Chamber and committees

Maintaining close relationships with our friends in Europe and across the world is integral to building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary provide more of an update on the work of Scotland’s international offices in promoting Scottish interests overseas?

Hospitality businesses in Dundee have contacted me to express their concern about the impact of the new variant on trading over the festive period. Those businesses will welcome today’s announcement of £100 million in support from the Scottish Government.

However, does the First Minister agree that, while that support is welcome, today’s Treasury announcement of unspecified financial support just moments before this statement highlights yet again that, while we are in the grip of this horrible pandemic, the current funding arrangements across the UK are dysfunctional? Does she agree that greater certainty is required from Westminster, and quickly, not only for the Scottish Government but for businesses that are facing a festive period of challenge? The Scottish Government needs to press the UK Government for early clarity on that.

The minister is aware that, in my constituency, the Dundee cycle hub, which is operated by the Dundee and Angus Cycle Hub, is participating in one of the pilot projects by providing free bikes to school-age children in Dundee. Can he provide an indication of the number of bikes that have been, and are expected to be, provided to children in Dundee during the pilot?

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its pilots to provide free bicycles for school-age children. (S6O-00500)

I thank Paul McLennan for highlighting activism against gender-based violence. To mark the start of 16 days of activism on 25 November, hundreds gathered at a march to reclaim the night in Dundee. I pay tribute to the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre in particular for leading that event, as well as to all the other groups involved in making the march and other events a success.

I thank them not only for their contribution to the march, but for the work that they do every day of the year. They include the Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership, Dundee International Women’s Centre, Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland, the university societies and local secondary schools across Dundee. I also pay tribute to the V&A Dundee, Police Scotland, the Dundee city churches, the Hot Chocolate Trust, Dundee City Council, Leisure and Culture Dundee, Dundee Contemporary Arts and the University of Dundee for hosting workshops and lighting prominent buildings in our city to mark the occasion. I also pay tribute to all those across Dundee, elsewhere in Scotland and around the world who lit candles, torches and lights to make sure that the day was properly remembered and recognised.

Over the 16 days, there have been arts and crafts classes and musical events all over Dundee, and I know that that kind of activity has been replicated across Scotland and around the world. The buzz created by those events has been immense. However, it is crucial to remember why the 16-day event is required. While all that incredible work has been going on, I have been contacted by constituents who have reported women being spiked by injection in licensed premises in Dundee. There have been newspaper reports of further cases, and I know that Police Scotland is investigating several complaints. Members across the chamber will no doubt have received similar correspondence.

We know from work published by the United Nations that one in three women worldwide—an estimated 736 million—have experienced physical or sexual violence. We also know that the consequences of such violence are often devastating for those women. We know that 15 million adolescent girls—aged 15 to 19—worldwide have experienced forced sex. We know that an average of 137 women are killed by a member of their own family every day. We know that fewer than 40 per cent of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort. We know that violence against women disproportionately impacts on lower-income areas.

Those are just some of the horrifying numbers reported by the United Nations. They make for hugely uncomfortable reading, particularly for the men in the chamber and in society. Behind every one of those statistics is a woman. We must endeavour to remember that and to make a difference. Although not all men commit violence against women, it is incumbent on all of us, as many members have said, to call out such violence and help to end it.

I join Paul O’Kane and colleagues across the chamber in making the White Ribbon Scotland pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms.

The First Minister will be aware of calls from the People’s Vaccine Alliance for action to tackle vaccine inequality and ensure that life-saving vaccinations are given across the globe. Given that this is a global pandemic that requires a global response, will the First Minister join me in urging Boris Johnson to take action, including backing proposals to waive intellectual property rules, to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines to protect the health of people around the world?

One of the projects that the cabinet secretary mentioned is the Tay cities biomedical cluster project, which the Scottish Government is funding to the tune of £25 million, as part of the Tay cities region deal. That will build on the University of Dundee’s world-class expertise in life sciences research, including drug discovery and medical technologies innovation. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on the potential job creation and expected economic benefit to the Dundee economy from that particular project?

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Tay cities region deal is having on Dundee. (S6O-00471)

I understand that a significant number of my constituents are affected by the serious issue that Mr Marra raised. They will be understandably concerned. They will also be hugely disappointed by his politicisation of the issue and will welcome Dundee City Council’s commitment to a full, independent, external review. Will the minister use his position to seek assurances from the council that it will rectify the issues as quickly as possible and with as little disruption as possible to the people affected?

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to reported calls for licensees to be required to provide alcohol sales data to their local licensing board. (S6O-00398)