Plenary, 27 Sep 2007

Meeting date: Thursday, September 27, 2007

Official Report 768KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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General Questions

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Housing Debt (Edinburgh)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will pursue the write-off of Edinburgh's housing debt. (S3O-707)

Her Majesty's Treasury will provide funding to redeem council housing debt only where a council has transferred ownership of its stock and the receipt is insufficient to repay the debt. Funding is not available to councils whose tenants have rejected transfer, or to councils that have chosen to retain their stock. The Treasury applies this policy throughout the United Kingdom and does not make exceptions for particular councils. However, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has written to the Treasury to establish whether there are any circumstances, other than transfer, where funding to redeem housing debt could be made available.

I was glad to hear the second part of the answer; at first, I thought we were getting only his master's voice.

Members know well that I have pursued the issue of housing debt for some time, given the unfairness that is being visited on Edinburgh and other places. I will therefore not rehearse the story, other than to say that I know of other members who wish to add their plea to mine to step up pressure on the Treasury. The situation is massively unfair. In Edinburgh's case, it militates against the proper development of the city.

Clearly, there are problems in Edinburgh and elsewhere. The City of Edinburgh Council's housing debt is approximately £227 million. As I made clear in the second part of my answer, the Government is pursuing the matter and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has written to the Treasury. I agree that it is unfair, particularly on tenants who are at the receiving end of their decision to keep their housing as council housing. Tenants should not suffer because of that decision. We will pursue the matter with the Treasury as soon as we can.

Any member putting a supplementary question should remember that question 1 is about Edinburgh's housing debt. I hope that supplementaries will be on the same subject.

Thank you for the guidance, Presiding Officer. My question is on Edinburgh: clearly, the principle that applies to Edinburgh will apply to other councils throughout Scotland. Notwithstanding Margo MacDonald's question, and what the minister said about he and his colleague pursuing the matter with the Treasury—indeed, I wish them well in their endeavours—surely the minister should reflect on the fact that, ahead of the housing stock transfer ballots, he and other members of his party encouraged tenants in Edinburgh and elsewhere to vote no, in the full knowledge of the rules that pertained at the time. If the Treasury's answer is that there will continue to be consistency throughout the UK, I hope that the minister will reflect on the moral obligation that this Administration is under to find the money to help those authorities that have been disadvantaged.

I am not sure that there was a question to answer, but you are welcome to have a go, minister.

If there was a question about Edinburgh, I did not hear it.

Of course, the fact of the matter is that Hugh Henry is wrong. Different opinions were expressed about stock transfer by members of different parties, including his party. It was for tenants to decide how to vote once they had heard the evidence and issues from various campaign groups. He said that I personally campaigned for a no vote in his area and other areas. I ask him to produce the evidence. I did not campaign in Renfrewshire, Edinburgh or anywhere else to secure a no vote.

I said that you encouraged them.

If you check the Official Report, Mr Henry, you will find that you said that I campaigned—I did not. Before you start accusing others, you should check your facts.

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Community Regeneration

To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for community regeneration. (S3O-779)

The Scottish Government's priorities for regeneration are to promote the successful and sustainable transformation of communities throughout Scotland by creating the right environment for public and private investment, through targeted action in the most disadvantaged communities and by devolving power to the local level.

The minister will be aware that the previous Labour-led Executive committed £300 million over the past three years to community regeneration. That critical funding, which provides successful and sustainable approaches to regeneration, comes to an end next March, but no decision has been made on its future. Is the minister aware that making no decision is not pain free? Is he aware that the lack of certainty is resulting in projects facing an end to the services that they provide, which is resulting in postholders looking for other jobs, and that, as a consequence, we are losing services randomly rather than on the basis of the quality of their work? Does the Administration intend to end the support for community regeneration, in which case the minister should be honest and announce that cut in funding of £100 million per year to our most vulnerable communities? Alternatively, will the minister continue our approach?

Briefly, please.

The transitional approach, which has been taken in the past, is to announce that the funding will be rolled forward, so that community planning partnerships can prepare for any changes in Government priorities and, as a consequence, give people certainty at a local level. What will you do, minister? Will the minister manage the transition or come clean about the costs?

That is enough, I am afraid. Minister, will you reply, please?

Yet again, words almost fail me. We have made clear our commitment to community regeneration—the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and I have done so in committees and elsewhere. We are committed to community regeneration. The main point is that the reason for the delay in the process is not the Scottish Government's lacklustre procedure but the fact that the Westminster Government has delayed the supply of money through the block grant. Because of that delay, we and local communities are suffering problems. If you have a problem with a delay in funding, you should take it up with Gordon Brown and Westminster.

I remind members yet again that the only "you" in this chamber should be the Presiding Officer. Please use members' proper names.

Will one of the priorities for community regeneration be transforming some of the most disadvantaged communities by bringing buildings that have fallen into dereliction and disrepair back into productive use? Given that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth's statement yesterday made it clear that local regeneration will now be a matter for local authorities, what additional funds will you provide to councils? For example, what funding will you provide to East Ayrshire Council to transform the main streets in New Cumnock and Auchinleck, which suffer from derelict buildings? Will you provide, as East Ayrshire Council wishes, additional powers and resources to undertake that work?

I am sure that you meant to say "will he provide", Ms Jamieson.

The member will be aware that we are in the middle of a spending review and that I cannot make commitments on individual funding projects in Ayrshire or anywhere else until that review is completed. We have made clear our commitment to community regeneration and to bringing buildings back into use, particularly for housing. We want to ensure that our towns are regenerated and are not left in the situation in which the previous Administration left them after eight years in power.

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Health (Policy Reviews)

To ask the Scottish Executive what health policies in Scotland are under review as a result of the success or failure of health policy initiatives in other jurisdictions. (S3O-712)

Health policies are developed using the best national and international evidence. International best practice is already used in a range of policy areas, for example e-health and the management of long-term conditions. We remain keen to learn from other jurisdictions where appropriate, particularly just now, as we consult on our action plan for health and well-being.

I understand the cabinet secretary's reluctance to suggest that health policies are under review, given the way in which Wendy Alexander represented other reviews last week. Is the cabinet secretary aware of the recently published King's Fund report "Our Future Health Secured? A Review of NHS Funding and Performance", authored by Derek Wanless, which suggests that, for England, 43 per cent of the additional spending on the national health service since 2002 has gone purely on input costs and which comments on the dearth of robust evidence to demonstrate significant productivity or other benefits arising from that spending? In view of best practice, does the cabinet secretary think that a review of similar arrangements in Scotland would highlight any difference in performance and suggest any different ways of pursuing the matter?

I have read the King's Fund report by Derek Wanless and I found it interesting. I agree with Derek Brownlee that the report reflects badly on the previous Administration's and the United Kingdom Government's stewardship of the health service in relation to getting value for money. The present Government's objective is not only to continue to ensure the health of the NHS budget but to ensure that it is spent in a way that maximises the benefit to patients, as that will deliver better care for them and value for money for the taxpayer.

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Colleges

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to strengthen the role of colleges. (S3O-737)

Scotland's colleges have a key role in the delivery of a wide range of the Scottish Government's priorities. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning will shortly publish the Government's response to the review of Scotland's colleges.

I commend to the minister the tremendous work done and range of courses offered by Scotland's colleges, which serve their local areas and the wider community of Scotland. However, is the minister aware of the concerns expressed by the Association of Scotland's Colleges about duplication and inefficiency in the funding of modern apprenticeships and skillseekers courses? Will she investigate the matter to ensure better value for money and best delivery of those courses?

I agree totally with Andrew Welsh on the tremendous work that colleges do. I know that Andrew Welsh is a strong supporter of Scotland's colleges, just as I am, having in a previous life lectured at Aberdeen College. Andrew Welsh is fortunate in that Angus College in his constituency is one of Scotland's most highly regarded colleges. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning will address the issues that Andrew Welsh raises in the Government's response to the review of Scotland's colleges. I do not wish to pre-empt the announcement on the new skills body, but I anticipate and hope that we can eradicate any duplication or inefficiencies that may exist.

Does the minister share my concern that in the city of Glasgow there are now almost as many bogus colleges as there are bona fide ones, and that those bogus colleges are part of a visa scam to allow people to circumvent the immigration system? What action has the Scottish Government taken to deal with that serious issue since it was first drawn to its attention earlier this year?

The direct issue is reserved and falls under the Business Names Act 1985 and the Companies Act 2006. However, my officials have been working with a range of Scottish and United Kingdom authorities to highlight the activities of bogus colleges wherever they come to light.

The minister will be aware of the evidence that the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee received yesterday from the Association of Scotland's Colleges and Universities Scotland on the call for action in the Government's skills strategy. Universities Scotland said that the call to action for universities is not very much, and the Association of Scotland's Colleges said that colleges are not being asked to do anything different. One big concern that the witnesses expressed was about the new national body. The colleges would prefer it if they developed a driving role in local areas and if more funding came through the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, rather than have a centralised national skills agency.

Ask a question, please.

Will the minister reconsider her position in the light of yesterday's evidence?

Mr Purvis will know that colleges are only one of the agencies that deliver skills training. At this time, it would be irresponsible for any Government to commit significant spending plans without knowing the outcome of the spending review.

The minister will be aware of the less than adequate facilities for Inverness College and the desire to move to a new prestige site on the edge of the town. Will the minister give a personal commitment to back Inverness College's efforts to secure funding from the Scottish funding council to make that important strategic move and to help contribute to the future of the UHI Millennium Institute?

As I said, we are well aware of the tremendous work that colleges do in providing courses and of their need to modernise for all the work that they do. However, again, I cannot make a commitment on spending until we get word from Westminster.

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Violence Against Women

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide to organisations and initiatives that are seeking to combat violence against women to support the women affected. (S3O-764)

Tackling violence against women is a high priority for the Scottish Government and, I am sure, for every member of the Parliament. We value the work that is done by Scottish Women's Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland and many others in combating such violence. We will carefully consider the funding to support such organisations, to develop further the work around violence against women and to support the women and children who are affected.

Will the Scottish Government support the statement of intent that the women's coalition yesterday sent to all members of the Scottish Parliament, which asked for a commitment to tackle violence against women in the next four years? Can the Government reassure the many organisations that support women who are affected by male violence and which are increasingly concerned about funding beyond April 2008? Will the Government build on current work to change public attitudes and behaviour? Will it also, as part of ensuring effective legal protection, extend the successful Glasgow domestic abuse court to other parts of Scotland, and take action to address the appalling findings of last week's report about the use of sexual history and character in rape trials?

First, I acknowledge Malcolm Chisholm's commitment and track record on this matter, and I hope that we can build substantial consensus. I support the statement of intent to which he referred in his question.

On funding for organisations, I refer to Stewart Maxwell's comments of a few moments ago. We recognise that the delay in the comprehensive spending review, which is caused by the Westminster Government, will bring uncertainty to some organisations, and we will make announcements as soon as we possibly can. In the meantime, I hope that Malcolm Chisholm will accept my assurance that the Scottish Government gives the highest priority to combating violence against women and children.

Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that in a large rural area such as the Scottish Borders, there is only one refuge in the eastern Borders? When she is looking at additional resource requirements, will she consider the special requirements of rural areas so that, for example, children who are living in a refuge can continue to attend their local primary school?

The availability of refuge places is a matter of high priority, and Christine Grahame makes a good point about the particular importance of that and the challenge in rural areas. I assure her that we will consider that issue.

Given that prostitution is part of the continuum of violence against women, and given that tonight sees the first screening of the controversial television drama "Secret Diary of a Call Girl", will the cabinet secretary assure me of her Government's support to help women to get out of prostitution? Does she agree that the majority of women who are involved in prostitution are victims of male violence?

I agree with Elaine Smith's comments and assure her that the Government will give the highest priority to helping those vulnerable women to get out of prostitution.

I reaffirm my commitment to the women's coalition statement of intent, which has already been welcomed by Malcolm Chisholm. One of the pledges is to ensure effective legal protection for women and children who are experiencing domestic violence. However, recent evaluation has shown a marked increase in the amount of sexual history and character evidence that is being introduced into the courtroom. Will the minister assure us that the upcoming reform of the law on rape will take those findings into account? Will she also ensure that new legislation addresses questioning on sexual history and character?

I reiterate my support for the women's coalition and its statement of intent. Shirley-Anne Somerville makes serious points about the sexual history issue; Malcolm Chisholm made the same points. I assure her that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will take those matters into account in the future review of the law on rape.

I start by declaring an interest, as I recently carried out some work for a women's aid organisation.

I am grateful that the cabinet secretary mentioned the effect of domestic abuse on young people. The previous Government funded an outreach project for young people, the funding for which runs out in March, and councils have indicated that they will not mainstream the project into their budgets. Will she consider funding that project at a national level, as it provides a valuable service to young people who are affected in their own right?

I will not repeat the points that have already been made about the timescale constraints that arise from the comprehensive spending review. In a spirit of consensus, I say to Rhoda Grant that we support the kind of services that she is talking about, because they do a power of work to help some of the most vulnerable women and children in our society.

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Free School Meals

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to extend the provision of free school meals. (S3O-732)

As the member knows, our first priority is to conduct a free school meals trial for primary 1 to primary 3 pupils in five local authorities from October until the end of March next year. In the future, we want to extend the entitlement to free school meals to families who receive maximum child tax credit and working tax credit, although that will depend on forthcoming discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about outcome agreements. We hope that our plans will be supported by all members of the Parliament.

Does the minister welcome, as many members do, the support that many individuals and organisations in Scotland have given to the SNP's plan, as evidenced by a recent letter in The Herald, which was signed by many of the people who have been campaigning for nutritious free meals for school pupils? Will examination of the cooking and dining facilities that are provided in public-private partnership/private finance initiative schools form part of the report on the pilot scheme, before it is rolled out across the country?

I welcome the support that we have received for the free school lunch trial for P1 to P3 pupils. The evaluation of the trial will seek to assess practical issues that local authorities and schools face in providing free school meals, and to identify any unexpected impacts and barriers to roll-out of the trial across the country. I am sure that if there are problems with PPP/PFI schools, they will emerge during the pilot.