Official Report 387KB pdf
Climate Action and Rural Affairs
The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio question time, and the first portfolio is climate action and rural affairs. I remind members that questions 5, 9 and 10 have been grouped together. I will take any supplementaries on those questions after all three have been answered. If a member wishes to request a supplementary question, they should press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question.
Food Production Systems
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to develop fairer food production systems. (S7O-00106)
I welcome Joe Fagan to the chamber. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting agriculture, food production and our food and drink sectors in a fair manner. In March, we published our first rural support plan, outlining support for the next five years and providing the clarity, certainty and opportunity to plan. We have committed to continuing direct payments to active farmers and crofters and to delivering key outcomes for Scotland, but also to ensuring that there is proportionality for our valuable small producers. We have also committed to a phased transition from the legacy common agricultural policy to the new tailored domestic support schemes, which were developed in partnership with the sector, to avoid cliff edges in support.
The Scottish Government knows that the benefits of community wealth include shorter, more resilient supply chains and more of the wealth being built locally and retained within communities. Does the Government agree that the question of community ownership, as referenced in the good food nation plan, must be about more than access to land and should be explored further? Does it also agree that growing the co-operative economy in the sector can help to build resilience and economic justice in a changing and uncertain world?
I agree with Joe Fagan: co-operation is absolutely essential, whether it is about land ownership, food production or getting food into the public sector. We have just announced that there will be a public sector task force, and co-operation and collaboration are exactly what will make it a success. I welcome Joe Fagan’s question.
I welcome the ambitions of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. I also welcome the fact that the good food nation plans will be expected to have regard to
“the role of a sustainable food system”.
When will the Scottish Government introduce secondary legislation under the 2022 act, to ensure that the plans can be developed within relevant authorities?
The process is ongoing as we speak. There is a desire to make good-quality local food accessible through the good food nation plans across the country.
Farmers are at the heart of any food production system. The fundamental problem that we are facing is that, with the poor rural support plan, current subsidies such as the less favoured area support scheme are not hitting the mark. More and more farmers in my area, the Highlands and Islands, are raising the question of the future of LFASS. Will the minister confirm what the future is for subsidies such as LFASS?
Tim Eagle knows very well that the Government has been absolutely crystal clear that support for our primary producers is essential and we will continue to provide it. The shape of the support will be developed in the next number of years. The industry has been asking for certainty, and we have certainty between now and 2030—that is already guaranteed. We are working on what LFASS and the voluntary coupled support scheme will look like, and we are ensuring that active farmers receive support so that rural communities are protected. I give that assurance to Tim Eagle and the farming community.
Animal Welfare (Farrowing Crates)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its programme for government 2021-22 commitment to consult on the phasing out of farrowing crates. (S7O-00107)
The Scottish Government remains committed to that work. Indeed, in September, in the Scottish Parliament, I hosted and chaired a constructive round-table discussion on alternative farrowing systems with representatives from the Scottish pig industry, animal welfare organisations and academia. Work is ongoing, which has included my officials having further discussions with academia to find a definitive direction as to what replaces farrowing crates while improving sow welfare and supporting the viability of the industry. We will continue to listen to and work with the industry and key stakeholders on how best to achieve improvements in animal welfare.
Roughly half of the more than 25,000 mother pigs in Scotland are housed indoors, almost all of them held in farrowing crates. Animal welfare organisations such as Humane World for Animals have been calling for a phasing out of those crates for years. Will the minister commit to legislating swiftly on the issue and ensuring a transition to free farrowing pens?
I point out to the member that we are doing this in concert with the UK Government. There is a joint consultation ongoing as we speak, and I have confirmed with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ministers our agreement to do that joint consultation. Therefore, we will be working closely with the UK Government and other devolved Administrations on the delivery of the programme.
The member who lodged question 3 is not in the chamber, so we will move to question 4.
Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features (Management)
To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement management measures for inshore marine protected areas and priority marine features. (S7O-00109)
Bear with me, Deputy Presiding Officer. You caught me out there.
I will give the minister a moment.
The answer to the question that Gillian Mackay asks about marine protected areas concerns, I have to admit, a new element of my portfolio. I am working on it with our officials and stakeholders right now. I took receipt of the petition that was presented yesterday in front of the Parliament building, and I am actively working on it as we speak.
I am pleased that the minister is getting up to speed on that part of the portfolio.
Scotland’s network of marine protected areas was intended to be a vital marine safeguard, but the designation itself does not protect our marine environment from the impacts of trawling and dredging. Will the minister set out a clear timeline for the consultation and development of those management measures, to give assurance to our coastal communities?
As I said, I am currently working on that consultation. The cabinet secretary has given a commitment that it will be done as soon as possible. However, a considerable amount of work needs to be done to make sure that we ask the right questions and get robust plans in place and, at the same time, make sure that rural coastal communities are protected.
What lessons has the Scottish Government learned from the disastrous highly protected marine areas consultation in 2022-23, and what engagement has taken place with coastal communities, including the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association, ahead of any further consultation in this area?
I give an absolute guarantee that there is consultation right across the sector and across all sectors. We are cognisant of the fact that this will be a very contentious issue. Some people will be very unhappy with the results either way. Therefore, we are taking our time in order to make sure that we are asking the right questions and consulting with all the people who will be involved.
I will approach this in exactly the same way as I have approached every other contentious thing that I have had to do, which is by bringing people together, working out what the issues and problems are, finding a balanced position and then getting that implemented through the consultation and the work that is ongoing just now.
The next questions are grouped.
Hyperscale Data Centres (Climate Impact Assessment)
To ask the Scottish Government what national assessment it has made of the climate impact associated with hyperscale AI green data centres. (S7O-00110)
The Scottish Government has not undertaken a wholly national assessment of the remit that the member specifically outlines on data centres. However, we are currently engaging with industry and partner agencies to better understand the cumulative impacts of data centre developments on the environment. Currently, when new planning applications come forward, planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of all development proposals on their individual merits. That is the case whether they are data centres or, indeed, other developments. In cases in which a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, those powers are further supplemented by the procedures set out in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.
I hear what the cabinet secretary says about her engagement with industry, but it is communities that are facing a deluge of applications for data centres. There are people here today from Fife and across Scotland who are raising their concerns. Answers are needed, cabinet secretary. Fife Council has now asked the Scottish Government for direction over the environmental assessment of the proposed data centre at Auchtertool in Fife.
Is it not the case that the Scottish Government has been totally caught out on this issue? Coming up with a definition of a green data centre next year will be far too late for decision makers such as Fife Council. Does the cabinet secretary agree that she needs to sit down with the planning minister, sort out the guidance and, in the meantime, put in place a moratorium on decision making?
In my answer, I did not say just industry—I said industry and other partners, which involves local authorities as well. I am getting a lot of correspondence from new MSPs on the issue, and a number of questions today as well.
One of the issues with data centres is that they have to be in the right place. For example, there are some advantages to siting data centres next to an offtaker, so that the heat from the data centre is effectively taken and used, displacing the fossil fuel heating to an infrastructure project. Planning officers have to take such matters into account, and, as I said, the 2017 regulations already provide the tools for assessing any development.
However, we are actively considering the issue because, as a result of some of the incentives that have been put in place by the United Kingdom Government for locating data centres in the north of England and in Scotland, we are seeing a lot of speculation at the moment. Some of those proposals might not go to planning, but some of them will. We are working to make sure that we have everything in place, to give our planning officers throughout the country the tools to assess the applications correctly.
Hyperscale Data Centres (Environmental Impact Assessment)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on the environment of the construction and operation of hyperscale data centres. (S7O-00114)
I need to apologise, because I am going to be giving similar answers to a lot of questions as they are exactly the same. As I said, the Scottish Government is building an understanding of the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of hyperscale data centres.
When new planning applications are made, planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of the proposals based on their individual merits. As I have said, in cases in which a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, those powers are supplemented, by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.
Many of my constituents have been in touch with me to express their legitimate concerns about the impacts of a proposed full application for a hyperscale green data centre at Larbert, which is among several applications that have been made across the country in recent weeks. What discussions have taken place with Scotland’s chief planner to define a green data centre in environmental terms? What guidance is planned to be published on that specific issue prior to the Government’s digital infrastructure guidance, which is not expected until 2027?
I am sure that Gary Bouse will appreciate that I cannot comment on planning applications and particular developments, and I do not think that he would expect me to.
I recognise that, in general, hyperscale artificial intelligence data centres are an evolving sector, about which there is a lot of speculation at the moment. The national planning hub has been working with planning authorities, infrastructure providers and industry stakeholders to share an understanding of the emerging impacts and benefits. The national planning hub was set up by me and the now Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, Ivan McKee, to help local authorities to deal with developments for which they did not have the particular expertise in house and to get that expertise as they need it.
Technology and methods around data centres are evolving. There is some risk that an explicit definition could be counterproductive. It could potentially limit the use of professional planning judgment if focused on methods that are becoming out of date. As I said, an evolving piece of work is being done between the national planning hub and local authorities. We will need to consider carefully with stakeholders how a definition could be applied in practice. In the short term, we will consider whether there is further clarity that we can give to support assessment and decision making.
I call Gary Bouse.
I have already asked my supplementary.
My apologies. I call Alan Brown.
Data Centres (Cumulative Impact Assessment)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to carry out a cumulative impact assessment of the number of planning applications proposed for artificial intelligence data centres, including the power and water resources required and the impact on climate emissions. (S7O-00115)
Alan Brown will have heard my answers to previous questions on the issue of a cumulative assessment. We are taking a whole-system approach to understanding the full implications of data centre developments, including, as Alan Brown mentioned, the consideration of energy and water demands, potential economic benefits and the views of communities and local stakeholders.
Through continued engagement with the National Energy System Operator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water, we will look to ensure that data centre investment takes place in a resource-considerate manner, mitigating negative impacts and maximising positive impacts wherever possible—I mentioned some of those impacts in my answer to Mark Ruskell.
Although the Scottish Government is not currently undertaking a formal national assessment, we are working with partners to assess the impact of AI data centres and to look at whether current planning conditions are appropriate.
Rufus AI data centre, which was proposed at Hurlford in my constituency, will use the equivalent power output of the United Kingdom’s largest wind farm, Whitelee. Twenty-four data centres are proposed across Scotland, which is why there is a call for a centralised impact assessment. Can the cabinet secretary explain how the assessments that are being undertaken will feed into individual planning assessments?
Is she aware that my local authority of East Ayrshire is seeking clarification on what constitutes green data centres? Indeed, it is looking for guidance on assessing planning applications, which are applications only in principle and do not have enough detail from developers who are looking to get approvals and to flog those centres for a quick buck.
I am aware that local authorities and planning departments are calling for a little more clarity. In the AI strategy, we already committed to publishing guidance on what factors are prevalent in a green data centre. Planning authorities might use a range of factors when considering those matters. I do not think that Alan Brown would expect me to comment on a particular development, as that would not be helpful at all.
We are looking to consider matters around whether the data centre is powered from renewable energy sources, whether it makes use of energy-efficient technologies, whether it seeks to minimise water consumption by using a closed-loop system and whether it supports the reuse of excess heat for applications such as the ones that I have mentioned. Planning consideration could also be given as to where data centres are sited in order to allow industrial decarbonisation opportunities.
Six of the current proposed 24 data centres are in my region. The amount of detail for each one and the planning stage that they are at vary hugely. The very favourable policy for addressing that, the national planning framework, came out four years ago but it feels as if no work has taken place in the interim on nailing down that detail. We have had a series of very muddled answers, which does not help my constituents from the Lammermuirs, some of whom are in the gallery, to feel that they are on a level playing field with landowners and developers. Will the cabinet secretary support the Scottish Greens’ call for a moratorium so that that detail can be ironed out and we can start afresh with clarity on what a green data centre actually is?
I will be honest: I will not support a moratorium on that, because we feel that planning regulations are already in place for any development, whether it is a data centre or another development, and that a lot of work is ongoing in relation to the particular conditions around data centres.
The member has pointed to the fact that there is an awful lot of speculation in that area. Of course, I cannot comment on particular planning applications but, as I have said in the answers that I have given, we are working with local authorities to see whether any additional regulation is required in that area. That work will continue. The volume of questions that I have had, particularly on data centres, means that we might have to expedite that work.
I thank members for asking questions on this topic. There are plans to build one such data centre near Bishopbriggs in my constituency, and a number of local residents have contacted me with concerns about the potential impact. It is really important that people who could be affected have the chance to be heard and to understand the potential impact of such centres. Does the cabinet secretary agree that every effort should be made to ensure proper consultation with local residents?
It is essential that proper consultation is undertaken with residents, regardless of the development.
There has been a lot of speculation on data centres, particularly since the UK Government announced Scotland’s AI growth zone in Lanarkshire. Indeed, there are similar pressures in the north of England, where conditions have been made favourable for investment. We need to be alive to the need to site the data centres in the right place and with the explicit consent of nearby communities.
As I have said, there are a lot of opportunities for data centres to be sited in places where other developments can make use of the excess heat. I would like planning officers to take that into account.
As I have said to many members before, we are looking at environmental impact assessments to see whether they are fit for purpose for our data centres. However, regardless of the development, there must be public consultation.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her previous and extensive answers on the topic. Will she outline how the Scottish Government will ensure that any future developments deliver local economic benefits, while also ensuring that planning authorities have the capacity and support that is required to properly assess these large-scale projects and protect Scotland’s climate ambitions?
The answer is, in general, yes. Data centres and developments that bring employment opportunities and investment to Scotland are welcome, but they must dovetail with our other national priorities. If the associated environmental impact does not meet our guidelines, that would clearly be a problem.
The applications themselves, and the types of technology that they use—for example, to limit water consumption and to partner with other companies that might act as off-takers for excess heat—could provide an almost closed-loop system.
We must look not only at the economic opportunities. We must also be mindful of where developments are located—there needs to be an economic benefit for the areas that they serve.
We have a deluge of speculative applications for AI data centres across the country. We have heard already that the area that I represent, North Lanarkshire, is designated an AI growth zone. Is not the truth that we need national guidance from the Scottish Government on where those data centres should be and on how many the country requires? That work needs to be expedited at pace over the summer.
Graham Simpson is right that the UK Government announcing the AI growth zone in Lanarkshire has meant that there is an awful lot of speculation at the moment. Many of the speculative projects will not even make it to the planning stage.
The member is absolutely right that the work is continuing. I have outlined some of the work that is under way with the national planning hub in order to inform decision making. If anything additional is needed—such as regulatory changes—as a result of this emerging technology, we need to be alive to that as well. I have been in post for three weeks in this area, but I want to ensure that this is taken forward.
There is a great deal of interest in the issue across rural portfolios. I will ensure that the work is expedited so that planning officers are not placed in a position where they lack the information that is needed to proceed.
Last year, the UK Government announced plans to introduce AI growth zones, which would involve giving data centres a £24 per megawatt-hour discount in Scotland, starting from April 2027.
Given the enormous opposition that local communities such as mine in Auchtertool have to these data centres, and their rightful concern about demand on local water and power, which has been mentioned, does the Scottish Government have an updated stance on the AI growth zones in Scotland?
As Julie MacDougall said, the AI growth zone is a UK Government initiative, and that initiative has resulted in speculation in the areas that were designated as growth zones, as in Lanarkshire. Our stance on the growth zone initiative is that, obviously, we recognise that, where a data centre development is proposed, it must have strict environmental impact assessments associated with it, and we must have an idea of the number of data centres that are likely to go through planning. We also need to ensure that our regulations are fit for purpose.
There are opportunities that arise if data centres are sited in the right locations, and I have mentioned a few of those opportunities. We have an enormous amount of constrained renewable electricity that cannot make its way into the grid and which is being wasted—indeed, constraint payments are given to the generators. Data centres can provide an outlet to use that renewable electricity, but they cannot come at the expense of other environmental concerns.
A number of members have indicated that they wish to ask a question on this issue. I will take one further question, which will be from Claire Baker, although I ask her to keep it brief.
The UK Government has updated its planning policy, and there is a clear strategic approach to where data centres are sited, which is what members are calling for in Scotland. On the question around environmental impact assessments, at the moment, it is not mandatory for local authorities to carry out such assessments. Will the Scottish Government consider changing that to ensure that environmental impact assessments are part of the process?
Obviously, that question strays into Mr McKee’s domain. I will take some of the members’ questions on planning regulations to Mr McKee, and he will see in the Official Report what members have been asking for today. I will play my part with regard to environmental impact assessments and giving advice to the cabinet secretary with responsibility for planning.
Farming (Species Management)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support farmers in mitigating the negative impacts of certain plant and animal species on their businesses. (S7O-00111)
The Scottish Government recognises the challenges that certain plant and animal species pose to agricultural businesses and is supporting farmers to manage those impacts. Ministers engage directly with land managers through forums such as the strategic wildlife and species land managers forum, which promotes collaboration and balanced solutions. Financial and practical support is also available through species management schemes. Further support is available through the agri-environment climate scheme, which helps farmers to manage land sustainably alongside wildlife.
Many farmers and crofters are bearing the impacts and dealing with the consequences of species management, both financially and mentally. Will the Scottish Government increase the funding and commit to a multiyear ring-fenced budget that is fit for purpose? Will the Government also commit to implementing a more pragmatic licence application scheme for the removal of species where the impact on business and other conservation species or habitats is clear?
As Amanda Lindsay points out, there is a management scheme. Licences are available and there is funding through various schemes, such as the sea eagle management scheme or any number of other schemes that we have and through which funding is available, such as the goose management and goose mitigation schemes. We already have practical solutions that involve working with land managers to help to tackle any issues that arise. However, that does not mean eradication, which is sometimes what people call for. We are looking for a balanced approach to ensure that we can farm alongside nature.
Wildfires and Vegetation Fires (Management)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with specialist organisations regarding equipment and systems used to tackle wildfire and vegetation fires, in light of the increasing risk of such fires affecting rural communities, woodlands, parks and urban green and open spaces across Scotland. (S7O-00112)
Responding to wildfires and vegetation fires is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which ensures that any specialist resources are utilised in the most appropriate way to safely respond to incidents. As the experts in the area, as well as the main responder, it is for the service to consider how best to engage with organisations regarding specialist resources and their potential procurement.
Systems such as those developed by Fire Fogging Systems Ltd, which is a business in my constituency, are in place, and the technology is welcome. However, prevention is better than cure, so what can our at-risk areas do to prevent wildfires?
Clare Adamson is absolutely right: prevention is key. Following on from the good work that was done on the wildfires strategy in the previous parliamentary session by Jim Fairlie and by Siobhian Brown, the former Minister for Victims and Community Safety, a great deal of work is being done on prevention. Indeed, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launched a public awareness campaign on wildfire prevention on 5 March. Its key message is that there is no such thing as a harmless fire, regardless of the size of the spark or flame.
I also commend our national parks: the Cairngorms national park will ban fires and barbecues in public places between 1 April and 30 September, and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park has byelaws in place on designated camping management zones, plus a great deal of signage. Therefore, prevention involves education, ensuring that we follow the byelaws when lighting any fires and being mindful that, in our countryside and even in some urban areas, even the smallest spark can cause a wildfire in dry conditions.
Wildfires (Prevention)
To ask the Scottish Government what advice and support it provides to rural communities on wildfire prevention ahead of the heightened risk of such fires during the summer months. (S7O-00113)
The Scottish Government’s wildfires strategic action plan sets out a partnership approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires. Local authorities, national park authorities and public bodies proactively promote responsible outdoor behaviour through signage, education, communication and, as I mentioned in relation to our national parks, byelaws.
On 5 March, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launched a communications campaign to raise public awareness of wildfire risk and to discourage risky outdoor behaviours. During periods of heightened wildfire risk, such as now, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service works closely with public authorities and land managers to ensure that clear and consistent public messaging on wildfire risk is conveyed to local communities in a timely and effective way.
The response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and local land management to the severe wildfires that were experienced in the Highlands last year was exceptional, and I put on record my thanks to them.
Given that wildfires are breaking out, as the cabinet secretary has referenced, including in Lochinver in my constituency this April, we are already seeing the risk. The recent introduction of fire byelaws in the Cairngorms national park, which the cabinet secretary referred to, demonstrates that a targeted approach to prevention is possible. Given the recent wildfires, will the minister urgently commence the powers in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 to allow local authorities to introduce similar protections where they are needed?
Following the passing of the 2026 act in the previous parliamentary session, all aspects of the act are being progressed by Mr Fairlie and me.
First, I put on record my thanks, as David Green did, to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It worked in partnership with farmers, landowners and people in the communities. For example, people who have expertise in muirburn were key to managing some of those fires.
Since the launch of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s wildfires strategy, £1.6 million has been invested in operational equipment, so there has been an increase in resource. With regard to muirburn, NatureScot has worked through the muirburn code working group to develop the revised code, some of which went through via the 2026 act.
Apologies to those members whom I was unable to call.
Education, Culture and Gaelic
14:34
The next portfolio is education, culture and Gaelic. If a member wishes to ask a supplementary question, they should press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question.
Question 1 has been withdrawn.
Before question 2, I will allow members on the front benches a moment to take their places.
Breakfast Clubs (Primary and Special Schools)
To ask the Scottish Government what specific support it plans to provide to primary and special schools to enable the delivery of universal breakfast clubs. (S7O-00117)
This year, we will invest £3 million in our bright start breakfasts fund, which will provide 9,000 breakfast club places and support more than 20,000 children across Scotland, including those in Edinburgh and East Lothian, in ensuring that they have a healthy start to the day. Our commitment to provide a universal breakfast offer from August 2027 is supported by £15 million of investment in this financial year, which will be used to prepare for the transition.
The United Kingdom Labour Government is rolling out breakfast clubs at pace and is ensuring that primary schools are offered expert support and advice on how clubs can be delivered in a stigma-free way for the children who need them most. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Will the Government commit to engaging with the UK Government and learning from its roll-out to ensure that, in Scotland, we have access to the best possible practice and expert advice?
I am always interested in how other jurisdictions are pursuing policies. We look across the border and elsewhere in that regard.
It is worth noting that a great deal of work has already been undertaken in Scotland on the roll-out of breakfast clubs. Nearly half of all primary schools in Scotland already provide one. In my initial answer, I mentioned the transitional funding that the Government is providing, and we have identified ongoing funding, too. Work is under way with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities to ensure that every child can access the co-benefits of a breakfast club. Equally, we recognise that, given certain practical issues, including those relating to rurality, there will have to be flexibilities.
Every child’s day should start with a nutritious meal. We know that that benefits their learning experience and that wraparound care aims to accommodate parents’ working hours. Will the cabinet secretary outline the role of breakfast clubs in supporting Scotland’s families amid the cost of living crisis?
In an earlier response, I mentioned that there are co-benefits to universal breakfast club provision across our primary and special schools. We know that, in order to learn well, children must eat well. Although most children can rely on doing so, many cannot, so such meals will provide a nutritional start to the day. With up to an extra hour of care for children being provided at the beginning of the day, the policy also helps parents and carers through the cost of living crisis by allowing them to take up employment or increase their working hours.
I call Duncan Dunlop.
Apologies, Deputy Presiding Officer. I did not mean to speak on this question.
You had pressed your request-to-speak button, but that is not a problem.
Post-school Skills Pathways
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the provision of post-school skills pathways. (S7O-00118)
This year, building on previous work and initiatives, the Scottish Government has introduced a new Government-led skills planning model—which has been developed in close partnership with stakeholders, including those in industry—to ensure that our post-school education and skills system becomes even more responsive to Scotland’s strategic skills priorities. The collaborative work is ongoing. For example, I held a round-table meeting with different organisations and business voices this morning. I will aim to update the Parliament on the work in the autumn.
I thank the minister for that answer, particularly the point about industry collaboration, because he knows that that is important to me.
However, the overall numbers paint a dark picture. In 2025, Scottish Engineering estimated that we need to grow the engineering workforce by 46 per cent, but the number of engineering apprenticeship starts has fallen over the past 10 years. Moreover, last year, there were 24,849 modern apprenticeship starts, which was the lowest number since 2013-14 if we do not include the Covid years. Given the demand for skills and the fact that more young people are economically inactive, what is the Government doing to increase the number of starts, instead of that number continuing to fall?
Daniel Johnson knows that I like to be constructive in my dialogue in the chamber, but I must gently point out that one of the key problems that those in industry have emphasised to me is the impact of the national insurance increase, as well as other pressures and costs that have affected the number of apprenticeship starts and the ability of employers to recruit more generally.
One of the areas that we are focusing on, and where we have stepped up with additional funding, concerns how our college sector can play an even more pivotal role in delivering the apprenticeships that we need. We are working collaboratively with the college sector and have increased its budget by 10 per cent this financial year.
We are also undertaking a review of the contribution rates, so that, despite the external pressures—including the extra costs arising from reserved changes by the United Kingdom Government—we are looking to support employers to take on more apprentices.
In this atmosphere of collaboration, I, too, wish to recognise the point that Daniel Johnson and the minister made about involving industry. I see great examples of that, one of which involves Renewable Parts in Lochgilphead and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks working with Oban high school.
The latest statistics on positive destination are demonstrative that the Scottish National Party Government’s investment is reaching where it matters most. What work is under way to ensure that access to work, training or further study is not limited by a young person’s background, given the unique challenges facing rural and island communities, such as those in my constituency of Argyll and Bute?
There are many initiatives and policies in this space to encourage and support our young people to ensure that they can fulfil their potential, including the free tuition that the Government has provided for students. More than 750,000 students have benefited from that policy since it was introduced by the first SNP Government. We are investing more in our college sector. In 2024-25, 93.5 per cent of school leavers were in a positive follow-up destination nine months after leaving school, and we congratulate them.
We are not complacent. We realise the challenges that we are all facing, with technological change and the pressure in the economy around recruitment, but our young people are doing well, and the Government stands to support them as much as we can.
Skills Development (Young People)
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the development of skills and encourages apprenticeships, in light of reported concerns that young people are steered towards some degree courses that offer limited value. (S7O-00119)
We want to support all our young people to choose a pathway that suits their strengths and enables them to fulfil their potential to the greatest extent, developing their skills and critical thinking.
Our all-age careers support, delivered by Skills Development Scotland and other partners, promotes every pathway to our young people. We are investing £198 million a year in around 25,500 new modern apprenticeships, 5,000 foundation apprenticeships and more than 1,500 new graduate apprenticeships. We are committed to increasing apprenticeship opportunities to 150,000 over the course of this session of the Parliament, supporting our economy and our society.
Universities are autonomous organisations. They choose which degrees they offer. It would be helpful to understand from the member’s supplementary question what he means by degrees that “offer limited value”, so that we can understand the point that he is trying to make.
I will get a list over to the minister. I am always happy to educate the education front bench about pointless degrees.
Working-class communities such as mine have been shafted, with more money being spent on pointless degrees, rather than on useful skills and apprenticeships. Reform believes that money for apprenticeships should be ring fenced to ensure that it is not spent on pointless courses and that it actually assists our young people into learning.
Does the minister accept that apprenticeship levy funding was intended to expand apprenticeship opportunities, not to plug wider budget gaps? Can he guarantee that every pound that has been allocated to apprenticeships is being spent on apprenticeship training, rather than elsewhere in the education budget?
The member needs to spend some more time understanding how we deliver the different opportunities within our system, through the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland. Those streams—apprenticeships, college funding and university funding—are coming together, which will provide a better operational position for achieving parity of esteem between the different choices that people make and creating even more collaboration across the system.
The apprenticeship levy is a subject that has been raised with me multiple times during my tenure in this role, including in the chamber. We are committed to working with industry to provide more apprenticeship support. I refer to the measures in our manifesto, which I discussed with the stakeholders I met this morning.
There is growing demand for apprenticeships, and the Government wants to support our young people to achieve in the way that suits them best. However, it is not helpful for any member to come to the chamber and state that one avenue is potentially preferable to another. We are trying to create a situation with parity of esteem, in which everyone can fulfil their potential and best contribute to the economy and society.
I associate myself completely with the remarks that the minister just made. My supplementary concentrates on supporting our universities—I think that we can find some common ground on that.
Yesterday, the principal of the University of Glasgow informed staff that a voluntary severance scheme would be launched. Jobs are on the line and, understandably, university staff are worried about what it will mean for the future. In the past decade, there has been a 39 per cent real-terms cut to Government funding for Scottish students. Does the minister appreciate how concerning that news of the scheme is for staff and trade unions involved in the University of Glasgow and, more broadly, does he accept that something needs to change to fix the damage that his Government has done to Scotland’s universities?
As I mentioned in the members’ business debate a few days ago, the question of the future of our universities will be pertinent for all of us who have the privilege to serve in this Parliament for the next five years.
The cross-party work that was established before the election on the framework for the sustainability and success of our universities has three pillars of exploration and collaboration. That work is going on right now—with a variety of stakeholders—to come up with proposals for how to make the changes that are required for our sector to continue to be successful. We are thinking ahead about the decades to come and making sure that we are agile and changing in the way that is necessary.
Responsibility for the pressures on the funding of our universities does not sit entirely with our Government. There are many reserved aspects that have caused higher costs for our universities. In particular, issues of immigration law make it much more difficult for universities to recruit internationally. The national insurance increase was a surprise and a very high cost for our universities.
The Scottish Government cut their funding.
We realise that support for our universities from the devolved Government is important. However, in relation to that question, we do not exist in isolation. It is worth remembering that, in the most recent budget, we increased the budget for universities by 5 per cent and that we are liaising closely with them.
With regard to the University of Glasgow situation, although, like all universities, it is autonomous, we strongly urge universities to consider redundancies only as a last resort.
I call Heather Anderson to ask a short question, and I ask for a short answer from the minister.
I associate myself with the comments of the previous two speakers. I welcome young people entering further and higher education; their choices should not be talked down or denigrated in any way. There was bumper funding for the education portfolio for this year. Can the minister give some information about how that funding is supporting young people to make the right choices so that they meet their full potential?
I have already talked about the increase in the college budget and the university budget. The Government is investing £3.5 billion in the sector as a whole, in order to improve outcomes and ensure that our young people can fulfil their potential in further education, higher education or apprenticeships.
As a Parliament, we will soon enter a period when we make budgetary decisions. It will be the choice of the Parliament how much we invest in education in the next budget. If we want to realise our potential as a nation, engage in preventative spending, remain competitive economically and improve our society, education is an excellent investment to make.
Learning Priorities (Primary Schools)
To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be the top three learning priorities for primary school pupils. (S7O-00120)
We believe that every young person should receive an excellent education that equips them to succeed in life. The Scottish Government’s priorities are to ensure all learners achieve the expected levels in literacy and numeracy, and that they engage in learning across the curriculum while developing attributes necessary to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
Scotland’s curriculum is designed to equip young people with the foundations that they need for success. It has been endorsed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as the right approach for Scotland.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her response, although I am surprised that she mentioned literacy, as I recently spoke to a former deputy headteacher who currently serves in a senior role on Dumfries and Galloway Council, who told me that spelling is not deemed important in our current education system, due to the rise of spellchecker and Google. I ask the cabinet secretary to tell me how someone can google a word that they cannot spell.
I will frame my response on the generality of the question, which was about the importance of literacy for our young people. Literacy plays an absolutely foundational role in lifelong learning, wellbeing and tackling poverty, which is why, in response to the initial question, I ranked it among the top issues.
I remind members that the latest data shows that the proportion of pupils who are achieving their expected curriculum for excellence levels in literacy has reached its highest recorded level for the second consecutive year in both primary schools and secondary schools.
Learning Estate Investment Programme (School Buildings)
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a serving councillor on Renfrewshire Council.
Although local authorities have the statutory duty for managing and maintaining the school estate, the Scottish Government is working closely with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, local authorities and the Scottish Futures Trust to drive further improvements. We are also developing a business case for a successor to our £2 billion learning estate investment programme, advice on which will come to ministers for consideration later this year.
That work builds on real progress. Our latest school estate statistics show that 92 per cent of school buildings are now in a “good” or “satisfactory” condition. As well as being a record high, that represents a significant improvement on the figure of 62.7 per cent in 2007, which was the position that we inherited when we took office in 2007.
In my constituency of Renfrewshire North and Cardonald, the positive investment of the learning estate investment programme is essential in supporting local authorities in delivering modern and sustainable school buildings. Does the Scottish Government consider joint campuses to be a viable option for local authorities to maximise that investment?
Local authorities will make estate decisions in consultation with communities to ensure that solutions for campuses reflect local priorities and deliver the best outcomes for learners. However, it is worth noting that our learning estate investment programme already includes examples of integration and inclusion across age groups, denominational and non-denominational schools, learners with additional support needs and community users. Examples include the Dunfermline learning campus, the Faifley community campus, the Neilston primary school campus, the Tain three-to-18 campus and the Wallyford learning campus.
Care Leaver Payment (Kinship Care)
To ask the Scottish Government whether children and young people in kinship care are eligible to receive the care leaver payment. (S7O-00122)
The Care Leaver Payment (Scotland) Regulations 2026 state that, to be eligible for the care leaver payment, a young person must have been looked after under section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 on or after their 16th birthday, and they must also have left care or continuing care on or after 1 April 2026.
The purpose of the payment is to help care leavers—those who have been looked after in accordance with section 17(6) of the 1995 act—to overcome financial challenges and to provide additional financial security when they leave care. Section 17(6) includes children who are in looked-after kinship care, which means that they are looked after by the local authority that places them with kinship carers. Young people who are subject to an order under section 11 of the 1995 act are not looked after for the purposes of section 17(6) and are therefore not eligible for the payment.
I thank the minister for that clarification. I would like to raise a specific example. We have been contacted by a grandmother who has looked after her grandchild as a kinship carer since they were a baby. This summer, the grandchild turns 18 and is looking forward to taking their first steps towards college and living more independently, with their granny’s continued support and the financial cushion of the progressive care leaver payment that the Government brought in. However, because their grandparents were advised by the local authority to care for them under a section 11 order rather than a section 17(6) order, they are not eligible for the payment, as the minister pointed out.
In my view, that is a technicality. Similar discrepancies in relation to who can access the care-experienced students bursary have been ironed out. We know what the consequences are of not giving care-experienced people enough support through later life. Will the minister meet me and the grandmother to understand her situation with a view to removing that discrepancy for her grandchild and all care-experienced people who are currently under a section 11 order?
I am more than happy to meet the member. More broadly, however, we have to recognise the vital role that kinship carers play in caring for children and young people. That is why, earlier this year, we published “Scotland’s vision for kinship care: our offer of support for families”, following the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026, and introduced new rights for kinship carers and the children they care for.
We are now working with partners to develop a delivery plan to improve support and outcomes for kinship families across Scotland, so I would welcome a conversation with the member.
Island Communities (Support for Festivals)
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to festivals in island communities to ensure that they are sustainable. (S7O-00123)
The Scottish Government and Creative Scotland have currently committed more than £13.5 million towards festivals on the islands. That comprises 16 awards totalling £12.9 million over three years, through multi-annual funding, and seven awards totalling £662,000 this year, through the expanded festivals funds, all for arts organisations delivering island festivals. Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland also support island festivals through Culture Collective, Screen Scotland’s film festivals fund, Film Hub Scotland, the open project fund and the National Lottery awards for all. We are very pleased to do so, noting the value of those events.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s answer and the additional support that has gone to island festivals.
Festivals on our islands, such as the Orkney Folk Festival, contribute hugely to island life and our national cultural offering. Although festivals in our cities and the central belt can grow due to the ability to add more venues and the availability of accommodation provision and transport links, our island festivals do not have the same opportunity to develop. They face constraints and are victims of their own success, in that they cannot increase their income substantially, yet have increasing costs.
Will the cabinet secretary commit to considering, alongside Creative Scotland and EventScotland, how we can deliver a pilot island festival fund to provide stability to those vital cultural events in unique circumstances?
I absolutely take on board the points that the member raises. My initial answer set out that more than £13.5 million is already being made available for festivals on the islands, but I understand the point that he makes about those festivals having to be facilitated by transport links and so on.
I am happy to continue to work with the member and my ministerial colleagues in the transport portfolio to ensure that what is quite a significant investment can be put to best use through the availability of excellent transport links.
I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask.
This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency. I therefore ask the cabinet secretary to offer congratulations to the organisers, Pete and Gail McAndrew, for getting the festival up and running. Will she also acknowledge that sustaining festivals of that type relies heavily on musicians such as my good friend Douglas Montgomery, who was recently inducted into the Scottish traditional music hall of fame for services to the community?
I absolutely recognise the contribution of the folks whose names Liam McArthur has put on the record. I wish Pete and Gail McAndrew the very best of luck for the festival. I think that he said that it is taking place this weekend, in which case I hope that the weather holds up, as that could add something very special to a bluegrass festival.
On the general point about Scottish traditional music, I remind members of the Government’s manifesto commitment to create a new national performing company for traditional music, which I think we all agree is exciting. I will be absolutely sure to engage with Liam McArthur and take advantage of the expertise of his constituents as we develop that new and exciting proposal.
Teachers (Workforce Planning)
To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for teacher workforce planning. (S7O-00124)
The priority is to ensure that every pupil has access to high-quality teaching by having the right numbers of teachers in the right places across Scotland. Census data shows that, as a result of our continued investment, the number of teachers in our schools has increased for the first time in three years. Further, our 2026-27 budget provides local authorities with an additional £186.5 million to protect teacher numbers.
We are undertaking a detailed national evidence-led teacher workforce planning exercise as we seek to understand and project the requirements for newly qualified teachers. We also have bursary schemes for hard-to-fill subjects. It is worth noting that we recently delivered a campaign to recruit more teachers into areas where there are shortages, including in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.
Although we are committed to working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others on long-term workforce planning, local authorities are ultimately the employer.
Right now, a huge number of newly qualified teachers cannot find permanent full-time contracts. That forces many of them into temporary work or even into seeking teaching jobs abroad. Last week, Alex Cole-Hamilton raised that with the First Minister but, unfortunately, the First Minister did not answer the question.
Many of my constituents are stuck in that bind. They just want a solution that provides some certainty and allows them to teach. What steps will the cabinet secretary take to get the situation sorted for the benefit of teachers and pupils across Scotland?
I will answer the question in two parts. The Government has worked hard to create and foster conditions to make teaching the attractive and exciting career proposition that we all know it can be. We have done that not least by ensuring that our teachers are the best paid across the United Kingdom but by ensuring the continuance of the best pupil teacher ratio across the UK—good classroom settings in which to teach.
Secondly, we are adopting the new policy of the three-year job guarantee for newly qualified teachers, directly in response to having heard concerns—exactly like those that Mr Harley has put on the record—from newly qualified teachers who are looking for a degree of permanence. We will be developing that policy, and I will be pleased to update the Parliament with more detail in due course.
School Leavers (Positive Destinations)
I declare an interest as an elected member of Glasgow City Council. To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken to achieve a near-record 93.5 per cent of school leavers heading into positive destinations in 2024-25. (S7O-00125)
Apologies—there has been a request to make a point of order.
I apologise—that was made in the wrong place. I was hoping that Zen Ghani would finish first. I will make my point of order thereafter.
There is no point of order, so we can move on. I believe that Zen Ghani wishes to speak.
Presiding Officer, I will ask my question again.
To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken to achieve a near-record 93.5 per cent of school leavers heading into positive destinations in 2024-25.
I am sure that, collectively, we all want to congratulate the 2024-25 school leavers, 93.5 per cent of whom were in a positive destination nine months after leaving school. We will also, I am sure, want to recognise together the dedication of the practitioners who supported them to achieve that.
Those outcomes reflect sustained investment across our education system, including more than £1 billion through the Scottish attainment challenge and wider support for learning. We have strengthened employer engagement with schools and funded targeted support from professional careers advisers. There is more to do—always—but the foundation that we have is strong, as the figures show.
I welcome the minister’s response and the positive work that has been done by schools across Scotland. Will he outline the work that has been done in my constituency of Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok, and the positive impact that it has had on local school leavers?
We absolutely recognise the important work that is taking place in constituencies such as Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok, in which our local authorities, schools and partners are working together to support young people into positive destinations. Data is not available at a constituency level but, in Glasgow City, 94.9 per cent of leavers—which is even higher than the national figure—entered an initial positive destination in the academic year 2024-25. That is a very strong position across the city—a significant part of which the member represents.
The Government has engaged through headteacher round tables—for example, at Castlemilk high school—as well as with area leads for Developing the Young Workforce. If Zen Ghani would like any support from the Government to connect with Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council or other stakeholders that may be of assistance in his constituency, we stand ready to help and serve.
That concludes portfolio question time.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am sure that you are aware that employers are not liable for national insurance contributions for apprentices under the age of 25. Could you advise how one might correct the record if they had misled Parliament with regard to that fact?
As the member is aware, that is not a point of order. However, he has put the matter on the record.
We have another point of order. Does Gary Bouse intend to make a point of order this time?
I remind members that if they wish to make a point of order, they should press the point-of-order button. If they do not wish to make a point of order, they should not. If Mr Johnson wishes to make a point of order in the future, I ask him to press the button, and I ask Mr Bouse not to if he does not.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. You are quite right—I apologise.
I should have declared an interest to members during my question earlier when I talked about the Larbert data centre, because I live in Larbert. I did not do that earlier, and it is probably right that I do. I apologise.
That is not a point of order. We move on to the next item of business.
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