Official Report 191KB pdf
The first item of business is general question time. In order to get in as many people as possible, I would prefer short and succinct questions and answers to match.
Patient Waiting Times (Moray)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for patients in Moray. (S7O-00049)
My commitment to tackle long waits is unwavering. To date this year, we have invested an additional £100 million to increase capacity and support boards, including NHS Grampian, to build on the progress that we have made in reducing long waits. We have made real and sustained progress nationally, with waits of more than 52 weeks for new out-patient appointments falling for 11 consecutive months and in-patient and day-case waits reducing for 15 months in a row. Since July 2025, new out-patient waits of more than a year have fallen by around 76 per cent and in-patient and day-case waits have fallen by around 47 per cent.
I recognise the progress that has been made in recent months to tackle the longest waits for secondary care patients. However, I have been contacted by several constituents who continue to face lengthy waiting times for orthopaedic surgery. Will the Scottish Government set out what action is being taken and how it is supporting NHS Grampian to ensure that waiting times in Moray are coming down for those on orthopaedics waiting lists?
Orthopaedics remains a priority as we continue to focus on the reduction of long waits, which means that in-patient and day-case waits of more than 52 weeks have reduced by almost half. We are also increasing orthopaedics capacity through our national treatment centres, including NHS Golden Jubilee, which is now the largest hip and knee replacement centre in the United Kingdom. Alongside that, we are working closely with NHS Grampian to maximise local capacity, improve theatre utilisation and ensure that patients who have been waiting the longest are prioritised. Yesterday, I met the chief executive officer of NHS Grampian for the first time, and we discussed that issue, among other matters.
Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current status of the Barra and Vatersay community campus project. (S7O-00050)
I welcome Donald MacKinnon to the chamber. I look forward to working constructively with him and I pay tribute to his predecessor, Alasdair Allan.
In answer to his important question, the Barra and Vatersay community campus project was included in our programme for government, and the Scottish Government remains firmly committed to its delivery, working in close partnership with the local council and NHS Western Isles. We have held a number of constructive meetings with the council and the national health service to progress that important project. Following our meeting in March, partners are now actively developing a business case. We look forward to the project continuing to move forward as quickly as practicable.
Although I welcome the minister’s commitment to the project, it is now 20 years since it was acknowledged that St Brendan’s hospital was in need of replacement. The people of Barra and Vatersay have had to deal with repeated false starts, delays and broken promises in that time. Meanwhile, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has warned that delays are increasing the risks associated with maintaining the existing school buildings, the replacement of which is an important part of the project.
Please ask a question.
I plan to be in Barra tomorrow. Can the minister give me a timeline for the delivery of the long-promised campus project so that I can give my constituents in Barra the reassurance that it will finally become a reality?
I underlined our commitment in my first answer: we are working closely with partners, as the majority funder, and we will consider the business case through a robust assurance and approval process once it is submitted.
Let us not look back—let us look forward and work together. Following his meeting tomorrow, Mr MacKinnon should keep in touch with the Scottish Government on the project. The Scottish Government's senior responsible officer will be in place shortly, so let us continue that engagement and deliver the project for the people we both serve.
NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of NHS Tayside’s recruitment freeze on patient care and waiting times across Dundee and the wider Tayside region. (S7O-00051)
The Scottish Government leads on the co-ordination of national activity designed to grow and retain the national health service workforce in line with service need. Decisions on the staffing of individual services are matters for health boards, which should ensure that they have sufficient, suitably qualified staff in line with the requirements of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019.
Boards are also responsible for managing service performance, supported by the NHS Scotland national centre for sustainable delivery. The most recent data shows sustained improvement in planned care performance across the system, including in NHS Tayside. We expect boards to build on the progress in the period ahead.
I find deeply disappointing the idea that the Government does not have any position on a recruitment freeze in NHS Tayside for critical posts involved in care. The cabinet secretary should know that there are significant delays—for instance, in gynaecological care and women’s health—across NHS Tayside, which is just one example of many shortfalls. What will the Government do to ensure that health boards are not put in the position of having widespread recruitment freezes that impact on patient care?
I very much appreciate Mr Marra’s concern, even if I nonetheless believe that it is somewhat misplaced. He might be relieved to know that NHS Tayside is making very clear progress in specialties including gynaecology, for example, where the number of people waiting has reduced from 1,348 to 11. There has also been good progress in waits for ophthalmology. The number of NHS Tayside staff has increased by 9.4 per cent over the past five years.
I thank Mr Marra for his interest in waiting times across NHS Tayside, and I share some of his concerns. However, I am very conscious that the Scottish National Party Government has achieved month-on-month reductions in waiting times for 11 months in a row. I would appreciate it if the cabinet secretary could update us on how the Scottish Government will build on that progress and deliver for patients not just in Dundee but across Scotland as a whole.
We are committed to building on progress. There is always more to do. Since July last year, long waits have fallen significantly, with new out-patient waits of more than a year down by 76 per cent and in-patient day-case waits of more than a year down by almost half. That has been underpinned by increased activity that is delivered by our dedicated staff, including more than 168,000 additional appointments and procedures last year and a 7 per cent increase in operations over the past 12 months.
Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the future of the Elmwood campus of Scotland’s Rural College in Cupar. (S7O-00052)
I thank Julie MacDougall for raising this important issue. Although SRUC is an autonomous institution with responsibility for its own decisions in relation to provision and facilities at Elmwood, I would expect it to take into account the needs of students, staff and the wider community.
I note that SRUC has stated its commitment to retaining a presence at Elmwood and that there are no plans for a closure of the campus. The Scottish Government also continues to work closely with the tertiary sector to secure a sustainable and successful future through its framework for universities and the college sector of the future workstream.
I have recently met farmers across the region who are seriously concerned about the lack of available opportunities for the next generation of skilled rural workers. Courses covering horticulture, animal care and green-keeping were unique local offerings at Elmwood. If Elmwood were to permanently close down, young people in Fife and the surrounding areas would either have to travel huge distances to study the same courses or be completely closed off from learning some of those vital skills.
Will the Scottish Government provide assurances to the farmers and young people across my region that the bespoke courses and offerings at Elmwood will be preserved and that it will do everything in its power to ensure that the campus remains open and active?
I refer to my first answer, but I recognise the importance of the Elmwood campus and that consideration of its future is relevant to skills provision, which was raised by the member, and the local community. If the member wants to write to me with feedback from their engagement with local farmers, that would be interesting and helpful to see.
I also emphasise that SRUC has advised that animal care provision will remain on offer at its other campuses, with horticulture and gamekeeping provision remaining on offer at Elmwood. It is important that we recognise that. However, I would appreciate further engagement; indeed, I had the pleasure of meeting campaigners about Elmwood’s future in the spring, and they can engage with me further.
I will take a supplementary question from Michelle Campbell.
First and foremost, I thank the minister for his dedication to this area. I am glad to see him return as the minister.
The sustainability of Scotland’s college sector is vital in strengthening our skilled workforce and supporting our young people into positive destinations. I have Glasgow Clyde College in my constituency, and West College Scotland in the neighbouring constituency of Paisley also serves my constituents. Will the minister advise how the Scottish Government is engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that colleges across Scotland remain an accessible pathway?
That is a little bit off the main question. Minister, do you wish to respond?
I thank Michelle Campbell for her kind words, and I welcome her to the chamber. I would simply emphasise that she raises important points that are relevant both to the two colleges that she mentioned, which are either in her constituency or serve her constituents, and to SRUC, which was raised in the previous question. Our college sector is crucial to our future, communities, economy and the success of our country. On Tuesday, I was at a conference with stakeholders, including college principals and Colleges Scotland. There is a real determination in the sector to look forward and to think about how we build the sector to meet our skills need and to help people achieve in their lives. I hope that the whole chamber will work constructively with me to help deliver that.
I will take a supplementary question from Willie Rennie.
The minister will know that Professor Sir Ian Boyd has been commissioned by the board of SRUC to produce a report into the future of the institution in north-east Fife and Cupar for the longer term—a vision that has been long awaited. That report has now been handed over to the board. When it is published, will the minister and the Government get right behind it and make sure that it turns into reality?
As Willie Rennie referred to, the report by Professor Sir Ian Boyd will be shared publicly, alongside SRUC’s response, after its board meeting later this month. As Willie Rennie will do, the Government and I will consider that report carefully. I look forward to engaging with the report, and to engaging with Willie Rennie and all other interested members about the future of SRUC, particularly with regard to the Elmwood campus.
Business Support
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps it is taking to support businesses to further grow the Scottish economy. (S7O-00053)
Although the biggest levers for boosting economic growth remain reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is creating conditions for growth and thriving businesses here in Scotland. We are streamlining regulatory processes for business while investing in skills, employability and housing, enabling firms to expand and create jobs. We back innovative and high-growth businesses through programmes such as Techscaler, supporting the creation and scaling of tech start-ups. Scotland remains the top United Kingdom foreign direct investment location outside of London, recently securing investments such as Ryanair’s £40 million investment at Prestwick airport, creating 450 jobs, and the £445 million Center Parcs investment in Hawick, supporting 1,300 jobs.
I thank the minister for his comprehensive answer. I also welcome the quick engagement after the election with the Confederation of British Industry and businesses by the First Minister, the cabinet secretary and the minister himself.
I have recently been contacted by a constituent who has raised concerns about the interaction between recent property revaluations and the thresholds in the small business bonus scheme. The scheme has been fantastic in supporting our small businesses, with more than 100,000 properties benefiting from 100 per cent relief. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that there is fairness in the business rates system and that as many businesses as possible continue to benefit?
I thank Calum Kerr for raising those matters pertaining to non-domestic rates. The small business bonus scheme has garnered much support in the business community. The Federation of Small Businesses in particular has been very forthright in advocating on its behalf. All of us, in our roles as constituency and regional MSPs, will be able to identify many businesses in our town centres, villages and high streets that benefit from the SBBS. As Calum Kerr highlighted, it benefits around 100,000 businesses across Scotland.
More broadly, we recognise that specific concerns have been raised about non-domestic rates by a range of sectors, particularly hospitality. We are committed to engaging constructively, and we will soon undertake a comprehensive review of non-domestic rates, which builds on our commitment to examine the impact and configuration of all our reliefs in advance of the next revaluation on 1 April 2029.
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests. Over the past couple of months, businesses in the Borders have come to me concerned about the extreme rise in their non-domestic rates. Passing the buck on the methodology to the assessor will not wash with businesses, nor will waiting for the Gill review. Will the minister help those businesses to contribute to their local economy by intervening in this unfair process?
I recognise the concerns that have been expressed by Rachael Hamilton on behalf of businesses in her constituency. I assure her that the Government takes those matters seriously. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport and I will engage closely with our colleague the Minister for Public Finance on those matters. Decisions on non-domestic rates in relation to reliefs and poundage are considered, as would be expected, as part of the annual budget process, so there is an opportunity for members from across the chamber to make representations to the Government.
I assure Rachael Hamilton that we are cognisant of the concerns that have been raised and that we are committed to constructive engagement, particularly, as I said in my previous answer, ahead of the next revaluation.
National Litter and Fly-tipping Strategy
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support people reporting and providing evidence of fly-tipping and other antisocial behaviour to enable enforcement action to be taken, as part of its national litter and fly-tipping strategy. (S7O-00054)
People should report fly-tipping incidents and share any relevant evidence with their local authority, which, in most cases, leads on investigation and enforcement. The national litter and fly-tipping strategy is clear on the importance of effective reporting and evidence gathering in supporting enforcement action. Through the strategy, we are working with partners including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Keep Scotland Beautiful to improve the quality of fly-tipping data, strengthen intelligence sharing and support a more co-ordinated approach to tackling fly-tipping and environmental crime. Updated action plans are published annually on the Scottish Government website.
A barrier to reporting for many people is that they may be asked to make a statement to back up any photographic evidence that they have provided, and they might need to give evidence in court against their neighbours. Will the cabinet secretary support exploring a model of third-party reporting sites with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and agencies such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to enable people to provide evidence and report antisocial behaviour anonymously, and will she meet me to discuss that?
I recognise that, for some people and in many instances, concerns about potentially providing a statement or giving evidence in court may act as a barrier to reporting antisocial behaviour. We want to better understand concerns and, where possible, work with partners to address them, so that people feel able and supported to come forward. There are already routes such as Crimestoppers to provide information anonymously where criminal activity, including large-scale illegal dumping, is suspected. The Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities, COSLA and other partners to consider ways to remove barriers to reporting fly-tipping and supporting effective enforcement.
E-bikes, E-scooters and Quad Bikes (Police Powers)
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to increasing the powers of the police to confiscate and retain e-bikes, e-scooters and quad bikes used antisocially or in connection with criminal offending. (S7O-00055)
The Scottish Government is working with Police Scotland to ensure that we implement our manifesto commitment to increase the powers of the police to tackle antisocial and criminal use of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters. We are reviewing police vehicle seizure and disposal powers, including the retention period. I am committed to doing all that we can to support enforcement and I am open to further legislative action. Although the law is already clear that the police can seize non-compliant or unlicensed e-bikes and e-scooters on public roads, we want to do more to protect the public. Crucially, we continue to urge the United Kingdom Government to use its reserved powers regarding vehicle registration for those vehicles.
I welcome the minister to her place and thank her for that answer. In the previous parliamentary session, I met ministers on several occasions to raise concerns over the illegal use of such vehicles. I hope that we continue to have a similar relationship in this session.
I was pleased to see the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment on the issue. There is an intended consultation to update the Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2002, as mentioned by the minister. What stage is the consultation at? Does the minister agree that greater fines and greater powers in relation to retention and disposal must be actively considered as key deterrents to the antisocial behaviour that is impacting on the communities that I represent?
I am grateful to Bob Doris for his continued interest in this issue. I will be happy to meet him and other members from across the chamber to hear from them and update them on progress. We very much understand the concerns.
As Bob Doris mentioned, work and conversations are ongoing, including with the police. We are committed to increasing the police powers to confiscate and retain illegal e-bikes and e-scooters. We will continue the regular meeting process with Police Scotland and partners, and I am happy to write to Mr Doris with more details, if he would find that helpful.
The Workers Observatory has found that delivery riders who use e-bikes in Edinburgh are frequently the target of racially abusive behaviour, but there is very little public discussion of the exploitative employment practices that force gig workers to race around the city. We know that people of colour who are overrepresented in that insecure occupation can be subject to racist patterns of policing. What assurances can the minister give that the use of powers for the police to confiscate e-bikes is subject to equalities impact assessment to guard against further marginalising already highly marginalised delivery riders?
I am grateful to Kate Nevens for that question, which is important and raises a complexity in this area that we need to be mindful of. If anyone has a concern about any kind of illegal activity or if they feel threatened or unsafe, they should absolutely contact the police. The police have specific powers to deal with crime and will do so, including under the Public Order Act 1986. However, the specifics of what Kate Nevens has raised are in a different area of law. I am happy to meet her to discuss that and would welcome a further conversation. The key priority is for people to make the police aware, if they have any concerns, so that the police can act.
Early Learning and Childcare
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its policy providing 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare, what action it is taking to address any parental concerns about flexibility and choice. (S7O-00056)
Flexibility and choice are fundamental to our offer of 1,140 hours of funded ELC for all three and four-year-olds, as well as eligible two-year-olds. The latest ELC census reported that uptake by three and four-year-olds remains near universal, with a recent survey showing that 90 per cent of parents and carers were satisfied that they had been offered the flexibility to use funded hours in a way that met their family’s needs. We know that there is more to do, and we will consider how best to ensure that childcare offers the flexibility that families need as we develop our plans to expand provision.
One of my constituents in Danderhall has got in touch about their difficulty in securing a funded place that is convenient for their working and living arrangements. The only option that is available to them would mean crossing the infamous Sheriffhall roundabout four times a day. My constituent needs a solution now, not in years to come. Can the minister reassure my constituent that action will be taken now to resolve the inflexibility in the current system and that it will not wait until ELC is expanded further?
I am not sure of Katherine Sangster’s constituent’s situation or of whether it is between local authorities, which is one of the issues that was raised in the childcare debate several weeks ago. I am happy to take that on. As I said, we are still working on this, and I would hope that, moving forward, local authorities will work together to ensure that parents and families can get the childcare that they need.
Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm (Environmental Assessment)
To ask the Scottish Government what further assessment it has made of any impact on the environment following the granting of planning consent for the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, in light of the significant updates and changes to guidance and regulations since consent was granted. (S7O-00057)
The Scottish ministers comprehensively examined that application, and the decision in July 2025 to grant consent was taken after careful consideration of the project’s potential environmental impact and its potential impact on other users of the sea. It is a requirement of the consent that the developer must deliver compensation to address the environmental impacts of the wind farm, alongside taking measures to mitigate and minimise the impact on other sea users. The Scottish ministers will consider any application to vary the section 36 consent in line with current regulations.
In the cabinet secretary’s response, he stated that SSE Renewables will compensate for any predicted adverse impacts. In the company’s own impact assessment, there are projections that the development could kill 4,000 gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills every year—and ministers seem to see that as an acceptable cost. How does the cabinet secretary intend to keep that under constant review and how will potential ongoing negative environmental impacts be reported to the Parliament?
The Electricity Act 1989 controls that. The Scottish Government has worked collaboratively with the United Kingdom Government in the past few years to reform aspects of the habitat regulations for wind, with the dual purpose of enabling a more flexible approach to securing compensatory measures and of maximising opportunities for investment. The Scottish Government is working at pace on Scottish statutory guidance, following a period of stakeholder engagement on draft guidance; we aim to publish that as soon as possible. That will provide practical guidance on how the regulations for offshore wind in Scotland operate with regard to compensation.
Pre-hospital Critical Care Service (Edinburgh and East of Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the commissioning of a new pre-hospital critical care service for Edinburgh and the east of Scotland. (S7O-00058)
The Scottish Ambulance Service has deployed a business case for a new pre-hospital critical care service for Edinburgh and the east of Scotland, which will be considered under the new national health service subnational planning structures. It is the responsibility of NHS boards to make appropriate operational decisions to ensure a high level of quality in emergency medical care for the members of their communities.
It has been two years since the Medic One helicopter was grounded. The Scottish trauma audit group has stated that, since then, only 3 per cent of the population of Edinburgh and the south-east of Scotland receive life-saving advance pre-hospital care. The comparable figure for Glasgow and the west of Scotland is 32 per cent. That is a ten-fold difference.
The business case was nine months late and has been on ministerial desks since March. When will we get a decision about this life-saving service for Edinburgh and the whole of the east of Scotland?
I appreciate the member’s interest in the issue; I know that he has asked several questions in that area, as have other members. He is correct that the business case was submitted in March this year. That business case was requested in 2023 and has only now been submitted. As I said in my original answer, it will be a matter for the subnational planning structure, which is best placed to make that decision. The decision must be consistent with the needs of the population base and the planning must take place across NHS and territorial boundaries.
This is an important piece of work. The member will recall the long history of it, which I have looked into—the decision was taken by NHS Lothian, back in 2024, and it consulted neither the Scottish Government nor the Scottish trauma network. My expectation remains the same: that NHS boards all ensure that high level of emergency medical care for their communities.
That concludes general question time.