Culture and External Affairs
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Meetings)
I have not met those directors in the last month, but I will be meeting the chair of National Museums of Scotland shortly. On Monday, I met the chair and national librarian of the National Library of Scotland and I am looking forward to an event to celebrate the reopening of the Scottish national portrait gallery in late November.
I note the cabinet secretary’s support for free access to museums and acknowledge the view of museums and galleries that such a policy would be changed only as a last resort. However, I also note that this year the budget for the national museums and galleries is going to be cut by more than £9 million in real terms, and that the museums and galleries have made it clear that they will find it extremely difficult to stay within their budgets without introducing charges. In the light of her comment this week that there is very little flexibility in the culture budget, is the cabinet secretary able to guarantee that such charges will not be introduced? If charges are not introduced, what cuts will have to be made to museums and galleries?
As I said to the Education and Culture Committee this week, free access to our museums and galleries will continue. I also point out that, although the cuts from Westminster have made the budget settlement extremely difficult, I have managed to ensure that next year’s budget for museums and galleries will not be reduced.
The national museum of Scotland in my constituency is one of the jewels in the crown of the national collections. Is the cabinet secretary able to provide any information on visitor numbers and the museum’s possible economic impact following its refurbishment and given its general high profile?
A few weeks ago, when I answered the same question, the national museum had received half a million visitors. I can now tell Parliament that, since reopening, it has received more than 860,000 visitors. I cannot give the member any information about the economic impact of that particular reopening, but I can tell him that the 360 museums and galleries around Scotland attract 25 million visitors a year; generate an estimated £79 million for the economy; and help to sustain more than 3,600 tourism-related jobs.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary is aware of the nationally important find of Viking treasure, which has lain near Ardnamurchan for a millennium. Although such finds are extremely important to local communities and economies, in the past they have tended to be taken away to Edinburgh, London or elsewhere. Does the cabinet secretary agree that we should be doing all that we can to ensure that exhibits such as the Lewis chessmen, the St Ninian’s Isle treasure in Shetland and the Viking treasure in Ardnamurchan are displayed in the areas where they are found?
I, too, am very excited about the fantastic find of the Viking boat and the burial site. It is of significant value and it is only right and proper that the objects remain in Scotland. However, although I am extremely sympathetic to the view that we should generate local tourism by presenting such finds in those areas, I must point out that, under the treasure trove system, Scottish ministers have no role in determining the allocation of individual finds; such decisions are taken by the Crown Office. There is a treasure trove code of practice and, if the member agrees, I will send him the provisions in writing. It is important that we celebrate our history and culture not just in our museums and cities but locally, and I hope that in the future such finds will be displayed locally. Unfortunately, as I have made clear, such a decision might not be in my gift at this time.
Broadcasting
The third and final progress report from the Scottish Government on implementation of the recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission was published on 6 October 2011. I have welcomed the increase in the level of network programmes from Scotland to be commissioned by United Kingdom broadcasters, but have expressed disappointment that the UK Government has not engaged properly to establish a Scottish digital network.
Scotland contributes more than £300 million to the licence fee each year, but with no Scottish digital network established and a 20 per cent cut proposed to the BBC budget, does the minister believe that Scotland gets value for money from the current arrangements?
Scotland does not get value for money from the current arrangements. That point was made clearly by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission and, earlier this year, by the Scottish digital network panel, which I commissioned and which recognised and revealed the deficit of support in Scotland.
Cuba (Social, Economic and Cultural Links)
We do not have any plans at present to develop further social, economic and cultural links with Cuba, but we are always willing to consider opportunities as they arise, prioritised to meet the need of our purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.
The minister will be aware of the excellent work of the cross-party group on Cuba and the accord that the United Kingdom and Cuban Governments signed in July. The accord represents an important step towards respecting Cuban sovereignty and—dare I say it?—Cuban independence, and it will allow exploration of opportunities for bilateral engagement in areas of mutual interest including trade, climate change, science, health and education. Will the minister agree to meet the cross-party group to discuss how we can develop Scottish relations with that great socialist state?
I will try to be gentle. I have met the previous Cuban ambassador on education issues.
Perhaps I can help out the cabinet secretary with an example of an opportunity to develop cultural links between Scotland and Cuba. Will she consider giving her support to the “Beyond the Frame” Cuban art exhibition in Glasgow next May? It will be the first time that such a large exhibition of contemporary Cuban art will be shown in Scotland.
Next year is the year of creative Scotland, so we will be welcoming artists and art from all over the world. If the member sends me details of the exhibition, I will see whether it is possible for me to attend.
Joint Ministerial Committee on Europe (Meetings)
Discussions at the October joint ministerial committee on Europe covered a range of issues relating to the business of the October European Council and co-ordination between the UK Government and devolved Administrations on the eve of the negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework for 2014 to 2020.
Since part of the EU’s proposed multi-annual financial framework for 2014 to 2020 includes €80 billion for the horizon 2020 future framework programme for research and innovation—which will be vital for Scotland’s university and research sectors and small and medium-sized enterprises—will the cabinet secretary press the UK Government to take account of Scotland’s interests when it is formulating its position for the EU budget and horizon 2020 negotiations?
I am pleased to confirm that I did exactly that only last week at the joint ministerial committee. There are great opportunities not only with the horizon fund, but with the £40 billion in the connecting Europe facility.
Will the minister flag up at the next joint ministerial meeting the importance of getting CAP reform right for our Scottish farmers, crofters and the countryside?
Not only will I do that, but I did it at the last ministerial meeting. I was in Brussels last week when the Latvian President was visiting; Latvian farmers were protesting on the streets of Brussels—I think that farmers have protested a number of times in Brussels—and were complaining that their per-hectare percentage on pillar 2 was only 54 per cent. Scotland’s amount is 48 per cent. That point was made quite forcibly to the UK ministers, who I hope will respond and ensure that CAP reform takes Scotland’s needs, in particular, into account.
Significant Buildings (Glasgow)
Historic Scotland has a budget of £12 million per annum available for historic environment grants. Approximately £5 million of that is made available for grants to buildings of architectural and historic significance throughout Scotland. Historic Scotland also provides £750,000 to Glasgow City Heritage Trust towards grant funding of building repairs in the Glasgow city area.
I draw the cabinet secretary’s attention to Springburn’s historic burgh halls and winter gardens, which have been left to go to wrack and ruin for decades under Glasgow Labour. I contrast that with Maryhill burgh halls, which have been supported by the Scottish Government, brought back into use and recently reopened.
Clearly, in terms of statutory responsibilities, all local authorities have to take account of needs in their areas. As I explained, Historic Scotland works with all local authorities, including Glasgow City Council. Bob Doris can send me details of the winter gardens.
The cabinet secretary and Mr Doris might be reassured to hear that discussions have begun concerning the future of Springburn public halls and the winter gardens. Might the cabinet secretary like to consider the funding that is available for historic places of worship? That is a popular scheme and its funding rounds are often oversubscribed, with the result that a church in my constituency is unable to take advantage of a heritage lottery grant, because it has been unable to secure matched funding from Historic Scotland. Can the cabinet secretary consider whether it would be possible to better align the criteria that organisations use when making awards?
I take it from the Patricia Ferguson’s comments that she is supportive of the places of worship scheme. Recent announcements that we made about a number of places across Scotland were very much appreciated. She will recognise that changes have affected the UK in relation to places of worship. I have had dialogue with the heritage lottery fund and I also know that Historic Scotland is looking at that scheme in particular. It is important to recognise the fantastic work that Historic Scotland is doing. In fact, it is now the biggest employer of stonemasons in the UK. Historic Scotland will have to work with local authorities and churches. It is a unique situation, but I reassure the member that I value the importance of the places of worship scheme. If there is further information about how the scheme will develop in the future, I am happy to send it to her.
Culture, Heritage and the Arts (Coatbridge and Chryston)
In 2010-11, Creative Scotland invested £446,000 in the youth music initiative in North Lanarkshire. It also made additional grants to individuals of £6,500 in the Coatbridge and Chryston area for cultural and creative projects. In April 2011, Museums Galleries Scotland allocated more than £80,000 for the conservation of key objects in the Summerlee museum of Scottish industrial life. The money will be used to create an external exhibition space to enable more visitors to enjoy the collection.
I thank the cabinet secretary for outlining those welcome contributions. Is she aware of the excellent Bazooka Arts project in North Lanarkshire that provides opportunities through the arts for adults with disabilities and mental ill-health? The project has recently opened a shop in Coatbridge—the Art Stop—to display and sell artwork that is created by its participants. Will the Scottish Government consider matching the commitment of North Lanarkshire Council, which has provided additional funding to allow the organisation to continue running the Art Stop shop at least until Christmas?
I am not familiar with that project. As Elaine Smith will be aware, the Government does not directly fund individual small-scale organisations such as that. The member might want to approach Creative Scotland, which has set equality as one of its main themes.
Will the cabinet secretary join me in congratulating Creative Scotland on its continuing support through the Big Lottery Fund for North Lanarkshire Council’s October book festival—words 2011—which this year included a presentation at Coatbridge library by comic book writer and local superhero Mark Millar?
I am more than happy to congratulate North Lanarkshire Council on its words 2011 festival. I understand that it included James Robertson and poetry in Gaelic and Urdu. The 40 book festivals throughout Scotland are an important part of the fabric of our cultural experience.
Cultural and Creative Industries (Mid Scotland and Fife)
The Scottish Government published its creative industries strategy on 21 March, which made it clear that the creative industries partnership will ensure that public sector agencies support the creative industries effectively. Creative Scotland’s investment in projects in Mid Scotland and Fife, even excluding the youth music initiative, is worth about £1.2 million a year.
I draw the cabinet secretary’s attention to the Project Arts Dunfermline proposal, which aims to buy a former fire station in Dunfermline and convert it into a creative industries hub. The group is negotiating the settlement with Fife Council, but I ask the cabinet secretary whether she is prepared to meet the group as the initiative develops to find out more about that exciting project.
I am interested in finding out more about that project. Creative industries hubs are a real prospect for the future. The Briggait in Glasgow and Out of the Blue in Leith have been successful and provide fantastic opportunities for start-up businesses in the creative sector. That is the way forward, so I am interested in hearing more about that project.
BBC Trust (Meetings)
I met with Bill Matthews of the BBC trust yesterday. A range of issues were discussed, including our concern about the impact of the BBC’s proposed cuts on BBC Scotland.
Earlier this year, the BBC started to broadcast BBC Alba on Freeview. To allow that to happen, 13 BBC radio stations are no longer broadcast on Freeview during BBC Alba’s transmission times. However, a large number of my constituents use the Freeview platform for radio listening, particularly in areas such as Jedburgh, where there is no digital radio signal and the analogue signal is poor. Is the cabinet secretary content with the level of consultation that the BBC undertook prior to that change and is she concerned that the consequence of the change is that it is depriving non-Gaelic speaking communities access to essential radio services?
We always made it clear to the BBC that it should find alternative provision for those radio stations. I reassure the member that the figures that have just been released in relation to BBC Alba on Freeview are fantastic and show how successful it has been. The BBC trust has said that, although it expected a number of complaints along the lines that the member raises, the scale has not been what was anticipated, given the complaints that were received beforehand. The member might want to direct those figures and the concerns of his constituents directly to the BBC trust.
Historic Scotland (Funding)
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, and there have been regular discussions in recent months on the agency’s funding requirements as part of the preparations for the spending review 2011. Although Historic Scotland will experience significant cuts in its budget in coming years, it is reducing its cost base, significantly growing its income from non-Government sources and, importantly, maintaining its grants budgets for 2012-13.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s decisions on funding. What further steps are being taken to ensure that we have the necessary skills to maintain and protect Scotland’s historic built environment?
Last week, I was delighted to announce funding support for a national conservation centre for traditional building skills in Stirling. That will be a great opportunity to make sure that we have those skills in the future. It includes Historic Scotland taking on 30 more modern apprenticeships for support for traditional building skills. That is great news and a great step forward, and I am sure that members will congratulate Historic Scotland on that initiative.
What plans are in place for cultural activities to be brought to Scotland by participant nations during the Commonwealth games in 2014?
The 2014 Commonwealth games will be an exciting opportunity to engage culturally with sportspeople and visitors from across the world as they gather in Glasgow. The cultural programmes for 2014 are at an early stage of development and the delivery structures are not yet in place. However, there is a commitment to working with arts and cultural organisations from throughout the Commonwealth and to present their work as part of the cultural festival at the games. Further information will be provided at an appropriate time, once the plans are more developed.
I am asking the question because many people in my constituency have family backgrounds in the Commonwealth and they would be keen to observe and/or to contribute to any cultural activities that originate from the participant countries. Does the cabinet secretary think that that will be possible?
I thank Bill Kidd for that point. I would like to see all MSPs and the whole country mobilise to help to celebrate the world’s coming to Glasgow and to Scotland for the Commonwealth games. It is a fantastic opportunity and I am sure that we will take it forward with a great deal of enthusiasm.
Infrastructure and Capital Investment
Affordable and Social Housing (Investment)
Some Scottish local authority pension funds have confirmed to the Scottish Government that they are interested in investing in social and affordable housing. They are considering the options available to them to do that, taking account of their fund managers’ advice and their investment criteria.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the efforts that I made when I was a governor of the Falkirk pension fund to encourage the fund to look at investment in social and affordable housing. Does he agree that such an investment from pension funds would provide them with low-risk, index-linked, ethical investments that tick all the boxes and help to provide badly needed social and affordable housing?
I entirely agree with the member and I commend his efforts in seeking to ensure that the Forth Valley pension fund looks at the possibility of investing in social housing while adhering to its investment criteria. We are having serious discussions with a number of pension funds and I hope to conclude those discussions within the next few months.
Initiatives of the type that Angus MacDonald has raised are welcome. However, the cabinet secretary will recognise that the level 4 figures that the Government has just revealed show that the Government’s own investment in social and affordable housing will fall from £268 million this year to £125 million next year. Will he confirm that that represents a cut of more than 50 per cent in cash terms alone in the affordable housing supply line in the Scottish Government’s budget? What does he intend to do to make up for that?
Those figures exclude the local government settlement element of transfer of management of development funding. In reality, over the period of the comprehensive spending review, we will invest a total of £600 million in social housing, which is only about £10 million short of what was recommended by Shelter. Indeed, only a month ago, between us, the Minister for Housing and Transport and I announced total investment from the innovation and investment fund of £460 million for more than 4,300 new houses. I am still waiting for a statement from the Labour Party welcoming that.
Some credit unions have told me of their desire to look at investing in social housing the finances that they hold on behalf of their members. I understand that Financial Services Authority rules prevent that. I appreciate that governance of the FSA is reserved to Westminster, but will Mr Neil raise the issue with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth so that the next time Mr Swinney has a cup of tea with Mr Osborne they can have a chat about it?
I am quite happy to raise that with Mr Swinney in the hope that he raises it with Mr Osborne. If Mr Osborne fails to do anything, we will act once we get the yes vote in the referendum.
Procurement Portal
Public contracts Scotland provides a free-of-charge, single access point to public sector contract opportunities, which is open to suppliers of all sizes. Eighty-six per cent of the 58,000 suppliers registered on the site are SMEs. In the past year, 74 per cent of the contracts advertised on the PCS website have been awarded to SMEs.
In Scotland, we spend £9 billion a year on third-party goods, works and services, but only 30 per cent of the spend is with companies that employ fewer than 100 people. Will the minister consider what further measures can be taken to ensure that smaller companies, which form the backbone of our economy, receive a more equitable share of the procurement allocations, in order to better protect jobs?
I am very empathetic to the member’s point. We are looking at ways in which we can increase the opportunities for smaller companies and, indeed, micro-companies. We are considering a range of measures, including, not least, reform of the pre-qualification questionnaire system, with a view to accommodating smaller companies.
If I heard him right, Mr Neil said that 70 per cent of public contracts go to SMEs. Does that figure relate to the volume of contracts? If so, what is the value of the contracts that go to SMEs?
Over the past four years, the volume of contracts that have gone to SMEs is 75 per cent, which represents 45 per cent of the value.
Train Services (Overcrowding)
In December 2008, the Edinburgh-Fife-Aberdeen timetable package introduced an hourly service between Inverurie and Aberdeen, which improved capacity along the route. In addition, as part of its franchise obligations, ScotRail monitors passenger numbers to ensure that it utilises its train fleet and resources to minimise overcrowding.
A recent survey by Nestrans—the north-east of Scotland transport partnership—highlighted significant overcrowding on peak services. It revealed, for example, that a peak evening service from Dyce to Aberdeen was operating at 141 per cent occupancy, while other services were operating at 118 per cent. If we are to encourage the use of public transport, that situation must be urgently addressed. Will the minister make it a priority to meet ScotRail and Nestrans to find a solution?
As I explained previously, it is down to ScotRail to ensure—within the franchise agreement for which it is responsible—that it provides sufficient capacity to accommodate the service demand that exists. That would, as Alison McInnes rightly says, include increases in growth.
What effect has Nestrans had on easing the congestion in rail services? What plans does the Government have to ease the road congestion in north-east Scotland, particularly on the A96 in my constituency of Aberdeenshire West?
The regional transport partnerships have the ability to lobby with regard to the rail industry, and they can lobby Scottish ministers to improve rail services to and within their own areas. They have a role to play in responding to rail consultations and in providing a regional strategic view, and they can, at their own initiative, undertake research and appraisals.
Scottish Enterprise (Meetings)
Ministers and officials meet representatives of Scottish Enterprise frequently. For example, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth met representatives of Scottish Enterprise to discuss the comprehensive spending review on 26 August, and I understand that he is meeting the Scottish Enterprise board later today.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer, but I am sure that during those meetings Scottish Enterprise would not have volunteered the fact that it has been paying £0.25 million per annum for more than 10 years to secure a site in my constituency for which it has no plans and no use.
I am not sure to which site Patricia Ferguson is referring: it may be the Ruchill hospital site or it may be another. I am always prepared to meet members who bring forward detailed proposals on how to use vacant public land, particularly if it is available for housing.
Social Rented Homes (Edinburgh)
Following the Scottish Government’s announcement of spending plans for the next three years, funding allocations to local authorities are being considered, and discussions are taking place with stakeholders on the best way to operate a comprehensive affordable housing supply programme.
Almost 26,000 people are on the Edinburgh housing register and the City of Edinburgh Council estimates that it needs 1,600 new affordable houses every year over the next decade. Registered social landlords have indicated that they can deliver only 3,000 new houses over the next five years, which is 600 homes a year. In an earlier response, Alex Neil indicated that there would be funding for housing for local authorities. Will the minister clarify how much resource will be available? Will he assure me that the shortfall of around 1,000 social houses a year will be expected to come from new council housing stock?
To be perfectly honest, on both those questions it is not possible at this time to specify that level of detail. I have said that funding allocations to local authorities are being considered and that process should be concluded relatively soon.
I call Malcolm Chisholm but ask him to be brief.
Is the minister aware that local housing associations are telling me that future developments will have to be 70 per cent mid-market-rent housing and only 30 per cent social rented housing because of reduced subsidy levels? Given that, already, many people who are entitled to permanent accommodation are having to stay in temporary accommodation for long periods, how on earth can we meet the 2012 commitment if we do not have far more social rented homes in Edinburgh?
Of course, it was for housing associations and others to make bids for the innovation and investment fund. It is true that we have given the commitment that two thirds of the 30,000 houses that we intend to build over the next five years will be social housing. We have made that commitment and it is a very strong commitment, given the budget situation we are in. Obviously, there will be further detailed discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council. As I have just said, it has to produce its strategic housing and investment plan, which is due in February and will specify tenure as well as the number of socially rented homes in the city over a five-year period. Perhaps I will be able to give the member more clarity once that has happened.
Questions 6, 7 and 8 were not lodged, much to the concern of the Presiding Officers. I call James Kelly to ask question 9.
Budget 2011-12 (Capital Investment)
We have a range of strategic priorities for capital investment, including the Forth replacement crossing, the new south Glasgow hospitals and the Scottish schools for the future programme. We are using every policy lever to expand the capital programme.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer. Will he confirm that the adoption of the non-profit-distributing funding model by the Government is a climbdown, because, as Mark Hellowell and other academics have pointed out, that model will pay returns to investors? It is therefore a variant on public-private partnerships, which were much criticised by Mr Neil.
There is a difference between a return to an investor and the massive excessive profits made by the private finance initiatives both north and south of the border. As a House of Commons select committee has recently reported, under the Tory-Liberal Democrat majority the country is now paying a very heavy price for Gordon Brown’s PFI bill. If we were not paying such a heavy price in Scotland alone—towards £800 million a year—in excessive profits to the PFI merchants, we would have much more money to invest in new schools and hospitals rather than having to pay it out to the fat cats in the City of London.
Walking and Cycling Facilities (Investment)
In 2011-12, the Scottish Government will allocate £7.458 million to local authorities for investment in cycling, walking and safer streets projects. However, it is up to authorities to prioritise investment to meet local needs.
I get a lot of representations from constituents asking for spending on cycle routes in particular. My response is that the cycle routes, for a large part, are the responsibility of the local authority. Has any estimate been done of the amount of spending by local authorities on cycle routes? What role does the minister envisage for local authorities in fulfilling the very ambitious targets in the cycle action plan for Scotland?
We do not hold that information centrally, as it is up to local authorities to determine how to meet local needs and to invest accordingly. However, councils currently receive a ring-fenced cycling, walking and safer streets capital grant from the Scottish Government. We ask that they spend at least 36 per cent and preferably 50 per cent of that on cycling projects and cycling promotion. In 2011-12, around £2.68 million should contribute to achieving the 10 per cent vision in the cycling action plan for Scotland. Local authorities may also access funding that is allocated to Sustrans and Cycling Scotland for safe cycle routes, national cycle network links, bikeability Scotland cycle training, and awareness-raising campaigns for drivers to look out for young cyclists, especially during school-run times.
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