Chamber and committees

Indeed. Thank you for that.

Thank you. That is helpful.

As there are no more questions, we will bring the evidence session to a close. Minister, I thank you and your officials for coming this morning. Your evidence has been very helpful.

That completes our business in public today.

Independent garden centres and nurseries make a significant contribution to the Scottish economy, but they also make a significant contribution to our wellbeing and recovery, Scotland’s biodiversity strategy and climate change mitigation. As progressive employers, many embrace the living wage increase. However, the increase in national insurance contributions and changes to business property relief will have a huge impact on the sector’s future viability, which is compounded by challenging cross-border plant trade rules, a challenging year of weather and weak consumer confidence.

Given the Prime Minister’s request that the public judge him on five things—one being economic growth, which now seems rather dubious—what action is the Scottish Government taking to support small businesses that operate in the environmental horticulture sector?

To ask the Scottish Government when it last engaged with the United Kingdom Government regarding the potential impact of the UK Government’s autumn budget on small businesses in Scotland, including environmental horticulture businesses. (S6O-04093)

I, too, congratulate my colleague Kenneth Gibson on bringing the debate to the chamber.

As has been referenced, the UK Government owns the Post Office and it has announced that more than 100 branches could close, with the possible loss of hundreds of jobs. That comes as a bitter blow for postmasters and the communities that they serve tirelessly, at a time when local services have already been fading from high streets, town centres and villages. As the motion says,

“at a time when more and more shops and services are leaving the high street, there is a case for more crown branches, not fewer”.

The post office network provides critical services that go beyond just post, such as access to cash, banking and Government services such as driving licence renewal, albeit that some of those services have declined in recent years and have moved online. Many of my small-business constituents, including creators and artists, depend on local post offices to send products to customers who are further afield.

There is something comforting about the red and yellow Post Office sign above a shop door. You know that, when you go in, there will be a welcome human interaction; the postmaster will know exactly what you need; and you can also pick up nice birthday card, some brown wrapping paper, string or a Jiffy bag while you are at it.

In my constituency, the number of post offices has reduced to only three, which serve a population of around 79,000. Although my constituency will not be impacted by the future closure plans, I agree with other members that consultation and a rationale for closures have been lacking.

I read with interest, therefore, some of the rationale for the review of Post Office services that was set out in the Westminster debate last month. The Post Office was described as

“simply not fit for purpose”,

with

“a toxic culture in head office and years of under-investment.”—[Official Report, House of Commons, 13 November 2024; Vol 756, c 806.]

It was stated that “significant cultural change” and rebuilding of trust are required to ensure that the needs of postmasters and customers are met.

It is no secret, of course, that the business is facing commercial challenges, and it is therefore not unreasonable to suggest that change is needed. However, the idea that the possible loss of 115 branches and around 1,000 jobs is the solution is devastating. It raises many questions, including on the process of consultation, as members have highlighted tonight.

I understand that postmasters, trade unions and other stakeholders will be consulted—and rightly so—but it is disappointing that the communities that rely on these services have not been specifically mentioned. One significant group that will undoubtedly be impacted is older people, and I am grateful to Age Scotland for its helpful briefing, in which it makes a range of important points.

I will touch on a couple of those points. The first is on facilities in post offices. Age Scotland says that it is

“concerned that the closure of these branches which are in easy to access locations, especially in the more remote and rural areas, may mean older people face challenges travelling further to access the services they need.”

It states that,

“without improving the ‘alternative branches’ that people are to use when the crown branches close, it risks further exclusion and increases inequality for a considerable proportion of the population”.

On digital skills and access to the internet, Age Scotland points out:

“There are a significant number of older people in Scotland who are either not online or lack the basic digital skills to use the internet safely ... Face to face services such as those at Post Offices are essential for older people.”

Finally, it notes:

“There is a digital access gap between the most and least deprived parts of Scotland.”

There are a lot of points of concern there.

In conclusion, I hope that the UK Government, rather than seeking to reduce post office provision in Scotland, takes the opportunity to strengthen the role of post offices in our communities so that they can offer more local services, meeting the needs of postmasters and customers, including businesses, and bring a modernised and fit-for-purpose Post Office back to our high streets and communities.

To ask the First Minister what progress is being made with the Scottish Government’s efforts to establish the country as a world leader in the green hydrogen sector. (S6F-03607)

Will the member take an intervention?

I appreciate everything that the member has pointed out. I wonder whether she welcomes the fact that yesterday’s budget announcement included £26 million specifically to support victims of crime. Obviously, a significant number of those victims will be victims of violence against women. Also, is she aware that the Criminal Justice Committee is currently scrutinising the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill?

The Scottish Government has an international vision for the hydrogen economy in Scotland. Indeed, research from PwC confirmed that Scotland is leading the United Kingdom in the creation of green jobs. Given that the establishment of Scotland’s hydrogen sector has the potential to become a key driver of green growth and prosperity, can the First Minister say more about how the Scottish Government’s budget will further invest in a managed just transition and about the benefits that that will bring to Scotland?

I call Pauline McNeill, followed by Liam Kerr. I ask for succinct questions and responses, because we still have a wee bit to cover.