Scottish Parliament, 7 September 2023

372 contributions from 81 members. The official report.

General Question Time

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

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

Temporary Accommodation and Social Housing (Edinburgh) (Government Support)

Ben Macpherson (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh Northern and Leith)

1. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the City of Edinburgh Council and other organisations to provide suitable temporary accommodation and more social housing in Edinburgh. (S6O-02480)

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

We are investing £752 million this year through the affordable housing supply programme to support the delivery of more social and affordable homes, towards our target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. We are working with social landlords to make the best use of existing homes, and we are implementing targeted partnership plans with the local authorities that are facing the greatest pressure.

Since 2007, we have supported the delivery of 6,255 social homes in Edinburgh. I have met Edinburgh’s housing convener several times to discuss the council’s proposals to improve temporary accommodation and increase housing supply, which will inform a partnership plan.

Ben Macpherson (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh Northern and Leith)

I am grateful for that answer and welcome all of it. However, the minister will be aware of the severity of the situation in Edinburgh. Shelter Scotland has called it an “emergency”, and I am increasingly concerned about the correspondence that I am receiving from constituents. The number of homelessness applications has increased by more than 20 per cent. Can the Scottish Government provide any additional help to the

City of Edinburgh Council and other relevant organisations for providing more suitable temporary accommodation? Can the Scottish Government do more to fund and prioritise the building and delivery of more social housing in Edinburgh, given the current pressures and projected population growth?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Our aim is to prevent homelessness. However, when it occurs, we take a housing-led response in order to provide households with settled homes as quickly as possible. We provide local authorities with an annual allocation of £8 million of rapid rehousing transition plan funding to support people into settled accommodation, and we provide £30.5 million for their work to prevent homelessness, with the City of Edinburgh Council receiving more than £3.8 million in 2023-24.

During this parliamentary session, to maximise the delivery of social and affordable homes to support strategic housing investment plan priorities, we are making a record £230 million available to the City of Edinburgh Council, with an additional £10 million being allocated this year.

Miles Briggs (Conservative, Lothian)

I agree with Ben Macpherson. In Edinburgh, the number of children who are currently living in temporary accommodation stands at 2,755, which is an increase of 13 per cent on last year. That is almost one third of the total number of children in Scotland who are currently living in temporary accommodation. The situation is escalating out of control. It is time for Scottish National Party and Green ministers to take responsibility and to declare a housing emergency. Will the minister agree urgently to chair a cross-Government temporary-accommodation task force to help to address the situation in the capital?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

I refer to my previous answer. I have been working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council since being in post, including by looking at the relevant partnership plan, which I mentioned earlier. We have been discussing proposals, and we continue to do so. Miles Briggs will be aware that I attended a housing summit in Edinburgh, which was brought together by Alex Cole-Hamilton. I understand that there will be a further meeting, beyond that.

I am happy to meet Miles Briggs to discuss the proposals.

We are looking at opportunities for things that we need to do in Edinburgh, and at how we can bring forward additional social housing in the city. I am happy to discuss that further with Miles Briggs.

Sarah Boyack (Labour, Lothian)

I declare an interest, which is my former work with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.

There has been a series of cross-party meetings this year on the urgent issue of Edinburgh’s housing crisis. It needs leadership and funding. The gap is £418 million. What will the Scottish Government do now to tackle the scale of homelessness, the lack of affordable housing and—critically, this month—the lack of affordable housing for students?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

As I have said, we have already attended the housing summit that was brought together by Alex Cole-Hamilton; I understand that a follow-up meeting is planned. As I also said, I have already met Edinburgh’s housing convener on a number of occasions and, at the moment, we are discussing specific proposals. I am happy to discuss that further with Sarah Boyack.

Driving Offences (Alternatives to Prosecution)

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

2. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the introduction of speed awareness courses, among other diversion schemes for driving offences, as an alternative to prosecution. (S6O-02481)

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

The Scottish Government supports the principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution, where that is appropriate.

The Lord Advocate has agreed in principle to the introduction in Scotland of road traffic diversionary courses, including speed awareness courses. A multi-agency working group that comprises key delivery partners has been set up to oversee the delivery of that initiative.

The Scottish Government continues to discuss with Police Scotland, as the lead partner for delivery, the importance of implementing speed awareness courses, and Police Scotland is currently reviewing the project’s timings.

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

Does the cabinet secretary agree that speed awareness courses are a good way of reaching offenders and challenging their driving behaviour, given that research from down south shows that the people who go on such courses tend to be less likely to reoffend?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I agree with Collette Stevenson. The Scottish Government agrees that speed awareness courses will have a positive impact on driver behaviour through effective education. The published research on the matter is very important; it shows that such interventions reduce reoffending by people who have attended the courses. They also have a longer-term impact by improving driver behaviour. That is why the Government is working with our key partners to deliver this important road safety initiative to make our roads safer.

Personal Injury Damages (Scottish Law Commission Consultation)

Marie McNair (Scottish National Party, Clydebank and Milngavie)

3. To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates it will receive the Scottish Law Commission’s findings and recommendations arising from its consultation on damages for personal injury. (S6O-02482)

Siobhian Brown (Scottish National Party, Ayr)

The Scottish Law Commission’s “Discussion Paper on Damages for Personal Injury” was published on 23 February 2022, and the consultation period ended on 30 June 2022. The commission is currently in the process of analysing the consultee views that were submitted in response to the discussion paper, and formulating policy with the aim of publishing its findings and its report, which will include an accompanying draft bill, by mid-2024.

Marie McNair (Scottish National Party, Clydebank and Milngavie)

The Scottish Law Commission’s recommendations will cover the issue of the time bar on some routes to compensation for people who seek damages for exposure to asbestos. Will the minister make representations to the SLC to request that its report be published as soon as possible? Will she commit to taking early action on the report’s recommendations? Finally, will the minister meet me and representatives of the Clydebank Asbestos Group to hear their testimony about how the current injustice is impacting on the group’s members?

Siobhian Brown (Scottish National Party, Ayr)

It is for the Scottish Law Commission to establish a timetable for its work, but I expect the commission to publish its recommendations by mid-2024. The Scottish Government will, of course, give careful consideration to those recommendations, and I will be happy to meet Marie McNair and the Clydebank Asbestos Group to discuss them when we receive them.

Football (Introduction of Strict Liability)

John Mason (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Shettleston)

4. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential introduction of strict liability in Scottish football. (S6O-02483)

Maree Todd (Scottish National Party, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross)

We have never ruled out strict liability as an option. However, our preferred solution has always been that the footballing authorities in Scotland proactively shape and deliver a robust and meaningful solution to tackle any unacceptable conduct by what is a minority of supporters.

John Mason (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Shettleston)

In recent times, we have had a huge amount of antisocial behaviour in Glasgow, including in my constituency, by some football fans, particularly around George Square, by Rangers fans, and Glasgow Cross, by Celtic fans.

Does the minister agree that the clubs need to take more responsibility, as they do when there is a European championship?

Maree Todd (Scottish National Party, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross)

Although the vast majority of football supporters are well behaved, it is clear that a problem remains, which everyone who is able to exert an influence or to bring about change must work together to eradicate. It is important that we do not lose sight of the need for collective action to achieve a zero-tolerance approach to any offences or antisocial behaviour. That includes the footballing authorities and the clubs, as well as everyone else.

As I have said, our preferred solution has always been

that the footballing authorities in Scotland proactively shape and deliver a robust and meaningful solution to tackle any unacceptable conduct by what is definitely a minority of supporters. However, we have never ruled out strict liability as an option, and we are well aware that clubs are subject to strict liability when they participate in UEFA-run competitions.

We will continue to work with the footballing authorities, Police Scotland and fans’ groups to address issues and to ensure that football matches are an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Sexual Harassment in Schools (Elimination)

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

5. To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to eliminate sexual harassment in schools. (S6O-02484)

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

The Scottish Government is clear that harassment or abuse in any form, whether in the workplace, at school, at home or in society in general, is completely reprehensible and must stop.

As set out in the 2023-24 programme for government, we are committed to publishing a national framework at the end of this year to better support schools in tackling gender-based violence and sexual harassment. That will help to ensure that consistent messages on sexual harassment and gender-based violence are given to everyone working with children and young people and will support our commitment to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I welcome the steps that the minister has outlined. The principle of consent is an essential component of effective sex and relationships education, but we know from evidence previously heard in Parliament that many young people receive sex and relationships education without the issue of consent being covered. All children and young people, particularly boys and young men, should receive education on the importance of consent. Does the minister agree that that is essential if we are to tackle so-called “rape culture” and sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, both in schools and in wider society?

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

I absolutely agree with the member. Consent is a critical component of our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls. Through our relationships, sexual health and parenthood education, our children and young people learn about gender equality, consent and the law, as well as about sexual harassment. Those are key topics in helping children and young people develop their knowledge and understanding of how to have better, healthier relationships.

The Government also published a resource to help professionals support young people aged 11 to 18. “Key Messages for Young People on Healthy Relationships and Consent” sets out that relationships should be mutually respectful, consensual, positive, healthy and enjoyable.

Stephanie Callaghan (Scottish National Party, Uddingston and Bellshill)

In 2020, the Government conducted a consultation on challenging men’s demand for prostitution, working to reduce the harms that are associated with prostitution and helping women to exit prostitution. How has that shaped the Government’s approach to ending sexual violence against women and girls?

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to ending violence against women and girls and we are focused on delivering a framework that effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution and on seeing that framework operating and tested to the full. That aligns with the equally safe strategy’s definition of violence against women and girls. I direct the member to my justice colleagues, who can give any more information that she might require.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

We should, of course, have zero tolerance of sexual harassment, but we should have zero tolerance of all harassment, especially in schools. Why has it taken the cabinet secretary five months to organise the summit on school violence that she said she would hold?

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

Good progress has recently been made on drafting a national framework and the expectation is that the framework will be published early in the new year. The working group that we have set up is currently engaging directly with stakeholders who have key interests in areas that are covered by the framework. I reassure the member that we take the issue absolutely seriously, which is something that we can share.

National Health Service Dentistry

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

6. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that increasing numbers of dentists are leaving the NHS. (S6O-02485)

Jenni Minto (Scottish National Party, Argyll and Bute)

The First Minister’s policy prospectus sets out the Government’s primary objective of sustaining and improving patient access to national health service dental services.

Reform of the payment system is essential to the sustainability of patient access to NHS dental services. In that connection, I wrote to the dental sector on 27 July 2023 to provide details of changes to be introduced on 1 November this year.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

I am a bit surprised that the minister did not begin with an apology that the Scottish National Party has ditched another manifesto commitment, to abolish NHS dental charges. In fact, charges are not staying static—they are going up.

Can the minister tell members how many dentists will join the NHS and do more NHS work as a result of those changes? She knows that NHS dentistry is on its knees.

Jenni Minto (Scottish National Party, Argyll and Bute)

I point out that NHS dentists are working incredibly hard, with many working at pre-pandemic levels. When we made our announcement on 27 July, I was clear that that was the first step towards reforming dental practices, payments and governance and the dental workforce. We are working incredibly hard with NHS boards and dentists to ensure that we understand and can move forward to improve how dentists come into the NHS.

We currently have 183 students going through dental training, and Willie Rennie will remember that we lost 160 as a result of the Covid pandemic, but we aim to try and return more dentists to the sector so that we maintain the incredibly important NHS dental services that support people in Scotland to ensure that they have good oral health.

NHS Fife (Hospital Services)

Roz McCall (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

7. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve hospital services across NHS Fife. (S6O-02486)

Michael Matheson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk West)

I expect all health boards, including NHS Fife, to keep their services under review to ensure that they are of the highest quality and that they meet the needs of local people while remaining consistent with national policies and frameworks.

Roz McCall (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

The people of Dunfermline are rightly proud of their new-found city status. The city’s population is now one of the fastest growing in the United Kingdom, with another 1,400 homes due for construction.

Unfortunately, the city’s health provision at Queen Margaret hospital is not reflected in that. Its chemotherapy unit closed and relocated to Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy, its accident and emergency department closed, as did its maternity unit. People are suffering unnecessarily due to such service centralisations. My question to the cabinet secretary is quite simple: when will the people of Scotland’s new city get the hospital services that they deserve?

Michael Matheson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk West)

As we do with other health boards, we expect NHS Fife to work in partnership with its local planning partners to look at how it can configure services to meet the needs of the local community, including in the way in which services are divided between Victoria hospital and Queen Margaret hospital.

The member will be aware that we have made significant investment in Queen Margaret hospital in recent years. We put in state-of-the-art surgical and diagnostics provision and a new minor injuries unit, we created a new community and child services centre and we provided for a comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care service for the local community. I have got no doubt that NHS Fife will want to continue to review its services to ensure that it meets the needs of the local community.

NHS Highland (Additional Resources for Overspend)

Edward Mountain (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

8. To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources will be made available to NHS Highland, in the light of reports of an estimated annual overspend of over £55 million. (S6O-02487)

Michael Matheson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk West)

The 2023-24 budget provides increased investment of £42.5 million for NHS Highland, meaning that the board’s funding has increased by over 83 per cent since 2006-07. In addition, a further £14.6 million has been provided in year to support financial sustainability. The Scottish Government continues to work with all NHS boards to monitor their financial performance and to support the delivery of fiscal sustainability, including by providing additional support to NHS Highland to support financial recovery.

Edward Mountain (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

I am not sure what additional support that answer laid out. The consequence of the position that we are in is the cancellation of elective surgery. Added to that, a lack of an interventional radiologist and now the lack of a cardiovascular surgeon means that a perfect storm is brewing. How is the Government really going to help NHS Highland tackle those problems?

Michael Matheson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk West)

I have just set out the additional financial support that we have given this year and also the additional £14.6 million that we provided for this financial year to support financial sustainability. We continue to engage with NHS Highland about the financial challenges that it faces and to support it in meeting some of its recruitment challenges.

The member will also be aware of the very significant investment that we recently made in NHS Highland though one of our national treatment centres, which is a facility of more than £40 million that is providing improvements in the way in which care is provided to patients in a range of elective procedures.

Anniversary of the Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Members will be aware that tomorrow is the first anniversary of the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In the days that followed her passing, the Parliament came together to convey our sincere condolences to the royal family and to lead, with people across Scotland, tributes to Queen Elizabeth’s remarkable life and, in particular, her bond with the Parliament.

In view of tomorrow’s anniversary, we will have contributions from leaders before we move to First Minister’s question time.

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

One year since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, we are presented with a moment for reflection on a long and dedicated life of public service. I am sure that colleagues will remember with great pride the beauty of Scotland’s landscapes and, perhaps more importantly, the warmth of Scotland’s people on Her Majesty’s final journey.

Her Majesty’s deep fondness for Scotland was well known. It is here that Queen Elizabeth chose to spend her most private family moments each summer. It is within the halls and gardens of the palace of Holyroodhouse that Her Majesty welcomed thousands of community leaders, volunteers, artists, activists, faith leaders and essential and key workers, in recognition of their service to Scotland.

On behalf of the people of Scotland, I send my thoughts to King Charles and the royal family in their private remembrance tomorrow.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

Tomorrow, our thoughts will be with the King and the royal family on the first anniversary of the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Twelve months ago, thousands of Scots gathered as her cortège made the final poignant six-hour journey from Balmoral to Holyrood palace, as she had wished. Flowers marked the route in Ballater, bagpipes played in Aboyne, farmers lined their tractors along the roadside and thousands stood on the Royal Mile to pay their last respects. Our late Queen brought the country together in her life and in her death. The late Queen cherished Scotland and, in her passing, the country showed how much it cherished her.

Tomorrow marks one year since we lost our late Queen, but on every day since then we have remembered her warmth, her leadership and her unstinting and dedicated service to this country for 70 years.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

Our longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was a dedicated public servant, demonstrating strength, leadership and empathy when her country needed it the most. She brought our nation together at times of crisis and left a legacy of compassion in the various causes that she championed. She reminded us that, despite our political disagreements and arguments, everyone here in Holyrood is in the service of the Scottish people. Her kindness, wisdom and integrity are timeless values that will be passed down through the generations. Scotland will remember her fondly.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

The passing of Her Majesty ended a constancy in the lives of everyone in the chamber. It was a moment in time that will come to define the early years of this century. Across these islands, the Commonwealth and, indeed, the whole world, there was a collective sigh of sadness and thanksgiving for her life of service.

In the minutes, hours and days that followed the announcement from the palace, operation Unicorn unfolded with quiet precision. I pay particular tribute to the staff of this Parliament and public service workers across Scotland for the many hours and days that they dedicated to that task. From the roadsides of Aberdeenshire to the catafalque at Westminster Hall, those days showed Scotland and the United Kingdom at their very best. I think that Her Majesty would have been pleased that so many marked her passing by engaging in the great British pastime of standing in line.

On this anniversary and on all those to come, we will hold the royal family in our thoughts and remember the extraordinary life and service of Queen Elizabeth II.

Policing

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

1. I remind members that my wife is a serving officer with Police Scotland.

As part of a pilot in the north-east of Scotland, front-line officers are being told to no longer investigate certain crimes. Scottish National Party funding cuts are forcing dedicated officers to ignore criminal acts. Some victims will report a crime to the police only to be told that it is not important enough to investigate. Will the First Minister tell us which crimes will not be investigated? (S6F-02315)

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

P

olice Scotland’s funding is not being cut. I am pleased to say that, despite United Kingdom Government austerity, and in recognition of the crucial role that police officers play, we have just announced, this week, an excellent pay offer, which I am pleased that police officers have accepted, and the service is receiving an additional £80 million in resource funding in 2023-24.

In relation to the north-east pilot that Douglas Ross mentioned, I will quote directly from the news release that the police put out in that region. It says:

“On some occasions, crimes are reported where there is no associated threat, risk, harm or vulnerability and”

—this is the important bit—

“also no proportionate lines of enquiry for local police officers to investigate.”

It goes on:

“When this happens, our staff will inform the caller that the enquiry has been recorded and a crime reference number will be supplied, but no further action will be taken.”

That seems like a proportionate approach to tackling crime.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

So the First Minister is quite happy about that. That is incredible.

First of all, more pay for our officers is welcome. Fewer officers is not, and that is what we have now in Scotland. The First Minister cannot dodge responsibility. The measure is a result of SNP funding cuts, which is made clear in the letter that he just read out from Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie.

The pilot is unfairly treating communities in the north-east as guinea pigs. They will receive a poorer service, despite paying their taxes like everyone else. In response to it, Scottish Police Federation chair David Threadgold said that areas could be at increased risk as criminals target places where they know that crime will not be investigated.

Humza Yousaf would not let this rash experiment happen in Glasgow, so why is he content to let victims in the north-east go without justice?

The First Minister

That is complete and utter nonsense, turning one community in Scotland against another. What else would you expect from the divisive Conservatives? This is a policing operational matter.

Let me pull Douglas Ross up on a couple of points. First and foremost, Scotland has more police officers per capita than England and Wales—and, of course, they are on significantly higher pay here in Scotland, because we believe in paying our police officers fairly. In Scotland, we have 30 officers per 10,000 of the population of Scotland, compares with 25 in England and Wales.

Let me go back to the central point. Whether they are in Glasgow or the north-east, people in Scotland care about ensuring that recorded crime is at low levels. I am pleased to say that, under this SNP Government, recorded crime continues to be at one of the lowest levels ever since 1974, and is down 42 per cent since 2006-07.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

North-east families should not be paying the price for SNP funding cuts, but that is what is happening here. The

Scottish Police Federation said that the pilot could set a “dangerous precedent”. Officers are warning that it could be a slippery slope, unless Humza Yousaf steps in with more funding. Even today, Audrey Nicoll, the SNP MSP and convener of this Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee has raised concerns about what is happening in the north-east of Scotland.

Will the First Minister tell us: is he going to act on those concerns, or let this happen across the country?

The First Minister

If Douglas Ross does not correct the record after this session, he is—frankly—happy to be inaccurate and misleading. Let me read again the facts. We are investing £1.45 billion in policing in 2023-24 and increasing the resource budget by 6.3 per cent, with an additional £80 million. Any suggestion that we are cutting funding is, I am afraid, simply untrue.

Let me go back to the press release that was sent out by the police in the north-east, because—again—it is an operational matter. It says that if

“crimes are reported where there is no associated threat, risk, harm or vulnerability and also no proportionate lines of enquiry for local police officers to investigate”,

officers will of course give a crime reference number and the crime will be recorded,

“but no further action will be taken.”

On this side of the chamber, we are ensuring that our police are funded, that there are more police officers on the street and, crucially, that recorded crime remains at one of the lowest levels in 42 years.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

If anyone is going to be correcting the record, it is the First Minister, because we know that Police Scotland’s budgeted officer establishment has reduced from 17,234 to 16,600. There are fewer police officers on the beat in Scotland and they are being told not to investigate crimes. Why are they being told that? It is because of funding.

If the First Minister will not believe what I am saying, maybe he will listen to Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor. She said that the force is facing “Hard choices” and that the

“levels of service we provide to the public … will inevitably reduce.”

That is a direct consequence of SNP funding cuts. Officers do not have the resources to do their jobs, people who report crimes will be told, “Tough luck”, and it is open season for criminals under the SNP.

Why is the First Minister telling offenders that they can break the law and get away with it here in Scotland?

The First Minister

Douglas Ross, with that question, demonstrates why he should never, ever be allowed to be First Minister of this country: he is panicking and alarming people with sensationalism, all for cheap political headlines. That is what Douglas Ross is interested in.

What we are interested in is results. Those results see there being more police officers per head of population in Scotland than there are in other parts of the UK, and more investment in our police in comparison with the previous year. We also see lower recorded crime rates here in Scotland than when we took office—[

Interruption

.]

The Presiding Officer

Let us hear the First Minister.

The First Minister

I say to Douglas Ross, when he talks about difficult public finances, that they are difficult because of Westminster austerity; because of cuts to our budget; and because of the disastrous mini-budget. Just under a year ago, Douglas Ross demanded that the Scottish Government follow Liz Truss’s path, and now he wants tax cuts for the wealthy.

We will continue to invest in our public services. I say that, when it comes to the public finances, Douglas Ross has no credibility whatsoever.

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Schools)

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

2. The news this week about the risks of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, known as RAAC, is causing understandable anxiety for parents, pupils and staff.

The Government has confirmed that 37 schools have been identified as containing RAAC. When did the Government first become aware of the issue, and what steps did it take? Will the Government commit to publishing a list of the schools that are impacted, so that parents and pupils have at least some of the answers that they deserve?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

We were informed about RAAC not just for many months, but for years, and that is why, for example, we ensured that our education leaders had the appropriate guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers last year.

We have been proactive over that period—in particular, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has been proactive in holding discussions with local authorities in order to ensure that we have a full understanding of the picture.

I can confirm, given that we have further information back from local authorities, that 40 schools with RAAC in them have been identified and the appropriate mitigations have been put in place.

On Anas Sarwar’s direct question, which I think is very fair—yes, we will work with local authorities to ensure that that information is published. I would expect publication to happen at the end of the week—we will publish not just a list of the schools that have been affected, but more information, if we can give it, around the mitigations tthat are in place, which will give some confidence to parents, and indeed to pupils and staff, in those schools.

We are working with local authorities to ensure that that information is published, and the cabinet secretary will lay out some of that detail in a statement later this afternoon.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

The Institution of Structural Engineers says that it began inspections in schools for RAAC in 2018, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says that it warned two years ago that buildings are at risk of collapse.

It is important, therefore, to know what steps the Government took, especially since—as the First Minister said—it has known about this “for years”.

Specifically on the schools that are impacted, how many schools are subject to either a partial or complete closure; how many are subject to the additional building works or emergency engineering support; and what resources are being made available to local authorities to deal with those buildings that are affected?

The First Minister

There are a number of questions—again, if we do not get to the detail of them all, I am happy to write to Anas Sarwar with full details.

The mitigations that are in place vary from school to school. Various schools and other owners of public sector buildings have put in place a number of mitigations. I take local authorities and schools as an example. St Kentigern’s academy in West Lothian has closed part of its estate, including the dining and kitchen areas. Preston Lodge high school in East Lothian has closed off impacted classrooms and other areas. Each school will determine the position, given the Institution of Structural Engineers’ guidance, and will then choose to put the appropriate mitigations in place.

Fire stations that have also been affected have already put in place mitigations. Again, I am happy to furnish Anas Sarwar with some of the detail on that.

We are aware that some local authorities want a discussion around funding. We will continue to have those discussions with local authorities, but ultimately they are the ones that are responsible for the safety of the school estate.

I noted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom—in fact, the Prime Minister of the UK—said that funding would be made available to help with mitigations in relation to RAAC. However, in the past 24 to 48 hours, I have seen the UK Government roll back on that commitment. We will continue, therefore, to have conversations with the UK Government—in fact, the Deputy First Minister wrote to the Treasury last month, on 16 August, to call for the allocation of additional funding to remediate RAAC issues.

I know that Anas Sarwar has asked a number of questions, and I am happy to go back to him in writing with fuller detail.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

I welcome the commitment

to publish a list of schools, and I ask that that public information includes what mitigations are taking place in those schools, in order to give that reassurance to parents.

The Government has delayed the next phase of its school rebuilding programme. Local authorities submitted bids a year ago and were meant to get an answer by the end of 2022. We know that at least five of the schools on that list contain RAAC, although I suspect that the actual number will be far higher. Those schools are still waiting, so that must be dealt with urgently.

The issue goes beyond our schools. We know that 255 national health service buildings across Scotland are being surveyed for suspected RAAC. When will those surveys be completed? When will we have the complete list of all public bodies affected? How soon will we have a timetable for any required remedial action, so that we can give patients, staff, parents and pupils the reassurances they deserve?

The First Minister

Again, I am more than happy to furnish Anas Sarwar with further details in writing if I am not able to get through all the questions that he asked.

On the school estate, we will be making decisions on the learning estate investment programme imminently, but we are also now looking at that programme through a RAAC lens—I think that it is important for us to do so.

This Government has a good record when it comes to building schools and carrying out substantial refurbishments of schools: since 2007-08, 1,098 school builds or substantial refurbishment projects have taken place. Anas Sarwar will be aware that the school estate statistics that came out just a couple of days ago show that 91 per cent of schools in Scotland have a “good” or “satisfactory” condition rating, which is significantly improved from when we first took office.

On the NHS, a major study is already very much under way, led by NHS Scotland Assure. The desktop review exercises that took place showed that 254 buildings have two or more characteristics consistent with the presence of RAAC. The next phase of the survey has commenced and nine of the 40 buildings that have been surveyed have been confirmed as containing RAAC.

Anas Sarwar’s original point is a fair one. We will work with partners—not just local authorities, but NHS boards and others—to see how much of that information can be put out publicly. I hope that Anas Sarwar and others will appreciate that that will be an evolving picture as those surveys continue to progress.

Attainment Gap

Liam Kerr (Conservative, North East Scotland)

3. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to data showing that the attainment gap has increased. (S6F-02318)

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

In fact, the poverty-related attainment gap is narrower than it was before the pandemic for national 5s, for highers and for advanced highers, which shows progress in education recovery and in closing the poverty-related attainment gap over the longer term.

We have seen good progress in primary school literacy and numeracy, with the latest data showing the biggest-ever reduction in the gap. We have seen a record-low poverty-related attainment gap and positive destinations for school leavers nine months after leaving school, with record-high numbers of students from deprived areas entering university in 2021-22.

All of that, plus the ambitious aims that local authorities have set and are setting for the longer term, gives me great confidence that we are making good progress and that our £1 billion investment in the Scottish attainment challenge is indeed having an impact.

Liam Kerr (Conservative, North East Scotland)

The First Minister chooses his data carefully, yet he fails to acknowledge that the attainment gap between the least and most deprived pupils has widened for the third year in a row. We must be clear that that is through no fault of teachers, pupils or staff.

Although his predecessor promised to eliminate the attainment gap, his ambition, as set out in the programme for government, is limited to merely narrowing it. So, what narrowed gap would be acceptable to this First Minister, and when, does he project, will he deliver it?

The First Minister

Of course, Liam Kerr is not comparing like with like. We are comparing this year’s figures with pre-pandemic figures.

I say to Liam Kerr that he forgets to place emphasis on the fact that this is a poverty-related attainment gap—that is the point: the attainment gap is related to poverty. If Liam Kerr really cared about tackling it, he would use any of the minuscule influence that he has in his own party to demand that it scraps the two child limit, scraps or reverses the reduction in universal credit and scraps the benefits freeze. Those three measures alone would lift 30,000 children in Scotland out of poverty. So, while Liam Kerr may well wipe away those crocodile tears, we in the Scottish Government will get on with the job of protecting Scots from the harm of a Westminster cost of living crisis.

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Labour, Glasgow)

In many areas in Scotland, including Glasgow, the attainment challenge funding is being used to backfill cuts to core education funding. Why does the First Minister think that that is? Does he accept that that dedicated funding, which was put in place to tackle the attainment gap, has failed to do that in a substantial way?

The First Minister

No. I have just said in reply to Liam Kerr that we are making inroads in relation to narrowing the poverty-related attainment gap. Of course, the funding for local authorities has increased in comparison with the previous financial year. With the £1 billion Scottish attainment challenge, we are ensuring that we are giving £520 million to the pupil equity funding for headteachers. There is also direct funding for all 32 local authorities for the first time and additional funding to support the attainment and wellbeing of care-experienced children and young people.

I say to Pam Duncan-Glancy, who I know cares deeply about these matters, that we can go only so far in relation to the poverty-related attainment gap because although we have some powers to reduce and tackle poverty, I am afraid that the substantial levers are still in the hands of a Conservative United Kingdom Government. I want to change that, and I hope that Pam Duncan-Glancy does, too.

Drug Deaths

Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)

4. To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the steps that are being taken to reduce drug deaths in Scotland. (S6F-02343)

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

We remain absolutely committed to delivering the national mission to reduce drug deaths and improve the lives of those who are affected by drugs. The latest drug deaths statistics reported a 21 per cent decrease in 2022. I welcome that reduction, which is the highest on record, but I am also quite clear that those numbers remain far too high and that every life lost is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts are with the families that have been impacted and affected. That is why the national mission includes an additional £250 million investment over the course of this parliamentary session to improve services and backs radical approaches that are evidence based—that phrase is absolutely crucial—whether that be a proposal to establish a safer drugs consumption facility or arguing for drug law reform.

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy will make a statement later this month to update Parliament more fully.

Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is over 50 years old. It is not fit for purpose and it must be reviewed urgently.

The Home Affairs Committee recently published a report that called for a review of drug classification and a new health-led approach to tackling drugs, with a trial of safe consumption rooms. Can the First Minister provide an update on what engagement the Scottish Government has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the urgent need to reform the draconian

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971?

The First Minister

The points that Emma Harper makes are well made. In July, the Scottish Government published a paper that set out our bold and ambitious proposals for drug law reform to ensure that we treat problematic drug use as a health matter and not a criminal matter. I was heartened that there was much support for that not just domestically but internationally and globally from experts and those who work on the ground to tackle the issue of drug misuse. That is, as Emma Harper said, complemented by the recent very welcome report from the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is clear about the need to reform the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy met the UK minister for policing on Tuesday this week and raised the issues with him. If the UK Government will not take the necessary actions to use the powers that it has to help us to combat the challenge—the problem and crisis—it should at least devolve the powers to us so that we can take a different approach here, in Scotland.

Beatrice Wishart (Liberal Democrat, Shetland Islands)

The Dogs Against Drugs charity assists Police Scotland with search and seizure of illegal drugs arriving in Shetland alongside its educational preventative work. Police Scotland’s Shetland area commander has credited the dogs with a vital role in the seizure in Shetland of drugs with a value of around £750,000 in the past 18 months. One dog—Thor—which is retiring, is credited with having found an estimated £1 million-worth of illegal drugs over its nine-year career. Without core funding, the charity’s future is under threat. If it ceases, it will likely cost the taxpayer more in the long run.

I have recently met the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to discuss the issues. Does the First Minister agree that Dogs Against Drugs is an important asset to both Police Scotland and the Shetland community and that it would be a significant loss were it to cease?

The First Minister

I agree with Beatrice Wishart. I know of Dogs Against Drugs—I remember it well from when I was justice secretary. Funding had always been an issue for the organisation, which is why I was pleased that it received additional funding from—I think—the serious organised crime task force. I believe that a good meeting took place between the justice secretary and Beatrice Wishart. If we can do anything more to support Dogs Against Drugs, we are open to that, within the difficult financial circumstances in which we are operating.

Professor Sam Eljamel (Independent Public Inquiry)

Michael Marra (Labour, North East Scotland)

5. To ask the First Minister, following the publication of NHS Tayside’s “Due Diligence Review of Documentation Held Relating to Professor Eljamel”, whether the Scottish Government will immediately approve an independent public inquiry. (S6F-02323)

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

This is a deeply important issue and I can inform the chamber that the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson, will use his statement to the chamber this afternoon to confirm that the Government has decided to commission a full independent public inquiry.

That decision comes after very careful consideration of the recent due diligence review, which stated that concerns about professor Eljamel were not acted on with the urgency that they deserved. In the commissioning of the inquiry, it remains important that those people who are directly affected are still supported to find the answers that they need and that both staff and patients across Scotland know that lessons are being learned.

The cabinet secretary has considered the latest report from NHS Tayside and we have collectively concluded that it requires investigation, independent of both board and Scottish Government. The cabinet secretary for health will set out the details of the next steps in his statement this afternoon.

Michael Marra (Labour, North East Scotland)

Scottish Labour welcomes that inquiry. It should not have taken us so long to get here. The inquiry has been wrung out of the Government like blood from a stone by Jules Rose, Pat Kelly and the many victims who were weeping outside Parliament yesterday—many in permanent and debilitating pain.

As late as last week, the First Minister and health secretary maintained that a public inquiry would not take place. That damning internal review from NHS Tayside, which the First Minister has mentioned, says that they knew that Eljamel was incapable and dishonest yet allowed him to continue unchecked. That review revealed, too, that the NHS Tayside board has done nothing to deliver on a raft of recommendations from previous reports into that scandal. What will the First Minister do today to ensure that those recommendations are acted on immediately?

The First Minister

I disagree with Michael Marra’s characterisation. Both the health secretary and I have always said that a public inquiry had not been ruled out. I hope that Michael Marra understands that it is appropriate that we allow reviews, such as the due diligence review that has taken place, to progress right to their conclusion. Having seen the extremely disturbing detail of that due diligence review, the cabinet secretary for health and the Scottish Government have concluded that a public inquiry is necessary because of the failings that that report has exposed.

Let us be clear about two things. First, Professor Eljamel is responsible for his despicable actions and, where there are systemic failings, they must absolutely be exposed and interrogated and lessons must be learned, which is why the public inquiry is so important. Secondly, I have a point of consensus with Michael Marra and agree that, although many MSPs deserve credit for raising these issues, it is, of course, the brave patients who have spoken out about their suffering—Jules Rose, Pat Kelly and many others—who deserve the credit for this announcement around the public inquiry.

A further question for us to explore—Michael Matheson will lay this out in detail in his statement—is whether another process will need to take place alongside the public inquiry, which answers the questions that patients rightly have around their individual cases, as that is something that a public inquiry would not necessarily be able to do.

Elizabeth Smith (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I welcome the decision and pay considerable tribute to Jules Rose, Pat Kelly and all the other patients who have been fighting the case for 10 years. Aside from the public inquiry, will the Scottish Government consider a victim support fund for the former patients and their families?

The First Minister

As Liz Smith knows well, there are appropriate routes for compensation that families can go through in relation to health boards. If there are other avenues that we can explore to support patients, we will give that consideration. There are already established avenues for patients who have suffered as a result of the national health service to claim compensation. However, those can be difficult to navigate at times, so we will give consideration to any other avenues of support that we can provide.

There has been a good cross-party effort. MSPs such as Shona Robison, Joe FitzPatrick, John Swinney, Jim Fairlie, Graeme Dey, Willie Rennie and Michael Marra have all raised these issues. It is important to pay particular credit to Liz Smith, who has raised these issues diligently and in a considered manner for many years. I thank all the MSPs who have raised these important issues on behalf of the patients they represent.

Renewable Energy (Economic Benefits)

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

6. To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government plans to maximise the economic benefits, including the number of new jobs, that result from any growth in renewable energy sources, including onshore wind. (S6F-02348)

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

Scotland has the skills, talent and resources to become a global renewables powerhouse. We are investing almost £5 billion over this session of Parliament in the energy transition, and finalising an onshore wind sector deal. That will include halving the average determination time for new section 36 onshore wind applications, as well as maximising the benefits for Scotland’s economy and, crucially, for local communities.

We are also determined to maximise the opportunities from offshore wind. I welcome developers’ commitment to invest an average of £1.5 billion per project in the Scottish economy. We are embracing the opportunities that our flourishing clean hydrogen sector will bring, which will help to support jobs, boost energy security and open export potential. Our finalised energy strategy and just transition plan will set out how we can maximise those opportunities, including jobs in renewable energy and energy supply chains for a highly skilled and flexible workforce.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

Wind power in Scotland is growing, which is good for our climate, jobs and economy. Last year, onshore renewables in Scotland grew at almost twice the rate that they grew in England. The programme for government will further unlock growth in green energy.

This week, in contrast, the United Kingdom Government failed to genuinely lift its absurd wind farm ban in England. The Tories are wrecking our climate and holding back growth in a key industry. The Scottish Government must do more to capture the benefits of it and other growing green industries for the people of Scotland. How will the new green industrial strategy and the sector deal for onshore wind create new jobs and supply chain opportunities across Scotland?

The First Minister

Ross Greer is right about the damning approach that the UK Government has taken in the face of all scientific evidence on the climate catastrophe that is unfolding right now. As I announced this week, we are establishing a sector deal, which will be incredibly important because of the scale of the potential that we have to realise our collective ambition of delivering 20GW of onshore wind by 2030, and to do so in a way that benefits local communities. That is why the deal that we are negotiating will enable increased investment in skills training and additional investment in communities. It will also create pathways for long-term sustainable energy jobs and supply chains, with a focus on circular economy opportunities.

Furthermore, building on our final energy strategy and just transition plan, we will work closely with businesses and industry to develop our green industrial strategy by summer next year. That will set out how we will help businesses and investors to create good well-paid jobs as part of our fair, green and growing economy.

Ivan McKee (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Provan)

Industry bodies, including Scottish Renewables, are clear that there is, in order to maximise the economic opportunities from renewable energy, a need for a robust evidence-led and action-driven green industrial strategy that should address the challenges on skills and investment that Government and industry can deliver on, together. What plans does the Government have to bring forward that strategy and what timescales are involved?

The First Minister

We

will work closely with business and industry to develop a green industrial strategy by the summer of next year. It will set out how the Scottish Government will help businesses and investors to realise the enormous economic opportunities, including jobs, of the global transition to net zero. That strategy will build on the finalised energy strategy and just transition plan to offer a clear evidence-based view of the economic sectors and industries in which we have the greatest strengths and the most potential.

We will do everything that we can to support such sectors to thrive. Some of the levers are very much in our hands, but many—particularly tax incentives and financial incentives—lie with the UK Government. That is why I wrote this week to urge the UK Government to discuss the good ideas that are in the report of the Hunter Foundation—that is Sir Tom Hunter’s foundation—on using economic levers, whether they are in the hands of the Scottish Government or the UK Government, to their maximum effect in order to boost growing sectors, such as the renewables sector in Scotland.

The Presiding Officer

We move to general and constituency supplementary questions.

HMP and YOI Stirling

Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

Over recent weeks, there have been continued disturbances at the new prison facility HMP and YOI Stirling, which are causing local residents great distress. The incidents include screaming, shouting, swearing and banging coming from the prison at all times of the day and night since it opened. Together with the Scottish Prison Service, what action will the Scottish Government put in place to tackle and rectify those disturbances, which locals describe as creating a living hell, and to support the vulnerable offenders?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

We certainly do not want communities to be disturbed or inconvenienced in the way that Alexander Stewart described. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to write to him to see what more can be done.

The Prison Service takes seriously its obligations to the young people in particular who are in its facilities, in order—we hope—to aid rehabilitation. It also takes seriously its obligations to the communities that facilities are in. I will ask the cabinet secretary, who undoubtedly raises such issues with the Prison Service, to meet Alexander Stewart and see what more can be done.

The Presiding Officer

I call Christine Grahame.

NatureScot Licences

Christine Grahame (Scottish National Party, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale)

Oh! I thought that I had been dismissed.

Recently, it was reported that NatureScot issued 46,985 licences over five years to authorise the culling of native wild species, including thousands of geese, ravens and iconic mountain hare. Does the First Minister share the concerns of animal welfare organisations—and me—about the size of that number? I declare an interest as the convener of the cross-party group on animal welfare.

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

I noticed that Christine Grahame took a bit of time there as she was not sure whether she was going to be called. Forgive her, Presiding Officer—she is quite new to Parliament.

On the serious question that Christine Grahame raised, the numbers cause us all to pause and reflect. I know that NatureScot takes licensed control of wildlife very seriously. That is done only when no alternative exists. Licences are issued only in accordance with strict criteria that are laid down in law, but there are occasions when wildlife needs to be controlled, when it presents a risk to human health or safety.

As I said, such decisions are not taken lightly at all. They can involve, for example, consideration of protecting air safety around airports, safeguarding food production and retail environments, and protecting crops in fields.

As part of the Bute house agreement, we will undertake, in this parliamentary session, a full review of the species licensing system. I will ensure that the appropriate cabinet secretary and minister investigate the numbers that Christine Grahame mentioned and write back to her with a fuller response.

Covid-19 (Vaccinations)

Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)

Covid rates are rising, and two wards at Vale of Leven hospital have been closed because of Covid. The number of beds that are occupied in hospitals across Scotland is going up, which is putting even more pressure on the national health service.

We know that vaccination is an important line of defence, but there appear to be problems with the vaccination programme. When a couple in their 70s who had booked their Covid and flu vaccinations arrived at their vaccination centre this week, they were told that no Covid vaccine was available. They and 350 other people were sent home.

Is the First Minister aware of a problem with the supply of vaccines? When will Covid vaccinations actually start?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

I am not aware of any problem with the vaccination programme or with the vaccine supply or stock. My understanding is that we have good supply and good stock, but I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care to examine that point in more detail and write to Jackie Baillie.

Jackie Baillie is absolutely right that the vaccine is the best form of defence against Covid. The Government cannot be, and is not, complacent about the fact that Covid is still within our communities, still harming people and still impacting on our public services, including our NHS. If Jackie Baillie furnishes us with the details, I will ensure that those specific incidents are looked into, and I give her my assurance about the vaccine supply and stock.

School Leaver Destinations

Ruth Maguire (Scottish National Party, Cunninghame South)

The disaster of Brexit that Scotland did not vote for has, among other things, narrowed opportunities for some of our young people. With that in mind, can the First Minister provide an update on what proportion of school leavers have gone on to positive destinations?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

This summer, we had encouraging statistics that showed that more than 93 per cent of 2021-22 school leavers were in a positive destination nine months after the end of the school year. That is the highest level since comparable data was first gathered in 2009-10.

The member is, of course, right to note that Brexit has narrowed opportunities for young people. One of the most damaging examples of that was the UK’s decision not to participate in Erasmus+. We are determined to ensure that our young people, particularly those from our most disadvantaged communities, can benefit from educational exchange opportunities, which is why, in the programme for government, I committed to developing the Scottish education exchange programme to deliver some of the opportunities to our young people that Brexit has robbed them of. However, I am afraid that anything that we do as an alternative to Erasmus+ will never quite be as good as that programme in the European Union. Those in Scotland know that the only way that Scotland will be able to rejoin the European Union is as an independent nation.

Snowdrop Memorial Garden Dunfermline (Vandalism)

Roz McCall (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

The First Minister will be aware of the repeated desecration of the Snowdrop memorial garden in Dunfermline cemetery. Desecration of memorials is detestable. Words can neither describe how detestable those acts of vandalism are nor the emotional trauma that is caused to the families of babies who are remembered at the site. Incidents such as this are happening too often, and it is left to volunteers to clear up the mess that is left by mindless vandals. What more can the Scottish Government do to support our local councils with funding and resources for something as simple as closed-circuit television cameras to deter the culprits of those horrific crimes and help to bring them to justice?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

Roz McCall is absolutely right. Those are despicable acts. There can be no words of condemnation strong enough to articulate and express our collective horror at such acts of desecration.

On what more can be done, I am more than happy for the appropriate minister to have conversations with our local government partners to see whether we can do anything further collectively to deter such acts. It is also important that we do our best to try to work with anybody who is desecrating those memorials to see whether we can do more to divert them from such despicable behaviour. The police will, of course, determine whether crimes have been committed and what action can be taken.

One of our local councillors, Councillor Naz Anis-Miah, who I know well, was one of the volunteers who was involved in cleaning up the baby memorial. I commend those volunteers, but it should not be left to volunteers to do that—such desecration should not be happening in the first place. The Government will reach out to local authorities to see whether there is anything that we can do to support them and any action that they are taking to stop such acts.

Football Supporters’ Buses

Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Greenock and Inverclyde)

Does the First Minister agree that the UK Government’s transport commissioner’s draconian proposals for football supporters’ buses needs to be shown the red card?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

Absolutely. I have no idea why those proposals have been touted in Scotland. I have no idea why the UK’s traffic commissioner and the UK Government think that the proposals have any place in Scotland. The proposals are for voluntary guidance so I suspect that they will be ignored, and I would support that action.

I align myself closely with the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Professional Football League, the Scottish Women’s Premier League and many teams across the country who have condemned the proposals. I confirm to Stuart McMillan and other members that the proposals have been brought forward without a single word of consultation of Scottish Government ministers, the football authorities or—most important, I suggest—the thousands if not millions of football fans who would be negatively impacted by them.

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd, wrote to the commissioner yesterday to better understand where the ludicrous proposals have come from. The Scottish football governing bodies and football fan organisations have already issued strong statements, setting out their concerns, and they have my absolute full support in that.

Criminal Justice (Sentencing Guidelines)

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

Three months ago, I asked the First Minister about a murderer and rapist who received a shorter prison sentence due to new sentencing guidelines for under-25s. Since then, countless other violent criminals—adults, by any definition—have also had their sentences reduced. Can Humza Yousaf tell the victims, most of whom are women, why his Government will not step in and scrap this weak and dangerous practice in the Scottish justice system?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

The member asked the question while fully knowing the answer. Those are Scottish Sentencing Council guidelines that are not made, derived from or approved by the Scottish Government; they are approved by the senior judiciary. Given how horrifying some of these cases are—the cases that Russell Findlay mentioned are absolutely horrifying—I can understand the temptation for MSPs to demand that the Government take action. However, if we were to do so, we would be interfering in the independence of the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of our democracy and of the rule of law.

Sentencing decisions are very much for the independent judiciary. I am sure that it will have heard the concerns that Russell Findlay and many other members have raised. However, it is important to say that the Sentencing Council guidelines are evidence based.

We have announced an important bill that will put victims and witnesses at the heart of the justice system even more than they are. I hope that Russell Findlay and the Conservatives will support that bill as it goes through Parliament.

NHS Lothian (Edinburgh Eye Pavilion)

Sarah Boyack (Labour, Lothian)

The First Minister will be aware that the new eye pavilion in Edinburgh has suffered delay after delay. Over the past few weeks, fresh doubts about its 2027 opening have arisen after NHS Lothian told patients and campaigners that timescales would be confirmed once the Scottish Government had completed a review of funding and sequencing on a number of capital projects.

Will the First Minister confirm today to Parliament that the new eye pavilion will open in 2027? Will he meet me and eye pavilion patients to reassure them that the Scottish Government will fund that vital project, given that it was not mentioned in the programme for government?

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

I am happy to confirm that we are absolutely committed to the eye pavilion. Sarah Boyack is right that there is a review of the capital projects that we are funding right across Government. That review is very much still on-going, which is why we are not able to confirm the timelines.

There has been a significant reduction in our capital budget by the Westminster UK Government, which I am afraid has impacts. There is also the disaster of the mini-budget last year, which has meant that inflation and construction costs have risen exponentially. That is why the capital programmes review has to be undertaken. When it is complete, we will ensure that Parliament is updated accordingly.

I am sure that the cabinet secretary will be happy to meet Sarah Boyack and patients in the local area on the plans in relation to the eye pavilion.

The Presiding Officer

That concludes First Minister’s question time. The next item of business is a members’ business debate in the name of Carol Mochan. There will be a short suspension to allow those leaving the chamber and public gallery to do so.

12:48 Meeting suspended.

12:50 On resuming—

Alcohol Services

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-10032, in the name of Carol Mochan, on investing in alcohol services to reduce alcohol-related harm in Scotland. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.

Motion debated,

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the urgent need for action to address the highest number of deaths from alcohol in over a decade, with a reported 22% increase in alcohol-specific deaths in the last two years following the COVID-19 pandemic; believes that this increase is likely due to changing drinking habits, alongside reduced access to services; considers that the risk of alcohol harm is already greater for the most disadvantaged in society, with people in Scotland’s most deprived communities reportedly over five times as likely to die and six times as likely to be admitted to hospital because of alcohol than people in the wealthiest communities; believes that, while deaths are the most extreme form of alcohol harm, these are likely to be accompanied by increases in other harms, such as alcohol-related diseases, accidents, violence, unemployment, family and relationship breakdown, domestic abuse, child neglect and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; notes the belief that a plan is needed to address what it sees as this public health emergency, and further notes the campaign by 36 charities and health bodies, including the Directors of Public Health in Scotland and the East Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in the South Scotland region, which calls for urgent action as well as increased and sustained investment in alcohol services and recovery support, alongside a renewed commitment to preventative policies recommended by the World Health Organization on pricing, availability and marketing.

Carol Mochan (Labour, South Scotland)

It is unfortunate that today’s debate is required, but I am pleased to have the opportunity to bring it to the chamber. At the outset, I wish to thank Alcohol Focus Scotland, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems—SHAAP—and others for the briefings that they have provided members with ahead of the debate.

I am pleased that the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy is attending the debate, and I am pleased to see some Government back benchers attending, too. However, as of this morning, not a single Scottish National Party or Scottish Green MSP had signed the motion. In his speech on Tuesday delivering the programme for government, the First Minister did not mention recently released statistics regarding alcohol-specific deaths. Yet again, we are promised a review of strategy and a review of delivery, but action feels as far away as it ever has been.

I offer these words to the minister: if our approach to investing in alcohol services to reduce alcohol-related harm does not include accepting where we have gone wrong in the past and where we are currently not quite getting it right, we are doing a disservice to those who already are—and those who will become—dependent on alcohol, as well as to their friends, their families and their communities.

It is important to note that, in total, 1,276 deaths were attributed to alcohol-specific causes last year. That is 31 more than in 2021 and is the highest number since 2008. That is 1,276 individuals whose lives were lost before time, and whose friends and families have lost a loved one.

This is a public health emergency. I think that we all accept that. However, I join with key stakeholders today in asking why the amount of alcohol-related harm and the number of deaths have not convinced the Government that the matter is worthy of an emergency response. We have had no ministerial statement, no debate in Government time and no real path to delivery from the First Minister or the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health. We can do so much better. Those who are suffering due to alcohol-related harm deserve better, and so do the countless families, friends and communities that have seen too many lose their lives to alcohol without the correct support being in place.

Taking a somewhat deeper look at the tragic announcement in recent weeks, we see further causes for concern. While male deaths continue to account for about two thirds of alcohol-specific deaths, the number of female deaths increased by 31 in 2022. It is pivotal that we analyse the detail and do all that we can to ensure that the increased number of female deaths is not repeated, and that we also reduce the number of male deaths from alcohol.

As we see in the motion, although deaths are the most extreme form of alcohol harm, they are likely to be accompanied by increases in other harms, including domestic abuse and violence, and we know that those harms disproportionately impact women. I repeat that this is a public health emergency, and I highlight the importance of having a multilayered response that addresses key factors including causes, related harms and improving outcomes.

I often take the opportunity in the chamber to call for the reduction and eradication of health inequalities. As the motion states,

“the risk of alcohol harm is already greater for the most disadvantaged in society, with people in Scotland’s most deprived communities reportedly over five times as likely to die and six times as likely to be admitted to hospital because of alcohol than people in the wealthiest communities”.

That is the devastating reality—one that our most deprived communities have to live with every day.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

A statistic that we have looked at before shows that binge drinking is more prolific in our most deprived communities than in our least deprived communities. That must point to the fact that there are fewer services available in our most deprived communities, which results in an imbalance in alcohol deaths. Does Carol Mochan agree with that?

Carol Mochan (Labour, South Scotland)

My view is that it is an extremely complex picture. A lot of our difficulties in more deprived areas are a result of the fact that services are much less accessible. We also have a system that builds in inequalities, so we have to look right across the board at what we can do to support such communities.

The impacts of alcohol harm are wide ranging and can affect anyone. However, the fact that, in 2023, those harms are still felt so acutely in our most vulnerable communities is appalling, and we need to ensure that our approach to tackling this public health emergency is underpinned by a desire to support those people who are most in need. The approach needs to be preventative in nature by tackling the root causes of alcohol harm, which perhaps comes back to Brian Whittle’s point. We must be strong in our approach to advertising where we have the powers to be so, we must put people before profits and, for those who are already dependent, we must have the right support services in place, through investment in our alcohol and drug partnerships, to give people an offer of hope at an otherwise incredibly challenging time.

As I said at the beginning of my remarks, this is not a debate that any of us want to have, but, due to the situation that we find ourselves in, it is necessary to have it. It is a debate that we need to have in Government time so that families and communities can see how seriously the Government takes the issue.

The number of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland is at its highest level in 15 years, and, at the same time, there are 40,000 more children living in poverty in Scotland than there were a decade ago. The link between alcohol harm and poverty is damaging and well established, and we must do everything in our power to break that link.

Again, I pay tribute to the first-class organisations that research alcohol harm or suggest ways through this emergency; to those who provide services to people who are alcohol dependent; and to our great national health service staff, who always do their best to act when they are called on. They are all part of the fight, but they are being let down. They need a change of approach that shows urgency and tackles the emergency. So far, the Government has not stepped up to the mark, so I implore the minister to take the opportunity today to feed back and tell us how it will tackle what is an emergency for our communities.

Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Greenock and Inverclyde)

As co-convener of the cross-party group on drug and alcohol misuse, and as the vice-chair of Moving On Inverclyde, which is a local recovery charity, I thank Carol Mochan for securing the debate. She spoke in the debate on liver cancer on 14 June, which I secured. The same issues that were relevant to that debate are relevant to today’s.

In recent years, a greater focus has been given to tackling drug-related harm, which is welcome. However, many people in the recovery sector have expressed concerns about the impact that that has had on efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm. As per the motion,

“with a reported 22% increase in alcohol-specific deaths in the last two years following the COVID-19 pandemic”,

I am sure that we all agree that equal attention must be given to alcohol-related harm.

Sadly, between 2017 and 2021, Inverclyde reported the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland, with the majority of those deaths caused by alcohol-related liver disease. In addition, more than one in four people who live in Greenock and Inverclyde drink quantities above the chief medical officer’s low-risk drinking guidelines, placing them at a higher risk of developing alcohol-related liver disease. Sadly, that worrying local trend reflects an alarming national picture across Scotland, as the number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol has risen to the highest level in 14 years.

The motion before us suggests that changes in drinking habits, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, have played a part in the recent spike in alcohol-related deaths. Through my involvement with Moving On Inverclyde, I can attest to that. Having been a board member of that organisation for eight years, I have seen it go through many changes. The reasons for people seeking help have varied. With the move out of lockdown, Moving On Inverclyde found that a greater number of people needed support for alcohol misuse. The minister heard about that when she visited Moving On Inverclyde over the summer recess.

It is easy to see how people being stuck in the house for long periods of time with little opportunity to interact with others at home or in public settings could lead to their drinking more heavily. It was always considered that other harms could follow on from the Covid restrictions, and the impact that those restrictions have had on people with substance dependence is clear. Figures from the National Records of Scotland show that 1,276 people died from alcohol-specific causes in 2022. That amounts to three people in Scotland dying every day because of alcohol harm.

I thank the British Liver Trust for bringing its “Love your liver” roadshow to Scotland earlier this year to help to raise national awareness of the risk factors for liver disease, which include excess alcohol consumption. I hope to bring the “Love your liver” roadshow to Inverclyde in the autumn, so that people in my constituency can access non-invasive liver scans and learn more about improving their liver health. Scanning using FibroScan technology is quick, easy and painless, and it could lead to some of my constituents learning that they might have liver damage and being given a letter to take to their GP that recommends further investigation. That could help them to reduce the risk factors and, ultimately, save their lives.

I again thank Carol Mochan for securing the debate. The issue of alcohol-related harm is a hugely important issue for the country. There is no quick fix. If there was, it would have been implemented by now. The motion talks about the need for a plan. Carol Mochan spoke about the urgency of the situation and said that we face an emergency. The use of the words “urgency” and “emergency” is entirely accurate. However, it will take a bit of time to develop a plan. Wide discussion and dialogue will be critical in enabling us to get to where we all want to be—in a situation in which fewer people in Scotland die as a result of alcohol-related harm.

Sandesh Gulhane (Conservative, Glasgow)

I refer to my entry in the register of members’ interests—I am a practising NHS general practitioner—and congratulate Carol Mochan on securing time for this most important debate.

We have a problem with alcohol. That includes the binge drinking that is seen up and down our towns at weekends. In my GP practice, I see many patients who have issues with alcohol or drugs, as a consequence of which their mental health is deteriorating. Many patients whom I speak to do not realise that drinking, say, two glasses of wine after work to relax and unwind equates to a minimum of 42 units a week. Given that 14 units a week is the recommended maximum level, they are shocked to discover that and, naturally, they want to reduce their drinking. Therefore, I support Drinkaware’s coming campaign to make more people aware of how much they are drinking.

The SNP has been responsible for health in Scotland since May 2007 but, last year, 1,276 Scots died as a result of alcohol. Their families are grieving. Alcohol-related deaths are at their highest level since 2008, with people in our more deprived communities suffering the most.

When it comes to alcohol, the SNP has tried one flagship approach, which has made alcohol more expensive for the less well-off. The trouble is that people are going without food instead. The minimum unit pricing policy has now been discredited by the SNP itself, yet it seems to be the only plan that the SNP has for tackling alcohol harms. That is why it put a more convenient and positive spin on a Public Health Scotland report into minimum unit pricing by shoehorning words such as “significant” into the draft in order to claim a slam-dunk success, but MUP has not been a slam-dunk success. The SNP also had to make a humiliating climbdown when it was accused of misrepresenting the analysis by spinning estimates as facts. In addition, it implied that the resounding success that it claimed MUP had been was based on 40 studies, which was not true.

Yesterday in Parliament, cabinet secretary Michael Matheson argued that many leading experts have repeatedly said that MUP is making a positive impact on the issue. What he failed to mention is the many evidence-based studies that question that analysis, which is why the Scottish Government and its spin doctors had to rewrite their public announcements. Furthermore, it is crystal clear that there are more alcohol-related deaths now than there were in 2018, when MUP was introduced. Men living in deprived areas are drinking more with MUP in place and others are switching to drinking spirits. MUP has abandoned dependent drinkers.

If we are ever to get a grip on the crisis, people suffering from dependence should have the right to access treatment and rehabilitation. That right to recovery approach is backed by front-line experts. The evidence suggests that direct intervention works and improves outcomes, so let us concentrate on that.

Pauline McNeill (Labour, Glasgow)

I thank my colleague Carol Mochan for bringing forward this timely debate to highlight the rising level of harm being caused in Scotland by alcohol, which is exacerbating health inequalities and adding to the huge but avoidable pressures faced by our NHS, at huge cost to our economy.

Carol Mochan is right when she says that this is a national crisis. The latest figures from National Records of Scotland show that almost 1,300 people died last year from conditions caused by alcohol, which is the highest figure in 14 years and is up 2 per cent on the previous year. Although we can always use different reference points and figures, it is clear that the situation is becoming more serious.

Our most disadvantaged and marginalised communities are disproportionately impacted by the harms that are caused by alcohol. Shockingly, people in Scotland’s most deprived communities are reportedly five times as likely to die and six times as likely to be admitted to hospital because of alcohol as are people living in the wealthiest communities.

The crisis directly impacts my constituents. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, my local health board and the largest in the country, recorded Scotland’s highest rate of mortality caused by chronic liver disease. This is, indeed, a crisis.

That is unacceptable and highlights the need for urgent action to strengthen prevention and improve access to services. It is important that there are facilities to help women offenders, which has been a key focus for this and previous Governments. There was a question yesterday about the 218 service, which is something that I know about because it was set up under a Labour Administration. It provides a very important alternative to custody for many women, including those who are alcohol-dependent, but it faces deep cuts. I wonder how that fits with the Government’s strategy on women’s offending and the crisis that we face.

Six months ago, Justina Murray of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs told the Criminal Justice Committee that one of the biggest barriers to effective change comes from implementation. She said:

“In Scotland, we are really good at writing down what we want to do—we have all the right things written in legislation, strategies and policies—but we do not implement what we say we will. We are good at saying what we are going to do, but we are not so good at doing what we should be doing. There is not really any accountability in the system ... there are still significant failings in treatment, care and support services.”—[

Official Report, Criminal Justice Committee,

22 March 2023; c 7.]

Much more immediate work is required to reduce alcohol-related harms and death. The long-term funding of relevant services is absolutely vital in tackling the rise in alcohol-related deaths. We need services throughout the country, and the third sector must be appropriately funded in order to sustain those services for the foreseeable future.

Make no mistake: this is a public health crisis that should be taken as seriously as the crisis of drug-related deaths. In Scotland last year, 21 per cent more people died because of alcohol than because of drugs. It is clear that we must tackle both crises. Stuart McMillan made that point earlier and I agree with him. It is time to view alcohol as one of the biggest threats to population health. Every year, alcohol costs Glasgow, the region that I represent, an estimated £365 million, which equates to £615 per person.

Aside from the horrific impact that alcohol has on people’s lives, which Carol Mochan talked about, it has a hugely detrimental impact on economic growth and workforce productivity.

Every life lost is a tragedy, so we must do more to ensure that vulnerable people have access to local community services and the resources to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol-related deaths in Scotland.

I want to make special mention of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is an organisation and a fellowship that has helped millions of people—and it means a lot to me. The mentoring system and the 12-step programme has given me the opportunity to try to understand alcoholism and the complexity behind it, and I realise that there is not one simple answer.

The organisation has something to offer to the overall strategy on alcohol. Sandesh Gulhane talked about the fact that alcohol is an issue that affects all communities and all classes, as well as about how dangerous it is to focus only on one policy. It is my personal experience, based on talking to people who have been seriously dependent and who have almost risked their lives, that people have been saved by services and by Alcoholics Anonymous. I also agree with Mr Gulhane’s point that affected people will do anything to get access to alcohol because of their dependency on it. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution to this. We need to realise that it is a complex issue.

Once again, I thank Carol Mochan for bringing this important debate to the chamber.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

I echo the thanks to Carol Mochan for securing time for this important debate. It is important that Government time in the chamber is made available for this vital topic.

I also offer special thanks to the campaigners who have fought tirelessly to bring this conversation for public debate, some of whom are watching today’s debate from the public gallery. I hope that the debate can be the catalyst for more meaningful political action, and as I said, a debate in Government time.

We have heard that this is an emerging crisis. It is a hidden crisis, with more than 1,200 people losing their lives last year alone to alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland, which is the highest figure in 15 years. That is worthy of note, macabre as it is. We all agree that, behind each of those deaths is an irreparable tear in countless families and communities. However, that statistic only scratches the surface of the harm that alcohol misuse is causing in our communities. I want to ensure that when we discuss alcohol issues we recognise that, like other forms of substance abuse, it is a sickness that is caused by a multiplicity of factors, including socioeconomic issues—which I will speak about later—trauma, and potentially genetics. It is essential that any action that is taken is driven by understanding and, more important, that we act with compassion.

The long-term effects of alcohol misuse, including long-term health and addiction issues, can impact on future generations. At the beginning of the year, Scottish Liberal Democrat research revealed that, since 2017, more than 1,100 babies have been born dependent on substances, including alcohol. Alcohol misuse has other ripple effects, including the intensification of domestic abuse, child neglect and family and relationship breakdown.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

I was listening to Alex Cole-Hamilton talk about the impact on the unborn. Does he also recognise that we are starting to understand the impact of foetal alcohol syndrome disorder, and that about 170,000 people in Scotland could be suffering from that condition?

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

I am grateful for that excellent intervention. It is vital that we consider the impact of that. The early days of life begin before birth, and what can happen in utero can lead to lifelong and life-altering consequences. Before I came to this place, I worked closely with other colleagues as part of the “Putting the Baby IN the Bath Water” coalition. We need to talk more about foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, so I am grateful to Brian Whittle for that intervention.

It is estimated that alcohol misuse costs Edinburgh more than £220 million per year and, during the past two years, there has a been a reported 25 per cent increase in alcohol-related deaths. That increase was in large part caused by the strictures of lockdown and the mental health impact of that, but we cannot assume that, with the abatement of the pandemic, those numbers will also abate. That supports expert theories that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a lasting effect on people’s drinking habits, which has subsequently led to an increase in high-risk and harmful drinking.

The fact that alcohol misuse appears to be worsening is just one reason why we need urgent action. Although the Scottish Government has recognised alcohol harm as a public health emergency, there is yet to be an emergency response. We desperately need a strategy and effective policies.

One such policy that has been adopted, whose impact we are just now seeing, is minimum unit pricing. My party supported the introduction of the policy, and promising data is being produced, but we need to continue to monitor its efficacy when we review its potential renewal—that is something that will challenge us all in the coming months.

MUP is just one tool, however, and it is by no means enough to tackle the issue. Alcohol services are still reeling from SNP-inflicted cuts. We remember that, in 2015, the Government cut funding to services in ADPs by nearly 25 per cent, and those have still received no real-terms increase in funding, according to Audit Scotland. As a result, they are struggling to maintain their service—the relationships that they provide and sustain—amid rising costs, coupled with rapid increases in demand. That is why 36 charities and public health bodies, including the directors of public health in Scotland, have called on the Government to urgently provide increased and sustained investment in alcohol recovery and support services.

As I alluded to, we cannot ignore the root causes of why people drink and why they harm themselves with alcohol use. People in the most deprived communities are five times more likely to die and six times more likely to be admitted to hospital due to alcohol-related causes. That is a health inequality and is attached to unresolved childhood trauma, as is drug abuse. That is why the Scottish Liberal Democrats would establish a new specialist family drug and alcohol commission, which would offer accessible wraparound services, taking a holistic, community-based and trauma-informed approach to substance and alcohol misuse.

The experts have been unequivocal about the extensive harm that alcohol misuse is inflicting on us and in their assessment of it. It is our duty to listen to them and to treat the issue with the attention, urgency and compassion that it deserves and requires.

Gillian Mackay (Green, Central Scotland)

I, too, thank Carol Mochan for bringing forward the debate, and offer my condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one to alcohol misuse. I also thank Alcohol Focus Scotland and SHAAP for their tireless efforts to tackle alcohol-related harm. Every alcohol-related death is a preventable tragedy.

This is a human rights issue. As elected representatives, we have a responsibility to act on it. Many others have covered recovery and treatment services. My contribution will focus on the other side of the issue: prevention and the specific actions that we need to take to address the alcohol deaths emergency. Inevitably, that will mean tackling alcohol marketing, which encourages people to start drinking and to drink at higher levels.

We know that exposure to alcohol marketing is a cause of youth drinking. Decades of research have concluded that alcohol marketing leads young people to start drinking earlier and to drink more. Clearly, allowing the industry to self-regulate is not working. In a UK survey, 82 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds reported having seen alcohol advertising in the past month.

Alcohol marketing affects not just young people. It encourages consumption and risk-taking behaviour among heavier drinkers, causes higher craving levels and fosters positive alcohol-related thoughts. That can seriously impact people who are struggling with their alcohol use, or who are in recovery.

Alcohol advertising makes drinking seem more attractive and encourages high consumption. Restricted alcohol marketing benefits everyone. In fact, it is recommended by the World Health Organization as one of the most effective ways of reducing consumption and the health and social harms that alcohol causes.

Other European countries have already taken action. Ireland recently introduced legislation to ban alcohol advertising during sporting events and—crucially—events that are aimed at children. It is also restricting alcohol advertising outdoors and on public transport, as well as how and where alcohol can be displayed in shops and supermarkets.

Scotland would do well to follow Ireland’s lead and be bold in its efforts to tackle the proliferation of alcohol marketing. Measures recommended by the alcohol marketing expert network include restricting advertising outdoors and in public places, in sports and event sponsorship and in retail display and promotion. Those measures should be introduced as soon as is practicable and I look forward to hearing any updates that the minister has about timescales for upcoming consultations.

I turn to the introduction of an alcohol levy. I have long believed that the polluter-pays principle should be applied to the sale of alcohol. The alcohol industry makes huge profits from the sale of alcohol and should contribute towards mitigating the harm that is caused by the products that it sells. Retailers should not be allowed to keep the additional profits that they make from minimum unit pricing, which should be invested into prevention and treatment services.

Alcohol Focus Scotland also advocates for the introduction of an alcohol harm prevention levy. That would be raised through a supplement on non-domestic rates for retailers and applied to premises licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. I have raised that matter in the past and I would be grateful if the minister could update the Parliament on the Government’s current position on the proposal and advise what consideration is being given to introducing such a levy.

There are many actions that we can take to tackle alcohol-related harm. Now is not the time for timidity or hesitation. Too many lives and too many families are being destroyed. We must act and we must do it now.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

I thank Carol Mochan for bringing the debate to the chamber. As we get the welcome news that drug deaths have started to decline—which is excellent news, albeit that their numbers are far too high—we are hit with the news that alcohol deaths are rising. It is important to note that, for people who are caught in addiction, alcohol and drugs are almost interchangeable. In fact, especially with drug addiction, there is usually an alcohol element as well.

I want to clarify my intervention on Carol Mochan. I am co-convener of the cross-party group on health inequalities. I was surprised to hear at the CPG that people in the most deprived areas are more likely to abstain from alcohol than those in the least deprived but that the impact of alcohol abuse and consumption is much more catastrophic in the deprived areas. We talked about the inequality of access to services about which Carol Mochan spoke.

In the previous session of the Parliament, we all agreed to minimum unit pricing, albeit with a sunset clause. We need to understand why the figures are so stark despite the introduction of minimum unit pricing and what impact the measure has had. Even if it has had an impact, which I hope it has, alcoholism will not be cured by increasing the price of alcohol alone. I am concerned that the Scottish Government’s approach has relied far too much on minimum unit pricing and that not enough has been done on education, for example. I refer not just to direct education on the dangers of alcohol abuse but education on the alternatives that are offered to our youngsters.

Members will not be surprised to hear me refer to the inequality of access to sport, music, art and drama, and increasing budgetary constraints on our third sector organisations, which Pauline McNeill mentioned, in relation to the rising addiction numbers. In many cases, the third sector organisations are the ones that have access to the people who are most isolated in our communities

I ask the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy to inform members how she is working with her colleagues on the matter. It will take work across portfolios, especially with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, to address it. The issue is complex, as Carol Mochan said, and it will take much more than we are doing to tackle the problem. The minister will understand that this is an issue that unifies us across the parties.

Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Greenock and Inverclyde)

During the minister’s recent visit to Inverclyde, a number of the service users of the organisation that I referred to pointed out the amount of activities that are available in the local area and said that, prior to their addiction, whether to drugs or alcohol, they did not realise that there was so much to do in the area. The member’s point about the issue being complex is an accurate one, but his trying to lay the blame on the lack of funding for third sector organisations or in communities is not entirely accurate.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

I thank Stuart McMillan for his intervention, but I have to disagree with him on a specific point. I have a specific interest in sport, and I have mentioned often in this chamber that sport is becoming the domain of the middle classes. How we allow access to sport and many other activities surrounding it is an issue that we need to consider. I have talked many times about the school estate; indeed, that is why I have mentioned the education establishment. It is one of the battlegrounds where we need to tackle this matter, as it will allow us to engender different interests in people.

However, I do not think that we are speaking at cross-purposes here. Our views are very much in the same vein, and perhaps enthusing our youngsters to do something else or ensuring that there is something else on offer other than the boredom that leads to much of this will be part of the complex response that we need to make. In that respect, I would be very grateful if the minister could let us know how she is working with colleagues across other portfolios, especially in education.

Once again, I thank Carol Mochan for bringing this important debate to the chamber.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

I congratulate Carol Mochan on sponsoring the motion and for bringing the debate to the chamber. I agree with her that, as the evidence that we have heard over the past 45 or however many minutes shows, we need a proper debate in the chamber during Government time to discuss this very important issue.

As we all know, our country has a complex relationship with alcohol. That is not a recent discovery—it has been going on for generations. I completely agree with the quotation that Pauline McNeill read out; I do not know who it was from, as I did not write it down, but I was struck by it. We are so good at talking about the problem and at producing words, papers and strategies, but we are just not any good at delivering any change on the issue. That has gone on for far too long, and I therefore absolutely echo Carol Mochan’s comments about the need for a full debate in Government time, with all the parties putting forward their ideas on what we will do to change our country’s trajectory in relation to alcohol consumption and dependency.

Enough is enough. People are dying, and anyone who has ever spent time supporting someone struggling with alcohol dependency and dealing with all the illnesses that are contingent on their alcohol addiction will know that it is heartbreaking. Through that one person’s life, so many hearts are broken.

I have never felt that it was my job as a politician to tell people how to lead their lives—I just do not see that as my role—but I absolutely believe and agree with colleagues who have said that it is our duty as parliamentarians to work together to create public policy that makes a difference and which enables people to make better choices. To those who argue that alcohol consumption is entirely a personal decision that is nothing to do with the Government or with public policy, I am afraid to say that that argument crumbles in the face of the gentlest scrutiny and all the evidence of our life experiences.

In his remarks, Sandesh Gulhane talked about the nature of the impact of this problem on families, communities and society at large. We do not live our lives as isolated beings; even though we have our individual identities and preferences, we are woven together. I absolutely subscribe to the notion that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, and that is why we as members of the Scottish Parliament have a solemn responsibility to do something about alcohol addiction as it impacts and harms individuals, families, communities and our country.

However, prioritising collective actions or blunt instruments over individual responses is not the answer. Again, Dr Gulhane made very clear our position on minimum alcohol pricing. As well intentioned as that is, it is not meeting need. Frankly, it is easy for all of us to picture someone with an addiction, but what do they do when they face higher prices? They do without in other essential areas, and that impacts other people in the process.

My time is up, so I will conclude by saying that we need to chart a new course for Scotland on this issue. Enough of the talking, the strategies and the reviews—let us do something. Let us, for example, invest in local rehabilitation centres across the country, and let us put help easily within the reach of every person who needs it and those who are trying and striving to support those who are struggling with the problem.

Moreover, let us educate our young people. We must deal with the problem at root and create a better relationship between the people in our country and alcohol. Let us deal with the behaviour issues that arise from the misuse or abuse of alcohol through binge drinking and other activities and deal properly with the antisocial behaviour that arises through such abuse. Let us deal with the issues that my constituents in Falkirk, for example, talk about such as excessive noise, violence, graffiti and litter left in the wake of those who have been intoxicated and disruptive in the street or the community.

The failure to hold individuals accountable for their behaviour sends a destructive and dangerous message about what behaviour is permissible. By failing to act, we are perpetuating a vicious cycle of harm, and I therefore appeal to the minister to talk to her colleague, the Minister for Parliamentary Business, to see that there is a full debate on this issue as soon as possible.

Elena Whitham (Scottish National Party, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

I thank Carol Mochan for lodging her really important motion, and I also thank members for their considered contributions this afternoon. From the outset, I want the chamber to know that I support the motion.

We all agree that urgent action is needed to address the number of deaths from alcohol and to reduce alcohol-related harm. I offer my condolences to all the families who have been impacted by alcohol deaths and restate my commitment to do everything in my power to tackle this public health emergency. As a member of a family that has been affected by the matter, I have to say that it is personally important to me.

As we have already heard, National Records of Scotland has reported a 2 per cent increase in the number of alcohol-specific deaths in 2022. The mortality rates in the most deprived areas are more than four times as high as those in the least deprived areas, and according to Public Health Scotland statistics, admission to hospital was six times higher from the most deprived areas. Those gaps are reducing over time, but they are clearly still far too large, and tackling poverty must remain a clear focus for us all.

I am

also particularly concerned by the reported rise in the mortality rate for women and the over-65s. We must ensure our prevention policies and treatment services address the specific needs of those groups and are tied into the work being carried out across Government that Brian Whittle and others have talked about. We need to respond the health inequalities that are experienced acutely by women but by other groups, too; indeed,

we should also note the increase this year in the deaths of women by suicide. We need to look at how all of these things are tied together and whether, as Alex Cole-Hamilton has suggested, some of this has come out of the pandemic. It remains to be seen whether the situation will continue, but we really need to keep a close eye on it.

The motion asks Parliament to note its belief that

“a plan is needed to address”

this “public health emergency”. In response, I will set out the Government’s plan for doing so. However, I agree with everybody: the issue is so large that we need to find time to bring it back and Government time to start considering it fully.

On pricing, we will soon be laying our report on the operation and effectiveness of minimum unit pricing in line with our commitments under the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012. I look forward to discussing with Parliament the next steps for that flagship policy, as well as launching a public consultation on its future. It is, as some members have said, not a single magic bullet, but is part of a suite of things that we are trying to do.

Minimum unit pricing was a whole-population attempt to drive down consumption. From the reports that we have seen, we know that there has been a 3 per cent reduction in overall consumption, but I am acutely aware of how that impacts dependent drinkers, so I will keep that under close consideration. We will have a full debate on that when we get to it.

Linked to that work is the outcome of our alcohol marketing consultation, which closed in April. In the coming months, we will publish the findings and our next steps, including how we further engage on this critical issue. We will also continue to keep any proposals for a levy under consideration.

On harm reduction, alcohol brief interventions can help clinicians and patients to identify harm-reduction behaviours or the need for outside support in reducing alcohol intake. We have just completed a comprehensive review of ABIs, which will be published shortly. It will include recommendations, and we will provide Parliament with details of the actions that will be taken in response to those to make improvements that help reduce harm and can improve outcomes for people impacted by alcohol.

The earlier that we can do the work to identify people who are drinking at harmful or hazardous levels, the better. I welcome the work that Drinkaware is undertaking on helping people to self-identify issues and I look forward to seeing how that can work in tandem with the review of alcohol brief interventions.

On increasing access to treatment, we have asked Public Health Scotland to investigate the reduction in numbers for referrals to services. We need to ensure that referrals are made wherever appropriate and that there is capacity within services to meet peoples’ needs. Therefore, it is vital that we understand what is behind the data.

I also want to understand where the gaps in data are, as Pauline McNeill mentioned. How do we understand how many people are engaged in fellowship organisations throughout the country? Those organisations are vital and help many people.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

I used to question the Minister for Drugs Policy about this. If we can understand why Scotland has such a problem with drugs and alcohol, it would be very helpful for finding a solution to the matter. Is the Scottish Government doing any work to understand why we have a particular issue in Scotland?

Elena Whitham (Scottish National Party, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

We saw the findings of the Scottish Drugs Deaths Taskforce. Some of those findings on drugs can be extrapolated to alcohol harms. However, as Carol Mochan pointed out, the picture is complex. We need to continue to examine the matter to understand what is driving consumption in our communities. Some of it is to do with poverty and inequality but a lot of it is to do with other matters. The increase in over-65s is particularly perturbing to me. Is there something to do with retirement age that means that people’s habits start to change?

I assure Brian Whittle that examining that matter over time is a key part of what I want to do.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

Will the minister take an intervention?

Elena Whitham (Scottish National Party, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

I cannot, sorry. I do not have enough time. There is just too much to talk about. That speaks to why we need a further debate in the chamber.

We have just commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to take forward work to enable us to deliver our mental health and substance use plan. The first part of that work is currently under way as HIS works with stakeholders to develop an exemplar operational protocol to set out how mental health and substance use services should work together. That is vital, given the number of alcohol-specific deaths that were caused by mental or behavioural disorders. We cannot allow people to be bounced between services.

Workforce—recruitment in particular—is a challenge across all services at the moment. In the autumn, we will publish a workforce action plan on alcohol and drug services to help shape recruitment, retention and service design. That should help to create service capacity to make improvements, such as establishing alcohol care teams in hospitals to identify people with underlying alcohol problems earlier. I am meeting the chair of the group on that this afternoon.

I am meeting local leaders across the country to ensure that they are committing effort and resource to ensure services are in place, accessible and effective. I also recently wrote to ADPs to reassure them that it is welcome if they use national mission resources to support services that offer treatment and support to people who are impacted by alcohol use alongside those who are impacted by drug use. Any concerns that they have should be flagged to my officials.

To help to ensure that changes are delivered, the Government has committed to developing treatment standards to offer people better access to support and a wider range of choices in treatment, in line with what is available through the medication-assisted treatment standards. The standards will be informed by the United Kingdom-wide clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment that will be launched in the coming months. The implementation of those guidelines and our proposed standards will provide the impetus for improving the identification and testing of patients who are at risk of liver disease in primary care. As we have heard from Stuart McMillan, that is welcome.

On recovery services, we are encouraging specialist services to link more closely with recovery communities and we continue to provide funding to third sector recovery groups. We are on track to increase our beds from 425 to just shy of 600 in this session of the Parliament, which is a 40 per cent increase. That represents about 1,000 publicly funded placements, which is important.

There are innovations such as the Simon Community’s managed alcohol programme, which seeks to drive harm reduction for people who are drinking at the most harmful levels.

There is so much in the issue that I cannot get through all of it. However, as the minister with responsibility for both drugs and alcohol, my role is to drive improvements in outcomes for people who are impacted by alcohol, drugs or both and do so in all the ways that help to tackle the twin public health emergencies. The Government will continue to work with statutory and third sector partners to deliver the plan to reduce alcohol harm and alcohol deaths. I will work at pace to bring all of that together to ensure that our ambition is communicated effectively, and I will seek to bring the matter back to the Parliament.

13:41 Meeting suspended.

14:00 On resuming—

Motion of Condolence

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

The next item of business is consideration of a motion of condolence, in the name of Humza Yousaf, in tribute to Winnie Ewing—an inspiring and hugely influential politician. An MSP, MP and MEP, she was also, of course, the first person to chair the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999. The flags outside the Parliament are lowered today as a mark of respect.

I call the First Minister to speak to and to move motion S6M-10350.

Humza Yousaf (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Pollok)

It is with great sadness that I move the motion of condolence in my name, paying tribute to Winnie Ewing. I cannot pretend that my speech—or, I suspect, any of the speeches today—will do full justice to such a remarkable and unique life.

Born in 1929 into a Scotland, and a world, that were very different from our own, Winifred Margaret Ewing was brought up in Glasgow. She became active in politics while studying law at the University of Glasgow, joining the student nationalist association—which a few of us are familiar with. It was there that she met one Ian Hamilton, who asked her whether she would like to be part of an infamous trip down to Westminster abbey to repatriate the stone of destiny. The only thing that prevented Winnie Ewing from making that journey was that she did not have a driver’s licence, and Ian Hamilton needed a driver. In the life of a trailblazer who achieved so much, it might be fair to say that that was the only stone that she left unturned.

Even at that point in Winnie’s life, she was clearly destined to be a trailblazer. For a woman, in those less equal days, a high-profile career in law was something of a rarity. And a career in politics? Forget about it. It was unheard of for a woman—particularly for a woman of the nationalist persuasion. During the 1950s and 1960s, Winnie’s legal career began to flourish. At that time, she met her beloved husband, Stewart, and they would go on to have three children.

Winnie was studying for the English bar when a by-election was declared in the constituency of Hamilton. As we all know only too well, by-elections are remembered and have a national impact only when the result is an upset—which would be something of an understatement when it came to Winnie Ewing’s incredible victory in 1967. Not to overstate it, I say that it was seismic. Professor James Mitchell best summed up its profound significance when he wrote:

“After Hamilton, politics in Scotland would be viewed through a Scottish lens by all parties seeking support north of the border”.

Although she failed to hold on to her Hamilton seat in 1970, Winnie was elected again in 1974 to serve the people of Moray. Shortly afterwards, she began her long career as a member of the European Parliament. She secured some spectacular successes for the Highland communities that she represented. She helped to secure objective 1 assistance for the whole of the Highlands and Islands in 1989, which opened up major resources for infrastructure and employment projects.

Winnie was clearly motivated by her desire for Scottish independence, but she was also involved in major international issues of the day. Her infamous declaration, “Stop the world—Scotland wants to get on”, has been quoted countless times, but the context in which she said it is often forgotten. At a time when Scotland had no national Parliament and little international personality, Winnie worked tirelessly to foster understanding of Scotland and good will for our nation, as a friend of a range of prominent European and international figures. Those figures included the likes of Jacques Chirac and Golda Meir, as well as politicians from across the island of Ireland, including John Hume, Ian Paisley and Éamon de Valera, whose funeral she attended by hiring a small plane at her own expense.

As a member of the European Parliament, she was also elected as a parliamentary delegate to the Lomé convention, which was a trade-and-aid agreement between European, African, Caribbean and Pacific nations. That opened the door for Winnie to work on a variety of international issues of importance. Memorably, she succeeded in bringing the Lomé assembly to meet in Inverness.

It is fair to say that Winnie was known for her compassion and for tirelessly fighting for those who did not have a voice. Winnie was a champion of the Jewish dissidents in the Soviet Union. One such prisoner was Wolf Zalmanson, whose case she publicised and campaigned for relentlessly, until he was finally released to Israel. Winnie devoted much of her career to speaking out for those who could not speak for themselves.

Above all, she sought to build a Scotland that looked outwards, making a positive contribution to the world around us and, by doing so, enriching ourselves. She knew that a key part of that would be to mobilise Scotland’s young people. In her maiden speech as a member of Parliament, in 1967, Winnie had spoken in favour of reducing the voting age to 18. Years later, as an MEP, she was an architect—for which she deserves enormous credit—of the European Union’s Erasmus student exchange programme, which I hope Scotland will, in time, be able to rejoin.

Even after all of that, Winnie was not finished. In 1999, she was elected to the first Scottish Parliament, and, as the oldest member, it fell to her to open the first session. We can only imagine the emotions that she felt as she paid tribute to colleagues and friends from across political parties who had campaigned for decades to see this very place become a reality.

However, Winnie’s message on that hopeful day was very much one for the future. Winnie said that, if the 1707 Parliament’s demise had been

“the end of an auld sang”,

the creation of this place allowed us to write a new one. She urged us

“to sing ... in harmony”,

and to do so with

“fortissimo”.—[

Official Report

, 12 May 1999; c 6.]

Down the years, there has certainly been a lot of fortissimo in this building, and sometimes even a fair amount of disharmony, but we should never allow ourselves to forget that there has also been a lot of harmony. Across political divides, this chamber has been able to fulfil Winnie’s wish by working together, and I think that it is fair to say that, as a Parliament, we have achieved a lot over the years for the people whom we represent.

This Parliament has also helped Scotland to build relationships with new friends and partners the world over. The Scottish National Party would categorically not be where we are today without Winnie’s contribution. With her passing, my party mourns the loss of a giant of our movement, in both her contribution and her sheer force of personality. Equally, Scotland as a whole has lost a relentless champion and a true pioneer.

To Fergus, to Annabelle and to Terry, and to all of the Ewing family, we offer our condolences, but we hope that your grief is tempered by an enormous pride for your wonderful mother and a wonderful grandmother—for a life that was well lived, and lived ultimately in the service of others. On behalf of the whole chamber, I say: thank you, Madame Écosse. [

Applause

.]

I move,

That the Parliament expresses its deep sadness at the death of Winnie Ewing; offers its sympathy and condolences to her family and friends; recognises the historic place she will hold in Scottish political life having served in three Parliaments as a result of her victory in the 1967 Hamilton by-election, her election as an MEP, and as an MSP, where she presided over the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament; further recognises the high esteem in which she was held by colleagues from all parties, and appreciates her contribution as a principled public servant dedicated to the people of Scotland.

Murdo Fraser (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

There are not many politicians who, while never achieving senior office in Government, nevertheless become household names, but Winnie Ewing certainly falls into that category.

The First Minister referenced Winnie Ewing’s interest in and appeal to young people. I well remember being at school in Inverness in the 1970s—Winnie Ewing was already a household name by that point, and at that time was the MP for Moray and Nairn. In my primary school, everyone wore on their blazers little yellow badges in tribute to her, bearing the legend, “It’s Scotland’s Oil”.

It might amuse members to know that my own blazer might have borne such a badge—although, to the relief of my colleagues behind me, I should say that my political beliefs have matured since then.

Even back then, Winnie Ewing was well known as an energetic campaigner and someone who fought hard for her constituents. She lost her seat in Westminster in 1979 to the Conservative candidate, but she bounced right back, fighting the European Parliament election as a candidate for the then Highlands and Islands constituency just a few weeks later, in due course beating the well-known Liberal, Russell Johnston, who had been MP for Inverness.

I can well remember the pictures of Winnie Ewing attending the Camanachd cup final, which, if I recall correctly, was being played at the Bught park in Inverness. Winnie was only part of the crowd, but she quickly realised that Russell Johnston, her opponent in the election, was a member of the official party and was having the players presented to him before the match, so she took it upon herself to run across the pitch, pursued by a television camera, and insert herself—uninvited—in the official party. She was certainly never shy of putting herself forward and never wanted to miss an opportunity to be in the limelight.

I am now the only Conservative MSP whose time in this place overlapped with Winnie’s, in the first session of this Parliament. Despite our political differences, I always found her to be engaging company and, on more than a few occasions, we found common cause. I recall one particular occasion, when Winnie had stood down as an MSP but had been invited as an honoured guest to the opening of the new Parliament building in 2004. Due to the security around the late Queen, who was performing the opening, all the roads around the Parliament had been closed to traffic. I happened to meet Winnie as she stepped out of a taxi at the top of Abbeyhill, very frustrated that she was so far away from the Parliament building. She quickly discovered that she was wearing quite unsuitable shoes for the long walk down Abbeyhill, so I offered her my arm to assist her on the journey, and we proceeded arm in arm towards the Parliament building for the royal opening. On the way, she regaled me with various tidbits of political gossip that, even now, I would not dare repeat to the chamber. I remember that, as we came in sight of the front of the Parliament, she complained bitterly to me that the union flag was flying above the building. I thought that it might be impolite to disagree with her—or maybe I was just terrified—so I maintained a diplomatic silence at that particular point.

Winnie Ewing was not just a nationalist icon but someone who was highly respected across the political spectrum, having served in three different Parliaments. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her, and by many who did not ever have the chance to meet her but knew her simply by reputation. My condolences and those of my party go to the whole family, but in particular to our colleagues Annabelle and Fergus, who, as well as losing a political mentor, have lost a dear mum. I know how proud Winnie was of them both and how much she enjoyed seeing how their careers developed and seeing them take up the causes that she fought so hard for.

Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)

It is an honour to speak today on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party in memory of Winnie Ewing. Before I begin, I also take the opportunity to again offer my condolences, and those of everyone at Scottish Labour, to the family of Winnie Ewing, in particular to Annabelle, Fergus and Terry. To many members on the SNP benches and to many more SNP members across the country, Winnie Ewing was, and remains, an iconic figure and an important part of their lives, so I am sure that many SNP MSPs have felt her absence keenly, and they, too, have my sincerest condolences.

It is hard to think of Winnie Ewing and the story of her life without thinking of the story of Scotland in the 20th and 21st centuries. She may have been christened Madame Écosse for other reasons but, in many ways, the political and public life of Winnie Ewing serves as a crucial insight into the changes that Scotland has been through. At a time when it was rare for young women to receive a university education and to enter politics, Winnie Ewing did both, and she did not pull up the ladder after her: she was generous in her encouragement of women across all parties. Further, far from picking an easy life, Winnie Ewing joined the SNP, whose members were, at that time, more likely to visit London to try and liberate the stone of destiny than to enter the House of Commons. However, as the First Minister said, she was indeed a trailblazer.

In one of many by-elections in the Hamilton area, Winnie Ewing scored a remarkable victory for the SNP that sent shock waves throughout the United Kingdom. In part because of that success, Labour fast-tracked its long-held plan for a Scottish assembly. Therefore, the Parliament that we are all in today is very much part of the Winnie Ewing story.

As an MEP, Winnie became famous for her very forthright speeches in the European Parliament, as she did later as a grandee in the Scottish Parliament. I was pleased to be in the chamber when, in that role, she had the historic privilege of opening the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and reconvening the Parliament for the first time since 1707, and the first time under a representative democracy. The legacy of Winnie Ewing is clear for all to see in the electoral success of her party and the articulate and thoughtful work done in the chamber by her children Fergus and Annabelle and by her daughter-in-law, Margaret Ewing, who also served in the Scottish Parliament.

I always looked forward to Winnie Ewing’s contributions in the Parliament, even though we occasionally disagreed. I have to be honest: she could be quite fearsome when she was disagreeing. I also have to say that she often gave a harder time to her own side than to me. That is an honourable tradition that has been reintroduced by her children. [

Laughter

.]

I will conclude with an anecdote. When I was door knocking recently—I will not be so cruel as to say where—I came upon the doorstep of an older gentleman; some would say that he is a wiser gentleman. He is now an ex-SNP member. In a lovely conversation, he told me that he had joined the SNP in 1967 due to the inspirational Winnie Ewing and her win in the by-election, and that he still held her in the highest regard. While the electoral fortunes of political parties come and go, it is clear to see that, above the ebb and flow of the tide of politics, the influence and legacy of Winnie Ewing live on.

Gillian Mackay (Green, Central Scotland)

I begin, as others have, by offering my and my party’s sincere condolences to Winnie Ewing’s family and friends. I know that, for many in the chamber, she had an impact on not just their political journey but their personal life.

Winnie Ewing’s impact on Scottish politics and her party is undeniable. There was a historic by-election win for the SNP in Hamilton; she advocated for independence on the international stage; and she reconvened the Scottish Parliament. That is an honour that no one else will ever have. I hope that we can also take this time to remind ourselves that this place has to go on to achieve everything that was hoped for in the very first session.

Winnie Ewing has undoubtedly left her mark on the political landscape. She represented in politics at a time when it was unusual, to say the least, to see women taking a prominent role. That is a reminder to us that we need to continue to value women in politics and help all of us to bring everything that we can to the job.

We have to recognise the unique situation that we are in with both Fergus and Annabelle here as sitting members.

Winnie Ewing’s loss to the party and the independence movement is obvious, but the loss to her family is profound. Finding the words to express that loss and convey how sorry I truly am is almost impossible.

The gravity of grief, let alone having to navigate that grief in the public eye, is great, and it takes a great deal of strength to be able to sit through such a session. I hope that the outpouring of feeling and the formal marking of their mum’s death bring Fergus and Annabelle some comfort. Grief is a process, and I hope that, long after this debate concludes, colleagues around the chamber will continue to provide a listening ear.

Winnie Ewing achieved what many of us hope to do in our lifetimes. She has a tangible legacy written into the history books, with people who love her to continue to tell her stories—the triumphant ones of winning elections and, undoubtedly, the deeply personal ones of fun. Those are the things that paint the picture of a life well lived, and add colour and light when grief can weigh heavy.

I want to finish with a poem that was sent to me by a friend at my own time of loss. I hope that those across the chamber who feel Winnie’s loss will find some comfort in it.

“Don’t think of her as gone away, her journey’s just begun,

Life holds so many facets, this earth is only one.

She’s in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days or years.

Think how she must be wishing that we could know today

How nothing but our sadness can really pass away,

And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched,

For nothing loved is ever lost and she was loved so much.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

This is an afternoon of clear emotion, as we have just seen in the moving words of Gillian Mackay. I, too, extend the heartfelt condolences of my party, the Liberal Democrats, to everyone in the chamber today who loved Winnie Ewing, not least her children Annabelle and Fergus. It is lovely to see that Annabelle’s lectern is up and Fergus’s pen is in his hand; I hope that we might get some contributions from them later.

I have been particularly moved by what we have heard today, especially by the laughter. It is a testimony to the woman that the chamber has been filled with laughter on what would otherwise be a solemn occasion. I did not know Winnie—I think that I met her when I was a lobbyist—but it is impossible not to have been taken by her formidable reputation.

I have said several times that it is incumbent on all of us who are elected to the chamber to reflect the better natures of the people that we are here to serve. Winnie Ewing did so, and with aplomb. On news of her passing, my Scottish Liberal Democrat colleague Alistair Carmichael said that Winnie was renowned for her fierce determination, which was amply matched by her sense of fun. In his words, that meant that even those people who disagreed with her held her in respect and admiration. From what we have heard today, that was clearly true.

Her mark on Scottish politics is as indelible as the legacy that it leaves. Presiding Officer, you referenced the fact that she was the first person to speak in Parliament when it was reconvened after 300 years. Her portrait rightly hangs near the entrance to the chamber, because it is in part due to her efforts and tireless campaigning that the Scottish Parliament sits here today.

The famous 1967 by-election victory in Hamilton was groundbreaking in many ways, but what strikes me as we reflect on it is how undoubtedly important it was in paving the way for many more women from all parties and of all political stripes in the chamber and beyond, both to be inspired and to go out and get elected.

In her time as a member of the British delegation to the fledgling European Parliament and in her tenure as an MEP, it was her commitment and passion that helped to forge lasting strong ties between Scotland and Europe. As we have heard, she is one of the few people to have served in all three—as we had previously—of our Parliaments, which is testament to her ardent commitment to public service; it is then no wonder that two of her children followed her footsteps into Scottish politics and have made such a valuable contribution in her stead and in her shadow. However, they have grown beyond that shadow to make their own contribution as well.

All those achievements highlight a career that many of us, regardless of our political side or stripes, look up to and aspire to emulate. Although a lot of her politics were clearly at odds with mine and my party’s, I admire her greatly; in fact, it is difficult not to do so. She will be remembered as a stalwart and trailblazer, and for her passion, drive and perseverance, all of which will have lasting impacts on our society, far beyond her passing.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

It is an honour to be called to contribute to the debate on the motion of condolence for my mother, Winnie Ewing. I wish to thank the First Minister and all the other speakers for their kind and thoughtful words today; indeed, the family has been touched and supported by the condolences that we have received from across the chamber, Scotland and further afield.

From my mother’s sensational victory in November 1967 in the Hamilton by-election to her unseating the Secretary of State for Scotland in Moray and Nairn in the February 1974 election; from her victory in the first directly elected European Parliament elections for the Highlands and Islands in 1979 to her holding that seat in three more elections with vastly increased majorities; from her winning her Highlands and Islands seat as a member of this Parliament to her historic words in formally reconvening it, this long track record of electoral success—very much against the odds—was not down to luck but, rather, was a result of how my mother was able to inspire people. For she was not just clever, kind and generous, and she was not only stylish and charismatic; Winnie walked in other people’s shoes, and they knew that she would speak up for them.

Winnie transformed political campaigning. She spoke directly to people in their factories and homes and on the streets. Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to say that, during the Hamilton by-election campaign, by the sheer power of her personality, she created a new mood of optimism both in Hamilton and across Scotland. Winnie inspired people to imagine how things could be in a normal independent country, with transformative powers to create a fairer society and to participate in the world directly, taking our seat in the United Nations between Saudi Arabia and Senegal.

The early Westminster years were tough for my mother as the sole SNP MP in a House of Commons of 630 members. There was, it has to be said, a great deal of hostility, much of it involving outright misogyny. When my mother was elected in 1967, having been encouraged to stand by my late father, we kids were all under 11, with my younger brother Terry just three-and-a-half years old. My mum was often met, on arriving home on a Thursday night—frequently exhausted—with a rather disgruntled wee boy running to the door, where Terry posed two crushing questions: “Where you been? Why you went?” I am sure that that plaintive cry strikes a chord with many colleagues across the chamber. I am pleased to report that my wee brother Terry’s grammar has improved massively over the years. [

Laughter

.]

It is simply beyond doubt that Winnie blazed a trail for women. She was far ahead of her time. She set up her own legal practice at 28 and became a respected and busy Glasgow criminal defence lawyer. She then became secretary of the Glasgow Bar Association and she was also president of the Soroptimist International club of Glasgow central. Winnie demonstrated that a woman’s place was wherever she chose it to be, including in politics. What is perhaps less well known is that Winnie personally inspired many women to stand for election, some of whom I see in the chamber today. Winnie was a champion of women’s rights. A friend with different political views said in her condolence card to me:

“All women in Scotland, I am sure, are proud of Winnie and what she did for us.”

A lifelong campaigner for human rights and oppressed minorities, Winnie was also a good friend to the Jewish community in Scotland, working with fellow Glasgow solicitor and friend Leslie Wolfson to free prisoners of conscience from the Soviet Union. In her 24 years as a Member of the European Parliament, Winnie was steadfast in standing up for our fishermen and fishing communities. She always spoke up for the Scottish interest. She was a champion of the Gaelic language and she did, indeed, earn the sobriquet Madame Écosse.

She worked with MEPs from other political groups and made common cause in getting things done that would benefit Scotland and Europe more generally. We can indeed see that in her work to get the Erasmus scheme up and running when she was chair of the European Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee, and we can also see that in her bringing the Lomé assembly to Inverness. We can also see that recognition in her being awarded the

The Presiding Officer

Thank you. We will take a minute or two before we resume proceedings.

Net Zero and Just Transition

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

The next item of business is portfolio questions on net zero and just transition. I remind members wishing to ask a supplementary question to press the request-to-speak buttons during the relevant question. I also remind members of the time allocations for questions and, indeed, responses.

Decarbonisation of Buildings (Assistance Schemes)

Willie Coffey (Scottish National Party, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)

1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards the decarbonisation of buildings and the schemes of assistance that are available to the public to help them make the transition. (S6O-02472)

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

We will publish our annual update on progress against our heat and buildings strategy by the end of October. The update will include a summary of progress on our support schemes. The Scottish Government offers a range of support to households, including our warmer homes Scotland and area-based schemes, as well as the home energy Scotland grant and loan scheme, which is open to all domestic households in Scotland and provides the most generous grants in the United Kingdom for zero-direct-emissions heating systems.

Willie Coffey (Scottish National Party, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)

I thank the minister for that update, which confirms that Scottish households have access to the most generous grant support in the UK when it comes to increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Will the minister note that public awareness and participation is crucial if that record support is to be granted effectively amid rising costs? Does the minister agree that Scottish Government interventions are undermined by a UK Government that has failed to tackle sky-high energy prices or to support fuel-poor households in Scotland?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

Willie Coffey is absolutely right on the issue of public awareness. The public engagement strategy for Scotland will be led by the new heat and energy efficiency Scotland agency.

It is also vital that the UK Government publishes firm plans to rebalance fuel prices. That is necessary to ensure that climate-friendly heating systems are cheaper to run than fossil fuel systems. We are pressing the UK Government for more urgent action to enable delivery in Scotland, to address market disincentives to switching to zero-emission heat, and to accelerate decision making on the potential role of hydrogen. We have clear ambitions to decarbonise buildings faster and we offer significantly more support for heat pumps and other zero-emission heating systems than other parts of the UK, but we cannot afford to delay taking action and the UK Government needs to match that ambition.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

There are several supplementary questions and how many I get in will depend upon the brevity of questions and responses.

Graham Simpson (Conservative, Central Scotland)

The Public Audit Committee heard this morning that we have no idea what it will cost to decarbonise buildings in Scotland. Does the minister accept that he and his Government need to set out what it is going to cost individual householders?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

We have a high-level estimate of the total cost of decarbonising heating in Scotland. It is clear that that cannot be met from public funds alone. We want to make sure that it is affordable for householders, communities and business and that will include using a blend of public support, as well as financial products, with a role for private investment and the energy industry, too. More detail will be set out as we move forward to consult on the heat in buildings strategy later this year.

Sarah Boyack (Labour, Lothian)

What lessons have been learned from the £133 million underspend last year on retrofitting homes to make them energy efficient and affordable to heat? My understanding is that a lack of trained staff was a key blockage across the country. Given the fact that fuel poverty is now hitting 39 per cent of our households, what is the Scottish Government doing to address this massive problem and to create jobs and training opportunities across Scotland?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

A range of factors influenced the uptake of voluntary demand-led schemes during Covid and in the wake of the cost of living crisis and the spike in energy prices. We need to take account of all those factors, including skills and capacity across the supply chain. Our supply chain delivery programme is working with industry to address those issues, and they will also be addressed in the consultation that we will carry out later this year.

Alasdair Allan (Scottish National Party, Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

The overwhelming majority of my constituents live in properties that are not connected to the gas grid and many are potentially unsuitable for heat pumps. What options will be available to those who rely on oil in that situation, and what financial support will be on offer?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

Our approach to reducing emissions from buildings is technology-neutral. However, we know that heat pumps are a proven technology and that they work efficiently when they are designed and installed correctly alongside the appropriate energy efficiency measures. Many rural households have already made the transition, and colder countries, such as Norway and Finland, that have large rural populations, are also far ahead of us in this.

However, we recognise that bioenergy might be the best option for a small number of buildings. We already provide an extra £1,500 on top of the £7,500 Home Energy Scotland heating and energy efficiency grants to cover the higher costs in rural areas. We have also recently announced an uplift for rural and remote areas in relation to the social housing net zero heat fund.

Strategic Transport Projects Review (A75)

Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

2. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the second strategic transport projects review in relation to improving the A75. (S6O-02473)

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

The second strategic transport projects review will inform the Scottish Government’s transport investment programme over the next 20 years. As detailed on page 41 of the review, there are clear recommendations for the A75.

In August, I met the leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council and the chair of the regional transport partnership, the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership, in Dumfries, where we discussed our shared ambition for the route and the next steps for the bypassing of the villages of Springholm and Crocketford. As we committed to in our programme for government this week, we will continue to press the United Kingdom Government to fulfil its commitment to fund and support the next steps for improvements on the A75, and we are awaiting a response to the invited bid that was issued to it in April. In fact, I am meeting the UK minister responsible, Richard Holden MP, next week to discuss that very issue.

Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

In a television interview on “Representing Border” earlier this week, the First Minister gave a categorical assurance that the A75 and the A77 will get vital improvements. We have had such promises before. Indeed, in January this year, Michael Matheson said that the STPR2 timetable would be published in spring. However, with 38 out of the 45 recommendations either started or completed, we are yet to hear when the A75 improvements will be rolled out.

I have previously welcomed the UK Government’s constructive collaboration with the Scottish Government on the Euroroute, but given that transport is devolved, the failure to deliver on previous commitments lies squarely at the door of the Scottish National Party Government. Will the minister give my constituents an indicative start date for the Springholm and Crocketford bypasses that it has promised but failed to deliver?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

As I said in my first answer, as the new Minister for Transport I have been active in engaging with the key stakeholders in Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWestrans, as well as with the UK Government. I have done that on the basis that the committed support from the UK Government must be resolved in order to commence work on some of the issues that we are talking about, if, as I think Mr Carson is calling for, we are to do that collectively with the UK Government, particularly in relation to the connections to Northern Ireland. I will continue my work on the issue in that spirit.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

There are a

couple of brief supplementaries. Again, brevity would be appreciated.

Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)

When the UK Government published the Peter Hendy review, it committed to provide funding to the Scottish Government to improve the safety and efficiency of the A75. I agree that we need those upgrades urgently, but will the minister indicate whether the UK Government has provided any information on how much funding will be provided and when it will be received?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

As called for by a number of people, not least Conservative MSPs, we are co-operating with the UK Government on that. I will meet the minister responsible, Richard Holden MP, on Monday, and I hope that we can agree a way forward and secure the amount of funding that it is seeking to provide.

Colin Smyth (Labour, South Scotland)

The transport review was published in December—years late—and we were told that there would be a delivery plan by spring. Communities in Crocketford and Springholm do not want to hear two Governments bickering over who is going to pay for the bypasses—they want to see them happen. Will the minister give an indication of when she will tell Parliament exactly when work will commence on those communities’ bypasses? They have been waiting years for an announcement from the Government.

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

If the member listened to my tone, he would hear that I am far from bickering. I look to work in co-operation with the leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, the SWestrans chair and the relevant MP. If people want us to work in a collective way, I will take that forward. However, in that relationship, we need to identify the steps that are required. As I said, how they can be delivered is actively being discussed. I will continue to work in that spirit, as I have committed to—[

Interruption

.]

The Deputy Presiding Officer

Mr Carson, you had an opportunity to ask a question, so please stop shouting across the chamber.

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

If we want co-operation in delivering transport projects, perhaps the questions and the answers should reflect that.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

Question 3 has not been lodged.

Offshore Wind Power (Harbour Infrastructure)

Karen Adam (Scottish National Party, Banffshire and Buchan Coast)

4. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the development of the necessary harbour infrastructure, including in relation to the operations and maintenance support phase of offshore wind, to deliver a just transition to rural communities, such as Fraserburgh. (S6O-02475)

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

Scotland’s ports and harbours have various ownership models. Fraserburgh is a trust port that is run by the Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners. The Scottish Government recognises the importance that ports and harbours infrastructure plays in delivering a just transition to coastal communities.

The Moray East operations and maintenance base in Fraserburgh has created around 100 local high-value skilled jobs, which will bring economic opportunities as we work towards achieving our net zero ambitions. The strategic investment model will further assist in identifying shared priorities, with an initial focus on investment in ports and harbours, infrastructure improvements, manufacturing and fabrication.

Karen Adam (Scottish National Party, Banffshire and Buchan Coast)

My constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast has a huge part to play in Scotland’s net zero ambitions. I thank the Scottish Government for its unrelenting support for the Acorn project at St Fergus and the Moray offshore wind projects and its funding of the Campaign for North East Rail’s feasibility study on bringing rail back to Peterhead and Fraserburgh.

The Fraserburgh harbour master plan has a huge part to play in our net zero goals. Will the minister meet with me and the harbour board to discuss its ambitious plan?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role that the north-east plays in working towards achieving the net zero ambitions. We have been urging the United Kingdom Government to commit to carbon capture and storage in Scotland for well over a decade. Its recent, long overdue decision to begin its due diligence and hold discussions with Acorn recognises the importance of the potential of the Acorn project and the Scottish cluster.

The Campaign for North East Rail is passionate about its railways. Its award of up to £250,000 from the last just transition fund to conduct a multi-modal study of transport options is also a step forward. Transport Scotland officials continue to work with the relevant bodies, and they attended the Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners board meeting on 20 September to discuss its ambitious plans. I would be happy to meet with the member to discuss any outcomes from that meeting if that would be of interest.

Douglas Lumsden (Conservative, North East Scotland)

To unlock the benefits of harbour improvements at Fraserburgh, it is vital that road infrastructure to Fraserburgh is also improved. Last week, six people were taken to hospital after a car accident at Cortes junction, and we have all heard of the many incidents at the notorious Toll of Birness.

Can I ask the minister how many more lives will have to be impacted before the Government will sort out the dangerous route to Fraserburgh? Without that happening, a just transition will never be delivered.

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

I reflect on my remarks about the £250,000 for the multimodal transport study. Clearly, infrastructure for access to harbours affects residents, as has been referred to. Given the growth of support for the offshore industry, we should also be looking at the different issues around freight and so on. I certainly will ask my officials to look at the particular issue that the member has raised in relation to those accidents, and I will reply to him when there is something additional that I can provide to give him some reassurance.

Offshore Training Passport

Mercedes Villalba (Labour, North East Scotland)

5. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the development of an offshore training passport, as funded by the just transition fund. (S6O-02476)

Richard Lochhead (Scottish National Party, Moray)

The Scottish Government strongly supports delivery of a skills passport that will work for the different offshore energy industry sectors, as we recognise the cross-sector skills of workers and the importance of supporting a fair and managed transition.

Since the development of our prototype skills passport in 2022, work has been on-going to test and finalise the technical aspects of the passport. Alongside technical developments, project partners in renewables, oil and gas, as well as trade unions, have been working hard to increase cross-sector collaboration on the development of the passport, including by seeking agreement on mutual recognition of training requirements across sectors.

Mercedes Villalba (Labour, North East Scotland)

The passport is due to be rolled out later this month, but offshore trade unions—in particular, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers—remain concerned that their members will end up continuing to pay a price if their qualifications are not recognised by developers and contractors in the offshore wind sector. Will the minister guarantee that all developers of wind farms that are leased through ScotWind will be required to recognise the passport? Will he commit to working with the trade unions on implementing the passport when it is finally launched?

Richard Lochhead (Scottish National Party, Moray)

Of course, I will commit to working with the trade unions to implement the passport once it is finalised. We are talking about a major exercise that will benefit the sector for very many years to come. The passport involves close collaboration between the energy industry, its workforce, Governments and their agencies, trade unions, trade bodies, skills bodies and education and training providers. It is important that we get this right and that all parts of the industry get behind it.

As I say, as we look toward the energy transition of the next 10 or 20 years, it is important that we get this right and that we get it in place in a proper way.

Renewable Heating Systems in Homes

Martin Whitfield (Labour, South Scotland)

6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its target for renewable heating systems in homes. (S6O-02477)

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

More than 1 million homes must convert to zero-emissions heating by 2030 if we are to meet Parliament’s interim climate targets. We have developed regulations to deliver that in all new buildings. We have also introduced a new Home Energy Scotland grant, and shortly we will relaunch the warmer homes Scotland programme. As I mentioned in response to an earlier question, we will also be consulting soon on proposals for a heat in buildings bill.

Martin Whitfield (Labour, South Scotland)

Over the recess, I had the pleasure of visiting Sunamp in Tranent, in East Lothian. Sunamp is a fantastic and growing company that makes heat storage systems for individual domestic use and local housing associations. I know that the minister is aware of the company. What lessons can the Scottish Government learn from that fantastic East Lothian-based company on the importance of heat storage in tackling poverty and meeting net zero commitments?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

I and a number of other ministers have visited that particular company and been impressed by its work. I am pleased to hear that there is cross-party support for that and recognition of the important role that heat storage and electrical storage will play in the future of a decarbonised and renewable energy grid. Martin Whitfield is quite right that it will also have an important role to play in the jobs benefit that will come from the decarbonisation of heat. We believe that many thousands of jobs and high-quality careers are to be had from that programme of work, which will benefit communities the length and breadth of the country.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

There is a bit of interest in this issue. I will try to get all the supplementary questions in, but they will need to be brief.

Ivan McKee (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Provan)

District heating systems can offer a number of advantages in decarbonising heating in existing—as well as new—properties, potentially providing a low-cost effective solution that enables access to a heat source that is not available to individual households. What work is the Scottish Government taking forward to accelerate the roll-out of district heating networks in existing properties?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

This is another hugely important aspect of the agenda. The Parliament passed the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 in the previous parliamentary session, and we are implementing that legislation. Public bodies are under a new duty to assess whether their estate would be suitable to connect to district heating systems, and local authorities have powers to identify areas that are suited to district heating. We are exploring the potential for further legislation to strongly encourage buildings to connect to heat networks. Meanwhile, district heating projects in Scotland can receive pre-development support from our Heat Network Support Unit and grant and loan funding from Scotland’s £300 million heat network fund or our district heating loan fund.

Edward Mountain (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a private landlord, as well as the owner of my own house.

Renewable heating targets are important. When the Government is considering them, will it publish the estimated cost to the public purse of upgrading renewable heating in the public housing stock?

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

I am not entirely sure what Edward Mountain is referring to as “the public housing stock” and whether he is talking about council housing or social housing. We have a substantial social housing net zero heat fund, which he is aware of. We work with local authorities as well as housing associations and other social housing providers. In fact, this is part of the wider heat in buildings programme, and the overall high-level costs that I referred to earlier have been published and put into the public domain.

Paul Sweeney (Labour, Glasgow)

The minister will be well aware of the Queens Quay district heat network in Clydebank, which is the biggest in the

United Kingdom and was pioneered by the Glasgow-based engineering company Star Refrigeration. The company is saying that scaling that across the Clyde corridor, with the potential to take hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses off the gas grid, is constrained by access to affordable electricity. What is the minister doing to unlock that opportunity for affordable electricity supply along the Clyde and to get that density of commitments through the planning obligations? Together, that would unlock the huge potential—

The Deputy Presiding Officer

Minister, as briefly as possible.

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

We engage actively with

both Star Refrigeration, which is showing the jobs potential for manufacturing in relation to the deca

rbonisation of heat, and the Queens Quay development. I hope that all members will encourage local authorities, public bodies and housing associations to access the support for heat networks that I referred to earlier.

The issues around the affordability of electricity supply come back to the regulatory power that currently sits at UK level. If we are to decouple gas and electricity prices, we need the UK Government to act. That would enable us to pass on the benefit of the cheap, abundant, clean and green renewable electricity that is being generated in this country to benefit bill payers.

Skills Development Scotland and Built Environment—Smarter Transformation (Partnership)

Bob Doris (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn)

7. To ask the Scottish Government how its action to achieve net zero will be supported by the recently agreed partnership between Skills Development Scotland and Built Environment—Smarter Transformation. (S6O-02478)

Màiri McAllan (Scottish National Party, Clydesdale)

The construction sector is critical to achieving a just transition to net zero, and the Scottish Government is supporting a range of plans for a more sustainable, innovative and diverse construction industry.

The new strategic partnership that Bob Doris has referred to will allow Built Environment

—

Smarter Transformation and Skills Development Scotland to collaborate and identity ways in which the construction industry can help the sector to address its net zero challenges.

Bob Doris (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn)

As we navigate the economic changes that will accompany our transition to a net zero society, apprentices with the skills and knowledge to transform sectors such as construction will be crucial to Scotland’s drive towards net zero. What role does the cabinet secretary see apprentices playing on that journey?

Màiri McAllan (Scottish National Party, Clydesdale)

Apprenticeships are a critical tool for employers and a critical way for them to invest in their workforce and provide the skills that are needed to support the imperative of transitioning to net zero. They are vital for supporting young people into valuable and rewarding careers and helping people to upskill, reskill and progress in their chosen careers. Statistics published by Skills Development Scotland show that, in 2022-23, construction operations had the largest number of overall starts, at 26 per cent. We will continue to work collaboratively to maintain and to boost that number.

A9 (Prevention of Deaths)

Sandesh Gulhane (Conservative, Glasgow)

8. To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis of how many deaths on the A9 could have been prevented if it had been fully dualled. (S6O-02479)

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

One death on our roads is one too many, and the tragic fatal accidents that have been recorded on the A9 in 2022 and 2023 have occurred on dual and single carriageway sections. There will be families who are grieving, as there will be for all deaths on our roads. An assessment of potential future reductions in fatalities as a result of dualling the whole length of the A9 has not been made.

However, the 2016 “Case for Investment” report on the A9 dualling programme between Perth and Inverness forecasted that there would be approximately six fewer fatalities annually following dualling. That comparison is with performance prior to the introduction of average-speed cameras, following which there has been an average reduction of three deaths annually compared with the baseline. That assessment will be updated as part of the work to consider the optimal approach for completion of the A9 dualling programme.

Sandesh Gulhane (Conservative, Glasgow)

The minister is right—deaths have occurred on the A9 on dual and single carriageway sections of the road. However, over the past five years, the number of deaths that have occurred on single carriageway sections of the A9 outnumber the number of deaths on dual carriageway sections by 20 to one. On such an important route, dual carriageways are much safer.

Will the cabinet secretary be specific in Parliament and provide a timetable for the full dualling of the A9? If she is unable to provide that now, will she commit to providing me with a written response this month?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

I am responding as the Minister for Transport

.

On Tuesday, the First Minister announced that the contract notice for the dualling of the Tomatin to Moy section has been issued and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to full dualling of the A9. I would have thought that the member would have wanted to welcome that.

The Scottish Government will provide more detail, including detail on the timelines for full dualling, in the autumn, as planned, as was announced several times before the summer recess in the chamber to those MSPs who were present.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

A lot of members have supplementaries. I will not be able to fit them all in, but I will fit in as many as I can.

Jackie Dunbar (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Donside)

The First Minister has reaffirmed his cast-iron commitment to the folk of the Highlands, and the Scottish National Party has a record of delivering infrastructure projects for Scotland that the Scottish Government will continue to deliver on.

The cost of dualling the Tomatin to Moy section has risen from £115 million to £150 million. What impact is the inflation that was caused by the Tories’ economic negligence and cuts to Scotland’s capital budget having on the Government’s ability to deliver on such projects?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

The member makes an important point. The first point to make is that we are going to dual the A9.

Members

When?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

I am not sure whether to respond to the member who asked the question or to those members who are heckling.

In response to Jackie Dunbar’s question, there is significant pressure on the Scottish Government’s capital budgets, not least because of the economic mismanagement that there has been over recent times. Inflation has had a considerable impact on construction costs. The fact that our budget has not had an uplift for inflation has meant that there has been a 7 per cent cut in our capital budget. Despite that, the First Minister has made a commitment in the programme for government that we will dual the A9.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

Thank you. We have no more time and need to move on to the next item of business.

Professor Sam Eljamel (Update)

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

The next item of business is a ministerial statement by Michael Matheson updating—

Martin Whitfield (Labour, South Scotland)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer.

I apologise for asking the indulgence of members. Rule 13.2 of our standing orders deals with ministerial statements and section 3.5 of the Scottish ministerial code states that

“Ministers should ensure that important announcements of Government policy are made, in the first instance, to the Parliament”.

During First Minister’s questions today, we heard confirmation of the very positive news that there will be an inquiry into the incidents that the ministerial statement will deal with. However, that news was available in nationally published newspapers yesterday and the First Minister confirmed today that the inquiry was discussed at a Cabinet meeting earlier this week.

I am disappointed that, once again, information has been put into the public domain before being announced to this Parliament. In this particular case, the surgeon’s victims should have had the right to hear a full and proper statement explaining what is happening, rather than a snapshot through news headlines, which is disrespectful to them and to this chamber. I seek your guidance, Deputy Presiding Officer, on what can be done about the matter.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

I thank Martin Whitfield for prior notice of his point of order. As he says, the guidance on announcements is intended to ensure that important matters do not enter the public domain before, or without, being communicated to Parliament. I invite the Government to reflect on Mr Whitfield’s concern that information suggesting that there will be a public inquiry into the case of Professor Eljamel appears to have been reported in the media prior to the First Minister’s announcement in the chamber earlier today.

Having said that, I will move on—

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer.

Given the fact that we all know what is in the statement, would it not be in order for us to proceed straight to questions?

The Deputy Presiding Officer

I thank Mr Kerr—

[

Interruption

.] Members, please allow me to respond to the point of order rather than taking it upon yourselves to do so.

As far as I am aware, the detail of what is in the statement has not been put in the public domain and it would not therefore serve any useful purpose to go straight to questions.

I invite Michael Matheson to provide a statement giving an update on Professor Eljamel, who worked for NHS Tayside. The cabinet secretary will take questions afterwards on the issues that are raised in his statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions.

Michael Matheson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk West)

Few things are more important than the safety of patients in our health service. Perhaps equally critical is the trust that we—as individuals and communities—can have in our healthcare. Patients must also trust that any concerns that are raised about their care and treatment will be investigated and that the necessary actions will be taken. They must be able to trust that their concerns will be investigated and scrutinised and will be subject to robust governance and due diligence at the time, not several years later.

When trust is broken and weakness in governance is identified, it is imperative that we do all that we can to investigate why that has happened and to prevent others having the same kinds of distressing and traumatic experiences.

Actions some years ago by Mr Eljamel, a former surgeon in NHS Tayside, have been discussed at length in this chamber and I know that colleagues have a keen interest in the Government’s next steps.

Several reviews into his practice have taken place—both at the time and in the years since—after concerns were expressed by a number of his former patients. The latest NHS Tayside review—a due diligence review of documentation held relating to Professor Eljamel—laid bare the failings in NHS Tayside’s response to concerns about Mr Eljamel. It is clear from that review that those concerns were not acted upon or followed up with the urgency and rigour that they deserved.

Now, several years later, many former patients still live with the consequences and still have many unanswered questions. That is why I am today announcing our intention to commission a full public inquiry to seek answers to those questions.

Mr Eljamel practised as a consultant neurosurgeon at NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013. Concerns about his practice were first raised with NHS Tayside in 2011 and 2012. As a result of a complaint that was received at the end of 2012, two further complaints received in 2013 and two significant clinical event analyses, NHS Tayside commissioned the Royal College of Surgeons in England to review his practice. Most complaints were received after Mr Eljamel had been suspended in 2013. Since then, several reviews have taken place into his practice.

Members will know that one of my predecessors as health secretary, Jeane Freeman, commissioned in March 2021 an independent case note review on the outstanding concerns of two former patients. That reported in May 2022, and it made several recommendations for NHS Tayside, the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland. In response, NHS Tayside commissioned the due diligence review in March this year, and that was considered by the board on Thursday 31 August 2023. I will say more about the detail of that review in a moment.

In the months when that work was undertaken, several former patients continued to raise concerns about their prior care and treatment. That was done directly with NHS Tayside, through MSPs, with ministers and in the media. I have considered the concerns that were raised with me by several former patients, and I was struck by their bravery and persistence—which was sometimes accompanied by significant distress and compounded trauma.

Nevertheless, at first, I was not persuaded of their argument that only a public inquiry would find the answers they sought about what happened to them and why. Knowing the length of time that that could take, and knowing that it would not necessarily consider individual patient’s circumstances, I was of the view that there were other, potentially faster and more individually responsive, ways to seek the answers that they are looking for.

However—as I have already touched on—after considering the findings of the due diligence review, my view has significantly changed. I will offer some detail on the due diligence review process and what specifically it has found that informed my thinking. Earlier this year, NHS Tayside began to examine its handling of those concerns. Last Thursday, its board considered the report. It outlines a number of failings that I believe can only be examined thoroughly by a full public inquiry. It also raises significant information that was not previously known to the Scottish Government, and given the length of time since the first concerns were raised about Mr Eljamel, that raises real concerns.

Briefly, the due diligence review identified that NHS Tayside did not respond to the General Medical Council about Mr Eljamel’s request for voluntary erasure from the medical register. It also identified that there was no effective central board oversight or co-ordination of significant historical information or reviews into concerns. It identified multiple examples of reviews and investigations where there was no follow-up action recorded and no or inadequate scrutiny, assurance or supporting governance. It identified cases where—despite there being complaints, adverse event reports and legal claims—no formal review of cases have been documented or retained, and that documents of potential relevance were subject to destruction in accordance with routine retention periods when putting a hold on such destruction would have better supported subsequent review processes. It identified adverse events where no investigation can be identified and no reports of adverse events were formally recorded until several months after the incidents, and that communication and support for former patients was not consistently of the required standard.

I have reflected on the concerns of former patients and MSPs since the findings were considered by the board of NHS Tayside, and I am clear that the board’s governance obligations were repeatedly not implemented in relation to concerns about Mr Eljamel. I consider that that now means that the commissioning of a full public inquiry, under the terms of the Inquiries Act 2005, with the powers to compel witnesses, is the only route to get to the bottom of who knew what and when, and what contributed to the failures that have been described by NHS Tayside. Inevitably, that will be a lengthy process and, as I said earlier, a full public inquiry will not necessarily answer each former patient’s clinical questions about their own circumstances.

For that reason, I still consider that an independent case review of patients’ individual clinical cases—where that is what individual patients want—remains necessary. That will allow a person-centred and trauma-informed review of each patient’s clinical case, addressing their individual needs and circumstances and attempting to offer answers in a bespoke and personalised way that an inquiry will not offer.

Former patients live each day with the consequences of their treatment by Mr Eljamel. Addressing their personal needs in an individual clinical review that is conducted independently of NHS Tayside remains an important part of that process. I want that to begin as soon as possible and not to be delayed by the announcement of our intention to commission a public inquiry.

For the sake of those patients who are directly affected, for the confidence of the community in Tayside and for the promotion of patient safety more broadly across Scotland, I believe that a full public inquiry is needed. I have asked my officials to begin to make the necessary arrangements and I will continue to update the Parliament as those progress.

The Deputy Presiding Officer

The cabinet secretary will take questions on issues that have been raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for that, after which we will need to move on to the next item of business. We are quite tight for time. I invite members who wish to ask a question to press their request-to-speak button, if they have not already done so.