Official Report 268KB pdf
Social Justice and Housing
Good afternoon, colleagues. Our first item of business is portfolio questions, beginning with social justice and housing.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the United Kingdom Government’s recently proposed changes to the rules governing indefinite leave to remain, what assessment it has made of the potential impact of these changes on Scotland’s communities. (S7O-00471)
The Scottish Government strongly opposes the UK Government’s proposed settlement reforms, which will extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain potentially up to 30 years for some refugees. Extending timelines for settlement undermines integration and prolongs insecurity for individuals and families who are recognised as being in need of protection from war and persecution. These proposals undermine the vital contribution migration makes to Scotland’s economy and communities.
I thank the minister for her response, but the recent watering down of these much needed reforms means that 1.4 million people, the vast majority of whom are well below the threshold of being net financial contributors, will settle in Britain by 2030. That could mean 120,000 people—almost the equivalent of a city the size of Dundee—settling in Scotland in the next three and a half years. Is the Government really saying that that will not have an impact on housing, public services and community cohesion?
I thank Mr Langan for his question, but I want to offer an alternative view to some of the things that he has presented. The Institute for Public Policy Research estimates that skilled migrants contribute up to £115 billion to UK public finances under the current settlement arrangements. Our migrant workforce helps with our healthcare, our social care and our agriculture, and I ask the member to determine those things before he brings alternative facts to the chamber.
The minister is very quick to throw out petty insults and to lay out the welcome mat for any and all in the name of progressive politics, without taking any responsibility for the decisions being made through the Government’s policies in working class communities. Does she not understand that the biggest threat to social cohesion is not Reform raising concerns, but the Government’s inability to put the people of Scotland first over those strangers who have come here illegally? Will she finally reintroduce local connection for social housing?
I thank Mr Kerr for his supplementary, but my values and those of the Scottish National Party Government are without a doubt to do with integration and the contribution that our migrant communities make to Scotland. The member’s question about social cohesion is almost laughable, given that colleagues in Reform have done nothing except create community tension and use divisive language.
The talk of strangers reminds me that there is nothing stranger than the Reform party.
Unlike Reform, I believe that it is positive that the Labour Party has scaled back somewhat on its crackdown on health and social care workers, but the UK Government’s immigration proposals are set, nevertheless, to damage Scotland’s economy and our public finances, making us all worse off. Can the minister tell us what assessment the Scottish Government has made of Labour’s approach to immigration, and its impact on Scotland, including demographic and depopulation challenges?
I thank Mr Brown for his supplementary. The Scottish Government has consistently highlighted the importance of migration to Scotland’s long-term economic and demographic sustainability. In both our response to the UK Government’s earned settlement proposals and our paper “Migration: supporting the future of Scotland’s economy and communities”, which was published in August as part of the Scottish Government’s 100-day commitments, we set out evidence of migration’s positive contribution to Scotland’s communities and economy. I would also repeat that skilled migrants contribute up to £115 billion to UK public finances.
Energy and Environmental Building Standards (Consultation)
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its stage 2 consultation on proposed changes to energy and environmental building standards, what consideration it will give to supply chain capacity alongside the consultation responses when developing the final standards. (S7O-00472)
Supply chain capacity is being considered through the impact assessment process that informs changes to building regulations and guidance. Consultation responses, together with ongoing engagement with industry and other stakeholders during development of the Passivhaus equivalent standard, are helping to inform that assessment.
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting industry readiness and workforce development, and is already working on the preparedness of the construction sector with stakeholders. We also intend to provide a two-year period between publication of the final guidance and implementation of the new standard, allowing sufficient time for industry to prepare.
In the recent consultation on the building regulations, there were two options for the thermal value for windows. Scotia, an important employer in my constituency, has advised that if the lower value of 0.8 is chosen, no Scottish firm can supply the products to that specification. Given what the minister said about considering the supply chain, will that be factored in? Will consideration be given to reverting to the high-performance standard thermal value of 1.2, which will provide better value, avoid imported products and protect Scottish jobs? Will that be taken into account as part of the decision-making process?
I thank Alan Brown for raising that important issue. I reassure him that the impact on the Scottish supply chain is an important consideration and will be carefully weighed alongside the other benefits of the changes.
The consultation on alternative window U-values was specifically intended to gather evidence on those matters and to better understand the practical implications for the industry, as the member has mentioned. During the consultation period, my officials met the Glass and Glazing Federation and its members. We will continue to engage constructively with the sector and to consider all the consultation responses and supporting evidence before reaching a final decision on the standards.
In the middle of a housing emergency, we should not be making perfect the enemy of good. We should be going for standards that are good, but which allow houses to be built at volume in order to deal with this emergency. I do not favour schemes such as, for instance, Passivhaus, which is low volume.
I favour factory build, local timber use and making sure that we can produce houses at pace. Is the minister considering that, when she is considering the regulations?
Willie Rennie raises another important point. I stress that we are looking at a Passivhaus equivalent, not Passivhaus. That is a very important distinction to make.
Willie Rennie rightly points to a number of innovations. They are happening not only in Scotland, but we have some really good suppliers in Scotland that are looking at different types of housing that can be built, particularly, but not only, in rural and island areas, to assist with the housing challenges that they have. I will certainly keep the point that Mr Rennie has raised in mind.
Is the cabinet secretary aware that, this morning, the Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Committee took evidence from a wide range of stakeholders who, it is safe to say, are no fans of the Passivhaus standard? Will the cabinet secretary now commit to doing what is happening in the rest of the United Kingdom and putting a pause on any further heat in building efficiency standards, in order to assist this Government to meet the target for new house building, which it is so clearly failing to do, partly as a result of the regulations that it itself has put in place?
We will always consider the impact of regulations. Again, I note that it is about a Passivhaus equivalent. We need to be very careful about the language that we are using.
The reason that we bring in regulations around building safety and standards is that we want people to live in safe, secure, warm and affordable homes. That includes, for example, assessing the amount that people are having to spend on their energy in Scotland. It is also about ensuring that we have housing that fits the needs of the population, which includes disabled people and people who, as they age, may require different types of housing. It is about them not requiring to move house in order to be able to have a home that satisfies their needs.
Regulations have an impact on the people who use the housing. I appreciate that they also have an impact on the construction industry and developers, which is why I regularly meet developers and their representatives to discuss those impacts.
Homelessness Prevention
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Shelter Scotland’s recommendations in its “Building Hope” route map and the calls from Crisis for investment in measures to reduce the number of children living in temporary accommodation, how much funding it has allocated to homelessness prevention pilots and other homelessness prevention activity. (S7O-00473)
We are investing £218 million in 2026-27 in a range of actions to prevent and end homelessness. We have extended the funding for the homelessness prevention pilots to the end of the financial year, and we are providing £117 million in discretionary housing payments, which includes £8.7 million to mitigate the freeze to the local housing allowance brought about by the United Kingdom Government.
We are using £15.5 million to mitigate the benefit cap that the UK Government has kept in place, which has affected twice as many families this year because of the UK Government’s decision to end the two-child limit but keep the cap. We are also investing £4 million to help women who are experiencing domestic abuse to leave an abusive partner, and we are using our £50 million homelessness prevention fund, for example by providing £1 million for tenancy sustainment in Glasgow.
Further to the details that the cabinet secretary has given, how will the Scottish Government ensure that the prevention duties in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, which we passed in the previous session, including the really crucial ask and act provisions, are fully funded and implemented? Independent research from Crisis has shown that it will cost the wider public sector—not only councils, because we are looking at a wider range of organisations to comply with ask and act—around £100 million to be ready for commencement in two years. What is the Government’s commitment to meeting that estimated cost?
I welcome the report that Crisis published. I had the privilege of attending an event in Wester Hailes, where we discussed the ask and act pilot that is happening there and the publication of the Crisis report. The report raises important points that we need to look at, some of which could help us not only with housing but with wider public service reform. For example, the report quite rightly put to us a challenge around how we could data share so that we are making the best use of the information that we have across the public sector to help not only with housing but with other crises—preferably before a family hits a crisis—and how we could develop our services to assist. We will consider the report by Crisis, which I welcome, and I welcome the time that it has spent talking me through it.
The Labour Government has frozen local housing allowance, which has pushed a number of Scottish households into hardship. I welcome the commitment from the Prime Minister to end rough sleeping, but does the cabinet secretary agree that, to make that a reality, the UK Government will have to end its freeze on local housing allowance? Does she have any statistics on the impact that that is having on Scottish households?
That is one of the most genuinely puzzling areas in the UK Government’s recent budget. The Prime Minister has made great claims about wishing to end homelessness, particularly rough sleeping. One of the simple things that he could do—which he did not have the power to do as mayor of Manchester and which he knows from his time as mayor is an issue—involves the local housing allowance, yet he continues the freeze on it. We are having to pick up the tab to try to protect people from that local housing allowance freeze, as we know that it pushes people into homelessness because they cannot afford the rents in the private sector. As I said, £117 million continues to be available in discretionary housing payments, £8.7 million of which are to help people with that freeze, which could help up to 15,000 families.
One of the key issues raised in Shelter Scotland’s report, “Building Hope: A route map to ending the use of unsafe and harmful temporary accommodation for children”, is that housing benefit is not a qualifying benefit for the Scottish child payment. Children in temporary or supported housing deserve the same support as all children, but many are currently locked out of that vital support based on a technicality. I joined the Child Poverty Action Group and Shelter in calling on the Scottish Government to immediately add housing benefit as a qualifying benefit to support an estimated 3,700 children. Will the cabinet secretary commit to doing just that?
The Scottish child payment was able to be delivered as quickly as it was because it looks at the UK benefits to which a person is entitled—it is based on universal credit. If we were looking to change that, we would need to change the legislative basis of the Scottish child payment. Although Holly Bruce might think that the matter is simple, it is not.
I have heard calls from organisations and stakeholders and I am quite happy to recognise that there is an issue around temporary accommodation. Although the solution to that is not simple or quick, I am happy to provide the member with further details on the matter in writing.
Question 4 has been withdrawn. An explanation has been given.
Misogyny (Education Programmes)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to introduce misogyny education programmes in all schools as part of its strategy to address violence against women and girls, what substantive update it can provide on the delivery of these programmes, including an expected timeline. (S7O-00475)
There is absolutely no place for misogyny or gender-based violence in Scotland’s schools, and education plays a vital role in tackling the root causes. Work is already under way to deliver our commitment to expand anti-misogyny education in Scotland’s schools. An additional £1 million through the new respect fund will support this work from 2027-28, building on effective programmes that are already being delivered in schools, including equally safe at school and the digital discourse initiative. Development work is under way and will be taken forward through the gender equality task force in education and learning.
Although guaranteed misogyny education is very welcome, I am concerned that one-off or time-limited inputs from third sector experts represent a severely limited approach. Many young people feel that what is provided is inconsistent and uncomprehensive and does not meet their needs.
Does the minister agree that, although the recent overhaul of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education was a necessary and positive step towards meeting the First Minister’s aspirations to tackle violence against women and girls, all schools and local authorities must ensure that children and young people have equitable access to education about healthy relationships, consent and safety?
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic has met young people, and ministerial colleagues have engaged in dialogue with local authorities on how best to implement that work. I absolutely agree that we should teach our young people—boys and girls—about healthy relationships, so that those conversations can happen from the outset.
Almost one in five female teachers have been subjected to physical violence, verbal abuse and sexual harassment, while less than 20 per cent of girls say that they feel entirely safe in their schools. I previously called on the Scottish Government to ensure that there is a cross-campus strategy to tackle violence, sexism and misogyny in our schools. Is the Scottish Government now looking at implementing such a strategy?
Our ambitions to address violence against women and girls are cross cutting and cross portfolio. We are looking at the issues of sexism and misogyny and at enabling girls and boys to feel safer in our communities. Education is part of that, and those are some of the actions that we will take forward.
I am proud that the Scottish National Party Government is taking a stand against sexism and giving every school the resources to tackle misogyny. Will the minister expand on the wider work that the Scottish Government is taking forward to challenge harmful cultural norms, including through its “Don’t be that guy” campaign?
Sexism has absolutely no place in our vision for a modern Scotland, and we remain determined to take a range of measures to tackle it. In addition to the work to tackle misogyny in schools, our impactful campaign aimed at highlighting how online sexism can negatively harm girls is running until mid-December. We are also supporting Police Scotland’s “Don’t be that guy” campaign—Ms Adam mentioned it—which is working to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls.
Family Poverty in Glasgow
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Centre for Civic Innovation’s seventh annual family poverty in Glasgow report, which was published last month. (S7O-00476)
Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is this Government’s defining mission. The report makes clear the challenges that households in Glasgow and across Scotland face, and the importance of taking a joined-up approach to those challenges.
Our tackling child poverty delivery plan sets out how we are tackling those challenges head on, from record investment in affordable homes to new investment in skills, as well as through our £20 million whole family support third sector delivery fund, which is providing support in every local authority. We will go further, including with the transformation of our childcare offer for families.
When I read the report, one of the things that really moved me was that hundreds of families in Glasgow are falling back into poverty within six months of escaping it. The revolving door of poverty is trapping around 360 families in Glasgow every month. That is unfair, unjust and unacceptable. Tackling poverty requires more than short-term financial support. What targeted longer-term interventions will the Government take to help the people behind those numbers to achieve financial security—particularly single-parent families and those in low-paid or insecure work?
I very much recognise the point that Monica Lennon is making about the families who fall back into poverty, which might be because of a variety of issues in their life and circumstances. It is why the Government is considering an approach that looks at not only direct income through social security but areas in which we can systemically improve the life chances of families, whether through work that is done in education around attainment funding, whole family support, employability measures or the transformation of childcare. All those things can make a difference to provide support for families.
It is important to recognise the number of families who are in work but remain in poverty and who can fall back into poverty through no fault of their own. It is very important that we never judge the people who are in poverty or the reasons why they are there. It is our responsibility to give them support, and I have given examples of how the Government is looking at providing support that will be transformational, not only in the short term but in the long term.
Landlords (Private Rented Housing)
To ask the Scottish Government how many private landlords have exited the private rented sector since 2021 and what assessment it has made of the impact of this on the availability and affordability of housing for tenant families. (S7O-00477)
The Scottish Government has records from the Scottish landlord register since 2022. The register shows that the number of private landlord registrations decreased from 239,600 in January 2022 to 230,400 in September 2026, which is a reduction of 9,200. However, it also shows that the number of properties increased by 3 per cent over the same period.
A well-functioning and well-regulated private rented sector benefits both tenants and landlords. We recognise the vital importance that private landlords have in providing homes for individuals and families across Scotland, which is why we monitor the impact of policy on the supply of private rented sector stock.
Does the cabinet secretary appreciate that, every time a private landlord leaves the sector, a family who were living in that property become homeless and will struggle to find alternative housing due to the housing crisis? If the Government’s policy is not all about punishing single-property landlords and driving them out of the market, what has gone wrong?
As I said, there was an increase in the number of properties over the period from 2022 to 2026. We are of course very concerned about anything that is putting private landlords off being in the market, but we must also pay attention to the impact of policy on tenants in the private rented sector. We have to look at what is happening with both tenants and landlords.
On the specific area that David Smith mentioned of someone becoming homeless if a landlord wishes to move out of the private rented sector, I am sure that he will welcome the Government policy to give the first option to the tenant to buy a property if it goes on the market.
It is crucial that there is affordability across all housing tenures. How is the Government working not only to assist those who wish to own their own home but to help others across the affordable housing supply programme?
Patricia Gibson is quite right to point out that we need affordability across all tenures, whether in the private rented sector, social rent or mid-market rent or through low-cost home ownership, which is why the Government has a commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. Part of that ambition is about social rent, but it is also about ensuring that other options are available, such as MMR and low-cost home ownership, so that we have an all-tenure approach to the housing challenges that exist in different parts of Scotland.
I am not sure that the Scottish National Party truly understands the implications for the private rented sector and its vitalness in supporting our economy. I know of young people, doctors, dentists and businesses all seeking private rented accommodation—homes—in rural Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary help them by changing direction and finally realising that the private rented sector is what we need?
I have said all along that it is very important that we look at all tenures, which includes the private rented sector. That is why I was delighted to attend the Scottish Association of Landlords conference only last week, to hear directly from private sector landlords about concerns about Government policies but also, importantly, to talk about the opportunities for the sector in rural and island areas and across the country.
Registered Social Landlords (Inverclyde)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with registered social landlords operating in Inverclyde, and what was discussed. (S7O-00478)
My officials have regular discussions with registered social landlords and Inverclyde Council to discuss the delivery of affordable homes within the local authority. The most recent meeting took place in mid-October, with Larkfield Housing Association, its development consultants and the council. Discussions focused on current priorities and future programme planning. This financial year, we are making available £10.4 million for affordable housing in Inverclyde.
I recently visited Inverclyde Women’s Aid, which told me that a local RSL’s policy is to assign rent arrears to a tenant if they sign a tenancy halfway through a month, even though the RSL requires a month’s rent up front. That policy affects not only women but other vulnerable groups in the community. Does the Scottish Government agree that RSLs that put at a disadvantage tenants such as women who are moving on from abusive relationships should review their policies to ensure that tenants are not penalised for taking on a tenancy halfway through a calendar month?
Stuart McMillan has raised an important issue. I would be pleased if he provided further information, either directly or through Inverclyde Women’s Aid, about that practice, so that I can ask my officials to work on it directly.
The Government is undertaking work—for example, through our fund to leave—to support women who are leaving an abusive relationship. I would not want anything to get in the way of our determination to support women at such an exceptionally difficult time. If Stuart McMillan provides me with further details, I will be happy to look further into the matter and respond to him in due course.
VAT (Home Safety Equipment)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding VAT on home safety equipment, including the impact of VAT costs on housing associations fitting this equipment. (S7O-00479)
VAT is a reserved matter for the United Kingdom Government. Although the Scottish Government has not discussed the specific issue with the UK Government, I will be happy to write to HM Treasury to highlight the member’s concerns, if he provides me with further details.
I will give the cabinet secretary further details now, in a live example. Gardeen Housing Association, which is based in the Barlanark area of my constituency, takes tenant safety incredibly seriously. When it installs fire alarms, there are costs for VAT for the fire alarms and for the contractors.
I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for the invitation on taking that up with the UK Government. I ask her to cite that particular example as to why housing associations should not be subject to the prohibitive VAT regime but should be able to invest that money elsewhere—in tenants and in building new homes.
I thank David Linden for bringing up that important issue, because those policies have an impact on our housing associations across the country. He gave the example of Gardeen Housing Association, but the issue will also have an impact on others. If Mr Linden has further information to provide, I would be happy to include that in my letter to the Treasury. I will also ensure that my officials reach out to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations on whether it would like to comment before any correspondence is sent.
Care-experienced Young People (Housing)
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a Falkirk councillor.
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the provision of housing for care-experienced young people. (S7O-00480)
It is essential that the housing needs of care-experienced people and families are considered, to support improved outcomes. We are testing that through our funding for homelessness prevention pilots.
Local authorities are responsible for assessing housing need and demand and setting out how that need will be met, through their local housing strategies and strategic housing investment plans. The Scottish Government recently published refreshed local housing strategy guidance, which makes clear that local authorities should explain how the housing needs of care-experienced people will be considered and met. That work supports our commitment to keep the Promise, recognising the importance of safe, stable and affordable housing and support for care-experienced people.
The Promise plan 24-30 requires all public services to work together on the needs of children and young people, rather than in silos. To ensure that young people do not leave care only to face homelessness, housing insecurity or lengthy periods of temporary accommodation, what assurance can the cabinet secretary give to Parliament that housing, homelessness and children’s services are working together so that every young person leaving care has the option of a safe, settled home and does not have to navigate the homelessness system at the point that they leave care?
Gary Bouse is quite right to point out the responsibility that we all have to ensure that we are there collectively, in all parts of Government, for care-experienced people. We know, from the work that we do on homelessness in general, that preventing homelessness before it occurs is the best way of dealing with any situation, but that is perhaps particularly the case for care-experienced people, as we do not want them to have to navigate the homelessness system at any point.
The ask and act duties in the new Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, for example, will be exceptionally important, as is the work that has been undertaken as part of the Promise to ensure that those young people are being looked out for and looked after, in respect of any requirements that they have around housing, to prevent a crisis and prevent homelessness from happening in the first place.
That concludes questions on social justice and housing.
Economy, Tourism and Transport
Whisky Tourism
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the growth of whisky tourism in rural communities, including in Speyside. (S7O-00483)
I commend Laura Mitchell’s work on this key issue, as she is a fierce advocate for the whisky sector in her constituency. Like me, she will know that the whisky sector accounts for around 72 per cent of Scotland’s exports, or it did so in 2025. More than that, however, it is about how we attract people to the sector’s visitor centres in Moray and elsewhere in Scotland. I am pleased to say that the Scottish Government, through its many agencies, works closely with the whisky sector in that regard and will continue to do so as part of the Scotland outlook 2030 tourism strategy.
As the cabinet secretary set out, the Scotch whisky industry is hugely important to Scotland’s economy and particularly to the communities that I represent, and it is vital that we do all that we can to support the industry’s growth. That is especially important following the further blow of another increase in spirits duty in the recent United Kingdom budget.
On devolved responsibilities, can the cabinet secretary outline what discussions he has had with the industry on its calls for a joint Scotch whisky tourism promotion plan, which could deliver real benefits for Scotland’s distillers and for the wider rural economy?
The points that Laura Mitchell raises are incredibly important, and I assure her and members in the chamber that I stand ready to work closely with the whisky sector in Scotland to take forward any action in that regard, or indeed any other proposals that the sector seeks to bring forward, to ensure that there is continued growth in the sector.
Scottish whisky distilleries are unique and world renowned and they create magical drams across Scotland, but especially in Argyll and Bute, attracting visitors from around the world. With regard to that tourism experience, does the cabinet secretary agree that the geographical indication that the UK Government has introduced for English whisky is yet another example of where decisions that the UK Government makes water down and undermine the integrity, culture and worth of Scotland and our whisky tourism offer?
I do, and what a stark contrast we can all see between the efforts of the First Minister of Scotland in helping to ensure that we got over the line with regard to tariffs in the United States of America and the decision of the UK Government in respect of whisky duty in the budget, which followed consecutive failures in budgets from consecutive UK Governments.
Of course, the UK Government’s decision to give GI status to English whisky is ridiculous. It does a disservice to the Scotch whisky sector and, I think, to the Labour Party as a whole.
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests in relation to hospitality received from the Scotch Whisky Association.
Talking of undermining the sector, can the cabinet secretary give us an update on where the Scottish Government is now in relation to its previous plans to clamp down on the marketing and advertising of spirits, including whisky, which would have been devastating for the ability of whisky producers and distilleries to advertise and promote their products?
Mr Fraser will be acutely aware of the fact that that proposal did not proceed during the previous session of Parliament. I assure him that I am a keen advocate of the Scotch whisky sector—and, at certain points, a keen consumer of its products, as I am sure that many members are—and I am not aware of any proposals to return to what was undertaken in that session.
Is the cabinet secretary aware that Dumfries and Galloway was recently named as one of National Geographic’s 25 “Best of the World” destinations for 2027? Local attractions include the Annandale Distillery, which is a multimillion-pound investment led by David Thomson and his wife Teresa Church. Following the securing of that wonderful accolade for Dumfries and Galloway, does the cabinet secretary have any plans to visit my constituency of Dumfriesshire, where we can share a dram at the Annandale Distillery and discuss what more can be done to support local tourism and the whisky industry?
Mr Hoy always comes to the chamber and invites me to spend some time with him. It is a very generous offer, although I might have to pass on this occasion. However, I take this opportunity to congratulate his constituents on their formidable work. They should be very proud of that and I am sure that, as their constituency MSP, he is very proud of them.
Renfrew Bridge Closure
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current closure of the Renfrew bridge. (S7O-00484)
I am aware that the Renfrew bridge is currently closed due to damage from storm Boelo, and I sympathise with all those who have been impacted by the storm. Renfrewshire Council has reported that it is undertaking a review to determine the most appropriate solution. Local authorities have responsibility for the management and maintenance of all local roads, including bridges, in their areas. Any remedial work that is required to reopen the Renfrew bridge falls under the responsibilities of Renfrewshire Council, which would be best placed to provide an update.
I have been contacted by a number of constituents about the issue. The bridge is a vital link for my constituency, and the closure will cause real disruption and increase pressures on alternative routes, especially as we approach Christmas. The closure is having a serious impact on students’ access to college and those who need to go over to the hospital.
Bridge safety is paramount, but it is not ideal that the bridge has been closed without an expected completion date for the work. Will the minister engage with Renfrewshire Council on when it is estimated that remedial works will take place?
I recognise the impact that the situation is having on the member’s constituents in Clydebank and Milngavie and on people in Renfrew and the wider Renfrewshire area, as I recognise that the bridge is an important transport link. By way of an update, I note that Renfrewshire Council recently advised that investigations into the cause of the water ingress remain ongoing and that contractors are undertaking assessments to establish the extent of the damage and the remedial works that are required before the bridge can safely open. As the member recognised, safety is paramount.
I recognise the disruption that has been caused by the closure. As I said, responsibility for such operational matters remains with Renfrewshire Council, which has committed to keeping elected members and the public updated as its investigations and assessments progress.
MV Glen Rosa
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the delivery of the MV Glen Rosa has been further delayed, having initially been scheduled for completion in 2018. (S7O-00485)
This is an incredibly important and serious matter. It may be helpful for me to outline to the Parliament that the decision was a simple one: it was to ensure that the new propellors can be fitted. As part of the timeline associated with that, the liquefied natural gas will have to be commissioned only once, which will avoid the fuel systems having to be emptied and the new propellers then having to be fitted before the ship could be returned to service. The process will ensure that the Glen Rosa is operational more quickly and that it can provide the reliable services that islanders deserve.
The cabinet secretary will accept that the Glen Rosa was supposed to be delivered eight years ago but, yet again, communities are facing another delay. Meanwhile, there is a £100 million cost overrun and thousands of sailing days have been lost.
Why should the public have any confidence in the Government’s ability to deliver a return on our public investment? Will the cabinet secretary give an assurance that the costs of the delays will not be clawed back out of the pay packets of hard-working Caledonian MacBrayne staff through any pay restraint or other measures?
I respond to the member’s question and the islanders’ concerns about resilience by noting that the MV Isle of Lewis will still be operational and there will still be resilience on the route. It is worth reminding the Parliament that, as well as the Glen Rosa, which is due to be out on the seas in the not-too-distant future, we have three vessels from Turkey that will be coming into service. We also have seven small vessel replacements, with the work taking place in Poland, and we have two new vessels that will increase tonnage for the northern isles. We are putting substantial capital investment into our various fleets because, ultimately, that is the only solution to the problems that we have encountered in recent years.
Following the gas leak on the Glen Rosa’s sister ship, the Glen Sannox, it has been operating on diesel only. As the Glen Rosa is also a dual-fuel vessel, what confidence does the cabinet secretary have that there will not be a gas leak on that boat, especially as the Glen Sannox’s gas facility has not been regularly tested?
As Mr Rennie knows, when the gas leak was identified, actions were taken by CalMac to ensure the safety of the vessel. The works that were required for the Glen Sannox have been undertaken on the Glen Rosa as well, which is a positive step in the right direction. It has allowed us to mitigate any concerns that there may have been.
It is also worth outlining to the Parliament that, over the course of 1,644 sailings by the Glen Sannox, only 14 were missed. The vessel is delivering for the people in our island communities, and the Glen Rosa will do likewise.
Manufacturing Businesses (Economic Benefits)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic benefits of innovative manufacturing businesses that increase production and supply chain activity in Scotland. (S7O-00486)
The Scottish Government is keenly aware of the economic benefits of innovative manufacturing businesses in Scotland. An up-to-date briefing on the manufacturing sector is available on the Scottish Government’s website under its industry statistics publications. That briefing demonstrates, among other things, that manufacturing accounts for 182,000 jobs and almost half of Scotland’s international exports. The gross domestic product quarterly national accounts show that, in 2025, the manufacturing sector accounted for £17.7 billion or 8.8 per cent of Scotland’s gross value added.
I thank the minister for his response, which described the assessment at a macro level.
A particular example of innovative manufacturing is happening in Dumfries. VASO opened its new industrialised construction factory in September and it will demonstrate its first house to be produced from scrap glass on 9 December in Annan. The manufacturing method promises to reduce the construction time and the cost of housing while greatly increasing economic activity and enhancing the circular economy in south-west Scotland.
Will the minister ask the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform and the Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education to visit VASO to fully assess the potential benefits to the Scottish economy from this truly global technical advance?
I thank the member for bringing the success and the innovative approach of that business to the Parliament’s attention. I will ensure that that invitation is passed on to ministerial colleagues.
The member’s question highlights the interaction between our objective for economic growth in an innovative economy and delivery across a range of other important policy areas. Through economic innovation and economic growth, that opportunity can help to support our agendas on net zero and a circular economy, and it can help to address the housing challenges that we face in this country.
Winchburgh Train Station
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an update on progress towards the construction of Winchburgh train station. (S7O-00487)
The proposed station at Winchburgh has been raised in the chamber on many occasions over the course of recent weeks and months. As members will be fully aware, West Lothian Council’s funding application remains very much under consideration. Once advice is put to me, I will be able to make a definitive decision.
Can we expect the necessary funding to be forthcoming in the budget next month? If not, can the Scottish Government give a definitive date for when the necessary funding will be made available?
The funding of all capital infrastructure projects requires the Government to put capital resource in place. If Winchburgh station is approved, we will of course ensure that there is capital there to deliver the project.
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as a sitting councillor in West Lothian.
The Scottish National Party may have been the only party to make an explicit manifesto commitment to support the delivery of a station for Winchburgh, but I welcome the interest of members across the chamber at this advanced stage. [Interruption.]
Following the Scottish Government’s welcome removal of peak rail fares to reduce costs for passengers and encourage more people to choose rail travel, can the cabinet secretary advise what impact that has had on the cost benefit ratio and the business case to support the delivery of a train station in Winchburgh?
There was a lot of chatter there, as Pauline Stafford was rightly highlighting that only the SNP committed to deliver a new station at Winchburgh during the election campaign—despite the belated interest from members across the Parliament at various transport discussions. That indeed applies to many other topics, too.
On the overall business case, a number of different factors are taken into account, and we will ensure that, prior to making a definitive decision in the period ahead, all of them are considered in full.
Women’s Participation in Entrepreneurship
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of progress made in addressing barriers to women’s participation in entrepreneurship, as identified in the report, “Pathways: A new approach for women in entrepreneurship”. (S7O-00488)
I thank Claire Baker for raising this very important question. We can all be proud of the pathways work that has been undertaken, including the pathways fund, support for a female founders growth summit and the South of Scotland Enterprise pathways pre-start programme, which has helped to create more than 350 businesses, 84 per cent of which are female led.
There is still a lot more to be done, however, and I look forward to working with Claire Baker and others in that regard.
New research from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that female entrepreneurial activity in eastern Scotland—which includes my region of Mid Scotland and Fife—came to just 4.6 per cent of the total, compared with 8.7 per cent for working-age women nationally. The rate for women in eastern Scotland was the lowest in the country, and the report highlights concerning regional disparities. What targeted action is the Scottish Government taking to address those regional inequalities and ensure that women in Mid Scotland and Fife and across Scotland have access to the support that they need in order to start and grow businesses?
Claire Baker is absolutely right to highlight those figures. Looking at those for the east and the north-east of Scotland, we can see that the gap is far too big. Both of us can agree on that.
I work closely with Ana Stewart, our chief entrepreneur, who is one of the many people who has helped to ensure that the pathways programme can be delivered.
If Claire Baker has any suggestions that she would like to bring forward to me, I am more than happy to work with her, as I am sure others will be, to ensure that we improve the numbers.
Quite frankly, there is a lot more work to do, and doing that work would be of benefit to a whole host of women and of significant benefit to our economy. We can all recognise that women entrepreneurs contribute substantially more to economic growth than would otherwise be the case, and all members in the chamber should encourage that.
In Orkney, the connect to grow course and women in business scheme provide valuable support to women in entrepreneurship, but their future is not certain. A number of challenges still exist for women doing business in the islands, from the limited availability of childcare to difficulties in accessing mentoring and networking opportunities.
Will the cabinet secretary outline what the Scottish Government is doing to support the delivery of women’s entrepreneurship programmes in the islands and to address practical barriers such as childcare, travel costs and caring responsibilities?
A number of barriers underpin the question that Liam McArthur outlined. He will be fully aware of the Government’s commitment to, and delivery of, two and a half days of free childcare across the nation for many years. That allows people to enter work and start businesses.
There is, of course, much more work to be done. If there are specific opportunities that he feels could be realised that would help to increase the numbers of women entrepreneurs, and Claire Baker has quite rightly highlighted that the gap between regions is too large, I am more than happy to work with him in that regard.
Nationalised Rail Services (Performance)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the performance of rail services that have been nationalised since 2022. (S7O-00489)
I have some excellent news for Mr Kerr, who was one of the biggest opponents of the nationalisation of Scotland’s rail network. He will be glad to know that it massively outperforms the Great Britain average. That is good news, and I am sure that he will welcome it.
I welcome the fact that Mr Flynn has informed himself, because in August, when I asked him about the Caledonian Sleeper’s performance targets, he did not know and referred me to Scottish Rail Holdings, so I put the question to it.
The figures for 2025-26 make grim reading. Just 10 of 20 performance targets were met, cancellations more than doubled from 32 to 82, and complaints were up 32 per cent, from 589 to 775. That is not the transformation that ministers promised, but precisely what I warned about.
Ministers chose to nationalise the service, so they cannot now wash their hands of its performance. Does the cabinet secretary accept responsibility for that? What will he do about the situation?
Mr Kerr is so cynical when it comes to nationalisation. He could, of course, have stood up and welcomed ScotRail’s successes, but he chose not to do so, as everyone in the chamber will be aware. He did not talk about the record 8.5 million journeys that took place on ScotRail trains in July, which is a very positive story. He did not talk about the scrapping of peak rail fares or the fact that, in the north-east, where we both live, the high-speed trains will be replaced by refurbished class 222 trains. He did not talk about the 66 new suburban trains for the west coast.
Mr Kerr does not want to talk about Scotland’s success stories. He simply wants to talk Scotland down.
That has livened everyone up. Katy Clark has a supplementary.
ScotRail staff must ensure that passengers receive a high level of service. Transport Focus recently found that personal security on trains and at stations is increasingly important to passengers, reinforcing the vital role that staff play in supporting passenger safety. Will the cabinet secretary provide a reassurance that the pay and conditions of ScotRail staff will be protected and improved in any public sector reform process? He will appreciate that public sector workers are worried about what might lie ahead.
When I was on a train to Balgray for the opening of the new station, I had the opportunity to speak first hand with a whole host of ScotRail staff, whether they were the good folk who keep the trains clean, the folk who sell the tickets or some of the folk in the back offices. They all do a phenomenal job to keep our railways running. We should be incredibly proud of the work that they do. I will continue to support them in this role and will work very closely with the unions over the period ahead to ensure that our staff are given the respect that they rightly deserve.
Last week, ScotRail confirmed to the Transport Committee that it stands to lose £750,000 a year as a result of the bus fare cap in the Highlands. That follows confirmation from Transport Scotland, following a freedom of information request, that no assessment was undertaken on the potential impact of the bus fare cap on the far north line. What lessons have been learned? Will the cabinet secretary allay fears that the Government’s policy will lead to fewer services on and less investment in the far north line?
There is absolutely no suggestion that there will be a reduction in services on the high north line. David Green’s question affords me the opportunity to outline that two things can be true and good news at the same time. It is good news that we have introduced a £2 bus fare cap to ensure that people can afford to travel on buses during a cost of living crisis, and we should recognise that it is good news that we have removed peak rail fares. We have provided the investment to deliver both, because we recognise that, during these tough times, people in the high north of Scotland and elsewhere across our nation deserve support from their Government. That is exactly what we have provided, and I am very proud of that fact.
Tourism (Rutherglen and Cambuslang)
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the promotion of tourism in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang constituency. (S7O-00490)
VisitScotland works closely with South Lanarkshire Council in that regard. I know that Ms Haughey’s constituency has a significant amount to offer, and I hope that, through partnership working, those opportunities can be realised for people in the constituency and for the rest of us, who can go to spend some time there.
The cabinet secretary is, of course, always welcome to visit my constituency.
It has been fantastic to meet many visitors from across Scotland and further afield who have attended events and venues in my constituency this year. For example, people have visited the David Livingstone Birthplace museum in Blantyre, they have attended competitions at the rapidly expanding Clyde Cycle Park in Cambuslang, and they have attended events throughout the year as part of the wide-ranging programme to celebrate Rutherglen’s 900th anniversary as a royal burgh.
At the same time, South Lanarkshire Council has delayed the publication of a refreshed tourism strategy. Does the cabinet secretary agree that delaying all and any progress on that strategy risks delaying investment and the promotion of tourism in communities in my constituency and that the council should bring forward the strategy without further delay?
It sounds as though Ms Haughey’s constituency is the place to be, with all those wonderful things going on. I will certainly take her up on her offer when I get a moment to visit.
Oh!
I thought that Mr Hoy might be upset that I am keener to spend time with Ms Haughey than I am to spend time with him, although that should not come as a surprise to him.
On the substance of Ms Haughey’s question, it is important to recognise that, ultimately, tourism strategy is a matter for the local authority, but I encourage it to work at pace with partners to ensure that things can be taken forward as quickly as possible.
Business Rates
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the changes to business rates thresholds and small business rate relief announced in the United Kingdom budget, whether it will introduce equivalent changes for businesses in Scotland. (S7O-00491)
Ministers were considering the details of the UK Government’s announcement just weeks ago, and we will set out our decisions in the normal way on 3 December, when we announce our budget.
I look forward to hearing the details. I extend an invitation to the minister to visit my constituency—I hope that she can find a way to do that—to talk to businesses in my local community.
I welcome the additional funding from the UK Labour Government, which will make a significant difference to my high street and to hospitality businesses in my area. Surely the Scottish Government will want to provide the same support as businesses in England will receive. The cabinet secretary and the minister have at their disposal £97 million from the UK Labour Government over the next two years. What does the minister intend to do with that money to support local businesses and our high streets?
There seem to be many invites coming out. I would be delighted to visit Ms Baillie in Dumbarton, as that would help me to increase my knowledge of the central belt, which, as I am an islander, can of course be increased. Of course, central belt MSPs are always welcome to come up to the islands as well.
When it comes to looking at our business support, we have been clear that we are wrapping our arms around that. Both the Deputy First Minister and I are using our respective two ears and one mouth as we go round in political listening mode having conversations with businesses right across our country, from Aberdeen to Shetland, down to Dumfries and Galloway and in St Andrews. I therefore ask members to hold on for a couple more weeks and let us see where we get to on 3 December. I will be delighted to come down and visit Jackie Baillie.
Gleneagles Railway Station (Footbridge)
To ask the Scottish Government, given that temporary footbridges over the A9 are often erected at Gleneagles for golf spectators, what consideration it has given to building a permanent footbridge to improve pedestrian access to the railway station for local residents in Auchterarder. (S7O-00492)
The issue has been looked at in detail. Ultimately, it was concluded that safety improvements to the existing at-grade pedestrian crossing were the most appropriate option to take forward, and that has involved the installation of pedestrian warning signs on both approaches.
Ministers rejected the most recent proposal for a temporary bridge on accessibility grounds, so will the cabinet secretary publish the cost of a fully accessible permanent crossing, considering what has been spent on temporary bridges? Will he visit Auchterarder and walk the crossing with residents? I will maybe wave to him from the other side.
Another invite! I do love Auchterarder—the chippy there is a favourite of mine.
It is an important point. I outlined in my initial answer that options have been looked at, and it was considered that the improvements that have been taken forward were the best course of action.
It would be remiss of me not to say quite gently to Ms McDade that she comes to this chamber as a member of a party that repeatedly calls for us to reduce the money that is available to Government to spend while, at the same time, asking me to spend more money. That is simply irresponsible and it is not compatible with the good governance that we will take forward through the budget process.
That concludes portfolio questions on economy, tourism and transport. We will have a brief 30-second interlude to enable a changeover on the front benches before we move to the next item of business.