Chamber and committees

Is it not interesting that the Labour Party and the Labour leader are rather silent on the question of employer national insurance contributions? That is a classic example of the Westminster Government acting in a fashion that will damage the delivery of health and social care in Scotland. [Interruption.]

It would be a brave individual who suggested that Christine Grahame should be diplomatic on any day of the week, and I certainly do not intend to go into that particular abyss.

Christine Grahame raises an important issue because, if there were to be tariffs of the type that she set out, that would be very damaging to key sectors of the Scottish economy, of which probably the strongest example would be the Scotch whisky industry. That is why, although I entirely understand that people will have very strong views about President Trump, it is my duty as First Minister of Scotland to ensure that I take every step that I can to protect the economic and national interests of Scotland. That is why, should that situation arise, I will engage emphatically to protect the interests of Scotland and to engage with the President of the United States if it is necessary to do so.

I hope that we do not end up in that situation, because Scotland and the United States enjoy and experience a strong and long-lasting relationship, and I want that to continue to thrive in the years to come.

I recognise the significant harm that can be caused by such images—especially to women, who are often the victims. The publication, distribution or sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images or videos without consent can currently be prosecuted using the offence concerning disclosure of intimate images.

The development of artificial intelligence means that creating such images is easier than ever. It is a growing problem, which we take very seriously. Therefore, we are carefully considering whether specific legislation is required to provide greater protection to those who are at risk of image-based abuse. That work includes giving consideration to United Kingdom Government plans to criminalise the creation of deepfake images being extended to Scotland. That would require legislative consent, and we are open to working with the UK Government on it.

Yes. I agree with that point from Pauline McNeill. She makes an important point about the pace at which the threat has arisen. The answer of substance that I gave was based on the fact that, in 2016, this Parliament passed the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, which provides for the action that I set out in my answer. However, it is just nine years later, and the situation that Pauline McNeill has put to me demonstrates the pace at which roll-out of technology is happening.

The UK Government has said that it intends to amend the Data (Use and Access) Bill to criminalise those who create artificial images either for sexual gratification or to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. There is perhaps an opportunity to move at pace because of what the UK Government has done and because it has a legislative vehicle available for us to utilise legislative consent to make urgent progress on the question. I give Pauline McNeill the assurance that the Government will engage constructively with the UK Government, with urgency, to ensure that that is the case.

I am happy to provide Mr Mundell with a substantive response to the points that he has raised. Our enterprise agencies do a very good job of securing investment and working with companies to create employment. They have a formidable track record of success.

There will, however, be ventures that do not come to fruition. Members who have any understanding of the economy understand that there is risk; some ventures succeed and some ventures do not. However, I am assured and confident that our enterprise agencies do a fantastic job in attracting investment to our country, and we should all applaud the work that they undertake.

Yes, I do. The health secretary and I are deeply engaged in ensuring that there is effective leadership in place to support the national health service to recover from the implications of Covid some years ago and the severe implications of the flu that we have experienced in recent weeks. We are entirely focused on the challenge.

Oh, I think that I have touched—[Interruption.]

We are taking a number of steps, some of which involve investing in the bus fleet. We are trying to lower the carbon footprint of that fleet through the investments that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport is taking forward. We are, obviously, very pleased with how the under-22s concessionary travel system is operating, because that has provided social mobility and opportunity for young people across the country and made a real difference to their lives.

I understand the proposals put forward by the Green Party and the benefits that would arise from being able to implement those proposals. They were not included in the Government’s budget in December, but I give Lorna Slater the assurance that they will be seriously considered by the Government as we move forward with our budget preparations.

If Meghan Gallacher provides me with her constituent’s address, I will happily write to convey the apology that I have put on the record in the Parliament today, because I think that what happened is unacceptable. However, I have also explained to the Parliament the enormous pressures that the health service is enduring because of the significant upsurge in winter flu cases that we have experienced in recent weeks.

The situation that was reported to me and the health secretary on Monday is an improved situation. The pressure is less intense. That should not be confused with there being no pressure, because there remains significant pressure on the national health service, but the health secretary and I are entirely focused on making sure that we address those issues, and we will continue to do so, because it is essential that we focus on what matters to the people of Scotland. That is about improving the health service, which is what we are committed to doing.

On Wednesday, I had a round-table discussion with the health secretary and a range of health stakeholders, some of whom represent employees in the national health service. The author of the survey that Mr Sarwar cited to me last week—the Royal College of Nursing—was represented around the table. It is important to note that I heard directly from those who represent some of the workforce.

That is not the last discussion that we will have in Bute house about the national health service. We made that clear earlier in the week. If Jackie Baillie had been paying as much attention to my press output as Anas Sarwar has, she would have heard that there will be more round-table discussions in Bute house. I will be delighted for Unison, the GMB and other unions to participate. I suspect that they will make a more constructive contribution than Jackie Baillie ever will.