Chamber and committees

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it believes the United Kingdom Government’s spring statement will have on the provision of social security in Scotland. (S6O-04538)

New analysis from the London School of Economics has found that the UK Government could lift 700,000 children out of poverty overnight if it were to match Scotland’s investment in social security. Poverty campaigners are crying out for the backward Labour UK Government to get its priorities right and look to Scotland instead of slashing benefits and putting renewed financial pressure on devolved budgets. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on any communication with her UK counterparts to ensure that our work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland is not undermined further by Westminster austerity?

It is vital that Scotland sees the maximum economic benefit from the renewables revolution, particularly through the establishment of a strong Scottish supply chain to support green jobs up and down the country. Can the minister say any more about how the Scottish Government is working to encourage regional growth and sustainable job creation across Scotland?

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps that it is taking to encourage investment in Scotland’s green economy. (S6O-04481)

The Scottish Government has almost doubled direct investment in mental health services across Scotland since 2020-21. Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government will ensure that the crucial mental health funding in the 2025-26 budget will allow more community-based support for teenage mental health to be put in place?

I thank my colleagues for supporting the motion to allow the debate to take place, and I thank everyone who is contributing to the debate this evening.

Before I begin, I welcome to the Scottish Parliament our distinguished guests: the newly elected president of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, Keith Carroll; the European Showmen’s Union president, Albert Ritter; the junior vice-president of the Showmen’s Guild and vice-president of the European Showmen’s Union, Alex James Colquhoun; the general secretary of the ESU, Steve Severeyns; and the general secretary of the Showmen’s Guild, Joe Mercer. I offer a very warm welcome to you all, and to all the national representatives of the European countries who are attending tonight. I am delighted to welcome you to Scotland as you gather here for the European Showmen’s Union congress 2025.

The congress is an important event for those in the fairground and amusement park industry, offering a space for learning, discussing issues and strengthening connections across Europe. It brings together some of the most talented, hard-working and creative people and gives a voice to showmen at a European level.

Scotland is a country that understands the power of entertainment and community. From the ancient gatherings around fires to our music and our cultural celebration, the Scots have always cherished the shared experiences that bring people together. Showpeople are the custodians of that rich cultural tradition, innovators who have adapted to changing times and contributors to Scotland’s vibrant social fabric. The travelling fairs and shows that they represent are woven into the fabric of Scottish and European culture. Their work carries forward centuries-old traditions while adapting to the modern era and the changing tastes of audiences.

In Scotland, as in the rest of Europe, the shows have brought joy to villages, towns and cities, which have embraced them as part of a collective heritage. As a proud Langtonian, I have a strong affinity with the shows and the showpeople. The links market in my home town of Kirkcaldy is not only Europe’s longest street fair but the oldest in Scotland, with a history that dates back over 700 years. Originally a farmers and traders market, the links market has evolved over the centuries from amusements such as bare-knuckle fighting and rollercoasters built on platforms of old beer and lemonade crates, with showmen running cables directly into local residents’ homes and paying £1 a week for the privilege, to the wide range of fairground rides, food stalls and games that we see today. One thing has remained constant throughout this time: the market’s attraction and appeal to both locals and tourists.

When I was a boy, there was no more exciting time for me than when the trucks rolled into town, pulled on to the esplanade and started to get ready for the opening. The atmosphere and the sounds and smells instilled in me an immediate excitement and filled me with anticipation for the fun that lay ahead. Every year, for that one week in April, the esplanade became the most magical place on earth. The school bell could not ring soon enough for us. Every single day, my friends and I would race home and then race straight back out the door to soak it all in and experience the thrills once again. A fair bit of skipping school may also have taken place, but obviously I did not do that. For me, the links market perfectly showcases the enduring popularity of fairs and the unique skills and dedication of our showpeople. As I got older and had a family of my own, I saw the exact same magic and excitement reflected in my family’s eyes.

In the Kirkcaldy constituency, we also have the Burntisland shows, which arrive in May and stay until mid-August every year. Dating back to the 1500s, the shows are another much-anticipated and much-loved fixture in Fife’s calendar. They are held on Burntisland links, just yards away from the town’s award-winning beach, making them the perfect destination for a family fun day out.

The history of the European Showmen’s Union is a story of dedication, unity and pride. For centuries, travelling showmen have captivated audiences, young and old alike, with feats of daring, mechanical marvels and the joy of performance. From the medieval fairs that dotted Europe’s countryside to the grand exhibitions of the 19th and 20th centuries, showmen have long been innovators and pioneers. In the late 19th century, as industrialisation transformed Europe, travelling showmen began to organise themselves to protect their way of life and ensure the endurance of their art. It was at that time that the European Showmen’s Union was born out of a shared commitment to preserving the traditions of travelling entertainment while adapting to the demands of a rapidly changing world. It became a voice for showmen across borders, offering support, representation and advocacy.

The union’s history is filled with inspiring examples of resilience. Through wars, economic hardships and technological revolutions, showmen have remained steadfast in their mission to bring joy to people of all ages and backgrounds. When times have been tough, the community has stood together, demonstrating remarkable solidarity. The most recent example of that was during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the fairground industries faced unprecedented challenges and showmen from across Europe had to find innovative ways to sustain their businesses and communities in the toughest of times and circumstances. In 2020 alone, at least 522 established fairs and around 150 other events in Scotland were cancelled. That unprecedented halt not only affected the livelihoods of showmen but disrupted cultural traditions and community cohesion.

In 2011, the Scottish Showmen’s Guild cross-party group was established in Parliament to address the challenges faced by showpeople. Since then, it has worked hard to provide a forum for opinion and information sharing about the guild, and it has facilitated discussions on many issues with Government officials, ministers and other agencies. I currently convene the group, and I am very proud to do so.

In Scotland, our fairgrounds and travelling shows have created countless opportunities for employment and have become an integral part of our tourism sector. Their presence enriches not only our cultural life but our economic vitality. Unfortunately, however, a great number of challenges still exist for travelling showpeople. On a personal level, that can include limited access to appropriate places in which to live, limited access to services and facilities, poorer health outcomes, poorer educational achievement, and even abuse and discrimination.

At an industry level, issues include low-emission zone exemptions and regulatory and licensing challenges. The work of the cross-party group highlights the often inconsistent approach and practices of local authorities. As a consequence, work is now under way between the Showmen’s Guild, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Government to showcase best practice, aiming to achieve a fairer and more consistent approach to funfair licensing. I mention that not only because it is a valuable piece of work that I believe will make a considerable difference to the lives of showpeople, but because the approach in Fife has been hailed as best practice. The regulatory team in Fife Council, which is headed by the fabulous Gillian Love, has long been recognised by the Showmen’s Guild as a team of people who just get it and are always a pleasure to work alongside. I was delighted for Gillian and her team when that hard work was recognised with an award from the guild at its annual luncheon.

At present, we have 32 local authorities charging various amounts for licences. A freedom of information request that was submitted by the cross-party group in 2023 found that the cost of licences ranged from £21 to quite literally thousands of pounds. The length of time to process applications also varies, which often leaves showpeople very anxious and in a frustrating position. That simply cannot continue, and I, along with my fellow CPG members, will continue to do everything in our power to bring about positive change.

I say to members that the next time they hear the music of a carousel or see the twinkling lights of a fairground, they should take a moment to think about the history behind it—the creativity, determination and hard work that have gone on for centuries, and which continue to go on, to create that magic. The story of showpeople is one of creativity, perseverance and passion—it is a story that deserves our admiration and respect.

Before I finish, I express my deepest gratitude to all the showpeople for the work that they do. Their dedication, creativity and passion enrich our lives in ways that words cannot fully capture. They remind us of the joy that can be found in simple pleasures, the wonder that comes from shared experiences and the importance of preserving tradition while embracing change.

To the European Showmen’s Union, I say thank you for choosing Scotland as the host for your 2025 congress. We are honoured to have the opportunity to celebrate your achievements, learn from your experiences and work together to ensure a bright future for your industry. I hope that, during your time here, you will feel the warmth of Scottish hospitality, enjoy our rich culture and history and leave with lasting memories of your visit. [Applause.]

It is welcome that, a number of years ago, Scotland—ahead of parts of the UK—fully adopted the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation to screen all individuals between the ages of 50 and 74. Will the First Minister advise how the Scottish Government will continue to invest in screening services, alongside endoscopy and urology services, to support patients across Scotland?

Does the cabinet secretary agree that ScotRail must retain the operational independence that is necessary for it when responding to emerging situations, such as in relation to the availability of drivers and trains, and keeping trains running? Can she set out the importance of links between Fife and Edinburgh and how the Scottish National Party Government is committed to maintaining and improving them?

As deputy convener, I am pleased to close this important debate on behalf of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, and I thank colleagues across the chamber for their contributions this afternoon. I also offer my thanks to the committee clerks and to the Scottish Parliament information centre for their assistance along the way. Our inquiry was in-depth and it involved a number of complex issues, and their contributions to the process were invaluable, as always. Thanks must also be given to everyone who took the time to give evidence to the committee, including individuals, organisations, community councils, cabinet secretaries and former First Ministers. All those submissions were key to helping to inform our work and scrutiny.

The A9 is a key arterial route that is often referred to as Scotland’s spine, as it links the Highlands with the rest of the country. In addition to being a popular tourist route, this trunk road is a key economic route that helps to ensure the delivery of essential supplies to rural communities. It is likely to see a further increase in the volume of traffic as investment and growth, particularly that which is aligned to our national transition to net zero, continues in the region.

I speak as someone who regularly travels on the A9, though perhaps not as often as colleagues including Emma Roddick, Fergus Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Edward Mountain and Jamie Halcro Johnston, who have shared their experiences and those of their constituents of tragic and terrifying collisions on the route. Like others, I commend the petitioner, Laura Hansler, for her pragmatic and persistent approach to pursuing this important matter.

Over the course of the debate, we have heard about the impact that the failure to dual the A9 has had on communities across the Highlands and rural Perthshire. That frequently occurs in the form of long diversions and delays each time the road is closed to allow emergency services to respond to an incident. Those situations are not only frustrating for those relying on the road to get around but, as others have highlighted, now spark a sense of dread among those living closest to the road that the sound of the sirens means that another life may have been lost.

Although much of our inquiry and the contributions that we have heard in the debate have focused on the practicalities of the dualling programme, it is also important to reflect on the petition’s call for a national memorial. Paragraph 160 of the committee’s report states:

“The Committee recommends that the Scottish Government consult on the proposal for a national memorial”.

The primary motivation for dualling the A9 has always been to address road safety concerns on a route that has developed a reputation as one of Scotland’s most dangerous roads, and we heard today from Emma Harper, Maurice Golden and Mark Ruskell about that.

Since the A9 opened to traffic in the late 1970s, more than 330 people have died on the section between Perth and Inverness, and the majority of those fatalities involved a head-on collision of vehicles. We heard from road safety experts that dual carriageway roads can vastly reduce the risk of head-on collisions because they tend to involve the use of barriers, which prevent crossover, and the configuration of junctions to allow traffic to more safely join and exit the road.

During the course of our inquiry, 11 people lost their lives in incidents on the A9—a powerful reminder to all of us of how essential it is that the dualling be completed. On behalf of the committee, I extend my condolences to all those who have been impacted by fatalities on that route, and I urge the Government to work with Laura Hansler on the proposal for a lasting memorial to those who have been injured or killed on the A9.

We have also heard that completing the dualling programme as quickly as possible would be a fitting tribute to those who have lost their lives on the route. Without repeating the points that many colleagues, such as Foysol Choudhury and Emma Roddick, have made this afternoon, I will focus the remainder of my remarks on a key theme that ran throughout our inquiry—how the programme is funded.

The evidence that we heard indicated that, from the outset, there had always been an expectation that a mix of capital and private finance would be used to deliver the dualling programme. A key difficulty arose in 2014, when the non-profit distribution model was reclassified as public rather than private finance, and, although the progress on statutory process at that stage meant that no immediate decision on procurement was required, documents that we received indicated that, by 2017, officials were impressing on ministers the need to agree a procurement approach that would ensure that the 2025 target date would remain achievable.

By 2018, the options that were being presented to ministers indicated that, without a readily available alternative to NPD, a fully capitally funded approach would be required to ensure that the programme remained on track for completion in 2025. Of course, we now know that a combination of issues—including challenging financial circumstances, delays to agreeing a suitable procurement option and the availability of up-front capital to progress the dualling—resulted in the admission from the Scottish Government that the 2025 target was no longer achievable.

As other members have commented, the Government has now published a revised delivery plan that suggests that A9 dualling will be delivered within the original estimate of £3 billion. The cabinet secretary has spoken of a Cabinet decision to prioritise completion of the dualling programme within the Scottish Government budget.

The committee has tentatively welcomed that information. I say “tentatively” because, although the Scottish Government refers to “certainty” in response to our recommendations for clarity on the funding for A9 dualling, we are aware that procurement of the north and central sections, using mutual investment model contracts, is subject to on-going due diligence and further decision making, which is expected later this year.

As our report set out, we remain concerned about what will happen should that due diligence determine that MIM contracts are not suitable, and we continue to seek clarity from the Government on what contingency plans are being put in place to ensure that funding will be available when it needs to be and that the 2035 completion date will not be negatively impacted by a change in approach to procurement of the remaining sections.

The cabinet secretary also referred to the need to follow annual budget practices, which we acknowledge, but she can be left in little doubt, following the contributions from Fergus Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Rhoda Grant and Emma Roddick, that members across the Parliament will be knocking on her and the finance secretary’s doors if funding is not in place to deliver the swift completion of the A9 dualling programme.

As the convener, Maurice Golden and many other speakers have said this afternoon, we believe that transparency is essential to rebuilding public confidence in the programme. I very much welcome the commitment from Transport Scotland to provide six-monthly updates on the progress of the dualling programme to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and to other interested members of the Scottish Parliament. As was the commitment from current and former members of the Scottish Government with regard to the importance of parliamentary scrutiny, routine and regular sharing of information is key to addressing concerns about the transparency of decision making on major projects such as those. To enable that scrutiny to take place, we recommend that, in addition to six-monthly updates from Transport Scotland, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport provide statements to Parliament at key milestones that are aligned to the delivery plan that was published in December 2023.

No one wants to be standing here in 10 years’ time, still discussing this issue. Members have heard from the convener and me that we strongly believe that enhanced parliamentary scrutiny has an important role to play in driving momentum on the programme. The level of engagement with our report and today’s debate demonstrates the appetite of members to undertake that scrutiny, and I look forward to working with colleagues throughout the remainder of this parliamentary session, and perhaps the next, to support the effort and ensure that the commitment to fully dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness is successfully delivered.

The Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal is designed to boost the region and create vital jobs. Will the Deputy First Minister say more about the plans for the funding package and how that will help to grow the regional economy?