Good morning. The first item of business is general question time. To get in as many members as possible, I would appreciate succinct questions and answers.
Investing in Communities Fund
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported reduction to the investing in communities fund and any impact on its aim of addressing poverty and disadvantage. (S6O-03741)
In light of financial challenges, we have taken the difficult decision to reduce the budget for the investing in communities fund by 5 per cent. I acknowledge that that presents challenges for the delivery of important projects. Officials are working closely with community organisations to jointly agree where savings can be made and to minimise the impact on project delivery.
In July, third sector organisations were told, with little warning, that funding from the investing in communities fund would be cut by 5 per cent. Those organisations include the Larder in Edinburgh, which uses those funds to provide access to meals and to family and adult cookery classes.
Does cutting funds for third sector organisations align with the First Minister’s priority of tackling child poverty? Can the minister confirm whether there will be further cuts to the investing in communities fund?
I recognise that the matter is of interest to members across the chamber, because many organisations across Scotland have benefited directly from the fund, which has enabled them to deliver valuable projects. As I said in my original answer, the decision was not taken lightly, but it reflects the exceptionally challenging public finance landscape in which we find ourselves. As I also said, my officials are, and have been, working closely with organisations that have been impacted by the decision in order to minimise the impacts. Future funding decisions will be taken as part of the budget, which the Scottish Government is scheduled to set out in December.
Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what impact it anticipates the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 will have on local government procurement. (S6O-03742)
Measures that flow from the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, such as the co-design with local authorities of a statutory code of practice for household waste recycling and the development of a circular economy strategy, may have implications for local authority procurement. We will engage with local authorities to understand the impact on them.
Procurement obligations for local authorities are covered by the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. Under that act, local authorities have a responsibility to consider how they can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their areas.
I recently met Danic Lighting, which is a Glasgow-based company that one of my constituents runs. The company specialises in repairable light fittings and works with some of the world’s biggest manufacturers, which are based in China. Suppliers are reportedly manufacturing repairable lighting for electrical wholesalers across continental Europe, but not for those in the United Kingdom, and the belief is that the UK is lagging behind the European Union in implementing the right to repair and in adhering to the standard that is set by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. How is the Scottish Government maintaining and promoting the CIBSE standard in public procurement so that we are building a circular economy with the right to repair at its heart?
Clare Adamson highlights one of the many ways in which Brexit is harming Scotland’s economy and making the reality of trade and manufacturing far more difficult for businesses. However, that is not stopping us from doing all that we can to encourage and enable innovative firms, such as Danic Lighting, to invest here in Scotland, which will create new clean and green jobs, grow our economy and create prosperity for employees and communities.
I reassure Ms Adamson that the Scottish Government is alert to those issues. We are developing policy to lead by example. We are compiling guidance that is aimed at public sector organisations on circular economy lighting that uses the CIBSE standard, which will integrate circular economy principles into public sector lighting projects. That will involve input from public agencies and businesses to ensure that we get the guidance right. I would be happy to involve Danic Lighting in that process.
The reality is that the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 should have delivered stronger action on public procurement, but the Scottish National Party voted down my attempt to do that. Why?
The Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 establishes a legislative framework to support Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy. It will significantly increase reuse and recycling rates and modernise and improve waste and recycling services.
Procurement is an important aspect of developing a circular economy, and powers are already available under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. They include a sustainable procurement duty that requires contracting authorities to consider and act on opportunities to improve economic, social and environmental wellbeing. For the latest annual report on procurement activity in Scotland, 71 per cent of reporting bodies provided evidence of how they are addressing environmental wellbeing and climate change through procurement.
NHS Dentistry (Mid Scotland and Fife)
To ask the Scottish Government how it is improving access to national health service dentistry for patients in the Mid Scotland and Fife region. (S6O-03743)
The eligible areas for Scottish Government grants in NHS Fife have recently been reviewed and, to support access in local areas, they will be changing to Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline to reflect the areas of highest need. The Scottish dental access initiative for establishing, extending or relocating practices’ premises pays up to £100,000 for the first surgery and £25,000 for subsequent surgeries. The recruitment and retention allowance pays qualifying dentists up to £37,500 in the first three years of practice.
Across Mid Scotland and Fife, patient lists are closed and waiting lists are extensive. When asked about future prospects, one dentist told me:
“There is no single event on the horizon which gives hope for the future of NHS dentistry. I am not sure it will survive five years.”
As the minister recognises, there seem to be particular issues with recruiting and retaining practitioners in Fife. Will the Government take further action such as expanding the support for rural and deprived areas or introducing incentives for practitioners, and particularly new graduates, to work in particular parts of the country?
The Scottish Government is working on the matter with bodies across the United Kingdom, because the issues that Claire Baker has highlighted are not specific to Scotland. Last week, I wrote to the new Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, to ask whether we could reconvene cross-Government meetings to look at how we can improve recruitment. We are also working through the General Dental Council to improve the UK workforce through recruiting international dentists. I am pleased that Mr Kinnock has responded positively to my letter and I look forward to meeting him as soon as possible. I would be happy to speak to Claire Baker further about the specific issues that she has raised regarding Fife.
The challenges that Claire Baker outlined in her Mid Scotland and Fife region are not unique and are also experienced by my constituents in Dundee, so I am pleased that the Scottish Government has maintained a strong track record in growing Scotland’s NHS dental workforce. Will the minister provide an update on how many dentists currently operate in Scotland and how that figure compares with the figures for England and Wales under Labour Governments?
The latest data that is available shows that, at 31 March 2024, 3,436 dentists were operating in Scotland’s NHS. We have maintained an excellent track record in growing the NHS dental workforce in Scotland, with the same statistics showing that there are 57 dentists in Scotland per 100,000 of the population, compared with 43 in England and 46 in Wales.
Water Industry Commission for Scotland (Review)
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its review of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, following the Auditor General for Scotland’s decision to issue a section 22 report in relation to the audit of the organisation’s accounts. (S6O-03744)
The independent review of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland is not yet finalised. Once ministers have sight of its findings, we will make a decision on the exact timescales for publication.
We need that review pretty quickly, because the evidence that we took in the Public Audit Committee this morning was damning—actually, it was astonishing.
That example of the mismanagement of a public body is one of the most egregious that I have come across since I joined the Parliament. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money were spent on corporate cards. There was a toxic environment. There was a section 22 report from Audit Scotland. A chief executive officer was paid off with six months’ salary, and no one seems to know who signed that off—there is still a dispute over that. I therefore ask for some reassurances that the Scottish Government is absolutely all over the issue. We need to restore faith in public bodies, and anyone in charge of one who is found to have misused public money must go.
I thank Jamie Greene for his comments. I am indeed all over the issue, as was the previous cabinet secretary, Màiri McAllan. I have a letter from her to the chair, Donald MacRae, which outlines her extreme disappointment to learn, first, of the Auditor General for Scotland being required to issue a section 22 report and, also, of the failings that the Auditor General had identified.
I also want to mention the signing off of the settlement agreement. The former CEO resigned on 19 December, and a settlement agreement was signed by the chair on 4 January and by the former CEO on 5 January. However, the Government was not informed until we saw emails from WICS on 12 January asking for our sign-off on payment. That is not in line with the conditions and requirements set out in the Scottish public finance manual. Ms McAllan made that very clear to the chair at the time. I agree with Jamie Greene that—
Briefly, cabinet secretary.
—if there is anything to answer, we must act swiftly.
Disability Equality Plan
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comments by Glasgow Disability Alliance that the disability equality plan lacks the ambition, meaningful actions or commitments needed to improve disabled people’s lives. (S6O-03745)
I greatly value the expertise and advocacy provided by disabled people’s organisations including Glasgow Disability Alliance. We are absolutely committed to improving the lives of disabled people and furthering disability equality, and we will continue to work closely with them on the disability equality plan, which is aimed at tackling systemic barriers that affect the daily lives of disabled people.
We have already delivered progress by reopening the independent living fund to new applicants for the first time since 2010, investing £5 million of our equality and human rights fund to improve outcomes for disabled people, and working with energy suppliers on the co-design of a social tariff for energy.
The minister will be aware that disabled people in Scotland feel terribly let down. A sum of £10 million was taken away from changing places toilets a couple of weeks ago, and two possible bills have been put into the long grass. More than ever, the disabled community feels left behind and marginalised in society. Will the minister commit to a cross-party meeting with some of the key stakeholders, so that we can put the issue back on track and move it forward quickly?
I thank Jeremy Balfour for highlighting the concerns of disabled people’s organisations, which I acknowledge. I also thank him for sharing my commitment to pursuing equality for disabled people and his offer of further engagement on a cross-party basis, which I accept. I encourage members from across parties to contact my office so that we can make that happen.
Local Flood Plans
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop local flood plans, including natural flood prevention measures. (S6O-03746)
Later this year, the Scottish Government will publish a flood resilience strategy, which will aim to set Scotland on a long-term course towards a sustainable level of flood resilience. The strategy will complement the statutory flood risk management planning process whereby the Scottish Environment Protection Agency produces flood risk management plans and local authorities produce local flood risk management plans every six years.
The current plans are valid until 2028. The Scottish Government is supporting delivery of the actions in the plans by providing £42 million annually and an additional £150 million during this parliamentary session.
I hope that the strategy works. In recent months, my frustration and annoyance have grown, because I cannot get local authorities or SEPA to accept any responsibility for developing a flood plan for my constituency. I understand that, earlier this year, a meeting with stakeholders was held. I would like to know the outcome of that meeting. People in Cupar and beyond are watching with frustration, because absolutely nothing is happening to prevent future flooding in their area.
I will be happy to provide Mr Rennie with the outcome of that meeting. Further, I ask him to get in touch with my office so that we can have a sit-down conversation about his concerns, which I can then address directly with the local authority.
Can the cabinet secretary confirm that, this year, the Scottish Government will invest a record amount in flood prevention measures, despite the current financial challenges, including £39.6 million for the £48 million Millport flood prevention scheme in my constituency? That compares favourably with the figure of only £12 million that was invested across Scotland in the final year of the previous Labour-Liberal Democrat Administration.
The Scottish Government takes the issue of flood risk very seriously, as members will imagine. That is why we have ensured that local authorities have received all the requested funding to progress flood protection schemes. I can confirm that North Ayrshire Council received all the funding that it needs to complete construction of the Millport coastal flood protection scheme, which I understand is nearing completion. We have also invested significantly in nature-based solutions such as those for peatland restoration and woodland creation, which contribute to flood resilience alongside many other benefits across Scotland.
Inequalities in Outcomes
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent report from the Scottish Health Equity Research Unit, which highlights that “Core outcomes related to inequalities and health are not improving significantly and some are getting worse”. (S6O-03747)
The Scottish Government notes the findings of the report. We are determined to tackle poverty and reduce health inequalities in Scotland, and we continue to take wide-ranging action to deliver improved outcomes for families and individuals across the country and to address the root causes of such inequality.
Since 2022-23, we have allocated around £3 billion per year to tackle poverty. We are also progressing a range of actions, including those designed to reduce population health harming activities. We will continue to work with our partners to drive improvements in health, tackle poverty and embed health considerations in wider policy making. In response to significant economic challenges, such as Brexit, the pandemic, the on-going cost of living crisis and the continuing effects of the United Kingdom Government’s austerity policies, we will continue to use all the resources and powers available to us to tackle the socioeconomic drivers of ill health.
The report follows from a series of reports published by the Poverty and Inequality Commission earlier this year. Among the comments of the anti-poverty groups that responded to the programme for government were those of Save the Children, which said that there is
“nothing in this programme for government that truly shifts the dial on child poverty.”
It is also concerning that the SHERU report itself says:
“A lack of publicly available data of sufficient quality makes it very difficult for us to assess whether policies are working or not.”
Given that the Government has had to be reminded of the importance of accuracy in the model that it uses to measure progress on child poverty, and given that eradicating such poverty is the First Minister’s and the Government’s number 1 priority, is it not extremely concerning that an independent report seems to suggest that the Government does not know what is having an impact and what is not?
The suggestion that the Scottish child payment is not having an impact is demonstrably untrue. The authors of the report note:
“A number of organisations, including the Scottish Government, have collected qualitative data that indicates that families who receive the payment have benefited from it.”
Other experts have also underlined the impact of the Scottish child payment. For example, Tom Wernham of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said:
“The Scottish child payment will have significantly increased the incomes of people who are well below the poverty line, so even if it does not bring them past the poverty line, alleviating the depth of poverty will still be an achievement of the payment.”—[Official Report, Social Justice and Social Security Committee, 23 May 2024; c 4.]
Of course, we will continue to evaluate the impact of the policies that we introduce, but this Government is demonstrably investing in areas that will improve poverty. We need the UK Government to follow suit.
We have a concise question 8 from Audrey Nicoll.
Psychotherapists
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the provision of psychotherapists. (S6O-03748)
The mental health and wellbeing strategy and its workforce action plan recognise that psychotherapists are part of the core mental health and wellbeing workforce in Scotland. They provide an important role in supporting mental health.
Recruitment and training of registered mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, is a matter for employers such as national health service boards and local authorities. They make informed decisions about recruiting staff, such as psychotherapists, according to local needs, working with the relevant professional bodies and service providers. We expect employers to apply appropriate standards and frameworks when recruiting to specialisms such as psychotherapy.
Consultant medical psychotherapists play an important role in dealing with complex cases and in training and supporting other therapists. However, some of the advanced training for medical professionals who want to follow that career path is not available in Scotland. In view of the current emphasis on mental health and wellbeing—and although I recognise that the fiscal landscape is extremely challenging—can the minister outline what more can be done to support a review of training in psychotherapy and the funding provision that would enable health professionals to follow that important area of practice?
The Scottish Government has met the Faculty of Medical Psychotherapy to discuss the training needs. Training is an important element in the mental health and wellbeing workforce action plan, which is why we are providing NHS Education Scotland with around £30 million to continue education, training and workforce expansion for staff who support adult and children’s mental health and psychological wellbeing. That includes funding for trainees undertaking a four-year professional doctorate in child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Consideration of any new additional training reviews and funding requirements will be taken into account when the action plan is refreshed.
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First Minister’s Question Time