Chamber and committees

I think that Bill Scott wants to comment.

Oh—you have met COSLA.

Absolutely. I am just concerned about the figures rather than the principle. I do not disagree with what you have said.

Did you want to come in, Pam?

I thank the Economy and Fair Work Committee for its very detailed report.

We are all too aware that Scotland’s town centres have faced increasingly challenging circumstances, year on year, with a seemingly relentless onslaught of obstacles that have undermined the success of high street retail businesses large and small. Changed work patterns and shopping habits that were not necessarily created by the pandemic but that have certainly been accelerated by it; recruitment issues that have been exacerbated by the on-going fallout from Brexit; and the economic challenges that are posed by increased energy costs, transport costs and other inflationary pressures—all those things are combining to make life for retailers an on-going and uphill struggle.

I commend, in particular, small and medium-sized business owners the length and breadth of Scotland, including those in my Glasgow Kelvin constituency, for their commitment to customers and their perseverance in the face of the challenging conditions that they find themselves operating in. Their delivery of high-quality goods and services and their proven adaptability and resilience do them huge credit.

I welcome the report and the Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges that are faced by retail in our towns and communities. I highlight the retail strategy delivery plan that is being prepared under the leadership of the Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth. I hope that the plan will be prepared and enacted with a sense of urgency.

Key aspects that will significantly determine the scale of the plan’s success are identified in the committee’s report. They include a requirement for cross-portfolio policy cohesion—ensuring that resources and initiatives dovetail to maximise their positive impact.

The upskilling and future proofing of our retail workforce, particularly in the areas of creating and growing an online presence, form another important strand of the plan and of the support that is needed from Government to enable all retail businesses to benefit from the increasingly important multichannel model of selling.

The Scottish Government has committed £100 million to businesses to improve their digital skills, capacity and capability. It has committed to support the improvement of broadband capacity and mobile connectivity in towns and town centres in order to improve local digital platforms. Like the committee, I would welcome more detail on how and to whom that vital funding will be allocated.

I note the committee’s request that the Scottish Government consider what equalities expertise the group that is taking forward the retail strategy delivery plan demonstrates. It is important that the group be equipped to deliver effective strategies to remove barriers to advancement for women in retail, which, traditionally, has had gendered role structures, as well as to remove barriers for people of colour and those with disabilities.

It is worth considering how Glasgow is responding to the challenges that retail faces in its city centre—some of my colleagues have mentioned streets in my constituency with which I am very familiar—and how it is seeking to support businesses to adapt and be successful in these most difficult of times.

The economic impact of the pandemic on Glasgow city centre, as on all retail centres, was profound and is on-going. With its low residential population and reliance on a regional travel-to-work population, Glasgow city centre and the west end of the city have traditionally boasted a high number of retail businesses that are reliant on those specific drivers of footfall.

I commend the Glasgow city centre task force for the work that it is doing to tackle the economic challenges that the city faces. Since 2020, it has supported retail and has attempted to maximise footfall return to the city centre with marketing campaigns, event funding, maximisation of the use of outdoor space, the tackling of antisocial behaviour and targeted cleansing and environmental interventions. The task force brings together all the core city sectors, including retail, hospitality, the night-time economy, higher education and transport. It is an excellent example of cross-portfolio working.

Yesterday, I attended a meeting of the Glasgow city multi-agency group, which brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including retailers, Police Scotland, street pastors and MCR—motivation, commitment and resilient—Pathways. The multi-agency group works collaboratively to share strategies in a practical and solution-focused way to ensure a safe and inclusive retail experience.

The committee has done a thorough job of investigating the issues that retail businesses, town centres and communities face, and it has presented clear, practical options to support retail to survive and thrive in an increasingly fast-changing environment. I welcome the report and look forward to hearing what I hope will be a positive response to it from the minister.

Kat Jones, director of the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, has said:

“We are in the middle of a climate crisis, with litter plaguing our towns and countryside. The price of any further delay or weakening of the”

deposit return scheme

“system would be frankly unbearable.”

Does the minister agree?

Does the minister share my appreciation for the work of Scottish National Party councillors on Glasgow City Council, who last week passed their budget, which protected vital services in the face of some of the most difficult times for Scottish public finances in living memory? Given that Labour councillors not only failed to present an alternative budget but failed to turn up at all, what does he think their actions say about their respect for democracy?

I welcome the Scottish Government’s on-going commitment to keeping the Promise to our care-experienced young people. How will the allocation in next year’s budget of £50 million to the whole family wellbeing fund, which the First Minister mentioned, support families who are in need?

Good morning, ministers. I will finish the questioning on what the Government is currently doing, and I will then look at the definition of disabilities with regard to the Equality Act 2010.

You have given us a clear indication of the work that the Government is already doing to address the issue of disability transitions for our young people and children. Can you put on record whether there is anything else going on of which we should be aware? You have been quite thorough, but I want to make sure.

I was interested to hear about the principles into practice pilot. You indicated that the initial report on that is coming out soon. Is there any emerging indication or evidence of the impact? We heard earlier this morning that it is looking pretty positive, but I wondered whether there was any further information on that.

You have given some great examples and have talked us through it. I sense no overwhelming feeling from you that the legislation would guarantee any better outcomes. That is clear.

One quick question—well, maybe it is not quick, but you can try—is this: which aspects of the bill as it is at the moment would you change?

Good morning, cabinet secretary. I will continue on the theme of workforce planning. I am interested in getting a bit of insight on the communications that you might or might not have had with the teacher workforce planning advisory group and consultations that might have occurred regarding that 3,500 figure. It would be good to know about that.