Seòmar agus comataidhean

Your contribution is extremely interesting and valuable, particularly when you speak from your own experience, but do you agree that it is practically impossible to have personnel at very rural bus stations such as the one that I described earlier, which is in the middle of fields in the middle of nowhere? That is just not practical, so we must have something else in rural stations.

Of course every girl and woman has the right to travel on public transport without fear of harassment or worse, and of course it is not acceptable that they have to adapt and accommodate such possible events. The reality is that there are measures that will help, such as better lighting at bus stops and train stations and a role for CCTV, although I note that we do not always feel secure that those function, and they are of limited use in prevention.

It goes without saying that having personnel at bus stations and transport hubs, especially at weekends and late at night, makes everyone feel more secure. I would go so far as to suggest that, especially at weekends and at night, a police presence would not go amiss.

However, I believe that there is not a woman in the Parliament who has not experienced some form of harassment, quite often of a sexual nature, during the course of their adult life. It certainly happened to me in my younger days. I will describe two occasions—there were others, none of which I officially reported. Travelling one winter’s evening in my late teens, I felt my hair being tugged—it was long in those days. I could see in the reflection of the bus window the man who was sitting behind me stroking my hair. I called over the bus conductor—we had them in those days—but he did not believe me. “Are ye sure, hen?” he said. Frightened, as the bus turned into the dark street where I was alighting, I stood up at the last minute. The man stood up, too, and followed me. I rushed off the bus and crossed the road to the stop opposite, where a man was standing. I told him what was happening. He seemed to disbelieve me but noticed that I was being followed, so, on my request, accompanied me to my road end.

The man who was following me simply stood at the bus stop. It was not my imagination. I dread to think what would have happened had that man at the other stop not been there or had not believed me. The minister said that it is important to be believed. So it is.

The second occasion was years later. On the last bus on a summer evening, I was aware that a young man was immediately behind me standing too close for comfort as I rose to leave at the terminus. I got off the bus and walked along the main road, which was unexpectedly quiet. He kept apace too close by. Concerned, to put it mildly, I suddenly crossed the wide road to put distance between us. He, too, crossed the road. I crossed again to put the width of the road between us, and I made up my mind to run to the first door and bang it, ring the bell and shout if he followed. He stayed where he was and entered a driveway. However, when I checked, he had come back on to the pavement and turned to go back.

I have other personal examples. I have told members that for two reasons. First, nothing has changed. I cannot say whether things are worse because of underreporting, and I encourage the reporting of every instance. Secondly, women are still taking evasive, preventative protection measures for their safety, and they have to. I wish it were otherwise, but it is not.

In my constituency, I have been advised by Borders Buses that, although it is satisfied with CCTV on the buses, it has concerns about its female drivers when the shift is over and they have to disembark in quiet places. That is especially an issue in rural constituencies such as mine.

As an aside, it is also the case that female taxi drivers have to take special care. Taxis are sometimes the better choice, and some taxi drivers will wait to see that the person has opened the front door of the property before they leave.

I am afraid that vigilance, and people having strategies if they find themselves in a concerning situation, are still necessary. We all have that sense when something is not quite right. Trust that sense.

It is also important that girls in schools are made well aware of situations that put them at risk. I am afraid that that is unfortunate but necessary. The use of a mobile phone so that family can track them is awful, but not a bad idea. Situations that might—just might—put them at risk should be avoided. Taking a late-night taxi, for example, might well be the better choice.

Finally, although this is not exactly about public transport, when I park my car to take the train to my local office—not just at night-time—I do so where people will be about. Without naming the station, there is one at which I would not wait for the train. The station is in the middle of fields, few take the train there, and a person can return to find that their car is the only one parked there. I learned that when I returned one late afternoon, and I vowed that it would not happen again. Experience has shown me that that could be risky. There is CCTV there, but it has its limitations, and it will be of use only after the event. It certainly did not give me comfort. It is, of course, not practical to have personnel at those rural train stations.

In conclusion, even at my stage in life, I have to think ahead about what is safe and what is not safe. Although, in my experience, the vast majority of men are decent folk and some might be unaware that their behaviour might make a woman feel ill at ease, there are, sadly, those few who are predatory and will always be with us. Identification through reporting is therefore key, followed by prosecution if appropriate. We know that what may appear to be “low-level” sexual intimidation can progress—the Sarah Everard case has taught us that. Yes, we can push transport providers and local authorities to improve safety but, in my view, vigilance from women will still be required.

The minister says that the scheme is industry led, but I have a letter that was published on 6 March, signed by among others, the director of the Confederation of British Industry Scotland, the policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, the chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the chief executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, alongside hundreds of individuals who describe DRS in its current form as “reckless”. Will the minister, at very least, instruct Circularity Scotland to remove glass from the current recycling scheme?

No strikes.

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of its contributions to development in Malawi through its Malawi development programme 2018-23. (S6O-01939)

I very much welcome a debate on preparing a new dementia strategy, because it is a miserable, cruel disease that impacts on so many people, and it is increasing.

I have to confess that I am not a big fan of strategies unless and until they convert into practical changes. I have read the summary paper, although I am disappointed in the low number of individuals who responded. Citizen Space—I do not know how many of the public have heard of that—had just over 139 responses, and I believe that the consultation ran only from September to December last year. That seems to be a low response given the incidence of dementia, and quite a short response window.

Like others, I have had friends who have succumbed to dementia and have left their loving partner distraught after years of watching their loved one slip away. In the paper, there is the following quote:

“Dementia is like having a hole where someone used to be. They are gone, but you can’t mourn them, and you can’t move on. The lives of those closest to them is held in limbo, with guilt affecting every decision of every day.”

How true.

Here, the support of community, which is addressed in the paper, is crucial, as well as that of professionals. I shall give examples in my own constituency in a moment, but, on language, which the minister referred to, I make a plea that dementia should not be referred to as a “journey”—this is not “Strictly Come Dancing”. I baulked at referring to a dementia journey. Why do we not refer to the progress of dementia? That seems to be a bit more sensitive and respectful, but perhaps that is just me.

On the question “What supports work well for you?”, which was posed in the consultation, I share this reply from the paper:

“I had this huge desire to just to be able to be in the company of somebody who was going through the same process as me. Someone who was having similar experiences, who had similar hurdles to climb over and whose mountains to climb were just as high as mine. I needed to hear their experiences, I wanted to find out how they overcame them, how they overcame their difficulties.”

I will take members to Cowan Court in Penicuik in Midlothian, which is a place where carers have a cup of tea and a chat while their loved ones are being looked after. I have visited and sat with the carers as they had a very brief respite while their loved ones were looked after. We were there to chat, but for one woman it was all so traumatic that she could not speak because she was so tearful. Such is the unremitting stress 24 hours a week, seven days a week, together with anxiety as to what further damage the disease has done as each day and, indeed, each night passes.

I will give other examples of live initiatives. The Scottish Borders Council was the first local authority in Scotland to appoint a champion for older people and people living with dementia. As part of her role, Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol has been responsible for encouraging all her fellow councillors to undertake dementia-friendly training to better understand the needs of people living with it.

There is also a Borders dementia working group, which meets monthly in Galashiels. That is for people living with dementia and their carers who are interested in influencing local and national policy and in making the Borders more dementia friendly.

Another example is Peebles memory cafe, which meets twice a month in Firholm day unit, providing a friendly, supportive meeting place for anyone who is affected by dementia to socialise, share stories and enjoy a cup of tea with others.

Why am I giving those examples? I note that the minister referred to building on what is there and to “short-term deliverables”. When summing up, will the minister specify whether the Scottish Government has undertaken an audit of such initiatives across Scotland?

I think that we would all agree that the partnership between Malawi and Scotland remains important—perhaps now more than ever, as both countries face immense global challenges. How is the Scottish Government ensuring continued support for Malawi and other partner countries such as Rwanda and Zambia beyond March 2023?

I will quote a business in my constituency. It has said:

“We have not signed the contract with Circularity Scotland. Our solicitors said we would be at risk of being derelict in our duties as directors as we would be signing a contract without due care. We have not been given terms and conditions and have not been given any costs from SEPA or Circularity Scotland.”

Would the minister comment, please?

I thank the member for bringing the debate to the chamber. I add my voice to those who recognise and applaud the stoicism and determination of many in the hospitality sector, including pubs, small hotels, restaurants and similar venues in the Borders and Midlothian, which with Covid funding—although not all received it—adapted as the epidemic progressed and somehow managed to stay afloat.

I am thinking of one place in particular, in Peebles: the Central Bar in the Northgate—a small freehold pub, almost like someone’s living room. It had a hard time during Covid because it did not have the space to provide food and therefore missed out on support. It had its regulars, for whom it was more than a place for a wee bevy—it was their social life. Undaunted by virtual closure, the proprietor took the time to redecorate and added hanging flower baskets outside. If members visit its website, they will see what a cheery place it is after his efforts during Covid.

Now, thankfully, we all look forward to more normal times across spring and into summer. Indeed, a by-product of Covid was the popularity of the staycation and the enjoyment of simple pleasures such as taking a walk to a local cafe or pub. I think that it made us all appreciate what was on our doorstep, which also means that we are supporting our local communities.

Particularly in rural areas, such venues are part and parcel of the community, and they often play a large part in raising funds for charities. With regard to rates, there is, of course, the small business bonus scheme, with some—depending on rateable value—paying no rates and others paying a proportion. For decades, that policy has helped small businesses. There is also rural rates relief for businesses in designated rural areas, start-up benefits and so on. All of that distinguishes the Scottish non-domestic rates from the English system, so I do not support the call for 75 per cent business rates relief, as many small businesses already receive a 100 per cent discount. It is like comparing apples and pears.

The Scottish Government continues to pursue the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act 2021, which is currently blocked by an interim interdict while an appeal against the judicial review that had been won by the Scottish Government goes through the court process. Success in resisting that appeal would redress the current imbalance that acts against tenant landlords.

However, one issue that I agree will cause difficulties is the deposit return scheme, whereby small, pubs, hotels and so on will not charge customers the 20p levy but will instead be required to store the empties to be collected, when the money will be recouped. Where will those empties be stored? I can think of several small businesses in my area that simply cannot store them.

There is also the high cost of energy, which is devastating for hospitality in Scotland. Any hotelier, publican or restaurateur today will tell you that that is the biggest issue that they face. It is not included in the Tory motion, which is therefore like a curate’s egg—only good in parts—although I note that the member made passing reference to the cost of energy and rising costs in his opening speech. We have 10 per cent inflation and, indeed, 17 per cent food costs inflation, which are by far the biggest hits on hospitality.

I conclude by recognising and thanking all those small hospitality businesses in my constituency for soldiering on through Covid, often with the support of their communities.

Just a little bit of history: it was, in fact, the Conservatives, through Derek Brownlee, in negotiating a budget many years ago, who introduced the small business bonus scheme, which the Scottish Government was happy to accept. Gone are those days.