Official Report 280KB pdf
Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award Programme (Funding)
::To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly reduced the funding it provides to the Mark Scott leadership for life award programme for 2026-27. (S6O-05563)
::Since 2012, the Scottish Government has provided £1.4 million to the Outward Bound Trust to help to deliver the Mark Scott leadership for life award. Although we recognise the positive impact that the project continues to have, it is one of many that seeks financial support from the Government. Through our safer communities funding for 2026-27, we plan to provide £3.24 million in direct grant funding to 19 partner organisations. The Outward Bound Trust will receive £30,000 from that fund. As in previous years, that funding will help it to leverage support from other funders to enable it to deliver its programme.
::That answer is simply not good enough. The Scottish Government has tried this before: it tried to cut funding for that vital work a few years ago, but it was forced into a U-turn by cross-party opposition. I pay tribute to the former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, who personally intervened to ensure that the funding would be reinstated. However, we are back where we started.
The award commemorates the life of a man who was murdered in senseless sectarian violence. It provides opportunities to hundreds of young people every year from Scotland’s most deprived communities to learn and to come together. Niall and Judith Scott, Mark’s parents, have written to the minister and to the First Minister but have received no response. That is outrageous. When will they receive a response? Does the minister not agree that cutting investment in preventative youth work for the sake of saving £45,000 is short-sighted? Will she look again at that decision?
::Apologies—I am not aware of any such correspondence that has come in. I have not seen it yet, but I will chase that up today.
Funding pressures across the Scottish Government have meant that difficult decisions have been made and priorities have been identified. We continue to support the Mark Scott leadership for life award and look forward to continuing to work with the Outward Bound Trust. However, the Scottish Government has to align funding more closely to the vision of justice. That means reprioritising the initiatives that can be supported.
I highlight that the Scottish Government grant also provides part of the funding that is required to run the programme, which does a magnificent job of raising the required funding so that it can run each year. [Interruption.]
::Let us hear the minister.
::We are in discussions with the programme to understand the impact, but we hope that funding can continue to be raised from other sources.
::I wish to add my total dismay at the situation that we find ourselves in. I share Paul O’Kane’s anger on the matter. The Government’s approach is, indeed, very short-sighted. The programme is a unique project that has been hugely beneficial to all the young people who have taken part over the years, from all backgrounds. It has a proven track record of success, and it has ensured that young people can take the better path. I would have thought that that is what the justice team hopes for for future generations. Surely, minister, a small amount of additional funding could be found to ensure that this excellent project can continue.
::Always speak through the chair.
::We are all aware of the great work that has been done by the Mark Scott leadership for life award programme. As I said to Mr O’Kane, we will continue to work with the organisation and see whether funding can be found from other portfolios to support it. We will continue to give it £30,000 in this financial year, which will provide it with levers for further funding avenues.
Motor Neurone Disease (Research)
::To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to support research into finding a cure for motor neurone disease. (S6O-05564)
::Within the Scottish Government, the chief scientist office supports health and care research through direct funding and infrastructure support. The chief scientist office is currently funding two fellowships in motor neurone disease, with a total funding commitment of £485,000. Further applications on motor neurone disease to the chief scientist office’s project and fellowship funding schemes are welcomed.
The Scottish Government provides annual funding of £665,000 to the NHS Research Scotland neuroprogressive disease network to support the delivery of clinical trials in Scotland for neurodegenerative conditions, including motor neurone disease.
::I met my constituent Mark Sommerville and other brave MND sufferers two weeks ago. They were protesting outside the Parliament in the cold and rain because, despite writing to the First Minister on multiple occasions, they had had no response from anyone in the Government.
Mark has a young family and is desperate to see investment in a cure or a treatment that could slow down the progression of MND. He feels—as do the other people who were in the cold and rain that day—that, by failing to meet them, ministers fail to understand the urgency of their situation. Can the minister say why Mark and other people with MND feel ignored by this Government?
::I thank Mark Griffin for his supplementary question and recognise the importance of conditions such as motor neurone disease. The Scottish Government is firmly committed to increasing access to new and innovative medicines, and I absolutely recognise the key importance of medical and scientific research in finding a cure for MND, which is why more than 350 patients from Scotland have been recruited to the United Kingdom-wide MND smart clinical trial.
I recognise the important work that Mark Sommerville is doing to ensure that more work is done in this area, and I thank Mr Griffin for bringing the issue to the chamber. I will chase up any response to letters.
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025
::To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and other relevant criminal justice organisations regarding the implementation of section 34 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025. (S6O-05565)
::The Scottish Government is engaging with justice bodies and stakeholders across the sector on implementation of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, including section 34, following royal assent. That includes discussions with officials from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Implementation of the act is being phased to ensure that operational implications and readiness are duly considered across the system. We will continue discussions with COPFS and other justice bodies and stakeholders in that regard.
::For the benefit of the public, I note that section 34 gives all victims the right to be informed of any decision not to prosecute or to discontinue prosecution proceedings. It strengthens the rights of victims in Scotland. I know that the Government did not support the provision, but it was agreed to by the Parliament and is in the 2025 act, whether the Government likes it or not.
Other parts of the 2025 act have been implemented swiftly, such as the removal of the not proven verdict, so, when it suits the Government, it can introduce parts of the act swiftly and act on implementation. Has the cabinet secretary instructed COPFS to implement that change in the law? If so, when will it be implemented in full?
::I know that Mr Greene will appreciate the size and scale of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025. He rightly narrates that the first action of implementation was the abolition of the not proven verdict. Further measures have either already been implemented or are in train. I know that Mr Greene has a particular interest in section 55, which requires the Parole Board for Scotland to consider whether a prisoner has revealed information about a victim’s remains, and section 56, on measures around the safety of victims.
In relation to section 34 specifically, Mr Greene moved an amendment at stage 3—and, yes, it was agreed to; that was the will of the Parliament. I stated then that the provisions are operationally complex and that careful consideration of them is required. I assure him that we will keep the implementation of the provision under review while we continue our discussions with the Crown Office. It is important that we consider operational implications and readiness.
Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 (Alignment with Fair Trade)
::To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 aligns with fair trade principles for imported food and drink. (S6O-05566)
::Although the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 does not reference imported food and drink, the act sets out some principles that are relevant to fair trade principles. In addition, our strategic approach to trade policy is a values-based approach, as is set out in “Scotland’s Vision for Trade”. Our annual report on that, which was published in January this year, sets out recent progress on putting those values into practice.
::Outcome 6B of the good food nation plan refers to
“positive contributions to global food system transformation.”
However, there are no indicators for it. I would have thought that that would have an impact on fair trade. Could fair trade be used as part of the indicators?
::I appreciate the concern that John Mason raises. When we were looking at the criteria for the indicators that should be included in the good food nation plan, we were looking for indicators on which information was readily available, understandable and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. The indicators also need to be sensitive enough for changes to be detected over time, cost-effective to use and have low resource requirements.
I emphasise that, although the good food nation plan does not currently have an indicator in relation to this outcome, it is the first plan. We can only look to build on it, to fill the data gaps where they exist and to find data and evidence so that there are suitable indicators in the future. It is an important point that we need to have indicators and a monitoring framework if we want to make sure that we are making good progress on our good food nation ambitions.
Dyslexia Assessments for Adults (Free Provision Pathway)
::To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards the establishment of a pathway for free dyslexia assessments at the point of contact for adults. (S6O-05567)
::As part of building a fairer, more inclusive Scotland, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children, young people and adults with dyslexia receive the support that they need to reach their full potential. There are clear duties on education authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of school pupils.
In relation to adults and employment, our fair work approach ensures that disabled people, including those with dyslexia, get the support that they need at work without an adult assessment, including through the access to work scheme and working health services Scotland.
::Around one in 10 people in Scotland are dyslexic. Without meaningful reform, too many people will be disadvantaged in a perpetual cycle. Adult assessments and early intervention along with teacher training and school support are key asks of Dyslexia Scotland’s manifesto. Can the minister confirm that the Scottish Government will commit to addressing those issues in the next parliamentary session?
::The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children, young people and adults with dyslexia receive appropriate support to reach their full potential. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills asked Janie McManus to conduct a short, sharp review of additional support for learning in schools. That will report before the end of the parliamentary session.
Local authorities spent more than £1.1 billion on additional support for learning in 2024-25, and additional funding was provided in 2025-26 to support the ASN workforce and teacher numbers. That funding will be sustained in 2026-27, following the passing of the Scottish Government’s budget.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and I recently met Dyslexia Scotland to discuss those issues. We will have further engagement.
Walk-in General Practitioner Clinics (Location Criteria)
::To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are applied in deciding on the location of the new walk-in GP clinics. (S6O-05568)
::As part of the First Minister’s visit to Shetland this week, we were pleased to announce 16 planned centres, with 12 new sites from Stranraer to Shetland being confirmed. That builds on the opening in February of the first walk-in centre, which is in Edinburgh.
The criteria that were used to assess health board proposals were: readiness; workforce feasibility; benefit to patients; estate suitability; integration and coherence; governance; evaluation capacity; funding estimate; and commitment to collaboration. The centres, which will be open from 12 to 8 pm, seven days a week, in accessible locations nationwide, are part of a package of measures to address the 8 am rush that has frustrated so many of us. They will ease GP capacity pressures.
::The three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston constitute the second largest conurbation in Scotland not to have a hospital, and they include sizeable levels of deprivation. North Ayrshire has high levels of drug and alcohol misuse, and people lose good health far earlier than the Scottish average. How soon, therefore, can we expect to see a walk-in clinic in the three towns? Will the cabinet secretary meet me to discuss the issue further?
::I very much recognise the issues that Mr Gibson has raised relating to the demographic profile of his constituency and the services in it. I also understand why it could benefit from a walk-in GP service. I would be more than happy to discuss the matter further in a meeting, which I ask him to contact my office to arrange.
::I declare an interest as a practising national health service GP.
The First Minister’s announcement of GP walk-in centres at the Scottish National Party conference was simply an election stunt. He announced them without consulting stakeholders; indeed, he probably shocked his own civil servants. His spin doctors clearly loved the title, and now the SNP is scrabbling around to backfill the details. Even the health secretary was unable to answer my previous questions with any detail at all, because there was none.
Will patients exclusively see GPs when they attend a GP walk-in centre? If not, in what percentage of appointments will they see a GP, or has that not been discussed with the SNP campaign team yet?
::The walk-in services will provide appointments with GPs and other practice staff. They are popular with the public because they come alongside the record investment that we are putting into core general practice over the next three years, which I noticed that Mr Gulhane and his colleagues voted against in the budget this week. It is a matter for shame that they not only refused to support but actively voted against our record investment in core general practice services.
We are broadening the front door of our NHS through that record investment. We are making our NHS more flexible through walk-in GP services, and we will continue in that vein to ensure that our NHS is fit for the future.
Orthopaedic Services Waiting Times (NHS Lanarkshire)
::To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to reduce orthopaedic services waiting times across NHS Lanarkshire. (S6O-05569)
::We are making undeniable progress in clearing waits of more than a year, with consistent month-on-month improvements. We know that there is still more to do, but our plan is working—indeed, waiting lists have reduced for the eighth month in a row. That has been driven by the provision of more appointments and the incredible efforts of our staff.
This year, we have allocated more than £135 million of additional funding to health boards to help them to tackle the longest waits, including the targeting of orthopaedic waiting times in NHS Lanarkshire. That includes recruitment to expand the consultant workforce.
NHS Lanarkshire continues to receive additional orthopaedic capacity at the Golden Jubilee national hospital to prioritise long-waiting patients, and, from April, it will have such capacity at NHS Forth Valley.
::Workforce statistics show that, since the SNP entered government, thousands more doctors and nurses have been provided in Scotland’s hospitals. We have also avoided NHS strikes, unlike other parts of the United Kingdom.
However, I have been contacted by constituents who are concerned about the waiting times for orthopaedic procedures. How will the 2026-27 budget that was approved by Parliament yesterday support NHS reforms and help NHS Lanarkshire to further tackle the waiting lists and deliver more appointments?
::Collette Stevenson is absolutely right. This Government has increased the workforce across the NHS, and Scotland has been the only part of the United Kingdom to have avoided NHS strikes. That is because we have taken an approach with our trade union colleagues that is collaborative and based on compromise, unlike other parts of the UK.
Our budget investment in the coming year includes a record investment of £22.5 billion in our health service and continuing targeted investment in reducing long waits so that the progress that we have made this year can continue without interruption in the coming year, patients can be seen much faster and waiting times will continue to reduce.
City of Edinburgh Council Housing Support
::To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent announcement that the freeze on council housing allocation in Edinburgh will continue until March 2027, what support it is providing to the City of Edinburgh Council to address the housing crisis. (S6O-05570)
::The Scottish Government is working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council as one of the local authorities that is facing the most significant housing and homelessness pressures. Edinburgh’s allocation of £28.7 million from our £80 million acquisitions fund brings its total capital funding to more than £73 million this year, which is supporting it to acquire properties immediately for affordable housing.
I welcome the council’s actions to meet its statutory duties, including directing stock to homeless households. I believe that this, among many other approaches that we are working with the council on, will help to reduce temporary accommodation pressures.
::Yesterday’s budget will result in Edinburgh again receiving the lowest funding per head of population from Scottish ministers, at the same time as it is the local authority that has the smallest amount of social housing stock and a rapidly growing population. Given that the waiting list for social housing in the capital is completely unsustainable, will the Government now commit to an Edinburgh-specific housing fund to address the housing emergency?
::As I have said, we are working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, among many other councils, to help it to tackle the multifaceted issue of homelessness and temporary accommodation pressures.
Miles Briggs spoke about yesterday’s budget, which I am delighted to say was passed. It included £926 million for the affordable homes supply programme. That is the largest single allocation for affordable homes on record. I only wish that Miles Briggs could have brought himself to vote for it.
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