Chamber and committees

I have a question for Stephanie Griffin. I am interested in the public sector equality duty in the context of the bill. Do you have any concerns about how the public sector equality duty is implemented, adhered to and complied with in the context of police conduct and complaints? I know that that is a very general question, but an example might be what happens in relation to protected characteristics. I am interested in knowing whether there is anything that you feel it would be appropriate to raise in the context of the provisions of the bill that we are discussing.

I would like to pick up on one point. Is Police Scotland able to comply with the 35-day timeframe for hearings? Is that manageable?

Will the minister provide any further update regarding the latest assessment of CAMHS waiting lists and how they compare with last year’s?

Will the minister outline how the new regulations that have come into force build on the existing protections that were in place for tenants prior to the emergency rent cap measures, and how they continue to ensure that the Scottish Government provides much greater protection for tenants than the protection that is provided anywhere else in the United Kingdom?

I note that, during the debate, it has been suggested that there should be a wider debate on this matter, and I would fully support that.

In my constituency, strategic infrastructure projects in the form of an energy-from-waste plant, a new harbour and, potentially, an industrialised former green space, all within line of sight of the Balnagask area of Torry, have left residents feeling disconnected and disenfranchised. Getting the balance right is essential. I am pleased that SSEN Transmission has, just this week, committed to considering proposed alignments to the Kintore to Tealing project, with consultations on proposed substations at Emmock and Hurlie taking place next month, as planned. Like other north-east MSP colleagues, I have regular, open and positive engagement with SSE on a range of energy issues.

There is a pressing need for pace in developing such projects from desktop ambitions to project delivery. Although some goals are still years away, there needs to be action now, given the scale of the upskilling that is required. Delays in consenting risk pushing back some ambitious projects by years, which would risk jobs and vital investment.

However, we must strike a balance between the voice of communities and the planning process. In that regard, I would welcome additional guidance from the chief planning officer on national planning framework 4 policies on transmission infrastructure. I also support wider reform of the current section 37 process to streamline consenting for critical infrastructure. Fixing a clear period for consenting is required and should be delivered through the UK and Scottish Governments working together to address existing legislative challenges while protecting democratic rights at a local level.

As Mark Ruskell noted, Lord Callanan, the Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

“we need to build about four times as much transmission infrastructure by 2030 as we built in the previous 30 years.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, 29 February 2024; Vol 836, c 193GC.]

I agree.

Yes.

I thank Tess White for securing the debate.

We all understand the need to transition to greener and sustainable fuel options. Put simply, electricity demand is set to double by 2050, and we must act now to deliver sustainable energy for our communities. The Scotland leasing round has exceeded expectations, almost tripling from an initial 10GW projection to the present 28GW, and the UK Government has also massively increased its offshore wind ambitions, stretching its overall target to 50GW.

Fundamental to all of that is our transmission network. However, it is resoundingly clear that the grid poses one of the biggest barriers to the deployment of our renewable energy pipeline. It is important to understand that electricity network legislation and regulations are reserved to the UK Government, with the electricity system operator responsible for electricity planning across Great Britain and closely regulated by Ofgem.

The pathway to 2030 project sets out the plan for new grid investment, connecting renewable energy to homes and businesses across the UK. The commitment that has been made by SSEN Transmission to invest more than £20 billion this decade for critical grid upgrades is hugely significant for Scotland’s economy and energy security and for the aim of reducing energy bills for everyone. However, it is absolutely imperative that significant infrastructure development derives from industry and community needs, with communities having the opportunity to engage in the process, so that areas are developed in a consensual way.

Our main item of business is to take evidence on the progress being made to tackle drug harm and reduce drug deaths. I am pleased to welcome our first panel of witnesses: Kirsten Horsburgh, chief executive officer of the Scottish Drugs Forum; Justina Murray, chief executive officer of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs; and Dr Emma Fletcher, director of NHS Tayside public health and chair of Dundee alcohol and drug partnership. I refer members to papers 1 and 2 and thank witnesses for providing helpful written submissions.

As ever, we move straight to questions. I will get things under way. I would like to ask individual questions, and I come to Kirsten Horsburgh first with what is probably a bit of a big question. Reporting in the media today is highlighting the latest figures, which suggest that the number of drug-related deaths has, again, increased, but that there has been a significant decrease in the number of hospital admissions. What is that telling us and how do we need to respond?

You mentioned issues such as housing and employment. I noticed that you outlined in your submission that the

“vast majority of people who are affected by drug death experience multiple severe disadvantages”.

Perhaps more work is required to address that as a single approach.

I am not an expert in toxicology, but are there options available that can provide some early feedback while we are waiting for the fuller toxicology work to be done? Is there something that can be provided by way of an early indication?