SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Antisocial Behaviour Strategy (Review)
To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of the antisocial behaviour strategy will be published. (S3O-5320)
The findings of the review will be reported to Parliament early in 2009.
As the minister knows, I am particularly concerned about high hedges in relation to the antisocial behaviour strategy. In some cases, unfortunately, neither the neighbours concerned nor mediation can bring a successful resolution. Will the minister confirm that a legislative solution will be included in the strategy?
I recognise Jim Tolson's interest in the matter and that of members from many parties who write to me frequently about the problems associated with high hedges. I confirm that we are investigating options, including legislative ones, for supporting a means of resolving disputes about high hedges. The findings of that work will be reported to the Parliament early in 2009, along with the findings of the review of national antisocial behaviour policy.
The minister is aware of the work of the street pastor movement, which is spreading throughout Scotland. I know that he was impressed by the Perth street pastors when he met them. Given street pastors' potential impact on the incidence of antisocial behaviour on city streets on the busiest nights of the week, will he consider their work in his review, particularly as it is a wholly constructive intervention that seems to make a real difference?
Yes. At Roseanna Cunningham's request, I met Mike Archibald and Sandy Scrimgeour and discussed with them the work of the street pastors. The street pastors perform an excellent function. They are absolutely marvellous, particularly in Perth. By helping people who are depressed, drunk, in trouble or in need of a wee bit of practical help, they are a great help to the police. They are volunteers and they perform an excellent role, which I am certainly including in our consideration of how we tackle antisocial behaviour. We will announce the findings of the review early in 2009.
Affordable Housing (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to alleviate Aberdeen's affordable housing shortage. (S3O-5318)
As the strategic housing authority, Aberdeen City Council has primary responsibility for addressing housing need within its boundary. However, the Scottish Government is providing a grant of £115 million to build more than 1,500 new affordable homes in Grampian between 2007 and 2011 through the Devanha procurement initiative. More than 40 per cent of those homes will be built in Aberdeen city.
The minister will know that, in the city of Aberdeen, as in all other parts of Scotland, private sector housing development has all but ground to a halt, with associated redundancies. Despite that, demand for housing remains high. Of the £100 million of funding for additional housing that the Scottish Government is bringing forward from 2010-11 to help to maintain investment in the housing sector and provide affordable housing, how much will be made available to the city of Aberdeen? If he cannot give me the figure now, will he confirm that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will receive a fair share of the funding?
Of course, there is now an additional amount, over and above the £100 million, as a result of the pre-budget report.
Can the minister tell me what the budget allocation for affordable housing in Aberdeen was during the four-year term of the previous Administration and what it will be during this Government's term in office?
The budget allocation for Aberdeen City Council during the period 2003 to 2007 was some £30.6 million. I am pleased to say that the budget allocation during the Government's term in office will be some £40.6 million. That will be welcomed by the people of Aberdeen.
Food Safety (Imports)
To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place to monitor the safety of food products imported from European countries and the rest of the world. (S3O-5348)
Harmonised measures exist to control the safety of food produced in establishments within the European Community and for the control of imports.
What is the role of the Food Standards Agency, environmental health departments, importers and retailers in monitoring imported foodstuffs, particularly the level of contaminants in imported meat products?
The role of the Food Standards Agency in respect of controls of imported food from non-European Union countries is to give enforcement support and advice and undertake audits of enforcement activity with respect to local authorities' food safety and food standards controls on imported food. The environmental health services of the local authorities that have responsibility for food safety and food standards check imported foods at points of entry. Veterinary officers employed by local authorities carry out veterinary checks on products of animal origin presented at border inspection posts. Local authorities are also responsible for inland checks.
Following my question to the First Minister last week, has the cabinet secretary or the First Minister had any further discussions about the labelling of processed food with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs or the UK ministers? If so, will she tell Parliament what plans are in place to address the anomalous position whereby food imported from other countries can, by being processed here in the UK, be labelled as British thereafter?
Imported food should, of course, meet at least the equivalent required public health standard as food produced within the European community. It is important to make that point. The labelling issue to which the member referred is subject to on-going discussions among the Food Standards Agency, me and Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. We are happy to keep the member updated about progress on the matter.
What is the Scottish Government doing to respond to the on-going concerns expressed by many farmers and crofters about beef imports in particular?
We are conscious of farmers' concerns and continue to have a dialogue with that sector about its concerns. However, I reiterate that imported food has to meet at least the equivalent required public health standard as food produced within the European community. I want to ensure that that point is made. Imported foodstuffs can be subject to documentary, identity and physical checks. As I said previously, I am happy to keep the member informed about the measures that we are developing and, of course, to continue to listen to the farming community's concerns.
Consultants Distinction Awards
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the system of distinction awards for hospital consultants is in the interests of the national health service. (S3O-5338)
The system of distinction awards, which are available to all consultants working for the NHS, provides a mechanism to promote and recognise contributions from senior doctors that are over and above those normally expected and which represent outstanding professional work.
The system of distinction awards is often justified by the need to prevent top-flight consultants from emigrating or moving into private practice. Is the cabinet secretary aware that out of the £25 million a year that the Government spent on distinction awards in 2007-08, and the unknown further amount spent to augment the pensions of former holders, only 3.25 per cent of the consultants under the age of 50—those most likely to consider emigrating—received an award whereas over 40 per cent of those over the age of 60 had their income augmented by up to £74,000 a year? Is it not time to review that divisive scheme?
I am aware of the statistics that Ian McKee cites; he is clearly driving at an important point. Perhaps I can give members more statistics on the overall operation of the scheme. Thirteen per cent of consultants overall hold distinction awards and 1 per cent of consultants hold awards at the highest, A-plus level. More than 50 per cent of consultants have been awarded discretionary points—a system that complements the distinction awards scheme.
Vulnerable People (Argyll and Bute)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that vulnerable older people in Argyll and Bute receive the most appropriate care services for their needs. (S3O-5261)
Argyll and Bute Council and its local partners are responsible for ensuring that older people in their area have access to appropriate care services to meet their needs. [Interruption.] If Opposition members want the answer, they might want to listen; this is a very important issue.
The minister will be aware of a number of cases in the past few weeks of pensioners in their 80s and 90s, many of whom are suffering from dementia, being denied appropriate care by Argyll and Bute Council. That is not just my view, but the view of medical professionals.
I have taken a very close interest in Argyll and Bute. I understand that officials from Argyll and Bute Council have discussed a number of individual cases with Jackie Baillie and have assured her that care decisions in each case have been based on each individual's assessed needs and not on financial considerations. I also understand that Argyll and Bute Council has submitted to the Social Work Inspection Agency anonymised details of individual cases that Jackie Baillie has raised. The agency has been working with the council ahead of a follow-up inspection of its social work services, which is scheduled for January. That inspection will look specifically at the delivery of outcomes for service users.
Does the minister acknowledge the concerns among residents of Argyll and Bute's 12 sheltered housing schemes, run by Argyll Community Housing Association, who have recently seen their warden services cut as a result of funding problems? Do those residents not deserve better services, rather than a diminution of services, from the Scottish National Party Government?
Argyll and Bute Council is receiving record levels of funding this year to meet its responsibilities. It has stated explicitly that its current plans to redesign its care services for older people are not about making savings, but about improving outcomes for older people and their families. In fact, the council's single outcome agreement includes several commitments that are relevant to care services for older people. Those include a commitment to reduce the number of emergency hospital admissions of people aged over 65; a commitment to increase the proportion of older people with intensive care needs who receive care in their own homes; and a commitment to the wider joint redesign of long-term care services for older people, including NHS continuing care. I would have thought that the member would welcome those commitments.
Question 6 was not lodged.
People with Mental Health Problems (Carers)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to carers of people in the community with mental health problems. (S3O-5281)
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting all carers in continuing with their caring role. That includes the carers of people who have mental health problems.
The minister is aware of the concerns of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship Scotland regarding the abolition of the Mental Welfare Commission and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, which are to be replaced by a new scrutiny body. Can the minister tell me what consultation with stakeholders took place prior to that announcement? How will she be able to guarantee the continued independence of the Mental Welfare Commission in the new body? Will she reconsider the decision, in the light of the many concerns that have been expressed, and hold discussions with concerned stakeholders?
There has been widespread consultation on the broad principles of the reorganisation of the way in which our scrutiny bodies operate. There was widespread agreement in the chamber—including on the Labour benches—that the public scrutiny landscape was cluttered and that changes should take place.
Universities (Competitiveness)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure the competitiveness of Scottish universities. (S3O-5317)
Despite the fact that Westminster has imposed the tightest financial settlement since devolution, we have restored the principle of free education and have increased the share of spending that is going to Scottish universities.
Order. There is an awful lot of background noise—too much, if I may say so.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Scottish Universities on its tremendous achievement in the research assessment exercise, which is published today. I recognise and celebrate the exciting and innovative work that goes on in universities throughout Scotland. The results reflect both the hard work of those who are working in our universities and the substantial investments that we are making in our universities.
I thank the minister for that speech. She will be aware of the recent Universities UK report, which suggests that English universities are growing more quickly than ours. Last month, the Committee of Chairmen of Scottish Higher Education Institutions told the Government that,
The Universities UK report contained a lot of mistakes. For example, education funding is £6,044 per student in Scotland, whereas in England it is just over £5,500. We also have a better record on international students, having taken forward the new horizons fund, which will have an impact on universities' funding.
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