Official Report 257KB pdf
Back-bench Members
14:30
Inheritance Tax (Family Farms)
What discussions has the Scottish Government had with the United Kingdom Government on reversing the cruel family farm tax in the upcoming autumn budget?
The Scottish Government has been opposed to the family farm tax, and representations have been made to the United Kingdom Government at different stages in relation to the budget proposals that have been brought forward. There was a welcome change and relaxation from the UK Government on some aspects of the family farm tax, but elements of it remain. The Government will be making representations to the UK Government. Further, although I am not sure whether this has yet been shared with the Parliamentary Bureau, I will share now that there will be a debate in Parliament on priorities for the UK budget, prior to the budget taking place.
Taxi Driver Licensing
I highlight that I am a councillor in the Highland Council.
Last week, Highland Council passed a motion of no confidence against male councillors who voted to allow a convicted rapist to keep his taxi licence. Regardless of those men’s decision, the taxi driver should never have been given the opportunity to retain his taxi licence in the first place. Will the First Minister commit today to reviewing Scotland’s licensing laws and bringing forward legislation to bar convicted sex offenders from holding taxi licences?
If we are to encourage women to use taxis as a safe means of transport, we need to ensure that we are doing all that we can to ensure that they are safe.
First, let me say that I agree unreservedly with Morven-May MacCallum on the concerns that she has expressed about the handling of that matter. I associate myself entirely with her comment that, when a licensing decision was being taken on a case of that nature, there should never have been any question about continuing the licence. I agree wholeheartedly with her on that question.
The issue that she raises gets to the heart of the division of responsibilities and the degree of flexibility that is exercised by licensing authorities at local level. Licensing legislation, which leaves substantial discretion to local licensing authorities, is presided over by this Parliament. I am very open to the point that she raises as an issue that should be considered in terms of amendment to the licensing legislation; I simply make the point that Parliament has to determine the degree of discretion that it leaves to local licensing authorities. It is very similar to the debates that we often have about the degree of flexibility that should be exercised at local level. However, we will of course consider the point that Ms MacCallum has put to me today.
Secession from United Kingdom (Impact of Border)
Given that the First Minister wants to leave the United Kingdom and join the European Union, does he accept that there would be a hard border with England and Wales, and that industries across Scotland, and particularly in the Scottish Borders, would suffer as a result?
I do not think that such arrangements are necessary in a mature situation, as we can see in the arrangements between the north of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where there is an ability for a trading environment that involves a border between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Plenty of arrangements can be put in place to ensure smooth trade.
What concerns me is that Scottish companies have had their task in trying to access European markets made much more difficult because of the absolute folly of Brexit, which is doing incalculable damage to the Scottish economy and to the cost of living of people in our country.
English Whisky (Geographic Indicator)
The Scotch Whisky Association has said that it is profoundly concerned by the Labour Government’s decision to give a geographic indicator for English whisky, including single malt. Unlike Scotch single malt, English single malt does not need to be produced and distilled on a single site, and the Scotch Whisky Association warns that the decision
“jeopardises the category which the Scotch whisky industry established and built the reputation of around the world.”
What action will the First Minister take to ensure that the concerns of Scotland’s distillers are heard loudly and clearly by the Labour Government in Westminster?
The issue that Laura Mitchell has raised is very significant for the Scotch whisky industry, and I discussed the possibility of the decision being made in my most recent meeting with the Scotch Whisky Association. The point that Laura Mitchell highlights is about the fact that a significantly weaker definition of “single malt” has been arrived at to support English whisky, and that is a real and dramatic threat to the Scotch whisky industry that could potentially undermine its success, despite the fact that we had made such progress in assisting the industry by the removal of United States tariffs.
The Scottish Government has consistently supported the Scotch Whisky Association with regard to its concerns on the matter, and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, has written to the United Kingdom Government asking that it reconsider its extremely short-sighted decision, amend the specification in order to remove risks to our whisky sector, and ensure that the Scottish Government and partners can, rightly, scrutinise significant changes that are made, following the consultation process, before any collective decision is reached.
Fuel Costs (Rural Areas)
Under the United Kingdom Labour Party, annual average petrol costs are £230 higher and heating bills are set to be £1,000 more than it promised, yet new Prime Minister Andy Burnham still plans to hike fuel duty and has cut household heating bills by a paltry £4 a month. In rural communities such as mine, a car is not a choice but a requirement. What action will the First Minister take to support rural Scotland with sky-high fuel costs?
The situation that Dawn Black has put to the Parliament is a significant issue that affects all of Scotland, because of the significant issues of energy costs, including fuel costs, but it has a particular effect on rural areas.
The powers to directly influence fuel prices are reserved to the United Kingdom Government, which is why the Scottish National Party Government has consistently called on the Labour Party to remove VAT from fuel for the duration of the crisis that we are experiencing, which has been exacerbated by the conflict in Iran.
For people in rural areas, the Scottish Government has, within our limited powers, announced a Scottish emergency heating oil scheme to support low-income households that are dependent on heating oil and are struggling as a result of the conflict.
I assure Dawn Black that the Government will continue to make strong representations to the UK Government about the cost of fuel but, where we can take action to protect consumers in Scotland, we will do so.
Local Government Reform
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests.
The First Minister’s new proposals to reform councils go far beyond voluntary mergers and regionalisation and have no root in the local governance review or his manifesto. A host of core services—apparently, the majority—would be pulled further away from communities, not closer to them. It is important to have clarity and to get it right. For clarity, will councillors who are elected in May serve a full five-year term, and can the same be said of all Scotland’s existing local authorities?
First, I commiserate with Joe Fagan on his weekend result. However, he looks as though he is thriving on the basis of it, which perhaps proves the point that being the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland is the worst job in Scotland. He looks relieved. I wish him well in what lies ahead for him.
I want to make sure that we have a genuine and substantial debate about the question of local governance reform. In our programme for government, the Government set out our intention to bring forward a programme of reform. We did not specify the details of that in advance of a meeting with leaders of local authorities, which took place a week past Friday. At that meeting, the local government leaders asked us to be more specific—which we were when we set out our proposals yesterday.
I stress that those are a starting point to conversations. They are about trying to establish the right balance for the exercise of powers at the national, regional and community levels in Scotland. I do not accept Mr Fagan’s characterisation that the proposals will, of their nature, erode local decision making. I think that they will strengthen local decision making by strengthening the range of community authorities that will be involved.
The key point that I want to make to Mr Fagan and the Parliament is that we want to have an open discussion about the proposals. I invite colleagues to engage in that discussion with open minds, to find out how we can establish the correct balance between national, regional and local responsibilities. In that respect, the Government is committed to taking forward measures that can strengthen the ability to exercise powers at regional levels—powers that I do not think can be exercised across the 32 local authorities at present.
We made a commitment in the document—a commitment that I made in discussion with local authority leaders a week past Friday—that the councillors elected in May will serve a full five-year local government term. As for individual authorities, that will be a matter for the conclusion of the consultation process. Members will have the opportunity to engage on that point. In fact—
Thanks, First Minister. We have had quite an extensive answer to that question, and lots of members want to come in.
It is an important issue. We are holding an open debate on that issue in Parliament next Tuesday, in which members can participate.
Rosyth to Dunkirk Ferry Service
To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Forth Ports following its unilateral decision to abandon plans for the long-awaited Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry service.
The Government has had extensive discussions with Forth Ports and DFDS on the proposals. We have looked at practical ways to enhance decision making on the issue. The Deputy First Minister is meeting Forth Ports tomorrow to discuss the issue and wider issues of connectivity. Despite the recent announcement, the Government remains committed to delivering a service of that type.
University of Dundee (Industrial Action)
Yesterday, I joined staff from the University of Dundee on the picket line as they began five weeks of strike action. Local members of the University and College Union will not deliver lectures, seminars or tutorials until late October. Their decision to strike follows the loss of almost 1,000 jobs at the university since the summer of 2024. I understand that UCU representatives will be here in Parliament next Thursday. Will the First Minister meet them to hear their concerns about those further redundancies?
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic has met UCU representatives at the University of Dundee in recent weeks to listen to their concerns. I would urge the university and the UCU to continue to engage constructively to seek a resolution to the dispute.
The Government has committed financial support via the Scottish Funding Council to support the university in its recovery from the example of financial mismanagement that the university has presided over. As a consequence, the Government’s support has protected jobs and staved off the threat of insolvency. We remain committed to supporting the university and will do so with the proper amount of scrutiny.
Whether I can meet the representatives next Thursday depends on my wider commitments, but if I am unable to meet them, the education secretary will be happy to do so.
Universities (Purpose)
Does the First Minister believe that the primary purpose of Scotland’s universities is to serve Scottish students and Scotland’s economy? If so, how does he justify a system in which many Scottish students are forced to study elsewhere and may never return, while universities become increasingly dependent on recruiting overseas students—and increasingly dependent on their money—who are also likely to leave after graduation?
The current position—if I am incorrect, I will correct the position to Angela Ross—is that the most recent admissions to universities included a record number of Scottish students.
The foundation to Angela Ross’s question is totally false. That is what is wrong with so much of what comes from members on the Reform benches. It is just ill-informed misinformation that is peddled to sow division in our society. Anyone who knows anything about the university sector anywhere in the world knows that successful university sectors are ones that embrace people from all over the world to bring learning together, learn about new perspectives and strengthen the host country of those universities. Scotland is stronger because of its international connections. [Interruption.] If that means that I have to shout down the people from Reform who shout me down on such issues, I will be happy to do exactly that.
Suicide Prevention (School Funding)
The Daily Record’s save young lives campaign is calling for properly funded suicide prevention in our schools. Bereaved parents and teachers agree, and the trade union NASUWT Scotland has this week backed the campaign. Given that mandatory suicide prevention lessons are now included in England’s secondary schools, when will the Scottish Government fund equivalent education to help save young lives here in Scotland?
I am very sympathetic to Monica Lennon’s point. It is important that our support to young people in their educational setting is appropriate to the challenges that they face in society today. That can often be a controversial point, because there are topics that have to be confronted in our schools, which I think are important to be confronted in order to support young people in meeting the challenges of living in Scotland today.
We undertake a significant amount of work in our schools to support young people on the question of suicide. The Deputy First Minister has met campaign organisations to discuss the issue in the past.
On mandatory provision, as Monica Lennon knows, the education system in Scotland does not operate on a mandatory basis. We set the curriculum, we set the expectations and we empower schools to take forward that curriculum. We will give further consideration to the points that Monica Lennon raises, given the significance of the issue involved.
Electoral Spending Rules (Devolved Powers)
What implication do the United Kingdom Government’s failure to cap political donations and recent scandals around illegal donations have for electoral spending rules within the scope of devolved powers?
In June, Parliament agreed that there should be an independent review and further devolution—[Interruption.]
Excuse me, can we hear the First Minister, please?
In June, the Scottish Parliament agreed that there should be an independent review of, and further devolution of power over, the regulation of political parties and their funding. The Scottish Government subsequently called on the Electoral Commission to undertake a review of UK party political funding. We still believe that that would be the best course of action to take. The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans met the chief executive of the Electoral Commission on 17 September and renewed his call for such a review.
Scottish Enterprise (Human Rights Due Diligence)
Last week, Parliament voted to receive updates on Scottish Enterprise’s new human rights due diligence process, given the clear public interest in ensuring that the Scottish Government is meeting all its international obligations. Will the First Minister confirm that the Government will use its full powers to ensure that Scottish Enterprise publishes in full its human rights due diligence procedures, and will he indicate the timeframe by which the disclosure of the revised procedures is expected to happen?
The Government will fulfil the commitments that we have given to Parliament and will take forward those provisions. Parliament will be updated on the various steps that are taken to do exactly that. It will be done timeously. I cannot give Kate Nevens a specific date by which it will be completed, but I will write to her with an outline of the timescale for the process that is being considered.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Last week, I held a round-table event to discuss websites advertising prostitution and their impact on large-scale sexual exploitation. Trading in prostitution is a crime in Scotland, and facilitating the transportation of a victim of sexual exploitation is human trafficking, yet websites advertising prostitution operate in plain sight in Scotland, advertising hundreds of women for prostitution every day. They make it as easy for sex buyers to order women to exploit as it is to order a takeaway. Will the First Minister join me in condemning that? Will he commit to introducing legislation in this parliamentary session that combats commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland?
I associate myself with the point that Carol Mochan made on the unacceptability of that activity and the exploitation that is involved. There are a number of issues involved in her question in relation to online regulation, which is an issue of great concern to the Government. We are engaging with the United Kingdom Government, where the powers lie to undertake such online regulation, to try to get to a position that Carol Mochan and I might be comfortable with, because I am distinctly uncomfortable with the lack of regulation of much of the online world at present.
In relation to legislation here, the Scottish Government has commissioned work on prostitution that is being taken forward. We have an independent commission looking at that question. The commission will consider all those issues, and I encourage Carol Mochan to ensure that she contributes to that process, which will obviously inform legislation that is passed in the Scottish Parliament.
Extreme Weather (Planning)
In the light of what scientists have said could be the biggest El Niño event for a thousand years—a climate event that is likely to lead to more extreme storms—the United Kingdom Government recently called for people to stock up on food and water. Given that the Highlands and Islands is usually on the front line of bad weather, I take that as a direct call to action for my constituents. Will the First Minister reassure people in my region that his Government has plans to support people in rural and island areas when extreme weather badly impacts the provision of food, water and other essential supplies?
These are important issues in relation to the resilience of the country, and a central part of the Government’s obligations is to ensure that we support individuals in their communities when they might face the effects of climate change. We have had a number of significant flood events and acute wind-related events during the storms that we have wrestled with in recent years. We undertake resilience planning and we work with local resilience partnerships. The Government reviews weekly the risks that we face in relation to resilience, and I assure Ariane Burgess that the Government is actively engaged in monitoring all potential resilience issues that could affect Scotland and taking the necessary preparatory action to deal with such circumstances.
Bairns’ Hoose Provision
In the light of concerns raised at the Criminal Justice Committee on 9 September regarding the lack of progress in developing bairns’ hoose places for children, what specific action will be taken to accelerate the delivery of bairns’ hoose services across Scotland? What funding, national co-ordination and timetable will be provided to ensure that children who are victims or witnesses of abuse have access to a bairns’ hoose without further delay?
The Government is rolling out its programme of bairns’ hooses around the country. I saw for myself the development in Stornoway during the summer. It is an excellent facility, and I commend all the partners that worked together to undertake that activity. The Government allocates funding in its budget to enable it to roll out the programme. The member will have the opportunity to support the Government’s budget and the financial commitments that will be in it to take forward that agenda, and I invite her to do so when the moment arises.
Learning Disabilities and Neurodivergence
What measures in the new programme for government will strengthen the rights, protections and accountability available to people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people, following the decision not to proceed with the proposed learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill? Will the First Minister recognise the significant concerns, including those of my constituents Pamela and Orlaigh, and reassure them that their voices will remain central to the work ahead? Crucially, will he set out what independent oversight will replace that which was proposed to be in the bill?
I recognise the concerns that have been raised about the Government’s decision not to progress with the learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill. We took that decision because we believed that we could deliver more substantive practical action to support those who would benefit from the bill’s provisions. I assure Mr Bonnar that all of the lived experience evidence that was submitted during the bill consultation process informed the decision and highlighted that action is needed now, through policy reform, service improvement and targeted investment. We can press on with that at this stage, rather than awaiting the completion of the legislative process.
Our focus is on delivering practical improvements now, and the Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs announced earlier this month that funding of £7.6 million would be available for neurodevelopmental support for children and families. We have been clear that we will retain the option of future legislation, should evidence show that additional statutory measures are required to achieve the outcomes that people expect and deserve. I hope that that provides some reassurance to Mr Bonnar and to members, who I know are concerned about the issue.
Credit Unions (Community Wealth Building)
Credit unions and other financial co-operatives are well placed to keep wealth circulating in local communities, and the Government has committed to consulting the sector as it implements the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026. How will the First Minister ensure that credit unions have a practical role in delivering community wealth building, rather than simply being consulted on it?
Credit unions are central to the Government’s vision for developing community wealth in our society. The legislation that we have passed is an important part of that framework, and I want to make sure that, at all stages of the implementation of that legislation, credit unions are fully involved in the dialogue to ensure that the full purposes of the 2026 act can be realised, with credit unions playing a central role in strengthening the financial stability of individuals and organisations at local level.
Renewable Energy Sector (Workforce Planning)
Scottish Government modelling forecasts a shortage of more than 31,000 renewables workers, principally in Aberdeen and the north-east, due to the Scottish National Party’s lack of workforce planning and its failure to create green energy jobs or deliver a meaningful, managed transition. Meanwhile, energy modern apprenticeship starts in the north-east are plummeting.
Was the First Minister aware of those facts prior to my freedom of information request this week? In any event, what specific action will his Government take to remedy its failures?
If Mr Kerr were to look at the report that was published recently by the Confederation of British Industry, he would see mapped out in it a comprehensive statement about the positive economic effects of renewable energy development in Scotland, particularly in relation to the number of jobs and opportunities that are being created. The Government’s focus on our skills development approach and the work that we are taking forward on consenting and on the supply chain, which was a subject of discussion that Mr Kerr and I were involved in the other week, is central to managing that transition.
As I have told Parliament before, I am concerned that some of the decisions that we depend on, such as those about the strategic spatial energy plan and some grid connection issues, are absolutely fundamental to realising our renewable energy obligations. Those decisions do not rest with my Government, which is why we must be resolute in pressing the United Kingdom Government to take the right decisions when it comes to those important strategic developments.
Scottish Borders Council (Nursery Provision Consultation)
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman found significant failings—amounting to maladministration—in a Scottish Borders Council consultation on nursery provision, including concerns about how stakeholder views were reported to elected members. What assurances can the First Minister provide, as the Scottish Government advances its programme of public service reform, that communities will be given genuine opportunities to influence decisions and that the evidence that is presented to decision makers will be accurate, transparent and subject to proper scrutiny?
The purpose of the engagement that we undertake is to make sure that decisions that are taken by Government are well informed. The particular case in relation to Scottish Borders Council is a matter for that council. Councils are independent bodies that must at all times ensure that they are meeting the highest standards of activity in all their responsibilities. From the Government’s perspective, we take forward and follow significant measures in relation to consultation exercises to ensure that we properly hear the views of members of the public.
Park Homes (Housing (Scotland) Act 2006)
Many of my constituents who live in park homes are unable to access necessary adaptations to their homes because of wording in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 that excludes park homes. That has left some living in difficult circumstances. With that in mind, what actions is the Scottish Government taking to improve the rights of park home owners?
During stage 3 proceedings on the recent Housing (Scotland) Bill, the Government committed to undertaking work to review some of the measures that affect park home residents, as raised by Mr Beattie in his question. An advisory group of experts and stakeholders was established earlier this year and has been meeting regularly to examine key workstreams. A report and recommendations are expected to be shared with ministers in the autumn, and that will be shared with Parliament.
Veterans (Funding)
Veterans in Scotland who put everything on the line for our democracy receive a dedicated Scottish Government spend of around £4.6 million per year across various budgets, yet illegal migrants receive around £6.7 million per year from the Scottish Government—across the new Scots strategy, funding for refugee charities and, of course, the ridiculous trial of free bus passes for asylum seekers. Does the First Minister think that it is right that people who fought to defend our country are being given less support than strangers who are invading our country?
I am full of admiration and respect for veterans who have served our country with distinction and who have made many sacrifices to enable our liberty and freedom. I think that the veterans who I know would be appalled at Thomas Kerr’s question. Veterans went into conflict to protect our liberty and freedom—they did not do so to make us intolerant, hateful and divisive, like the question that Mr Kerr has just put to the Parliament.
That brings us to the end of back-bench members’ questions to the First Minister. I apologise to the 30 or so members whose questions I was unable to take.
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