Infrastructure, Investment and Cities
Good afternoon. The first item of business today is portfolio questions. So that we can get as many people in as possible, I would prefer short and succinct questions—and answers to match.
Infrastructure Investment Plan (Climate Change)
To ask the Scottish Government how the refreshed infrastructure investment plan will help to tackle climate change. (S4O-05264)
The infrastructure investment plan 2015 confirms the priority that is given to tackling climate change and the range of steps that are being taken across the plan and individual portfolio areas, including health, education and transport, to address climate change.
To underline that commitment, energy efficiency has been designated a national infrastructure priority in the plan. Investment in domestic energy efficiency through Scotland’s energy efficiency programme helps to tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore helps to meet climate change targets and support the economy, by providing opportunities for regional small and medium-sized enterprises to be involved in the delivery of Scottish Government programmes.
Furthermore, by investing in the energy efficiency of our businesses, we will help to ensure that energy costs are affordable for our businesses, thereby helping them to remain competitive on the global stage. Such investment will provide local employment, benefiting local people and communities across Scotland and helping to grow our low-carbon economy.
I would be keen to hear the cabinet secretary’s view on the low-carbon infrastructure task force’s recommendation that in future a much greater proportion of infrastructure expenditure must go towards low-carbon projects if we are to achieve our long-term climate change targets.
We have welcomed the initiative, which provides a valuable contribution to the on-going challenge of tackling climate change and building a low-carbon economy in Scotland, and we will be interested in the outcomes of the consultation exercise that is currently being undertaken.
WWF has acknowledged the Scottish Government’s achievements in areas such as renewables, but we recognise the need for a comprehensive approach to a low-carbon infrastructure and we continue to develop our understanding of Scotland’s long-term infrastructure requirements in that regard. We recognise that investment in low-carbon infrastructure can not only help us to deliver on our climate change targets but make economic sense and drive growth, which is why, as I said, the refreshed infrastructure investment plan makes energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority and commits us to multiyear funding to deliver economic benefits to homes and businesses.
We have plans to highlight other areas of expenditure that support low-carbon projects, to help us to achieve our climate change targets. Such areas include low-carbon transport initiatives, with investment in cleaner technologies such as electric vehicles; active travel, by encouraging walking and cycling; street lighting replacement programmes; and, in relation to the Scotland’s schools for the future programme and national health service boards, investment in more energy-efficient school buildings and healthcare facilities, which will use more renewables technologies and help to minimise energy consumption.
Many thanks. Question 2 is from Cara Hilton.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In view of your initial injunction to members, I note that the first question and answers have taken three minutes. How do you propose to ensure that the 10 questions that are listed get into the slot that has been allocated?
That is not a point of order, but you have nonetheless made a point that perhaps needed to be made. Thank you.
Fife Council (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met Fife Council and what issues were discussed. (S4O-05265)
I participated in a conference call with Fife Council and business organisations on 8 December to discuss the closure of the Forth road bridge.
The closure of the Forth road bridge had a huge detrimental impact on the road network in my constituency, and the continuing restrictions on heavy goods vehicles are placing strain on the A985 and surrounding roads. The bridge closure demonstrated that the road and rail networks in west Fife have trouble coping with prolonged closures, and it does not take much imagination to envisage a situation in which such a closure happens again.
What additional investment will be made to improve the A985 trunk road and repair the damage that has been caused on roads around west Fife as a result of the extra HGV traffic? What action will the Scottish Government take to improve rail infrastructure in west Fife? What improvements will the Scottish Government deliver to ensure that we can cope better with future closures and that there is more consultation with and involvement of communities in the development of travel plans?
Please be as brief as you reasonably can be, cabinet secretary.
I concede the point that the Forth road bridge closure had implications for some surrounding trunk and local roads, including those in my constituency, such as the A977. We are very pleased that the bridge was opened as quickly as possible to general traffic, if not HGVs. We are conscious of the need to open the bridge to HGVs and we have a programme to complete the repairs. Pending the assurance that there are no similar issues on the rest of the bridge, we are on track to reopen it to HGVs in the middle of February.
If Cara Hilton wants to write to me with details of any damage to roads, of course we will be willing to look at them. We took action to ensure that the substitute roads that were and are still being used have been free of road works during the course of the diversion. We are willing to take action. If Cara Hilton writes to me, I will be happy to look at doing that.
Winter Resilience Plans (Transport Services)
To ask the Scottish Government how it will revise its winter resilience plans for transport services in light of the disruption to west coast main line services from storm damage. (S4O-05266)
The trunk road operating companies and Network Rail are responsible for producing and implementing winter resilience plans. Both have taken action in light of the west coast disruption and will ensure that outputs are incorporated into future resilience plans.
The ScotRail alliance announced on Monday that Lamington viaduct will be closed for at least one month longer than was initially expected, due to the discovery of more damage and high water levels hindering repairs. Does the minister agree that winter resilience plans, which have focused on ice and snow, must look at other areas, particularly high winds and flooding? Will he ensure that a proper infrastructure protection plan is put in place? We had the fiasco of the Forth road bridge and now we have this problem. Will he look at the resilience plans?
I will separate out the issue of the Forth road bridge, which was an unforeseen fault, and focus on the Lamington viaduct, where the issue was caused by the weather. The high volume of water—the “scour”, as it is known—caused the severe damage to the viaduct’s structure.
I am conscious of time, so I say that I am happy to write to Hanzala Malik with full details of the action that we have taken to give the issue the attention that it deserves, including work with Network Rail, mitigation and engineering works. I am happy to share that important information with other members.
The issue is about weather impacting on structure. Satisfactory measures, including inspection and risk assessment, are in place to ensure the safety and continuity of our country’s infrastructure. Of course, we will always look at how we can improve that with transport operators, recognising that climate change is a factor that we are increasingly dealing with.
Scottish Canals (Flood Prevention)
To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has any role in flood prevention. (S4O-05267)
Scottish Canals has a role to play in water management and has canal and reservoir assets that play an active part in flood mitigation. Scottish Canals is represented on the Scottish Government’s flooding stakeholder group and is working with partners in the public sector to assist with water resource management and flood control.
Given the recent adverse weather conditions, will we have to update Scottish Canals’ dredging programme?
We are deepening the strategy here—at this point the Official Report will record “loud laughter at the minister’s comments.”
There is a serious issue about the use of dredging. Scottish Canals is looking at practices and genuinely strengthening its expertise on dredging, and it is looking at where it can be deployed. In all seriousness, work is being taken forward on the issue. I am happy to give Fiona McLeod more information if she requires it.
How will working structures for flood prevention take into account the local knowledge of communities, businesses and land managers? How can they be made as robust as possible, to ensure that information flows both ways in the development of plans?
I am not one for passing responsibility, but that is more of a matter for my environment colleagues. I am more than happy to share Claudia Beamish’s question with Aileen McLeod and come back to her with the detail of the structures and their community and stakeholder involvement.
I cite Scottish Canals as an example of an organisation with which we work closely. It clearly has a role to play in issues of water use and management, flood attenuation schemes and so on. I am happy to pass on that exchange to the appropriate minister.
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
To ask the Scottish Government how work on the Aberdeen western peripheral route is progressing. (S4O-05268)
Construction work on the AWPR is now well under way and we are on programme to open the road in winter 2017. We will continue to work closely with the contractor to ensure the successful delivery of the project. We will also continue to provide regular updates to local communities and elected representatives.
The western peripheral route is some feat of engineering and construction. It is a vital route for the north-east of Scotland. It will have 75 principal structures, two river crossings, one railway bridge and over 70 culverts.
Have the recent adverse weather conditions and flooding had any impact on the works? Is this major project still on schedule?
Kevin Stewart is right to point out the scale of this massive project. People have been campaigning for this road, in some cases for the best part of half a century. It is a very large project.
Kevin Stewart is right to point out that, in common with many parts of the north-east, the recent adverse weather caused flooding at some locations across the site. He is also right to highlight that, as with other parts of infrastructure, major projects can be impacted by adverse weather. However, the initial signs are that any effects of the flooding can be mitigated and absorbed into the programming by rescheduling activities, allowing the project to remain on schedule. That is a fairly standard approach for projects of this nature.
Can the cabinet secretary tell us whether progress on the western peripheral route will require any borrowing by the Scottish Government in this financial year or next?
The Deputy First Minister laid out the nature of the financing for this project. Originally, the intention was to fund it through the non-profit-distributing model but, as the member knows, it has been reassigned to standard borrowing. Of course that has an impact on our budgets, but mitigation has also been taken, in conjunction with the United Kingdom Government, to ensure that we have cover for all the projects that we want to do. The member will also be aware that there is a commitment to provide—I think—around £75 million for each of the councils involved. Yes, there is borrowing involved in the project. That is how it is to be financed.
Public Infrastructure Projects (Cumbernauld Academy)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with European Union officials regarding funding for public infrastructure projects, including the new Cumbernauld academy. (S4O-05269)
That question is slightly related to the previous question. In relation to projects being taken forward as part of the hub programme, the Deputy First Minister recently confirmed that the views offered by the Office for National Statistics on proposed changes to the hub model meant that 10 affected schools and two health centre projects would now be able to proceed to financial close. The Scottish Futures Trust is working with procuring authorities to achieve that.
The trust is also working with partners to take forward the longer term hub pipeline, including future projects within Scotland’s schools for the future programme, to enable them to proceed to financial close in due course.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. As he pointed out, the Deputy First Minister made a statement to Parliament on 26 November updating members on the impact of the Government’s infrastructure programme. He indicated that 12 of the projects would go ahead: 10 schools and two health centres. I was disappointed that Cumbernauld academy was not included in that list. Can the cabinet secretary set out, today, when the pupils and parents in Cumbernauld will know whether or not they will get a new school?
From information that I have seen from the council, I think that parents have that assurance. The authority said that it has funding available to construct that school. The member is right to say that the Scottish Government’s involvement in that is under consideration. There is no question that it was impacted by the decision of the ONS and the investigations that the ONS undertook in relation to the Eurostat decision. That has been considered.
In my original answer, I mentioned the future phase of the school projects that have taken place. The Government will make an announcement in due course on the issue of that school and other schools in that phase of the programme.
Scottish Water (North Lanarkshire Contamination Incident)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Water report into the contamination incident in North Lanarkshire in June 2015 that affected 6,000 households will be published. (S4O-05270)
The Scottish Water report has been submitted to the drinking water quality regulator for Scotland as part of her investigations into that incident. Until her investigations are complete and any necessary legal action that might arise has been taken, it would not be appropriate to release that report.
It is my understanding that the drinking water quality regulator for Scotland is investigating the circumstances of the incident and that Scottish Water’s report forms part of that investigation. The investigation may result in the regulator making a report to the procurator fiscal.
It is now more than six months since the contamination incident, which affected many of my constituents, and they are still unaware of the cause of the contamination. Will the cabinet secretary provide an assurance that the report in question will be made publicly available when the regulator has completed that work, given that those 6,000 households are still without any answers about what happened in June 2015?
I appreciate what the member says about her constituents wanting to get answers on that matter; it is for that reason that it is being treated very seriously. The office of the drinking water quality regulator was set up some 14 years ago and it is independent from the Government, so we have to await that process. Of course more information will come out, either when the DWQR provides her report or, as I said, if legal action is taken it will come into the public domain at that time.
I undertake that, as soon as the current strictures no longer apply, I will be happy to give as much information as I am legally able both to the member and to her constituents, to update them on the circumstances.
Scottish Water (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Scottish Water. (S4O-05271)
I last met Scottish Water on 17 December 2015 when I announced a £120 million investment to improve the resilience of water supplies in Ayrshire. My officials, as you would expect, are in daily contact with Scottish Water on a wide range of matters.
I am aware that Scottish Water routinely carries out water quality testing of household water supplies. I ask the cabinet secretary whether he is aware of any issues that prevent Scottish Water from providing those test results to householders. If there are no issues arising from that, can he advise Scottish Water to ensure that householders routinely receive a copy of the results when a test is carried out?
I am aware, not least in relation to the answer that I have just given to Siobhan McMahon, that there may be circumstances in which strictures apply that would not allow that information to be provided in the way that John Wilson suggested. Beyond that, I am not sure that there is any reason why the information cannot be provided. I am happy to investigate that with Scottish Water and to come back to John Wilson with the outcome of those discussions.
City Deals Programme
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to maximise the economic growth potential and investment opportunities made possible by funding from the United Kingdom city deals programme. (S4O-05272)
The Scottish Government has been consistently clear that it views cities and their regions as the key engines of the Scottish economy. We are therefore committed to working with all of our cities to stimulate growth and deliver infrastructure investment.
We are making significant investments across Scotland and working with the UK Government to ensure that any funding proposals add to the work that we are already doing with our cities.
A number of existing city deals in England have involved agreements with central Government and devolution of powers over areas such as skills and transport. What measures has the Scottish Government taken to deliver more local powers in city deal areas in Scotland?
The nature of city deals has changed over the period, both in Scotland, where we have one already and others are being discussed, and in England and Wales, where there has been a very large one recently in Cardiff. Some of those have involved asks for additional powers, as the member mentioned, and some councils have talked about additional powers, for example in relation to things such as employment services, which are currently provided by the Scottish Government.
There is an ask there, but it has not been detailed as yet. Most of the city deals that we have advanced along with the UK Government have been centred around infrastructure projects and some other innovations, which we will obviously talk about as soon as those city deals are completed.
We are willing to respond to requests from local government to talk about such additional powers, but they have to be made specific. The final judgment will concern whether the powers that are asked for would add to the value of the city deal under consideration if they were further devolved—and at this point in time we do not even have some of the powers that we have been asked for. We remain open-minded and we will take suggestions forward as and when a case is made to us.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the need for regional investment in Aberdeen is even more pressing now than when the city deal was first proposed? Will he give an assurance that securing and financially supporting the Aberdeen city deal is a key priority of his Government?
That is a good point. I discussed the issue with the UK Government minister responsible about 10 days ago. There have been subsequent discussions since then. I well understand the urgency of the situation in the north-east and in Aberdeen and we are taking things forward along with our partners. I have met the Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council leaders as well as the UK Government. Both the Scottish Government and the UK Government understand the urgency and gravity of the situation.
Culture, Europe and External Affairs
Cultural Opportunities
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve cultural opportunities for people from deprived areas. (S4O-05274)
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting programmes that ensure that background is not a barrier and to giving people from all walks of life a chance to participate in and enjoy the arts. For instance, in 2016-17, we are providing the national collections with more than £46 million in running costs budgets so that the commitment to free access is maintained.
We support a number of programmes for children and young people. We are investing £10 million in the youth music initiative, which provided music opportunities for more than 225,000 children across all 32 local authorities in 2014-15. The initiative means that children from deprived areas are getting music-making opportunities.
From September 2015 to April 2016, the National Theatre of Scotland is working with Aberdeen City Council on the granite project, which is bringing a programme of performances, interactive installations and events to Aberdeen’s streets. That includes the NTS and Aberdeen Performing Arts youth theatre working with several community groups across the city to make a large-scale production that will take place in the quadrangle of Marischal college.
I remind members that short questions and answers would be appreciated.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that comprehensive answer. Will she advise members what steps are being taken to encourage local and national creative organisations to perform more outreach work in communities—particularly in communities of deprivation, where individuals often face barriers to travelling to central locations to access cultural opportunities? That might enable cultural activity to take place in communities, which gives more of a sense of place.
Creative Scotland, which is the lead organisation in this area, is building on the fantastic 2014 cultural programme, which involved more than 12,000 events in all 32 local authority areas, with 2.1 million visitors all over Scotland. The member is right to identify the need to have performances and productions working with and in communities. Creative Scotland is looking to review its equalities, diversity and inclusion activity to ensure that all communities can access and participate in the arts. I will direct Creative Scotland to the member’s interest.
Post-study Work Visa
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the United Kingdom Government’s decision to rule out a return to the post-study work visa. (S4O-05275)
The Scottish Government was deeply disappointed by the UK Government statement that ruled out a return of the post-study work visa in Scotland. The statement ignored the consensus that exists among Scottish businesses, the education sector and every political party that is represented in this chamber that there is a clear need for the return of a post-study work visa. In our opinion, the statement also clearly went against the spirit of the Smith commission recommendations.
Given that the call for a return of the visa has been backed by businesses, colleges and universities and—as the minister just mentioned—has cross-party support in this Parliament, what discussions were held with Scottish stakeholders on the UK Government’s decision?
A lot of engagement has taken place with a multitude of stakeholders up and down the country. Most recently, at the end of last year, we held a workshop with more than 30 representatives from across academia, business, trade unions and other political parties. All of them were united in a consensus for the return of the post-study work visa.
It is worth saying that, during his appearance at the Scottish Affairs Committee yesterday, the Secretary of State for Scotland sought to distance himself from his own written statement. He indicated that, if sensible proposals were put forward, the UK Government would consider them. We look forward to having that discussion with the UK Government and to meeting the UK immigration minister, who has agreed to meet the cross-party post-study work steering group, so I hope that we will be able to take the issue forward.
Cultural Activities
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that people with additional support needs can access or participate in cultural activities. (S4O-05276)
In 2015, Creative Scotland began a three-year programme of regular support worth £100 million to 118 organisations, including those that provide opportunities for people with additional support needs to take part in the arts. That includes Drake Music Scotland, which is receiving £350,000 to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to play, learn and compose music through specialist teaching methods and music technology. Other support for organisations includes £450,000 for the Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, £600,000 for Solar Bear and £300,000 for Paragon Ensemble.
In addition to having relaxed performances, which are designed to enable those with additional support needs to enjoy the arts in a venue setting, the national performing companies have developed programmes to engage directly with special schools, whose children have additional support needs.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is important that arts and culture are there at a local level to promote participation, confidence, joy and wellbeing among those with special needs? Will she join me in celebrating organisations such as K-Otic Productions in East Kilbride, which works hard with adults who have special needs to enable them to perform for the benefit of the town as a whole? Will she consider joining me at one of the company’s wonderful performances?
I thank the member very much for the invitation. Drama, productions and culture can be hugely empowering for all of us and particularly for those with additional support needs. Such activities can make a difference to their lives—to the quality of their lives and the joy in their lives. It is important that that is supported not just nationally but locally, and I would be delighted to take up the member’s invitation should the opportunity arise.
Excellent.
Refugees from Syria (Assistance)
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to refugees from Syria and what further discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government on this matter. (S4O-05277)
The refugee task force that the First Minister established in September 2015 brings together Scottish ministers, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scottish Refugee Council, the UK Government, local government and other stakeholders to co-ordinate Scotland’s humanitarian and practical response to the refugee crisis. The task force has ensured that refugees have received the warmest welcome to Scotland. It is continuing its work to support the delivery of arrangements to help refugees settle into their new homes and communities and its work on integration. That effort will take not just days and weeks but a number of years. The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with the UK Government about arrangements for the arrival of Syrian refugees in Scotland, and I spoke to the Home Office about the matter just last week.
I thank the minister for the sentiment of his answer. Does he share with me the concern that pupils from Aith junior high school in Shetland expressed to me last week—that the issue has fallen off the news agenda? We are not seeing the plight of Syrian refugees, particularly this winter, being covered by national or international television or other news outlets. Does he share the concern of pupils of that age that the moral imperative to act is still with us? What further proposals might he have in that regard? Does he consider that the comments of the Foreign Secretary on Radio Scotland this morning were very much at odds with the way in which many of us in Scotland feel?
I have not seen a note of those remarks yet, but I will ensure that I do. I entirely agree with Tavish Scott and his constituents in Shetland that there is a danger that, following the disturbing images that we saw in the summer, the issues have come off our television screens and off people’s radars.
There is a hell of a lot more that the UK Government, the Scottish Government and local authorities can do. We think that the figure of 20,000 that the UK Government has announced should be a floor, not a ceiling.
A number of organisations, such as Save the Children, have raised the issue of unaccompanied children. I know that Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader at UK level, has approached the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on the issue. The Scottish Government would support that call, too.
On a more positive note, the response from all 32 local authorities has been incredible as they have expressed their willingness to get involved. As the Scottish Government, we have to harness the public attitude and desire to help the most vulnerable in the world.
Does the minister agree that we should be proud of the United Kingdom’s efforts to help the most vulnerable refugees from Syria who are unable to leave the region, which include providing more than 19 million food rations and allocating £1.2 billion in aid?
Yes. I commend the efforts of the UK Government, which is one of the largest donors in that region. I also commend the efforts that it is making in relation to the Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme.
We have had some differences. We believe that the UK Government should opt into the European Union’s resettlement and relocation scheme for refugees who arrive via the Aegean Sea. We also think that we can take more refugees and that, as I said in my previous answer, we should consider unaccompanied children. However, that is not to discredit anything that the UK Government is doing. It should be applauded for its efforts in the region, and the Scottish Government stands ready to assist where we can.
Culture Budget 2016-17 (Local Museums and Galleries)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to local museums and galleries following a reduction in the culture budget for 2016-17. (S4O-05278)
The Scottish Government supports local museums and galleries primarily through funding to Museums Galleries Scotland. Funding for mining, maritime and fisheries, and industrial museums directly from the Scottish Government has not been reduced.
Although overall funding for Museums Galleries Scotland has, on the revenue side, been reduced by £110,000, I have made available an additional £200,000 of capital, thereby trebling the amount of capital available. There is, therefore, an overall increase of £90,000 of funding support for local museums and galleries from the Scottish Government, and I hope that the member will support that in the budget.
I am sure that the minister will share my concern about the existing inequitable access to local museums and galleries and will agree that it is important that all our public policy and public finance decisions improve the enjoyment of the arts in our disadvantaged communities and do not compound that disadvantage.
How does the minister intend to assess and monitor the impact of her cut, along with that of the £500 million cut that she is making in our local authorities’ budgets, which is likely to impact most heavily on the non-statutory services such as local museums and galleries?
I challenge the premise of Ken Macintosh’s question. He obviously did not listen to my answer. There has been no cut in the culture budget for local museums and galleries. That is an important protection that the Scottish Government has put in place, and we will continue to support it. In addition, the Scottish Government took on direct funding of the mining, maritime and fisheries, and industrial museums, and there is no budget reduction in that regard, either. It is important that when members come to the chamber they actually listen to the answers. I made it quite clear that we are protecting those elements.
It is important that the arts and culture budgets are protected in terms of what local authorities can do, and that has been the case up to now. I have confidence and faith that they will make the right decisions, as the Scottish Government has done. We are leading by example.
Is the cabinet secretary in discussion with the Deputy First Minister about whether a tourism levy would assist local authorities to take pressure off their budgets, as well as enable them to invest more in local culture, which is under huge pressure in local authority areas across the country?
I am aware that Edinburgh city region has proposed such a measure. It is up to those who have proposed that to argue the case for it. I understand that there are different interests across Government, as represented by, for example, the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy and by Keith Brown, who is the lead on the city deal. I will pay close attention to the issue.
Glasgow City Council (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs last met Glasgow City Council. (S4O-05279)
I last met Glasgow City Council on 17 November at the launch of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s new world-class facility at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, for which the Scottish Government has provided £9.2 million of funding.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary shares my great pride in the work that Glasgow City Council and local communities have done to contribute to the arts and culture over many years. Has the cabinet secretary made an assessment of the impact on Glasgow’s proud heritage and culture of the cuts that her Government has made to local government, particularly to Glasgow, which has been disproportionately affected? Will she make representation to the finance secretary to think again about the way in which Glasgow has been funded?
The reduction to local government funding is 2 per cent and my budget has received a far greater reduction than that of Glasgow City Council. As far as management of my budget is concerned, as I said in my earlier answer, it has been possible for the culture portfolio to protect funding for local museums and galleries. I am not sure that Johan Lamont was in the chamber to hear my answer.
Yes, there are challenges, but if we have to live under the current Tory Westminster Government that is implementing austerity budgets that Johann Lamont wanted to maintain—as was evidenced by her position during the referendum—it is difficult for her to come to this chamber and to say after the event that she does not like the Tory Government’s budget and its implications for Scotland.
The budget was hard and challenging. When compared to other portfolios, that 2 per cent reduction is a better position than the one in which many of us find ourselves.
David Bowie
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to recognise the contribution that David Bowie made to the cultural life of Scotland and beyond. (S4O-05280)
The Scottish Government has no plans to recognise the cultural contribution of David Bowie although we are aware that there are numerous connections to Scotland.
As a great artist, David Bowie sought to challenge and change perceptions and made great music, drama and visual arts. His influence in changing the worlds of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities was enormous. He was an icon of the modern world. One of the most immediate responses that captured that combined sense of loss and appreciation was the organist at Kelvingrove museum playing “Life on Mars”—as seen by millions on the internet.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer, not just because I have been a fan of David Bowie since his first Glastonbury gig, when he sang
“Turn and face the strange”—
in “Changes”.
David Bowie symbolises a visionary approach to life that inspired so many people across generations, and helped to give confidence to those who were afraid of change. He opened up opportunities to explore our own identities and have the courage to constantly reinvent ourselves. I appreciate the recognition in the chamber—
What is your question?
I ask the cabinet secretary whether we could confer to think about the future in those terms.
I am not sure whether Claudia Beamish was a “Rebel, Rebel” or otherwise.
On the more serious point about how we see ourselves, we live in a modern world that has been shaped by those who are prepared to be challenging. Great artists challenge how we see ourselves and what we think. That is why, in my passion for the arts and culture, I will always recognise artists who are inspired by Bowie and others to seek to change how we think. In this place of all places, we should sometimes be challenged on how we think, be visionary in how we think and show tolerance, respect and understanding.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs (Visits to Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs will next visit Dumfries and Galloway. (S4O-05281)
I have no engagements in Dumfries and Galloway in the near future.
I was recently privileged to speak at the reopening of the Theatre Royal, which is Scotland’s oldest working theatre. It was refurbished by a number of partners including Creative Scotland. Given that the theatre has a strong association with Burns and Barrie, and has an excellent youth programme, can I recommend that the next time the cabinet secretary visits Dumfries and Galloway, it would be well worth her while to drop in?
I would be pleased to do so if the opportunity were to arise. I visited the Theatre Royal in Dumfries in April 2013 at the start of the refurbishment and I am keen to see the progress.
European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs considers that the EU charter of fundamental rights is of benefit to Scotland. (S4O-05282)
Yes. The EU charter protects important fundamental rights in areas ranging from civil liberties to consumer protection. It has effect in the specific context of EU law. The Scottish Government strongly supports the EU charter.
We await the UK Government’s proposals on a British bill of rights, but does the minister agree that, short of United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union, the charter of fundamental rights will apply throughout the UK when matters of EU law are engaged, and that any proposals that the UK Government makes need to take that and the benefits of the charter fully into account?
Yes—I entirely agree. The safeguards in the EU charter will continue to apply for as long as the UK remains a member of the EU. That will be the case irrespective of what emerges from the UK Government’s promised consultation on a British bill of rights. Repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998 would not alter the requirement to comply with EU law or the charter. It would be cause for grave concern if the UK Government sought to use the charter as part of the renegotiation. We would strongly oppose that, as we have strongly opposed any dilution of human rights in EU legislation.