Chamber and committees

Good morning. Erasmus has been mentioned, most recently by Dr Marks. Clearly, withdrawing from Erasmus has had an impact on opportunities for young people generally, but also on opportunities for law students from Scotland and the whole of the UK. There has obviously also been an impact on the EU in terms of helping people to achieve qualifications that can be recognised there in the first place. What are your thoughts on the extent of that impact on opportunities and achieving qualifications in the law and the legal profession?

Have you any thoughts on the replacement programmes for Erasmus? There has been a delay to a replacement programme in Scotland, but Wales has made more progress. Has there been any impact on opportunities for law students or lawyers in Wales as a result?

Yes.

Last year—almost 12 months ago.

So you have persuaded them.

Obviously, the Government has made promises. You said earlier that the sector will believe this when it sees it, and I will believe it when I see it, too.

Can you tell us how much money will be in the budget?

We have discussed the need for confidence and certainty in the sector, but what we are seeing is chaos and a mess. I have been listening closely to what you have been saying. You have said that you want to reassure the sector and to provide a stable environment. You are also saying things such as, “If we can secure an increase in funding,” and, “I will try to persuade colleagues.”

For months, the Scottish Government has been giving clear commitments and promises to increase the budget by at least £25 million in 2025-26. Cabinet secretary, you have said that, the First Minister has said it and so has the Deputy First Minister. Yet, half an hour before the committee met this morning, you wrote to Creative Scotland, saying that you cannot tell it what the funding position will be next year. That is chaotic.

How many months ago was it when you gave those commitments for an extra £25 million?

Did you have clarity then, when you made that commitment? When you made that promise, you somehow had clarity then, but you do not have it now.

I am sorry, cabinet secretary, but I do not think that you have underscored the Government’s commitments today. In your letter to Creative Scotland half an hour before this committee meeting, you have provided huge uncertainty about the budget position this year, having given clear commitments to provide £25 million extra next year. That is not what the Government is doing today. You have not underscored commitments this morning; instead, you have provided huge uncertainty to the sector, because it now has no idea what funding it will get next year.