Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, December 13, 2012

Official Report 831KB pdf

---

General Question Time

---

Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

1. To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on any increase in calls and approaches to organisations that support survivors of childhood sexual abuse following the recent revelations about Jimmy Savile. (S4O-01608)

The Scottish Government is aware that Children 1st, for example, is receiving increased approaches to its parentline service following the recent high-profile child abuse investigations. The Scottish Government does not tolerate any form of child abuse. The wellbeing and safety of children and young people in Scotland are key priorities for the Scottish Government. All children and young people have the right to be cared for and protected from harm and to grow up in a safe environment in which their rights and needs are respected.

Over the past decade, the culture, legislation and policy around child protection have changed considerably. A greater level of awareness and vigilance operates across all public services. We have stronger arrangements for preventing children from being exposed to individuals who can perpetrate those offences, and we have introduced measures to improve standards and ensure that practitioners have the necessary skills and knowledge to protect children from neglect and abuse. I encourage anyone who is looking for support to visit the SurvivorScotland website, which provides details of a range of support services.

I thank the minister for that comprehensive answer.

Currently, a small number of agencies across Scotland run successful advice helplines for survivors. In view of the increase in approaches that organisations that work with victims of sexual abuse, such as Open Secret in Falkirk, have recorded since the Savile revelations, will the minister consider carrying out a scoping exercise to see whether there is a need for a national Scottish helpline for survivors?

I thank Margaret Mitchell for raising the matter. I understand that she has a particular interest in it and has done a lot of work in the area, given her position as convener of the cross-party group on adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I am always happy to engage with her on the matter.

Since 2007, we have allocated £5.1 million through the SurvivorScotland strategy to fund a range of support services for survivors, and we have successfully piloted a forum to give adult survivors an opportunity to talk about their experiences of residential care. We are now working to set up a national confidential forum, and we have established In Care Survivors Service Scotland to support adults who suffered childhood abuse in care. Furthermore—this relates to my particular brief as well—we have a range of measures in place to ensure that children are less exposed to incidences of harm and people who can perpetrate harm and abuse on them.

We must always remain vigilant. In engaging with stakeholders in the police and national organisations, we must ensure that we are constantly vigilant because we cannot become complacent about the issue. We must ensure that we always work together so that children are protected and safe, and that there is a safe environment in which people who have experienced historical abuse can disclose their experiences and get the help and support that they need.

---

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (European Funding)

2. To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had from the United Kingdom Government regarding European funding available to small and medium-sized enterprises. (S4O-01609)

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the UK Government on a number of issues, including the European funding that is available to small and medium-sized enterprises.

At a meeting with the relevant directorate in Brussels last week, it transpired that the SME loan and guarantee finance programme—SMEG—is one of two funds that have €1.2 billion available to provide financial assistance for such businesses through intermediaries. As the programme is to be refreshed next year, will the minister confirm that the Scottish Government will establish direct communication with Europe to ensure that Scottish SMEs are aware of and can benefit from the fund?

Yes, I can confirm that we make all appropriate representations with the UK Government and with the European Union on ways in which we can help Scottish companies to access such finance. I am delighted that, to date, under the enterprise finance guarantee scheme, 1,164 offers have been made to Scottish companies involving £162.78 million. Many Scottish companies, including the prosthetics company Touch Bionics and the wave energy company AlbaTERN have benefited from EFG assistance. We will carry on working hard to ensure that all Scottish companies receive the best financial help on the best terms that are available.

What funds are available for SMEs in relation to the commercialisation of academic and scientific research in Scotland?

I am not sure that that is entirely relevant.

We move to question 3, from John Wilson.

---

Public Appointments (Equality and Diversity)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in place to ensure equality of treatment and diversity with regard to the public appointments that it makes. (S4O-01610)

The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging a diverse range of individuals to apply for regulated ministerial appointments to public bodies and to ensuring that all who apply are treated fairly and equally throughout the appointments process.

What measures does the Government intend to take, other than surveys of candidates who fail to be appointed, to ensure diversity in the public appointments process?

As Mr Wilson correctly says, the Government reports on these issues, but we also have a series of initiatives to encourage people to apply for public appointments. An outreach programme is currently being prepared on that and a number of specific actions have been taken. Recently, our team was represented at the launch of the Scottish Asian Women’s Association to encourage public appointments from that group of the population. There was also a stand at the Scottish workplace networking event for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff. There are close connections between the public appointments team and the Scottish Government’s equality unit to ensure that the specific Scottish duties in the Equality Act 2010 are taken forward in relation to public appointments.

---

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (Meetings)

4. To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing last met Healthcare Improvement Scotland and what was discussed. (S4O-01611)

The cabinet secretary met representatives of Healthcare Improvement Scotland when he conducted the HIS annual review on 9 October 2012.

I draw the minister’s attention to Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s recently published thematic report as part of its inspections of care for older people in acute hospitals. Although there are no doubt positive things in the report, I am sure that he will be as concerned and disappointed as I am that six out of eight hospitals inspected failed to screen patients for dementia; seven out of eight failed to put care plans in place; four out of four failed to screen patients for nutrition and hydration; and three out of four did not provide patients with the appropriate utensils for eating and drinking. What are the minister and his officials doing to ensure that action is taken to address the issues in all hospitals in Scotland?

The member will be aware that the purpose of thematic inspections is to identify areas where there is inadequate practice, to ensure that health boards and hospitals are taking action to address matters. The purpose is also to illustrate areas where good practice is being undertaken. The member will acknowledge that a number of the inspections to which he referred highlighted good practice in our national health service facilities, where staff are treating patients with compassion and dignity as they support and care for them while they are in hospital.

It is extremely important that when inspection reports have been completed, our boards take the necessary action to address issues of concern, to ensure that patients receive the appropriate care.

Why has the report into the acute care of older people at Ninewells hospital never been published? Why have more recent planned inspections been cancelled? Is the Scottish Government having second thoughts about a robust system of rigorous inspection and public reporting?

There are no second thoughts whatever. I understand that the draft inspection report for Ninewells went through a quality assurance process, which was undertaken by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. A number of issues to do with the report’s content were raised, which are currently being worked through. Healthcare Improvement Scotland publishes reports as and when appropriate.

Some scheduled inspections have been reorganised to assist boards, given the pressures that they are experiencing during the winter months, but the inspection programme will continue into the new year and thereafter.

Question 5 has been withdrawn by Richard Lyle, who has provided an explanation with which I am not satisfied. I have discussed the matter with all business managers and I hope that members will take note for the future.

---

Scottish Enterprise (Meetings)

6. To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Scottish Enterprise. (S4O-01613)

I met Scottish Enterprise at a meeting of the national economic forum yesterday. Scottish Government officials meet counterparts in Scottish Enterprise regularly, on a range of subjects.

Last year, the Scottish Government said that the enterprise agencies would switch more than £200 million in two years from revenue to capital. It turns out that only £100 million will be switched. What is the economic rationale for the enterprise agencies switching less than 50 per cent of what was initially planned?

Mr Brown’s question does not take into account the fact that the Government’s approach is designed to address some of the loss of capital resources that has affected us as a consequence of decisions of the United Kingdom Government.

We have taken steps to shift resources from resource budgets into capital, and across Government we are sustaining that activity, to guarantee that we are able to fulfil the commitment that we gave. I hope that Mr Brown can understand that there must be sufficient flexibility in budget management to enable us to identify where such activity can be undertaken, across Government, to ensure that our strategic-level commitment to increase the amount of resources that we can shift from resource into capital is fulfilled, to help to meet the losses that we have suffered as a consequence of cuts from the United Kingdom Government.

---

Road Markings (A75 and A76)

7. To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to replace substandard road markings on the A75 and A76 trunk roads. (S4O-01614)

Amey, the trunk road operating company, is responsible for the A75 and the A76 and carries out regular inspections to ensure that road markings remain in good order, in accordance with its contract. Amey maintains and renews road markings and reflective studs routinely on the A75 and A76. During this financial year, approximately £150,000 has been spent and further works are expected; next year we anticipate spend of £250,000.

This year, we are investing £3.75 million in road lining across Scotland, including an additional £1 million from our strategic road safety budget specifically to tackle the condition of our white road lines.

The minister may be aware of specific concerns raised in the Road Safety Markings Association study about the condition of the road markings on those roads and other roads in the area. I am sure that his commitment to road safety is well recorded and hope that he will further press the organisation to ensure that those markings are brought up to date as soon as possible.

I have the commitment to road safety that the member mentions. It is worth pointing out that the other things that we do in relation to road safety have led to the lowest ever recorded levels of casualties and, in particular, fatalities on our roads. The member makes an important point, though. If he is aware of a specific incident, I ask him to contact me and I will get in touch with the performance action group, which independently assesses what the trunk road operating company does and takes further action on it.

I am happy to assure the member that more money is being spent in that area.

---

Scottish Budget (Autumn Statement)

8. To ask the Scottish Government what impact the chancellor’s autumn statement will have on the Scottish budget. (S4O-01615)

The Scottish Government will receive £394 million in capital consequentials between 2012-13 and 2014-15 as a result of the autumn statement. However, that will be partially offset by a reduction in the resource departmental expenditure limit of £63.5 million.

The Scottish Government has been calling on the chancellor to boost capital spending for a number of years. The consequentials announced in the autumn statement are therefore welcome. However, it is important to note that even with that additional funding, our capital budget still faces a 26 per cent real-terms cut.

Is the cabinet secretary aware that the autumn statement shows that over the next five years, the United Kingdom Government plans to increase tax take by reducing tax avoidance to the sum of about £270 million a year? If Scotland had full control over the taxation system, how would that help us to manage our Scottish budget?

Fundamentally, any tax system must deal effectively and comprehensively with any dangers of tax avoidance. That would, without doubt, be a core requirement of the taxation system of an independent Scotland. Indeed, it is a core element of the consultation document that I published earlier this week on tax management issues and the increased responsibilities that will come to the Parliament in relation to stamp duty, landfill tax and the Scottish rate of income tax from 2015 onwards. A rigorous regime for tackling tax avoidance will be at the heart of the measures that we take forward.

---

Residential Children’s Care Services (Scotland Excel Consultation)

9. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Scotland Excel’s consultation on a proposed national framework for residential children’s care services. (S4O-01616)

The consultation is being led by Scotland Excel in partnership with Scottish local authorities and follows lengthy engagement with providers and local authorities. The Scottish Government sees the framework as a necessary first step towards the implementation of strategic commissioning of residential childcare services at a national level.

The minister may be aware that service providers in the childcare sector have raised concerns about Scotland Excel’s proposals. Some have suggested that the consultation is flawed and that the process has excluded key stakeholders. There are fears that it may result in fragmented services that are not partnership focused or driven by outcomes.

What steps can the minister take to address those concerns and what assurances can she offer that the interests of Scotland’s vulnerable children and young people will continue to be put first?

I am aware of the concerns that are raised by a small number of independent residential care providers about the consultation process. However, it is important to note that the involvement of providers and other stakeholders has been an essential element of the process. Officials have agreed to meet, on Monday 17 December, the small group of providers who have voiced concerns, and they will listen to what they have to say. That is absolutely correct and the right thing to do during a consultation process.

Stewart Maxwell is absolutely right that we need to ensure that the systems that we have in place protect some of the most vulnerable children in society. I know that Stewart Maxwell shares my passion to do better by that group of looked-after children, as is our responsibility as corporate parents. This is about improving the system, providing consistency and transparency and having in place something that has children and young people at its heart.