Chamber and committees

Bleed kits ease pressure on first responders by allowing bystanders to prevent a potentially fatal loss of blood from occurring while they wait for a responder to arrive. However, there are nowhere near enough bleed kits in Scotland. Will the minister explain what the Scottish Government is doing to increase the number of bleed kits in Scotland?

I thank Rachael Hamilton for bringing this important debate to the chamber. The subject is very close to my heart. Before I joined politics, I was heavily involved in the catering industry—I draw colleagues’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our neighbourhoods. They create wealth, provide community and bless their neighbourhoods with a rich and distinctive identity. Take Argonaut Books, a thriving independent bookshop down the road from my office on Leith Walk, which I visited last month. Argonaut is a shining example of the qualities that small business Saturday seeks to champion. It satisfies our niche tastes. I was amazed by the sheer range of books on sale. It gives the area a distinctive identity and, with its bustling cafe, it provides a kind of community that a larger business simply could not replicate. It ensures that the community grows with it. The cafe buys its coffee from Artisan Roast Coffee Roasters, its cake from Tasty Buns Bakery and its tea from PekoeTea—an example of local businesses working together. Leith Walk today is a rich tapestry of successful local businesses.

While I firmly believe in the role of the state in regenerating communities, that role must be played in partnership with small businesses. Despite the successes, I am aware of the challenges that small businesses face. To run a small business is to take a risk. The UK Government is helping small businesses to face that risk, with funding to make training for apprentices under 25 completely free for small and medium-sized enterprises, the chance to open up individual savings accounts—ISAs—for investment in SMEs and a guarantee that customs duties will be levelled on parcels of any value, to stop online firms undercutting high-street businesses.

The motion notes that the

“recognition of small businesses must continue throughout the year”,

beyond small business Saturday. I agree, and I would echo the words of Guy Hinks, the Scotland chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, in his statement on the recent UK budget:

“All eyes will be on the Scottish Government’s own Budget in January and how they invest the extra £820 million they are set to receive”.

Small businesses in Scotland have made clear to the Scottish Government what they need. It remains to be seen whether the budget will honour the spirit of small business Saturday and lend a helping hand to those—like my family—who want to take the chance to establish a small business.

A constituent of mine who is on a national health service waiting list recently received correspondence from NHS Lothian informing them that, if they did not confirm within 21 days whether they wanted to remain on the list, they would automatically be taken off it. Although I understand that that policy is in line with Government guidance, I am concerned that it might result in a vulnerable patient, such as one who is elderly or who has special educational needs, missing out on essential treatment without their consent. Will the First Minister agree to instruct ministers and officials to review the policy to ensure that vulnerable patients are not struck off waiting lists unfairly?

One of my constituents is a type 1 diabetic, and so is her son. She recently paid almost £300 to get booster jabs for herself and her son, and for her husband, who is an unpaid carer.

I am sure that the Scottish Government will agree that it is unacceptable to expect vulnerable families across Scotland to pay hundreds of pounds at a time to protect themselves from Covid. Will the Scottish Government therefore consider applying a discount for type 1 diabetics who are under 75?

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its decision to narrow the eligibility criteria for the autumn Covid-19 booster, what assessment it has made of the cost to the national health service and the impact on hospitalisation rates. (S6O-05202)

To ask the First Minister what urgent action the Scottish Government is taking in light of Public Health Scotland’s estimate that dementia in Scotland is set to rise by more than 50 per cent by 2044. (S6F-04336)

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with stakeholders regarding the development and scaling up of sustainable aviation fuel production, in light of the need to support the infrastructure, skills, and supply chains required to make Scotland a leader in the sector. (S6O-04987)

Thank you for that answer, minister. Will you organise a meeting with me to see how we can work together with stakeholders?

Public Health Scotland estimates that by 2044, as many as 53,800 more people could be living with dementia compared with in 2019. Alzheimer Scotland has rightly warned about the state of investment in dementia now, let alone in the future. Is that any wonder, given that, under this Government, integration joint boards face an estimated funding gap of £560 million this year?

Does the First Minister accept that it is time to wake up to the dementia time bomb that Scotland is facing and prioritise prevention, early intervention and support for people who are living with the disease?

What urgent action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure adequate fire service provision in Edinburgh, in the light of the reported proposal to close Marionville fire station, despite the area’s expanding population and the increased activity at Leith docks?