Good morning. The first item of business is general question time. In order to get as many members in as possible, I would be grateful for short and succinct questions, and answers to match.
Income Tax
The United Kingdom Government has scheduled the Scottish rate of income tax for introduction in April 2016. The Office for Budget Responsibility produced forecasts in March that estimate that, by 2016, a 1p change in the Scottish rate of income tax would increase or decrease the Scottish budget by about £560 million.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the calls by the leader of the Conservative Party in Scotland for a reduction in income tax by up to 2p, which would remove about £1 billion from the budget, is yet another example of the economic illiteracy that defines the Tories? Does he agree that it is ridiculous to call for a debate on taxation while, at the same time, her party is denying Scotland the full powers of taxation that would allow us to grow our economy and deliver social justice for our people?
Mr McDonald makes a number of fair points. As we operate with a fixed budget, a change in taxation of that nature would result in a significant erosion of available resources. It is incumbent on any party that pursues that strategy to set out clearly what the implications would be for the Scottish budget. Today would be an opportunity for the Conservative Party to do that, and it would be nice if the Conservative members were here. [Interruption.] I see that they are represented by their emeritus member, John Scott. It is nice that one of them turned up.
Dyslexia (Examination Support)
Assessment arrangements for students who require additional support during written examinations that are undertaken in schools is the responsibility of the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It has policies and procedures in place to allow adjustments in candidates’ external assessment, usually in exams, for candidates with additional support needs, where that is justifiable.
The minister will be aware that dyslexia can be a particularly debilitating condition that often affects people’s verbal as well as written communication skills. Can he assure me that students who take written and indeed verbal exams in any language, including English, are not penalised due to their disability? Are exam markers made aware of a candidate’s dyslexia?
I should perhaps clarify my understanding that, on the whole, exam markers are not made aware of any issues of disability or indeed dyslexia that candidates have, and that all candidates are marked on the same basis. However, during exams, every effort is made to make allowances for candidates with dyslexia, be it in the form of extra time, a scribe or perhaps computing assistance.
Environmental Protection
The Scottish Government protects the environment through its work to maintain and develop an appropriate regulatory framework and the support it gives to regulatory agencies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, and through its own direct actions in fulfilling its responsibilities as Scotland’s largest landowner. We also work with a wide range of stakeholders to help demonstrate the importance of our environment and to encourage best environmental practice throughout Scotland.
The minister will be aware that, in March, the Daily Record highlighted the issue of alleged toxic waste from the Edinburgh trams project being dumped in Pumpherston, in my region. Despite numerous phone calls, emails and meetings with SEPA and the minister’s predecessor, we are no further towards establishing whether the waste was dumped illegally or whether the contractor, Bilfinger Berger, will be prosecuted as a result.
I remind Mr Findlay that his party voted for the trams and this party did not.
This is a serious issue.
Order.
The case has been going on since February and involves a lot of technical complexities. SEPA has been active in pursuing the issue and has engaged with local representatives to keep them informed about any risk. Quite simply, it has not yet been possible to conclude whether the waste soil is suitable for deposit at the Drumshoreland bing. The onus is on the waste producer to satisfy SEPA that the waste material is suitable for disposal at that site, and its failure to produce appropriate evidence has resulted in the lengthy delay in the resolution of the issue. However, I am happy to note that an agreement was reached at a recent meeting between the City of Edinburgh Council, Transport Scotland and SEPA to send the waste in question to another landfill site that is appropriately licensed to accept it.
The minister is aware that ash dieback is present at at least 14 sites in Scotland. From discussions with scientists recently, I believe that there may already be scientific solutions involving the treatment of fungal conditions, such as ash dieback. Such solutions are used in crop protection plant science, with crossovers into the treatment of human fungal conditions. What scientific programme is the Scottish Government initiating with a view to finding a cure for ash dieback?
As was pointed out at the COBRA—Cabinet Office briefing room A—meeting that I took part in last Friday, no current solution has been identified that will cure ash dieback, so the member is incorrect in that regard. The main strategy that we are seeking to deploy at the moment is to reduce the spread of the disease. I am glad to confirm that there are still only 14 sites in Scotland, compared with 112 in the wider environment in England.
Training (Accessibility)
Equality aspects of modern apprenticeships are an important dimension of our discussions with our partners and stakeholders about the programme.
I highlight the case of a profoundly deaf constituent of mine who is trying to undertake periodic updating of his heavy goods vehicle and long goods vehicle training. He is paying for that training himself but is finding it impossible to pay for the sign language support that he needs to continue. We approached Skills Development Scotland, a training provider and eight agencies and non-governmental organisations to try to get support so that my constituent can take forward the training with the sign language support that he needs. He is finding it financially impossible to take forward the training.
Question, please.
I believe that my constituent is falling between the gaps in the system. If I were to supply the minister with the specific details of the case, could she look into it and have her officials provide me with a response that might move the situation forward?
I would be delighted to receive that information. As a former social worker, as a constituency MSP and as the Minister for Youth Employment, I am always particularly interested in the cases where the system does not automatically help individuals. I am always more than willing to assist individual MSPs with cases that need some championing.
Is the minister aware whether the United Kingdom Government’s access to work scheme—as I have said before in the chamber, it is the best-kept secret—is available to those who are seeking apprenticeships?
I will find out that information for Mr Robertson. He has a point in saying that the access to work scheme needs to be better promoted among young people, so that they know whom it could benefit. That is also true of a number of schemes. I would like to undertake work to ensure that young people with disabilities are better aware of the opportunities that currently exist, whether through our national training programmes, our modern apprenticeship programme or other schemes provided by parts of Government elsewhere.
Community Asset Transfers
We are funding the Development Trusts Association Scotland to provide the community ownership support service. The service, which was piloted last year, provides help and advice to community organisations that are interested in asset ownership. During the pilot, the service provided information, advice and support to more than 166 community organisations and 26 local authorities, with 29 community organisations receiving intensive support. It also identified promoting interest in urban areas as a key challenge. We have continued our investment in the Development Trusts Association and have asked it to identify further support that is needed for deprived urban areas as a priority group.
Can the minister advise me when all local authorities will have a policy in place to promote community asset transfer, particularly North Lanarkshire Council, which is transferring, in April 2013, all its community facilities to an arm’s-length trust? What assurances can be given to communities on continued Government support for community ownership of local community facilities?
I expect all 32 local authorities to take a proactive approach in recognising the potential to unlock local opportunities through appropriate community asset transfers. To further support efforts in the area, the Government is conducting an exploratory consultation on the draft community empowerment and renewal bill, which potentially presents a massive shift of responsibilities and opportunities from local authorities and others within the state to communities. I am sure that the member will welcome the work on that bill.
International Development (Occupied Palestinian Territories)
The Scottish Government condemns the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine. On behalf of the Scottish Government, I offer our condolences to the innocent civilians affected by recent events.
I congratulate the Fire Brigades Union Scotland on the Palestinian training project for which the Government has provided money.
The member raises two very important points. First, I and the Scottish Government absolutely agree with the United Kingdom Government and others in the international community that the expansion of those Israeli settlements is, as the member states, illegal under international law. The Scottish Government strongly condemns such actions and believes them to be contrary to the goal of achieving peace in the region. We call on Israel to immediately halt any expansion of such settlements as a matter of priority.
Sentencing Policy
The Scottish Government keeps sentencing policies and matters relating to sentencing under review and brings forward proposals for consideration by Parliament as appropriate. Our aim is to ensure that the courts have the powers available to them to impose custodial or tough community-based sentences appropriate to the circumstances of each case.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. I draw his attention to the case of Alexander Mortimer, who was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for committing sexual assaults on two young children at Glenburgh nursery in Rutherglen. That sentence was reduced on appeal to five years and 11 months on the basis that no account had been taken of an early guilty plea. As I am sure the cabinet secretary will be aware, the reduction in his sentence has caused much upset and anxiety to many of my constituents. In the light of those circumstances, will the cabinet secretary commit to an early review of sentencing guidelines to take proper account of the feelings of victims in such cases?
It would be wrong of me to comment on any individual case, but on the general matter let me say that we believe—and this has been the position of every Administration—that sentencing is best left to the judiciary. That said, we are committed to, and Parliament has passed the basis for, delivering a Scottish sentencing council, which I keep under discussion—indeed, just yesterday I met with the Lord President. It appears to me that the best vehicle for dealing with such issues will be the Scottish sentencing council, the delivery of which has been enacted by Parliament and which we are working with the judiciary to seek to deliver in due course.
Renewables (North Ayrshire)
The member will be aware that in October the First Minister announced a commitment of £4.3 million from the national renewables infrastructure fund for the Hunterston offshore wind test centre. Once fully operational, the facility—which is also benefiting from a £15 million investment from SSE—will be capable of hosting three full-scale wind turbines designed for offshore deployment.
I thank the minister for his reply. He will be aware that, under the previous Labour Government, the United Kingdom lost 37 per cent of its manufacturing employment, which hit areas such as North Ayrshire disproportionately hard. At last night’s meeting of the Ayrshire economic partnership, concerns were expressed about when the investment will come to fruition. Can the minister give us some information as to when that investment and employment will be secured?
Initial work is going ahead and we expect the project to proceed relatively swiftly. I praise Ayrshire economic partnership for its work. That work, and the work of others, is contributing to the fact that renewable energy in Scotland now supports 11,000 jobs—more than in the whisky industry. The potential to develop offshore wind, wave and tidal energy could see Scotland leading the world renewable energy industry in that respect, with the possibility of 5,000 turbine manufacturing jobs in Scotland.
Will the Government consider looking into the current barriers to community engagement and access to funding in relation to renewable energy? Specifically, in relation to the Kelburn wind farm in North Ayrshire, the communities of the Garnock valley are excluded from access to funding despite being located close to the wind farm.
I would be happy to correspond with the member about that case. We have very close engagement in community renewables schemes, and recently we have had two conferences in that respect. We have a target of creating 500MW from community renewables schemes, which would generate £2,400 million of community benefit for communities all over Scotland. That would make a massive contribution to economic development in rural and island Scotland.
Before we move to First Minister’s question time, members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the head of the Palestinian mission in the United Kingdom, Professor Manuel Hassassian. [Applause.]