Official Report 121KB pdf
Good afternoon. The first item of business is general question time. To accommodate as many questions as possible, I ask for concise questions and also concise answers.
Police Scotland (Crime and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction)
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Police Scotland to help reduce incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour. (S7O-00202)
Ministers and officials continually engage with Police Scotland on crime and antisocial behaviour. For example, following the independent working group on antisocial behaviour, we worked closely with Police Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to oversee the implementation of improvements to the legislative framework. Earlier this year, at Police Scotland’s request, we introduced secondary legislation on the fixed penalty notice regime to increase the penalty to £70, and we are acting on its advice about the powers to seize vehicles that are used antisocially. We are also reviewing the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 with Police Scotland. We are backing that engagement with record investment of more than £1.7 billion in policing this year.
Crime rates across Scotland are the highest that they have been for more than a decade, while the antisocial behaviour rate is 7 per cent higher than last year. Following the closure of Bishopbriggs police station, there is now only one police station in my constituency. Over the summer, we have seen incidents involving knives, as well as people driving dangerously on e-bikes on footpaths and through parks, sometimes wearing balaclavas. That has caused real concern among my constituents, as has the thuggish, hate-fuelled behaviour that we have seen in Glasgow in recent months.
What is the Government doing to make sure that people feel safe and to ensure that local policing is properly resourced?
I completely agree with Mr Harley’s sentiments about the thuggish and antisocial behaviour that we have seen. I have already set out the investment that has been made in policing.
Mr Harley will be aware that East Dunbartonshire is a single-area command within the greater Glasgow division and it has its own local police plan, which is agreed with the local authority. Community officers have run focused weekend evening patrols in Bishopbriggs town centre and parks in response to reports of antisocial behaviour, alongside reassurance work with residents. In April, East Dunbartonshire Council reported that community wardens had delivered targeted antisocial behaviour patrols and deployed mobile closed-circuit television in and around Bishopbriggs, responding to youth disorder, graffiti and vandalism. If Mr Harley requires more detail on any of those issues, I am more than happy to correspond with him on them.
The cabinet secretary may be aware that decisions were made to close the Oban custody suite for more than a week due to significant resourcing challenges. Measures such as that mean that anyone who is arrested who requires to be kept in custody must be transferred to Clydebank, which is putting extreme pressures on policing in the Oban area. Will the cabinet secretary meet me to discuss the matter further and to establish what actions can be taken to ensure that it does not continue to be an issue?
I am more than happy to meet Ms Minto at any time to discuss that matter. I am aware of the issue and I agree that it is not acceptable either for those who have been arrested or for police officers in the Oban area.
Ms Minto’s question is timely, as I met the chair and chief executive of the Scottish Police Authority this morning and I was able to raise that issue with them directly, along with a number of other issues. They agreed to look into the matter further, look at the resourcing of custody suites and report back. I commit to writing to Ms Minto with the outcome of those investigations in due course.
Front-line police resources are under all kinds of intense pressures at the moment—I know that the cabinet secretary knows that—which are being added to by the Government’s policy on early release, bail and electronic monitoring. When the cabinet secretary met the chief constable, what exactly did she tell him about the additional demand that those policies are placing on Police Scotland?
Clearly, where we are requiring the police to do more in order to supervise, monitor or ensure the safety of local areas, there will be resource implications. I will have clear, open and transparent discussions with the chief constable about her resource allocation and how we approach that in the course of the budget negotiations.
North Lanarkshire Council has recently established a long overdue, but very welcome, joint initiative with Police Scotland to tackle the illegal and antisocial use of e-bikes, e-scooters and quad bikes. What engagement has the Scottish Government had with North Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to support that work and to ensure that effective local approaches to tackling antisocial behaviour are supported nationally?
As a fellow North Lanarkshire constituency MSP, I am well aware of the issue that our communities are facing with antisocial behaviour and the use of e-bikes, off-road bikes and similar. I have had direct communication with Police Scotland to ensure that we are maximising the devolved powers that we are able to deploy in relation to the police’s work to impound and then destroy those vehicles.
I intend to be in correspondence with and have further dialogue with United Kingdom ministers around their responsibilities, such as the licensing of those vehicles, to support our police to investigate and deter that activity.
Maternity Services (Stranraer and Wigtownshire
To ask the Scottish Government, further to its commitment to provide an update on the availability of maternity services in Stranraer and Wigtownshire after the summer recess, when will it provide such an update. (S7O-00203)
This month, we will begin our independent review of maternity services, which will be led by Professor Christine McCourt. As previously outlined, the review will consider the challenges that pregnant women in rural areas face, and our published principles include an explicit focus on women living in Wigtownshire. It will be informed by the experiences of women, families and staff. Professor McCourt is expected to conclude the review within nine months but will share any relevant updates throughout.
In the meantime, we expect all national health service boards to provide maternity services as close to home as practically possible, while ensuring the safety of mother and baby. NHS Dumfries and Galloway developed its service model based on findings from an independently chaired local service review, in line with its responsibilities to ensure the delivery of safe, sustainable services.
I appreciate that response, but given that this week the Government has announced 34 new embassies and that it continues to prioritise strangers—[Interruption.]—that is someone we do not know—including by spending £2 million on free bus passes for asylum seekers, can the minister please tell me when the people of Stranraer and Wigtownshire will become the Scottish taxpayers’ priority?
As I have clearly set out in my response to the member and as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care set out when she announced the review, there will be a particular focus on several areas that are important to the sustainability of maternity services across Scotland. Maternity services in rural and island areas across Scotland and the experiences of women living there will be included. That will include, but not be limited to, women in Caithness, Wigtownshire and Elgin.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I wonder whether you can clarify, with regard to part 7 of the code of conduct, which is about how we conduct ourselves, whether it is permissible to refer to our constituents—who pay our wages and whom we are sent here to represent—as “strangers”.
That is a debating point. It is not a direct insult.
I would ask that you press your button to make a point of order. At first I did not even know who was asking for it.
The minister should be embarrassed standing up to deliver that pre-scripted answer. She visited Stranraer years ago and gave a commitment that the women in Stranraer would be looked after.
What assessment has been made of the clinical and safety implications of pregnant women from Wigtownshire having to travel for up to two hours to access consultant-led maternity services? Does she believe that a further delay to access to maternity care, because of repeated consultations, could place mothers and babies at increased risk of adverse outcomes?
The member will be aware that, when I held the brief previously, I travelled to the area to meet people and hear directly from them. The integration joint board made a decision to change the current service model because of concerns about safe and sustainable services, and members of the community were formally consulted before the IJB made its final decision. Undoubtedly, the area will be a focus during the independent maternity review, which will start this month and will report promptly, within nine months. I urge the member to await the independent view on the decision that has already been made in consultation with the community.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Waiting Times)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to lower waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services and ensure that all children and young people are getting access to treatment at the right time. (S7O-00204)
The Scottish Government continues to take significant action to lower waiting times and improve access to specialist CAMHS support. As a result, we have now delivered the 90 per cent CAMHS waiting times standard for more than18 months, while one in two children and young people who have been referred to CAMHS start treatment within seven weeks of referral. Total waits have fallen, and waits of more than 52 weeks are now at their lowest level in more than a decade. That progress has been achieved through sustained investment over time to increase CAMHS capacity. We have backed that with national improvement work, including the implementation of the CAMHS service specification and enhanced support for national health service boards to improve services.
Although that represents significant and sustained progress, we are not complacent. We continue to be clear that long waits are unacceptable for children and young people who require specialist mental health support. We are working closely with boards, providing enhanced support and expert advice to drive further improvements in timely access and outcomes for children and young people.
I suggest that we have shorter ministerial responses. It is not fair to members who are asking questions that they are being asked to be succinct when ministers do not appear to be following the same rules.
Earlier this week, I met the clinical director for Lanarkshire CAMHS, when I was told that, although the department is meeting its target for initial appointments, the demands on the service have increased immensely recently, and many children and young people are still not receiving the assessment or treatment that they need. Some are facing waits of years for assessments by services. Can the minister set out what specific action the Scottish Government is taking to address longer waits, including what additional funding and capacity will be provided to meet the significant increase in referrals? Will she agree to meet me to discuss the pressures that are being experienced by services and the affected children and families in my area?
It is important to stress that CAMHS is a specialist service for people with significant mental health needs. The member is asking largely about neurodevelopmental services. I recognise that demand for neurodevelopmental diagnosis and support has increased significantly and that long waits for diagnosis can be worrying for families. Diagnosis is important, but it is only part of a person’s journey. It is vital that children and young people can access appropriate support based on their needs without having to wait for a diagnosis. Yesterday, I announced £7.6 million in funding for the young people’s neurodevelopmental support fund, which will help in the area. I am more than happy to meet the member.
Bus Priority Measures (Glasgow Southside)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow city region bus partnership regarding the delivery of bus priority measures on Pollokshaws Road, including any assessment it has made of the potential economic benefits for communities and businesses. (S7O-00205)
The cabinet secretary met with Councillor Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, on 8 July, where she highlighted the strong partnerships that Glasgow and other local authorities have developed with bus operators through the Glasgow bus partnership and the plans to introduce bus priority measures on key corridors across the city.
Through our bus infrastructure fund, we have provided funding to support the development of bus priority measures on Pollokshaws Road, including corridor design work and artificial intelligence-enabled traffic signal improvements. The supporting business case identifies opportunities to improve connectivity, increase access to jobs and services, reduce congestion, and deliver benefits for local communities and businesses.
The Pollokshaws Road corridor serves communities across my constituency. With funding already in place for the design of the corridor and an artificial intelligence bus priority pilot, can the minister provide an update on when people who live, work and travel along Pollokshaws Road can expect the delivery of those improvements?
Glasgow City Council’s AI bus priority pilot on Pollokshaws Road, funded by the Scottish Government, is already delivering positive results. The AI pilot and radar detection upgrades at 20 sites have produced initial journey time improvements of around 33 per cent, on average, across all vehicles.
We are investing in the next phase of the pilot, alongside improvements in the design and development of a wider corridor. Good progress is being made and we remain committed to working with partners to deliver measures that enhance bus journey times, reliability and connectivity along the corridor.
Rural Crime
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its ongoing work to deal with rural crime. (S7O-00206)
The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact that rural crime can have on individuals, businesses and communities. The Scottish partnership against rural crime, led by Police Scotland, brings together key partners to prevent, deter and tackle rural crime.
A three-year SPARC strategy was published in June, which adopts the four-piece framework of prevent, pursue, protect and prepare, and sets out actions to bring offenders to justice, safeguard communities and reduce the risk of criminal activity. SPARC also works closely with police forces and partners across the United Kingdom to disrupt criminals who operate across borders.
This week marks rural crime week, which highlights the serious impact that rural crime continues to have on individuals, families and businesses across Scotland, including in my constituency and the Scottish Borders. Earlier this year, several farms were targeted across the Borders by thieves who stole valuable equipment, including power tools, farm vehicles and quad bikes. The thefts cause anxiety and have a major impact on people’s livelihoods.
The minister will be aware that I am progressing plans to introduce a member’s bill in this parliamentary session to strengthen safeguards against rural crime. Can the minister reinstate the Scottish Government’s commitment to working constructively with me and stakeholders as I develop the proposals?
I am grateful to the member for her focus on this area. It is acknowledged that cross-border criminality is a challenge, which is why SPARC operates closely with police forces across the UK. Protecting rural communities is at the forefront of our minds. I would be happy to meet the member to have a further discussion on the matter, as I acknowledge that rural communities are a core part of our policing priorities.
East Coast Arc
To ask the Scottish Government what role it envisages for Angus in its proposed east coast arc between Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews. (S7O-00207)
As is stated in our programme for government, we are backing increased growth across Scotland, with every region having its unique strengths and opportunities. Angus, as part of the east coast arc, will play an integral role in helping to drive collaboration, innovation and sector growth. Specifically, given that it will be home to a significant part of Scotland’s brilliant life sciences sector, the new cluster development organisation will help to ensure better connectivity and opportunities for businesses across the region and the wider country.
Angus brings significant strengths in food and drink, manufacturing, energy and tourism, alongside the close links with local employers that Dundee and Angus College provides. As the east coast arc is developed, how will the Government ensure that the existing connections between education and business are used to drive investment, skills and economic growth?
It is clear that Mr Melville will be an outstanding champion for his constituency. I join him in recognising the strengths that already exist in Angus, which has excellent foundations for growth, built on world-class sectors including food and drink, advanced manufacturing, energy and tourism, and strengthened by the close partnerships between Dundee and Angus College and local employers.
The development of the east coast arc provides an opportunity to build on those strengths, not replace them. Our approach will be to ensure that existing education and business partnerships are at the heart of the arc’s development. As is set out in the PFG, the Scottish Government’s absolute focus is on boosting productivity and innovation by linking research universities and businesses.
I am a bit confused about all of that. I thought that we were trying to reduce clutter in the public sector, but now, in addition to the Tay cities region deal and a discussion between universities on the future framework for the sustainability of their finances, we are adding that structure in. What value will that add to what we are already doing?
I know that Mr Rennie is well versed in agglomeration economics and the triple helix approach to innovation. Collaboration is absolutely essential to ensuring that we realise all the opportunities in enhancing our productivity. I know that, as he is as much a champion for his constituency as Mr Melville is for his, Mr Rennie will want to welcome this initiative and work constructively with the Government.
How can the Scottish Government viably construct an innovation corridor that is dependent on Dundee and Aberdeen universities when academic departments and research facilities are being hollowed out by hundreds of redundancies?
The member raises important points. We want to see every aspect of the Scottish education system flourish, given what it contributes to our society. To touch on my earlier points, it is vital that we ensure that we are making progress in growing our economy and that we have an innovative, entrepreneurial and dynamic economy. The member raises wider issues, and ministers are happy to engage.
Bus Service Operators (Support)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to bus service operators, including Borders Buses, to improve evening services between Edinburgh, Peebles and Galashiels. (S7O-00208)
Evening bus services in Scotland provide essential late-night mobility that supports local economies, enhances personal safety and improves access to shift work and social activities. We provide £46.5 million via the network support grant to support current bus services, so that operators can provide access to affordable transport for passengers. That fund is paid on a kilometres-run basis, which supports the longer-distance routes that are more common in rural areas.
We also provide funding through the general revenue grant to support local authorities, which are required under law to identify where there is a social need for a particular bus service. That allows local authorities to influence the frequency and routing of services.
The last X62 service from Edinburgh to Peebles and Galashiels currently leaves Edinburgh just before 10 pm. For those communities, the time of the last bus restricts what they can do and how late they can stay at venues such as the Eastgate theatre. What assessment has the Scottish Government made of the adverse impact of limited evening bus services on the rural economy, particularly the hospitality and creative sectors?
The member raises an important point about our night-time industries—indeed, the matter was raised with me in the chamber just last week. Self-evidently, if there are restrictions or constraints around connectivity resulting from services not running later in the evening, that will influence behaviour and have a detrimental impact on hospitality.
We have a world-class hospitality offering in Scotland. We know that the sector faces pressures, but we want to work constructively with it. I am happy to take that point away and engage with the cabinet secretary on it. As much as it is a transport issue, it is clearly also an economic issue. I am happy to engage further with the member.
Housing Shortages (Rural Communities)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to deal with housing shortages in rural communities, including in Moray. (S7O-00209)
The Scottish Government is supporting the delivery of more homes in rural and island communities through a record investment of £4.1 billion in the affordable housing supply programme and continued support for a £37 million rural and islands housing fund and a £25 million rural affordable homes for key workers fund, as well as through partnering to unlock development opportunities and ensure sustainable rural housing growth through our planning system.
We are making strong progress towards our commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with just under 20 per cent of the affordable homes that have been delivered to date being located in rural and island communities.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that housing shortages in Moray are a significant recruitment barrier for public services, including at Dr Gray’s hospital, as well as for businesses that need skilled workers to move into the area to fill key vacancies. What further action can the Scottish Government take to support the development of key worker housing in rural communities such as Moray, especially for national health service workers?
I recognise that access to affordable housing plays an important role in thriving rural communities and in helping to attract employees and retain the workforce. The rural affordable homes for key workers fund was established to help local authorities and registered social landlords to provide homes in rural communities where there are housing pressures. I know that Moray Council has already made use of that fund.
I am keen to work closely with Moray Council on local housing pressures, and I welcome the collaborative way in which NHS Grampian and local housing associations have been working together to increase accommodation for staff. We encourage other local authorities, RSLs and councils to do likewise.
Adapted Housing (Availability)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that sufficient adapted housing is available to meet medical needs through local authorities and registered social landlords. (S7O-00210)
I struggled to hear you a wee bit there, Mr Linden. Perhaps you can speak up in the future. You had your microphone on, but perhaps the angle is not correct.
Everyone deserves a home that supports their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. As our population ages and people’s needs change, our ambition is to create homes that work better for everyone, which will reduce barriers and support independent living. The Scottish Government provides the majority of local authority funding through a block grant, allowing councils to allocate resources based on local need and priorities. We have protected the £20.9 million budget for adaptations for tenants of registered social landlord properties. We are now updating the design guidance to support a new Scottish accessible home standard.
My Shettleston constituent Billie-Jo is 29 and has had a brain injury. She is medically fit to return home to her husband and two kids, but their property has not been adapted. As a result, she is in an expensive social care setting. Is this not an example of the housing authority and the health and social care partnership not talking to each other? Is this not an example of the silo working that demonstrates why public sector reform is needed and why we need to get good value for taxpayers and, most importantly, get folk such as Billie-Jo home to suitable adapted properties?
I thank David Linden for bringing his constituent’s case to the chamber. It must be an exceptionally distressing time for the constituent and her family. He is right to point out that this is an example of why public service reform is needed. Although I appreciate that there might be different views across the chamber on what reform might look like, we cannot go on as we are. This example of barriers to a service being provided to an individual is exactly why we need to challenge ourselves to ensure that we are delivering the right service at the right time and in the right manner. Again, I thank David Linden for providing to members this good example of why we must look at public service reform for the benefit of all our constituents.
Cost of Living Support
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the actions it has taken since May 2026 to support people with the cost of living, including in relation to measures to tackle poverty. (S7O-00211)
In our first 100 days, we have further strengthened support for households, launching a first homes fund, expanding breakfast club provision and progressing the procurement of new welcome-to-school bags. Our programme for government commits to going further still, transforming our childcare offer for families; delivering record investment in affordable homes; capping bus fares at £2, with the cap in Strathclyde launching this week; and consulting on capping the cost of essential foods. With the news that energy bills will rise still further, we will continue to call for reform of the energy markets, including for the United Kingdom Government to implement a social tariff.
Under the Scottish National Party, people in East Kilbride have benefited from ScotRail being taken into public ownership, with new train stations at East Kilbride and Hairmyres and the scrapping of peak rail fares. As of this week—
Question, please.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that Scotland’s taxpayers get the best deal across the UK? Will she set out how those and other measures will help to tackle the scourge of poverty?
I hear some disgruntlement from across the chamber, Presiding Officer, because we are delivering for the people of East Kilbride and the rest of Scotland.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that some of the lowest-income households with children are around £2,760 a year better off because of the result of our approach to income tax and benefits. It is estimated that our tackling child poverty delivery plan will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year. We have already provided the strongest cost of living package in the UK for low-income households and, as I mentioned in a previous answer, our programme for government commits us to going further. This Government is delivering for the people of Scotland, and I am delighted that Collette Stevenson has come to the chamber to talk about examples of how her constituents are benefiting.
Low-income families in Scotland are facing a debt crisis, with public sector debt trapping families in endless cycles of poverty. Has the Scottish Government considered calls to reform the public sector debt recovery process and change the way that we approach public debt?
The Scottish Government is already taking action on several aspects that relate to public sector debt, such as the schemes that are already being run with local authorities on council tax debt and how we can assist people to see whether they require support before their debt is challenged. That is one example of how we are keen to look at ensuring that there is support for people who need it, although we need to make sure that there is value for money for the public purse.
I am sure that the ministers who are responsible for the different aspects of public sector debt would be able to take up further detailed conversations with the member.