SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Dementia Services (Fife)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve funding for dementia services in Fife, in light of the predicted 100 per cent increase in people in Fife with dementia by 2030. (S3O-8885)
Dementia is a national priority for this Government, with our target on early diagnosis and a range of other national activity supporting local service delivery. The dementia strategy, which will be published next year, will build on those achievements. As investment in dementia services is drawn by NHS Fife and Fife Council from overall resources provided by the Scottish Government, it is their responsibility to allocate funds on the basis of local needs and demographics. The Fife dementia strategy for 2010 to 2020 is designed to ensure that there are significant improvements in dementia care and to build capacity in that area in response to the predicted near doubling of the number of people in Fife with dementia by 2030.
Is the minister aware that although in my constituency the independent sector cares for more than 80 per cent of people with dementia who require residential care, it receives only £464.86 per person, whereas the public sector receives £780 per person? Is she aware of the high quality of services that are delivered in the independent sector by, for example, Abbeyfield, which has received scores of 5 and 6 for quality from the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care? The huge differential in funding means that in my constituency, the independent sector is struggling to cope—
Question, please.
What influence can the minister bring to bear in order to increase funding for the independent sector?
I acknowledge the member's long-standing interest in this matter, but I point out that the issue of differential funding rates for local authority homes and the independent sector has also been long-standing, and indeed goes way back for a number of reasons, not least the fact that wages and running costs in local authority homes are different from those in the independent sector.
Why does the minister allow councils such as Fife to pay almost twice as much per week for care for a person in a local authority-run home as is paid for care in the independent care sector?
As I said to Marilyn Livingstone, the differential rates are a long-standing issue, partly because of the differing costs of running local authority homes. We are where we are with this, but as we move forward with reshaping older people's services I believe that there will be a genuine need to redefine the role not only of local authority care homes but of the independent care home sector. Such issues are important and, as we consider the more specialist role that the independent care home sector might play in coping with people with dementia or who are in end-of-life care, we will need to put into the mix how that will be resourced and issues surrounding pay and staff training. However, I assure the member that we are talking through all of these issues as we take forward this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get things right for older people.
HM Prison Noranside (Christmas Closure)
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason HM Prison Noranside is being closed for Christmas. (S3O-8882)
That is an operational decision for the Scottish Prison Service, which advises me that the decision has been taken to consolidate the management of all prisoners who remain in open conditions over the festive season on one site in order to provide efficient and effective service delivery. Parts of the open estate have been closed before at this time of year, most recently Noranside in 2004. Giving prisoners home leave at Christmas has been the custom and practice of the Scottish Prison Service since the 1950s.
Earlier in the year, the cabinet secretary said that prison was a scoosh, and he seems to be trying to back that up by freeing prisoners for Christmas. How much money will be saved by the exercise, and where will the savings be invested?
I have no idea how much money will be saved, but I am more than happy to pass that request to the acting chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service.
Fife Constabulary (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the chief constable of Fife Constabulary and what was discussed. (S3O-8866)
I last met Chief Constable Norma Graham of Fife Constabulary on Monday 14 December 2009. We discussed issues relevant to policing in Fife.
Is the cabinet secretary aware of the large increase in the number of charges for knife crime offences in Fife, particularly in Glenrothes and Levenmouth? Does he agree that, although the increase shows that the police are working hard on the issue, it also points towards an increased presence of knives on our streets? Will he join me in calling for a knife amnesty in Fife?
The matter has been the subject of inquiries by the police in Fife, and we are not aware of the matters to which the member refers. The increase in the number of offensive weapons charges last year in Fife was down to proactive policing, on which I once again congratulate the chief constable. As a result of Fife Constabulary's concerted efforts, there has already been a 40 per cent reduction this year, which shows that the Government's action to tackle knife culture in Scotland is working. I also saw that yesterday when I visited a scheme in Barrowfield in Glasgow, where there has been a 50 per cent reduction.
Did the cabinet secretary discuss with the chief constable the stunning success of Fife's youth management scheme, which since 2007 has seen a reduction of 62 per cent in the number of police reports to the children's reporter, and a reduction in persistent young offenders in Fife from 112 in 2007 to just 47 this year? Will the cabinet secretary consider whether elements of Fife's scheme should be rolled out throughout the rest of Scotland?
Absolutely. I have seen some of those results myself in Levenmouth and elsewhere. It is quite clear that schemes such as the one in Barrowfield that I mentioned in my reply to Claire Baker are working. We need to make the big stick available to make it clear that those who persist in offending will face the full consequences and weight of the law. Equally, those youngsters who are given the opportunity to be all that they can be, to get back into education, to obtain employment and to keep themselves off the streets and out of trouble should be applauded. I congratulate the chief constable. We will roll out matters. However, members in other political parties should remember that if we are to tackle youth disturbance, we also have to address the problem of pocket money prices for alcohol, because we know that much youth offending is alcohol fuelled.
Computer Games Industry (Dundee)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to support the computer games industry in Dundee. (S3O-8915)
The Government is committed to supporting the games industry in Scotland and Dundee, which is a European top three and world top 10 location for excellence in games. Some examples of our support include the centre of excellence for games development education at the University of Abertay Dundee; the state-of-the-art facilities at Seabraes Yards; access to investment from a variety of funds, including the digital media IP fund; and developing talent with accredited degree courses at Abertay university and with national competitions such as dare to be digital.
Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's decision in last week's pre-budget report to refuse tax relief for computer game research and development, the support offered by the Scottish Government, particularly to Dundee, is most welcome. Despite the lack of an announcement in the PBR on the issue, will the Scottish Government continue to press Westminster for support for the games industry, which is so vital to Dundee's economy?
Minister, keep it brief, please.
Yes. Despite the disappointing news in the PBR last week, we will continue to make the case to the United Kingdom Government until it acknowledges the problem. We need more support for this high-growth area, and we need the right fiscal powers to provide it. If we are to compete with the likes of Canada, France and Ireland, we must ensure that we progress the issue of support. The UK Government's decision is disappointing, but we will continue to pursue it on the matter.
While supporting the games industry, we should also recognise some dangers. Is the minister aware that under-18s access violent 18-rated video games, which are sometimes bought for them by their parents? Will the minister liaise with the industry with a view to undertaking an awareness campaign to ensure that parents are advised of the possible effects of games on the psychological, emotional and social development of their children?
Yes, I will undertake to do that. We must ensure that we are aware of that issue. Indeed, part of our discussion with the Westminster Government is about how to support parents with regard to internet safety. We must educate our young people to be responsible citizens in a digital age. Ms Smith's point is well made in that regard.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
Scottish Police Services Authority (VAT)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been progress in discussions with Her Majesty's Treasury in respect of the liability for VAT of the Scottish Police Services Authority. (S3O-8860)
The Scottish Police Services Authority has been appointed as an agent, acting on behalf of the eight Scottish police authorities and joint police boards, for the provision of police information and communication technology services. The agency agreement will save the SPSA £3.8 million a year that would otherwise have been paid in VAT.
Mr Aitken, could you draw your microphone towards you a bit?
Will the First Minister—will the cabinet secretary accept—
Promotion!
I may be anticipating something, Presiding Officer, but I think not—indeed, I hope not. [Laughter.]
Moving swiftly onwards.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the new arrangement is good news? Perhaps he can indicate where any savings that might be engendered by that progress will be directed.
That would be a matter for the SPSA board. Clearly, it is doing remarkably good work in dealing with issues that require to be addressed. I will leave it to the board, Vic Emery and the interim chief executive to progress matters. I have no doubt that there are suggestions to be made, some of which could come from the Justice Committee and its convener. I also have no doubt that Vic Emery would be happy to meet briefly to discuss the variety of issues on which the SPSA board is working. Indeed, we all have a joint interest in making Scotland safer and stronger with regard to such matters.
In light of the current financial situation, can the cabinet secretary tell me what impact the return of VAT to 17.5 per cent in January will have on the justice budget?
It will add to the cost pressures on the justice budget on top of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's cuts to the Scottish Government budget, which were initially £500 million but are now apparently £800 million or more. The VAT position will be decidedly unhelpful. That said, our police and police boards are doing their best to mitigate the pressures that they, like the Government, face because of London cuts.
Moving on from the £943 million increase in the Scottish Government's budget, does the cabinet secretary accept that uncertainty of leadership in the SPSA does not help strategic planning for Scottish police forces? Can he provide an update on when a permanent chief executive will be appointed to the SPSA?
Matters are under way. It might be useful if the Labour Party decided on its position on many SPSA matters, given that it established the SPSA but now seems to have some doubts about its structures.
Dietary Food Standard (In-patients)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the national dietary food standard is being met in relation to the provision of fresh fruit and vegetables to hospital in-patients. (S3O-8874)
The fruit and vegetable food standards that are set out in "Food in Hospitals: National Catering and Nutrition Specification for Food and Fluid Provision in Hospitals in Scotland" state that the menu must provide the opportunity for patients to choose at least five servings of fruit and vegetables throughout the day, including as wide a variety as possible.
I look forward to seeing the outcome of the review when it is published.
We have not defined that fresh fruit and vegetables have to be served. There are good logistical reasons for that. Indeed, there is nutritional value in other forms of fruit and vegetables, so there has to be flexibility.
Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has consulted voluntary organisations regarding the removal of exemptions from licence fees for fundraising events as a result of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill and whether he can guarantee that organisations in Falkirk East will not have to pay £200 to hold their events. (S3O-8900)
The previous Liberal Democrat-Labour Administration set up the task group on civic government licensing. The group included representatives from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the police and business interests. It consulted voluntary organisations and other interested parties before making the recommendation on the licensing of market operators that the bill would implement. [Interruption.]
Order. Let us hear the answer.
However, we have received many representations and fully understand the concerns that the bill will impact on fundraising events in general. In light of those concerns, the Government will lodge amendments to the bill to retain the current exemptions for charitable and other groups.
I am pleased to hear that. Given that the average fee is about £200, and that many hall incomes are around £3,000 or less, I hope that the minister will support Cathie Craigie's amendments to restore exemptions.
We will lodge Government amendments to change the policy of the former Liberal-Labour Administration.
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Budget Process 2010-11