General Questions
Education (Performance)
The Scottish Government participates in the programme for international student assessment—or PISA—survey run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The survey provides comparative information on the performance of Scotland’s 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is deeply regrettable that there is no benchmarking at primary 5 or secondary 2 and in other areas where there has been benchmarking in the past, and that he is leaving international benchmarking to the end of the school process rather than having it right the way through?
That is not uncommon, although in fact it is not what we are doing. International comparisons are important, but I have a responsibility to reduce the burden of surveys on teachers and pupils. Taking Scotland out of the TIMSS and PIRLS—the trends in international mathematics and science study and the progress in international reading literacy study—removes the burden from 12,000 pupils and 450 schools, and directly saves the public purse more than £850,000.
Will the cabinet secretary tell us what reaction he has had from teachers and teaching unions on the issue?
Classroom teachers and most of the teaching unions find this a positive step forward. Since the start of devolution, we have had a commitment to tackle the burden on schools of overassessment, overproduction of statistics and too much bureaucracy. I am pleased that we are moving forward on that commitment, which my predecessors who served in the Scottish Executive between 1999 and 2007 also made but did nothing about. I am glad that progress will now be made.
Rosyth Passenger Ferry Service
We have not received any representations from bodies seeking to re-establish a passenger ferry link between Rosyth and continental Europe, but we continue our work with DFDS and will continue to urge the company to keep under review its decision to stop the passenger element of its Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service at the end of this year.
The cabinet secretary is no doubt aware that the loss of the one and only passenger ferry link between Scotland and the continent is a great blow. Will he tell us how the Scottish Government will re-establish a link between Rosyth and the continent, and what action has been taken so far, not just with DFDS but with other operators?
I understand Mr Tolson’s interest in the issue and share his disappointment about DFDS’s proposal to discontinue the passenger element of its service at the end of this year. As I said in my first answer, the Government will continue to work with DFDS to try to encourage the company to take a different view and to reconsider its stance. If that is unsuccessful, the Government will continue its efforts to encourage other players to become involved in the service. However, at this stage we are concentrating on working with DFDS to deliver a different outcome.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that any successor operator should address the key problem of the journey time and the late morning arrival in Zeebrugge, which means the loss of half a day’s driving time on the continent for truckers and tourists alike?
Mr Brocklebank has raised a practical point. Any service such as the Rosyth to Zeebrugge link must meet customer demand and expectation. When I travelled to Shetland by ferry at the weekend, it was made clear to me how important it is that connection times are of use and value to commercial users, families and other passengers. Mr Brocklebank’s point is well made and it will feature in any discussions that we have about the operation of the service.
Poverty
A wide range of actions is being undertaken by the Scottish Government and partners to reduce poverty in Scotland. Our approach is set out in the three interlinked policy frameworks “Achieving Our Potential”, “The Early Years Framework”, and “Equally Well”, which we have published jointly with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
The recent Joseph Rowntree Foundation report highlights the fact that, for all the positive action taken by the Scottish Government and previous Administrations, our efforts to tackle poverty are hampered by the Scottish Parliament’s limited powers. As a direct result of the one-size-fits-all approach taken to economic and social policy by successive Westminster Governments, Scotland has been left with the three most deprived constituencies in the UK. Does the minister agree that, to tackle poverty in Scotland effectively, we must have powers over areas such as tax, the benefits system and employment practices?
I entirely agree with Joe FitzPatrick’s analysis. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report pointed out that the main contributing factors to poverty and deprivation in Scotland are caused by policies for which we have no responsibility. One would expect poverty in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom to be much lower at the end of 13 years of a Labour Government at Westminster than it was at the beginning of that time. However, as we all know, Labour presided over a set of Tory policies that made poverty and inequality worse in this country and in the rest of the UK.
Stornoway to Ullapool Ferry Service (Consultation)
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd, on behalf of Scottish ministers, are fully exploring the future vessel options for the Stornoway to Ullapool route. However, no decisions on vessel replacement will be taken before the United Kingdom and Scottish Government spending reviews are complete. I assure the member that appropriate consultation will be undertaken when affordable options have been identified.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the community’s on-going interest in this question and of the debate around whether two vessels rather than one might allow better breakdown cover for all island routes. The current cargo vessel, MV Muirneag, is approaching the end of her useful life. Will the minister commit to ensuring a direct voice for the population of the islands in any consultation on the shape of future vessel provision on the route?
The Government will engage with the local communities that are affected. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been kept informed of progress on developing the analysis of affordable options and there will be wide consultation with local communities on any decision that the Government arrives at.
I am sure that the minister is aware that most local people see the option of two replacement vessels as being the most flexible. Whatever successor service is put in place on that vital route, will the minister ensure that flexibility is a key priority, and that a service that accepts unaccompanied vehicles and goods as well as commercial vehicles will be retained?
Mr McGrigor’s point about unaccompanied vehicles is a strong one. That was illustrated to me on the NorthLink ferry to Shetland on Sunday evening. A substantial number of unaccompanied vehicles were travelling on that route, which is an efficient way of travel for the operator and those who transport goods. That is clearly a major factor to be considered as part of the analysis that we will undertake, and I assure Mr McGrigor that that, along with many other issues, will be considered. I know that the point about flexibility is also significant to the island communities.
Councillors (Salaries and Allowances)
Councils are required to publish on their websites each year information on councillors’ salaries, allowances and expenses for the immediately preceding financial year. As a result, the Scottish Government does not hold that information centrally.
I would have thought that the Scottish Government might have wanted to make the appropriate inquiries.
I am not sure whether that was an expression of regret that Bill Aitken has missed out on the opportunity, but it would be beneath me to suggest that in the Parliament this morning.
Literacy
The Scottish Government is committed to improving literacy for everyone in Scotland. In particular, curriculum for excellence has literacy at its heart and all teachers have responsibility for its development. Our ambition to improve literacy skills extends beyond schools: our focus starts in the early years and continues right through to lifelong learning. I will shortly be launching a literacy action plan, which will set out our vision to improve literacy for all, from the early years to adulthood, and the actions that we will take to deliver it.
I hope that the minister will agree that when it comes to literacy standards and good English, the Scottish Government and its agencies should be setting a good example. Driving home the other night on the M90, I was horrified to see an illuminated sign with the message, “Fuller cars less queues”. We know that the Scottish National Party has form for incorrectly using “less” instead of “fewer”, but that is no excuse for the Scottish Government to do the same. How can we expect our young people to have a good standard of English when this Government sets such a shockingly bad example?
I thought the old fogey tendency in the Tories had died away, but clearly it is alive and well and young in the Scottish Conservative party. I, too, noticed the sign and had the same initial reaction. I then gave it a moment’s thought, something that I commend to Murdo Fraser. In order to include the full and proper grammar, a notice board would need to have been built that was wider than the entire motorway. Perhaps Murdo Fraser will consider the public spending implications of that and reflect accordingly.
I was pleased to hear the minister say that the much-heralded literacy action plan that we were promised before the summer is due to be published shortly. When exactly will that be? Will it be before Christmas? Will any of the measures in the literacy action plan be in place before May 2011?
I have been working very hard with officials and members of the literacy commission to ensure that the literacy action plan is comprehensive, can be taken forward quickly and fulfils the ambitions of Scotland. The situation in Scotland is essentially the same as that in most other developed countries. That said, we need to improve literacy as quickly as we can. I am focused on that. The plan will be delivered shortly. I am happy to say that it will be not a Christmas present but perhaps an autumn bonus.
Achbuie Respite Unit
It is for local authorities to make decisions about the provision of respite, having regard to a range of factors including assessed need, alternative options for respite provision and the availability of resources. However, my officials have had a discussion with one of the councils concerned with Achbuie in order to get an appreciation of the current position.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that Aberdeenshire Council has received its worst-ever share of Scottish Government grant this year at only 87 per cent of the average per head of population. While Moray Council can keep its centre open, the proposed closure of Achbuie is a direct consequence of Aberdeenshire Council’s underfunding. What can the cabinet secretary do, as part of the Scottish Executive and even at this late stage, to help to maintain this essential service in Afford in my constituency?
Mike Rumbles will be aware of the record resources that we are making available to local authorities. The matter is one for local authorities, and I recounted the discussion that my officials have had with one of them. Of course, one achievement of this Government over the past three years has been to work with local authorities to increase the provision of respite care. This week saw the release of statistics that show the success of that work. The Government will continue to work constructively with local authorities across Scotland to ensure that we provide adequate respite for those who use it and for their carers.
Given that Moray Council has taken into in-house operation a similar respite unit in Forres that was also run by Grampian Living Options, does the cabinet secretary believe that, instead of attacking the Scottish Government, Mr Rumbles’s time might be better served in pressurising his Liberal Democrat colleagues on Aberdeenshire Council to follow suit and take in house the Achbuie centre? Recent figures show that the SNP Government has delivered its manifesto commitment to provide 10,000 additional respite weeks. Aberdeenshire needs some of those.
Maureen Watt is absolutely correct to point out, as I did, the success of the Government in working with local authorities to deliver the 10,000 extra respite weeks. She makes a valid point. It is not for me to dictate to Aberdeenshire Council the steps that it should take. That said, as Maureen Watt pointed out, there are examples in other areas of these issues being resolved successfully. I am sure that Mike Rumbles will want to have constructive discussions with his colleagues on Aberdeenshire Council on what might be possible in the circumstances.
Construction Industry
The Scottish Government recognises that our construction industry plays a vital role in employment and the development of the Scottish economy. That is why we are supporting it through these challenging times. Last year, we committed a record £3.8 billion capital spending to accelerate a range of programmes across Scotland. We continue to invest in infrastructure, social housing and skills and training. There are encouraging signs that that is working, with Scottish construction output rising in the first half of this year. We will continue to liaise closely with all parts of the sector through the Scottish Construction Forum.
Representatives of many organisations, including Homes for Scotland and the Scottish Building Federation, have mentioned funding for infrastructure. I have raised the issue of an infrastructure fund with ministers on a number of occasions and received a positive response, but nothing has happened. What is the Scottish Government doing about establishing a fund to support infrastructure, particularly in relation to house building?
I thank the member for that question and ask her to recognise the money that has been brought forward in the economic recovery plan and the 7,000 affordable homes that are planned for Scotland. There is much happening here. I invite the member to come and join us in the debate and to give me her views on it. I will make the time that I cannot make now to have a discussion with her on that.
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