Seòmar agus comataidhean

My question follows on from what Iain Gulland has just said. Last week, we took evidence from Shetland Food and Drink about the impact of supermarkets opening up on local suppliers of food. What are your thoughts on the private sector’s role in a good food nation? I find that I walk round supermarkets and try to avoid buying things with plastic. How can the bill help to change decision making not only in local authorities but in the private sector?

Thank you for joining us again, cabinet secretary. I will touch on a couple of the points that you raised in your introduction.

In her contribution to yesterday’s debate on Scottish Parliament committees’ scrutiny of Scotland’s budget, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy noted the importance of being able to tailor our response to Scotland’s needs and priorities. You mentioned the less generous local regulatory autonomy that the UK internal market act give us, compared with the EU internal market rules. As you noted, the UK Government has started spending in devolved areas with no recourse to the Scottish Parliament. You touched on education, and I am thinking specifically of the adult numeracy fund, which is being used despite education being fully devolved. Will you expand on your thoughts and the Scottish Government’s thoughts on that change?

That leads me on to comments from Professor Nicola McEwen, who has said that UKIMA could have a longer-term chilling effect on legal and policy reform. That view was reflected in evidence that the committee received from Alcohol Focus Scotland, which specifically talked about whether Scotland still has the ability to bring in legislation on minimum unit pricing for alcohol, given that health was one of the areas in which countries in Europe could choose the appropriate legislation to support their own needs. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on that area and the chilling effect that UKIMA could have.

I want to move on to the issue of creating plans to ensure that we have a good food nation. I am interested in hearing your thoughts on whether there is sufficient provision in the bill to ensure that people can engage with and get involved in creating the plans.

Tilly Robinson-Miles mentioned lunch clubs and meals on wheels and how all of that connects. We need to reflect the Scottish population. Anna Taylor talked about lived experience, suggesting that one size perhaps does not fit all. Are the provisions good enough to ensure that there is engagement? How would you like that engagement to happen? I ask Polly Jones to start, please.

I would like to return to the bill’s relationship with the private sector. How will the plans that local authorities and the Scottish Government create through the bill enable the private sector to play a positive role in a good food nation? I ask Jonnie Hall or John Davidson to answer that.

What kind of examples would John Davidson like to be included in the plans, to allow the private sector to be involved in and to support a good food nation?

What you have said reminds me of a quote that often strikes me. It says:

“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”

Your comments tie into that.

Claire White, you made some helpful points about Shetland and the way that it operates. Can you add more to what you have said with regard to the relationship with private companies?

My question follows on from my colleague Dr Allan’s point. I was struck by Polly Jones’s comment about how people who are in food insecurity are good at budgeting and that visiting a food bank is a last resort.

Scottish Government decisions and spending priorities have been highlighted. For example, it has introduced the child payment, which is unique in the UK and will be doubled from April, and has rolled out free school meals. I am interested in Anna Taylor’s and Polly Jones’s thoughts on what other countries have been able to do with the full fiscal levers and powers to bring in legislation that is suitable for the people who live there.

Thank you, Polly. You have pre-empted my second question, so I turn to Anna Taylor and put to her my question about public engagement. I would also like her view on which body should oversee matters. I think that I am right in saying that the Dimbleby report has a proposal about the Food Standards Agency in that regard. I am interested in what you think should be the structure in Scotland.

That is a good point that is very well made. Clearly, one of your passions is film and television.

One of my passions is rural Scotland. We had a debate earlier this week about Scottish history being taught in schools and the importance of local museums. You highlighted the world cycling event that will take place across Scotland, and Scottish Opera has been highlighted as a touring company. Can you give us more information about how you ensure that all areas of Scotland are being supported by the budget?