SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Concessionary Travel<br />(Pensioners and Disabled People)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage pensioners and disabled people to use the concessionary travel scheme. (S2O-6463)
I am sure that Irene Oldfather would agree that one of the landmark achievements of our two parties working together in the Executive will be the introduction of free, Scotland-wide, all-day bus travel for older people and people with disabilities. With those benefits, I think that most people will not need to be encouraged to make use of the scheme. However, we will be promoting awareness of the scheme in the months up to its introduction on 1 April next year.
While I warmly welcome the measures that the minister has outlined, I would like to draw to his attention the plight of the most vulnerable elderly and disabled people, who are required to pay for companion bus passes. Does he agree that that anomaly should be addressed? As he is rolling out the new scheme, will he take the opportunity to consider how the matter could be rectified in a way that will ensure that our most vulnerable elderly citizens can take full advantage of the scheme without payment?
I agree with Irene Oldfather that we need to tackle this issue and have a consistent approach across Scotland. I was frustrated when I discovered that some councils give people who are disabled the option of choosing either a taxicard scheme, which is a demand-responsive scheme that offers a service to the person's doorstep, or a bus scheme. I have taken steps to ensure that that choice is no longer forced on individuals and that people will always have the option of using the free bus travel scheme. Some people with particularly serious disabilities who make use of the free bus travel scheme will require a companion for support. I do not think that that support should be at the expense of the individual.
I am glad to hear the minister's words because, several times, I have raised in the chamber the possibility of extending the scheme to carers or companions. I hope that he will provide us with a timescale in relation to this issue. I know that his heart is in it and that he said that he is supportive of the idea that carers or companions should also have access to the free travel scheme. However, I ask him to assure me that some progress will be made to ensure that we no longer have a postcode lottery in relation to the issue.
Christine Grahame is correct to say that we need to make early progress on the issue. I have announced that the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for the elderly and disabled will be active from 1 April 2006. In parallel with that, we are conducting a review of all of the issues facing disabled passengers in particular. I will ensure that that review, which is examining all forms of public transport, addresses the issue that we are discussing and that we have a sensible timescale that will tie in with the new national scheme.
Antisocial Behaviour (Aberdeen)
Before calling question 2, I remind the Executive and members that they should not, in answer to the questions or in any supplementary questions, refer to any current court proceedings.
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the powers of dispersal contained in the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 have been applied correctly to the Beach Boulevard area of Aberdeen. (S2O-6331)
There are currently summary prosecutions in Aberdeen sheriff court arising out of the use of dispersal powers in the Beach Boulevard area. Given that those cases are sub judice, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
I have not been able to find anywhere in the legislation, the policy memorandum, the explanatory notes accompanying the act or the Official Reports of the passage of the bill anything that allows the 2004 act to be applied to motorists. Could the Lord Advocate point out exactly where the provisions in the act that apply to motorists can be found? Surely motorists who contravene road traffic legislation deserve to be prosecuted under that legislation.
The interpretation of the 2004 act will ultimately be a matter for the courts. As I indicated, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on that. Clearly, the police will have to interpret the act subject to such guidance as they get from the Executive. They have gone through a consultation process in order to arrive at their position on the serving of dispersal orders. It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on the matter.
Community Recycling
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting community recycling groups. (S2O-6277)
Through the investment in community recycling and social enterprise—INCREASE—programme, we have allocated £5 million for community recycling groups until March 2006. I also recently announced a further commitment of £2.5 million in each of 2006-07 and 2007-08 for community recycling initiatives.
Why may groups such as Lochaber Environmental Group, which I know met the Executive recently, not receive the money that they were promised from the strategic waste fund unless they reach fixed waste tonnage targets, even if any shortfalls are due to changes that are outwith a group's control? Why is the allocation of the fund rigidly fixed to tonnage targets, rather than the fund recognising that community groups, which provide a range of local benefits, have core costs to which it should contribute?
I am aware that difficulties have arisen in Lochaber Environmental Group and that among those was the tonnage issue. I hope that the member is aware that Executive officials met HomeAid Caithness, which manages groups, to discuss Lochaber Environmental Group's financial situation. The outcome of that meeting was an agreement that the Executive would give the group direct support for a further six months, during which the group would attempt to deliver a more robust plan for future activities. We are still finalising the details of that, but we will communicate those to the group in the near future.
Inverness College
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning will meet the principal of Inverness College to discuss the college's financial situation. (S2O-6427)
The principal has not sought such a meeting. It is the Scottish Further Education Funding Council's responsibility to fund Scotland's further education colleges and to promote their efficiency and financial stability. I am encouraged that the funding council is arranging to meet the principal and the chair of Inverness College to discuss the college's financial position.
I thank the minister for that helpful reply and declare that I am a member of the Educational Institute of Scotland. Does he appreciate the effect of paying off historic debt on Inverness College's ability to invest in its future and the knock-on effect on the UHI Millennium Institute, particularly as the college may find it necessary to make about 20 staff redundant? Does he agree that the situation is serious and needs a serious solution from the Executive?
I am aware of the background and of the position that faces Inverness College. I am sure that Maureen Macmillan agrees that we never like to see compulsory redundancies in any situation. It is fair to point out that funding decisions are for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council's independent judgment without political interference, but to support its recovery plan, Inverness College has received a long-term advance of £1.5 million on top of its normal grant. The funding council reprofiled the college's grant payments in 2004-05 and in previous years.
Will the minister examine the impact of such measures on educational input? Like Inverness College, too many colleges are having to take decisions that are driven by historic debt problems rather than by their areas' educational needs.
It is important to note that, although at the end of 2002-03 16 colleges were in debt, by the end of 2003-04 that number had reduced to nine, so several colleges have managed to achieve financial security. I accept that important educational provision issues arise. However, some colleges have taken tough but necessary decisions to secure their financial viability, which ensures that the students and communities that they serve have access to high-quality training and skills opportunities. It would be wrong to send a message to them by taking money away from them—giving money to some colleges would mean taking it away from other colleges.
If the threat that 20 lecturers will be made redundant were realised, does the minister agree that that could reduce Inverness College's ability to gain additional income in future? Will he consider abolishing capping for students of construction and health and social care, for which demand is exceptionally high? Will he examine the funding of UHI courses by colleges in the network?
Mary Scanlon mentions construction training. It is important that colleges identify the main priorities that will address needs in their local economies. We expect every college to deliver courses to meet those priorities.
Zero Waste
To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines zero waste and what action would be needed for a zero waste policy to be put into practice. (S2O-6259)
Chapter 7 of the national waste plan includes a description of zero waste. We are taking several measures to improve recycling and reuse and to promote waste prevention.
I still have the feeling that the minister does not understand fully what zero waste means. One of the most important elements that he did not mention is the redesign of goods. Is he willing to meet me to discuss zero waste further? The main question is that, if he is not willing to progress a zero waste policy for Scotland that will reduce dramatically the amount of waste that is produced, and if he is not for zero waste, how much waste is he for?
I assure the member that she does not have to wait for question time on Thursday to request a meeting with me. I am happy to meet her at any time to discuss the important issues.
Economy (Families)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policies reflect the view that hard-working families are the cornerstone of a successful economy. (S2O-6304)
The refreshed "Framework for Economic Development in Scotland" contains a long-term strategy to secure long-term employment, and hard-working families are critical to realising that ambition. United Kingdom tax credits and Scottish initiatives such as the working for families fund and the child care strategy have already helped many families. The Executive will continue to work with the UK Government to ensure that all families have the opportunity to contribute to growth and prosperity.
Does the minister agree that to hammer with a local income tax hard-working families, who already pay their fair share, is unfair and poses risks to the economy, of which they are the backbone? Does he agree that excluding one major source of wealth—property—from taxation would unbalance the tax system and create nothing but a big pay-day for tax lawyers?
I thank the member for that question. He knows that I have a deal of sympathy with his position. The council tax—
The council tax is the subject of independent review. One factor that will have to be taken into account in that review is that, because of rising child tax credits, 3 million of Britain's 7 million families with children now receive more in tax credits and child benefit than they pay in income tax—effectively, their income tax liability is wiped out. I say to Mr Swinney that what would be unfair is adversely to affect that tax liability by adding to the tax burden on those families, as he proposes.
Is the minister aware that the Institute for Fiscal Studies showed that 75 per cent of people would either pay the same or less with a local income tax? Does he agree that a taxation system should be progressive? Does he further agree that the Prime Minister is right not to rule out a Labour Government introducing a local income tax?
The point that I make in response to Jeremy Purvis is the point that I made to Mr Swinney: the independent review will require to examine the impact on the lowest-paid and poorest families in our community, their child care credits and their tax credits before it comes to any conclusion on whether a local income tax would be beneficial to them or otherwise.
Health Care-acquired Infections
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to tackle health care-acquired infections. (S2O-6460)
We recently announced our new campaign to protect patients from hospital infections and to ensure that we have clean wards. It will be a thorough, relentless and systematic campaign. It is one of the most comprehensive in Europe and is backed by £15 million of investment over three years.
I am pleased to hear about the steps that the Executive is taking to combat this serious issue, although it is unfortunate that some prominent Opposition politicians have sought to exaggerate the problem for political purposes.
Clearly, we must regain patients' confidence with regard to the matter, which is not helped by inappropriate reporting by some national media outlets or by Opposition politicians on the make. However, the guidance that we have set out must be implemented. Alcohol hand rubs will make a substantial difference and our prevalence study will ensure that we monitor the situation. Of course, at this very minute in our health service we are training cleanliness champions. Those who have been trained are making a radical difference. On visiting and the conduct of visitors, sisters and charge nurses are now in charge. It is their responsibility to make the decisions.
BBC Scotland (Job Losses)
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic and social impact of job cuts at BBC Scotland. (S2O-6445)
No formal assessment has been made of the economic and social impact of job cuts at BBC Scotland. However, the Executive recognises the importance to Scotland of having vibrant broadcasting and creative industry sectors and continues to support those sectors through the enterprise networks, the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
The minister will be aware of the news that 195 jobs are to be cut at BBC Scotland, possibly rising to 240. Notwithstanding my concerns about the inevitable drop in quality of output and the impact on Scottish culture, does he share my view that the BBC has been the skills base of the broadcasting industry and has provided excellent training, which has benefited private and public industry, and that the cuts will impact on the whole industry? Will he therefore raise the issue in the Cabinet and do whatever he can to protect skills and jobs, for the benefit of public broadcasting and the private industry?
I agree that the BBC has played an important role in securing the skills base for many people throughout the creative industries. I will do as Pauline McNeill says. Along with Patricia Ferguson, I am sure that we will want to raise the issue with colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at Westminster. It is also important to recognise and support the BBC's intention to increase production outside London and deepen its commitment to nations, regions and local communities in the United Kingdom. I assure Pauline McNeill that we will try to attract to Scotland as much as possible of the work that is to be outsourced from London.
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