Chamber and committees

If any changes are to be made to the data that is required under the reporting requirement, do you have thoughts on whether further regulations would be made through an affirmative instrument? Do you have any opinions about how changes to data gathering might need to be legislated for?

I have another wee question on what you said about reporting. Do you think that it would be too much to require annual reporting, given that that data can already be pulled out?

Good morning to the minister and Mr Wilson. I am interested in a couple of questions around the annual reporting and review requirements. Section 4 of the bill is entitled “Annual reports by Scottish Ministers”. I am interested to know what your views are on the responsibilities of ministers with regard to annual reporting on, and review of, the bill if it is enacted.

Many members across the chamber recognise the serious threats that rural crime poses to the communities that we represent. Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government is delivering on its commitment to continue to work with Police Scotland and the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime in order to develop and implement strategies to combat those who perpetrate rural crime, such as equipment theft?

I congratulate ma guid freend—and, if I can yaise a Doric word, ma guid quine—Jackie Dunbar on securing this debate on global intergenerational week, which runs from 24 April to 31 April this year.

This is the second time that Ms Dunbar has led a debate on the issue, and she has aptly covered many important aspects of intergenerational working and the wider global movement, which is now in its sixth year.

The meaning of “intergenerational” has changed hugely over our lifetimes—indeed, we might say that it has changed across successive generations. The days of three or four generations of a single family living on the same street or in the same district and engaging with and learning from one another are almost entirely at an end. Mobility—social and physical—has gradually eroded that way of life, and we need to re-engage to assist generations to work together.

The point of generations working together is to leverage the diverse experiences and perspectives of each generation, fostering a richer learning and growth environment for everyone involved.

I remember participating as a relatively new MSP in a previous members’ business debate on intergenerational issues, which was led by Christine Grahame MSP, who is sitting across the aisle from me. It inspired me, and Christine Grahame inspired me. Indeed, it was obvious that she had captured my interest, as one of the first actions that I pursued following the debate was to find out what intergenerational engagement work was taking place in Dumfries and Galloway, which is part of my South Scotland region.

There is, indeed, intergenerational work taking place in Dumfries and Galloway. For example, Kerry Little from Mallory Nurseries in Dumfries takes pre-school children to the older persons day centre at Cumberland Street for intergenerational engagement. Intergenerational working might sound quite lofty—it is a bit of a mouthful—but what takes place at the day centre was quite simple to achieve. The wee ones were guided to play and interact with the older adults, and there was much mirth and joy.

The home page of the Generations Working Together website states:

“Together, let’s celebrate the power of connection. Relationships between older and younger people are not just ‘nice’ but essential.”

The website is full of information about events, workshops and activities, as well as online training. In addition, there is a global intergenerational week promotional video. It is worth watching, as it outlines the benefits, including mentoring, and notes the positive effect of confidence building and the reduction of isolation and loneliness among participants.

I note that this year’s theme is intergenerational learning, and that the aim is to highlight the findings of the World Health Organization’s “Global Report on Ageism”. As Jackie Dunbar’s motion states, the report

“outlines the negative impact of ageism on society and recommends education as a key strategy”

to address that.

I have my intergenerational guide with me. I will make sure that I read it later and pay attention to what it says.

Last September, I presented the welcome address at an intergenerational workshop at the Dumfries & Galloway Carers Centre. There were many attendees from third sector organisations.

I am pleased to inform members about some of the excellent work that is going on in D&G. Just this morning, I read that children at the Johnston Nursery in Kirkcudbright participated in an intergenerational event. The nursery is collaborating with Meeting Centres Scotland to create an intergenerational and dementia-friendly meeting space in the nursery. I note that the children took the lead on a brilliantly relevant bridge-building challenge. The challenge, which was to build a bridge strong enough for a toy car to cross, was reported as

“an enjoyable and inclusive activity that fostered teamwork.”

In addition, the Galloway Action Team charity in Stranraer is delivering intergenerational work, responding to local people’s needs and building the skills of the volunteers, supporting them to continue to integrate with locals.

Today’s debate is a good way of raising awareness of what generations working together means, conveying the positives six years on from the first global intergenerational week and valuing the importance of intergenerational working.

It is essential that we strike the right balance between our net zero obligations and ensuring energy affordability, particularly in communities with older, colder homes in rural areas such as Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders. Will the minister say a bit more about how the Scottish Government is engaging with stakeholders and local communities, including rural ones, to ensure that the balance is struck?

What discussions has the Scottish Government had with Dumfries and Galloway Council, Transport Scotland and partners regarding the closure of Kirkcudbright bridge, which is causing massive disruption for everyone in the town? As well as impacting lifeline services, it will have an impact on the busy tourist season ahead. What practical support can be offered to enable the bridge to be repaired and reopened or even replaced?

I have follow-ups that are kind of linked to the A75 and the A77, so I can wait.

Thanks, convener, and thank you for again giving me a wee bit of time to ask a couple of questions. Obviously, I am interested in both the A75 and the A77; I have asked questions in the chamber about them. I am really pleased to hear that so many people turned out for the village hall meeting at Crocketford—they will be happy that progress is being made.

I know that Belfast Harbour, P&O and Stena Line worked together on the “Safer, Greener, Better” document and looked at the facts and figures with regard to how the A75 and the A77 upgrades will benefit holidaymakers, hauliers and even commuters in relation to Cairnryan and Ireland. As we develop the two projects for Springholm and Crocketford, what are the next steps? Is there a hierarchy of or a priority for next projects—either the A75 or the A77, for example? Are teams continuously looking at what is next? I know Matt Halliday and I know Donald McHarrie really well, and I am sure that they will be happy to hear about current progress, but continuing to look to the future is part of that, too.

The ferry crossing between Cairnryan and Larne or Belfast does not close due to weather as often as those from Holyhead or the other ports close. It is also the shortest crossing. For me, that is a good selling point for Cairnryan and emphasises its importance to the central belt economy, which you mentioned. I was not able to get the closure information—I was told that it was commercially sensitive—but we need to value the fact that the Cairnryan to Larne or Belfast crossing stays open and is the fastest crossing.