Chamber and committees

Claire Baker raises excellent suggestions to make the most of that important anniversary, domestically—of course, in Kirkcaldy in the first instance—and internationally. There is tremendous potential in that. I have shared examples of where funding might be accessed for the year, but I want to satisfy myself that, across Government agencies, and working with local authority partners, including Fife Council, every opportunity is considered to make the most of this important anniversary year.

I am responsible for many things, but that does not include the Liberal Democrats.

Constitutional policy development is an essential function of the Scottish Government and is crucial to the implementation of devolution and the new powers that followed. Mr Hoy does not like to be reminded of the fact that the majority of MSPs who were elected to the Scottish Parliament are in favour of Scottish independence. As is absolutely right and proper for a democratically elected Government and Parliament, we will do all that we can to further the aims of Scotland retaking its place in the international community and rejoining the European Union as an independent member state.

I thank colleagues for their contributions to the debate.

I am reminded of the fact that, as many members have said, it is almost four years to the day since Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine, which reminds us of the importance of global co-operation and the need for international law. It is right and proper that we can discuss such issues in Scotland’s national Parliament.

The Scottish Government and, I believe, all parties in the Parliament resolutely condemn Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, as we have done since its invasion. We have a continuing commitment to achieving a strong, just and durable peace that ensures that Ukraine has a secure future and that deters any future Russian aggression.

We would back a properly constituted international peace plan that respects Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, that is agreed by Ukraine and that restores peace in Europe. The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to supporting Ukraine, not only until a just peace is secured, but through recovery and reconstruction to a brighter future beyond.

I will briefly respond to points that have been made in the debate. Concern has been raised about the actions taken in relation to the MV Bella 1, which is currently in Scottish waters. The First Minister made it clear in his statement to the Parliament that, although the Bella 1 was in Scottish waters, at no point were the UK or Scottish authorities in control of the vessel, and the Scottish authorities had no legal basis whatsoever for boarding the vessel at any time. The Scottish Government was informed that the two individuals had been removed from the Bella 1 by the United States after—not before—they had been removed from the vessel.

I would like to make the point in this way: if we are genuinely serious about dealing with Putin’s shadow fleet—I hope that we all are; I think that we all are—we need to get this right. I agree with Mr Greer on that point. We need to get this right, and that includes respecting Scots law.

The Scottish Government is committed to playing its full part in the defence of our country and the security of our allies. Glasgow Prestwick airport and certain HIAL airports are important stop-over points for many air forces, including the Royal Air Force and the air forces of other NATO partners, such as the United States and Canada. An important point that has not yet been put on the record is that non-UK military require to obtain diplomatic flight clearance from the UK Ministry of Defence in order to fly and land in UK airspace.

As members recognise, Glasgow Prestwick airport is an asset to the local and national economies. The airport plays a key role in infrastructure development in the Ayrshire region and supports a valuable aerospace cluster.

International uncertainty brings risk to us all—to our economy, to our communities and to our safety. We cannot insulate ourselves. We must be committed to stepping forward as a good global citizen. That is why I urge colleagues to agree to the amendment in my name. That amendment, which should garner support right across the chamber, reaffirms our commitment to supporting domestic and international law and the rules-based order, which is relevant in the case of the recently interdicted Russian shadow fleet vessel; supports the future of Greenland being determined by Greenland and Denmark; and reaffirms our commitment to Ukraine and a just peace that is acceptable to its people.

15:53

Last month, the First Minister set out the fundamental challenge that Scotland faces in the light of what the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has described as

“a rupture in the world order”.

I recognise that the rules-based system has not always functioned as many would have wished, but, for all its flaws, it has underpinned global co-operation between Governments.

International uncertainty today emphasises the need for us to co-operate with other nations. For Scotland, co-operation is vital—co-operation on these isles, co-operation across the North Sea with Europe and co-operation with nations everywhere who share our values. Next week, it will be four years since Russia illegally invaded Ukraine.

The Scottish Government is delivering an additional £20 million in funding for culture in 2026-27, which is the next major step in honouring our commitment to provide an additional £100 million annually for culture by 2028-29. That takes the total annual increase in the culture budget to £70 million since 2023-24, and the additional funding has allowed Creative Scotland to offer multiyear funding to a record number of cultural organisations.

Multiyear-funded organisations now have a base in 27 local authority areas, and 35 per cent of organisations operate beyond their home postcodes, which provides communities across Scotland with access to the arts.

The issue is not about blame. There needs to be an optimal working relationship between the Scottish Government and local authorities, which we will achieve through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I find it disappointing that there are arts and culture closures in different local authorities, but that picture is not universal. Closures are a choice that locally elected representatives make.

Often, I hear calls from Mr Fraser’s side of the chamber that there is too much centralised control and that there should be local decision making—on this issue, I agree with those members. This is an area in which local authorities have responsibility. We will work in partnership with them, because I want to protect culture and arts services across Scotland, but we will do that only through partnership and local government delivery, just as the Scottish Government is delivering for culture and the arts.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and I wrote to the UK Government in August and December last year to express our concerns and disappointment about the Commonwealth games not being broadcast on free-to-air television. I urge the UK Government to use the powers at its disposal to ensure that Glasgow’s Commonwealth games are broadcast on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.

Broadcast rights for the Tour de France are a matter for the event owner, ASO. We are committed to working collaboratively with all partners to develop opportunities to maximise the exposure and reach of the grand départ to ensure that it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

The Scottish Government supports small and medium-sized cultural events through Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding. Creative Scotland will receive an additional £20 million for its multiyear funding programme in 2026-27 as part of our commitment to provide a further £100 million to the culture sector by 2028-29. That will take the funding available to £74 million in 2026-27, which will enable Creative Scotland to support cultural events across Scotland, with 77 per cent of the multiyear funding portfolio going to presenting organisations that deliver performances, exhibitions and events directly to the public.

First, decisions about local provision are, in the first instance, for local authorities.

I reprise my point that we are being well advised by the Scottish Library and Information Council, which is looking at many of the issues that Tess White raises. I have not yet received its report. Given the member’s strong interest in the subject, I would be grateful if she would share her examples with the short-life advisory group, and copy me in, so that I can better understand her points about the region that she represents.