Contents
- Portfolio Question Time
- Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
- Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
- Business Motions
- Parliamentary Bureau Motions
- Decision Time
- 12 Days of Debtmas Campaign
Portfolio Question Time
Culture and External Affairs
Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions, and the first set of questions is on culture and external affairs.
I regret that Ken Macintosh, who lodged question 1, does not appear to be in the chamber.
Scottish Diaspora (Cultural Initiatives)
2. To ask the Scottish Government how it is taking forward cultural initiatives relating to the Scottish diaspora. (S4O-02718)
It is estimated that up to 50 million people across the globe can claim Scottish ancestry. The Scottish Government supports a range of activities that recognise the social, cultural, intellectual and economic benefits that diaspora engagement brings for Scotland and all Scots.
I note the good work in relation to the Scottish diaspora tapestry. Will the minister say what further activity is planned in the Scottish Government’s work programme with regard to the Scottish diaspora in North America?
The member is right to mention the tapestry, which has various links to North America.
In 2014, Scottish Government representatives in Canada and the United States will continue to work with vital team Scotland partners, including VisitScotland and our national touring companies, to promote and deliver year-round programmes of public diplomacy and cultural activity, which will target the Scottish diaspora.
Next year such activity includes the homecoming programme, two key themes of which are ancestry and creativity. Of course, 2014 will also be a huge year for the diaspora and other friends in the United States, in the context of the Ryder cup, and for Canada, in the context of the Commonwealth games.
We continue to focus on Burns and St Andrew’s day as well as Scotland week. I assure the member that there is a lot of targeted promotion to the diaspora in North America, which I am sure will yield excellent benefits.
Film and TV Studio Facilities (Discussions with Creative Scotland)
3. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Creative Scotland regarding the establishment of a film and TV studio for Scotland. (S4O-02719)
I established a film delivery group to examine the possibilities for private sector-led development of screen production facilities in Scotland. Since the group was established at the end of May, Sony and Left Bank Pictures have made significant progress in converting an industrial space in Cumbernauld for screen production and have been shooting a major new television series there: “Outlander”, which is based on the novel of Jacobite Scotland by Diana Gabaldon.
Scottish Enterprise, on behalf of the group, has commissioned a full consultancy study by Ekos Limited on possibilities for further expanding screen production facilities, which will inform future action.
The cabinet secretary referred to the studio that has been established in my constituency. I am aware that other sites are in the running for a long-term studio for Scotland. Given that a studio has been established in Cumbernauld, and given the good connections between Cumbernauld and the rest of the country, can the cabinet secretary confirm that that location will be looked on favourably?
The report will be published in the new year, when we will have an indication of proposals for the longer term. In the short term, I am pleased that the Cumbernauld facility is being used. The work that has been undertaken there to convert the Isola building is impressive. I am sure that that will be a key consideration when the report is published.
Scottish Opera
4. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the board of Scottish Opera and what issues were discussed. (S4O-02720)
The Scottish Government regularly meets Scottish Opera to discuss a range of issues, including its delivery of Government grant objectives, its assessment of progress, reflecting independent critical opinion, and its future plans.
In recent months, concern has been expressed in the media about whether the strategic direction of Scottish Opera is coherent and transparent, especially in the context of the public funding to which the cabinet secretary referred. In particular, concern has been expressed about the fact that all other national opera companies in Europe have a full-time chorus or a full-time orchestra—and in many cases, both. Does the cabinet secretary share those concerns, especially the concerns about Scottish Opera’s ability to attract the biggest names in international opera?
I am pleased to report that recruitment of a new music director is progressing well. It is an important post that will help to inform the strategic direction, which is important in relation to Liz Smith’s question.
On the point about a full-time orchestra and full-time chorus, I note that there are different models in international operation. For example, Glyndebourne operates in a different way from some of the national companies in other countries that Liz Smith referred to.
It is important that Scottish Opera serves the needs of Scotland. That is where the combination of both large-scale and small-scale productions comes in: we need to ensure that we have productions that can reach all parts of Scotland. The key point that Liz Smith is making is on the importance of the strategic direction of Scottish Opera. In her question, she makes it clear that she expects the board to take a keen interest in that; so do I, and I will ensure that that view is communicated to Scottish Opera.
Denmark and Sweden (Visit)
5. To ask the Scottish Government what the purpose was of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs’s recent visit to Denmark and Sweden. (S4O-02721)
My visits to Denmark and Sweden between 8 and 9 December were aimed at deepening links with both countries and exploring areas for further co-operation.
In Copenhagen, I met Danish partners in the fields of architecture and culture, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture, and shared information on Scotland’s national youth arts strategy, “Time To Shine”, and our recently launched architecture policy, “Creating Places”. I spoke to leading Danish practitioners in architecture about how we might associate our agenda for cities with the Nordic city network, and with work that they have been doing on improving liveability.
In southern Sweden, I delivered a lecture to an international audience at Lund University on Scotland’s place in the European Union. The academics and students showed significant interest in and asked informed questions about the Scottish Government’s views on co-operating with the Nordic countries, Scotland’s place in the EU and the role that an independent Scotland would play in the world.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her comprehensive answer. What further steps will the Scottish Government take to strengthen ties with our Scandinavian neighbours?
Our existing co-operation is extensive and we are keen to develop new areas. Maritime affairs, cities, social policies, energy, research and innovation, and tourism are all areas that we can build on in future.
We are also looking at opportunities to co-operate with the Nordic countries on competitive funding in the EU, including on horizon 2020, which is the programme for research and innovation; on connecting Europe, which is about promoting connections in energy, transport and digital life; on supporting action on the environment and climate change; on creative Europe, as I discussed at my meetings last week; and on cross-border and transnational programmes involving students and others.
International Culture Summit (Benefits)
6. To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits will be of Scotland hosting the international culture summit in 2014. (S4O-02722)
Holding the Edinburgh international culture summit 2014 will position Scotland as a world leader for international debate on the role and value of culture and further emphasise Scotland’s international profile.
The 2012 summit has already enhanced awareness of Scotland’s creativity and cultural reputation, as well as of Edinburgh and its festivals, and has developed the country’s local and international profile and the potential for future international partnerships.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the acclaim following the 2012 summit, which resulted in new funding partnerships among 37 of the countries present. How will the Scottish Government work with partners such as the British Council to ensure that 2014 offers similar opportunities?
I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament has agreed to become one of the partners again to host the culture summit, which will take place in August 2014. There are huge opportunities, not just internationally but between partners on a bilateral basis. I was particularly interested in the relationships that we have been building with South Africa, with fantastic performances at the Edinburgh festivals.
There are also opportunities for longer-term partnerships. For example, Brazil, which is hosting the next world cup and the next Olympics, is very interested in the Edinburgh international festivals and how it can develop the cultural aspects surrounding those great sporting occasions.
Furthermore, with the Commonwealth games and the fantastic cultural programme that will accompany them, we really have something to offer in an exchange of knowledge and experience.
Touring Exhibitions
7. To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to touring exhibitions. (S4O-02723)
The Scottish Government supports touring exhibitions in a number of ways, including provision of indemnity cover through the Government indemnity scheme and direct financial support for our national collections, and through Scottish Government-funded grant schemes that are administered by Museums Galleries Scotland and Creative Scotland.
The queues of people who were outside Parliament to see the great tapestry of Scotland show what a fantastic project that was. I am pleased to see that it is about to go on tour, and I am calling for the tapestry to come to Fife—I suggest that the newly refurbished Kirkcaldy galleries would be an ideal venue for it.
What analysis has the Scottish Government made of the economic benefit that such touring exhibitions can bring to a local economy and how much they contribute to local arts programmes?
The celebration of the tapestry is to be commended. I have met the organisers to discuss short-term, long-term and more permanent facilities for the tapestry. Excitement has been generated throughout the country in relation to the distribution of the tapestry—quite often, sections rather than the entirety of the tapestry will have to be exhibited. In particular, the ability to use it to tell the story of an area’s local economy is something to be celebrated. The tapestry brings people in.
If the member wants the best economic analysis, the question should be asked of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, as I understand that the Parliament has conducted some assessment of the benefits that arose from having roughly 30,000 people come to this building to see the tapestry. Obviously, such visitor numbers are a great boost for the local economy, and I will see whether any studies have been done on the impact of touring exhibitions on local economies. If any have been done, I will share them with the member.
I encourage the member to contact the team behind the tapestry to invite it to Kirkcaldy. She will need to work with her local authority partners and others on that. Obviously, the refurbished facilities in Kirkcaldy would be ideal for such a venture, but it is not for me to decide.
Question 8, in the name of Stewart Maxwell, has been withdrawn, and a satisfactory explanation has been provided for that.
Centre for Cultural Relations (Benefits)
9. To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits will be of the University of Edinburgh’s centre for cultural relations. (S4O-02725)
I would first like to take this opportunity to congratulate the University of Edinburgh on the successful opening of the centre for cultural relations.
There will be real benefits to Scotland in having a centre for cultural relations. First, its research work will help to inform the development and focus of the Scottish Government’s international work. Secondly, through its teaching activities—including a masters in international affairs—the centre will increase the number of postgraduates in Scotland with an international perspective. Thirdly, the centre will be in a strong position to undertake a programme of public events, helping policy makers, businesses, students and people around the world to better understand cultural relations.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that, in a country such as Scotland, which is renowned for its international cultural festivals, the establishment of the centre for cultural relations sends a further message across the world that Scotland is an outward-looking nation that is seeking to better understand how culture and education deepen relations between countries?
I completely agree with that sentiment. Scotland is renowned for its culture and its education. This is a great opportunity to broadcast that and, in terms of engagement, the establishment of the centre shows that Scotland is an outward-looking nation. Those are precisely the issues that I was discussing with the French Minister of Culture when I was in Paris, and they reinforce the education agreement that was signed by the First Minister a few months ago.
Public Service Broadcasting (Independence White Paper Proposals)
10. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the BBC in relation to its proposals for public service broadcasting as outlined in the white paper on independence. (S4O-02726)
The Scottish Government is in regular contact with representatives of the BBC to discuss a range of broadcasting issues in Scotland.
On 26 November, the First Minister wrote personally to Lord Hall, the BBC director general, enclosing a copy of “Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland”. The Scottish Government has always been and remains ready to discuss these matters with the BBC. Obviously, those discussions would be conducted in a quite separate context from the BBC’s important role as an impartial broadcaster reporting the referendum, and I have regularly set out the distinction with the BBC.
To date, the BBC has not accepted the invitation to discuss matters, on the ground that it fears that any such discussions would compromise its impartiality. Indeed, at the Salford media festival, where I recently gave a keynote address, Ian Small of the BBC specifically said that, if the BBC were to hold a position or be seen publicly to hold a position on a constitutional issue—effectively, that broadcasting is part of the referendum—that could be seen as colouring its impartiality relative to reporting on the referendum.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her comprehensive response, which partly explained why I asked my question. She will contend that the white paper covers all the answers to the questions that are posed around public service broadcasting, should we have the misfortune to become an independent Scotland in the near future. However, there has to be more detail and we can have that detail only if there is on-going dialogue with the BBC. Can the cabinet secretary tell us whether, and how, she will keep the Parliament updated as we move towards 18 September next year?
I am delighted that Michael McMahon recognises that the white paper, “Scotland’s Future”, is a great step forward in terms of providing the information that is available. He is quite correct in thinking that it is not unusual that people will want to pursue certain issues. We are now at the stage at which we have set out what is possible and what we in the Scottish Government would like to see in terms of a joint venture with the BBC, as well as what we would like to see in a Scottish broadcasting company that could reflect Scotland to itself and expand and improve the use of the licence fee that the Scottish viewer pays. In the constitutional context, it is important to note that, if people expect dialogue and discussion, that has to be encouraged by the United Kingdom Government. If Ed Vaizey and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport indicated a willingness to start a discussion, we would have it now.
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities
Give Us Time to Cross Campaign
1. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Living Streets campaign, give us time to cross. (S4O-02727)
Scotland’s road safety framework to 2020 sets out the Government’s commitment to pedestrian road safety, including the needs of children, the elderly and the disabled. We support the aims of the give us time to cross campaign, although the legislation is reserved and implementation is for local authorities.
I thank the minister for his response and for the 20mph pilots that he announced this week. I look forward to the publication of the Government’s walking strategy next year.
Research has shown that three quarters of people over the age of 65 have trouble crossing the road in the time allotted. Scotland’s record on pedestrian safety is poor and we urgently need new research into why that is the case and how best to improve the situation. Will the minister commit to bring forward such research, and will he work with Living Streets and other organisations to do everything in his power to put people, not motorised traffic, at the heart of street design? What actions will he take in the short term to bring about that much-needed culture change?
Alison Johnstone mentioned the 20mph pilots that have been announced for the trunk road network, which are a radical departure from previous practice. The pilots could have significant benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, at the same time as calming traffic in some small towns that are bisected by the trunk road network.
In addition, we are providing guidance to local authorities. Puffin crossings, which Alison Johnstone will be aware of, have technology that can take into account the length of time someone takes to cross the road: the lights will stay at red while they are still crossing it. We and the United Kingdom Government have said that from now on, all crossings that supersede the previous pedestrian crossings will have that new technology, which will help people in the circumstances that Alison Johnstone mentioned.
Ms Johnstone also mentioned the national walking strategy, which will be published in spring next year. We will work from that basis to ensure that we have further measures to improve safety for pedestrians.
Many constituents get in touch with me regarding the length of time given for audible signals at crossings. As a blind person, I am aware that I could be half way across the road when the signal stops, which may give me some cause for anxiety. Can we review the time allocated for the audible signal, to try to ensure that people can get from one pavement to the next without the signal stopping?
Dennis Robertson raises an issue that is very similar to the issue that Living Streets identified of elderly people being given enough time to cross pedestrian crossings. The issue is reserved. The Department for Transport could change its guidelines and the national standards that apply. However, it is in within the gift of local authorities to change timings on pedestrian crossings to suit circumstances or users.
To answer Dennis Robertson’s question, for our part, the Scottish Government has provided further guidance, which is detailed in the good practice guide. Authorities therefore have the power and the guidance to take the measures that he suggests.
The minister has to an extent covered the issue. Given that local authorities have some discretion over the time that is available for crossing, is it possible that we in Scotland could achieve the objective simply by lobbying our local authorities to increase that time?
That is possible, to the extent that local authorities have such a power. It is a surprise to some people that pedestrian crossings are a reserved matter—who knows what the reasons for that are? However, local authorities have some discretion. As Alex Johnstone says, changing the time is within a local authority’s power, and when it has the technology to do that, changes can be made to help in the situations that Alison Johnstone and Dennis Robertson described. People should take up those opportunities.
“The Effectiveness of the Rail Network Across Great Britain”
2. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report, “The Effectiveness of the Rail Network Across Great Britain: A Comparative Analysis”. (S4O-02728)
We welcome the findings of the independent Campaign for Better Transport report, as they show further evidence that, despite the Westminster budget cuts that we must work under, we are driving forward Scotland’s economic growth and competitiveness. Our commitment to invest in our railway infrastructure and services has delivered benefits, and Scotland’s performance is outstripping that of many other parts of the United Kingdom.
The report notes that rail in Scotland receives a high level of financial support from the Scottish Government and that, as a result, services that are high quality and growing are being delivered. It acknowledges the challenge of maintaining those performance levels in the face of budgetary pressures. Will the minister outline the scale of the threat to rail services that would be posed in the event of a no vote next September, which would mean that a £4 billion budget cut was coming down the track from Westminster?
It is worth pointing out that, as I said in my initial response, despite the Westminster cuts that we have suffered from, the Scottish Government is committed to a record programme of investment in rail to support new and better services, stations and trains and to allow us to do everything possible to keep fares down. The impact of that programme is clear, as passenger numbers have increased to record levels—there were more than 83 million journeys last year alone—and passenger satisfaction levels are higher.
That shows what can be achieved through devolution, when decisions are taken locally for the benefit of passengers in Scotland. However, current railways legislation constrains our ambitions, and we could do much more. An independent Scotland would have greater flexibility over the decisions and budgets to structure and support the efficient delivery of rail services in Scotland.
Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics announced that Network Rail is to be reclassified. I assure the member that we have proposed no change to our current levels of investment, which should not be circumscribed by any changes that the ONS makes. We intend to maintain or improve investment levels in the future.
Port Strategy (Clean Marine Fuels)
3. To ask the Scottish Government what action Scotland’s ports are taking regarding clean marine fuels and how this fits into a Scottish port strategy. (S4O-02729)
The Scottish Government is in regular contact with Scottish ports on a range of issues. I will engage with the ports, shipping industries and others to examine the impacts of the new controls on sulphur in marine fuel at a conference, which I have convened, to be held here in Edinburgh on 15 January. We expect ports to align any actions that they take with the national marine plan and, when appropriate, the national planning framework.
Within the month, the allotment of €26.2 billion will be decided on in the European Parliament for the trans-European transport network. Some of that funding will be made available to develop 85 ports in the core European network to address clean marine fuel requirements. Will the minister insist that, as the United Kingdom is currently the member state, the UK Government makes immediate representations on Scotland’s behalf? It has so far failed to do that—again.
I reassure the member that we will continue to work with the ports and shipping industries to maximise the opportunities for any funding that becomes available to address any requirements that relate to marine fuels or other issues. As he is aware, the criteria for the network were set at the European Union level, although we have worked hard to ensure that a case was made for increasing the number of Scottish ports that are included in the wider comprehensive network. The most recent call for TEN-T funding was announced on 11 December, and Transport Scotland officials are already encouraging ports to make proposals for funding when they meet the criteria for the core or comprehensive network.
Fuel Poverty
4. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle fuel poverty. (S4O-02730)
The Scottish Government is committed to eradicating fuel poverty and we have invested £220 million on fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes since 2009, with an estimated total net saving to household incomes over the lifetime of the measures of more than £1 billion.
However, we believe that we need the full powers of independence to tackle all the causes of fuel poverty. If elected in an independent Scotland, the Government has indicated that it would move the costs that are associated with the energy companies obligation and the warm home discount from levies on consumer bills to central resources. That would cut energy bills by roughly £70 a year and would allow for a new means of funding and delivering energy efficiency improvements to Scottish homes that would be fairer and better suited to Scottish circumstances and needs.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her response. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the recent fuel poverty figures do not take account of the energy price increases from the last quarter of 2012 or indeed the eye-watering energy price increases in 2013? Does she therefore agree that the level of fuel poverty is higher by almost 200,000 households than the level that she has specified in her report? On that basis, does the cabinet secretary believe that her Government will fulfil the commitment to end fuel poverty by 2016—a commitment that we, across the chamber, agreed to without qualification?
I thank Jackie Baillie for her questions. She refers to the latest statistics and I can provide the details of those statistics. They show that fuel poverty declined between 2011 and 2012, yet 27.1 per cent of households—according to those statistics—are still estimated to be fuel poor. Jackie Baillie is absolutely right—rises in energy costs in the latter part of this year will further undermine our efforts, through our energy efficiency programmes, to reduce fuel poverty to the point of eradication.
I give Jackie Baillie an absolute assurance that this Government will do everything within its power to meet the objective, which is shared across the chamber, of eradicating fuel poverty. I simply say to Jackie Baillie that it would help us in doing so if we had control over all the causes of fuel poverty, not just some of the causes. We are investing in energy efficiency but much of that effort is being undermined by rises in energy costs. It would be far better for the Parliament to have its hands on all the levers so that we could tackle and eradicate the fuel poverty that all of us condemn unreservedly much more quickly and more effectively.
On 11 October, I officially launched Citrus Energy Ltd, a unique and innovative social enterprise that has been developed by Cunninghame Housing Association Ltd and backed by the Scottish National Party Government and the Big Lottery Fund. Citrus Energy provides free, impartial assistance for tenants, homeowners and businesses, helping them to switch to a much cheaper energy supplier.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that such initiatives can help households to make substantial savings on energy bills and therefore help to reduce fuel poverty?
I am aware of the Citrus Energy initiative that Kenny Gibson refers to. I believe that such initiatives, combined with the activity of the national home energy Scotland hotline and the substantial good work of the energy advice centres, are really important in helping people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and manage their fuel bills better, although I would refer back to the points that I made in my earlier answer to Jackie Baillie.
I would certainly encourage all households in Scotland to get free, impartial advice from experts such as the home energy Scotland hotline or indeed Citrus Energy about what support is available to them, including the support that is available from the Scottish Government-funded home energy efficiency programmes for Scotland.
Will the cabinet secretary outline the implications of the United Kingdom Government’s revisions of the energy company obligation in terms of their impact on the delivery of Scotland’s climate change targets and fuel poverty targets?
As the member is undoubtedly aware, the Department of Energy and Climate Change will be consulting on changes to ECO early in 2014. The fine detail of the changes’ impact is still unclear. We are currently working to clarify the implications of the proposed changes on Scottish Government programmes to ensure that the impact on Scottish households is minimised.
I am happy to keep the chamber updated on that as we get more details. However, I refer back to my earlier comments: if we had full control over these matters, we could more sensibly fund and arrange energy efficiency programmes, taking the pressure off household bills while enabling us to put in place programmes that would be more efficient to administer and more suited to the needs and circumstances of Scotland. Again, that is why we make the argument that Scotland should be independent in this area to allow us to do that so much better.
Discretionary Housing Payments (Glasgow)
5. To ask the Scottish Government what information is available concerning the use of discretionary housing payments in Glasgow to mitigate the effects of the so-called bedroom tax. (S4O-02731)
The Scottish Government has allocated £3.5 million to Glasgow City Council this year to supplement funding from the United Kingdom Government for discretionary housing payments. It is the responsibility of Glasgow City Council—and all local authorities—to ensure that the funding is directed to those who are most in need of financial support. The Scottish Government currently holds no information on the use of such payments, and it has no functions in relation to the administration of the scheme, which is the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions.
I advise the minister that anecdotal information is emerging to suggest that, in Glasgow, initial short-term awards for discretionary payments are, on application for extension, being reduced or refused by those who are processing claims. That is deterring some of my constituents from appealing the decisions in case they lose even more money.
I am not criticising Glasgow City Council directly; it is a difficult issue for everyone to deal with. However, will the minister take steps to support the council to ensure that there is greater consistency in the use of discretionary payments that are awarded in the city so that the most vulnerable people whom I represent do not lose out?
It is up to each local authority to decide on the length of a discretionary housing payment, in line with the DWP guidance. There is no set time limit, and the award will depend on the individual circumstances of each claimant.
As a result of the Scottish Government’s provision of an additional £20 million, Scottish local authorities have £35 million to spend on discretionary housing payments in the current financial year. That would allow councils to award such payments for a longer period of time to those who are struggling.
I would encourage anyone who is in need of assistance to continue to apply for a discretionary housing payment, and to ask for reconsideration if they believe that the wrong decision has been made, because they should not be frightened to do so.
As the report—published this week—from the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee highlighted, Citizens Advice Scotland has said that DHPs are an insufficient means of tackling the bedroom tax because there is no uniformity in how they are awarded. Although the bedroom tax is a heinous piece of legislation, no local authority has issued guidelines on awarding DHPs. Will the Government publish blanket guidelines to ensure that people throughout Scotland are treated equally and fairly?
As I said, discretionary housing payments are a reserved matter, and the administration of such payments is up to the DWP. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to give guidance on a reserved matter.
The Scottish Government has given £20 million to local authorities to ensure that they can top up their discretionary housing payments to the maximum that is allowed, which will ensure that all the most vulnerable people can get help where it is most required.
Independence White Paper (Housing and Welfare)
6. To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholders have contacted the Minister for Housing and Welfare regarding the white paper on independence. (S4O-02732)
I have not been contacted by stakeholders regarding the white paper. All the key housing, regeneration and welfare stakeholders were contacted either by me or by a senior official on 26 November, following the publication of “Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland”.
The minister stated in the housing debate on 4 December 2013 that she was busy speaking to stakeholders, listening to their concerns and taking action, but she has not yet brought anything to the chamber. Should the people of Scotland who are homeless or living in overcrowded or poor housing assume that all those issues are a figment of their imagination and that everything is hunky-dory?
In the debate on housing, I said that I was out discussing with stakeholders the Scottish Government’s vision for housing in Scotland and where we are on meeting our targets for affordable housing. In fact, we are well on target to meet those commitments.
I also said that we had taken on board the views of stakeholders in developing all our strategies and policies. I have contacted and spoken to stakeholders since the white paper was published, so it is not true to say that the Scottish Government is not out and about and discussing the issues—such as our commitment on homelessness, which we have met—with stakeholders. Those things were all mentioned in the housing debate in the chamber a fortnight ago.
Air Passenger Duty (Devolution)
7. To ask the Scottish Government what impact the devolution of air passenger duty would have on the economy and the integration of modes of transport. (S4O-02733)
A reduction in air passenger duty will allow Scotland’s airports to be more competitive in attracting new direct air routes and will improve our international connectivity. A study by York Aviation in October 2012 found that, by 2016, £210 million less per annum will be spent in Scotland by inbound visitors than if APD had not risen as it has since 2007.
As set out in “Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland”, this Government would prioritise a 50 per cent reduction in APD within the first term of an independent Scottish Parliament with a view to eventual abolition of the tax when public finances allowed.
The minister said that the cost of air passenger duty to the Scottish economy was £210 million. Can he give an estimate of what it means to the north-east?
Figures specific to the north-east and the Scottish economies are not available. A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers earlier this year projected that the abolition of APD would lead to the United Kingdom economy rising by about £16 billion between 2013 and 2015. It would be larger than it otherwise would have been under the current APD regime. In addition, such a rise in output could lead to the creation of around 60,000 jobs between now and 2020.
I will allow a brief supplementary question from James Kelly and I ask for a brief answer, please.
On the impact of airports on the Scottish economy, it is a matter of some surprise that the Scottish Government has not been to the chamber since its decision to purchase Prestwick airport. Will the minister commit to coming to the chamber early in the new year to discuss the Government’s business plan and the implications of that purchase for the Scottish budget?
The Deputy First Minister has already given a commitment to ensure that the Parliament is updated as we move forward with the Prestwick purchase.
I thought that James Kelly was going to apologise for the fact that, four years ago, the Calman commission committed to reducing APD and nothing has been done since then. We have had nothing from the unionist parties, who all subscribe—
I asked about Prestwick.
The question is about APD, so that is what I am trying to answer.
Excuse me, minister. Can we please not have questions and answers across the chamber? Everything should go through the chair.
Apologies, Presiding Officer.
I would have thought that the unionist parties would have explained why, although they all supported APD being devolved to Scotland in the Calman commission, they have had little to say about it ever since.
Social Housing Completions
8. To ask the Scottish Government what impact the decrease in new social housing completions will have on housing supply. (S4O-02734)
Between April 2011 and 30 September 2013, we have delivered 11,937 social rented homes. That is well over halfway to meeting our five-year target of 20,000 homes for social renting. Those homes will provide secure affordable housing for those who need it most, and I commend all councils and housing associations for working with us to maximise the number of homes built during that period.
That may be so, but social housing completions are down 14 per cent on last year and housing association and co-operative completions are down 25 per cent. What will the Scottish Government do
“to get the affordable housing programme back on track,”
in the words of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations?
As I said in my previous answer, we are well on course to achieve our target of 30,000 affordable homes in this session of the Parliament. The Scottish Government recently took action by increasing the subsidy to social landlords and local authorities to ensure that we could achieve it. We did that on the advice of the stakeholder group that we set up, taking the figure that it proposed to us. Social landlords and local authorities tell us that they can now continue developing and that the target will be met.
I can call question 9 if we have brief questions and brief answers.
Broadband Infrastructure (Aberdeenshire)
9. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work being carried out to improve broadband infrastructure in Aberdeenshire. (S4O-02735)
Aberdeenshire Council is a major investor in the step change programme and a key partner to the Scottish Government’s delivery team.
Aberdeenshire is one of the areas in which survey work is currently being undertaken. That is a vital step in the delivery of next-generation broadband. It is not possible to confirm the specific areas that will receive upgraded infrastructure until those surveys have been completed, but the Government intends to announce the first exchanges to be upgraded in the rest-of-Scotland area in early 2014. In the meantime, the high-level deployment maps are available to view on the digital Scotland superfast broadband website.
The cabinet secretary is aware that, in Aberdeenshire West, I have some remote and rural areas. What alternatives will be available for constituents who cannot be connected through the BT broadband system?
I certainly appreciate the geography that Dennis Robertson is talking about. In areas in which fibre broadband will not be an option, the project will explore the use of other broadband technologies—such as wireless, satellite and advanced copper—to provide faster broadband. The funding for that is included in the existing project budget, and I am happy to provide Dennis Robertson with more details.