Chamber and committees

It is a pleasure to close the debate for Scottish Labour. We are now two and a half years into Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, with the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, millions of people displaced and countless lives forever changed to satisfy the ego of a despot.

Despite the challenges that that war has brought, which are minuscule in comparison with those that people who live in Ukraine face, we have made it clear, once again, that we stand against aggression and with the people of Ukraine.

I am proud that the Scottish Parliament is united in its support for Ukraine. I agree with members including Alex Cole-Hamilton that this is not a party-political issue and that our position is based on principles that we all uphold and in which we all believe.

Democracy, freedom, the right of all to self-determination—those are the values that Putin has discarded with his imperialist project. As he threatens those values with contempt, he tightens his grip on Russia: on Tuesday, the United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation presented her report, which found that

“The country is now run by a state-sponsored system of fear and punishment, including the use of torture with absolute impunity.”

We must do as much as we can to support Ukraine and its people, so that Putin’s autocracy is not unleashed on them.

Members including Stephen Kerr have mentioned the UK Government sending billions in military aid. Although the party in government at Westminster has changed, our support for Ukraine will not. The work that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary are doing should show Putin that we are not going anywhere.

Paul O’Kane rightly raised the Prime Minister’s recommitment of £3 billion a year in military aid for as long as it takes for Ukraine to win. There is also a commitment to train Ukrainian troops throughout 2025 and to send more equipment, because that war is not just Ukraine’s, but all of ours. As Nicola Sturgeon mentioned, its outcome is key to the security of Europe and that of the UK. We cannot stand by while civilians die and international law is broken. I join Patrick Harvie and Nicola Sturgeon in stating that that principle must extend to conduct in Gaza and Palestine.

I join the cabinet secretary and others in noting the Scottish public’s support for our Ukrainian friends. Meghan Gallagher mentioned the thousands of Ukrainians that the Scottish public welcomed into their homes, and the thousands more who were welcomed through the supersponsor scheme. Last year, Edinburgh’s welcome hub in Gogarburn house opened, helping people settle here for the long term.

Claire Baker and Colin Beattie mentioned the work that the third sector and other organisations have done to support the settlement of Ukrainians in Scotland: volunteers met almost 4,000 refugees as they arrived in Edinburgh airport; Volunteer Edinburgh distributed thousands of welcome bags; and, earlier this year, South Queensferry’s Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk received an MBE for her work with Edinburgh’s AUGB raising millions in aid. The cabinet secretary noted AUGB’s Glasgow branch.

Members have recognised and reaffirmed that Scotland is a welcoming nation to those who are fleeing conflict or persecution, whether that be in Ukraine, Afghanistan or anywhere else. Two years into the invasion, we must continue to work to ensure that those people who have had to flee their country do not face destitution.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said that almost 300 homelessness applications have been made by Ukrainian households in the past year, which should be concerning to us all. We have done great work so far. The Scottish Government has many avenues of support to ensure that Ukrainians can integrate as best they can. In this debate, we have shown that Scotland’s support for the people of Ukraine has not faltered. To Ukrainians in Scotland, I say: know that you are welcome here and that we stand with you. In his address to Ukrainian nations, President Zelenskyy called for nations to continue to support Ukrainians’ efforts for a just and peaceful future. Scotland will continue to be one of those nations.

This news is deeply disappointing. We have known for years that the eye pavilion was not fit for purpose but patients will now face uncertainty, with rearranged appointments in unfamiliar places. The eye pavilion provides specialist care. If a patient experiences an emergency with their eye condition, the accident and emergency department at Edinburgh royal infirmary may not be able to meet their needs. Will the cabinet secretary say where patients will now be sent for urgent care?

The Scottish Government’s “General Practice Access Principles” states that GP practices should

“use digital resources ... where appropriate and when people choose, to meet people’s needs.”

Deaf people or those with anxiety may find it more difficult to book appointments over the phone, and services such as Near Me are not available everywhere. Does the Scottish Government have further plans to support GPs in adopting digital infrastructure where they are not able to provide such services?

Following warnings that Scotland faces a “cultural recession”, it was reported that Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government were in talks over the immediate future of arts organisations. With decisions on multiyear funding due only weeks away, will the First Minister reassure arts organisations and confirm when funding for Creative Scotland—which will enable it to make those long-term decisions—will be released and how large its budget will be?

What are the chances of asking for a parliamentary debate as well, as you mentioned?

I congratulate Gordon MacDonald on bringing the debate to the chamber. It is great to have the opportunity to pay tribute to an industry that employs so many and contributes so much to the Scottish economy.

The wholesale sector has shown much resilience in recent years, in responding to the challenges from the pandemic that have affected supply chains and, more recently, in navigating inflationary pressures. If we are to kick-start the growth of Scotland’s economy and promote the food and drink sector globally, the wholesale industry has a vital role to play.

The motion mentions £4.3 billion in gross value added, to which Edinburgh and Lothian contribute considerably. Edinburgh has up to 30,000 jobs in wholesale and retail, with wholesalers in meat, fish, bathroom products, beer, wine and shortbread, selling all those things to other local businesses. The wholesale sector has a large role to play in the promotion of local food and produce. I welcome the work of the Scottish Wholesale Association—I know that Gordon Macdonald has met its representatives recently—to boost local food producers, in particular through its local food and drink growth fund. That fund aims to increase the turnover of Scottish produce that is sold through Scottish wholesalers to 35 per cent, by supporting wholesalers in working closely with Scottish producers and manufacturers.

I also note the SWA’s delivering growth through wholesale scheme, which works to improve the understanding of the opportunities that the wholesale sector brings. Through wholesale, local food producers have the opportunity to bring their products to a wider audience, increasing their sales and providing more opportunities for growth.

It is positive that 30 per cent of Scottish wholesalers’ turnover is currently coming from Scottish products, as that money is being reinvested in the Scottish economy. I hope that that number will grow, but more needs to be done. There is great potential in the food and drink sector to drive economic growth and tourism. As part of brand Scotland, we should be doing all that we can to use our food and drink sector to promote Scotland as a global destination for premium products. Scotland leads the UK in food and drink product exports with salmon and whisky, and other Scottish products can be brought to the same level. The wholesale sector can play a role in that through selling local products, either at home or internationally. We need to ensure that we recognise the current value of the wholesale sector to the economy while, equally, recognising the sector’s great potential in promoting local food and drink.

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported reduction to the investing in communities fund and any impact on its aim of addressing poverty and disadvantage. (S6O-03741)

In July, third sector organisations were told, with little warning, that funding from the investing in communities fund would be cut by 5 per cent. Those organisations include the Larder in Edinburgh, which uses those funds to provide access to meals and to family and adult cookery classes.

Does cutting funds for third sector organisations align with the First Minister’s priority of tackling child poverty? Can the minister confirm whether there will be further cuts to the investing in communities fund?

Last year’s Hayward review, which we should hear about later today, noted that the impact on learners with disabilities and those with additional support needs should be considered in the creation of any new Scottish qualification. Can the minister outline whether the Scottish Government plans to review educational bodies to ensure that they are delivering a positive outcome for pupils with disabilities and those with additional support needs in developing that qualification?

I have been contacted by businesses, residents and visitors in Leith, Edinburgh regarding escalating issues of antisocial behaviour outside Newkirkgate shopping centre. It is becoming a common occurrence for assaults to take place and for needles to be left lying on the ground. Although the joined-up approach as set out in the review on antisocial behaviour is necessary, short-term action must also be taken. Can the minister advise how the Scottish Government is empowering the police to stop antisocial behaviour as it happens?