Culture and External Affairs
Before we begin portfolio questions, I say to our security guards that if it gets too warm in the chamber, they should feel free to remove their jackets.
Ireland (Cultural Links)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to build on cultural links with Ireland. (S4O-03357)
I visited Ireland in May to further strengthen our common cultural and heritage links with Ireland.
At the Newgrange neolithic tomb, I announced the discovery of a skeleton in East Lothian that Dr Alex Woolf of the University of St Andrews has advised may be Olaf Guthfrithsson, a 10th century king of Dublin and Northumbria. Historic Scotland is collaborating with colleagues in Ireland—for example, on a seminar at Edinburgh castle this autumn and on the prestigious European Association of Archaeologists conference in Glasgow in September 2015.
I visited Dublin’s Abbey theatre and later met the chairman, Bryan McMahon. I also met Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, who hosted our joint event at the Listowel writers’ week celebrating the writers Maurice Walsh and Neil Gunn. I look forward to welcoming Mr Deenihan for a reciprocal event at the Edinburgh international book festival on 13 August.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s comments on the role that the University of St Andrews played in the archaeological find. Can the cabinet secretary advise what lessons can be learned from Ireland’s approach to culture—particularly, perhaps, in relation to broadcasting?
It is interesting to look at Ireland’s experience of broadcasting. Its national broadcaster, RTÉ, supports broader culture, providing, for example, two orchestras, two choirs and a string quartet. That, of course, is on top of delivering four television channels, four national radio stations that are broadcast over the spectrum and a further five digital radio stations, together with digital services such as the RTÉ website and the RTÉ player. Its budget is about £286 million, which is, of course, smaller than Scotland’s current licence fee resources of some £320 million.
Question 2, in the name of Mary Fee, has not been lodged. The member has provided an explanation.
Independent Scotland (Common Travel Area)
To ask the Scottish Government what the implications would be for the common travel area of an independent Scotland. (S4O-03359)
Scotland would remain a part of the common travel area, but as an independent country in its own right. As noted in “Scotland’s Future—Your Guide to an Independent Scotland”, it will be in the overriding interests of the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland for Scotland to remain in the common travel area.
Although I support the fresh talent initiative, as introduced by Jack McConnell, and any other similar immigration variations, is it not the case that membership of the common travel area and the absence of border checks is incompatible with a significantly different immigration policy? If the minister doubts that, will he consult the Republic of Ireland Government about the operation of the common travel area?
What I will do on that exact point is read a quote from the Irish Department of Justice and Equality spokesman in January this year:
“The common travel area … in no way alters our control over immigration or visa matters and who can and cannot enter or reside in Ireland”.
My suggestion is that, as much as we will of course have discussions in due course with the Irish Government, Malcolm Chisholm does the same.
Dundee (City of Culture 2017 Bid)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dundee City Council regarding taking forward some of the plans in the Dundee city of culture 2017 bid. (S4O-03360)
I met Dundee City Council on 9 January to discuss its plans for its city of culture bid, and I was delighted to hear about its plans to develop a new 10-year cultural strategy. Since then, the council has had a series of meetings with a range of officials and partners to progress its plans. Dundee is on a pioneering journey that embraces culture and creativity to promote regeneration and tackle wider social issues in a range of innovative ways.
When the Inverness city of culture bid failed in 2007, the Scottish Government stepped in and committed a substantial amount of money to ensure that some of the events would go ahead. Dundee City Council has said that some events will go ahead. Can the cabinet secretary tell me which events will go ahead as a result of her meeting on 9 January and how much money she will commit to make that happen?
Clearly, what will go ahead in Dundee is for the council in Dundee—with its partners—to determine, but I can say that I have been absolutely committed to Dundee in terms of its cultural progression and the activities that can take place. I have already spoken to our national collections and companies, Creative Scotland and EventScotland about a series of events to which funding will come from those organisations. There are many very good programmes and industries that can still be carried forward.
The Scottish Government has invested £125,000 in the aspire Dundee programme, which uses dance, drama and music to support the young people of Dundee and was part of the city of culture bid, and there is extensive support for the Victoria and Albert museum. There is also funding for different organisations: £518,000 for Dundee Contemporary Arts, £1 million for Dundee Repertory Theatre and £800,000 for Scottish Dance Theatre.
Very strong programmes exist currently and, on top of that, there are commitments to Dundee from Creative Scotland, EventScotland and all the different national companies and collections. Compared to any other city, Dundee has a vibrant initiative and vision, led by the Scottish National Party-led Dundee City Council and supported by all our partners. That is what national Government does—it brings everyone together—and that is what we are delivering for the people of Dundee.
Traditional Music (Promotion of Scottish Culture)
To ask the Scottish Government what importance it places on using traditional music to promote Scottish culture around the world. (S4O-03361)
The Scottish Government places great importance on the promotion of Scottish culture around the world and traditional music plays a key part in our work. The Scottish Government supports the traditional music sector through Creative Scotland, which disburses more than £2 million each year to organisations, individuals and festivals that directly form part of the sector. By supporting events such as Celtic Connections, Creative Scotland enables artists and musicians to promote their work internationally. In addition, Creative Scotland supports showcase Scotland. As a result of performing at showcase Scotland, Scottish artists are, for example, appearing at the Jodhpur Rajasthan international folk festival in India this October.
The Scottish Government itself has been giving an international showcase for Scottish musicians at major world events, such as the appearance of traditional musician Julie Fowlis and classical musician Nicola Benedetti at the official handover of the Ryder cup in Chicago in 2012. Will the cabinet secretary explain how agencies such as VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and the British Council will work in partnership to promote Scotland abroad as
“a distinctive creative nation connected to the world”,
as Creative Scotland’s 2014 plan intends?
This year, Creative Scotland will publish its international strategy and it will work with the British Council Scotland, VisitScotland and SDI on developing that. A very notable and important partnership is the Scotland and Venice visual arts showcase at the Venice biennale, which is a partnership between Creative Scotland, the British Council Scotland, the Scottish Government and the National Galleries of Scotland.
In promoting Scotland internationally, we are looking beyond the year of homecoming to themed years such as the year of innovation, architecture and design. VisitScotland will work on the promotion of that.
I note Rob Gibson’s keen interest in promoting traditional music in particular, which is very much part and parcel of the promotions that we deliver. I am very excited about the connections that are being made.
Independent Scotland (Cost of International Development Agency)
To ask the Scottish Government what the set-up costs of an international development agency would be in the event of independence. (S4O-03362)
The Scottish Government has undertaken a range of work to prepare for the transition to independence, and our approach is set out in “Scotland’s Future”. Pages 343 to 350 explain that a number of factors will influence the size of the one-off investment that Scotland will make in the transition to independence, which include the negotiations that will take place between the two Governments. As this Government has reiterated over the past year and a half, if not longer, we are prepared for those discussions right now, if only the United Kingdom Government would come to the table.
How does the minister respond to concerns that the set-up, running and transaction costs of a new international development agency could detract from aid spending and lead to aid fragmentation? Surely development jobs in Scotland and UK aid spending as a whole are better protected through pooling resources to administer the world’s second biggest aid budget, not just from Whitehall but from the Department for International Development’s offices in East Kilbride.
The question has taken completely the wrong tone. I have said to other UK Government ministers who have tried to use the poorest people in the world as a political football that that is a very unwise move indeed. In “Scotland’s Future”, we have given a guarantee that if there are any projects that might be affected by the transition, we will take care of the cost.
This Scottish Government—not the UK Government—has said that it will enshrine in law the 0.7 per cent commitment to the world’s poorest. If the member has any influence over her colleagues, who were in government for 13 years and did not fulfil that pledge once, she should use it if she can.
I note with great pride that my colleagues in government have done just that.
The international development agency of an independent Scotland cannot replicate everything that the UK does in external affairs. What would the international development agency of an independent Scotland not do?
That is incorrect. It is not about what countries and how many countries we are working in; it is about the impact that we have. Yes, we have said that we work in seven countries and we are not looking to work in too many more, but the impact of what we do with a small budget of £9 million and £3 million for climate justice is world renowned. Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations, Desmond Tutu, and former Irish President Mary Robinson have commended the work that the Scottish Government does with the limited resources that we have. I appeal to Annabel Goldie to have more ambition for her country in all Government departments but particularly for the work that we have done already to help the world’s poorest.
Independent Scotland (Lottery Funding for Creative Organisations)
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the impact of independence on funding available to creative organisations through the Big Lottery Fund. (S4O-03363)
Following independence, Scotland will continue to receive a fair share of national lottery ticket sales to support good causes, including the work of creative organisations. In an independent Scotland, all decisions about the distribution of good cause money will be made in Scotland to ensure that the needs of local communities are met.
The Big Lottery Fund in Scotland supports communities and the third sector, and its role in relation to creative or cultural organisations is limited to projects that deliver community benefits. General arts lottery funding, amounting to £34.9 million in 2014-15, is already devolved to Scotland and delivered by Creative Scotland.
As the minister will be aware, funding is allocated via the Barnett formula. What discussions have taken place in respect of that funding arrangement, and what other discussions has the minister had with the national lottery organisation?
The licence to run the national lottery is held by Camelot Group plc and is in place until 2023. The Scottish Government does not intend to change that arrangement. For other aspects that are more centralised there would be the opportunity for Scotland to do something similar to what we do with Creative Scotland’s arts and culture funds by making all the decisions about the distribution of lottery funds in Scotland. I have held meetings with Camelot.
Consular Representatives (Engagement on Case for Independence)
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has sought with consular representatives to explain its case for Scotland leaving the United Kingdom. (S4O-03364)
Ministers regularly meet members of the consular corps and discuss a range of subjects. Following the launch of “Scotland’s Future”, the Minister for External Affairs and International Development held a briefing for consular representatives in Edinburgh on 27 November 2013. I held similar events with diplomatic representatives in Brussels and London on 26 and 27 November.
We know that most Scots are unconvinced about independence and the decision will, after all, be theirs. However, in a week in which the Swedish Government has expressed concerns, as have the former United States Secretary of State, President Obama and now the Chinese Premier, I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer and urge her and the Scottish Government to redouble their efforts because they are clearly having the opposite effect to that which they intend.
The Swedish Prime Minister said:
“We also have a lot of experiences in referendums throughout Europe and we have learned to respect the results and not to speculate in advance.”
Premier Li said:
“We certainly respect the choice you make.”
President Barack Obama said:
“ultimately these are decisions that are to be made by the folks there.”
The people who are best placed to make decisions about Scotland are those who care most about Scotland and those are the people who live here. David Cameron seems to be more than happy to engage with every country that he can on the issue of Scotland’s independence, but not in debate with the democratically elected First Minister of Scotland. The people of Scotland find that that says more about the Westminster Government’s approach to Scotland internationally than anything else.
Scottish Sport Relief Home and Away Programme
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the away aspect of its legacy 2014 Scottish sport relief home and away programme. (S4O-03365)
The Scottish Government is funding four projects in sub-Saharan Africa through the first phase of the sport relief away programme, which is worth a total of £2.5 million, including a Scottish Government contribution of £1.25 million. The projects are based in Malawi, South Africa and Uganda and are working to improve housing conditions, to support people whose lives are affected by conflict and to assist in providing education for deaf children.
We are developing a second phase of the away programme, together with sport relief, and will make a further announcement on that in due course.
I welcome the projects and the Scottish Government’s support for them. The United Nations recognises that sport is a universal language that can be a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance and understanding. How can the games help to strengthen Scotland’s global links and solidarity between people in Scotland and elsewhere, and will there be opportunities for children in Scotland to learn about the away projects and to understand why we are supporting them?
The member makes an excellent point. Through the first phase of the projects, I have seen the impact that they are making. The international development work and the engagement through sport with some of the poorest people in the world is not being done only by the Government. For example, it is great to have the Scottish Football Association involved in that, as well as other sporting agencies.
The member makes the good point that there is a lot more that we can do to reach out to children here so that they understand the efforts that they can make in order to connect with children in the poorest parts of the world. I will reflect on that and see how we can do more in that regard.
Artworks and National Treasures
To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of art treasures, paintings, artefacts and national treasures that it or the National Galleries of Scotland holds. (S4O-03366)
The Scottish Government does not hold a current valuation for the works of art that it holds. The holdings comprise both loans and purchased works, although there have been no purchases by the Scottish Government for at least 10 years.
The National Galleries of Scotland does not have current market valuations for all the items in the collection, which is made up of almost 100,000 works. Individual items in the national collections are valued only when there is a requirement to do so, for example for loans out, which require commercial insurance.
Can the cabinet secretary tell me what the current value is of artefacts, paintings and national treasures that are currently out on loan from the Scottish Government or the National Galleries of Scotland?
At present, there are no artworks out on loan from the Scottish Government. The value of works that are on loan from the National Galleries of Scotland is currently just over £1 million.
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities
Housing (Rising Rents)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the rising cost of rent for housing. (S4O-03367)
The Scottish Government is investing in social housing at rates that help to keep rent levels low. Scottish social housing has always been based on a principle of affordability to tenants in low-paid employment without recourse to benefits, a principle that we believe should be upheld. That is why, in July 2013, the Scottish Government increased the subsidy levels for all social housing by £16,000 per home, which enables councils and housing associations to keep social rents affordable.
Also, in outcome 14 of the Scottish social housing charter, the Government requires social landlords to take account of what their tenants can afford when they set rents.
Rent levels in the private sector are set at the market rate and will reflect local market conditions.
Under the Scottish National Party Government, housing associations have been starved of vital resources and, as a result, housing association tenants in Scotland have seen their annual rent rise by an average of £830 since the SNP came to power. When families are struggling with the cost of living, does the minister think that that is acceptable?
Does the minister accept that increasing rents are an issue in the private rented sector, too, and will she support Labour’s proposal next week to cap rent rises?
As I said in my initial response, the Scottish Government has increased the subsidy to social landlords to enable landlords to keep rents at an affordable level for their tenants.
On the Labour amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, Neil Bibby will be aware that Labour was asking for a substantial legislative change, which was introduced at a late stage in consideration of the bill and only after Ed Miliband had introduced the idea in England. It was not introduced at any other stage of the bill or mentioned in any meetings that we had. However, we are taking forward reform of the private sector tenancy regime and will consider rent levels as part of that consultation.
I was interested to note that the expert group on welfare welcomes the idea of considering rent caps to help those in the private rented sector. It states:
“rents should increase in line with inflation but not above it, at least for the duration of a tenancy.”
Does the minister disagree with the views of her expert group on welfare?
I repeat what I said earlier: we have been considering reform of the tenancy regime in the private rented sector. We have set up a stakeholder group covering all stakeholders. That group has now made recommendations to the Government and we will consult on a detailed policy proposal for a new tenancy regime in the autumn. I repeat that it will explore issues relating to rent levels.
The appropriate way to tackle the matter is by consulting and discussing with stakeholders, receiving the evidence and proposals and then going out to consultation, not throwing something in as a last-minute proposal, as James Kelly is trying to do.
Borders Railway
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the construction of the Borders railway. (S4O-03368)
The construction of the Borders railway remains on schedule for completion in June 2015, with passenger services available by September 2015 following a period of driver training. We continue to examine with Network Rail possibilities for completion ahead of those timescales.
I welcome the project’s continuing progress. The minister may be aware that it now takes an hour longer to travel from Hawick to Edinburgh via public transport than it did in 1969. The Borders railway will deliver an undoubted economic boost along its route.
The First Minister said in April that the Borders railway will act as a catalyst for the rest of the historical Waverley route. Will the minister commit to commissioning a feasibility study into the extension of the railway to Hawick, at the very least, to support a town that, of course, was most affected by Beeching’s cuts?
The member is right to highlight the benefits that will flow from the project, not least because people who have been disconnected from the railway network for nearly 40 years will be able to use the services, which will be frequent and moderately priced.
On further extensions, we have found it productive to concentrate on the project in hand to ensure that we get it done as quickly as possible and in the right and best possible way. The question that the member raised about further extensions was raised last night at the cross-party group on rail and I undertook to look into it and get back to the person concerned. I am happy to copy the member into that correspondence.
I call Mark Griffin, if it is about the Borders railway.
It certainly is, Presiding Officer.
As far as I understand, the First Minister has already committed to a feasibility study on extending the line in the future. Would that lead to the line being double tracked along its whole length? Would there be significant engineering works to add to the current package if any extension was proposed?
Minister, it was about the Borders railway.
Indeed it was, Presiding Officer.
Part of the current project will be double tracked but, to go ahead with the project, it was essential to get the necessary cost benefit ratio so that the project washed its face. Had we committed to double tracking the entire line, the cost benefit ratio would have been completely skewed. Further decisions on future double tracking will be taken some time after the project has bedded in.
The same applies to possible extensions. The First Minister has mentioned that extension is a possibility, but we are concentrating on making sure that we get the current project done as quickly as possible.
Stranraer Waterfront Development
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the redevelopment of the Stranraer harbour waterfront. (S4O-03369)
We are committed to supporting sustainable economic growth in Dumfries and Galloway by working closely with Scottish Enterprise and Dumfries and Galloway Council as partners in the south of Scotland alliance.
We welcome the good progress that Dumfries and Galloway Council is making in taking forward the work of the Stranraer task force, with identified investment in marine and community projects. The Stranraer waterfront and east pier design brief has been developed to guide the regeneration of the former terminal site.
Together with Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Enterprise, Dumfries and Galloway Council is developing a rural economic development programme for the area. The redevelopment of the Stranraer waterfront is a key part of that ambitious vision for growth in the south of Scotland.
As I am sure the cabinet secretary is aware, the site is now being tested on the open market, which we all hope will lead to a successful outcome. However, if no buyer is found, would the Scottish Government consider further direct involvement through the creation of an enterprise zone in Stranraer to encourage the investment that is so desperately needed not only for enhancement of the derelict waterfront itself but for the local economy?
As Alex Fergusson will appreciate, I am not in a position—it would be inappropriate—to give specific commitments on proposals in that respect. In the spirit of my previous answer, which I hope came through, I will say that the Scottish Government is committed to working with partners in Dumfries and Galloway, particularly in relation to some of the projects in Stranraer that Alex Fergusson mentioned, to find the best way to regenerate the area.
We stand ready to discuss with partners what the best approaches might be in particular circumstances. As always, I am happy to meet the member to discuss the issues in more detail if that would be helpful.
Affordable Housing (Private Rented Sector)
To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the availability of affordable housing in the private rented sector. (S4O-03370)
Our housing strategy confirmed that we would support a substantial expansion of intermediate or mid-market rental properties to complement and ease the pressures on social rented housing. We are doing that through a range of initiatives, including the provision of grant subsidy to registered social landlord subsidiaries, the empty homes loan fund and the national housing trust.
One in four people who rent privately live in poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that private renters in Scotland spend 23 per cent of their income on housing, which is up from 18 per cent just a decade ago.
In order to improve the situation for the 300,000 households that find themselves in that position, Scottish Labour has proposed a cap on rent rises and the introduction of a standard three-year tenancy agreement. Why will the Scottish Government not support those measures?
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation also reported that households in Scotland spend a smaller share of their income on housing costs than households in England do, and that poverty rates in Scotland are lower than they are for people in similar tenures in England.
I refer Anne McTaggart to my earlier answer. The Scottish Government is progressing reform of the private sector tenancy. We will consult on a detailed policy proposal for a new tenancy regime in the autumn, part of which will explore issues relating to rent levels. We will consult our stakeholders and take evidence, and we will allow Parliament to undertake detailed scrutiny of any proposals that we present.
Transport Scotland (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Transport Scotland and what issues were discussed. (S4O-03371)
Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government, and meetings with ministers occur regularly in the normal course of business.
In July 2012 the Minister for Transport and Veterans announced substantial cuts to the Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme. Can he confirm which improvements were removed from the programme and when phase 1 is due to be completed, and can he update the Parliament on the timescale for any future phases?
Annabel Goldie may recall that we announced at the same time that around 80 per cent of the works that were originally proposed under the previous budget of £1 billion would be delivered for the new budgetary price.
Some parts of the programme are phased—for example, the Edinburgh gateway is part of that approach. We expect to have completed electrification by 2018, and further works will be completed by 2019. The project involves a substantial investment by the Government of approximately £850 million, which will lead to improved services between Edinburgh and Glasgow; an increase in the number of passenger spaces available; and improvements with regard to the environmental cost that rail travel incurs. [Keith Brown has corrected this contribution. See end of report.]
In response to a question last week on the proposed Levenmouth rail link, the minister suggested that neither he nor Transport Scotland had had any contact from Fife Council regarding the proposal.
The leader of Fife Council wrote to the minister on 28 May, and the Scottish Government acknowledged the letter. Can the minister now correct the record and acknowledge that Fife Council has made representations on the matter?
If that is the case, of course I will do so. The question that I was asked was whether we had received representations that the rail link was a priority for Fife Council, and we had no record of any such correspondence. If something has been missed, I will write to Jayne Baxter to confirm that.
Affordable Housing (Highlands and Islands)
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the building of more affordable homes in the rural communities of the Highlands and Islands. (S4O-03372)
The Scottish Government has allocated more than £53 million to Highland Council and the three island authorities for the period 2012-13 to 2014-15 to build affordable homes.
The Scottish Government provides higher subsidy benchmarks for rural areas, the west Highland and island authorities and remote and rural Argyll than for city and urban developments.
We have supported the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust’s rent-to-buy model, which provides affordable housing for rural communities in Highland.
As well as new homes being constructed, many constituents want empty and dilapidated homes to be brought back into use for affordable rent. Is the minister confident that the empty homes loan fund is as effective a measure as the previous rural empty properties grant scheme? Are there any plans to expand the scope of the empty homes loan fund?
The empty homes loan fund has already approved projects in the Highlands and Islands. It has offered £4.5 million—more than the £4 million that was originally set for the fund. Highland has been allocated £400,000 and the Western Isles have been allocated £155,000. We are looking at the empty homes loan scheme and we are always in discussion with local authorities and stakeholders to see how we can encourage more and more owners to bring their properties back into use, because we all want that to happen. I am willing to engage in more discussion on the matter with Jamie McGrigor, as we go forward.
In 2008, the Scottish Government launched the rural homes for rent scheme at a cost of £5 million. How many homes were built using those funds? Was a review of the scheme carried out?
I do not have the figures to hand, but we ran the rural homes for rent scheme as a pilot project that provided grant funding to rural landlords for affordable housing at the mid-market rent level. The funding could be used to renovate empty properties or build new homes.
The scheme was popular in some parts of Scotland; we are aware that some people have looked for its reintroduction, but there were difficulties with the scheme. If Mary Fee is willing to give me specific questions that she has on the scheme, I will respond to them.
Cycling Infrastructure
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with cycling organisations regarding improvements to cycling infrastructure. (S4O-03373)
I and my officials speak regularly to cycling organisations regarding cycling infrastructure. The outcome of the most recent discussion was the allocation of an additional £7 million of funding for cycling and walking infrastructure projects, which was announced on 10 June.
In partnership with Sustrans, the Scottish Government also last week allocated 84 Commonwealth games legacy cycle racks to businesses across Scotland, which will provide an additional 840 cycle parking spaces in workplaces.
Given the growing appetite across Scotland for cycling infrastructure that makes cycling an easy and natural choice for everyday short trips, what message does it send out to cyclists and to tourists visiting Scotland that Network Rail has banned cycling from Waverley Bridge down into the station, which means that cyclists have to use the narrow pavements that are already often congested with walkers and are totally unsuitable for prams, buggies and bikes to pass each other? Will the minister take the matter up with Network Rail and ask it urgently to review the decision so as to permit safe access to the station for cyclists, and ask it to ensure that much more customer-friendly signage is established?
The message that that sends out is that Network Rail is very concerned about safety within the stations that it owns. I am informed by Network Rail that the decision to close both ramps to all users other than delivery vehicles has been necessary to create a more secure station. That provides a number of benefits, including safer interface between passengers and vehicles and improvement in the air quality.
The recently completed improvement programme has delivered new fully accessible entrances to the station at Calton Road and Market Street, with additional cycle parking at the west side of the station. It is in everyone’s interests that we have safe and secure access to the railway. I am sure that Network Rail is already aware of the particular issues that Jim Eadie raises—in fact, I discussed them last night with the route manager for Network Rail. I am happy to raise again the concerns that Jim Eadie has raised on cycling access.
I share Mr Eadie’s concerns. As a regular commuter, I have to say that the new arrangements could not be more inconvenient—and I regard myself as being reasonably able bodied. For example, people who require access to taxis are now without any cover in times of heavy rainfall. What are elderly people or people with disabilities meant to do to cope with that?
Part of the issue is that Waverley is unique, in that it is, in effect, underground. I do not think that any other stations are in the same situation. Network Rail has been very concerned to ensure that the safety of passengers and people accessing the railway is paramount. There was a fatal accident there recently, as Annabel Goldie will know. That is the background against which Network Rail has developed its proposals. There was access by taxis before, but it was found to be potentially dangerous—as it proved to be in the incident that I mentioned.
Network Rail is examining the matter further. I have had representations from the City of Edinburgh Council, and I have raised issues on the council’s behalf with Network Rail. Its primary interest has to be safe access to and exit from the railway station. There are at least two taxi ranks very close to where people come out of the two entrances of the station. I will raise those issues again with Network Rail, but it is acting for the best of reasons.
“Below the Breadline”
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report “Below the Breadline”, published by Oxfam, Church Action on Poverty and the Trussell Trust. (S4O-03374)
The report contains some important messages, showing that a combination of changes to the social security system, low wages and rising living costs are contributing significantly to food poverty.
It is unacceptable that anyone in a country as prosperous as Scotland should have to rely on food banks, yet both the food aid report that we published in December and the recent report from the Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee show that benefit changes and delays are leading more and more people to turn to food banks.
We are taking action to support those who are most in need through our £1 million emergency food action plan, but we simply cannot mitigate all the changes coming from Westminster. We need the powers of independence in order to build a fairer society, including actions to address low pay and a welfare system that is better suited to Scotland’s needs.
Does the minister agree that it is important that organisations such as Oxfam and the Trussell Trust should be able to draw attention to the perfect storm that is brewing with regard to the poverty that is experienced by far too many people across the UK—which was also highlighted in the Scotland’s outlook campaign, led by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations—without fear of being shut down, as in the case of the Trussell Trust, or of being reported to the Charity Commission, as in the case of Oxfam?
I absolutely agree that organisations that are working on the front line and that have the evidence to inform all of us should not be under any threat of being closed down. The United Kingdom Government’s welfare reforms, which the Scottish Government has consistently opposed, involve punitive cuts. That is what the UK Government does not want people to hear. I very much agree with James Dornan: all organisations working on the front line should have the right to speak out, based on what they see in front of them on a daily basis, and they should not have any fear of being closed down because of that.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary—I am sorry, I mean the minister; I have just promoted her. I am sure that the minister appreciates that an increasing number of employed people are accessing food banks and I am sure that she would agree that we need to do more to address in-work poverty. I welcome the £1 million food action plan, but does the minister regret not introducing the living wage? That is a power that she has now, which would have made a difference to 400,000 families across Scotland.
If successive UK Governments had increased the minimum wage, even in line with inflation, people in Scotland who are on low incomes would be £600 a year better off.
The Deputy First Minister has made our position on the living wage absolutely clear; we have led on the living wage. The Scottish Government pays it to everyone across the sector for which it is responsible. We have supported the Poverty Alliance and have funded it to promote accreditation of living-wage-paying employers in Scotland. Nobody should have any doubt whatever about the position of the Scottish Government regarding the living wage.
Transport Developments (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council regarding transport developments. (S4O-03375)
The Scottish Government has had regular discussions with Aberdeen City Council about a number of transport developments, including public transport, road and rail infrastructure, electric vehicle infrastructure and hydrogen infrastructure.
I welcome the announcement of the preferred bidder for the Aberdeen western peripheral route. Aberdeen City Council is a partner in delivering that project. Can the minister advise whether the council is fully participating in discussions around the project and projects that will follow on from it, given the recent decision by the administration not to involve itself in the public information events around the Haudagain improvement plan?
I can confirm that the timescales are discussed regularly and that Aberdeen City Council, as a funding partner for the project, participates fully in all discussions. Following my attendance at Aberdeen City Council’s finance, policy and resources committee meeting on 6 May to discuss the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving Haudagain—which was a very constructive meeting—the council has confirmed that it will work closely with Transport Scotland as the Haudagain improvement and Middlefield regeneration schemes progress, in order to facilitate a joint approach that bests serves local residents and road users.
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Scotland’s Future