Chamber and committees

Russell Findlay might be in a slightly stronger position to argue his case—[Interruption.]

It is essential that young lawyers who are emerging into the legal profession enter a variety of elements of that profession. The points that Pauline McNeill has made in that respect are absolutely valid.

Evidence from the Scottish Legal Aid Board shows that cases that involve allegations of domestic abuse are coming through the judicial system. That is welcome, because it is important for those who are reporting potential crimes to see those crimes pursued as part of the judicial system.

The Government will engage actively on questions in relation to the future of legal aid. We recognise that reform is needed in the legal aid system, which is why our document “The Vision for Justice in Scotland” contains an action plan to reform it. We will take forward the actions that are set out in that document.

I do not think that I could commit to earlier publication of the project willow report. In essence, that is why, in my answer to Michelle Thomson, I argued for more time to reach a situation where other credible opportunities can be pursued. Such opportunities take time to develop. From the Government’s perspective, the important point is that the closure of the refinery needs to be delayed. That is the Scottish Government’s position.

With regard to other potential proposals, I have set out to Parliament the importance that I see in the investment in the Acorn carbon capture and storage project, which would provide significant opportunities to the Grangemouth site. I was very disappointed that we did not get any progress on the issue in the United Kingdom budget in late October. I made that point again to the Prime Minister, because I believe that the Acorn project would provide us with significant opportunity to take forward and address Mr Kerr’s significant point.

I am profoundly sorry to hear what the survivors of abuse at Fornethy house endured and the impact that abuse has had on their lives. I again praise the courage of the survivors in sharing their experiences.

Scotland’s redress scheme was designed primarily for vulnerable children who were in long-term care, often isolated, with limited or no contact with their families. Children who were resident on a short-term basis were not in that position. The eligibility criteria for the redress scheme were extensively debated during the passage of the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021, and the eligibility criteria were included in the purpose of the scheme.

That does not diminish the heartbreaking abuse that the Fornethy survivors faced. The Deputy First Minister met the survivors to explain the decision to them directly and will continue to engage with them.

Those issues will be considered as part of parliamentary consideration of the budget, which will come after 4 December, when the finance secretary sets out our proposals to the Parliament.

During the week, I got a letter from Mr Findlay setting out the financial propositions of the Conservative Party. On the one side, Mr Findlay argued for a tax cut that would cost, in his estimation—not mine—£1 billion, or £1,000 million. On the other side, Mr Findlay gave me a paragraph about the savings that will be delivered to achieve his £1,000 million tax cut. Those savings amounted to a grand total of £53.74 million. There is a £950 million gaping hole in Mr Findlay’s arguments to me this week. Do not dare come here and lecture me about public finances with the ineptitude that you demonstrated in your letter to me this week.

Obviously, in any circumstances of that nature, the Government’s commitment is to the fair work principles, which should be applied in all circumstances by all employers in Scotland. I encourage the employer who is involved in the case that Mr Johnson puts to me to do exactly that.

I understand the point that Mr Gibson puts to me. The provision of access to post office services in communities is crucial in ensuring that there is an effective network available. We will certainly make sure that the representations that Mr Gibson has made to me today are taken up with the United Kingdom Government, so that all constituents, especially those to whom Mr Gibson referred, have access to a viable and effective network of postal services in Scotland that meets their needs.

I am happy to associate myself with Mr Whittle’s comments. Last Friday morning, as part of the lead-up to carers week, I met a group of carers’ representatives in my constituency. I listened with care to the issues that they raised with me.

The Government has put in place, for example, measures to support short-term breaks for carers and measures to enhance carers allowance. We will reflect on such issues as we consider the contents of the Government’s budget.

I agree whole-heartedly with Mr Whittle that the contribution that is made by carers is absolutely fundamental to the delivery of care support in households and communities around the country. We simply could not provide the level of care that is provided by unpaid carers to support their loved ones and our society in these days.

There are two points that I would make in response to Mr Findlay’s question. The first is on the question of fiscal sustainability. The Government has balanced the budget for every one of the 17 years that it has been in power and, as a consequence, we have lived within our means on every occasion that we have had a budget to balance.

The second point that I would make is on the question of transparency around the financial challenges that are facing the Parliament. I do not think that anyone listening to anything that ministers have said over the past 14 years could have in any way escaped the reality we have set out that the fiscal constraint of the austerity of the Conservatives has put unbearable burdens on our public finances and that this Government has delivered against that formidably difficult climate.

The Scottish Government does not support the changes that are being made to the work capability assessment. We will take forward dialogue and engagement with the UK Government to advance the concerns that disabled people’s organisations have put to us and that Rona Mackay has powerfully articulated in Parliament today and we will act to ensure that we provide the necessary support for those who face such challenges.