Child Safety
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote child safety. (S4O-04448)
The Scottish Government takes child safety very seriously and is committed to improving child safety right across Scotland through cross-cutting policies and partnership working. We are committed to reducing the number of tragic deaths and injuries as a result of unintentional harm among children and young people in Scotland, which is why we continue to work in partnership with organisations such as the Child Accident Prevention Trust and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
I am fully supportive of campaigns such as the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s child safety week, which gets the message across to parents and children in a fun and engaging way and helps parents learn how to fit safety into their busy lives. On 4 June, during child safety week, I was pleased to be invited to the Smilechildcare pre-school centre in Edinburgh. I took part in the child safety week activities, including taking the Bitrex taste test—it is the bitterest substance on earth—to highlight the danger of liquitab poisoning.
I offer my sympathies to the minister, as I too have taken that challenge.
I highlight the work of the Child Accident Prevention Trust and NHS Lothian in which the health board’s analytical services analysed the records of children attending local accident and emergency departments over the five years to December 2014. The analysis, which was of almost 19,000 records, showed that there is a peak between 4 pm and 8 pm. That is why CAPT ran its tea-time terrors campaign this year, which included a focus on burns, injuries and road traffic accidents.
Can we get a question, please?
Will the cabinet secretary join me in commending that collaborative work? Does he agree on the importance of accurate and appropriate data collection at A and E so that we can understand the dangers that children face?
I thank Clare Adamson for that promotion to cabinet secretary.
I certainly agree with the substance of Clare Adamson’s point that it is important that we have evidence-based analysis of the risks to children. Indeed, that has informed this year’s child safety week. The important work of Transport Scotland on road traffic accidents over a five-year period between 2009 and 2013 provided useful information about the peaks in accident rates for children. In particular, on weekdays, the peak time for child road casualties is post-school, from 3 pm to 5 pm. Almost one in three—29 per cent—of weekday casualties took place in that two-hour period. That kind of analysis is important to informing policy. We will look to work with CAPT to inform our future actions on child safety.
Parking on Pavements (Legislation)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the Scottish Parliament being able to legislate on parking on pavements and related issues. (S4O-04449)
Earlier this year, I wrote to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland on the matter. The Scottish Government supports the principles of the Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill. Now that the bill has been formally introduced, I am giving careful consideration to the policy and legal framework before reaching a view on the best way forward.
I am sure that the minister knows that the former member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith, Mark Lazarowicz, introduced a bill in the UK Parliament to sort this situation out and that the current Secretary of State for Scotland assured him that he would be willing to bring forward secondary legislation if the Scottish Government asked for it. Therefore, will the Scottish Government simply ask for the powers to be transferred so that the bill can proceed in the Scottish Parliament?
I assure the member that we support the principles of the bill. That is the most important message that he can hear. We will work constructively with the UK Government and others to take forward the principles so that we can deliver the legislation, on which there seems to be so much consensus. I am taking further advice on the right framework so to do.
Does the minister agree that it shows how feeble aspects of the current devolution settlement are when the UK Government has to be consulted on whether the Scottish Parliament can legislate on banning cars from parking on pavements? Does he agree that any new settlement for Scotland should include the devolution of powers where there is no sensible or logical reason to reserve them at Westminster?
Mr Gibson will not be surprised to hear that we support maximum devolution to Scotland, but it appears that there is even consensus among other parties in the Scottish Parliament that the Scotland Bill does not match the spirit of the Smith commission. The UK Government has a long way to go to respect the will and wishes of the people of Scotland about what we can legislate on.
I understand that Sandra White was advised that the Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill would be outside the remit of the Scottish Parliament. Does the Scottish Government consider that the opinion of the legislation team should be respected?
In my earlier answers, I tried to be clear that there is support for the bill and the principles within the bill. I say again that I will work with the UK Government to deliver what is required to make the legislation happen, and we are looking at the legal framework for that. We can concur with the respect agenda; I hope that the UK Government will do the same.
Rail Services (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve rail services to and from Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley. (S4O-04450)
I confirm that Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley will benefit from additional rail services secured through the new ScotRail franchise. From December 2015, Kilmarnock’s connectivity to Ayr, Glasgow and Girvan will be improved in that there will be a two-hourly service from Stranraer via Ayr, calling at Kilmarnock. There will also be six direct services between Glasgow and Stranraer—four from Glasgow to Stranraer and two from Stranraer to Glasgow—and all will operate via Kilmarnock. The services will offer greater travel opportunities and connections with the Glasgow to Carlisle services. Additionally, from December 2017, the Glasgow to Carlisle service via Kilmarnock will see more services on the line.
Throughout the franchise, ScotRail works closely with Transport Scotland and will continue to do so to develop, evaluate and deliver new and enhanced services for the benefit of passengers.
I thank the minister for his detailed and welcome answer. One of the principal drivers for economic change is journey times and frequency of service. Someone who lives in Ashford in Kent can make the 60-mile journey to London in only 37 minutes, albeit on the HS1. However, someone who lives in Kilmarnock has to take two hours and two trains to get the same distance to Edinburgh. Will the minister assure my constituents that the issue is very much part of his thinking in developing rail services to increase economic opportunity in my part of Scotland?
Mr Coffey has pursued this issue for some time. At his request, I had officials explore the issue of direct connections. It is not possible at this time to deliver a direct service, but if we can share more information about the connection opportunities, perhaps it will assist. If there is any potential in the future for us to deliver direct services, I will give it further thought. I appreciate the reasons behind the request for a direct service between Kilmarnock and Edinburgh.
Homelessness (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Government how it works in partnership with Glasgow City Council to tackle homelessness and help sustain tenancies. (S4O-04451)
We have strong legislative rights for homeless households in Scotland relating to the provision of accommodation and housing support, and the Scottish Government has been working in partnership with Glasgow City Council to promote the housing options approach to preventing homelessness. The approach can deliver the most sustainable solution to a household’s needs and it has led to falls in homelessness levels in recent years, including in Glasgow.
The Scottish Government will provide more than £1.4 billion to Glasgow City Council this year, with the vast majority of the funding, including that for homelessness services, being provided by means of a block grant, to be allocated by the council to fulfil its statutory obligations, its locally identified needs and a jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.
I recently met striking homelessness caseworkers from Glasgow who are not properly recognised or remunerated for the vital work that they undertake. They have been on strike for three months and Glasgow City Council has refused to meet caseworkers for nine weeks. I understand that the council is now willing to regrade some caseworkers as long as unions accept job losses within casework teams. That is an insult.
Will the minister contact Glasgow City Council to ensure that it is not—
It wants money.
I am being intervened on. We have just heard about the £1.4 billion—
Mr Doris, just ask the question. I am responsible for order in the chamber, not you.
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
Let me reinforce the point that the offer is an insult. Will the minister contact Glasgow City Council to make sure that the council is not compromising on its statutory duties in relation to homelessness, so placing my constituents at risk? Will she support my call for the council to re-engage constructively with striking staff so that an acceptable solution can be found?
I am well aware of the dispute that Bob Doris mentions. I hope that he appreciates that that industrial dispute is a matter for the council and its employees. I agree that we want to see a speedy resolution and I hope that the council and striking caseworkers can meet and come to an agreement.
Bob Doris raises an important point about the local authority’s duty to provide services. The council has a legal obligation to provide services to vulnerable people in relation to homelessness. I am aware that the independent Scottish Housing Regulator is in contact with senior council officials to ensure that the delivery of services to homeless people continues during the current industrial dispute involving the homelessness caseworkers.
The minister rejected my proposals for tenancy support during the passage of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014, but will she consider the possibility of introducing not only additional support but also a degree of legal compulsion to ensure that social landlords provide support for new social tenants?
Alex Johnstone will be aware that local authorities have a statutory obligation to provide support services to those who need support who present as homeless. That obligation applies under the legislation. All local authorities have to determine the support that any new social tenant would require and it is the council’s decision whether it wishes to provide such services.
Local Road Network
To ask the Scottish Government how important the condition of local road networks is to the success of the economy. (S4O-04452)
Scotland’s road network is a key enabler of economic growth and the Scottish Government is working with all 32 local authorities to ensure that our road network remains safe, efficient and effective.
Is the cabinet secretary aware that, before the Scottish National Party formed the administration of Stirling Council between 2008 and 2012, the council was considered to be 30th out of 32 councils in terms of the condition of local roads in the area, but that, through additional investment, the SNP administration significantly improved Stirling’s standing? Is he further aware that, since the Tory-Labour administration took power in 2012, the condition of local roads in Stirling has again deteriorated and that the budget has been cut by 30 per cent, or £1.7 million? Is that not unsatisfactory?
First, I advise Mr Crawford that I am not a cabinet secretary—I am just a mere minister.
Members: Shame.
I thank members for their empathy and support.
In terms of the investment priorities, there is an issue around roads investment, and I share Mr Crawford’s concern. That is why we are working to collaborate with local authorities around future roads investment and how we go about road maintenance.
I ask all local authorities to reflect on the transport priorities and to be mindful that local government has had a very fair settlement from the Scottish Government. Settlements have been maintained over a very challenging financial period.
I am sure that the minister’s promotion is only delayed.
The minister will be aware of the poor condition of the A70, which adversely affects the performance of the Ayrshire economy. Will he consider upgrading the A70 to trunk road status, and improving the section between Ayr and the M74 in particular, to provide a boost to our economy in Ayrshire?
I am happy to look at all our investment priorities to support infrastructure and economic growth. However, that would be made so much easier if the Tory Government was not reducing our budget, including in year. Of course we will look at further proposals to enhance Scotland’s infrastructure.
Bank Branch Closures (Bank of Scotland and RBS)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent branch closures announced by two of Scotland’s biggest banks, the Bank of Scotland and RBS. (S4O-04453)
I fully appreciate and share the concerns regarding the impact that those closures will have on the local community and the staff of affected branches, including Paisley’s Glasgow Road branch of the Bank of Scotland.
It is essential that banking services are available and accessible to all members of our communities and that appropriate alternative access arrangements are put in place.
Does the minister share my concern that RBS has closed two branches in Paisley over two years and, as he mentioned, the Bank of Scotland has recently announced plans to close its east end branch? People who are unfamiliar with internet or telephone banking, including many elderly constituents, are very worried about that push towards faceless banking. Will the minister join me in calling on the banks to halt the branch closures and listen to their customers’ concerns?
Yes, that is a fair point, which many members from various parties have made. We understand that not everyone in society is able to access online banking—it does not suit everyone. I hope that our banks will take on board the message that I am reinforcing now when they consider such matters in future. I am pleased that Mr Adam has raised the matter, and we will continue to ensure that the views that local members from throughout the country express strongly are clearly communicated to our banks in Scotland.
I listened carefully to what the minister said and agree entirely with his comments to Mr Adam. The Clydesdale Bank has now decided to close its branch in Springburn and is suggesting that its customers can make their way to one of Glasgow’s suburbs beyond the city boundary if they wish to bank.
Does the minister think that it is appropriate that people who are elderly or who perhaps do not have access to the internet are forced to make such arrangements for banking while we struggle to ensure that everyone has access to some form of banking that allows them to access all the facilities that most of us take for granted?
Ms Ferguson makes a reasonable point that repeats my basic point that not everyone in society can do business online. She is right to raise it. I am aware that the Clydesdale Bank announced eight branch closures in May 2015.
Neil Findlay and John Mason have held members’ business debates on bank closures. Following those, I wrote to the Royal Bank of Scotland communicating the concerns. The point that I made in that letter, which was not dealt with entirely to the Scottish Government’s satisfaction, should be repeated: banks should consult not only communities but MSPs and MPs prior to making a decision to announce closures, rather than after the decision has been made. There is a feeling that, although there is a three-month consultation period, it is something of a formality in most cases.
Police (Charging for Community Events in Fife)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Police Scotland introducing charges for community events in Fife. (S4O-04454)
Police Scotland follows the standard approach to setting charges for public services as set out in the Scottish Government’s Scottish public finance manual, which is one of full cost recovery.
The establishment of the single police force on 1 April 2013 provided an opportunity to put in place a consistent charging policy for policing services throughout Scotland. Police forces have always been obliged to charge for their services. Prior to the establishment of Police Scotland, the eight legacy forces had agreed charging rates, but the application of those rates and the associated charging methodologies varied. That approach was inconsistent and led to an unfair situation in which some events were charged at different levels, depending on where they took place.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary agrees that people who volunteer to organise events that enrich our communities should be supported and that barriers to such events taking place should not be erected, particularly at short notice, as has happened in several instances recently. Will he agree to take those concerns to Police Scotland and demand that it at least take into account the size of a group and its purpose when it implements charges?
I assure the member that Police Scotland does that sort of thing. It is important that event organisers engage with Police Scotland at an early stage to consider any policing requirements. There is a significant level of provision for abatement in relation to charges. For example, many community events attract 100 per cent abatement, so no charges are levied for them in the first place. There is flexibility in the system and it is important that local event organisers engage with the police not only to minimise any potential policing charges but because there is often no need for policing if appropriate stewarding is provided.