Chamber and committees

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the announcement by Aberdeen City Council that residents of approximately 500 homes in Torry face relocation as a result of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. (S6T-01837)

The Balnagask area of Torry is one of the most deprived areas on the Scottish index of multiple deprivation. Around 150 home owners in the area have purchased former council properties. Many have mortgages that are still outstanding and will see a drop into not just negative equity but, potentially, zero equity. Insurance companies are already withdrawing cover, leaving residents in a very difficult financial predicament. Will the cabinet secretary outline what resources, advice and support home owners can access to inform how they can proceed?

I thank the cabinet secretary for outlining those options.

I am pleased that Aberdeen City Council has set aside an initial £3 million to underpin its response to the issues that arise from RAAC. However, for many of my constituents, the need to relocate their homes could incur unforeseen costs such as new school uniforms for children or additional travel costs to work or services such as general practitioners. Everyone, but especially families and children in that close-knit community, faces huge upheaval.

Given that many of those affected are on low incomes, will the cabinet secretary outline what additional support might be available to constituents on already-tight family budgets who face additional pressures?

Universities Scotland has recently highlighted that international students have added between £4 billion and £6 billion to the Scottish economy. However, the UK Government’s shameful rhetoric on immigration will cut across that success in the future. Does the member agree that an independent Scotland would address that issue, which is only set to worsen without independence?

A recent Fraser of Allander Institute report on the economic contribution of colleges highlights the crucial role they play in our green transition by equipping individuals with essential skills for the energy sector.

Within the energy space, North East Scotland College is working with partners across business, education and technology to deliver learning that will meet our future skilled workforce needs. Recently, the First Minister visited Aberdeen and confirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to the north-east as a powerhouse for Scotland’s economic development. What action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that colleges such as NESCol will be supported to deliver on the skills element of national and regional green economic policies, given the challenging funding landscape?

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with representatives of the college sector. (S6O-03136)

Can the First Minister provide an update on other measures to manage sex offenders, including licence and behavioural or prevention orders, and say how those measures link with notification conditions and whether they have been updated?

I thank the cabinet secretary for her update. I note the long-standing and complex challenges that we face in relation to Scotland’s prison population. As the cabinet secretary outlined, the justice sector will see a welcome increase in funding for the next financial year from the draft budget. Will she give more detail on how the increase in funding will assist in addressing and reducing the increase in the prison population that is currently being experienced?

Does the cabinet secretary agree that the approach seeks to ensure a proportionate and appropriate response so that, where there are no lines of inquiry, information is recorded but no further action taken, which enables officers to concentrate on more serious crimes where there are opportunities for detection? Does she agree that it is important to reassure the public that, when evidence subsequently comes to light, the matter will be investigated?

I have not scrutinised this particular case closely enough to be remotely able to pass an opinion on that.

In the meantime, as we await the continued passage of the bill through the parliamentary process—which I hope will underpin good law that will protect the public and prevent such a situation from arising again—our constituents wait patiently.

I will finish by highlighting two areas of practice that, in my mind, must be in place, if they are not already. First, client base details must be accessible to those overseeing the transfer of business, with clients contacted at an early stage to advise them that their chosen legal advisers have ceased trading and their business will be transferred to another nominated company or, if they wish, to one of their choosing. Such contact must progress at pace following the collapse of any solicitors business.

Secondly, it is crucial that when clients are advised of the circumstances of a change, resources are directed to ensure that all work instructed was completed correctly and that no issues remain outstanding.

I fully support this debate and Stuart McMillan’s work, and I urge constituents in my constituency of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine to get in touch with me at any time if they feel that they might have been affected.