Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Official Report 878KB pdf

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Portfolio Question Time

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Culture and External Affairs

Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions, first on culture and external affairs. In order to get in as many members as possible, I invite members to ask short and succinct questions and ministers to give answers to match.

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Youth Music Initiative

1. To ask the Scottish Government how the youth music initiative dovetails with voluntary sector programmes such as Scotland sings and the fèisean movement. (S4O-02412)

The youth music initiative is creating career pathways for Scotland’s young talent as well as creating enhanced access opportunities. Many would never have participated in music without it.

The youth music initiative continues to operate a successful partnership between Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Fèis Rois and Highland Council that delivers 12 weeks per year of introduction to traditional music in all 188 primary schools in the area. That provision does not duplicate or interfere with existing music provision in schools.

Discussions are due to take place between Scotland sings, the big, big sing and Creative Scotland to ensure that young people who participate in youth music initiative projects across Scotland have the opportunity to engage with Scotland sings.

Can the youth music initiative learn from the fèisean movement, so that its enthusiasm for its participants can develop the experiences of playing music and music making among teenagers, especially in the difficult secondary 1 and secondary 2 years?

Our intention is to review the youth music initiative. The terms have still to be agreed on, but the review is likely to focus on sustaining participation—particularly among the age group that Rob Gibson mentioned—and on how we can identify and share best practice. Given the fèisean movement’s great success in engaging young people in particular, it will be able to contribute to that exercise and is something from which the rest of Scotland can learn.

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Summer Festivals (Economic Benefit)

2. To ask the Scottish Government what benefit the 2013 summer festivals have brought to the Scottish economy. (S4O-02413)

Edinburgh’s festivals are Scotland’s world-class cultural brand, with an international reputation and appeal unmatched by any other cultural event on the globe. When the festivals forum undertook an impact study in 2011, it found that the festivals generated £261 million of economic impact for Scotland and 5,242 full-time jobs in Edinburgh. The positive results of this year’s festivals—for instance, the fringe saw a 4.6 per cent increase in the number of tickets issued, the book festival’s ticket sales were up nearly 6 per cent on 2012, and the tattoo had another sell-out—mean that it is very likely that the economic impacts of 2011 will have been surpassed.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that that bodes very well for the number of likely visitors to Scotland in the forthcoming year, which will see the staging of the Ryder cup, the Commonwealth games and the homecoming, all of which should have a hugely positive impact on Scotland?

This year, we had a fantastic summer for the festivals and for tourist numbers. Looking forward to 2014, when we will host the second year of homecoming, the Ryder cup and the Commonwealth games, we have a great opportunity to build on the success of the festivals, which will again take centre stage. Many of the additional events have cultural elements to them. In terms of the income that is generated from the second year of homecoming alone, we are forecasting that there should be an increase of £44 million in the return on investment in events and marketing activity.

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Film Production

3. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to boost production of both domestic and foreign films in Scotland. (S4O-02414)

Through Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government is doing much to support the film and television industry in Scotland. That includes supporting the local industry, as well as attracting international productions to Scotland.

A good example of an indigenous production that was supported by Creative Scotland is the recently premiered film “Sunshine on Leith”, which was set and shot in Edinburgh. An example of inward investment is the new television series “Outlander”, which starts shooting soon in Cumbernauld. It involves the biggest inward investment in film and television that has ever been secured in Scotland.

I have established a working group that includes Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government to explore further opportunities to develop film and television production facilities in Scotland.

I thank the cabinet secretary for that extremely positive answer.

For many years, the establishment of a film studio here in Scotland has been mooted. Can the cabinet secretary advise the chamber whether we are any closer to that goal?

The delivery group that I set up is currently considering a report evaluating possible sites for a film studio and will meet to consider the next steps in October or November. In investing in a film studio, we must take on board the needs and requirements of the film industry. Some of those requirements and needs may be different between companies. We are considering a range of factors to take the project forward, but I will update Parliament as we progress.

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“The Great Tapestry of Scotland”

I call Alex Johnstone to ask question 4. [Interruption.] Do you wish to ask your question?

4.

I do.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide support to take “The Great Tapestry of Scotland” to communities around the country. (S4O-02415)

I am pleased that we get the opportunity to answer the question.

The widespread public enthusiasm for “The Great Tapestry of Scotland” is evident from the runaway success of the exhibition that was held in the Parliament over the past month. In the first three days alone, more than 9,000 visitors came to see it. The tapestry is one of the largest community projects running in Scotland. It tells Scotland’s story in a uniquely exciting and accessible way. I hope that as many people as possible have the opportunity to see it when it goes on tour shortly.

The tapestry project team has been busy working with partners exploring possible venues throughout the country and Historic Scotland has well-developed plans for temporary exhibitions of selected panels of the tapestry at various of its sites starting later this year. I have also asked Historic Scotland and Museums Galleries Scotland to discuss opportunities with the tapestry project team.

I offer my apologies, Presiding Officer, for my just-in-time approach.

Will lessons be learned from the tour and the astonishing popularity that the tapestry has demonstrated in the Parliament to ensure that any areas that do not have local access to the tapestry will be considered for any further opportunities to take it round the country in future?

It is a fantastic project. More than 1,000 people were involved in it and it is a genuine community arts project. It tells an important story from thousands of years ago to the current day.

The tapestry group will have its own views on the reach of the tapestry. One of the reasons why I have asked Museums Galleries Scotland to get involved is that it has a network of accredited museums the length and breadth of Scotland.

The two local MSPs for Angus have already contacted Angus Council to discuss taking the tapestry there. However, there may be other areas that could be well represented. The experts on the area are in Museums Galleries Scotland. They can advise different local groups on networking and connecting to the different museums that are available locally. They can also find ways to support the tour, not least on issues such as transportation, lighting and security.

The member is correct. There is part of every part of Scotland in the tapestry and we should all support trying to ensure that all of Scotland gets to see it.

Graeme Dey and I have already been trying to get this wonderful creation to Angus. I am slightly concerned to hear the cabinet secretary suggest that it might be broken up and that various bits of it will be in different places. Is there any prospect that we can get the whole of it to the Reid hall in Forfar?

I am not responsible for the tapestry. I suggest that Nigel Don contact the Great Scottish Tapestry Charitable Trust, which will determine the initial tour venues. I understand that there is a view that, because the tapestry is such a large piece of work, not everywhere will be able to identify a venue. It is 140m long. I understand that there are already discussions about taking parts of the tapestry to different parts of Scotland.

I make it clear that the Government can be supportive but is not responsible for where the tapestry goes on tour. I encourage Nigel Don to engage with the trust to get advice as to how his local community can make the most of the tapestry.

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Broadcasting

5. To ask the Scottish Government what the set-up and running costs would be of a new national, independent broadcaster in the event of Scotland becoming independent. (S4O-02416)

Later this year, the Scottish Government will publish a white paper on independence, which will set out a positive prospectus for an independent Scotland, including for broadcasting.

It is clear that, if Scotland becomes independent, significant costs will be involved in setting up an independent broadcasting service that is separate from the BBC. If the Scottish National Party is so keen to keep the Queen, the United Kingdom pound and other things about Britain, why does it not support keeping the BBC? The SNP supports lots of other unions; why does it not support an entertainment union? People in Scotland value the BBC—what has the SNP got against it?

I have been supportive of the BBC. I have commented in the chamber on cuts that are taking place and their impact on BBC Scotland, and I have clearly supported BBC staff in particular.

I remind Neil Bibby that BBC licence fee income from Scotland is £320 million but, in 2012-13, only £102 million of that was due to be spent in Scotland. In current proposals under the union, that figure will reduce to £86 million in 2016-17.

As for the BBC’s position after its charter renewal—or possible charter renewal—in 2016, I remind Neil Bibby, who is associated with the better together campaign, that two Conservative bills in the Westminster Parliament would decriminalise non-payment of the licence fee and privatise the BBC. He is associated with that campaign, which gives the Conservatives permission to continue to be involved in broadcasting, and Jackson Carlaw of the Conservatives wants to abolish the licence fee and have the BBC make its own way. If Neil Bibby can forecast where the BBC would be under the union in 2016, he is a better person than anybody in the chamber.

Given that Scotland subsidises the BBC with £218 million more than is spent here, what could that £218 million mean for jobs and production in Scotland?

The whole point of having a broadcasting system that is built on BBC Scotland’s staff and assets is to ensure that we invest in productions and commissions in Scotland. For example, for its £290 million of expenditure, RTÉ has four distinct television services, four national radio services, an online presence and other services such as children’s broadcasting and an orchestra. Value for money and—importantly—job security for not only BBC staff but commissioners of TV production in Scotland can be best served by the people of Scotland and as put forward by the SNP.

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Film Industry (Support)

6. To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to Scotland’s film industry and individual film-makers. (S4O-02417)

Creative Scotland supports Scotland’s film industry in a number of ways. The film and television funding programme supports emerging and established film and television talent that is capable of creating distinctive and engaging work that promotes Scotland’s creativity. In the financial year 2013-14, it has an allocation of £4 million. Other forms of support include the locations service, the promotion of Scotland’s film industry at film festivals and events, the provision of advice to film-makers and liaison with other film bodies across the United Kingdom.

Creative Scotland contributed funding to four films that made their debut at the Toronto international film festival earlier this month. “Sunshine on Leith”, “The Railway Man”, “Under the Skin” and “Starred Up” each received £300,000 from Creative Scotland.

Countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden offer their film industries more financial support. For example, the Norwegian Film Institute provides to Norway’s industry annual state funding of 400 million Norwegian kroner, which is about £41 million, and it has an annual budget of 93 million kroner, which is about £9.7 million.

In the face of global competition, strong Government funding for the film industry is a necessity. What approaches does the Scottish Government admire in the countries that I mentioned and what lessons does the cabinet secretary feel we can learn from our neighbours?

Jean Urquhart gives the example of Norway and Denmark, which have much to offer in lessons learned through their indigenous film and television production. Another aspect is good writing. Film and television producers say that there must be a good story to tell to ensure the quality of a production. We are talking not just about film and television facilities but about the whole stream that leads up to a final production.

Tax credits are a supportive measure in different countries. We welcome the United Kingdom Government’s recent announcement about that, on which we have pressed it for many years. Investment streams can come in different shapes and forms. We are also looking at the support that can be given in colleges and universities to develop careers.

We are using the tools that we currently have but we will look to other countries to learn lessons from them. Indeed, when I was in Canada, I spoke to British Columbia, for example, about what support it provided for the film industry, so we are constantly looking at different examples.

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Digital Participation (Older People)

7. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase digital participation among people over 65. (S4O-02418)

The Scottish Government provides funding for learning opportunities such as digital photography, digital archive and heritage classes, silver surfer sessions and intergenerational learning programmes. We can demonstrate that those are of particular interest and appeal to older people and that that approach is proving successful. Since 2009, the Scottish household survey shows an 11.9 per cent increase in people who are 65-plus using the internet for personal use.

Although that is encouraging, we know that there is still work to be done in that area and we will continue to work in partnership to find innovative ways to encourage people of all ages to gain the economic, social and cultural benefits of being online.

I thank the cabinet secretary for that helpful response. However, figures from the Office of Communications still show that the level of broadband uptake in Scotland is just 61 per cent compared with 71 per cent across the United Kingdom. I am aware of some of the silver surfer groups—we have a very good one in Aberdeen that is working to give north-east residents the opportunity to learn about basic computing, including the use of email and the internet. Can the cabinet secretary give me any specific detail on the help that is available to such groups?

I went through a number of the different programmes that are available for older people. In terms of the statistics, I am quite happy to update the member on the latest Ofcom figures because there has been an improvement in general participation in Scotland. There are interesting exercises on participation, for example with housing associations in Glasgow, trying to ensure that all the tenants in one place can have access, as that can be easier.

As regards library use, members will be familiar with the fact that many libraries are converting their facilities to ensure that access to digital classes can take place. We have been helping the Scottish library and information services to try in particular to support such access. Libraries are familiar places to older people and they provide easy access to learning how to use computers and access the internet.

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Creative Scotland (Meetings)

8. To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs last met the chief executive of Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed. (S4O-02419)

I last formally met Janet Archer, chief executive officer of Creative Scotland, on 8 August, although we have met informally since. We discussed a range of issues including her new role, progress on corporate planning and creative industries, organisational structures, and plans for the Creative Scotland reception event.

Ms Archer clearly has a job to do to restore confidence in the organisation and in the artistic community in Scotland. What priorities has the cabinet secretary set Ms Archer and Creative Scotland and what milestones and targets or deadlines has she asked them to report back on?

I supported the release of Creative Scotland’s annual plan, which came out in May and set out its proposals for the next year. I am in the process of setting out my letter of guidance for Creative Scotland, as I do for a variety of different public sector organisations. In that letter, I will set out publicly the priorities that I am giving to Creative Scotland. I plan to issue that letter of guidance to Creative Scotland in the near future and a copy of the letter will be put in the Scottish Parliament information centre so that all members will be able to access it.

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Syria (Humanitarian Crisis)

9. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it providing assistance to non-governmental organisations supporting humanitarian projects in Syria, whether it shares growing concerns at the mounting humanitarian crisis in the country. (S4O-02420)

The Scottish Government shares the concerns that I am sure all members have about the humanitarian crises enveloping Syria as millions are forced to flee their homes to escape the conflict. That is why we announced that we would be doubling our contribution to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Syria by donating a further £100,000. The funds will be spent by some of our leading aid agencies that are working in the region to provide relief for those affected.

I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. Can the cabinet secretary tell the chamber whether any further information has been forthcoming from the Westminster Government about whether the United Kingdom will aid relief of the refugee situation in Syria by allowing people requiring medical treatment, and other refugees who are under distress, into the UK and Scotland?

The UK Government has provided considerable funds for humanitarian aid, but it has made it clear that it does not plan to ease the asylum rules for refugees from Syria. The First Minister urged the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in a letter of 14 September to prioritise applications from Syrians who are entering the UK and seeking asylum from the current atrocities.

The Scottish Government supports the Refugee Council’s representations to the UK Government and has offered to play its part in providing a welcoming and safe home for Syrian refugees.

The minister will know that the UK Government has committed £400 million to help those who are affected by the Syrian conflict, which is the UK’s largest ever response to a humanitarian crisis. How is the Scottish Government working with the UK Government to ensure the best possible co-ordination of effort?

First, I acknowledge the UK Government’s significant contribution to the humanitarian aid effort. The Disasters Emergency Committee, to which our funding has gone, works in a co-ordinated way and liaises with other agencies in the area and in the UK, which is very important indeed.

However, I encourage Jamie McGrigor to urge the UK Government to think about the consequences for those in the refugee camps, and those Syrians who are already in Scotland and are concerned about whether they have leave to remain or will have to return.

It is very important that all agencies in Government think about priorities with regard to the refugees, and in particular raise concerns with the UK Government on the need to ensure that it prioritises applications from Syrians who are seeking refugee status.

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Infrastructure, Investment and Cities

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National Performance Framework

1. To ask the Scottish Government how the national indicators used in the national performance framework feed into decisions relating to its investment commitments. (S4O-02422)

Over the next two years we will ensure that we are well equipped to deliver the outcomes and objectives that are set out in “Empowering Scotland: the Government’s Programme for Scotland 2013-14”, in the Government’s economic strategy and in the national performance framework.

Our draft budget sets out our proposals for using our resources to deliver the Scottish Government’s purpose of sustainable economic growth. We will invest to support recovery, create jobs, boost housing and continue our progress towards a low-carbon economy. We will provide record numbers of apprenticeships, support small businesses, deliver free higher education and protect household incomes through the social wage and the continuing council tax freeze.

Given that one of the indicators in the national performance framework is

“to improve access to suitable housing options for those in housing need”,

can the cabinet secretary give details of the Scottish Government measures that are in place or are planned to ensure that new-build housing is suitably energy efficient to enable new owners and residents to live comfortably and to enable the Scottish Government to tackle fuel poverty?

As Claudia Beamish will be aware, the Scottish Government is taking action on a range of fronts. I am happy to set some of that down in writing for her, as I am sure that the Presiding Officer will not give me the opportunity to go through it all today.

That action includes our commitment to providing 30,000 new affordable homes in the current session of Parliament, which we are currently on track to meet; our range of actions to improve the energy efficiency of not only new housing but existing housing; our budget to tackle fuel poverty and to help individuals to live in warm houses; and the action that we are taking to lever in innovative sources of finance to fund housing for the future.

We are acting on all those fronts, which feeds in to meeting the indicator to which Claudia Beamish referred in her question and to meeting the Government’s objective. I am more than happy to write to her to set out that information in more detail, because I am getting the evil eye from the Presiding Officer.

I of course meant that euphemistically, Presiding Officer.

Thank you for that comprehensive answer.

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Fuel Poverty

2. To ask the Scottish Government how the draft budget supports people affected by fuel poverty. (S4O-02423)

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth announced the Scottish Government’s spending plans for 2014-15 and 2015-16 on Wednesday 11 September. For fuel poverty, he announced a budget of £79 million in both years.

As with this year’s budget allocation, we will use our funding to lever in private sector funding from the utility companies that are seeking to meet their obligations under the energy companies obligation to create a fund of £200 million per annum. That will be used for both area-based and national scheme delivery through our HEEPS—home energy efficiency programme Scotland—schemes.

The budget will address the fuel poverty forum’s interim report recommendations on Scottish Government funding programmes, continue to support our targets to eradicate fuel poverty as far as practicable by 2016, and contribute to meeting our climate change commitments.

Does the minister agree that, at 31 per cent among rural dwellers in Aberdeenshire, current levels of fuel poverty are unacceptably high? I very much welcome the financial support that the minister has identified. With the full powers of an independent country, what more could we do besides putting in place the mitigations that are currently available to us?

The member will be pleased to know that, under our current measures, Aberdeenshire Council has the second-highest allocation in Scotland, at £4.4 million. That will provide assistance to just under 2,500 households in the area. I am sure that the member will be pleased to note that.

Alongside what we are currently doing, the Scottish ministers continue to work to protect the interests of consumers. In the future, the expert commission on energy regulation will look to provide evidence on what improvements could be made to Scotland’s stewardship of electricity and gas regulation in an independent Scotland. The commission will provide advice on ways in which an independent Scotland could promote fairer, more affordable energy prices, given the need to address fuel poverty, and measures to improve energy efficiency.

With an estimated 29 per cent of Scottish households currently living in fuel poverty—a level that has failed to drop below 25 per cent since 2007—can the minister inform us how the national retrofit programme will ensure that Scotland meets its 2016 target? Is the minister supportive of the Labour Party’s energy price freeze commitment?

To repeat what I said earlier, we will continue to work to protect the interests of Scottish consumers and continue to fund the HEEPS programme, which is providing measures throughout the whole of Scotland—unlike the United Kingdom Government, which has put zero into that.

On the other question, there are some big ifs in that. If there were a future Labour Government, it is unclear how it would implement that future policy. Has Labour spoken to the fuel companies and what is their commitment? What would be the eventual impact on fuel bills?

I will allow a brief question from Alex Johnstone.

As the minister will be aware, one of the reasons for high fuel costs in rural areas is the high cost of off-grid gas and oil supplies for heating. What advice and support can the Government give to those who seek to create buying clubs to cut the cost of off-grid supplies?

We are currently looking at that issue. We have been in discussion with some rural communities, particularly in the islands—I discussed the issue when I was up there during the summer recess—and we continue to talk with them about that. We well appreciate the difficulties that island and rural communities face because they are off grid, as the member mentioned. I would be willing to sit down with the member to inform him what discussions we have had so far and where those are going. If he has any other suggestions to offer, I am willing to discuss them with him.

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Poverty

3. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to combat poverty. (S4O-02424)

We are committed to tackling the long-term drivers of poverty through early intervention and prevention. In spring 2014, we will publish a revised child poverty strategy, which will be informed by discussions at the ministerial advisory group on child poverty. Our commitment includes a range of actions, such as working with local authorities, the national health service and others through the collective investment of £272 million in the early years change fund.

We know that the United Kingdom Government’s welfare reforms are already having a significant impact. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that, by 2020, once all the UK Government welfare changes have come into effect, around 50,000 more children will be living in poverty in Scotland than in 2011.

In an independent Scotland, we could take welfare decisions that would ensure fair and decent support for people. Only with access to our own resources and the ability to join up policy across devolved and reserved areas can we make the substantial difference that we need to and tackle child poverty for good.

I thank the minister for that comprehensive answer. Scottish families are only beginning to feel the harmful effects of the benefit cuts and welfare reforms that are being imposed by the UK Government. Will the minister outline the effects that Westminster’s welfare reforms are having on the Scottish Government’s policy to tackle poverty in Scotland?

As I said in my earlier answer, we are taking a long-term approach to tackling poverty. However, our efforts are being undermined by the UK Government’s welfare reforms. We have published analysis that estimates that the reforms could reduce welfare expenditure in Scotland by more than £4.5 billion in the five years to 2014-15, with families and children among those being hit. The reforms include changes to child tax credit and working tax credits, which primarily affect couples with children, who will on average be £700 a year worse off. Mitigating the full impact of the cuts will not be possible. The solution is for the Scottish Parliament to have full control over welfare so that it can put in place policies that benefit the people of Scotland.

The minister will be aware of the increasing number of people who are using food banks. What action is the Scottish Government taking to monitor that increased usage? Does the Government plan to publish official statistics? Can the minister outline the assistance that the Government provides for food banks?

As the member will be aware, the Scottish Government has set up the Scottish welfare fund of £33 million, which should assist people who are struggling with food poverty. At present, we do not have statistics on food banks, but they are part of the overall monitoring of the welfare reforms.

We have to consider what things people cannot afford because of welfare reforms such as the bedroom tax, and all the issues there. We will monitor that. We are looking at the Scottish welfare fund to ensure that every penny in it is used by the people who need it most, many of whom will be in food poverty.

Question 4 has not been lodged, for entirely understandable reasons, and question 5 has been withdrawn, for similarly understandable reasons.

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Rail Franchise

6. To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to make rail travel more attractive under the 2014 rail franchise renewal. (S4O-02427)

Investment in the existing franchise has already resulted in increased passenger numbers, reduced journey times and fewer cancellations due to rolling stock or infrastructure failures. We aim to build on that success, so following public consultation, the new franchise agreement will stipulate continued investment to improve and replace dated rolling stock, provision of an overall improved passenger experience, better utilisation of the network, improved connectivity, and the operation of a more environmentally friendly service.

Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and scenery are attractive to cyclists. However, finding space on the train to get there is often difficult. Some of our commuter routes are particularly busy and passengers have to stand. Elsewhere, similar issues are solved by having flexible sections for bikes, wheelchairs and buggies or fold-down seats, and running extra or double-decker trains. What can the operating companies offer to address the problems here?

In the specification for the next franchise, which we will publish towards the end of the year, bidders will be required to provide rolling stock that is sufficient to meet anticipated passenger demand, and new trains will provide an increase in capacity, for example, on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route. Facilities such as space for cycles and buggies, and tip-up seats, are already provided on many of Scotland’s trains and will continue to be provided on new trains.

David Torrance referred to the appeal that our marvellous scenic countryside has for cyclists and mountain bikers. I recognise that appeal and the potential that it offers. Accordingly, I will require bidders to produce plans that will enable many more bicycles to be conveyed to destinations that are served by, for example, the west Highland line and the Borders line. As a nation, we have to do more to be more cycle friendly, to recognise the benefits that cycling offers for our health and general wellbeing and to see whether it can help to improve Scotland’s economy even further.

Under the new franchise, rail travel in the central belt has the potential to be more attractive as a result of the Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme, or EGIP. However, it will be significantly less attractive during construction if the Winchburgh tunnel is closed. Can the minister confirm that, as reported, the Winchburgh tunnel will be closed for three months, and will he say whether compensation payments will be made to the franchise holder as a result?

I have tried to answer that question before for Mark Griffin, and he has lodged a written question, for which we will provide a full answer to the points that he raises. As I have said previously, in so far as EGIP relates to the new franchise, we want to minimise disruption, because disruption is not in anybody’s interest. A substantial amount of work needs to be done to ensure that disruption is minimised. As I said, I will give a fuller response to the written question.

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Aviation Strategy

7. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scotland’s airports regarding an aviation strategy for Scotland. (S4O-02428)

The Scottish Government has been regularly engaging with stakeholders to ensure that we are supporting them effectively to achieve our common aim of improving Scotland’s connectivity.

The Westminster Government has established the Davies commission to look at airport strategy, particularly in the south-east of England, from 2016 onward. In that light, it is important that an independent Scotland clearly define its intention to establish an overall aviation strategy for Scotland, predicated on the major passenger airports of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Does the minister agree that supporting those airports, and Inverness and the island airports, requires a strategy that also recognises the need for a significant international maintenance, repair, overhaul and cargo airport, with supporting engineering skills, all of which are available at Prestwick international airport and in the colleges and businesses that bound it?

As Chic Brodie will be aware, the majority of legislation relating to aviation is currently reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament. To date, the Scottish Government’s focus has been on the limited number of areas where we can take action. Prime among those is increasing the number of direct air services from Scotland—an example being the recently announced Edinburgh to Chicago service.

Should Scotland become an independent country we would, of course, have the power to establish a more wide-reaching aviation strategy that would take account of the particular needs of Scottish aviation and the people of Scotland. I would expect any such strategy to recognise and support ancillary services such as are provided at Prestwick, and to have a much more amenable process for air passenger duty, which we have campaigned for the UK Government to change for a number of years now.

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Road Safety (A76)

8. To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce measures to improve the safety of the A76 between Dumfries and Kirkconnel. (S4O-02429)

Transport Scotland carried out a route accident reduction plan study along the entire length of the A76 trunk road from Kilmarnock to Dumfries. A number of road safety measures were recommended, including between Dumfries and Kirkconnel. Those included surfacing, signing, lining and bend assessments and were completed in March this year. There are no plans to introduce further measures. Transport Scotland will, of course, continue to monitor the safety performance of the route.

The minister will be aware that an improvements scheme to the A76 at Ellisland was scrapped in 2010 on the basis of cost. Which of the safety measures that have been implemented following the review by Transport Scotland have been implemented along that section of the A76, which would have been covered by the former Ellisland improvements scheme?

I have already mentioned some of the measures that we have taken along that route generally. In addition, some aspects, including bus shelters and so on, of the Ellisland project, which was scrapped, have been taken forward with south-west of Scotland transport partnership and Dumfries and Galloway Council. As things stand, we await information in relation to the caravan park near Courthill—we are waiting for SWESTRANS and Dumfries and Galloway Council to come back to provide an update on possible solutions. Further work will be done in that area. As I said, we await the response from Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWESTRANS.

We will squeeze in question 9 if everyone can be succinct.

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Welfare Reform (Mitigation)

9. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to mitigate the impact of welfare reforms. (S4O-02430)

We are doing all that we can within current powers and resources to mitigate the worst impacts of welfare reform. That includes £7.9 million for front-line advice and support services, £9.2 million to bring the Scottish social welfare fund up to £33 million, £40 million to protect people against the United Kingdom Government’s 10 per cent cut in the council tax benefit, and £20 million to enable local authorities to supplement discretionary housing payments. Over the period we will spend at least £224 million. Although that will help the damaging effects of welfare reforms, the solution is for the Scottish Parliament to have control over all welfare matters.

Can the minister confirm how many people will benefit from the council tax reduction scheme that has been introduced by the Scottish Government, including figures for the number of pensioners and the number of women?

The figure is 560,000 people in Scotland, who were previously receiving council tax benefit. That includes 216,900 households with one person over 65, and more than 280,000 single-female households, of which 85,000 have a dependent child.