Official Report 143KB pdf
The first item of business is general question time. To accommodate as many questions as possible, I ask for concise questions and answers.
Question 1 from Amanda Bland was not lodged, but an explanation has been given.
Residential Rehabilitation
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to a 16 per cent increase in residential rehabilitation bed capacity, for what reason a right to rehabilitation enshrined in law for everyone was not included within the programme for government. (S7O-00280)
The Scottish Government has not changed its position that people affected by alcohol and drug harms should have access to the treatment and recovery support that is right for them, including residential rehabilitation, where that is clinically appropriate.
We continue to focus on increasing access to residential rehabilitation and wider treatment services through investment, service improvement and a rights-based approach, rather than by creating a new statutory right to a specific form of treatment.
The drug deaths figures that were released yesterday demonstrate that the approach taken by the minister to drugs policy is not working.
Even more concerning was the response from the minister to members’ questions yesterday in the chamber. She stated that nobody had died inside the Thistle safer drugs consumption facility. If that was not health misinformation, it was certainly grossly misleading. Will the minister confirm, for the record, that there was, in fact, a death directly outside the centre in March this year?
Will the minister go further? Even the term “safer drugs consumption” is grossly misleading. Will she state for the record that there is no such thing as safer drugs, because there are no safe drugs?
It is a matter of public record that an individual died outside the Thistle in March this year. The heartfelt condolences of everyone in the chamber go out to his family and his community, who will be mourning him, as we look at the figures of last year’s deaths.
On the question that the member asked me, he is absolutely correct that there is no such thing as safe drugs consumption. The focus of the Thistle is on safer drugs consumption; it is about harm reduction.
When we consider the number of deaths that we face in Scotland, we must redouble our efforts to stop deaths, as well as ensuring that we have strong pathways into treatment and recovery. We need to do all those things, not just one of them.
I remind the chamber that I chair Moving On Inverclyde, which is a local recovery service.
I am aware that there are some residential rehabilitation centres where beds are lying empty. What engagement has the minister had with local councils to encourage them to engage with organisations such as Abbeycare and Jericho to ensure that such facilities are fully utilised? I have been repeatedly informed by various organisations that many local authorities continue to underspend their alcohol and drug recovery services budget.
The member will be aware that, to ensure the continuity of such critical services, the Scottish Government took steps to support the recent takeover of the Jericho society facilities in Inverclyde and Dundee.
We continue to engage with local services to ensure that residential rehabilitation is available to those for whom it is deemed clinically appropriate. To support more people to access residential rehab, we have made an additional £2 million available through the additional placement fund.
The Scottish Government recognises that a diversity of treatment options is important to empower individuals to have more choice and to meet the needs of individuals who seek different types of recovery. That alone should be the driving factor in matching an individual with a treatment provider.
We come to question 3. I call the late David Green.
Gynaecology Care (Highlands)
I apologise to you, Presiding Officer, and to other members for arriving late. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve access to gynaecology care for women in the Highlands. (S7O-00281)
Phase 2 of the women’s health plan will transform gynaecology services. A national plan for gynaecology will be published early in 2027 and will explain how women and girls will receive timely, high-quality and effective care closer to home. Redesigned services will reduce inequalities in access and outcomes, including for those in rural and island areas. Last year, NHS Highland benefited from part of the additional £13 million allocated to target long waits for gynaecology treatment.
My constituent Mary Richard was told that she would have to wait four years for an operation, which she described as a raw deal compared to the care that she previously received at Caithness general hospital. Another constituent was referred to Raigmore, only to be told that she would have to wait a year for an initial consultation. Those waits are unacceptable, so what steps will the cabinet secretary take to improve access to pain management for patients who are waiting for treatment and to strengthen skills in recognising complex gynaecological conditions so that cases are identified earlier?
I am very sorry to hear about the experiences of the member’s constituents. He is correct to say that long waits are utterly unacceptable.
I say to the member, for his information, that we have seen long waits for gynaecology services decrease across Scotland. For example, long waits in out-patient services are down by 70 per cent and long waits for in-patient day care are down by 47 per cent year on year. However, we have not seen such improvement in NHS Highland—I assure the member that I am completely aware of that. Part of our rationale for national health service simplification is to ensure that we can share capacity, resources and skills and, by removing boundaries, can create more equity of access.
The member raises the important issue of pain management. With any patient care, it is crucial that women are, first and foremost, listened to and that that is dealt with at clinical level.
We have a number of supplementary questions.
In the Highlands as well as in other parts of Scotland, the centralisation of sexual health services has meant long waiting lists and poorer access for women. The cabinet secretary is right to say that that is acknowledged in the women’s health plan, but there does not appear to be any additional funding to address the problem. Does the cabinet secretary acknowledge that women are tired of being shuffled around by a Government that is failing to prioritise women’s health and will she bring forward a plan to bring routine sexual healthcare back into community settings, accompanied by funding to meet the backlog?
As the member is aware, we have a good track record in the targeted use of funding, one example of which is the one that I gave in my original answer to Mr Green of the additional £13 million to be invested in gynaecology services.
I will get back to her regarding her specific question about sexual health, but the issues that she and other members raise are in essence about equity of access. I stress that as we progress our journey of NHS simplification and reform, I hope that we can all work together to ensure that the arrangements put in place will still have local connectivity and will improve equity of access.
Regarding gynaecology, I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government is committed to improved outcomes and diagnosis waiting times for endometriosis. Will the cabinet secretary commit to working with Endometriosis UK and NHS Ayrshire and Arran to explore whether Ayrshire could become a fully accredited endometriosis centre, so that care and support will be readily available to those women in my Cunninghame South constituency, and across Ayrshire, who suffer from endometriosis?
The minister and I would, of course, be willing to engage with Endometriosis UK. In my capacity as a constituency member, I engage regularly with organisations local to West Lothian and I give a shout out to endo warriors West Lothian. The member’s proposition sounds interesting and it would be good to hear more about it.
Given the lengthy waits for gynaecology treatment, has the Scottish Government considered making greater use of available private sector capacity to reduce waiting times and ensure that women receive diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible?
I refer the member to the answer that I gave to Mr Green, in which I said that we are making progress right across Scotland, notwithstanding the challenges at NHS Highland. From July 2025 to 2026, long waits for out-patient appointments went down by 70 per cent and in-patient day case long waits went down by 47 per cent.
We are making progress. From the weekly statistics that I delve deeply into week by week, specialty by specialty, I can see that boards in half the country are tackling out-patient waits effectively. However, the other half of the country is doing better with in-patient day case care. Therefore, we need to maximise our capacity across the country to reduce that inequity. I am sure that inequity of access or a postcode lottery is not acceptable to any member.
Temporary Migrant Workers (Exploitation)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported concerns raised by third sector organisations, including Edinburgh-based Project Esperanza, what support it can provide to temporary migrant workers in Scotland, sponsored under the certificate of sponsorship visa system, who may be vulnerable to exploitation, including fraudulent job offers, debt bondage and wage theft. (S7O-00282)
The Scottish Government is clear that the exploitation of any worker is unacceptable. Although immigration policy and employment rights enforcement are reserved to the United Kingdom Government, we fund support services that help migrant workers to understand and exercise their rights. For example, constituents who have concerns about migrant worker exploitation in agriculture or social care can contact the Worker Support Centre for advice and support. We also work closely with enforcement bodies, regulators and third sector partners to address labour exploitation in any sector. Through our fair work agenda, we remain committed to fair treatment of all workers in Scotland.
I met with people from Project Esperanza who told me that they believe that there are thousands of people in Edinburgh alone who are recruited under the COS scheme. They pay sponsors tens of thousands of pounds and often sell their homes, leaving them with nothing in their home countries. Is the minister aware of the people in that position, who are often forced to work for their sponsors with terrible working conditions, poverty wages and erratic hours? They are afraid to report mistreatment as they face the threat of the sponsorship being withdrawn, which would leave them destitute.
Will the minister meet Project Esperanza and investigate what steps the Scottish Government could take to ensure that resources and processes are in place to end that practice and protect extremely vulnerable people?
I thank Kate Campbell for raising that extremely important issue. I am more than happy to join her in meeting Project Esperanza. I recently met people from the Worker Support Centre to learn more about their work and the experiences of migrant workers in Scotland. I reiterate that the responsibility for enforcement and regulation of such matters is reserved, but we have a collective responsibility, and the Government has a responsibility, to ensure that we work with partners to do all that we can to support fair work for everyone in Scotland, while recognising the particular risks that migrant workers face.
I am happy to engage with Project Esperanza and Kate Campbell. I thank her again for raising this important matter.
I thank my colleague Kate Campbell for her important question. Migrant workers who experience exploitation are understandably reluctant to come forward for fear of losing their visa status. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that they can safely report all forms of exploitation without fear of further harm? What steps is the Government taking to help migrant workers understand and access their rights?
I mentioned the Worker Support Centre, which delivers outreach, advice and support to migrant workers who might be at risk of exploitation. It also helps workers to understand and exercise their rights.
The Scottish Government provides support through funding. For example, in 2026-27, Migrant Help and TARA—the trafficking awareness-raising alliance—will share more than £3.5 million to provide support and assistance to adult victims of trafficking and exploitation.
I am looking forward to having further engagement on what is an incredibly important issue, and if there are particular organisations that Kate Nevens—or, for that matter, any other member—wishes me to meet or engage with, I will be more than happy to do so.
For the youth of Scotland, things are tough. Many young people are finding it harder to get a start in the workplace, yet, increasingly, attention and resources appear to be being directed towards supporting migrants who have been brought into Scotland from overseas. Does the minister agree that the Government’s priority should be getting young Scots into jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities before expanding support for temporary migrant workers?
I do not think that the two matters that the member raises should be considered as mutually exclusive, binary or in opposition. Migrants make an immense contribution to Scotland, and not just with regard to our workforce and our economy. They enrich us as a country. None of us in this place has to look too far back in their family history to come across relatives who were migrants and were subject to the kind of abusive and divisive language that emanates from Reform, but who strengthened our country. Indeed, in many cases, those relatives—this is the case in my family—who came to this country fought, risked their lives and, in some cases, died for this country and its values. I suggest that the member reflect on that.
With regard to the member’s points about youth employment and youth employability, the Scottish Government is fully engaged on that matter. I am working very closely with my colleague Alyn Smith on such issues, and we are engaging closely with the United Kingdom Government and the work that has been undertaken as part of the Milburn review.
However, the two matters that the member raises should not be presented as being in opposition to each other. We face a demographic challenge in this country. It is true that addressing economic inactivity and youth employment is a priority, but so is attracting more people to come to, live and work in, and contribute to Scotland, and the Scottish Government is proud to support that.
Violence and Abuse Against Retail Workers and Shoplifting
To ask the Scottish Government what action it and Police Scotland are taking to reduce violence and abuse against retail workers and shoplifting. (S7O-00283)
I fully recognise the particular challenges that the retail sector faces and the significant impact that retail crime has on businesses, workers and communities. That includes the wholly unacceptable abuse, threats and violence that far too many shop workers continue to experience while carrying out their jobs.
That is why the Scottish Government is investing £10 million over three years to support the work of the retail crime task force, which has a wide remit across retail crime. Its focus on prevention, enforcement, protection and preparedness allows it to deliver tangible results—more than 6,400 charges were recorded in the first year, including 648 for offences against retail workers, and detection rates increased to almost 51 per cent—which helps to make retailers, staff and communities safer.
I thank the minister for her answer and her update on the work that is being done.
We know that prevention is the best possible cure. Will the minister tell me what work the Government is doing with our young people, both in schools and in the community, to help to reduce the chance of future antisocial behaviour in our communities?
Over the past three years, we have invested more than £8 million to support implementation of the violence prevention framework, which has supported action across communities and schools to divert people away from harm.
We continue to deliver lessons to youths on the consequences of violence, including knife carrying, as well as providing youth navigator programmes to help young people to lead healthier lives. YouthLink Scotland’s no knives, better lives programme provides training, resources and support to young people and local partners on understanding and addressing the drivers of violence, and Police Scotland youth volunteers work with young people to help to break down barriers and develop relationships through volunteering in their communities.
When it comes to dealing with the rising tide of violence and abuse that shop workers face, all the evidence tells us that there are just not enough police officers. Will the minister give a straightforward commitment that she and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will work to ensure that, in the next budget, more resource will be available to enable more police officers to be put back on the front line?
I am grateful to Stephen Kerr for his focus on the importance of police officers and of tackling crime in our retail sector. I would say to him, however, that we have more officers in Scotland than in England and Wales per head of population. Our officers receive the best basic pay in the United Kingdom at the minimum and maximum of each rank, and our record investment allows Police Scotland to recruit new officers, with 160-plus new recruits in July and further recruitment planned.
Brain Tumour Diagnostics and Treatment (Research)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase support for research into brain tumour diagnostics and treatment. (S7O-00284)
The Scottish Government wants people in Scotland with brain cancer to be able to access the best possible care and support. We are committed to supporting high-quality cancer research, including research into the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours. That is being done through the chief scientist office’s open competitive grant and fellowship schemes, access to National Institute for Health and Care Research programmes, investment in NHS Research Scotland to support clinical studies and trials, and work with charities to support research to improve outcomes for people affected by brain tumours.
Brain tumours account for around a quarter of cancers diagnosed in children and young people, and they remain one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in that age group. Sadly, there has been little change in the survival rates of children and young people diagnosed with brain cancer over the past decade. In light of the Scottish Government’s new cancer strategy for children and young people, what specific actions will ministers take to improve access to earlier diagnosis, support greater research into brain tumours and deliver better outcomes for young patients and their families?
I can certainly relate to the member’s comments about young people and brain cancer. It is important to note that we are working very closely with the clinical research community and the national health service to support research. We certainly have more to do to ensure that early diagnoses are made and more lives are saved.
Police Provision (Glasgow City Centre)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that Glasgow city centre has an enhanced police provision. (S7O-00285)
The allocation and deployment of police resources are operational matters for the chief constable, with oversight provided by the Scottish Police Authority. For our part, the Scottish Government is investing record funding of more than £1.7 billion in policing in 2026-27, which is an increase of £81.5 million compared with last year. That investment ensures that Police Scotland has the resources that it needs to support front-line policing across Scotland, including in our city centres.
Police Scotland continues to maintain a strong recruitment pipeline, with 169 recruits having joined in July and with further intakes planned throughout the year. Police Scotland deploys a dedicated community policing team to Glasgow city centre, particularly at the weekends, which helps to provide visible reassurance and tackle antisocial behaviour.
Glasgow city centre has been the focus of a recent BBC “Disclosure” documentary, which has proved controversial—and many people have contacted me since its screening. It filmed open drug dealing on the streets and antisocial behaviour, which intensified when there was no police presence. According to the Glasgow city local policing plan, overall recorded violent crime increased by 17.4 per cent compared with the previous year. The situation has not been helped by the lack of full closed-circuit television coverage.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is time to provide specific funding, and to bring back community safety funding, to enhance police numbers in Glasgow city centre, ensuring that there is higher visibility and police patrols in hotspot areas to reduce crime there?
As Ms McNeill will be aware, the allocation of resources is a matter for the chief constable. As of 30 June, there were 2,424 full-time-equivalent officers in G division, which encompasses Glasgow city centre. I welcome the action that Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council are taking to address the concerns that Ms McNeill has raised, particularly those relating to the city centre. That includes enhancing CCTV coverage, dedicated community policing resources and, where appropriate, the use of dispersal powers.
I am due to meet the chief constable again, I think next week, and I will raise the concerns that Ms McNeill has highlighted.
Proposed Railway Station (Newburgh)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will support the proposal to reopen a railway station at Newburgh, Fife. (S7O-00286)
My officials have completed a review of the detailed options appraisal, and I would expect advice to come to me in due course as a result of that work being completed. I will endeavour to ensure that Mr Rennie and the Parliament are kept up to date accordingly.
June 2022, November 2023, March 2025 and September 2025: members have asked for a positive answer—any answer—about Newburgh until they are blue in the face, but yet again the minister is considering the advice. That is exactly what we have heard before. Six years on from the “SEStran Regional Transport Strategy: Case for Change” report and four years on from the Scottish transport appraisal guidance process, will he break with the past and his predecessors and make a positive decision on Newburgh railway station?
For context, as I understand it, the railway station in Newburgh closed in 1955. I know that Mr Rennie has been a long-standing campaigner—although perhaps not since then—and he is right to do so as the local member. I understand his passion and that of the local campaigners who have been fighting to secure a new station at Newburgh.
I do not think that Mr Rennie picked me up correctly. I have advice coming to me, at which point I will review that advice. When I am able to make a decision, I will inform both him and Parliament accordingly.
Katherine Sangster’s question 9 was not lodged, but an explanation has been given.
Face Coverings (Ban in Public Places)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider a ban on all face coverings in public places, including balaclavas and the burqa. (S7O-00288)
Police Scotland already has powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to require the removal of face coverings where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are being used to conceal identity in connection with criminality or disorder. Police Scotland considers that those powers are sufficient at the present time.
Reform and I have been abundantly clear that we want a full ban: no exemptions, no double standards, just pure common sense. Scotland should follow fellow European nations in putting public safety first.
This Government claims to stand up for women’s safety and for choice, but it is blind to what is going on in many Muslim households across the country, where women are forced to wear this medieval piece of clothing due to pressure from inside their communities and many male family members.
Will the cabinet secretary commit to a full ban on all face coverings, including the burqa, in public places?
As I have already said, these are operational matters for Police Scotland, from which we take advice on those operational concerns.
As Mr Kerr may be aware, we have little evidence of religious dress being used to perpetrate criminality. However, there is plenty of evidence that the narrative and language that Reform UK uses in this place—as well as support from Thomas Kerr and his party for certain groups—incite increased violence against those who wear religious dress. That is something for Mr Kerr to consider.
In view of the fact that no one has expressed a wish to ask a supplementary on this particular question, we will have a short suspension.
13:57
Meeting suspended.
14:00
On resuming—