Official Report 748KB pdf
Good morning. The first item of business is general question time.
Recorded Crime Rate
To ask the Scottish Government how Scotland’s recorded crime rate compares with other areas of the United Kingdom. (S6O-04394)
Scotland’s recorded crime statistics cannot be compared to those of the rest of the UK, due to the different counting and classification systems used to produce the data. However, with a 40 per cent fall in recorded crime across Scotland since 2006-07, including a 74 per cent fall in housebreaking and a 68 per cent fall in theft of a motor vehicle, the long-term trend is clear.
Crime surveys can provide some comparisons, with the latest findings suggesting that in Scotland as well as in England and Wales, around one in 10 adults experienced violent and property crimes. That has fallen significantly for both jurisdictions since 2008-09.
I welcome the fact that recorded crime has halved since 1991, but what impact will the £25 million increase in national insurance by the UK Labour Government have on Police Scotland?
As this Government and, indeed, this Parliament have repeatedly made clear, the UK Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions will have a major impact on all sectors, with the hike likely to result in higher costs, job losses and increased prices. The impact will also be felt by our front-line public services, such as Police Scotland, and we estimate that the change could add more than £700 million in costs for public sector staff. The Treasury must fully fund the actual costs for Scotland’s public sector and not just give a much lower-value Barnett share of the spending in England.
Reports say that up to a quarter of crimes go unreported, with more than 215,000 calls to 101 having been discontinued between January and July 2024. Since 2013, more than 140 police stations and 100 police counters have been closed. There are nearly 1,000 fewer police officers than there were in 2020, with the Aberdeen pilot of not investigating all crimes having been extended across Scotland. Given those facts, is the cabinet secretary investigating their impact on recorded crime rates, or are simplistic comparisons to other parts of the UK simply easier?
I have no interest in making simplistic comparisons, but it is important that we focus on the facts. The strength of the Scottish crime and justice survey is that it captures not just recorded crime but the experience of crime. It is testament to the hard work of Police Scotland and, indeed, other parts of the justice system that there has been a significant fall in reports of victimisation from around 20 per cent to around one in 10.
Independent Schools’ VAT Liability (Impact on State Schools)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on state schools of the United Kingdom Government’s decision to make independent schools liable for VAT, how it plans to use any Barnett consequential funding resulting from this decision to support state schools. (S6O-04395)
The Barnett formula does not entitle the Scottish Government to consequentials that are raised under reserved powers. Block grant changes are calculated with reference to the UK Government spend in devolved areas.
The UK Government had previously indicated the VAT revenue would be ring fenced and applied to the Department of Education budget to increase teacher numbers in England. His Majesty’s Treasury has now advised that there will be no ring fencing of that revenue. Although the autumn budget contained additional funding for the Department for Education, which led to Barnett consequentials, I am not able to confirm the proportion that was funded by VAT on school fees.
This issue is becoming a growing concern in Edinburgh in particular. In a response to me, the cabinet secretary has said that, already, 79 pupils from the independent sector have enrolled in the state sector. Moreover, in response to the Education, Children and Young People Committee, she gave the detail that around 40 per cent of all pupils who attend independent schools in Scotland are in Edinburgh. If we finally get clarification from the UK Government on Barnett consequentials, will she commit to allocating 40 per cent of that funding to the City of Edinburgh Council, which is the council that will be most impacted?
I thank the member for his interest in the matter, which we discussed recently at a meeting of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. I also responded yesterday to the member’s parliamentary written question, giving the detail that he has alluded to.
In response to the member, I have made it very clear that the distribution methodology that we use for our funding to local government will take into account the issues that he has raised. I recognise that the issue is particularly pertinent to the City of Edinburgh Council, because of the number of pupils in the area who attend private school.
I hope that the member will take some comfort from my response today. I apologise that I am not able to give him the granular detail that he asked for originally, but that is because of the decisions that have been taken by the UK Government.
Can the cabinet secretary outline how the 2025-26 budget has already earmarked funding for support to state schools and, specifically, how the Scottish Government is supporting the recruitment of additional teachers, which is a significant issue in my constituency?
The 2025-26 Scottish budget provides record block grant funding of more than £15 billion for local government, which is an increase of £1.1 billion, or 5.5 per cent in real terms, compared with 2024-25. The 2025-26 local government finance settlement also includes an extra £186.5 million for increasing teacher numbers to 2023 levels, and a further £28 million of funding for the additional support for learning workforce. An additional £1 million has been specifically earmarked to support national initiatives to help recruit and train more ASL teachers, including in the member’s constituency.
The UK Government has increased funding for the Department for Education by much more than what the VAT policy is raising, which means that Scotland is getting Barnett consequentials that are worth more than just the VAT policy. This week, the NASUWT published research showing worrying increases in incidents of violence in school and highlighting that 62 per cent of respondents were not aware of the Government’s national plan in that respect. Given that, will the cabinet secretary use some of the increased funding to implement commitments set out in her national action plan?
The increased funding to which the member alludes was included in the Scottish Government’s budget. As I outlined in my response to Ms Nicoll, that budget includes £186.5 million for increasing teacher numbers to 2023 levels and an extra £29 million for additional support needs in our schools to help with, for example, the recruitment of additional support needs teachers, which of course can help to respond to some of the challenges that the member has set out. I do not understand how, on the one hand, the member can come to the chamber today and praise the additionality that is coming to the Scottish Government while, on the other, her party can decide not to vote in favour of the Scottish Government budget, which delivers on the challenge set out in the NASUWT report.
Religious Observance Opt-out (Schools)
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported view of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland that proposed changes to legislation on religious observance diverge from the recommendation by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to allow young people to independently opt out of religious observance at school. (S6O-04396)
As the First Minister noted in the chamber last week, we have consulted a wide range of stakeholders on changes to legislation on religious observance and religious and moral education in schools. The public consultation closed on 26 January. We recognise that there is a wide range of views on the topic, and ministers will continue to discuss those issues with Parliament and other interested parties. We will consider all responses to the consultation and publish a consultation analysis report in due course, as well as outlining next planned steps.
The 2022 census found that more than 60 per cent of school-age children in Scotland now identify as non-religious. In an increasingly secular and religiously diverse country, it is critically important that young people of all faiths and none have their beliefs and choices respected in school. Parents have always had the right to opt their children out of religious observance, and all state schools are legally required to provide that opt-out to parents; however, pupils have no equivalent right, no matter their age, maturity or personal beliefs. Can the cabinet secretary provide clarity on the timeframes for when we might get the information that she mentions in her answer? Is it her view that we should conform to the UN committee’s recommendations?
The legislative changes proposed in the consultation will strengthen the rights of children and young people in Scotland; I think that that is what the member is alluding to, and I am very supportive of it. The changes also build on our commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The existing guidance, which the member also alluded to, encourages schools to discuss with both parents and children the question of opting out of religious observance.
As the member will understand, the consultation analysis has not yet been published. However, I am more than happy to write to her about the timescales associated with the consultation in due course, when I have received that advice from my officials.
Can the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government is ensuring that children’s rights are incorporated across our education system?
We are committed to upholding the rights of children and young people across Scotland and supporting public authorities to understand and fulfil their UNCRC duties, including in our education system.
In May 2022, we awarded UNICEF UK a three-year grant to support it in raising awareness of children’s rights across the majority of Scottish schools though its rights-respecting schools award. I was pleased yesterday to visit Glenrothes high school in my constituency to see the impact of that award, which the school has received at gold level, on the rights of children in that school in Fife.
If we believe in the principle of religious freedom, surely it is clear that any pupil who is mature enough to decide that they are not a believer should not be required to go through a pretence of religious observance. Can the cabinet secretary assure us that, in analysing the consultation responses, she will give due regard to the views of young people who want to make what is a perfectly reasonable choice for themselves?
Of course, I recognise the member’s views. It is important that we balance them accordingly, and I am also mindful of the range of different views on the topic. As I said in my response to Ms Mochan, I will give due consideration to those views once I have received the consultation analysis. I can then set out more detail on the associated timescales.
Question 4 was not lodged.
Sport and Physical Activity (Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support increased levels of sport and physical activity in Dumfries and Galloway. (S6O-04398)
We are working in partnership with Public Health Scotland, sportscotland and colleagues in Dumfries and Galloway to identify evidence-based actions based on our physical activity for health framework, which will improve levels of physical activity in that area.
This year, sportscotland has provided £424,000 to Dumfries and Galloway Council to support its active schools programme, community sport hubs, community cycling, and coaching. Recent investment of £880,000 has been delivered through sportscotland’s sport facilities fund and cycle facilities fund, and £845,000 has been awarded via the transforming Scottish indoor tennis fund to construct a new indoor facility in Dumfries.
I was pleased to hear recent announcements that encouraged a higher uptake of physical activity for my constituents in that area—in particular, the announcement of the Stranraer water sports hub, which is expected to open in 2026, and the new indoor tennis courts development at the King George V complex in Dumfries.
Will the minister join me in welcoming those significant investments to the sports sector in Dumfries and Galloway, and will she consider joining me to visit both sites to see the marked improvement that they will make for local people?
I absolutely welcome those significant facilities investments. Both of those developments will have such a positive impact on the local community and will provide more and better opportunities to be physically active, either on the water or on a tennis court. I would be delighted to visit both sites to see the positive impact at first hand.
Greenock Police Station
To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the future of Greenock police station with Police Scotland. (S6O-04399)
I last discussed the police estate with the chief constable in January. We discussed Police Scotland’s estate master plan, which sets out its plans to modernise the police estate to ensure that it best serves communities and the Police Scotland workforce and that it is fit for the future.
Despite the unprecedented challenges to public finances in 2025-26, we will increase the police capital budget to £75 million—an increase of more than £10 million. That capital increase will support Police Scotland to commence delivery of its estate master plan, which will deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose estate that best serves the needs of communities and the policing workforce.
It is well documented that the Greenock police station is far past its sell-by date. The facility is no longer fit for purpose and the volume and cost of repairs will only continue to grow. Although I acknowledge that there is no question but that there will be a replacement police station in Greenock, there has been no firm commitment with regard to replacing the custody suite, which is absolutely crucial. Has the cabinet secretary received any assurances that any new Greenock police station will have a custody suite?
Mr McMillan raises a very important point about the provision of custody suites and their location in his locality and across Scotland. I assure him that Police Scotland’s initial work on its estates master plan has identified Glasgow and the west of Scotland as priority areas for further work, and it is currently undertaking detailed work to understand the property requirements. That work will include consideration of the provision of custody facilities across those communities, to ensure that effective policing can continue to be delivered.
Time is tight, but I will allow a brief supplementary from Jamie Greene.
I endorse Mr McMillan’s comments. Two years ago, Police Scotland wrote to me to say that it was considering a replacement for Greenock police station. A replacement is now needed more than ever. Last year, in the Inverclyde area, common assault was up by 10 per cent, violent crime was up by 7 per cent and domestic abuse was up by 20 per cent, so surely the cabinet secretary can see the need for quick action on the issue.
I assure Jamie Greene that no decision has been taken on the future of Greenock police station at this time. It will be considered as part of the delivery of the wider Police Scotland estates master plan. I am aware of the important consultation that has been held with respect to services in Greenock. That consultation has now closed, and its results remain under review. In January last year, the divisional commander for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde attended Inverclyde Council’s police scrutiny panel to discuss the details. I am sure that members will be kept informed on those important matters.
ADHD and Autism Assessments (NHS Forth Valley)
To ask the Scottish Government how it will work with the national health service to ensure that infrastructure is in place to meet demand for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism assessments, in light of reports that NHS Forth Valley has closed its service. (S6O-04400)
I recognise that the significant increase in adults seeking ADHD and autism assessments across Scotland is creating challenges for services. However, a diagnosis can be crucial to receiving the right support, and I expect the situation to be resolved at the earliest opportunity. My officials are liaising with national health service boards across Scotland, including NHS Forth Valley, to understand what provision they have in place, and they are exploring how to address current issues.
My constituent Jake has struggled with his mental health for many years. A child and adolescent mental health services professional suspected ADHD, but no formal diagnosis was forthcoming. Jake finally got a private diagnosis of ADHD, but now he cannot access NHS support. What pathways and support are available to people in that position?
As I said, we are working with local health bodies to improve services and support. The General Medical Council’s good practice guidance on shared care advises that decisions about who should take responsibility for continuing care or treatment after initial diagnosis or assessment should be based on the patient’s best interests. It is at the clinical discretion of each individual general practitioner to decide the best course of action for their patients. Although a recommendation from a private specialist does not entitle the patient to NHS prescriptions for the relevant medicine, medication can be considered as part of the shared care agreement.
I am concerned that GPs sometimes face pressure to prescribe when the assessment is sufficient and the patient is moving to the NHS, but they have not yet been accepted into the NHS psychiatry side of the shared care agreement. The challenge is that—
Please be brief, minister.
—if the monitoring requirements that have been set by a private provider differ from the NHS recommendations, that leaves the GP prescriber in a very difficult, and potentially unsafe, situation.
Housing to 2040 (Adaptations)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on action 20 of the housing to 2040 strategy to “streamline and accelerate the adaptations system”. (S6O-04401)
We are taking forward a review of the current housing adaptations system to consider how the process can be streamlined and made easier for people who need adaptations. We are also continuing to provide support to help registered social landlords meet their responsibilities to deliver housing adaptations. The 2025-26 budget will more than double the budget for that, taking it to £20.9 million.
I was pleased to take part in last week’s members’ business debate on protections for park home residents, during which I raised the issue of park homes being exempt from financial help towards home adaptations, as per the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. What steps will the Scottish Government take to improve protections for park home residents?
We are committed to ensuring that park home residents have appropriate rights and protections. The adaptations review will consider funding and legislation, including the situation for mobile homes. In addition, the Housing (Scotland) Bill proposes changing the basis for pitch fee uprating from the retail prices index to the consumer prices index. I also intend to engage with local authorities to remind them of their powers in relation to site licensing, with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to raise the issues faced by park home residents in relation to oil, and with the United Kingdom Government to highlight the impact on Scottish consumers of the mis-selling of mobile homes.
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First Minister’s Question Time