Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, June 22, 2023

Official Report 1203KB pdf

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General Question Time

Good morning. The first item of business is general question time.

Question 1 was not lodged.

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Public Money (Transparency)

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has in place to ensure that there is full transparency when it comes to the use of public money. (S6O-02417)

The Scottish Government is committed to a transparent Scottish budget and has robust controls in place for approving financial expenditure and investment. We comply with all Scottish Parliament and Audit Scotland financial auditing and reporting requirements, having provided unqualified accounts since 2007, and work with Parliament and its committees to improve budgets. The Scottish budget and any end year revisions are scrutinised by the Parliament, with a minimum of two budget updates being published each year. To support improved transparency, significantly enhanced budget revision information is now provided to assist the Finance and Public Administration Committee.

We have seen huge amounts of public money flow from the Government to the Scottish National Investment Bank and then invested by it. Some of that, as we learned at yesterday’s meeting of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, is now lost.

When the legislation establishing the bank was passed, it mandated that ministers establish an advisory group to oversee the bank’s objectives, conduct and performance. Was that group ever created? If not, why not? If it has not been created, is the bank operating illegally?

First, I want to recognise the excellent work that the Scottish National Investment Bank has been undertaking since its establishment in supporting a range of businesses and economic activity right across Scotland.

Of course, like all public bodies, the Scottish Government is committed to the highest standards. I am happy to come back to the member in writing on the specific points that he raises. However, as I say, we are committed to high standards of transparency in all matters pertaining to the use of public money.

Does the minister agree that it really is farcical for a member of the Conservative Party to stand up in any chamber in these islands and ask about transparency relating to the use of public money when that member’s London bosses wasted billions during the Covid pandemic and hand out peerages in return for donations?

Mr McMillan makes an important point. Fundamentally, the issue with the Conservatives—this is unsurprising—is a complete lack of self-awareness. However, if one is a member of a party that has inflicted austerity on so many people, that inflicts the rape clause on so many people and that applies an appalling policy towards migrants in small boats, then perhaps a lack of self-awareness and a detachment from reality is the only way that one can live with oneself.

Before I take the next question, I say to the member who has just asked a question that he should in future bear in mind the need for questions to relate to matters for which the Scottish Government has general responsibility.

The truth is that both Governments operate on the basis of appearing to be secretive and lacking in transparency. Papers from NHS Highland suggest that there is a projected overspend of £1 billion in the Scottish Government’s health budget, but ministers remain in a state of denial. The lack of transparency makes it difficult to follow that movement of money. So, will the minister publish a detailed financial explanation of how those pressures have arisen and what action will be taken?

I sat in Parliament last week and reported on the provisional outturn; I have appeared on numerous occasions before the Finance and Public Administration Committee on budget-revision matters; and we publish full consolidated accounts, which have received unqualified audits for every year that we have had an SNP-led Government in Scotland. We provide an abundance of information to ensure the utmost transparency on matters of public finance. Of course, as I have said previously, I am committed to continued engagement with the Finance and Public Administration Committee, and any member who happens to be interested in these matters, to ensure that we can improve and enhance the transparency of public finances in Scotland.

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Police Scotland (Visual Recorded Interviews Pilot)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the visual recorded interviews pilot, which involves Police Scotland recording the witness statements of adult and 16 and 17-year-old complainers involving allegations of rape and attempted rape, including any learning from the cases involved as they progressed through the courts. (S6O-02418)

The two-year pilot that was funded by the Scottish Government concluded in May 2022. The aim of the pilot was for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to use the interviews as a complainer’s evidence, where appropriate, should the case proceed to trial and to make an associated application to facilitate the cross-examination of the complainer by means of an evidence by commissioner hearing. We are carrying out an interim review of the pilot. When sufficient numbers of cases involved in the pilot progress to trial, we will complete a full and meaningful evaluation.

I think that everyone would agree that there are very clear benefits to complainers in not being retraumatised by the continual retelling of their story over and over again. For those who might be interested in the issue, that is illustrated very well by the television true crime series “Unbelievable”, which shows the compassionate and not-so-compassionate treatment of victims of such crimes.

That type of video-recorded evidence is now standard in many other jurisdictions, and I am pleased that the minister said that there will be an interim report on progress. I am keen to know what the timetable for the interim report is and what progress there is on the potential roll-out of the policy across the rest of the country, as it is a key part of improving evidence gathering and lessening the impact on victims.

I am in complete agreement with Ash Regan. As only a small number of cases have progressed to trial to date, it is too early for an evaluation to make a meaningful assessment. It has therefore been agreed that justice analytical services will undertake an interim review of the pilot. Although the pilot has formally concluded, VRI still operates in the areas that form part of the pilot approach, with training continuing to be rolled out by Police Scotland. An internal evaluation of the pilot has been undertaken, and it will be signed off once the assessment has been completed by COPFS. I will get back to Ash Regan on the timescales.

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Rights Respecting Schools Awards (Support in 2023-24)

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give in the academic year 2023-24 for the rights respecting schools awards programme. (S6O-02419)

In May 2022, the Scottish Government awarded UNICEF UK a three-year grant to offer its rights respecting schools award to all state primary, secondary and special education needs schools in Scotland. During that period, the costs of participating in the programme are met at a national level rather than by individual schools or local authorities. That has removed local financial barriers to participation and secured an offer for all schools, with significant public sector efficiency savings. In the 2023-24 financial year, UNICEF UK will receive £300,000 from the Scottish Government for that purpose.

The scheme has reached out to 57 per cent of schools, 563 of our institutions have silver or gold stage awards, and registration will remain free until March 2025. However, some of the lesson plans and equipment that are needed come at a cost of £175 or more, and those costs need to be met by the schools themselves. A child in Scotland understanding their rights is fundamental to their understanding their place here. Does the minister agree that the learning of those rights is somewhat challenged by the position with regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, in that children are unable to pursue some of their rights? When will we see a change in that?

My colleagues and I have affirmed our commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill on multiple occasions. The delay to that bill need not and should not prevent schools from building a rights respecting culture.

As well as the rights respecting schools awards, we are aware of other great practices under way in schools, including through the dignity in school programme, which is delivered by the Children’s Parliament. Education Scotland has also developed a professional learning module that aims to raise awareness and develops knowledge and understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It helps establishments to self-evaluate their practice in light of the UNCRC and supports improvement planning in them.

 

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Childminding Development Officers

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether childminding development officers have a significant role to play in supporting and assisting childminders in their professional development. (S6O-02420)

The Scottish Government recognises and values the unique role that childminders play in delivering early learning and childcare to families across Scotland and is of course keen to see our childminders supported in their professional capacity. I am therefore supportive of any additional support and assistance that is made available to our ELC professionals at local levels to aid their professional development.

I thank the minister for her answer and I share her views on the valuable contribution of childminders.

I refer to written answer S6W-19156, dated 21 June this year, which advises that the Scottish Borders have a childminding development officer contracted through the Scottish Childminding Association to Scottish Borders Council. Unfortunately, local childminders have advised me that the position is not to be renewed and that causes them and me concern. Does the minister agree?

As the childminding development officers or SCMA employees are contracted to work with local authorities, any employment or contracting decisions regarding those roles would be a matter for the relevant local authority and the SCMA to determine. However, childminders are a hugely valued part of our ELC sector and I encourage local authorities, as commissioners of services, to continuously consider what support is available for them at the local level.

For its part, the Scottish Government is working closely with the SCMA to promote childminding. We have supported a successful childminder recruitment pilot, which aims to recruit and train 100 new childminders in remote and rural communities, with a second phase now trialling the recruitment model in urban communities. We are also piloting activity with the SCMA across six local authorities to support childminders with streamlining, thereby reducing the administrative burdens that are associated with their practice, and we will continue to work with sector representatives.

The problem is not with professional development but with encouraging people to enter and stay in the childcare profession. The Scottish Childminding Association said that 34 per cent of childminders had quit since funding was increased for early education and childcare in 2016. That figure is expected to rise to 64 per cent by 2026. I know that the minister shares my passion for early years learning, so will she update Parliament on any progress that her Government has made to tackle those worrying statistics?

The Scottish Government is working to increase the number of childminders who are operating across Scotland. That work includes supporting the innovative SCMA-led Scottish rural childminding partnership recruitment model and its extension into urban areas. The pilot makes a package of fully funded support and training available to successful applicants, providing everything that is needed to establish a new childminding business from home.

As I have said, childminders are a hugely valuable part of our ELC sector, not only because of their involvement in funded ELC, but because they have a vital role to play as we deliver our programme for government commitments to extend funded early learning and build that system of school-age childcare. We will continue to work with the SCMA, other sector representatives and statutory bodies to address the issues that affect recruitment and retention, including by reducing administrative burdens.

The loss of funding for the SCMA childminding support officer in the Scottish Borders is deeply regrettable, but is it not also an example of Scottish National Party council cuts? Will the minister therefore now agree to look again at the support that the Government gives councils to discharge their 1,140 hours plan through childminding and nursery provision?

I think that I have been clear about my support for childminders who, as I have said, are a hugely valuable part of our ELC sector. I am always happy to consider any proposals that would aid the delivery of the Scottish Government’s policy on early learning and childcare. However, the posts that the member has referred to support delivery in local areas and I want to see local authorities, as commissioners of services, consider priority in their areas in the first instance.

Question 6 was not lodged.

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Employee-owned and Co-operative Businesses

To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting and encouraging an increase in employee-owned and co-operative models of businesses as part of the shift to a wellbeing economy. (S6O-02422)

I must first declare an interest as a Co-operative member.

As we approach tomorrow’s employee ownership day, I thank Claire Baker for highlighting the importance of Scotland’s thriving co-operative and employee-owned businesses. Co-operative and inclusive business models play a critical role in economic recovery by supporting the Scottish Government’s aim of creating a fairer, stronger and more democratic wellbeing economy.

Co-operative Development Scotland, funded through Scottish Enterprise, continues to work to raise awareness of the value of co-operative and employee ownership models and provides specialist advice and support to businesses and community groups that want to adopt those models.

In March 2022, there were 195 employee-owned businesses operating in Scotland compared with around 100 in 2018. At that pace, it will take at least another 12 years to meet the target of 500, rather than the seven years that the Government has left to meet the 2030 deadline. Can the cabinet secretary provide an update on the review of how to significantly increase employee-owned businesses, which the Government committed to in its programme for government, and what related action will take place this year to kickstart the significant increase that we all want to see?

I am happy to provide an update. As we set out in the national strategy for economic transformation and in the programme for government 2022-23, which Claire Baker refers to, a review will be conducted on how to support Scotland’s social enterprise co-operative and employee-owned business sectors to grow. The review will commence this autumn. An initial pre-review stakeholder discussion will be held this month. That initial meeting will be chaired by my colleague, the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance.

As the cabinet secretary has rightly identified, tomorrow is employee ownership day, when thousands of employee-owners, employee-owned businesses and supporters of employee ownership from across Scotland and the United Kingdom come together to raise awareness of the benefits and impact of employee-owned businesses. I have been delighted this week to host an exhibition by Scotland for Employee Ownership, Co-operative Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the Employee Ownership Association in the garden lobby of the Parliament and I would commend the stand to members. What is the Scottish Government doing to celebrate and promote employee ownership day?

I thank Ivan McKee for supporting this week’s exhibition and the work that he did in his previous role to support the sector. I join him in commending the exhibition to all members.

The Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, Tom Arthur, as co-chair of Scotland for Employee Ownership, met fellow board members yesterday, including the Employee Ownership Association. As well as supporting this week’s exhibition, the board discussed plans for further events later in the year.

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Food Waste

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether its target for a one third reduction in food waste by 2025 will be met. (S6O-02423)

The Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce food waste will deliver waste reduction while maximising carbon savings.

Based on robust waste compositional analysis, we aim to publish an estimate on food waste levels in Scotland in the coming months. That will help to inform our understanding of progress against our 2025 target. It will also inform proposals in the upcoming waste route map and refreshed food waste reduction action plan, which are both due for publication this year.

I thank the minister for that answer. However, earlier this week, the cabinet secretary was unable to say how much the average food waste reduction has been each year since 2016, when the target was set. It needs to be approximately 33,000 tonnes per year. When setting the target, the Scottish Government would clearly know that. Can the minister—this is a very easy question—actually tell members in the chamber what the figure is today?

One of the reports that gives an indication of our achievements in reducing food waste is the Scottish waste from all sources report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which reported that food waste has fallen to record low levels. However, the Scottish Government is committed to improving the consistency of food waste data to better inform our reduction efforts. Members will know that the cyberattack on SEPA in 2020 significantly impacted food waste recycling data collection. Also, obtaining frequent and accurate food waste data takes time and can be expensive, so we are working to secure accurate food waste data through obtaining a waste compositional analysis, led by Zero Waste Scotland and SEPA. That analysis will inform the food waste reduction action plan review that is due this year.

We will have a brief pause before we move on to the next item of business.