Chamber and committees

Part of my question has already been answered by the transport minister.

Good morning to you all—sorry, I was being a bit rude.

Regarding the powers allowing local authorities to establish bus companies, you said that some have already started discussions. Why do you think that some have not? Is there a reason for that? What can or will the Scottish Government do to help those that are keen to establish a bus company?

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I was a local councillor for Aberdeen City Council at the start of this parliamentary session.

Through the course of the pandemic, the number of empty council properties in Aberdeen grew significantly, and efforts to bring them back into use have been hindered by labour shortages and supply chain issues. What support is available to local authorities to bring empty council housing back into use?

I thank my friend and colleague Kevin Stewart for bringing to the chamber this debate on languages at the University of Aberdeen.

As Kevin Stewart said, the University of Aberdeen’s academic roots date back to 1495, and the work of that institution has, in so many ways over more than 500 years, helped to connect our city to the world. The university’s modern languages courses have been particularly helpful in building bridges and making those connections. Learning other languages can allow us to share knowledge, understand different cultures and build friendships.

Kevin Stewart mentioned the role of Brexit. Leaving the European Union broke some of the bonds that connected us to Europe. It is sad that the impact that Brexit has had on modern language courses may undermine our connections with the world even further.

Although it is welcome that joint honours degree programmes in modern languages will continue to be available, the potential loss of single honours language degrees is greatly disappointing. I expect that some of my Gaelic-speaking colleagues will be keen to talk about the Gaelic course in particular. I have to admit that that loss would make our scrutiny of the Scottish Languages Bill somewhat bittersweet.

That disappointment at the loss of single honours language degrees seems to be shared by a great many people, including students, staff and even foreign dignitaries. A number of those folks have contacted me, as their local MSP, and have shared a range of insights into the university’s proposals. One comment that I received this morning stood out, as it explained the importance of language degrees eloquently and succinctly. It said:

“A language degree is not just language tuition but involves the study of languages in their context, including study of their culture, society and region, which is a key requirement for students’ critical understanding in the face of local and global societal issues.”

Earlier today, I met Kirsty Miller, Charlotte Gorrie, Kirsten Koss, Tomos Dargie and Linzi Ryan from the university, who are in the public gallery this evening. They expressed to me their concerns regarding the future of modern languages. They told me that, currently, no offer of a place has been made to students for next year; the ones who have already applied are being told that no single honours degree course is available.

How will that impact the situation of languages in the future? Where will the language teachers come from if we do not give genuine consideration to the future of modern languages?

I sympathise greatly with the situation in which the university finds itself, and I do not envy the decisions that it will need to take in the months ahead. Among everything that has been said and everything that has been fed into the university’s consultation, I know that there have been offers of support and helpful suggestions. I hope that that constructive approach will continue, and I sincerely hope that it proves to be worth while.

Whatever decision the university ultimately makes on the future of modern languages provision, it will have wide-ranging impacts on folks’ jobs, on students’ academic prospects, and on Scotland’s place in the world. When a final decision is made, I call on the university court to ensure that everything that has been said is fully taken into account, so that it makes the right decision that balances the challenges of today with the demands of tomorrow.

With regard to the current skills gap, how is the Scottish Government working with universities and colleges to promote the uptake of modern languages?

What support can the Scottish Government offer to Northfield academy, in my Aberdeen Donside constituency, given that Education Scotland inspectors recently stated that more needs to be done to make pupils feel safe?

Can the minister provide an update on how the United Kingdom’s gross domestic product per capita compares to that of the comparator countries that are used in the “Building a New Scotland” series of papers?

Thank you, convener. Would it be helpful if I asked people to raise their hands if they want to answer?

Does the planning system need more power to its elbow, when it comes to that?

I meant for woodland and peatland, but if you would like to answer across the board, feel free to do so.

What I am hearing is that you would like geographic factors to be added to key sectors and groups.