Chamber and committees

Thanks to the work of the Scottish Government, Techscaler successfully raised more than £100 million of capital investment last year, from both public and private sources, and it is supporting businesses across medical technology, artificial intelligence and space. Can the Deputy First Minister say any more about the importance of collaboration with the private sector and of developing confidence in and attracting investment into Scotland’s early talent?

I congratulate my colleague Christine Grahame on securing this debate on organ donation week. I thank her not only for lodging the motion, but for her lack of fear in broaching subjects that need to be heard but which are difficult to discuss.

Most of us are aware of the advances that have been made in medical science and technology and the literally life-saving impact that they have had on folk who would otherwise not survive. If my understanding is correct—I will probably get told if it is not—the first transplant took place in the year that I was born: 1967. The technological leaps forward in the decades since have been astounding. However, such advances will count for very little if our medical professionals cannot find donors in the first instance.

The debate takes place in the middle of organ donation week, which is designed to raise awareness of organ donation and the incredible role that it can play in changing folks’ lives forever. It is bittersweet when someone receives a transplant from an organ donor, as everyone is very aware of the tragic death that has led to the much-needed donation.

The raw numbers have always been small in comparison to our population—a few hundred transplants a year—but the figures highlighted in Christine Grahame’s motion are deeply concerning. The numbers on the register have continued to grow over time, but there is an issue with those who make a positive decision to be on the register communicating their wishes to their loved ones. That is another difficult, but important, discussion. Indeed, these are difficult and sensitive discussions for anyone. For some folk, it feels a bit gruesome to talk to their next of kin, who often do not want to listen, about what will happen to their kidneys or liver after they have passed. However, it is because death is fundamental to the donor process that we need to have those chats now, before it is too late, and to ensure that our wishes are known.

As Christine Grahame has said, only 1 per cent of donor organs are fit for transplant. In 99 per cent of cases, despite the good will and good wishes of those on the register, that generosity cannot, for a variety of reasons, be taken up. The circumstances of death that present the opportunity for donation and transplant are incredibly specific, and they mean that our health professionals need to make the best possible use of every chance that they get to help another, because those chances are few and far between.

If we can increase the number of chances that our national health service professionals have, we can increase the chances for many more people across our country to lead healthy lives. I say to those watching at home that they should ensure that their families and their next of kin know their wishes.

I have been made aware of an art installation in recognition of organ donors that was unveiled very recently at Aberdeen royal infirmary. Shelagh Swanson, the artist, was commissioned to work with the relatives of donors as well as with young folk across north-east secondary schools to create glass pebbles, which have been placed on the walls of the foyer of the ARI’s emergency department, all the way up towards the Sandpiper sanctuary. The installation commemorates the ripples of organ donation, and it is hoped that it will act as a conversation starter.

If people see the ripples of organ donation as they are walking in the ARI, I ask them to remember to have that discussion with their loved ones and to tell them of their wishes. [Interruption.]

I am at a bit of a loss about why that intervention was needed. I will always speak up for young folk.

As I was saying, let us take the example of the building industry. Just now, the funding to train architects and town planners comes from one organisation, the Scottish Funding Council, while the folk who turn that into reality—our bricklayers, joiners, sparkies and so on—have their apprenticeships funded by a different organisation, Skills Development Scotland. It makes sense to me that those should all be funded by the same organisation.

That is what the bill seeks to do. It will ensure that Scotland’s whole education and skills system works as a single, easy-to-navigate system. That is the principle of what we want to achieve. This is stage 1, which is about agreeing to principles, and I will be supporting that principle today.

Before I get any more interventions from members saying that the Education, Children and Young People Committee did not take a position on the bill and that I am the deputy convener of that committee, I will cover that point now. Let me start with the first point in the conclusion of the stage 1 report, which says:

“Apprenticeships offer valuable opportunities to learners and businesses across Scotland, and make a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy. It is clear from the evidence the Committee heard, that the current approach towards administering and delivering those apprenticeships needs to be improved.”

That is my starting point. It is something that was said by many of the folk that the committee spoke to when they offered their support—or their caveated support—for the bill.

One reason that our committee did not take a position on the bill relates to the cost benefit of what it proposes. What has changed? Graeme Dey, in what might have been one of his final acts as Minister for Higher and Further Education, responded to the committee’s report and offered a range of assurances. For those who do not fancy reading the full 53-page letter before decision time, I will draw out a couple of the highlights.

The first is that

“the higher cost estimate has been reduced ... by around a third”.

If we are basing our decision on cost benefit, cost makes a big difference.

On the benefits, I also welcome the comprehensive assurances in relation to apprenticeships. If I had time to read out that section of the response in full, I would, but I do not think that I do. It says:

“The Bill enables an increase in the range, quality and quantity of apprenticeships and work-based learning in Scotland”,

and there are commitments to working with and ensuring the involvement of employers.

There are also commitments to continuity beyond 2027 in many areas in which that was asked for, which will allow employers to make decisions about apprenticeships now, as—I hope—the bill progresses. I am happy to see a recognition of the demand to expand graduate apprenticeships. I am keen to see where that goes and what doors it opens up, not only for young Scots but for all Scots.

Therefore, I have been convinced. I recognise that there are issues that still need to be addressed and question marks over exactly how some things will work. This is not the finished article but, as I said, the principles are sound and today’s debate is about agreeing to the general principles of the bill.

Further detail can be given and scrutiny can, and will, happen if the bill progresses. However, that can happen, and the benefits of the bill can be realised, only if the bill passes stage 1 today. Let us make that happen. Let us move forward with a simpler funding system and make it easier for colleges, universities and training providers to focus on what they do best, which is delivering the high quality of education and training that gives the Scottish workforce such a strong reputation. Let us get the bill to its next stage.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps that it is taking to increase service capacity in GP practices within NHS Grampian. (S6O-04983)

As we move towards electrification to facilitate the decarbonisation of our homes, it is vital that we ensure that clean heat is affordable and accessible. Will the cabinet secretary join me in calling on the United Kingdom Labour Government to act urgently to lower energy bills, alleviate fuel poverty and facilitate the investment and take-up of clean energy technologies?

I will take an intervention from Daniel Johnson.

I welcome the announcement of Scottish Government funding for organisations working on community cohesion because we know the importance of that work in promoting inclusion. Will the minister expand on the type of work that the funding will support in order to build integrated communities in Scotland?

First, as is always the case, I thank the committee clerks, the witnesses and my fellow committee members for their work in scrutinising the bill to date. Secondly, I welcome Ben Macpherson to his new role as Minister for Higher and Further Education. I am looking forward to working with him to ensure that our ambition to give everyone the best start in life extends right through to college, university or an apprenticeship. I also pay tribute to Graeme Dey for his work as the former minister and thank him for all that he did while he was in post.

I know that a few folk feel that the bill is just about rejigging how things work behind the scenes, as they can already see a steady stream of well-educated, well-skilled young Scots coming out of our education system. Some have even suggested that the bill is a little bit boring, but they are wrong.

So often in the chamber, we talk about Scotland’s future and building a better country for the next generation. What we are doing today is about not just building a future for the next generation, but ensuring that they have the skills and knowledge to build their own future.

Let us take the example of the building industry—

The bill is about college, university and apprenticeships, and it encompasses everybody, not just young people. I was just—[Interruption.]

Sorry—would you like to come back in, Mr Johnson?

The cabinet secretary will be aware of the recent pressures that NHS Grampian has been facing, and I know that he will join me in thanking all of the NHS staff in Grampian who have been working hard to manage those pressures. Can he provide a further update on how the Scottish Government is supporting NHS Grampian to relieve its pressures and ensure that patients are receiving the care that they need in a timely fashion?