I will definitely resist the temptation to say anything that would suggest that a Scottish Government cabinet secretary is telling the BBC in Scotland which words it should use. However, my colleague has made her case well about the role of the Scots language. A number of us have talked about the value of Gaelic, but it is good that we also reflect on the importance of Scots as a living part of our national life.

As I have just mentioned, a number of colleagues have talked about BBC Scotland’s important role in the support and promotion of the Gaelic language across its television and radio service. For what it is worth, its first broadcast in Gaelic took place in 1923, from Aberdeen. MG Alba, in partnership with BBC Alba is helping to sustain our Gaelic-speaking communities while contributing to economic growth in the Highlands and Islands and to create innovation by delivering content that resonates with audiences.

More new and original English-language and Gaelic content is being made, with Scotland-based talent being developed by the BBC, including through its partnership working with our dedicated screen agency, Screen Scotland. Recent programmes, such as the tremendous Glasgow-based production “Mayflies” and the brilliant comedy drama “Guilt” are just a taste of the new BBC content that builds on the success of household favourites such as “River City” and “Shetland”, which have entertained us for decades and provided employment and skills development for our screen workforce.

As has been said by members in the course of the debate, the BBC in Scotland provides skilled employment across radio and television. It directly employs around 1,200 people here and supports many more jobs and opportunities within the wider creative sector. There are roles across the country, from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, Glasgow to Stornoway and Skye to Edinburgh, and we want the BBC to build on its successes over the past century and grow its investment in our creative workforce. Through its work with partners including Screen Scotland, the National Film and Television School, the Royal Conservatoire, MG Alba and others, the BBC in Scotland supports apprenticeships, learning, and skills and talent development across multiple disciplines.

Throughout 100 years of BBC service in Scotland, we have seen it make an incredible contribution to our broadcasting landscape, but we cannot take that for granted. We must recognise that, a century on, the media environment has changed significantly. Our broadcasters face new and evolving challenges and opportunities at a time when the principles behind public service broadcasting and the purposes of the BBC matter arguably more than ever.

Globally, the increasing variety of commercial content offers great opportunities for audiences and for economic growth, but it is clear from our discussion today that the future of media must continue to have our public service broadcasters at its heart. No other part of our rich media landscape plays quite the same unique role in representing our diverse communities and reflecting audiences back to themselves through trustworthy news and distinctive education.

So, in celebration of 100 years of the BBC in Scotland, we must recognise the challenges and continue to support our broadcasters as they go from strength to strength. That is particularly crucial given the global dangers that are posed by misinformation and disinformation.

The restriction on the provision of support to human trafficking victims would penalise some of society’s most vulnerable people—those who have suffered unimaginable trauma, including through sexual exploitation or through being forced, through violence, to work for no pay in absolutely appalling conditions. These shameful proposals would create additional barriers for trafficking victims and tighten the grip of perpetrators by reducing the likelihood that people will seek help. Children will also be left in an appalling position until they turn 18, when they will be detained and removed to a third country in which they have no connections and no family. The bill is totally unacceptable.

Foysol Choudhury’s question is really apposite. We might imagine that, because some of what is being dealt with by the UK Government is very focused on people crossing the English Channel, the issues are far away from here and may not touch us directly. However, raising the point about the Dungavel facility, which is, of course, managed by the UK Home Office, reminds us that the issue is absolutely on our doorstep. It is not just a matter of human rights and supporting the principles of international law, justice and fairness; unfortunately, given the UK Government’s plans, we are talking about something that will also be reflected in institutions in Scotland, which, sadly, we have no control over.

We are absolutely opposed to the bill and, if ever a reminder were needed that the Scottish Parliament should be in charge of immigration and human rights, that is it. We should not leave it up to others to make bad decisions on our behalf.

I look forward to reading the results of the consultation by the cross-party group, which does such valuable work. St Andrew’s day, as Scotland’s national day, is a key moment for Scotland and those who feel an affinity with Scotland’s culture. It is an opportunity for all of us—individually and collectively—to champion Scotland as an outward-looking and fair country. The Scottish Government will continue to harness all its networks to amplify that narrative and the shared values that underpin our national brand.

I am delighted to close the debate and to join members in celebrating 100 years of the BBC in Scotland. I thank Jenni Minto for launching the motion and pay tribute to all contributions from all parts of the chamber.

As colleagues have mentioned, the BBC is central to our broadcasting and cultural landscape. It is right that we recognise its significance to Scotland’s audiences and communities. As a former BBC journalist, I know first hand the tremendous value that the BBC brings in delivering trustworthy news to people locally and globally. It is a source of considerable personal and professional pride that I reported for the BBC as its Vienna correspondent for a decade, getting my break, as it happens, via BBC Radio Scotland, which had me regularly on “Good Morning Scotland” reporting from the former Yugoslavia during the tragic war there in the early 1990s.

I think that all public service broadcasters should be able to stand up to criticism. We all have different perspectives on the issue. I am sure that Mr Kerr will sometimes watch news broadcasts and be less happy about them, just as James Dornan will be less happy about certain things in certain news programmes. I do not want to spoil the consensus that there is across the chamber today. No doubt, we will have further opportunities to debate the issues in that vein but, in today’s debate—which, incidentally, will be being watched by a lot of people in BBC Scotland—it is important to protect the common ground that we have all outlined, so that is where I will remain.

As the cabinet secretary for culture, I put on the record the fact that I have a strong interest in how the BBC delivers for our diverse communities and how it contributes to our creative economy.

In the past 100 years, the BBC in Scotland has grown from humble beginnings. It first aired, in 1923, from an attic in Glasgow. A lot has changed since, with the BBC in Scotland becoming a powerhouse that sits at the heart of our cultural life, supporting education, innovation and skills development, as well as providing impartial news and information. Through 10 decades of programming in Scotland, the BBC’s range of content has grown enormously. Audiences can now be informed, educated and entertained by the BBC Scotland channel, Radio Scotland, Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Alba as well as the UK-wide and global offerings on TV, radio and digital platforms.

I am delighted to take the opportunity to confirm the many conversations that took place when I was in Berlin to discuss educational co-operation, not just with the Goethe-Institut but with the Berlin Scotland hub, the United Kingdom ambassador to Germany and a number of German educational partners.

However, it was noteworthy that, within a few short days, it became clear that the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office had managed to agree an arrangement on educational co-operation with the Federal Republic of Germany without any involvement whatsoever of the Scottish Government. That is ironic, because the German side managed to include the federal states and the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst of the German Bundesländer, but the UK Government managed to exclude Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If ever a timely reminder was needed that the UK Government does not properly represent Scotland’s devolved interests internationally, that is it. The best way to take part in Erasmus, as the member knows, is for Scotland to rejoin the European Union.

I wrote to the United Kingdom Government to state unequivocally that the Scottish Government does not support the bill, which will remove offering a place of safety to desperate people who are fleeing conflict and persecution, and I have urged the UK Government not to progress with it. The First Minister has echoed that during First Minister’s question time and condemned the cruel and inhumane provisions in the bill. We have a moral obligation to offer a place of safety to people who are fleeing conflict and persecution because that is enshrined in international law and because that is the fair thing to do.

Forgive me—I am looking at the clock and I see that I will have to conclude my speech, as I am getting to the end of my time.

The sustainability of diverse and reliable news content from authoritative sources such as the BBC is more vital than ever. In that context, we should all be alarmed by any threat to the stability of the BBC’s future or to the stability of its funding.

Although I am relieved that last week’s UK Government budget allocated a one-off grant of £20 million over two years to support the World Service, it is this Government’s strong view that the BBC should be properly funded to ensure the long-term delivery of essential public services and continued investment in authentic content for Scottish audiences. We will continue to press for improvements to ensure more investment in and representation for Scotland.

In conclusion, returning to the motion, I reiterate my strong support for the BBC in Scotland and recognise the important and incredible role that it has played in the creative economy, our cultural life and our nation over the past century. I thank members for their speeches and assure the chamber that the Scottish Government will continue to defend the principles of the BBC’s public purposes and work to ensure the sustainability of this cherished public asset for years to come.

I refer Sandesh Gulhane to my answer to question S6W-15283 on 8 March. It noted that 24 civil servants, including one deputy director, are working in the constitutional futures division.

As well as co-ordinating work on the Government’s independence prospectus, officials in the constitutional futures division are contributing to other priority work, including on the retained European Union law management programme, devolution policy, intergovernmental relations and the provision of information for the Covid public inquiries.