Chamber and committees

I have no relevant interests to declare.

This Scottish National Party-led Scottish Government is providing our further education students with record levels of support—£141 million in 2021, which is a 54 per cent increase in real terms since 2006-07. Will the cabinet secretary detail how that investment in the future of our young people is benefiting students such as those at West College Scotland?

I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate in support of the amendment in the name of Tom Arthur. There is no doubt that this is a very difficult time for public finances in Scotland. The Tories’ crashing of the economy, the disastrous Brexit and now the policy of our Labour colleagues are all stretching budgets to the limit. Inflation has rocketed and, as well as affecting Government budgets, it is having a terrible impact on our constituents. Food inflation is at an astonishing 19.2 per cent, which is the highest level in 45 years.

In the face of that challenge, the Scottish Government has set balanced budgets and has invested in supporting many policies to assist during these very difficult times. Unlike south of the border, people in Scotland can claim the Scottish child payment, have access to free prescriptions, pay no tuition fees and have lower council tax bills. Labour apparently previously labelled some of those policies as those of a “something for nothing” country. That was because it did not have the vision and compassion to recognise that the policies were crucial in keeping many households afloat.

High pay offers for teachers in Scotland and increased investment in education from the SNP Government mean that spending per pupil is now more than 18 per cent higher than it is in Tory-run England and Labour-run Wales, which spends £7,200 per pupil compared with more than £8,500 in Scotland. It is correct that we need to continue to deliver budgets that allow that investment to continue, and that is what will be seen from the Government. We can contrast that with Labour’s record, because we know that, when it came to budget competence and stewardship, Labour confirmed its incompetence in writing. We all remember the letter that was left by the chief secretary to the Treasury, Liam Byrne, when Labour was removed from office. It said:

“Dear chief secretary, I’m afraid there is no money. Kind regards – and good luck! Liam.”

Some of us are old enough to remember Labour’s record in government in both Scotland and the UK—okay, all of us are old enough to remember that. We are even still paying for its record. Its disastrous public-private partnership schemes have cost Scottish taxpayers £30 billion, forcing us all to pay more than the original costs of the projects. It is estimated that there is still £15 billion left to pay for that economic madness. Also, do not forget the millions of pounds that it took away in supporting people grants from charities and third sector organisations in West Dunbartonshire; I will never forget that.

My Glasgow colleague John Mason reminded us of Labour’s refusal to pay equal pay to working women in the city—absolute shame. Unpaid carers will not forget Labour’s record either. Since 1976, when it was initially introduced as the invalid care allowance, successive UK Governments refused to align the amount paid with other earning replacement benefits. The Parliament needed to step in to right that wrong—a wrong that is owned jointly by the Labour Party and the Tories. Since the launch in 2018, a total of 833,425 carers allowance supplement payments have been paid to 141,565 carers totalling £231.8 million, which is another cost of mitigating Labour and Tory failure. Think about where that money could have been spent.

We cannot rely on the pro-Brexit and austerity Labour Party to put the people of Scotland first, and the Tory-inflicted cost of living crisis tells its own story about their incompetence, which is unprecedented since records began. Instead, it will be down to the Scottish Government to manage its budgets carefully, set progressive rates of taxation within our powers, and continue to invest in crucial services for the people of Scotland.

The committee understands that the Scottish Government is conducting a review of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, but that part 2 of the act is not being reviewed. What is the reason for that? Does the Government have any plans to review community planning in the future? During the inquiry, community groups have voiced the opinion that reform is needed.

During the inquiry, the committee has heard that CPPs struggle to demonstrate how activities are leading to improved outcomes. As that is required by the 2015 act, what more can the Scottish Government and other public bodies do to help them to demonstrate impact? We would be grateful for your input.

Can you explain how you decided on the list of key agencies to be consulted by the planning authority when drafting the LDP? Are there not some obvious omissions, such as Network Rail and VisitScotland?

Thank you for that clarification.

Minister, the committee has heard during the inquiry that CPPs struggle to demonstrate how activities are leading to improved outcomes. As that is required by the 2015 act, what more can the Scottish Government and other public bodies do to help them to demonstrate impact?

Key sectors in the industry are being left unable to access the workforce that they require and people who wish to come to Scotland to make a valued contribution. Brexit, being removed from the European Union and the end of freedom of movement have created barriers and are leaving our world-class food and drink industry hamstrung. Does the minister share my concerns about that? Will she continue to urge the UK Government to give an indication of how it intends to fix the mess that it has made?

To ask the Scottish Government when it last engaged with the United Kingdom Government regarding access for Scotland’s food and drink industry to seasonal migrant workers. (S6O-02107)