Chamber and committees

I was contacted by a constituent with epilepsy, who is not eligible for a driving licence. For identification, they use the CitizenCard, which is part of the proof of age standards scheme. However, they find themselves refused service from many places that have a blanket policy for ID. Does the First Minister share my concern that my constituent is being unfairly treated due to their condition? Will he direct ministers to improve acceptance of the CitizenCard for those people who do not have a driving licence?

Heavy industry and manufacturing are woven into Scotland’s economic and social history, from shipbuilding in Leith to brewing on the site of this Parliament, and Edinburgh’s history of manufacturing and industry continues today, with life science businesses in the BioQuarter creating life-saving drugs.

The manufacturing sector is vital to Scotland’s economy: each year, it adds more than £15 billion in value, and it employs more than 150,000 people. Those industries are also strategically important, now more than ever given international events. Although I was not able to attend last week’s debate on the international situation, I was able to read some members’ remarks, such as those of my colleague Daniel Johnson regarding globalisation. Donald Trump’s tariffs show that it is clear that the game has changed. I will not go as far as to say that globalisation is dead, but our strategy should reflect the new reality.

That requires taking action to protect manufacturing and industries that are based in Scotland and are creating resilient supply chains for our businesses, which have seen shocks in recent years. In that regard, I welcome the action that the UK Government has taken to protect Grangemouth and to save British Steel at Scunthorpe. It has kept the blast furnaces running, saved skilled jobs and prevented another one of our industries from being moved abroad.

Had that not been done, the UK would have been the only country in the G7 without steel-making capabilities, which, during a time of growing uncertainty in which we are increasing our defence capabilities, would not have been good for our autonomy or for Scotland’s industry.

The UK Labour Government’s investment in Grangemouth and support for project willow also shows how state intervention can protect industries. The £200 million of investment to secure jobs and ensure that Grangemouth is fit for the future should not be scoffed at. That is decisive action to support the industry in the long term, whereas the SNP knew about the issues for years but did nothing. Standing by as all that happened and then turning round, after all the work is done, and calling for nationalisation is simply not serious. With project willow, we have an opportunity to protect jobs, grow new industries and deliver a just transition. Governments should be working together to achieve that, not creating grievance where there was none.

As changes in global trade happen, we need not only to protect our manufacturing and industrial base but to take advantage of changing trade flows in order to expand it. In decades past, businesses offshored their manufacturing to other countries, moving jobs away from Scotland, but times have changed. Previously, it cost £4,500 to ship a 40-foot container from China, but it now costs £18,000. Supply chains are vulnerable to shocks—members will recognise the number of shortages that we have had in recent years.

In the new global trading environment, manufacturing might begin to return to where customers are. A report from Medius shows that 58 per cent of manufacturers have started to reshore their supply chains and move production back to the UK. In addition, a PwC survey of senior manufacturing executives found that 57 per cent said that they would increase investment in the UK in response to a long-term industrial strategy. The Scottish Government should look at how we can take advantage of those trends and reverse the decades-long decline in manufacturing, rather than offshoring ferry contracts to Poland.

Given the global situation, we should be protecting Scottish industry. I am pleased that the UK Labour Government stepped up to that task and secured Grangemouth’s future. I hope that the SNP will work with the UK Government to deliver project willow and take advantage of the global situation by bringing manufacturing to Scotland through a real industrial strategy.

Community energy projects are key for our journey to net zero and putting money back into local economies. Last year, Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative saved the City of Edinburgh Council £1 million in energy costs and its members money on their bills. In the light of that, will the cabinet secretary join me in welcoming the £5 million investment from Great British Energy into community energy in Scotland? Will she provide further details on how that investment will be delivered to projects such as Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative?

To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging the growth of community energy projects. (S6O-04565)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to promote the benefits of volunteering, in light of the recent research from Volunteer Scotland indicating that regular participation in volunteering can have wellbeing benefits worth approximately £1,000 per person per year. (S6O-04537)

Given the concerning fall in volunteering participation, we must ensure that volunteers are treated well and that standards are upheld. Will the cabinet secretary advise how the Scottish Government is ensuring that funding for third sector organisations supports volunteers’ involvement that is aligned with the principles of the volunteer charter? Will she join me and representatives from volunteer organisations at the next meeting of the Parliament’s cross-party group on volunteering to discuss the issues that the sector faces?

You have answered part of my next question, but can you give us an indication of when residents of those villages can expect to see the bypass completed?

Good morning, cabinet secretary. What reassurance can you offer the petitioner that the upgrade of the A75 as outlined in STPR2 will be delivered in a timely manner and will be sufficient to meet the needs of road users and local communities?

Cabinet secretary, what other assurance can you give to ensure that such a project will not cause any further delays or significant inconvenience to A75 road users?

I agree with you, convener. We should write to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and we should keep the petition open until then.