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Was it a priority for you?

Mr Greer, I have a question while we are still on capital for colleges.

Minister, do you believe that colleges have enough money to deal with the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete situation in their buildings?

Yes.

I thank our north-east members for raising this issue, the minister for his comprehensive responses and the cabinet secretary, too. The minister is right to say that speculation can be unhelpful, but I also think that scrutiny by the parliamentary committee will, I hope, give reassurance to those affected by this situation that it is being raised by local regional members and is clearly a top priority of the Government and of the minister in his conversations with the Dundee university court and the SFC. The committee will appreciate any further information that the minister can share with us to further its scrutiny.

Going back to the wider evidence session, I thank the cabinet secretary, the minister and officials for their time and the answers that they have given. You are going to follow up a number of issues, which the committee appreciates.

That concludes the public part of our proceedings. As the witnesses leave, we will move into private session.

Following on from Mr Greer’s point, before RAAC became as big an issue as it is now, colleges were facing considerable challenges with deteriorating buildings. In its submission to the committee, Colleges Scotland said that the “situation demands immediate attention”. What reassurance can you give to the colleges that have outstanding work, including RAAC remediation work, to be done and, I hope, development work to be done to improve their campuses that they will see the urgent action that they are hoping for from the Scottish Government, with the assistance of other funding partners, whether the UK Government or others?

Speaking personally, I know that it is a big issue in Moray College and that the principal has had to move his office to the library. There are issues in all colleges right across the country, and they will look with interest to those innovative sources of funding, if that is an opportunity to help.

Yes.

Sorry about that, Mr Greer.

Section 9(1) of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 states that ministers have to prepare delivery plans for set periods. Section 9(1)(b) relates to the period between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2026. Are you discussing amending any of those plans with Cabinet colleagues now that it is clearly a pledge of the First Minister and this budget to eradicate child poverty?

How are those delivery plans changing as a result of this budget?

Thank you, cabinet secretary. I will begin the questions.

You received a name check from the cabinet secretary for finance during the budget statement. She said that she had listened to you and had allocated funding accordingly. What did you ask for that you did not get in the budget?