SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is satisfied with the independence and robustness of school inspections by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education. (S3O-4552)
Yes. HMIE's work is the subject of a significant amount of independent review as part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development study and the Crerar review, through scrutiny by Audit Scotland and the Parliament, and as part of the assessment for prestigious awards such as the charter mark. The strong body of published evidence from those independent sources gives ministers confidence in the work of HMIE and the contribution that it makes.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her comprehensive reply but draw her attention to the recent inspection of John Paul II primary school in Viewpark, Uddingston. Only 36 per cent of parents were invited to reply to a questionnaire, and only 16 per cent did so, which means that 84 per cent did not reply. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman's recent report on the headteacher's activities and the complaints by parents that were brought to the inspectorate's attention were ignored. Will the cabinet secretary ask the inspectorate to revisit that inspection and take those factors into account?
The member raises serious issues, and I note his concerns. I suggest that he write to me about the case that he has asked about, so that I can pursue the matter further.
National Health Service (Value for Money)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are planned to increase the level of value for money achieved in the national health service. (S3O-4481)
Value for money is a fundamental principle in the NHS and a key theme of "Better Health, Better Care". A range of initiatives and programmes to support the continuous improvement of efficiency and productivity are in place, including the efficient government initiative and the health improvement, efficiency, access and treatment performance framework for NHS boards.
Of course, when the efficient government initiative was put in place, everyone expected a much lower rate of inflation. This week, Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board announced that its fuel bills are rising twice as fast as they were forecast to rise. What measures can the Government take to get better value for money and release funds to ensure that patient services do not suffer, particularly in areas in which health board allocations are fixed in real terms as a result of the new allocation methodology?
I am sure that Derek Brownlee understands that, in times of financial pressure and increasing costs, it becomes more rather than less important to ensure that we get as many efficiency savings as possible, because all efficiency savings are, of course, reinvested in front-line patient care. Over the past three years, the efficient government programme has yielded £610 million for the NHS for reinvestment in front-line care. Over the three years of this comprehensive spending review period, the target is to have nearly £650 million of resources freed up to be reinvested to support patients.
Will the cabinet secretary explain what part she thinks the private sector should play in achieving value for money in the national health service?
Ian McKee knows my view on private sector involvement in the NHS. Such involvement exists at the margins for use by NHS boards in delivering front-line patient care. I do not want that involvement to be extended, and I think that the majority of people in Scotland back that view. In addition, the NHS, like other public bodies, procures a range of goods and services from the private sector. It is vital that, in doing so, it maximises efficiency and achieves value for money. Boards are assisted in ensuring that they get value for money by a national procurement programme that is run by NHS National Services Scotland.
Housing
To ask the Scottish Government when it last held discussions with the house building industry and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about the current housing situation. (S3O-4537)
The Scottish Government has regular on-going discussions with Homes for Scotland and COSLA about the current housing situation. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing met representatives of Homes for Scotland on Tuesday 7 October. She also discussed housing issues with the president of COSLA on that day.
The minister may be aware that, although national homelessness figures are going down, the opposite is the case for some local authorities, such as Perth and Kinross Council. Homelessness in Perth and Kinross has increased by 19 per cent on last year. Because of the limited housing stock, that creates huge pressures on the general waiting lists. Given the present housing market, the situation will only get worse. Can he offer any specific assistance to authorities that are experiencing such serious problems, for example by enabling the purchase of completed or part-completed housing stock? Will he ensure that the money that he has provided to be spent on affordable housing is directed to the areas of greatest need?
We have made it clear that we aim to prioritise local authority areas with the greatest housing shortages and homelessness pressures in allocating the money in the accelerated affordable housing investment programme. I agree with Roseanna Cunningham that the Perth area clearly falls into that category. This week, we announced the allocation of the first £9 million of that additional funding and further opportunities throughout Scotland will be announced in due course. They are being considered and we plan to announce them as soon as we can. However, I confirm that the opportunities that are being considered include the purchase of unsold properties from developers.
Affordable housing is a huge issue in the Highlands. When will the first part of the £100 million that has been announced hit the pockets of those in the building trade in my constituency?
As the member is probably aware, the first tranche of £9 million was announced this week. I am sure that he will welcome the fact that the £9 million includes funding for five acquisitions of land for future development in the Highlands—in Inverness, Fort William, Culbokie, Munlochy and Kyleakin. That announcement was on the first tranche of the £100 million, and many other announcements will be made in due course. Homes for Scotland and builders have welcomed the fact that we have moved quickly to deal with the problem. The first announcement contained accelerated funding for land purchases and site starts but, beyond that, we are considering off-the-shelf purchases, too.
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations has welcomed the Scottish Government's attempts to put cash liquidity into the construction industry in Scotland. Has the Government discussed with the building industry the possibility of the United Kingdom Government doing likewise UK-wide? That is supported by the National Housing Federation in England and the SFHA is sympathetic to it.
We have on-going discussions with a range of stakeholders, including the SFHA, and we always consider seriously any suggestions that are made. I hope that the member is aware that, in our discussions with the SFHA, we have taken into account its request for off-the-shelf purchases to be made to help in the current difficult situation. Beyond that, we will also consider any suggestion that the SFHA and others make on how to maximise the number of houses that we can get over the period.
In the minister's discussions with COSLA representatives, did they say which local authorities will contribute to the £40 million that is part of the First Minister's much-heralded announcement?
Discussions are on-going on the £40 million investment that is required as part of the £100 million package. We work closely with COSLA and in partnership with local authorities; as the member will be aware, that is different from the situation under the previous Executive. We are working in partnership to ensure that the maximum amount of money is available to housing associations and others to help the construction industry and to help people to keep their jobs this year and next. We will continue to press to ensure that that happens as quickly as possible.
Young Carers (Education)
To ask the Scottish Government what concerns in relation to their education were raised by young carers at the recent young carers festival in West Linton. (S3O-4474)
I was delighted to attend the festival along with the Minister for Public Health and other members, including Mr Morgan, to hear at first hand young carers' views on the issues affecting them. The young carers who attended expressed their views on a wide range of issues, including concerns about their education. It was encouraging to hear that some of the young carers felt that their school was supportive. However, some highlighted difficulties in getting their needs recognised within their school setting. Indeed, many felt that teachers' awareness of young carers and their specific needs could be improved. Some young carers at the event also called for better joint working between teaching staff and social workers to aid teachers' understanding of the young carer's home situation. We will take into account those concerns and all the other issues that were raised at the festival as we develop our revised carers strategy next year.
I am glad that the minister is aware that many teachers lack an appreciation of carers' home circumstances, as that was a common theme among the carers to whom I spoke. That manifests itself in a lack of sympathy for carers' difficulties in meeting assignment or homework deadlines, for example. Will the minister ensure that all schools and teachers are made aware of the difficulties that young carers face so that appropriate allowance is always made for carers' difficulties in meeting school schedules and so that schools do not just pay lip service to that?
Our current young carers policy is to balance young carer-specific initiatives with the inclusion of young carer issues in mainstream policy and guidance for all children and young people. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 identifies young carers as a group who may require additional support from education authorities. That could include, for example, different homework, extra time with a teacher or support from social work services to participate in homework clubs. The getting it right for every child programme promotes a culture of joint working in which professionals put the child's needs at the centre. The curriculum for excellence promotes individualised teaching and learning that recognise the child's needs and learning styles. I expect teachers to be able to support individual children and I hope that those programmes will help to achieve that.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
Flooding (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what investment plans it has to address issues relating to flooding in the east end of Glasgow. (S3O-4511)
Investment plans to address issues relating to flooding in the east end of Glasgow are matters for the local authorities, Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. I have visited the metropolitan Glasgow strategic drainage partnership and I welcome the progress that those bodies are making by working together to solve the problems.
The minister will be aware of the impact of flooding in the east end of Glasgow in early 2002. My constituents are particularly concerned that work that we assumed would be done in the Sandyhills area of the east end by Scottish Water in partnership with others has not been done and that, at a recent meeting with Scottish Water, it referred to resource limitations. Is the minister willing to receive a submission from my constituents about their need for investments? Will he examine whether he can encourage Scottish Water and the other partners to invest in the appropriate infrastructure to ensure that the fear and alarm that my constituents felt in 2002 are not repeated whenever there is heavy rainfall in future?
Everybody who has any knowledge of flooding is aware of the fear and alarm that the member rightly draws attention to. The work to be done in the east end of Glasgow is major work, which is why the draft national planning framework has identified it as a national priority. The challenge of addressing issues of flooding and water quality in the greater Glasgow area is immense, reflecting the lack of investment in infrastructure over many generations.
Tissue Donation
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue an instruction to national health service boards requiring them to give patients the opportunity to donate tissue for research purposes provided proper consent is granted. (S3O-4496)
NHS boards can currently extend that opportunity to living patients when the tissue may have value for research purposes. The importance of having such a policy in place will be included in forthcoming guidance to NHS boards on the collection, storage and use of human tissue for research.
NHS boards can do that, but it does not normally happen. I welcome the Scottish Government's emphasis on patients' rights, but a patient also has a right to ensure that tissue samples from routine tests, procedures or operations are donated for research, if that is what the patient wishes. Why does the Scottish Government not instruct NHS boards to give patients that opportunity?
It is recognised that the current procedures relating to the storage and use of tissue in Scotland for research purposes are not all of the same standard; some procedures may fall short of the Human Tissue Authority standards. It would not be prudent to issue guidance on the collection of tissue before the guidance on its storage and use is ready.
Private Housing (Modernisation)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure that private housing sector modernisation is delivered effectively. (S3O-4516)
Local authorities are required by law to create local housing strategies, which set out the authorities' strategic priorities. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 updates that requirement in terms of private housing quality, and enhances the powers of local authorities to take cost-effective action to maintain the quality of private housing stock.
Does the minister acknowledge that, despite the availability of grant support to home owners, an issue remains with regard to people who are unable to take advantage of the grant programme, especially in poorer areas? The issue affects the elderly in particular. Does he have in mind any measures that may address it?
The member will know that we are about to introduce regulations on the scheme of assistance, which was part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. The scheme of assistance will, of course, change the way in which things operate. More use will be made of loans based on equity in property, although local authorities will still be allowed to provide grants. The scheme will also ensure that disabled people receive even greater support by means of automatic grants and increased funding for adaptations to allow them to stay in their own home. The work relating to the scheme of assistance regulations will be of great help to many home owners.
Fire Service (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the fire service. (S3O-4548)
My officials and I meet representatives of the fire service regularly. The meetings cover a wide range of issues.
The minister will know that the Treasury in London provided extra funding to cover changes to the pension arrangements for the fire service and the police service in England and Wales. Does he agree that it was wrong of the Treasury not to ensure that additional funding was provided to the pension schemes for firefighters and police officers in Scotland? That demonstrated a lack of respect for Scottish firefighters and police officers. What progress is being made on securing Scotland's share of the additional funding?
I acknowledge Michael Matheson's work in this field. This morning, I met representatives of the Fire Brigades Union. They were delighted that, on Tuesday, the Government reached a deal with our colleagues and partners in the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities not only to fund in full the additional cost arising from the increase in pension commutation factors for firefighters and police—that decision was taken at the United Kingdom level and it is right that it should be implemented—but to provide extra funding to meet the extra costs arising from the retirement bulge: the growth in the number of firefighters and police who are coming up to their normal retirement date. I agree with Michael Matheson that, as the UK Government said that the cost of the increased commutation factors should be paid for and met that cost in full for firefighters and police in England and Wales, money for that should also have been provided to this place. We will continue to make representations for equity and parity of treatment, perhaps including representations to Mr Murphy shortly.
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Elections 2007