Scottish Parliament, 23 January 2025

441 contributions from 75 members. The official report.

General Question Time

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

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

Michelle Thomson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East)

To ask the Scottish Government how the additional £34 million allocated to culture and heritage in its draft budget will assist in the preservation of any small, yet key, Scottish heritage sites under threat of closure, such as Kinneil museum in the Falkirk East constituency. (S6O-04234)

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

[ Inaudible .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Minister, can I check that your card is in the system?

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

That was an inauspicious start.

I am saddened to hear about the challenges that Kinneil museum, located in Kinneil estate, which has links with Mary Queen of Scots and the engineer James Watt, faces. I also recognise the challenges that culture and heritage organisations across Scotland face, which is why we continue to support the sector through more than £4.2 million of funding in the draft 2025-26 budget for Museums Galleries Scotland, as well as by allocating more than £74 million to Historic Environment Scotland.

Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make decisions on how best to deliver services in their local communities, which includes the funding of local authority museums.

Michelle Thomson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East)

As the minister notes, this is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization world heritage site. Kinneil museum is currently proposed for closure by Falkirk Council, but volunteers and Friends of Kinneil are keen to find a solution to the museum’s closure later this year. Given the complexities of community asset transfer for heritage sites of that nature, securing the museum’s future will probably require a partnership approach. Will the minister join me in supporting efforts to bring together both national and local stakeholders to explore options to safeguard Kinneil museum’s future?

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

I commend the efforts of Friends of Kinneil in trying to secure the future of Kinneil museum, which is an important part of Falkirk’s and Scotland’s heritage. I understand that Museums Galleries Scotland has been in discussions with Falkirk Council on the future of the museum. I urge Falkirk Council to continue those discussions with Museums Galleries Scotland and with key stakeholders, to explore whether there are any ways to secure the future of Kinneil museum.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support South Lanarkshire Council as part of the local government settlement for 2025-26. (S6O-04235)

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

If the budget is supported by Parliament, South Lanarkshire Council will receive £805.8 million in 2025-26 to fund local services, which is an extra £63.2 million, or 8.5 per cent, compared with the 2024-25 budget, to support vital day-to-day services.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

This year alone, South Lanarkshire Council is having to pay back more than £40 million due to Labour’s disastrous private finance initiative contracts. Those funds are hiking up the profits of the private sector when, instead, they should be going towards local priorities.

Despite additional Scottish Government funding, I am concerned about the impact of those debt repayments when the Labour administration at the council, which is cutting free school transport provision and divesting interest in community halls, sets its budget for next year. Can the cabinet secretary assure me that this Scottish National Party Government and future SNP Governments will never follow in Labour’s PFI footsteps, which have left a damaging legacy across all our local authorities?

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

I can certainly give Clare Haughey that assurance. She is absolutely right that we will be paying the price of the Labour—and, indeed, Tory—flawed PFI-PPP deals for some years to come. I also assure Clare Haughey and Parliament more generally that this SNP Government will continue to ensure that all forms of procurement for sites and services provide the best value for money for the taxpayer and that they realise benefits for our communities.

Kenneth Gibson (Scottish National Party, Cunninghame North)

To ask the Scottish Government how much it anticipates will be paid in this financial year in private finance initiative and public-private partnership unitary charge payments across the public sector. (S6O-04236)

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

The latest published data shows that the estimated total in PFI and PPP unitary charge payments to be paid across the public sector in Scotland in 2024-25 is £1.12 billion.

Kenneth Gibson (Scottish National Party, Cunninghame North)

When it was in office at Holyrood, Labour built a debt mountain so vast that, 18 years later, public-private partnership payments are still rising, and they will peak at an eye-watering £1.25 billion next financial year. North Ayrshire Council will have to pay more than £16 million next year for four secondary schools that were built nearly two decades ago. By the time the contract is paid off, in 2038, it will have paid £440.1 million for schools that were built for £83 million. Owning those schools will cost even more.

Can the cabinet secretary say what impact Labour’s disastrous PPP obsession continues to have on our public finances?

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

Kenny Gibson is quite right to highlight this important issue and its impact on local services. The SNP Government has always made it clear that the PFI approach that Labour used has not delivered best value for the taxpayer. We brought it to an end and introduced more affordable schemes in order to reduce the drain on the public purse and to stop the excessive profits. The SNP Government will continue to do that. As Kenny Gibson made clear, we are still paying for the legacy of those mistakes, as I set out in my first answer.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Regardless of the perceived flaws of past PFI models, does the cabinet secretary concede that our constituents are broadly agnostic on how major infrastructure projects are funded and delivered, and that, in short, they just want urgent progress on major projects, including the upgrading of roads such as the A1 and the A75 in my South Scotland region? Will the minister therefore set aside dogma and fully explore new and alternative models to turbocharge Scotland’s flagging infrastructure procurement programme, including by appraising the infrastructure investment partnership model, as was recently recommended by the Future Governance Forum?

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

I think that all our constituents care about value for money and value to the public purse, and I think that all our constituents would be very concerned about the excessive profits made from previous PFI deals that were poorly constructed and not good value to the public purse. I find it very strange that the Tories, who often talk about value for money and criticise the spending priorities of the Government, seem so easy with the excessive PFI profits when it suits them—[ Interruption .]—and do not seem to share the concerns—[ Interruption .]—that I think the public share with us.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the cabinet secretary.

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

As I said in my answer to Kenny Gibson, we brought those excessive profits and poor PFI deals to an end, and we introduced more affordable schemes so that we can utilise resources in the best way as we invest in our infrastructure. We can do that while also ensuring value to the public purse—which is, it seems, unlike what the Tories want to do.

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

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting and investing in youth work. (S6O-04237)

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting youth work and continues to fund it in a variety of ways. The block grant funding that is provided to local authorities affords them significant autonomy in allocating resources for youth work, to meet the specific needs of young people in their local areas. The Scottish Government, across portfolios, also directly funds a range of youth work initiatives, projects and programmes. Those initiatives aim to support diverse youth work models, promote partnership working and enhance the quality of youth work, supporting the best possible outcomes for the young people of Scotland.

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

We know that youth work, in all its various forms, can be preventative investment that reduces spending in the long term. Examples include the work of the Citadel Youth Centre, the Spartans Community Foundation and others in my constituency.

I recognise all the good work that the Scottish Government is funding and appreciate the pressures on the public finances, but will the minister say more about how the Scottish Government is working across portfolios and with other organisations to consider additional support for youth work as part of the response to the recent youth violence summit, particularly in areas such as Edinburgh, where, unfortunately, youth violence that is perpetrated by a very small minority has become more prevalent recently?

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

The Scottish Government also values youth work highly, and I agree that working in collaboration helps to achieve positive outcomes for young people. As I mentioned in my initial answer, the Scottish Government continues to fund a range of projects and programmes that directly support youth work, in addition to funding the local government block grant. Included in that is £20 million from phase 6 of our cashback for communities fund, which has supported 29 partnership organisations. I say to Ben Macpherson that, so far, the spend in the Edinburgh local authority area in phase 6 is circa £700,000.

On the youth violence summit that Ben Macpherson referred to, we are considering what more can be done to prevent and reduce harm from violence. A report on the key themes that were raised is being produced and a further cross-party discussion is intended.

Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve road safety on key routes. (S6O-04238)

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

This year, as part of a £1.1 billion investment in maintaining and improving Scotland’s road network, the Scottish Government is investing a record £36 million in road safety initiatives across key routes. That includes £7.5 million of investment in the safety camera programme to ensure the continued deployment of safety cameras across Scotland, including on the A75 and A77. To maximise the impact of that technology, an annual site prioritisation exercise is undertaken each year, and as part of the process, consideration is being given to a change in the enforcement strategy on the A75.

In addition to those considerations, a range of engineering improvements is programmed on key routes in the south-west of Scotland. That includes the signalisation of the Cuckoo Bridge roundabout on the A75 and of the A77 Doonholm road junction.

Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

Nobody in the village of Crocketford will ever forget the carnage that was caused by a horrid accident involving two speeding heavy goods vehicles in November 2022. The communities of Crocketford and Springholm face the dangers of cars and HGVs speeding only feet from their doors. Although work is due to begin in March on speed management plans in Crocketford—something that I have been pressing long and hard for—that is simply a sticking plaster.

During his visit last December, the First Minister agreed that Transport Scotland will consider the case for overhead average speed cameras along the length of the A75 and within those vulnerable villages. Will the cabinet secretary update us on when we can expect to hear the findings of that consideration, given that safety cameras are ineffective at addressing the problem that we have with the A75?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

Work is under way, as I said in my previous answer, to consider the possibility of deploying average speed cameras on the A75. The outcome of that process will be identified through the conclusions that flow from the annual safety camera site prioritisation exercise. It is under way and Police Scotland’s west safety camera unit is considering a change to the enforcement strategy. When we have those results from Police Scotland, I will be more than happy to relay them to the member, as the First Minister communicated in his visit in December.

Foysol Choudhury (Labour, Lothian)

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its provision of funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza, whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding recent developments in Gaza. (S6O-04239)

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

To date, the Scottish Government has committed £1 million for the crisis in Gaza and the wider middle east. That money has provided food, water, medical assistance and shelter to displaced people across the region. As the political and humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to develop, Scottish Government officials will maintain regular contact with their counterparts in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. With a ceasefire now in place, we urge all parties to facilitate a surge in the delivery of humanitarian aid to alleviate the unimaginable suffering that has been endured over the past 15 months.

Foysol Choudhury (Labour, Lothian)

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the returning of hostages should be welcome, but they will not undo the suffering that has been inflicted on the people of Gaza or the actions that Amnesty International said broke the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Does the minister agree that the ceasefire is not the end of the conflict and that diplomatic pressure on all parties is needed to deliver a free Palestine and regional peace, particularly following recent violence in the West Bank? Will the Scottish Government consider actions to prevent public money from going to organisations that have profited from the war?

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

I agree entirely with Mr Choudhury on the need to urge all parties to abide by the terms of the ceasefire and to ensure that we maximise support and humanitarian aid not only in terms of infrastructure, but in recognition of the fact that this is a severely traumatised population. We need long-term sustained investment to support the people of Gaza, and the Scottish Government is committed to that.

On his specific points on procurement, the member will recognise that we operate under a suite of domestic and international procurement laws and regulations, by which we must abide. I hope that the member recognise, from the commitments that the Scottish Government has made and what it has delivered to date, that we very much have the same position and view that he has on this matter.

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

I recently met Highland-Palestine, which is a group that does incredible work to raise awareness and show solidarity from the Highlands with the people of Palestine. Although the news that a ceasefire agreement has been reached is extremely welcome, the humanitarian situation on the ground in Palestine remains desperate. What further discussions has the Government had with the UK Government about allowing Palestinians who have lost homes and loved ones to resettle and find sanctuary in Scotland?

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

Scotland has a long history of welcoming people who are fleeing war and persecution. The Minister for Equalities wrote to the UK Government in November to call again for a bespoke family reunion scheme to be established, to enable people in Gaza to seek sanctuary with family members in the UK.

The Home Office replied on 7 January, saying that no changes to existing visa schemes and immigration routes were planned. We are extremely disappointed by that reply and continue to urge the UK Government to provide support for Palestinian families in their time of extreme suffering.

Evelyn Tweed (Scottish National Party, Stirling)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting community efforts to preserve built heritage, ancient monuments and archaeological sites. (S6O-04240)

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

The Scottish Government delivers support for the historic environment through our sponsorship of Historic Environment Scotland, the lead public body responsible for preserving, maintaining and promoting the historic environment.

Through part of the £13.5 million that HES delivers in annual grants, it has been able to support numerous projects such as funding volunteers to uncover, record and recover the balance of the bedrock at Balfron, and a volunteer training programme to capacity build local members and volunteers of the Bannockburn House Trust with regard to basic restoration and traditional building methods.

Evelyn Tweed (Scottish National Party, Stirling)

The BBC’s “Digging for Britain” recently featured volunteers from the rescuers of Old Kilmadock and archaeologist Dr Murray Cook, following the discovery and preservation of a Pictish stone near Doune. Will the minister join me in congratulating them on their work and advise what steps are being taken to encourage more volunteers to work in that area?

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

I am pleased to congratulate the ROOK volunteers on their important discovery. For Scotland’s historic environment, volunteers are essential. The Make Your Mark national volunteer campaign was an outcome of Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, and volunteering has remained a key priority in the revised strategy—“Our Past, Our Future: The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment”—to empower resilient and inclusive communities and places.

Historic Environment Scotland is an Investing in Volunteers-accredited organisation. We aim to increase the number and diversity of heritage volunteers in Scotland, while promoting volunteering opportunities, connecting co-ordinators nationwide, sharing inclusive practice and evidencing impacts to lobby for funding. Make Your Mark also plays an important role in contributing to the wider reach of volunteering in Scotland, through the lens of the Scottish Government’s commitment to volunteering and Scotland’s volunteering action plan.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

I ask Miles Briggs for a concise question 8.

Miles Briggs (Conservative, Lothian)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the remit of the Scottish child abuse inquiry remains appropriate. (S6O-04241)

Kate Forbes (Scottish National Party, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch)

The remit of the Scottish child abuse inquiry was established following extensive consultation with survivors. The inquiry, which has now been operating for nine years, is independent and Lady Smith, its chair, is responsible for deciding what is examined by the inquiry to fulfil its remit. I believe that the remit remains appropriate.

Miles Briggs (Conservative, Lothian)

The Deputy First Minister will know that people who have attended the inquiry are concerned that many victims have felt that their voices have not been heard, that non-disclosure agreements used by public bodies have often stopped truths coming out in the inquiry, and that it is looking at only historical abuse. One of the campaigners has put forward the idea of establishing an independent national whistleblowing officer for education and children’s services. Will the Deputy First Minister consider that, and will she meet me and campaigners to further discuss the issue?

Kate Forbes (Scottish National Party, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch)

An important point to make is that we initially established the remit of the inquiry in order to respond to survivors’ requests. I continue to engage with survivors independently of the inquiry.

My view is that changing the remit at this late stage would mean that it will take significantly longer for the inquiry to reach and publish its conclusions, which would risk failing to respond to survivors of in-care abuse and would delay the opportunity to address any recommendations that the inquiry might make. I am very happy to engage with the member on those matters.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

That concludes general questions.

Before we move to First Minister’s questions, I call the First Minister to make a short statement about tomorrow’s weather warning.

Red Weather Warning

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am grateful to the Presiding Officer for the opportunity to make my remarks to the Parliament before First Minister’s question time.

This morning, the Met Office issued a very rare red weather warning for storm Éowyn tomorrow. The warning covers parts of Dumfries and Galloway and of the Scottish Borders, all of Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders, the Forth Valley and southern parts of Fife. The red weather warning is expected to begin at 10 am tomorrow and to last until 5 pm tomorrow, while a wider amber warning for high winds across the whole country and a yellow warning for snow in some parts of Scotland still remain in place. The storm could bring winds of up to 100 mph.

The Met Office’s advice is clear that the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property, and transport and power disruptions. We have to be clear that people should not travel, and Police Scotland will issue a formal do not travel advisory notice shortly. Councils will make decisions today about school closures.

The Government is ready to respond. Our resilience and emergency system—the Scottish Government resilience room or SGORR—was activated this morning to co-ordinate help and to support Scotland’s front-line responders, including the police, fire services and the ambulance service. I will chair a meeting of the resilience room shortly after First Minister’s questions, and further advice will be issued to the public.

Red weather warnings such as this are very rare. Our message is simple: please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously, and stay safe.

First Minister’s Question Time

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

Last week, Scotland’s nurses issued a desperate and urgent warning about our broken national health service. Patients in extreme pain are stripped of their dignity and left for hours in accident and emergency departments. Waiting times for life-changing and life-saving operations keep going up. People are not able to get appointments for general practitioners or for dentists. Targets are being missed so often that they have become largely meaningless. Does John Swinney really still have confidence in his health secretary, Neil Gray?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Yes, I do. The health secretary and I are deeply engaged in ensuring that there is effective leadership in place to support the national health service to recover from the implications of Covid some years ago and the severe implications of the flu that we have experienced in recent weeks. We are entirely focused on the challenge.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

Our NHS is in a permanent state of turmoil, but Neil Gray is failing to do his job and is refusing to be straight with the public. This week, the health secretary admitted that he misled the Parliament . After taking taxpayer-funded limos to nine football matches, he claimed that they were all to discuss Government business. Crucially, he said that he had all the official notes to prove that, but it turns out that some of the notes do not exist—Neil Gray just made that up. That was his second formal apology to the Parliament. Surely long-suffering patients deserve honest leadership at this time of crisis.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

That is exactly what patients in Scotland have. [ Interruption .]

On the national health service, I will tell it as it is. That is why the health secretary and I spent a large amount of time on Wednesday with a whole range of stakeholders from across the health sector, who will be crucial in helping us to support the national health service to navigate its way through the challenges that we face because of an ageing population and a significant increase in demand. That is what the health secretary and I are focused on. That is what we are doing this week, and that is what we will be doing henceforward.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

I would be grateful if members could avoid shouting out in the chamber.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

With that answer, the First Minister confirms that he is in a state of denial. He appears to have given a free pass to his distracted health secretary, no matter what he does. This afternoon, the planned national care service that Neil Gray is supposed to be in charge of will be scrapped, without having treated a single patient and with tens of millions of pounds down the drain. Neil Gray is giving Humza Yousaf and Michael Matheson a run for their money as the SNP’s worst health secretary. He misled Parliament, but he did not come clean straight away. The truth had to be dragged out of him by the Scottish Conservatives. I have a simple question: when exactly did John Swinney first know that Neil Gray had misled Parliament?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

All those issues have been set out to Parliament. The health secretary made a statement to Parliament—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The health secretary came here and raised a point of order on Tuesday, when it was clear from the points that had been raised by the Conservative and Labour members that there was an issue in relation to his original statement. I have dealt with those questions accordingly.

I say to Mr Findlay and to members of the public around the country that they should be assured that their First Minister and their health secretary are absolutely focused on delivering the leadership that is necessary to strengthen and to improve the national health service and to deliver for patients. That is my commitment to Parliament today.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

That is just textbook John Swinney—failing to answer the most simple of questions. If we did not keep raising the issue, Neil Gray would never have admitted that he had misled Parliament over taxpayer-funded limos to the football. That flagrant breach must be investigated by the independent adviser on the ministerial code. John Swinney is standing by Neil Gray, just as he backed Michael Matheson and Humza Yousaf. Patients will continue to be let down by another dishonest, disgraced and distracted health secretary who is failing to bring down waiting lists.

In the real world, if people cannot do their jobs properly or do not tell the truth, they get the sack. Is it not time for John Swinney to show some leadership by sending Neil Gray—in a chauffeur-driven limo, if he likes—to collect his P45?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

It is important that we put this matter in its proper context. The issue that Neil Gray had to address in Parliament on Tuesday revolved around one word that was inserted in his answer to Stephen Kerr during his parliamentary statement. That one word was the word “all”—a three-letter word—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

In his answer to Neil Bibby and in his original parliamentary statement, there was no issue about the language used by Neil Gray. In one answer, Neil Gray used one word that he should not have used—the word “all”—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

I would be grateful if those of us who are privileged to sit in the chamber could treat one another with courtesy and respect.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

On the basis of that fact, I judge that Neil Gray, in taking the action that he has taken, has acted entirely appropriately in his responsibilities to Parliament and in accordance with the ministerial code. Of course, it is up to the independent advisers whom I have appointed to take a different view from the one that I have taken—I will be inviting my independent advisers to consider the view that I have taken, and they will be free to take that decision. That is why I have strengthened the ministerial code, it is why I have strengthened the independent advisers and it is why I have appointed three individuals of eminent reputation to make sure that they can scrutinise these questions.

Fundamentally, what matters to the people of Scotland today is that they have a Government that is focused on the concerns of the people, on making sure that we strengthen the national health service—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

We will hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

—and on bringing down waiting times. That is the focus of the First Minister and the health secretary. The Conservatives do not care about that, but I certainly do.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

Our national health service and social care system is in permanent crisis under the Scottish National Party. One route to solving the crisis lies in tackling delayed discharge, where a patient is medically cleared to go home but cannot, often due to the lack of a care package. In the words of Dr Iain Kennedy of the British Medical Association,

“The key to unlocking the front door of our hospitals lies at the back door.”

However, under the SNP, delayed discharge has soared.

On Monday, I raised the case of Yvonne, a 68-year-old grandmother from Auchterarder who is living with multiple sclerosis. Despite being medically cleared to go home, she had to spend an extra two months in hospital waiting for a care package. In desperation, she took to wearing T-shirts that said, “Can I go home now?” and “Bed blocker”. How have John Swinney and Neil Gray allowed the situation to get so bad?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The issues around delayed discharge are complex because, in essence, they rely on the strength and capacity of the social care system in Scotland. That is the key question that the Government is addressing in the steps that we are taking to ensure that the health service and the care system meet the needs of the public in Scotland.

One of the steps that we are taking to try to make the position better—I accept that the situation that Mr Sarwar has put to me is not acceptable—is to put in place a record funding settlement for the health service, which will strengthen social care. We are also delivering a real-terms increase in local authority budgets so that local authorities are able to contribute more to health and social care partnerships to ensure that more social care places are available at local level. Those are practical and tangible actions that the Government is taking to address the situation.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

The fact is that it is getting worse, not better, under this Government. In 2015, the SNP pledged to end delayed discharge, but—much like its pledges on waiting times, accident and emergency performance and social care—things have got worse, not better. On any given day, around 2,000 Scots are stuck in hospital, despite being cleared to leave.

Over the past decade, we have had five health secretaries, and the cost of their collective failure to deal with the situation has risen to more than £1.5 billion. The biggest price has been paid by countless Scots who have been failed as the situation has deteriorated.

However, apparently, we are not to worry. We are told that the self-described “full-on John” is rolling up his sleeves and taking personal charge of the crisis that his party has created in our NHS. Given that he already rolled up his sleeves and wrecked our education system and rolled up his sleeves and wrecked the public finances, is it any wonder that Scots fear for the future of our NHS under the SNP?

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

I remind members that we do not use nicknames in the chamber.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

There will be no worry on that front from me, Presiding Officer.

I am really touched that Mr Sarwar is taking such a close interest in all my press interviews. That suggests that he is a bit touchy about things these days. It suggests that he is perhaps a little bit worried about his position and that he is not quite as confident that he is heading in the direction of Bute house. However, if he is that worried, that tells us that we are on the right course in what we are doing.

Over the course of the past few weeks and months, a number of important steps have been taken by the Government to strengthen the availability of social care in our country. Some of the steps that we are taking are the expansion of frailty units, which are associated with A and E departments; the expansion of the hospital-at-home system, which is designed to care for individuals in their own homes and provide them with clinical care so that they avoid being in hospital; and the support that has been put in place in relation to the strengthening of general practitioner practices, which, of course, is not helped by the United Kingdom Government’s changes to employer national insurance contributions.

Of course, there is a big decision coming up for the Parliament in the next few weeks—the decision about the budget. The budget delivers a record financial settlement for the health service and a real-terms increase for local authority funding to support the social care system. The big question is whether Labour will support the Government in our investment in the social care system.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

With that answer, it is clear that John Swinney will not be joining Nicola Sturgeon at the Glasgow comedy festival. However, come May 2026, he will be joining her as an ex-First Minister of this country, because the SNP’s record on the NHS is one of abject failure. Our NHS and care system is in permanent crisis, and we have a health secretary in whom no one has confidence. He should be sacked for mismanaging our NHS, not just for misleading this Parliament.

Right now, on the SNP’s watch, more than 863,000 Scots are stuck on an NHS waiting list, and more than 100,000 of them have been waiting for more than a year to be seen. Right now, 2,000 Scots are stuck in hospital. Despite having been medically cleared to leave, they are unable to go home. No matter who it chooses as the latest health secretary, the SNP cannot deliver the new direction that our country needs.

Instead, today, John Swinney will gut his National Care Service (Scotland) Bill, with years having been wasted, millions lost and not a single extra hour of care delivered. Is that not just the latest example that no good idea survives SNP incompetence?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Yesterday, I convened a discussion at which stakeholders in the health service discussed all the challenges that we face. I am completely open about the fact that we face challenges in the health service in Scotland today. That is why I convened yesterday’s session, and it is why I am setting out the steps that we are taking to ensure that we have an immediate focus on ensuring that the resources are in place to drive down waiting times and to tackle delayed discharge. That is what we are doing.

One of the participants in yesterday’s discussion raised with me the damage and difficulty that will be faced by general practice because of the imposition of an increase in employer national insurance contributions. Is it not interesting—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Is it not interesting that the Labour Party and the Labour leader are rather silent on the question of employer national insurance contributions? That is a classic example of the Westminster Government acting in a fashion that will damage the delivery of health and social care in Scotland. [ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

No amount of shouting at me by Labour members will distract me from pointing out to the public the damage that will be done because of that increase.

What do we find out? We find out that Anas Sarwar is completely and utterly hopeless and powerless in the face of a UK Government that has taken a decision that will damage Scotland’s health and social care system. The people of Scotland know that this Government will protect the interests of Scotland when Anas Sarwar sells them out.

Lorna Slater (Green, Lothian)

Buses in Scotland are too expensive. We see fare hikes every year, with passengers across the country having to fork out even more cash to get on board. As part of this year’s budget negotiations, the Scottish Greens have called for a £2 cap on bus fares. For example, folks living in the First Minister’s constituency are paying an extortionate £5.10 to travel from Blairgowrie to Perth. A £2 cap on bus fares would save a commuter on that journey £31 a week, or £124 a month. Does the First Minister agree that we should cap fares and make buses in Scotland cheaper?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I understand the logic of the point that Lorna Slater makes. We want to make sure that public transport is affordable for individuals. In the period in which we worked with the Scottish Green Party in government, we took the step of introducing the concessionary travel scheme for under-22s, which has been a huge benefit. That scheme benefits many of my constituents, and it will benefit many of Lorna Slater’s constituents.

The aspiration of delivering public transport that is as low cost as possible is an aspiration that the Government shares. I am aware of the proposals that have been advanced by the Scottish Green Party, and I give Lorna Slater an assurance that they will be considered seriously by the Scottish Government.

Lorna Slater (Green, Lothian)

Cheaper bus tickets are the right thing for people and planet. They would help people to save money and to leave their cars at home, and they would open up new opportunities. Already, thanks to the introduction of free bus travel for everyone under 22, which was secured by the Scottish Greens, young people across Scotland have made more than 150 million free bus journeys.

We must go further to deliver a truly affordable, reliable and accessible bus network across Scotland. We must reverse the damage of privatisation, protect essential routes and build publicly owned services that deliver for all passengers. What more is the Scottish Government doing to cut the cost of buses and to support workers and commuters?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

We are taking a number of steps, some of which involve investing in the bus fleet. We are trying to lower the carbon footprint of that fleet through the investments that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport is taking forward. We are, obviously, very pleased with how the under-22s concessionary travel system is operating, because that has provided social mobility and opportunity for young people across the country and made a real difference to their lives.

I understand the proposals put forward by the Green Party and the benefits that would arise from being able to implement those proposals. They were not included in the Government’s budget in December, but I give Lorna Slater the assurance that they will be seriously considered by the Government as we move forward with our budget preparations.

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

To ask the First Minister, in light of the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President, and the reported prospect of import tariffs, what sectors of Scottish business it anticipates may be most affected. (S6F-03735)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am alert to the dangers of tariffs and to the damage that they can cause, and we are closely engaging with the fact that President Trump has asked the US Secretary of Commerce to investigate the US’s annual trade deficit and its economic and security implications.

It is important to note that no new tariffs have been established. We do not believe that tariffs are the answer, and we urge all parties with an interest in the export of Scottish goods to come together to work towards a mutually beneficial resolution.

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

The First Minister must, of course, be constrained and diplomatic and work in the interest of Scottish businesses. I understand that, but I am not so constrained. I find Donald Trump to be creepy and see his policies potentially wrecking not only the world economy but the Scottish economy.

Does the First Minister recall that, in 2019, phase 1 of Trumponomics involved using tariffs against the European Union, which impacted Scotland when a 25 per cent tariff on each bottle of malt whisky cost the industry £600 million in just 18 months? What damage does the First Minister worry would be brought to the whisky industry and others if tariffs were to continue or to be reimposed?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

It would be a brave individual who suggested that Christine Grahame should be diplomatic on any day of the week, and I certainly do not intend to go into that particular abyss.

Christine Grahame raises an important issue because, if there were to be tariffs of the type that she set out, that would be very damaging to key sectors of the Scottish economy, of which probably the strongest example would be the Scotch whisky industry. That is why, although I entirely understand that people will have very strong views about President Trump, it is my duty as First Minister of Scotland to ensure that I take every step that I can to protect the economic and national interests of Scotland. That is why, should that situation arise, I will engage emphatically to protect the interests of Scotland and to engage with the President of the United States if it is necessary to do so.

I hope that we do not end up in that situation, because Scotland and the United States enjoy and experience a strong and long-lasting relationship, and I want that to continue to thrive in the years to come.

Murdo Fraser (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests in relation to my connection with the Scotch Whisky Association.

As Christine Grahame has fairly said, tariffs on Scotch whisky during Donald Trump’s first presidency were calculated to have cost the industry £600 million, and we cannot run any risk of that damage being repeated. Does the First Minister therefore agree that all politicians here should recognise the need, in the interests of our economy, to work constructively with the new US regime, whatever our view of Donald Trump might be, and that, in the words of the new president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, some need to “haud their wheesht” when it comes to criticising the President?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

If Murdo Fraser will forgive me, I will just be accountable for my conduct and contribution. People can be assured that this First Minister will be focused on the issues that matter to the people of Scotland. We have talked about the national health service already in this session. The issue of the NHS matters to me, and the Scottish economy and its prospects, including those of the Scotch whisky industry, all matter to me, into the bargain. I will take forward my responsibilities to make sure that Scotland’s economic interests are protected. Should that come from engagement and dialogue with the President of the United States, notwithstanding people’s views about the President, I will do exactly that, because it is my duty as First Minister to do so.

Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland)

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to address concerns regarding waiting times in A and E departments, following reports of a mother having to wait 50 hours for medical care at University hospital Wishaw. (S6F-03736)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I apologise for the long wait that was experienced by the patient who was referred to by Meghan Gallacher, and to anyone whose experience of the national health service has fallen short. Services have been under exceptional pressure due to a number of issues, including a rise in winter illness, as I recounted to the Parliament last week.

On Monday, along with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, I held a further meeting with health boards, the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS 24 and Public Health Scotland to assess the pressures and discuss on-going work to minimise delays. As part of that, we will build on the good work that is under way in many boards to ensure that every core A and E department has a frailty unit, which has been shown to shorten lengths of stays and improve outcomes for patients.

Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland)

Lynn Nelson said:

“I genuinely did not believe I would leave that hospital.”

When I spoke to her this morning, she told me of her ordeal when she arrived at Wishaw general hospital in my region. She told me that the hospital was like a war zone and that she had no access to basic facilities such as a toilet or medication for pain relief. The issue is not the nurses or the doctors; it is the system that is fundamentally broken. Lynn is grateful to all the NHS staff who helped her, especially those on the ward, who she says gave outstanding care.

However, Lynn is yet to receive an apology from the health secretary for the disgraceful mismanagement of our NHS. She does not want anyone else to endure what she did. Will the First Minister write to Lynn to apologise for her having to wait 50 hours for medical care at Wishaw general hospital? Will he finally admit that the system is broken and install a health secretary who is fully focused on fixing our NHS?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

If Meghan Gallacher provides me with her constituent’s address, I will happily write to convey the apology that I have put on the record in the Parliament today, because I think that what happened is unacceptable. However, I have also explained to the Parliament the enormous pressures that the health service is enduring because of the significant upsurge in winter flu cases that we have experienced in recent weeks.

The situation that was reported to me and the health secretary on Monday is an improved situation. The pressure is less intense. That should not be confused with there being no pressure, because there remains significant pressure on the national health service, but the health secretary and I are entirely focused on making sure that we address those issues, and we will continue to do so, because it is essential that we focus on what matters to the people of Scotland. That is about improving the health service, which is what we are committed to doing.

Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)

Every week the First Minister says sorry, and every week it gets worse. A and E departments across Scotland continue to be in chaos, with more than 173,000 patients having waited more than eight hours to be seen in A and E last year.

The First Minister hosted an NHS crisis meeting in Bute house yesterday. He has already sidelined the health secretary, and he is finally waking up to the years of Scottish National Party failure, but, of course, he was at the heart of the SNP Government for 17 of those 18 years. The First Minister is keen to tell us about the importance of staff, and on that we can agree. They are working flat out to keep patients safe, and there is no solution to the crisis that does not involve NHS staff. I therefore ask the First Minister to explain why Unison and other trade unions that represent the majority of NHS staff were not invited to his meeting yesterday. Do they not matter?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Jackie Baillie said that every week it gets worse. That is not true. [ Interruption .] I am getting lectured about the importance of accuracy in what we say in the Parliament, so Jackie Baillie better listen to what I am going to say to her about her statement. [ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Although the performance of A and E units is not where we want it to be, performance on the four-hour target has risen in each week since the week ending 22 December as a result of the hard work of the staff in the health service. Jackie Baillie should stop running down the staff of the national health service. For her information, I note that more than 1 million patients in Scotland have been treated within the four-hour target during the past year, and that is because our staff deliver on our behalf. We are very proud of them, into the bargain. [ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Oh, I think that I have touched—[ Interruption. ]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

I am calling on members to ensure that we can hear the First Minister or, indeed, whoever has been called to speak.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I do not think that Jackie Baillie wants to hear that she is giving factual inaccuracies to the Parliament today. I do not think that she is interested in hearing that. [ Interruption. ]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Can we please conduct ourselves in an orderly manner?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am going to explain the fact that Jackie Baillie is sharing incorrect information with the Parliament. If Jackie Baillie—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

This is wholly unacceptable. If there are members who wish to come to the chamber and shout, they should perhaps think about whether this is where they wish to be. We have a great—[ Interruption .]

If members wish to remain in the chamber, it is essential that they conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner. That includes respecting the authority of the chair.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

On Wednesday, I had a round-table discussion with the health secretary and a range of health stakeholders, some of whom represent employees in the national health service. The author of the survey that Mr Sarwar cited to me last week—the Royal College of Nursing—was represented around the table. It is important to note that I heard directly from those who represent some of the workforce.

That is not the last discussion that we will have in Bute house about the national health service. We made that clear earlier in the week. If Jackie Baillie had been paying as much attention to my press output as Anas Sarwar has, she would have heard that there will be more round-table discussions in Bute house. I will be delighted for Unison, the GMB and other unions to participate. I suspect that they will make a more constructive contribution than Jackie Baillie ever will.

Pauline McNeill (Labour, Glasgow)

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government plans to make creating sexually explicit “deepfake” images and videos a crime. (S6F-03730)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I recognise the significant harm that can be caused by such images—especially to women, who are often the victims. The publication, distribution or sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images or videos without consent can currently be prosecuted using the offence concerning disclosure of intimate images.

The development of artificial intelligence means that creating such images is easier than ever. It is a growing problem, which we take very seriously. Therefore, we are carefully considering whether specific legislation is required to provide greater protection to those who are at risk of image-based abuse. That work includes giving consideration to United Kingdom Government plans to criminalise the creation of deepfake images being extended to Scotland. That would require legislative consent, and we are open to working with the UK Government on it.

Pauline McNeill (Labour, Glasgow)

Deepfake abuse has been described as a “new frontier” of violence against women. The proliferation of sexually explicit deepfake images has grown at an alarming rate and is causing devastating harm to victims. #MyImageMyChoice, which is a campaign group that tackles image abuse, has found that 99 per cent of deepfake images are of women and girls.

One of the most unsettling features of that abuse is that it is often people who are known to the victim who are creating and sharing the images. Teenage girls have found that their classmates are using apps to transform their social media posts into nudes before sharing them. I have raised the issue before, so I am pleased with the First Minister’s answer. Does he agree that there is now urgency to close any loopholes in the law in Scotland by working with the United Kingdom Government, which is doing the same? As I said, it is the sharing of images that is illegal, so we need to close that gap. Does the First Minister agree that we, as a Parliament, and the Scottish Government need to send a clear message that dealing with that type of abuse is part of the campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Yes. I agree with that point from Pauline McNeill. She makes an important point about the pace at which the threat has arisen. The answer of substance that I gave was based on the fact that, in 2016, this Parliament passed the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, which provides for the action that I set out in my answer. However, it is just nine years later, and the situation that Pauline McNeill has put to me demonstrates the pace at which roll-out of technology is happening.

The UK Government has said that it intends to amend the Data (Use and Access) Bill to criminalise those who create artificial images either for sexual gratification or to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. There is perhaps an opportunity to move at pace because of what the UK Government has done and because it has a legislative vehicle available for us to utilise legislative consent to make urgent progress on the question. I give Pauline McNeill the assurance that the Government will engage constructively with the UK Government, with urgency, to ensure that that is the case.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

We move to general and constituency supplementaries.

Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)

Does the First Minister share my concern about the news that Brymor, the owner of the uniquely Dumfries and Galloway brand, Cream o’ Galloway, is planning to move manufacturing of the brand from Galloway to North Yorkshire? It is a huge letdown for local people and will be of considerable concern to my constituents. Can the First Minister provide an assurance that the Scottish Government’s PACE—partnership action for continuing employment—will support anyone who has lost a job?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I regret that decision. Obviously, the Government will use its agencies to support any individual who is affected. We will also engage with the company to see whether there is any way in which we can ensure continuation of production in the Dumfries and Galloway area, given the importance of authenticity in the source of production of important products of that type.

Oliver Mundell (Conservative, Dumfriesshire)

It has been reported that the former Pinneys site in Annan has been broken into 12 times in the past year, and the factory has been ransacked. It is coming up for seven years since the factory’s closure was announced, and there is no sign of life at the site, let alone the 120 jobs that were promised by the Scottish Government at the time, when Scottish Enterprise sourced a buyer for the site and pledged to invest almost £2 million of taxpayers’ money.

Recent events have left my constituents wondering what has gone so badly wrong. Will the First Minister commit to an investigation of the deal with Bhagat Holdings Ltd, and will he publish a timeline of the involvement of the Scottish Government and its agencies at the site since 2018?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am happy to provide Mr Mundell with a substantive response to the points that he has raised. Our enterprise agencies do a very good job of securing investment and working with companies to create employment. They have a formidable track record of success.

There will, however, be ventures that do not come to fruition. Members who have any understanding of the economy understand that there is risk; some ventures succeed and some ventures do not. However, I am assured and confident that our enterprise agencies do a fantastic job in attracting investment to our country, and we should all applaud the work that they undertake.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

In the United Kingdom, around 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, with more than 800 of those losing their lives. This week marks cervical cancer prevention week, which is a week-long campaign that raises awareness about cervical cancer screening and prevention, encouraging uptake of both. Will the First Minister provide an update on the success of the human papillomavirus vaccine programme in reducing cervical cancer rates in Scotland?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The HPV vaccination programme has achieved great success in Scotland. Since the programme started offering immunisation to girls aged 12 to 13 in schools, research has shown that no cervical cancer cases have been detected in women who have been fully vaccinated as part of the programme. It is a remarkable achievement by the programme.

The Scottish Government is working with Public Health Scotland and the cervical cancer elimination expert group to ensure that our measures to eliminate the diseases that are caused by HPV are available to all and effective for all, with the aim of eliminating cervical cancer. This year’s vaccination programme is under way. I strongly encourage parents to give their consent and ensure that young people receive the protection that is offered by the vaccine.

Rhoda Grant (Labour, Highlands and Islands)

The First Minister will be aware of the eye-watering increases in haulage costs for perishable food to businesses in Uist. In some cases, prices have increased by 120 per cent, stopping some food supplies within the islands. Press reports state that DFDS has already engaged with the Scottish Government about the issue. What is the outcome of that engagement? Will the First Minister act to protect consumers in Uist? Will he now stop the 10 per cent ferry fare increase to the islands?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Government has had engagement with DFDS on that question. I will ensure that an update is provided to Rhoda Grant on that, so that the concerns that have been raised can be properly addressed. Obviously, it is a decision for DFDS.

The Government has to operate a sustainable ferry network, and the price increases that have been put forward are essential to ensure the sustainability of the ferry network, which is critical to the delivery of good services and to individuals’ access to the islands. Of course, many ferry journeys benefit from the road equivalent tariff, which was brought in by the Scottish Government. That has meant that the cost of travel to our islands is formidably lower than it would have been had we left the matter to the neglect of the Labour Party, which did not introduce the road equivalent tariff before this Government came to office.

Jeremy Balfour (Conservative, Lothian)

The First Minister might be aware that BNY Mellon has announced the closure of its Edinburgh office, signalling the loss of around 400 jobs for the Lothian region. Has the First Minister had any contact with the bank? Does he accept that the reason why those jobs are going south is to do with the policies that his Government is pursuing?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

That is a significant issue. The point that I would make is contrary to what Mr Balfour has put on the record. If I heard him correctly, he mentioned the closure of the BNY Mellon site. However, that is not what BNY Mellon said this morning, which was that it is

“currently evaluating the scale of our operations at our Capital House site in Edinburgh”.

It is really important that members of Parliament do not cause unnecessary alarm among members of the public who are employed by companies. If I misheard Mr Balfour, I will apologise, but I do not think that I did.

We engage constructively with BNY Mellon, which is a great investor in Scotland: it is one of a huge number of financial services companies that employ thousands of people here. Yesterday, the Deputy First Minister and I, along with a number of ministers, visited the new headquarters of JPMorganChase, which employs more than 2,500 staff at a magnificent state-of-the-art campus that it has opened in the centre of Glasgow.

We should have a lot of pride in the strength of our financial services sector. The Scottish Government will always engage constructively with any company that is examining the footprint of its operations in Scotland.

Audrey Nicoll (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen South and North Kincardine)

As we progress on our journey to net zero, it is absolutely vital that we recognise and retain the considerable skills of oil and gas workers, who will continue to play an incredibly important part in taking forward the green jobs of the future. How will the energy skills passport pilot scheme, which was launched this week, support workers to identify routes to careers in renewables and clean energy?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

That is one of the measures that we are bringing forward as part of our programme. We have provided £3.7 million of funding to support the industry in developing an energy skills passport, which will help the transition that Audrey Nicoll refers to. It is important that the skills that we have available to us in Scotland in the oil and gas sector can be utilised in all aspects of economic activity in Scotland, and I am very optimistic that that will be the case with renewables as well.

Michael Marra (Labour, North East Scotland)

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am a member of the GMB union.

In October last year, I raised with the First Minister the case of NHS Tayside district nurses who have been waiting six years for their job grading to be honoured. Shona Middleton and Cathy Fugaccia toiled through the pandemic and served the public of Tayside day in, day out, and they are with us in the public gallery today. Shona has said:

“We are nurses not political campaigners and would much rather not have to go to Holyrood but we refuse to give up. It is not just about us. It is about all NHS Scotland staff being treated with fairness and respect. Managers should not be allowed to choose which of their promises to keep and which to break.”

Surely the First Minister can tell them today that six years of delays and excuses are entirely unacceptable, and that NHS Tayside should finally get its act together.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Obviously, I want those issues to be resolved. Health boards have a responsibility to exercise their functions properly in that respect. I will seek an update from NHS Tayside on that question and share it with Mr Marra. In my previous exchange on the issue with Mr Marra, I made the point that, as the case may well reach an employment tribunal, I have to be careful about what I say in that respect but, with that caveat, I will try to give Mr Marra as comprehensive a reply as I can on the current situation in relation to the case.

Tim Eagle (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am a farmer.

The First Minister might have heard this week of a very unhelpful change by the United Kingdom Animal and Plant Health Agency that means that livestock would need to be accompanied on ferry journeys by someone who could euthanise the animals. However, I have just heard—literally in the past couple of minutes—from the Scottish Crofting Federation and NFU Scotland that the APHA has rolled back on that, which means, I hope, that the change will not need to go ahead.

Has the Government had any contact with the APHA on the issue, and if it has not, will it do so to make sure that we do not need to put that change in place? Will the Government make sure that CalMac Ferries talks to our island agricultural community to make sure that people know that the change is not going ahead?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The issue will not be with CalMac, because it will have to follow the regulatory regime that is put in place by the animal health regulator. If that situation has transpired, I welcome it. I am very familiar with the strength of the agricultural community in our islands. Indeed, on Monday, Mr Fairlie and I were involved in discussions with the agricultural community in the highland Perthshire area, and representatives from Orkney travelled down to take part in one of the other round-table discussions that I was involved in this week.

I want to make sure that we can support our island agricultural communities. I will explore whether we need to make any further advice available but, if the situation that Mr Eagle has put to me has arisen, I am pleased to welcome that.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

That concludes First Minister’s question time. The next item of business is a members’ business debate in the name of Michelle Thomson. There will be a short suspension to allow people to leave the chamber and the public gallery.

Portfolio Question Time

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio question time, and the portfolio on this occasion is social justice. I remind members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question. As members will be aware, we are pretty tight for time across the afternoon, so there is the usual appeal for brevity.

Question 1 has not been lodged.

Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government how its draft budget 2025-26 will contribute towards promoting anti-racism campaigns and initiatives. (S6O-04243)

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Presiding Officer, it is difficult to hear on the front bench. I do not know what it is like in the rest of the chamber, but the sound is very quiet here.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

I think that you are right, minister. We will investigate that. Ms Stewart, if you are able to respond to the question, we will try to deal with the audio.

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners across the public and third sectors to embed anti-racism and advance the race equality framework, including through delivery of the anti-racism observatory, as stated in our programme for government for 2024-25.

The details of spending commitments are subject to the outcome of spending reviews by the Scottish Government and approval of annual budget bills by the Scottish Parliament. The equality and human rights fund for 2021-25 represents an overall £1 million increase on previous funding, with an additional £6.3 million—22 per cent—dedicated to race equality and anti-racism.

Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)

Far-right activity stoking anti-migrant rhetoric and violence is on the rise around the world. High-profile figures are casually using fascist gestures and hateful language. Blatantly racist slogans and stickers are appearing with increasing frequency on bus stops, lamp posts and the like in Aberdeen and elsewhere. It is no wonder that many members of our diverse communities feel increasingly targeted and marginalised.

Does the minister agree that we all have a responsibility, as part of our anti-racist practice, to stand up to and challenge racism wherever we encounter it? What work is under way with partners, including in the public sector, who support marginalised people, have responsibilities to protect them or have responsibilities to tackle racism?

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

We unequivocally condemn all forms of prejudice or hatred, including racism. They have absolutely no place in our society, and nobody should ever be subjected to them. The Scottish Government is committed to building cohesive communities within which divisive narratives will not resonate. It is everyone’s responsibility to challenge hatred. We have been working closely with partners, including third sector organisations, justice organisations and local authorities, to tackle and prevent hatred and prejudice and to support and protect the marginalised communities that they serve.

Liam Kerr (Conservative, North East Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being found in current and formerly council-owned residential properties in Dundee. (S6O-04244)

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

I recognise that it is a very difficult time for those households that are affected by RAAC.

In line with Institution of Structural Engineers’ guidance, Dundee City Council assessed the RAAC in its rented homes as mainly low or medium risk and commenced a programme of inspections. The council is encouraging private owners to undertake their own surveys to identify the most appropriate action.

RAAC is regarded as an issue of building maintenance, with responsibility being a matter for property owners, informed by professional advice and best practice. We are working alongside Dundee City Council to ensure that affected households are supported appropriately.

Liam Kerr (Conservative, North East Scotland)

In Dundee, 81 blocks of flats and 293 cottages, 133 of which have been bought from the council, have been found to have RAAC. Dundee residents in places such as Craigie and Menzieshill and residents in Milton Street in Monifieth tell me that they have been abandoned by their councils and the Government. I am afraid that the minister’s answer will have just reinforced that view.

A fortnight ago, the First Minister told me that the Government would engage with councils and residents to navigate them through the situation. When can Dundee residents affected by RAAC expect to hear from the minister so that a meeting can be set up with them and the council?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Obviously, the situation in Aberdeen has been raised in the Parliament, too. I have met residents and the council on a number of occasions, and officials continue to do so. I have not had a meeting request from Dundee City Council on that specific issue. Of course, we would be happy to consider such a request.

We are engaging with the United Kingdom Government on the matter. I have a meeting with my UK Government counterpart in the next week or two, at which I will raise the issue of financial support to deal with RAAC. The previous UK Government said that it would support the provision of whatever funding was required. I will raise that issue with the UK Government.

Colin Beattie (Scottish National Party, Midlothian North and Musselburgh)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether carer support payment should be classed as income by the Department for Work and Pensions. (S6O-04245)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Carer support payment has been designed to largely mirror carers allowance to protect carers in Scotland by providing them with a safe and secure transfer of benefits. We have worked closely with the DWP and other United Kingdom Government departments to ensure that our benefit interacts with wider support in the same way that carers allowance does, so that carers can continue to get the support that they previously relied on.

When we introduce new extra support, such as the carers allowance supplement and the carers additional person payment, which we intend to introduce in the future, our fiscal framework agreement with the UK Government ensures that that extra support will not lead to reductions in other benefits.

Colin Beattie (Scottish National Party, Midlothian North and Musselburgh)

Constituents have contacted me to report that the carer support payment will make a great difference to them, only for the DWP to remove the same amount from universal credit, because it is classed as income. Are discussions taking place with the UK Government to ensure that a no-detriment agreement can be put in place to allow carers in Scotland to benefit from the additional money?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

As I mentioned in my original answer, carer support payment mirrors carers allowance. One reason for that is that it has the same purpose as carers allowance—it is an income replacement benefit for people who are less able to work because they have caring responsibilities. That means that it is treated as income when other income replacement benefits, such as universal credit, are calculated, but carers are still better off because an extra amount, which is called the carer element, can be included in the calculation.

Carers in Scotland get the extra support of the carers allowance supplement, which is not available in the rest of the UK, and, as I mentioned in my original answer, we are continuing our work to introduce the carers additional person payment. We are working with the UK Government to ensure that receipt of those benefits does not lead to reductions in DWP benefits.

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Labour, Glasgow)

It appears that the same thing is happening with council tax and through Social Security Scotland. On transfer to universal credit, some carer support payment claimants are being hit with immediate demands for payment of full council tax. My constituent was sent a bill of £350, which had to be paid in short order.

Staff and managers are aware of the issue, but they are only able to do a manual workaround. What can the cabinet secretary do to urgently update the information technology systems of local government, Social Security Scotland and the DWP to remove that unacceptable burden from people who receive benefits and staff who work in the system?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Clearly, the IT systems of local government and the DWP are a matter for those organisations, but Social Security Scotland continually reviews how its processes can be developed.

We are engaging with the DWP, which is investigating the situation and working quickly to resolve any issues, and updated guidance has been issued to local authorities on the matter that Ms Duncan-Glancy has raised. In the meantime, I recommend that clients who are experiencing problems or have any concerns should contact the DWP or their local authority, which can investigate their case and correct any issues.

Rachael Hamilton (Conservative, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, “Economic Impacts of Short-term Lets in Scotland”, specifically in relation to the Scottish Borders. (S6O-04246)

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Tourism is an important part of Scotland’s economy. The short-term let market, which has grown significantly in recent years, makes a strong contribution, as is highlighted in the report.

We continue to work with the sector and local authorities to build Scotland’s reputation as a high-quality tourist destination, while balancing demand for homes during a time of housing emergency, by introducing regulations to safeguard guests, allocating an additional £2 million in funding to tackle empty homes, and providing £4 million for tourism infrastructure and £2 million to encourage visits to more of Scotland’s national attractions, all of which is furthering our national tourism strategy, as set out in “Scotland Outlook 2030: Responsible tourism for a sustainable future”.

Rachael Hamilton (Conservative, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

The Scottish National Party Government has its priorities all wrong, because short-term lets such as self-catering generate £34 million and support 1,100 people in the Borders alone, while having a negligible impact on housing markets. In contrast, empty homes, of which there are almost 2,000 in the Borders, outnumber self-catering properties and offer no economic benefit.

Does the minister agree that the Scottish Government must do more to support Scotland’s £1 billion self-catering industry and should refocus its efforts on tackling economically inactive empty homes to get more people into them?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

I already highlighted the additional £2 million for this year and the work that the Scottish Government has done to deliver 11,000 empty homes back into use in recent years. We continue to focus on that, but it is important to achieve a balance. You are right to mention empty homes but I do not share your view of the impact of the licensing scheme on tourism. We must look at the benefits that hosts and operators get from the scheme, such as being able to promote safe and high-quality businesses. We do not want to see hosts leaving the sector, but there is a range of factors to consider.

We have been supporting tourism. Through VisitScotland, we have pulled together an expert group to review the implementation of the scheme and that group will continue advising us on the issue.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

Rachael Hamilton it is right to say that we should value the sector, especially in areas such as the Scottish Borders, but balance is important. We must ensure that there are sufficient homes for workers to be able to service the industry in order to keep it thriving. Does the minister think that control areas—which I support, although I do not support licensing—were designed with the east neuk and St Andrews in mind when the scheme was being put together?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Mr Rennie makes an important point. Short-term let control areas were brought in separately to the licensing scheme and allow planning authorities to consider the impacts on the amenity and character of areas with high concentrations of short-term let accommodation. It is up to local authorities to decide whether to designate the whole authority or, as you suggested Mr Rennie, to apply it to much tighter areas, such as those you mentioned in your question.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Please speak always through the chair, minister.

Clare Adamson (Scottish National Party, Motherwell and Wishaw)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting people in Motherwell and Wishaw in accessing social security entitlements. (S6O-04247)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Through our benefit take-up strategy, we are implementing initiatives to support people to access their entitlements. That includes targeted marketing of payments and assistance from local delivery teams to help people apply, with advisers available at co-located venues in Wishaw and Motherwell.

The draft budget for 2025-26 includes more than £12.8 million for free income maximisation support and welfare and debt advice. Our investment supports advice services, which are delivered in many ways, including face to face, by telephone and on-line.

In addition, welfare advice and health partnerships provide financial advice directly in three general practices in the member’s North Lanarkshire constituency.

Clare Adamson (Scottish National Party, Motherwell and Wishaw)

Many vulnerable people find it particularly difficult to navigate the Department for Work and Pensions system, especially given the stigmatising language that we continue to hear from the United Kingdom Government about cutting social security bills. My Motherwell and Wishaw constituents have experienced errors in debt calculation and issues with the direct payment of their universal credit to third parties, especially energy companies. I would be happy to share examples with the cabinet secretary.

Will the cabinet secretary press the UK Government on ensuring that the current system of direct payments to third parties, including energy companies, is reviewed to ensure accuracy, fairness and proper safeguarding measures for vulnerable claimants?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

I share the member’s concern about some of the language regarding social security that we see being used by the Conservatives, by the UK Labour Government and, indeed, by Scottish Labour in its discussion of “handouts”.

However, unlike the Department for Work and Pensions, we do not have powers to make direct deductions for third-party services. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that we operate with fairness, dignity and respect for all clients, including in our work on debt collection.

The UK Government’s approach, which includes deductions for advance payments and historical overpayments, often leaves people with too little to live on. I will continue to press the UK Government to adopt fairer measures that safeguard people, including the work towards the essentials guarantee. The member raises a very important point about the impact that that can have on our constituents.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mitigate against future increases to Social Security Scotland’s overall spend on benefits. (S6O-04248)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Social security is an investment in the people of Scotland. All Governments should be encouraging more people to take up the benefits that they are entitled to. The Scottish Government is investing around £6.9 billion in social security benefits in 2025-26, and that is projected to increase to £8.7 billion in 2029-30. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that finances remain on a sustainable trajectory and we will publish our next medium-term financial strategy later this year, alongside a fiscal sustainability delivery plan.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

That is 14 per cent of next year’s budget being spent on social security. As the cabinet secretary says, that will rise to £8.7 billion in 2029. By the way, that is £1 million an hour. Although the First Minister claims, rightly, that the solution to poverty is good work and warm homes, the SNP seems to celebrate that increase. It should focus on reducing dependency by growing the economy and expanding the workforce. It should be aiming to cut the benefits bill, not planning to increase it exponentially. What will the cabinet secretary do to focus on tackling worklessness and helping benefit claimants to get back to work?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

I think that we have just heard some of that stigmatising language in the chamber this afternoon. [ Interruption .] When we talk about “dependency”—

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

That is ridiculous. [Interruption.]

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Cabinet secretary, will you resume your seat for a second? I will not tolerate barracking across the chamber. We had that at First Minister’s question time and we are not going to have it during portfolio questions. We are going to listen to the questions and to the cabinet secretary responding to them.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise for shouting across the chamber, but I hope that you will understand that calling work a stigma is ridiculous.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

That is not a point of order. You are denying people the opportunity to come in with supplementary questions, because we are tied up with this nonsense. I ask the cabinet secretary to resume answering the question, and we will then move on.

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Thank you, Presiding Officer.

Through social security, the Scottish Government invests in low-income families, disabled people and carers. I am not sure which part of the “dependency” Mr Kerr believes that we need to get rid of—whether it is disabled people, carers or those on low incomes—but I am disappointed that he would suggest that dependency is an issue.

Mr Kerr is potentially unaware of the many people who are already in work but still receive benefits due to the inadequate low pay that they receive. He is also probably unaware of the fact that the vast majority of the increase in expenditure on social security is covered by block grant adjustments because UK forecasts are increasing, particularly in relation to disabled people.

A lot of the increase in Scottish Government expenditure is due to the fact that we mitigate the worst excesses of his party when it was in power. Disappointingly, not only will we have to continue to do so, but we will have to expand that mitigation due to the processes that we now have to put in place to mitigate the decisions of the current UK Government.

Paul O'Kane (Labour, West Scotland)

The cabinet secretary and I have discussed in committee our changing demographics, the demand-led nature of social security and the fact that it is vital that social security operates flexibly, with efficient systems to reduce waste. We need to be sure that spending on information technology systems, overpayments and errors is as minimal as possible in order to free up money for the funding that goes into our constituents’ pockets. Given that, how does the cabinet secretary respond to recent reports that overpayments of £1.1 million in just three months were written off as official errors by Social Security Scotland? What action is she taking alongside the agency to make sure that we focus on reducing that waste and fraud in order to protect social security claimants?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

I thank Mr O’Kane for his question, because that is one of the areas in which we have to challenge ourselves to continue to do better. Part of the area that we need to work on is our reliance on the material that comes from the DWP. For example, are errors made because people are not due universal credit but are told that they are, so they receive the Scottish child payment?

There is integration between the two systems, which means that we have to check for official error at every stage. We also check that for benefits that are only in Social Security Scotland’s remit. The member raised an important point about the need to continue to challenge such errors, which is why there is continuous improvement and investment in Social Security Scotland’s digital systems to reduce the number of manual workarounds and to improve the IT systems. That work continues.

On the whole, the expenditure related to how Social Security Scotland administers social security compares well with the cost to the DWP. It does not cost more for Social Security Scotland to deliver the benefits, but it delivers them in a more humane fashion.

Rona Mackay (Scottish National Party, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the current cost of living crisis on the prevalence of food insecurity and reliance on food banks. (S6O-04249)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

The Scottish Government tracks food insecurity through the Scottish health survey. In 2023, results showed that 14 per cent of adults reported experiencing food insecurity, which is an increase from 9 per cent in 2021, and it is the highest level since the time series began in 2017. Younger adults were more likely to experience food insecurity than older adults, and adults who experience food insecurity have below-average life satisfaction and much lower levels of mental wellbeing.

Rona Mackay (Scottish National Party, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)

Social security support, such as the Scottish child payment and best start foods, has helped Scottish households to secure, proportionately, the lowest food bank usage in the United Kingdom, but it is clear that efforts must be redoubled to remove the need for food banks entirely. How will the cabinet secretary’s commitment to a cash-first approach contribute to tackling food insecurity in Scotland?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Scotland is the first nation to publish a plan that works toward ending the need for food banks, and we are taking forward nine actions over three years to improve the response to crisis using a cash-first approach. That is backed up by investment of up to £1.8 million in the cash-first programme, which supports eight public sector and third sector partnerships to strengthen urgent access to cash in a crisis and reduce the need for food parcels. The Trussell Trust and the Independent Food Aid Network agree that that approach is right. We are determined to see what more we can do to ensure that we take a cash-first approach, because it is making a real difference to people by delivering a much more dignified response to an emergency.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

That concludes portfolio questions on social justice. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item of business, to allow those on the front benches to change places.

Fatal Accident Inquiries (Deaths in Custody)

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

The next item of business is a statement by Angela Constance on the Scottish Government’s response to fatal accident inquiries into the deaths of Katie Allan and William Brown. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions.

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

First and foremost, I express my deepest condolences to the families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay. I am deeply sorry for their deaths. Suicide is a tragedy, but it is also preventable, and the deaths of those two young people should not have happened while they were in the care of the state.

Sheriff Simon Collins KC has issued a comprehensive and hard-hitting determination that resonates deeply. Accountability starts with acceptance. The Scottish Government accepts Sheriff Collins’s finding that those deaths were preventable and that systemic failures contributed to their deaths. Systemic failures require a systemic response. I hear and fully understand the families’ demand for action and agree that we must take action, and we will.

Sheriff Collins has made 25 thoughtful and substantial recommendations. I accept those recommendations and commit to addressing in detail each and every one of them in our full formal response. I will report to the Parliament again when we provide that.

I will set out to the Parliament today six specific and direct actions that will contribute to the systems-wide reform that must now take place. I am determined to lead change across the Scottish Prison Service, the national health service and broader partners in order to take forward the necessary reforms. Although many changes have already taken place, further improvements are needed at operational and procedural levels. I also expect to see cultural change in the way that agencies work individually and collectively.

To ensure that we drive change and implementation and achieve the impact that is needed, we must strengthen oversight and accountability, and that needs to be independent. Starting now, we need oversight of the actions that are taken as a result of Sheriff Collins’s determination, including those that I will set out today. I have therefore asked His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons in Scotland to provide oversight and monitoring of implementation and, crucially, to review the actions that are taken to ensure that they meet the required outcome. I have asked the inspectorate to involve families and prisoners, just as it should involve prison staff, and to seek other expert advice. The inspectorate will report directly to me.

We also need independent national oversight in relation to deaths in custody. Work is already under way on that, but I will ensure that specific proposals are brought forward by March this year. Those proposals will strengthen accountability in relation to fatal accident inquiry recommendations and ensure that thematic and systemic issues are identified and addressed, which will also inform and support work on prevention.

I turn to the actions. The first relates to the physical environment in prisons and focuses on ligature and risk assessments. Sheriff Collins stressed the need for greater recognition by the SPS of the importance of ligature prevention. I confirm that the SPS will urgently and immediately review and revise its policy on items that can be used as ligatures. The SPS has taken action to address and refurbish the physical environment and has introduced trauma-informed training for staff that focuses on support for young people. It will do more by developing an anti-ligature risk assessment, which will further support work to ensure that spaces can be as safe as possible. In addition, the development of suicide prevention technology will be accelerated and, if viable, piloted and reviewed.

The second action relates to mental health services and information sharing. The Scottish Prison Service’s suicide prevention strategy, talk to me, will be completely revised and overhauled. William Lindsay’s case was, sadly, not unique. He was let down by many services before he arrived in custody, and there were failings in sharing information about his needs. We need to ensure that that can never happen again. The Scottish Government, the SPS, the national health service and the Scottish courts will work urgently and immediately to ensure that all the written information and documentation that are available to the courts are passed to the SPS at the time of a person’s admission to prison. A standardised approach to sharing relevant information from agencies will also be developed.

The third action relates to death in prison learning and audit reviews. Those reviews will now include consideration of the safety of the prisoner’s physical environment and the means by which they were able to die by suicide. That was a specific recommendation made by Sheriff Collins. The reviews now also allow for input from families, following engagement with the family reference group. However, there is more that we must do. I therefore confirm that, with immediate effect, independent chairing of DIPLARs will be extended to all deaths in custody. I also confirm that the learning and key actions from those reviews will be available to those performing the independent national oversight role.

The fourth action relates to legal aid for bereaved families who participate in fatal accident inquiries. Currently, families are entitled to legal aid on the basis of means testing, with the majority of families receiving support. However, in recognition of the special significance of a death in custody, we will change the legal aid system to make legal aid free, with no means testing, in relation to fatal accident inquiries into deaths in custody. That will require primary legislation, which we will introduce at the earliest opportunity. Alongside that, I will bring forward proposals in relation to family advocacy and support outside the formal FAI process.

The fifth action relates to the FAI process. I agree with Sheriff Collins, among others, that the period of five years between the deaths and the first notice of inquiry was far too long. It is clear that the process is letting families down and that the time taken for FAIs to start and conclude needs to be addressed. I understand that the families do not want another review. However, unless we specifically look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole system, we will not see the improvements that are needed. I have discussed that with the Lord Advocate, who shares my view. I am therefore commissioning a focused independent review of the FAI system that will look at the efficiency, effectiveness and trauma-informed nature of investigations into deaths in prison custody. I will ask the inquiry chair to report to me by the end of this year on the solutions and the tangible actions that need to be taken.

Finally, although this is not in my gift to introduce, I will continue to pursue the lifting of Crown immunity with the United Kingdom Government. I believe that that should change in line with the position with other public bodies.

We also need to take more steps to improve alternatives to custody. Since I became justice secretary, I have said that there needs to be a shift in the balance from custody to justice in the community. People who break the law must face consequences for their actions, and sometimes there is no alternative to the punishment of depravation of liberty. In other cases, that can be done safely and more effectively in the community. Let me be clear: people need to stop calling that “soft justice”. If our mindset is that jail is the only option, we will never be able to stop the impacts that imprisonment can have on people, families and society, which lead to further societal costs that we all pay for.

I want to go further on community justice and to drive more innovation in that area. Last year, I visited Northern Ireland and heard at first hand about the positive impact that has been achieved through its system of enhanced combination orders, which enable judges to address offending behaviour through alternatives to custody while providing for support and intervention to address the underlying drivers of such behaviour. Such examples speak to the whole-system approach that we need here. I will come back to the Parliament with plans to strengthen our community order system, and I want members to remember this day when I do so.

Like everybody here, I do not want there to be any preventable deaths in our prisons, and there should be no suicides. I assure members that we will address the systemic failures that were identified by Sheriff Collins and strengthen oversight of and accountability for the reforms that must be made. I expect services to be provided within a culture of transparency, candour and compassion. That is particularly true in relation to all people who are in the care of the state. Accountability starts with acceptance, but it does not end there. Accountability must also result in answers and actions that lead to lasting change.

I again extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of William Lindsay and Katie Allan, and to all families who have been affected by a death in custody. I know that they do not want condolences or hand wringing. It is action that they seek, and it is such action that we will deliver.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues that were raised in her statement. I intend to allow about 20 minutes for questions.

Liam Kerr (Conservative, North East Scotland)

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of her statement, and I extend my deepest condolences, too, to the families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay. I have three questions for the cabinet secretary, which I will keep brief to ensure that she has time to give full answers.

The cabinet secretary has signalled that she will pursue the lifting of Crown immunity. Will she set out for us when she anticipates real progress—and, I hope, success—with that?

Secondly, the cabinet secretary referenced the system of investigating the deaths of prisoners, but she said that it will take a further year to report. Will she explain why that further delay is needed to point out what seems to be obvious to everyone in the system, which is that it is not working?

Finally, the cabinet secretary says that she will extend legal aid to bereaved families participating in FAIs, but the legal aid system is already very short of money and resources. What extra funding and resources does she consider are necessary in that respect, and when will they be made available?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I very much appreciate Mr Kerr’s questions. He will know that Crown immunity is not in my gift to deliver—it is a reserved issue. Nonetheless, I have made a commitment today to Parliament and, indeed, to the families who are sitting in the public gallery that I will pursue that matter in good faith.

I know that other members in the chamber will have party connections on both sides of the border. There was live discussion at stage 2 of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill about the much broader issue of good conduct or misconduct in public office. It is imperative that we all recognise that public confidence and trust in all our public services is what binds us together.

On the underpinnings of the work on fatal accident inquiries, I will come back to Parliament with a more detailed timetable, but I must be up front and say that I do not expect any work on fatal accident inquiries to be straightforward or plain sailing. I really hate the word “complex”, but in this case, that is what it is. I will consult others, but I want to ensure that we set the terms of reference for the work correctly so that it can be completed timeously.

I know that there are many issues to address and many asks for improvements around fatal accident inquiries, but first and foremost, in order to deliver for families who have been affected by death in custody, we must take a focused look at the death in custody fatal accident inquiries.

Legal aid is, of course, demand led. I have had a number of discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the work that we are about to commence. Inevitably, there will be implications in relation to the financial and human resources that are released to focus on that work.

Pauline McNeill (Labour, Glasgow)

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of the statement, which I found helpful.

This must be a turning point for Scotland’s prisons. Our system lacks accountability and transparency when there are deaths in custody. Sadly, there have been more deaths since the tragic and preventable deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay Brown.

Now is the time to adopt all the recommendations, which the Government has done, and to go beyond them and use them as the basis for whole-system change. For too long, the prison system, which we trust to look after people on behalf of the state, has let down families. They have been immediately shut out of a system whose first response is to defend its own interests.

Communication to families immediately after the death of their loved one has been poor. The unfettered access to information following a death in custody that families were promised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland in its recommendations is meaningless, unless those families have rights to their own representation.

I have one specific question. Will the cabinet secretary commit to legal aid support for all families in the first 24 hours following a death in custody so that they have a chance against the system when it comes to asking immediate questions about the circumstances of the death of their loved one? Families tell me that they feel closed out of the system during the first period after a death in custody, and such a move would go a long way to making sure that we have whole-system change.

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I very much embrace the point that Pauline McNeill articulated—that today should be a turning point not just for those in the care of the Scottish Prison Service, but in what more we need to do to prevent people from going to prison in the first place. As Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, I do not demur for one moment from the recommendations and the changes that now require to be made in the prison service.

My challenge to other Government colleagues and colleagues across the political spectrum is that we also have to look at what happens to people and what their life experiences are before they have any contact with the criminal justice system. When we do, we quite often see a litany of failures for the most vulnerable in our society.

I very much want to see equality of arms. That is particularly acute when there is a death in custody. I will look at Pauline McNeill’s suggestion about the timing of legal aid support. As I hope that I have indicated to Liam Kerr and other members, there is, indeed, work—of breadth and depth—to do to ensure that we deliver on the promises that we have made today.

Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)

I, too, express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Katie Allan and William Lindsay, whose deaths were preventable.

The cabinet secretary spoke of much-needed operational, procedural and cultural change across multiple agencies and institutions, as well as specific actions and the monitoring of implementation. Prevention must be paramount, both the prevention of behaviour that leads to imprisonment in the first place and ensuring that those who must be incarcerated have the support that they need when they need it.

Can the cabinet secretary say more about the mental health services that are available and whether the revision of the talk to me programme will be sufficient? Can she also provide reassurances that suicide prevention technology will not replace the human, in-person support and contact that are important in sustaining and improving mental health for those who are in prison?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

Prevention is, indeed, paramount. First, it is paramount that we prevent people from having contact with the justice system in the first place and, secondly, that we prevent unnecessary incarcerations. Prevention work must be pursued to ensure that, once they are in our care, our people are kept safe at all times.

I have heard Ms Chapman make the point, which I would endorse time and again, that prison is not and cannot be the end of the line. People cannot go to prison and be out of sight, out of mind. The work that is done in our prisons is imperative not just in keeping people safe, but in their rehabilitation and, ultimately, the wellbeing of our society.

Suicide prevention technology should not and cannot replace human contact. It will have to be tested in a prison environment, but it does have the potential to give more dignity and protection to people who are at risk. If staff have to check on someone every 15 or 30 minutes, we can imagine how that disrupts the person’s sleep. If we can use technology that is, perhaps, radar-based, so that we can monitor people’s respirations and movements, as well as the blind spots in the cell, that will be a more dignified approach and in keeping with trauma-informed care.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

The decisions that we take in this Parliament matter, and that could hardly be more striking than it is today. It is very emotive to see the families here today—I am sure that we all feel for them.

I have been frustrated and, frankly, annoyed that, for years, fatal accident inquiries have taken so long to begin. First, will the cabinet secretary consider removing the responsibility for fatal accident inquiries from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and ring fence the responsibility in a separate organisation?

Secondly, can the cabinet secretary explain why it took almost three years for the prison suicide prevention strategy not to be renewed? It has taken all that time, when it was essential for it be renewed.

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I have often heard Mr Rennie articulate his annoyance and frustration. I hope that we all share a sense of anger and that, going forward, we can hang on to it.

The question whether the responsibility for fatal accident inquiries should be removed from the Crown Office has not been at the forefront of my mind; my focus is on what I can do in the short and medium term, in the remaining time in this parliamentary session, to deliver for families. I am very focused on deaths in custody and fatal accident inquiries in relation to deaths in custody and on seeing those timespans become much shorter.

I know that there has been an increase in the resource invested in the Crown Office—with good reason, because of the demand on its role in independently investigating deaths. The Crown Office is dealing with 14,000 to 15,000 cases per annum; it regularly publishes performance statistics in and around that, and there is an improving trajectory. Where we all share a sense of frustration is around mandatory fatal accident inquiries that relate to people in custody who die while in our care.

Audrey Nicoll (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen South and North Kincardine)

I extend my deepest condolences to the families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay.

I welcome the cabinet secretary’s recognition that the fatal accident inquiry process between the deaths and the first notice was far too long, which added to the trauma of the families, and that there must be consideration of how that can be improved. Will the review include the issue of sharing information with families to ensure that that process improves, too?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

Audrey Nicoll’s question follows on from Willie Rennie’s. Notwithstanding the work undertaken by the Crown Office in more recent times—for example, to improve its existing family liaison charter—I know that the Lord Advocate shares my views on how we are all delivering or not delivering for families. The fatal accident review that I am commissioning will, as one of its key themes, consider the sharing of information, which the member rightly highlights as an issue.

Another aspect of information sharing is the information that must come to the Crown Office from other agencies. We need to be able to ensure that investigations and initial inquiries are robust, but I am conscious that all of that is pinned on good and timely sharing of accurate and full information.

With regard to families, we will bring forward proposals that consider support outside the fatal accident inquiry process, particularly through family advocacy.

Sharon Dowey (Conservative, South Scotland)

Fatal accident inquiries have been mandatory for all deaths in custody since 2016, yet Scotland still has one of the highest rates in Europe of suicide in prison. Would the cabinet secretary consider making it mandatory to implement all fatal accident inquiry recommendations so that lessons are learned and we can avoid making the same mistakes again and again?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

Sharon Dowey is quite correct to say that, compared with our European friends and neighbours, Scotland has one of the highest rates of suicide in prison. It is quite stark—the rate is higher than south of the border and elsewhere in western Europe.

I have given some thought to the question whether to make the implementation of fatal accident inquiries mandatory. However, I have noted much of the good research carried out by the University of Glasgow and, indeed, Mrs Allan on the variability of fatal accident inquiries in terms of what the research describes as their quality and quantity. If they were made mandatory, there might be the issue of getting somewhat contradictory recommendations. I hope that what I have outlined today with regard to the oversight from HMIPS and, crucially, the oversight of the national mechanism, and the six actions that I have commissioned today, many of which are in direct response to Sheriff Collins’s recommendations, gives the strongest indication of my intent on the matter and how we will see things through.

Rona Mackay (Scottish National Party, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)

At the age of 16, William Lindsay should have been in secure accommodation, not prison, but there were not enough spaces. Although I welcome the fact that no under-18s are now in prison, can the cabinet secretary assure me that there are enough secure accommodation spaces to accommodate the people who need to be housed there?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

Members will be aware that, as a result of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024, as of 28 August 2025, no under-18s will be detained in a young offenders institution; instead, they will be held in a suitable setting such as secure care.

Secure accommodation capacity can be tight and capacity can change on a daily basis but, as of 9 o’clock this morning, there were six places available. I also confirm that I expect on-going work to further alleviate those pressures shortly. I assure the member that we pay very close attention to the number of available spaces on a daily basis.

Paul O'Kane (Labour, West Scotland)

My thoughts today are with the families whose lives can never be the same. Katie Allan grew up in East Renfrewshire, as I did, and we have all heard that she did so in a family, a school and a community where she was loved and had the fullness of her life and potential ahead of her.

The findings should make us ashamed that Katie, William and so many others were failed. The cabinet secretary knows that Katie’s family has fought for a long time for investment in safer cells, and particularly the removal of ligatures. She knows of the backward steps that they have experienced and of their battle to access information.

However, I note the clear recommendations that have been made on that issue and the cabinet secretary’s agreement in principle with them in her statement. Can she outline clearly a process for the SPS to deal with ligature risks across the estate and a timeline for doing so? What capital investment will support that work?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

The total investment in the Scottish Prison Service for the new financial year will be in excess of £881 million, in both resource and capital. I am, of course, realistic and am aware that additional actions always have a cost, in terms of both resources and people.

I expect some of the actions that I outlined in my statement to happen either immediately or urgently. I have given a commitment to come back to Parliament in March, when there will be further detail on the timelines. I am acutely conscious that it is all very well to commit to action and implement recommendations, but that has to go hand in hand with a full and detailed implementation plan. That is what I will be invested in going forward.

Fulton MacGregor (Scottish National Party, Coatbridge and Chryston)

I, too, pass my condolences to the families.

I appreciate that the cabinet secretary has referred to the issue of Crown immunity a couple of times already, but I wonder whether she believes that the change in Government at Westminster allows for an opportunity to pursue that issue with renewed urgency.

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I very much hope that the change in Government will allow for more fruitful discussions on the matter. I have already laid out, in answers to others, that I will pursue the matter in good faith.

The previous UK Government did not reply to earlier correspondence from the previous First Minister. I think that there is a wider interest right now in misconduct in public office, and various other inquiries have led us to that position. I reiterate that public trust and confidence in public services help to bind our society and our communities together.

I will add one thing that I said to the family. I want to be clear to the families and to Parliament that I will not call for action in another place that is the responsibility of others at the expense of the action that I can take. I will pursue the issues on Crown immunity, but I make it clear that that action will not be at the expense of the action that is in my gift.

Roz McCall (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I echo the condolences to families who have waited too long for answers. The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 means that most people under the age of 18 will now be housed in secure accommodation, which has capacity issues, as was highlighted in the statement to Parliament a couple of weeks ago by the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise. Will the cabinet secretary assure me that all the lessons will be applied, where appropriate, across secure settings where young people are in our care? Will she shed any light on where any young offenders will be placed in the event of full capacity?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

Let me be clear to Ms McCall that we closed the legal route—the legal loophole—that allowed our children to be placed in prison in order to ensure that it just cannot happen. Under no circumstances do our children belong in prison. Therefore, the system has to get with it—it has to get with the legislation. The Government and others just have to get with it, put our shoulders to the wheel and make sure that there is enough capacity.

There are issues that we need to discuss with the UK Government. One of the issues that I am aware of from Ms Don’s statement and the passage of the legislation is the placement of children hundreds of miles away from their home when they should be placed nearer their homes in England. I am not saying that we are not or have not been guilty of doing that, but there are important issues that all the home nations need to take on board.

At the end of the day, those children are our children. They need to be nearer to their communities in a way that is safe for them and the community when a placement is necessitated, but they should not be passed from pillar to post. It was a decisive moment when the Parliament said that. I regret to say that it was not unanimous, but it was a decisive moment when we said that we are not having our children—under-18s—in our prison system.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

I welcome the cabinet secretary’s comments on shifting the balance to justice in the community and her point that that is not soft justice. Does she agree that we need to ensure that penal reform is not a political football? Does she also agree that we need grown-up and sensible debate and discussion to find the solutions to reduce our prison population and to have safe alternatives to custody in the community that sheriffs can use?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I am absolutely determined to do everything that I can to boost the confidence that the people of Scotland and, indeed, the judiciary have in the potential of community justice. I have increased investment in community justice—between the current and the next financial year, there will be additional investment of £25 million—but we have to have the courage to follow the evidence, which tells us that, in many circumstances, robust community disposals will provide far better outcomes not only for the individual concerned, in mending their ways and paying back to the community, but for the community and keeping families and children together. We need to own that.

If I convey only one thing today, it is that our accountability has to lead to action and change. As a country, we need to turn up the dial in the shift from our use of custody to the use of community justice. I very much hope to come back to Parliament in February with a Government-led debate on the next steps around our sentencing and penal reform work.

Martin Whitfield (Labour, South Scotland)

The powerful report on these tragic events is speaking truth to power. I welcome the statement, and also the tone and approach that the cabinet secretary has taken. The deaths of those young people should not have happened. I invite the cabinet secretary to reaffirm her and the Scottish Government’s absolute commitment to implementing the proposals that were set out in the statement, irrespective of unseen events and as swiftly as possible.

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

The 419 pages of the fatal accident inquiry determinations certainly are, to use the old Quaker phrase, speaking truth to power.

In short, my message to the families and to people across Scotland is that accountability starts with me. I have the same expectations of myself, my officials and my colleagues in Government as I do of those in senior leadership roles and on the front line. Accountability starts with acceptance, but it cannot end there. The report is damning about systemic failings, and they will require systemic improvement.

I am conscious that the families have had enough of condolences, regret and politicians like me greetin and wringing our hands. We need to put our shoulders to the wheel, collectively, and ensure that, as others have said, today is the turning point.

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

None of us here can adequately understand the grief that the families are shouldering, but all of us must understand that it could happen to us and our families at any time. I recognise that it can take time for legislation to be developed, consulted on and dealt with in the Parliament but, given the urgency and the immediate needs of families who are faced with circumstances and tragedies such as those that we heard about from Pauline McNeill, can the cabinet secretary provide a timescale for introducing legislation on swift and universal legal aid for families for fatal accident inquiries?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I am absolutely committed to making changes in the legal aid system to ensure that legal aid is free and non-means-tested in relation to deaths in custody. The member and others have highlighted that it can take time to introduce and pass primary legislation in the Parliament—that is not all within my gift, but I am committed to introducing such legislation as soon as possible.

In the meantime, I am urgently considering whether there are ways to deliver the changes in the shorter term while we are developing the primary legislation. I want to leave no stone unturned and to check whether there are other opportunities to deliver on our aspirations more quickly. When the Criminal Justice Committee and I can get through the legislation that is currently on our books, I would certainly be up for doing a bill in year 5 of the session. However, I am conscious that I am probably stepping beyond my scope there, and I may be entering the territory of the Minister for Parliamentary Business and other parliamentary authorities.

Rachael Hamilton (Conservative, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

A number of concerns have been raised about the procedures in the Scottish Prison Service. Unannounced inspections are practically non-existent. The inspections that do take place are announced in advance and only happen every several years. Will the cabinet secretary work with HMIPS to ensure that more unannounced inspections take place?

Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)

I give a commitment to members that I will discuss that with the new chief inspector when she comes into post. I am due to meet her very soon. Sara Snell has significant experience in the prison system elsewhere on these islands. In addition, she has been working on an international level with the Red Cross for the past several years, looking at the changing nature of detention. She comes well briefed on the challenges and on how Scotland compares with other countries. That issue will be one of the many that I will discuss with her.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

That concludes the ministerial statement. I will allow a moment or two for members on the front benches to organise before the next item of business.

National Care Service

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

We move to the next item of business.

Craig Hoy has a point of order.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Not for the first time, details of a statement that is to be made in the Parliament have been leaked to the Scottish press. For years, we have been saying that the Scottish National Party’s ill-conceived plan for a national care service should be scrapped. Today, thanks to the Daily Record , we found out that that is the Government’s intention. That shows complete and utter contempt, not just for the Presiding Officer and the Parliament but for the many stakeholders who have invested a huge amount of time, energy and money in working with the Government on the botched plan.

I seek your guidance, Deputy Presiding Officer. Have you had any discussions with the Government about the latest breach of protocol? Are you aware of how the information may have come to be in the public domain, and what will you and the Parliament do to prevent such egregious breaches of the rules and disrespect of the Parliament and its members?

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

I thank Mr Hoy for his point of order. I am not cognisant of the full detail of the newspaper article to which he refers. I would not expect to see any detail being made available to others before the Parliament is made aware of it. That is the expectation to which we all work. Therefore, I will look into the matter to which the member has referred.

We will now proceed with a statement by Maree Todd on the future of the national care service. The minister will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions.

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

I will start with a quote from Sara Redmond, chief officer of the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, from November last year. She said that

“people with lived experience have invested huge amounts of time, energy and emotion in trying to make the NCS work. We cannot afford to let that effort go to waste by leaving social care in its current state.”

Her view has been on my mind since I announced a pause to stage 2 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill last year. I have reflected on the evidence that has been taken by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, and views from stakeholders, people with lived experience, members of the public and political parties. I am grateful to everyone whom I have spoken to, particularly those with lived experience, for their continued commitment. Throughout my conversations with people, the case for reform has remained clear. Despite the best efforts of many, our social care system is not delivering the care and support that people require to live and thrive. There is an overwhelming need for change now. I also note that in England and Wales, similar discussions are under way and that there is rising momentum for national approaches.

We have spent three years developing plans, and significant commitment and resources from a wide range of people have brought us to this point. I will set out revised proposals for the bill and other urgent actions to deliver improvements in the social care system. We remain committed to creating a national care service, as recommended in the Feeley review and, ultimately, to improving the individual experience of everyone in Scotland who relies on social care.

Part 1 of the bill, and the draft amendments lodged in June, proposed reform of integrated social care and community health. We made considerable efforts to find a compromise and a way forward, but it is clear that those proposals are not supported by the chamber.

I have concluded that we must deliver our Scottish national care service without legislating for structural reform, securing a different means to deliver our goals. It is therefore my intention to remove part 1 from the bill at stage 2 and to proceed with parts 2 and 3 only. I realise that that will be a source of disappointment to many, particularly those with lived experience, who have been clear that greater transparency and scrutiny is necessary to drive the improvement that we all agree is needed. I want to reassure those people that I remain committed to the ambitions of the national care service. We have already made significant improvements to social care during this parliamentary session. Later in my statement, I will explain how I intend to continue that progress.

First, I want to set out what will remain in the bill. Core elements of Anne’s law are already in place through strengthened health and social care standards on visiting rights in relation to care homes, but more is needed. The First Minister and I have been profoundly impacted by conversations with families on Anne’s law. We are committed to enshrining Anne’s law in primary legislation and to working together to ensure that the bill gets that right.

We know that sharing your story repeatedly can be frustrating and traumatic. The bill enables information sharing across health and social care services with consistent information standards. That will lay the foundation for an integrated digital approach, making it easier for people to access and manage their own information and care. Digital approaches offer a great opportunity to improve people’s experience of care and treatment. Unpaid carers make an incredible contribution to Scotland’s communities and to our health and social care system. Through the bill, we will introduce a right to breaks for unpaid carers. That builds on the £88 million that we invest, through local government, in support under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and the £8 million a year that is already provided for voluntary sector short breaks, as well as the roll-out of the carer support payment across Scotland.

Across the chamber, as well as across the sector itself, there is agreement that change is needed to support the vital role of social workers. We are committed to driving forward those improvements in partnership to bring sustainable reform that future proofs the social work service in Scotland for generations to come. From the Feeley review, engagement with thousands of people with lived experience and a wide range of stakeholders, and the recommendations of this Parliament following its post-legislative scrutiny of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013, it remains clear that enhanced national support and oversight are necessary.

Therefore, I will move quickly to establish a national care service advisory board on a non-statutory basis. It is my intention that the advisory board will include people with lived experience of accessing care services, unpaid carers, those who work in the sector, care providers, the third sector, trade unions, the national health service and local government. I expect the board to meet for the first time in March this year. I want the chair of the board to be independent—ideally someone with lived experience of accessing care or of caring themselves or someone who represents those with lived experience and who can hold the Scottish Government and all our partners to account for the improvement that is needed.

Where it is indicated that agreed standards are not being met, progressive and targeted support will be offered to those areas to help them to improve. I will ask the board for advice on the best way to do that. The current system for integrated health and social care is not delivering for people. There is no shared understanding of what good looks like and no systematic approach to tackling problems in local areas quickly when problems first emerge. That results in performance issues in some local areas reaching crisis point.

We will review our health and social care standards, agree local monitoring and reporting frameworks and improve access to information. That will enable a systematic approach to providing progressive and targeted support for local areas, where necessary using our powers of direction and guidance when standards are not being met.

The advisory board will have a wide remit. It will provide advice on national programmes that are intended to support improvement. Those include the existing implementation of the carers and dementia strategies, work to embed a person-led approach through getting it right for everyone—GIRFE—and our work to reduce the number of people in delayed discharge in the drugs mission.

We will explore with partners how we can plan and deliver more effectively for people with high levels of need across current organisational and geographical boundaries. We will empower people to understand their rights by publishing our co-designed charter of rights. We will develop national standards and guidance for commissioning and procurement to deliver on our commitment to ethical commissioning. We will continue to overhaul eligibility criteria in social care, and I will consider how we will achieve our ambition to remove non-residential charging.

It is essential that we continue to support our workforce. We are delivering on our commitments to fund the real living wage for adult and social care workers. We have a clear focus on national and local workforce planning and high-quality learning, development and leadership support for social care staff. We will build a well-deserved sense of professionalism in the sector and improve parity with the NHS workforce.

At local level, integration joint boards will continue to plan and oversee social care and community health. I will consider what changes can be made to secondary legislation, guidance and the approval of integration schemes to ensure that the voice of lived experience is heard and to increase accountability and financial transparency. I will also support Highland partners, who have decided to end their unique model of integration to align with the rest of Scotland’s IJB model.

I welcomed the news on the United Kingdom Government’s plans for an independent commission on social care, which was announced a few weeks ago. There are significant issues in relation to employment, the relationship with taxation, immigration and pensions that can be resolved only through powers that are held by the UK Government. Those include the impact that increasing employer national insurance contributions will have on the social care sector in Scotland. We are already engaging with UK ministers, and I will continue to urge the UK Government to reconsider.

I note the comments made by the UK Government’s social care minister, Stephen Kinnock, on previous UK Government attempts to reform adult social care failing due to a destructive combination of party-political point scoring and short-term thinking. I want us in Scotland to move forward collaboratively, focusing on the importance of social care reform and the vital purpose of a national care service to improve people’s lives.

Throughout the bill process, I have said that my door is always open to discussion. That is the case today. We are all agreed that social care outcomes must improve, and I urge members from across the chamber to engage constructively with us as we move forward. Together, we can bring about the sustainable change to social care that people urgently need.