Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Thursday, May 30, 2024

Official Report 1121KB pdf

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General Question Time

Good morning. The first item of business is general question time.

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Road Equivalent Tariff (Northern Isles Ferry Routes)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on work to extend the application of road equivalent tariff to northern isles ferry routes. (S6O-03508)

The Scottish Government remains committed to providing affordable ferry fares for the northern isles, and we have reduced fares where we have been able to do so. Significant fare reductions have been introduced on routes from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland, including a 20 per cent discount on cabins, a three-year fares freeze for islanders and a freeze on all fares in 2023-24.

Ferry fares policy, including RET, is currently being reviewed. The draft “Islands Connectivity Plan—Strategic Approach” paper, which was published for consultation on 1 February 2024, made a number of proposals on ferry fares policy, including RET. The online consultation concluded on 6 May 2024; responses are being collated and analysed; and further detail on next steps and timescales will be confirmed in due course.

The Scottish National Party introduced RET on Western Isles ferry routes in 2008. Since then, the excuses for not providing the same cheap fares on Pentland Firth routes have changed almost as often as transport ministers. Last year, the transport secretary advised me that, under the United Kingdom Subsidy Control Act 2022, the Government could not move forward, because of potential distortions of the market. The Scotland Office subsequently confirmed that the act allows devolved Administrations and local authorities to give subsidies that are tailored to local needs.

In addition, there has been an increase in ferry fares of 8.7 per cent from April this year. Is it not the case that Scottish ministers have been stringing the people of Orkney along for 16 years, with no intention of providing them with a fair deal on lifeline ferry routes across the Pentland Firth?

That is not the case. Indeed, the three-year fares freeze for islanders and the freeze on all fares in 2023-24 represented a significant subsidy to and support for islanders at a time when the costs of operation were increasing as a result of increased wage costs and, as everybody will remember, eye-watering increases in energy costs. Fares were frozen at that level for a considerable period of time.

As for subsidy control and competition law, the Scotland Office can speak for itself, but I would not interpret its remarks as a get-out clause on subsidy control and competition matters. As Liam McArthur well knows, because he is an experienced member of this Parliament, competition law and subsidy control matters are very serious issues that can lead to legal challenge to the Government and severe consequences. I do not take such issues lightly, and they have been continuous over the period of time to which he refers.

I call Rhoda Grant for a brief supplementary question.

Will the cabinet secretary confirm that state aid rules and competition law are no longer a barrier to having RET on northern isles routes? Will she also confirm that the people of Orkney and Shetland will enjoy the same subsidies as people on other islands?

Brexit is still happening, and it is not a “Get out of jail free” card for state aid issues. Indeed, as part of its agreements with the European Union, the UK Government was to continue to have competition law and subsidy control measures that would enable equivalence with regard to its previous activity. I think that there has been a misunderstanding by Rhoda Grant, and I am happy to explain things in more detail, at a later date, if she so chooses.

I will be grateful for concise questions and responses.

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Climate Targets (Legislation)

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation on climate targets, as announced by the net zero secretary in her ministerial statement on 18 April. (S6O-03509)

The Scottish Government’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2045 is unwavering. However, we must now base our actions on the Climate Change Committee’s long-standing position that the interim 2030 target, set by Parliament on a cross-party basis, is beyond what can be achieved. As soon as is practicable, therefore, we will introduce legislation to ensure that our emissions pathway takes account of the latest advice. I ask members across the parties to collaborate with me on the issue to ensure that we follow the CCC’s advice.

I ask the cabinet secretary for clarity on what she meant by introducing “expedited legislation”, as she said in her statement to the chamber, to address the matters that the Climate Change Committee had raised and to ensure that our legislative framework better reflects the reality of long-term climate policy. Has she given up on her plan to introduce that legislation in an expedited manner? We are waiting for it now. Is it not the case that the longer the Scottish Government delays such legislation, the longer Scotland will go without a climate change plan and the longer we will have to wait for urgent action to tackle the climate emergency?

I understand Sarah Boyack’s point, but I absolutely confirm to her that the Government’s intention remains the same. Earlier in the week, I had a long evidence session on the subject at a meeting of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. I want the legislation to be introduced as soon as possible, and the bill’s scope to be as narrow as possible, not only to address the impediment that we currently face on progress towards meeting the 2030 target but to remove that impediment as soon as we can so that we can continue to make progress. That is important to me and, as I understand it, to Sarah Boyack.

Achieving full delivery of our climate policies will require full funding, yet the United Kingdom Government is to cut around 9 per cent—£1.5 billion—from Scotland’s capital budget. Given that the Climate Change Committee has called for partnership working between Scotland and Westminster, has the Scottish Government had any indication from the UK Government that cuts that undermine such climate commitments will be reversed?

Bob Doris is absolutely right to point out the significant costs of moving to net zero and how our ability to make the required investments is being undermined by the UK Government’s failure to inflation proof its budget. I firmly believe that, done correctly, investment in net zero represents an economic win. Indeed, the chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Professor Graeme Roy, recently said:

“Doing nothing, not responding to the challenge of climate change, will be far more expensive and damaging to the public finances than investing in net zero ... it is simply not an option.”

I put that call to current and future UK Governments, and I urge them to reverse Scotland’s capital cut.

The cabinet secretary has made it quite clear that such legislation can be introduced, and that it should be done quickly. Given that it would have to be introduced and agreed to before November, will the cabinet secretary undertake to ensure that there will be sufficient time for not only the committee but the people of Scotland to consider the information contained in it?

I absolutely will. I reiterate what I said in response to Sarah Boyack: I want the legislation to be introduced as soon as is practicable. That will depend partly on the capacity of the Parliament’s committees, particularly that of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, which Edward Mountain convenes. I will be sure to engage with him on timetabling as part of the planning for the bill.

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British Sign Language Users (Access to Culture)

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support British Sign Language users across Scotland to access culture, in light of the publication of Scotland’s census 2022 report on language, which found that 117,300 people can use BSL. (S6O-03510)

We want to ensure that everybody, including British Sign Language users, can access and engage with cultural opportunities. In the BSL national plan, which was published just last year, we committed to supporting BSL users to take part in culture and the arts as participants, audience members and professionals. One example is Creative Scotland’s regularly funded organisation network; it includes Solar Bear, which works with deaf and hearing actors, theatre makers, artists and young people. In addition, targeted funding has directly supported the development of a deaf leader in the artistic director role.

The census revealed that BSL users now make up 2.2 per cent of the population, which is almost as many as the 2.5 per cent who can use Gaelic. Both Gaelic and BSL are national languages of Scotland; it is fantastic that Gaelic has dedicated funding streams to support artists who celebrate the language and the heritage, but BSL has a lower profile in the arts and culture sector. With that in mind, what more can be done to support great initiatives such as the Edinburgh deaf festival, which I hope to take my father to later this year?

I would certainly be keen to work with Karen Adam to ensure that the profile of the work around supporting those who use BSL is as high as possible. We should support all of Scotland’s languages. As Karen Adam has said, both Gaelic and BSL are national languages, and I offer to meet her to look at the specific initiatives and how we can work to support her objectives.

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Children with Complex Additional Support Needs (Provision of Full-time Schooling)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities are able to provide full-time schooling for children with complex additional support needs. (S6O-03511)

As members will be aware, local authorities have a duty under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 to plan and provide support for children and young people with additional support needs, including those with complex additional support needs. Despite the challenging financial climate that we face, spending on additional support for learning reached a record high of £926 million in 2022-23. The Scottish Government also provides £11 million of funding each year to directly support pupils with complex additional support needs and services for children and families.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting my constituent Nikolas McLennan, aged nine, and his parents at my surgery. Nikolas has had no full-time education for 18 months despite the best efforts of the fabulous Drumpark primary school, which is in my constituency. This young man’s needs are very complex. He has global developmental delay and is unable to speak or eat, and his parents tell me that they are concerned that the lack of education has had a very detrimental impact on his overall wellbeing. Despite representations from me and others, the council has knocked back a request for a specialist placement in nearby Cumbernauld, where his needs could be met on a full-time basis. What further support can be given to children such as Nikolas to ensure that they receive the education that they deserve and are entitled to?

I thank the member for bringing his constituent’s case to my attention. First, I am extremely sorry to hear about his experience and that of his parents, particularly the challenges that he has had in accessing his right to education. Clearly, there might be specific healthcare considerations in this case. However, the education authority—in this case, as I understand it, that is North Lanarkshire Council—remains responsible for ensuring that the appropriate educational support is provided. To that end, I strongly encourage Nikolas’s parents to engage with North Lanarkshire Council in order to fully understand why the placement has been refused and what the next steps might be. The Enquire service, which is funded by the Scottish Government, can also provide them with further advice on the matter.

The legislation on the presumption of mainstreaming has very clear exceptions to allow children and young people to learn in a special school or in specialist units if that would best meet their needs. Although school placements are, of course, a matter for our councils, parents have the right to make a placing request to the school of their choice. Although I cannot interfere in this specific case, I would certainly welcome it if Fulton MacGregor could provide further details on it so that my officials can provide more detailed advice.

Again, I would be grateful for concise questions and responses.

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Support for Cultural Activities (Cowdenbeath)

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support cultural activities in the Cowdenbeath constituency. (S6O-03512)

The Scottish Government supports a range of cultural activities in communities across Scotland. We provide targeted support for culture through our funding of local authorities and public bodies, including Creative Scotland. Our funding for the youth music initiative has supported projects in Cowdenbeath that offer meaningful music-making opportunities to young people, helping to build their confidence and enhance their attainment. Projects that have been supported include Charanga, which is a digital resource that supports class teachers to deliver progressive music programmes, and Fischy Music, which helps pupils to develop their own music around a curricular topic.

Although the various projects that the cabinet secretary has referenced are welcome, it would nonetheless be fair to say that local groups would welcome greater support than they have had to date.

Looking to the immediate future, with many community events planned to mark the 40th anniversary of the miners strike, including in Ballingry on Saturday 15 June, what specific support does the Scottish Government intend to offer?

The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact that the miners strike continues to have in communities throughout Scotland. That is why we introduced legislation to provide a pardon to miners and other participants in the strike. We continue to call on the United Kingdom Government to undertake a full UK-wide public inquiry into the strike.

I appreciate that Ms Ewing wrote to the former Deputy First Minister about the anniversary event that is taking place in Ballingry in June. My colleague Tom Arthur, the Minister for Employment and Investment, has confirmed that he will be in attendance.

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Public Transport (Women’s Safety)

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to take forward the recommendations in the Transport Scotland report, “‘There’s an app for that!’—Women’s Safety on Public Transport in Scotland”. (S6O-03513)

It is unacceptable for anyone—especially women and girls—to feel unsafe travelling on public transport in Scotland, including on our railway. On 15 May, I met British Transport Police to discuss how we might prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour on Scotland’s railway. That included consideration of campaigns that promote and encourage the use of the Railway Guardian app. That app is operated by British Transport Police, which keeps under review how it might be enhanced. It can be downloaded via the British Transport Police website or via the App Store or the Google Play Store.

More generally, through the violence against women and girls policy forum, discussions continue about the role that technology can play in awareness raising, education and empowerment to create sustainable societal and behavioural change as part of a broader community safety approach in Scotland.

I am pleased to hear that the cabinet secretary has spoken to British Transport Police. However, I am sure that she agrees that women should not have to rely on apps to ensure their safety on public transport. Given that, what progress is the Scottish Government making with regard to the changes that were identified in its own report in March last year, such as on transparent bus stops, improved network coverage and visible staffing—guards on trains, for example, which was backed by my friends in the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers?

The visibility of staff is really important, and there has been an increase in the safety team that operates in and targets particular areas.

Graham Simpson is right to say that everybody has a responsibility. That includes men on trains. The “Speak up, interrupt” campaign, which was launched in July 2022, has had a good uptake. There is something about how we, as a society, collectively tackle antisocial behaviour. I was very pleased that, at my most recent stakeholder meeting, the White Ribbon UK campaign was very good at identifying how, generally, men and women—particularly men—can help in that regard.

I am happy to continue that discussion with Mr Simpson.

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Sheriffhall Roundabout (Update)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Sheriffhall roundabout project. (S6O-03514)

Given the large number of objections received following publication of draft orders, a public local inquiry was held from 31 January to 8 February 2023. The independent reporter submitted her conclusions and recommendations to the Scottish Government in October 2023. Those are under active consideration prior to advice being provided to, and a decision being made by, the Scottish ministers on whether to complete the statutory process.

Although we are keen for improvements to be delivered as soon as possible, the statutory right for individuals to have their say on proposals cannot be set aside.

The Sheriffhall roundabout is used heavily, and it regularly creates a bottleneck of traffic, to the detriment of my constituents and local businesses. There is huge public support for completion of the project, and there are serious concerns about the perceived delay. Although I appreciate the need to reduce our reliance on car transport to reach our net zero targets, does the Scottish Government agree that encouraging the use of public transport should not equal restricting improvements to road infrastructure?

There needs to be both. We need to continue to improve road infrastructure for safety, asset management and effective traffic flow—for example, for potential bus lanes and car use.

The vision for our national transport strategy is that we will have

“a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland”.

Clearly, in respect of the investment hierarchy, transport options that focus on the need to travel sustainably and reduce inequalities are prioritised.