Good morning, everyone. The first item of business this morning is general questions. To get as many people in as possible, it would be helpful if we could have succinct questions and answers.
Creative Industries (Assistance)
The Scottish Government, through its public agencies, provides a range of support for the creative industries. Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, together with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, belong to the Scottish creative industries partnership.
With the success of “Waterloo Road”, which is filmed in Greenock, and with RIG Arts releasing its latest film, “Dying Light”, which features young people who are unemployed and are now being given training and experience in the media industry, does the cabinet secretary agree that the media industry in Inverclyde is thriving and has even greater potential to provide more job opportunities, boost the economy and boost tourism? Does she agree that that highlights the talent that exists in the area? Will she agree to meet representatives of RIG Arts to discuss how they can assist the Scottish Government in working towards a greater level of social inclusion?
Yes. The media industry in Inverclyde is clearly thriving. The new tax relief for high-end television looks set to create new opportunities. The type of training that Stuart McMillan describes RIG Arts giving provides an opportunity to tackle social inclusion as well as providing skills. It is a practical example of how we can help young people in particular. I would be very interested to find out first hand what RIG Arts has been doing.
The creative industries are, indeed, an opportunity for Scotland and Inverclyde. We have made some real progress there. Will the minister clarify that the new Scottish film studio that the Government and its agencies are considering will not focus simply on Glasgow? Will Inverclyde have an opportunity to bid for the location of that studio?
Developments involve discussions with private businesses. Therefore, on the grounds of commercial confidentiality, it is difficult for me to say much more. However, we want a sustainable, thriving film industry that serves all of Scotland. We will need to look at the infrastructure not only in Glasgow but throughout Scotland, including Inverclyde, whether that is facilities, skills or training. I discussed that holistic view with film-makers and producers only this week in the meetings and discussions that have been taking place as part of the Edinburgh international film festival.
Regional Selective Assistance (Amazon)
For the period 2012-13, Amazon has received regional selective assistance grants totalling £593,410.19.
It is helpful that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth has finally confirmed a figure to the Parliament, but perhaps members are unaware that Scottish Enterprise sent monthly cheques of £143,000 in December 2011, £215,000 in February 2012 and £213,000 in March 2012. Given what we now know about Amazon, is there anyone in the country, let alone in the chamber, who believes that we should hand over hard-earned Scottish taxpayers’ money to this bunch of tax dodgers? Will the cabinet secretary not stop those payments because he cannot or because he will not?
Mr Macintosh’s question fails to take account of two things. The first is the fact that the Government of which he was a supporter made regional selective assistance contributions to Amazon. Indeed, those were to support the facility in Gourock in Mr McNeil’s constituency, of which we heard just a moment ago.
Earlier this year, KPMG was awarded £1.7 million of RSA grant, to move what has been dubbed a centre of excellence in tax avoidance to Glasgow. Is it the Government’s plan to support companies that avoid tax and the audit firms that help them to do so?
I am sure that Alison Johnstone was present on Tuesday for the proceedings of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Bill, which is the first tax bill that the Scottish Parliament has dealt with for 308 years. In the debate on the bill, I made clear the Government’s determination to get off on the right footing as it addressed the first tax legislation for which we have responsibility. I made clear our determination to apply the highest standards to tax payment and take the greatest action against tax avoidance. Those characteristics are implicit in the bill that we passed and will be implicit in the tax management bill that I will introduce in the Parliament later this year, which the Parliament will consider then.
Measuring Wellbeing
Our approach to national wellbeing is to start from a broad vision of the Scotland that we want to see, which is set out in the Government’s purpose and national outcomes and is supported by a dashboard of indicators, on the Scotland performs website, to measure progress towards our goals.
The report supports the view of Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who commended the Scottish Government’s efforts to develop better measures of performance, and notes that Scotland is a world leader in having wellbeing as a policy consideration. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it would be better if all policy decisions that affect Scotland had the wellbeing of our citizens at heart? Does he agree that the best way to ensure that is by taking decisions out of Westminster’s hands and voting yes in 447 days’ time?
That is a helpful reminder from Mr Dornan—if I needed any reminder—of what lies ahead in 447 days’ time. I agree with the member. The Scotland performs initiative, which the Government introduced in 2007, has become an established part of the policy framework in Scotland and provides a broad assessment of progress in Scotland. There are areas for reform, which I am discussing with members of the Parliament and the wider community, to ensure that we take decisions wisely.
I commend the Government for the steps that it has taken and I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the round-table discussions that the cabinet secretary mentioned.
The purpose of the national performance framework is to give a balanced and rounded assessment of the areas in which progress needs to be made if we are to create a more sustainable, cohesive and prosperous society. The efforts that I am making as part of the round-table discussions are about ensuring that that view is deeply embedded in the political consensus in Scotland and in the consensus outside Parliament.
Transport (West Scotland)
The Scottish Government holds regular discussions with various stakeholders to discuss transport links improvements such as the A737 Dalry bypass, the M8, M73 and M74 motorway improvements, the A82 Pulpit Rock improvement work, and high-speed rail.
I am sure that the minister is aware of the potential Glasgow crossrail project, which, while always suggested, has never been started. The project would link more than 220 stations across Scotland. In particular, it would connect the high-unemployment area of North Ayrshire and its islands to greater Glasgow, Edinburgh and everywhere in between and beyond, by a direct rail link. All that it would take to establish a basic crossrail route is the electrification of an already existing 1.8 miles of track across the centre of Glasgow, opening up huge employment and economic opportunities across the country—
And the question is?
The question is this: when will the Scottish Government give serious consideration to the crossrail project and add it to the infrastructure programme?
I suppose that the answer to the question—at least for Margaret McDougall—would be to identify which other things we should stop doing in order to fund that. I mention that because I had understood her to be pleased with the things that the Scottish Government is doing. She has been quoted as saying of some improvements that we have made to rail services in North Ayrshire:
As the minister knows, it is a tiresome Labour tactic to scaremonger and, last year, as we approached the council elections, Labour members did so in relation to train closures. Margaret McDougall lodged motion S4M-01765, which expressed concern that Ardrossan Town station was under threat. Can the minister confirm that neither Ardrossan Town station nor any other station in my constituency is or has been under threat of closure from the current Scottish Government at any time, and does he agree that Margaret McDougall should apologise to rail users in Ardrossan for worrying them unnecessarily about a closure that was never even proposed, let alone planned?
Not only have we not had any intention to close that rail station but, as Mr Gibson knows, we have bolstered it by the introduction of the new ferry service to Campbeltown, specifically because it comes at a railhead. We have reinforced the viability of that station, far from even considering the question of closure.
Town Centre Regeneration
We are due to receive the report of the external advisory group taking forward the national review of town centres in July. Our future approach will be determined by the findings of the group.
I look forward to reading the report, but the cabinet secretary should understand that those working towards the regeneration of the largest town in my constituency, Haddington, will feel that it rings hollow, given her Government’s decision to close that town’s courts, removing £360,000 from the economy and leaving two large properties vacant in the heart of the town. What resources will the cabinet secretary commit to Haddington to mitigate that act of town centre vandalism by her Cabinet colleague?
I am not going to revisit the debate about courts today; those decisions were given full and robust scrutiny by the Parliament in the normal course of our procedures. The Government’s commitment to town centre regeneration and to the health of our town centres is clear. There are 66 projects around the country that have benefited from the £60 million town centre regeneration fund—resources that were never made available by previous Administrations of which Iain Gray and his colleagues were part.
Road Repairs (Fife)
Fife Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of local roads in Fife. Scottish ministers are responsible for Scotland’s trunk road network and we are investing more than £690 million in 2013-14 to ensure that our strategic routes facilitate the effective movement of people, goods and services between our major towns and cities, helping to deliver sustainable economic growth.
I ask the minister to investigate the situation with insurance companies in Scotland that cover damage from road defects, particularly potholes. Insurance companies such as Gallagher Bassett continually refuse to honour the claims of the constituents of many members. Recently, I had to go to the sheriff court with a constituent, who won their case, but it ended up costing the council and the insurance company double what it would have had to pay if it had paid out originally. It is poor use of taxpayers’ money to go to court—
Question, please.
I would be glad if the minister would review that situation.
The actions of insurance companies are well outside my remit. I understand that the issue is a genuine one, but it is for local authorities that are on the receiving end of such claims to deal with the issue. I will look into the issue as far as it affects the trunk road network.
Beaches and Marinas (Blue Flag Status)
The Scottish Government works with Keep Scotland Beautiful, which runs the blue flag scheme in Scotland. Keep Scotland Beautiful supports local authorities in proposing resorts for a blue flag. It has also made seaside awards for 15 resorts and 44 rural beaches, many of which could not have all the facilities required for blue flag status. Together with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water and local authorities, we are taking action to protect bathing water quality. Excellent water quality is an essential condition for the award of a blue flag. In 2012, a total of 32 designated bathing waters in Scotland achieved the required excellent standard.
Since 2007, Scotland has lost a number of blue flag status beaches, including Montrose beach and Broughty Ferry beach in my region. Does the minister agree that it is vital that we send out a clear message that all those beaches still have some of the highest-quality waters in Scotland and are first-class sites for local people and visitors to enjoy? Will he liaise with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage and other environmental organisations to help councils that are pursuing the achievement or restoration of blue flag status to promote their coastlines as tourist attractions?
I recognise Nanette Milne’s points. She is certainly right to say that there are many good-quality beaches in Scotland. As I said, 32 beaches met the excellent water quality standard. Not so many go for blue flag status because they have to have certain essential facilities to put themselves forward for that award. I am happy to take forward the member’s points and meet those agencies and non-governmental organisations to consider the issue.
Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland
The Scottish Government’s budget for fuel poverty and energy efficiency in 2013-14 is £79 million. The majority of that, £60 million, is being spent on council-led area-based schemes to tackle fuel poverty. Following agreement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, half of the £60 million was distributed among all 32 councils based on their levels of fuel poverty and the energy efficiency of their stock. The other £30 million was set aside for more ambitious projects by councils.
Does the minister agree that that funding is particularly important in supporting energy efficiency in rural areas, where many houses are reliant on heating oil?
Yes, I do. Aberdeenshire got £4.4 million of the HEEPS money. It is clear that it is a national scheme that is being delivered locally. Local authorities can determine what is required in their area. The projects in Aberdeenshire take account of the area’s rurality, which was the intention of the scheme.