Chamber and committees

Would anyone else like to add anything?

I am conscious of the time, so I will get straight to my question.

The UK Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill includes powers to amend environmental assessments, with the potential to affect assessments under the habitats regulations. What implications does that have for Scotland’s biodiversity policy? Dr Walton, you have caught my eye, so I will go to you first. If any other witness would like to come in, they should please do so.

That would be grand.

The natural environment bill is due to be introduced in the third year of this session of the Scottish Parliament. What legislative changes—if any—do you think will be required in order to deliver the changes that are needed for our terrestrial environment?

Finally, I turn to Susan Davies. I apologise for getting your name wrong earlier. Can you hear me?

I welcome the fact that NHS Grampian has changed its approach to recruitment to strengthen participation in international recruitment initiatives and to promote links with further education and apprenticeship programmes. I also welcome the fact that it is undertaking a review of all agency staff, as well as providing mentoring roles to older staff.

Will the Deputy First Minister join me in welcoming NHS Grampian’s outward-looking approach? How is the Government further enhancing efforts across the public sector?

To ask the Scottish Government how its Covid-19 recovery policies across Government are helping to address any Covid-19-related staff shortages across Scottish public sector bodies, including in Aberdeen Donside. (S6O-01284)

That was extremely helpful. Convener, I am aware of the time, so maybe other witnesses could feed in their answers to the committee.

Good morning. I am finding this morning’s evidence session very interesting. A lot has been said today about the passenger services, but I have not heard so much about the freight services or the effects on business, although Sam Bourne touched on that briefly.

Are there representatives in your groups who feed in to let you know about the problems that freight and business services might have? If so, how can we ensure that we hear those voices in the inquiry? Garry, I can see you nodding, so I will come to you first.

You mentioned the block booking service. I am afraid that I am a bit of a novice. Will you explain further what that entails and what problems it can throw up?

As deputy convener of the cross-party group on rugby development in Scotland, I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I congratulate the convener of the group, Douglas Lumsden, on securing it and on sponsoring the recent parliamentary reception, where we met Scotland’s manager, Gregor Townsend, and some of the fantastic players in Scotland’s women’s and men’s teams. The reception was a great event, which provided an invaluable opportunity to hear about the importance of rugby to Scotland—to our economy and our young folk, as well as to the health of Scotland.

There are few more stirring sights than that of the Scottish team striding out on to the turf in front of almost 70,000 spectators at Murrayfield ahead of an international game. With around 250 member clubs in every part of the country, there are ample opportunities to both watch and play the game. According to World Rugby, around 100,000 Scots regularly take part, which includes 25,000 women players—that point is worth emphasising. There is a type of rugby and a level of competition that is right for everyone, whether that is 15-a-side, casual touch or even walking rugby. I think that walking rugby would be mine, if I had to choose.

Rugby is a fantastic way to keep fit, improve mental wellbeing and develop transferable skills. On health and wellbeing, I read an interesting study from the University of Edinburgh that shows that playing rugby, at all ages, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart disease and depression, as well as improving muscle function, bone health and balance. There really is no reason not to play rugby. The question is how we can support more folk into the sport and ensure that it is supported for our amateur and professional players of the future. In particular, I am interested in how we can support more women and quines into the sport.

I welcome the fact that driving up participation levels of women and quines will be an important part of a £100 million push that will double Scotland’s sport and active living budget by the end of the current session of Parliament. I note that preparations are also under way for a Scottish sport media summit that will aim to explore ways to increase visibility and coverage of women’s sport across all platforms.

That welcome additional investment, which will benefit the wider sporting system, will be delivered in partnership with sportscotland and it will help to rebuild capacity in the sector as we continue to recover from the pandemic. It will also, rightly, focus on breaking down barriers to participation and ensure that more folk, including women and girls, can enjoy active lives, while improving physical, mental and social health.

I ask the minister for a commitment that sportscotland will work with rugby clubs the length and breadth of the country to ensure that they are supported and promoted. I also ask her to give an update on the sport summit and how it will be taken forward.

My final point is that touch rugby is being used to support older folk and those with early-onset dementia and other health conditions to socialise. Touch rugby is a minimal contact sport that is played on a 50m by 70m playing field. It emphasises running or walking, passing, catching, and communication. It can be played by anyone, and the dynamics allow for all ages and abilities. It is a great opportunity for our older folk, and I encourage onybidy interested to take a look.

In closing, I again welcome this debate, I note the vital importance of rugby and I reiterate my asks of the minister.