College. It was incredibly harrowing to hear about how apprenticeship courses are being cut, with the survival of the Alloa campus being put into jeopardy yet again. Inadequate real-terms funding was one of the main reasons cited for Forth Valley College’s recent hardships. The broken funding system also plays a role in disincentivising employers and colleges from creating new modern apprenticeships. On top of committing to sustainable multiyear funding, as recommended by Colleges Scotland’s “2026 Election Manifesto”, can the First Minister confirm whether the Scottish Government plans to review and overhaul the public funding model for Scotland’s colleges, which is so clearly unfit for purpose?
The Government has provided additional financial support to the college sector in its most recent budget and we have put in place new resources for the Alloa campus to ensure that Forth Valley College is able to sustain its operations in an area of high economic challenge. The Government is taking steps to ensure the sustainability of the college sector.
However, I point out to Julie MacDougall that it is not coherent for her to come to the chamber and ask for more money for the college sector after her leader questioned me, as he did last week, about £2 billion of cuts in public spending. It just does not work that way. Members cannot come to the chamber and ask for more money for investment in public services and then call for tax cuts to reduce public spending by £2 billion. It simply does not add up. That is what we are getting from Reform, and what we used to get from the Conservatives—we will probably still get it from the Conservatives—but it is just not good enough in delivering balanced budgets for the people of Scotland.
United States (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
In recent days, many members of the tartan army have reported that they have suddenly had their electronic system for travel authorization—ESTA—revoked by the United States Government, forcing them to jump through new hoops or even travel for emergency appointments at the US embassy in London. With thousands of Scots, including many in Coatbridge and Chryston, due to leave for the US to attend the world cup in the coming weeks, what is the First Minister doing to ensure that Scots are not unfairly blocked from entering the United States?
I appreciate how frustrating the situation is for any Scotland supporter who has had their ESTA revoked. Although information about individual cases has not been shared with the Scottish Government, I understand that the decision to award an ESTA may change if further information emerges about an application that was not available at the time of the original decision. Unfortunately, in such cases, detailed explanations are not always provided to applicants.
I am aware that the United States embassy has issued advice to individuals who are affected by ESTA refusals, indicating that they may apply for a visa through the FIFA priority appointment scheduling system, or PASS. I have asked officials to convey our hope that the US can resolve the matter so that Scotland’s fans do not miss out. I have asked for specific representations and engagement to be taken forward with the consul general of the United States in Scotland; that has been undertaken, and we will do all that we can to help out to resolve these issues.
Hospitality Sector (VAT)
The First Minister is well aware that hospitality businesses do not have their troubles to seek at the moment, with rising input costs on all fronts. However, the United Kingdom already charges VAT at a far higher rate than most other European countries, and many leading organisations have launched the “VAT’s the problem” campaign, calling for a cut in VAT to 10 per cent. Will the First Minister join me in backing that campaign and calling on the United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut VAT for those vital hospitality businesses?
It is interesting—[Interruption.]—that, with all the moaning and groaning going on among members on other sides of the chamber, nobody seems to want to help the hospitality sector as much as Mr Smith does—[Interruption.]
Oh, oh—they are all shouting and bawling. They have all come to life at the last minute, Presiding Officer—how reassuring. It is good to see that there is life left in the old dogs around the chamber.
I simply say to Mr Smith—
Business rates!
His memory has gone, and not for the first time.
Mr Sarwar is shouting and muttering at me. I will simply use one phrase to deal with him: employer national insurance contributions have been a disaster—[Interruption.]
For all the years that the bawling Stephen Kerr’s party was in office, it never cut VAT on hospitality, so Conservative party members should not come to the chamber with unreasonable expectations.
I have to say how pleased I am that Alyn Smith was able to ask that question and liven the chamber up. It was a nice ending to the afternoon’s First Minister’s question time, which has now concluded.