Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, February 9, 2023

Official Report 1064KB pdf

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General Question Time

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Women Murdered by Partner or Ex-partner

To ask the Scottish Government, of the recorded homicide figures in 2021-22, what percentage of women murdered were killed by a partner or ex-partner. (S6O-01892)

The number of homicide victims in 2021-22 reduced from 59 to 53, the lowest recorded number since comparable records began. Despite that overall reduction, the number of female victims increased from 10 to 16, meaning that 30 per cent of victims in 2021-22 were female. Over half—56 per cent—of female victims were killed by a partner or ex-partner.

We are working on developing a multi-agency domestic homicide review model for Scotland through the recently established domestic homicide review task force. The model will aim to learn lessons to help prevent and reduce the number of homicides related to domestic abuse and to give a voice to those who have been killed.

I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to domestic homicide reviews. Can the cabinet secretary give a bit more of an update on progress on that model? Is there scope for widening it or looking at a similar type of process where a victim of domestic abuse who is known to services loses her life prematurely but no charges are brought?

As I outlined in my initial reply, we have established a task force that will meet for the second time in March. We will also hold a workshop with key multi-agency partners later this month as part of a deep dive into what a domestic homicide review model for Scotland might look like. That will inevitably include a discussion around scope, as the member has raised, and I am sure that the issues that she has raised will be part of that discussion. I will certainly ensure that the member’s comments are taken into consideration as that work progresses. I am also happy to keep the member informed of the group’s progress.

The crime of men murdering women is one of the worst crimes that can possibly be committed. My thoughts are with all the loved ones who lost a woman who was close to their heart last year. The perpetrators of these crimes deserve the harshest possible punishment. Therefore, does the cabinet secretary agree that we should have whole-life sentences so that judges have the power to order men who murder women to spend the rest of their lives behind bars?

No, I believe that the sentences that the courts currently have the powers to hand down are sufficient for the purposes that have been described. I do, however, associate myself with the comments made by the member in relation to the horrendous nature of the crime that is being perpetrated, especially by partners of female victims.

It might be the case that 70 per cent of the victims of homicide are men, but it is men who are committing those crimes, as well as the crimes against women. It is really important to tackle this in a preventative manner, as well as making sure that people are properly sentenced; prevention is about thinking about things such as education, including our equally safe strategy.

All members of the Scottish Parliament go into schools regularly. When I do, I reinforce the message that when stereotypes and entitlement start in schools, that is when misogyny starts, and that is what can end up in these terrible figures. I hope that all members take the opportunity to do that because we all have a part to play in relation to this issue.

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Local Governance Review

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the local governance review. (S6O-01893)

The Scottish Government remains committed to concluding the local governance review within this session of Parliament, and will continue to work on it in close partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

The local governance review is one stream of many feeding into Scotland’s programme to empower communities and deepen local democracy. I welcome the shared approach of the Scottish Government and COSLA to the improved delivery of sustainable public services. Can the cabinet secretary indicate what progress has been made in that regard?

We are keen to work with local government on key shared mutual priorities: tackling child poverty and transforming the economy to deliver net zero, as well as sustaining our collective focus in the Covid recovery strategy on addressing the systemic inequalities made worse through Covid and the cost of living crisis.

A new deal for local government is at the heart of the approach, which comprises a fiscal framework and an outcomes-focused partnership agreement. Those will ensure that there is a clear link between fiscal empowerment for local government and achieving the outcomes that we jointly want for our communities, and that we work with communities to ensure that we deliver their priorities.

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Education Maintenance Allowance

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to promote uptake of the education maintenance allowance programme. (S6O-01894)

We remain committed to providing EMA financial support to eligible young people from lower-income households in order to help them to overcome financial barriers to accessing and staying in learning. Our delivery partners are responsible for raising awareness of the programme at a local level and we work closely with them to ensure that the EMA is promoted effectively.

I have been contacted by numerous constituents who have yet to receive feedback on applications that they submitted to North Lanarkshire Council in August. I believe that some applicants have left school as a result of not being able to maintain their education due to financial concerns. It concerns me that any young person is left without the vital support of the EMA. Is the cabinet secretary aware of those problems with the administration of the EMA in North Lanarkshire? If so, what action can be taken to address those issues, as we must get it right for every child and young person?

Clare Adamson has raised a concerning issue. Officials are engaging with colleagues in North Lanarkshire Council in order to resolve any issues. I have asked that they report back to me so that I can be reassured that every young person who is eligible for and has applied for the EMA is receiving that key support. I am happy to report back to the member with further details as that engagement continues.

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Benefits Devolution and Development

To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Parliament on the future of benefits devolution and development, including any proposals for industrial injuries benefits. (S6O-01895)

On Tuesday, I was pleased to set out to the Parliament the timeline for the delivery of the next phase of the Scottish Government’s benefits. As I informed the Parliament, in the next few months I intend to consult on employment injuries assistance and matters regarding the replacement of the current United Kingdom Government’s industrial injuries disablement benefit.

I am concerned that the Government seems to be focusing a little too much on what it cannot do on industrial injuries benefits, rather than on what it can do right now. The easiest way is for it to be decided in Scotland who qualifies for the benefit. Does the minister agree that those decisions should be made in Scotland? To that end, will he commit to supporting my colleague Mark Griffin’s proposed Scottish employment injuries advisory council bill and will he work to ensure that the council has the ability to designate new industrial injuries, including brain injuries sustained by footballers who I have been working with?

As I set out to the Parliament on Tuesday, employment injuries assistance is a complex area. It is important that we work with stakeholders and members to decide the right approach, recognising the limits on our devolved powers in relation to issues such as health and safety and employment law. We also need to recognise the substantial costs and operational requirements of a new benefit, as well as the challenges of moving from an antiquated and entirely paper-based UK benefit. For context, the UK’s scheme was established in 1948 and has undergone only limited reform since its introduction. I am pleased to say that the Department for Work and Pensions remains committed to working with us to agree an approach that is practical, affordable and in the interests of people, including the current recipients of the benefit.

It is right that we take the appropriate time to consider those issues thoroughly. I have engaged with the proposals that Mark Griffin has put forward and I have met with him and look forward to doing so again, but we also need to be mindful that it is important to consider the establishment of a Scottish advisory council in the round of the consultation activity that I referred to in my first answer, rather than in isolation. With regard to Mr Marra’s point about footballers, I would be happy to receive any correspondence from him on that matter.

Question 5 has not been lodged.

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Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Discussions)

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and what was discussed. (S6O-01897)

I met the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board chair and acting chief officer on 1 February. A range of matters was discussed, including the tragic loss of firefighter Barry Martin; firefighter pay and industrial action; the Fire Brigades Union’s decontamination campaign; finance and SFRS budgets; and fire safety and enforcement.

I associate myself with the minister’s remarks about Barry Martin, who was from Rosyth, and express my sincere condolences to his family and to the fire service.

Will the minister take the opportunity to welcome the FBU’s constructive approach to the collective bargaining process, which has resulted in potential strikes being called off while members are balloted on a new pay offer? What lessons can be learned for the future to ensure fair pay for our heroic firefighters and for control room staff?

Like Annabelle Ewing, I very much welcome the fact that progress has been made through established collective bargaining arrangements and that strike action has been averted. I emphasise that the Scottish Government is not part of any negotiations on firefighter pay, which is rightly a matter for the SFRS, as the employer, but I am sure that the SFRS, along with the other fire and rescue employers and the FBU, will look carefully at the process to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.

The loss of Barry Martin reminds us of the dangers that our firefighters face. I support all efforts to establish the facts of the tragedy so that others can be prevented.

Scotland’s most senior fire officer, Martin Blunden, quit his job five months after being suspended from duty, but the public and firefighters have been kept in the dark about what happened. A whistleblower has now contacted me with allegations regarding a culture of cronyism and bullying in the fire service. I wrote to the minister today to set out in detail what is alleged.

Was the minister aware of those claims? Will she give a commitment to provide a full and transparent response?

I thank Russell Findlay for bringing that matter to the chamber and will look at the letter that he has sent me. Staff conduct is a matter for the SFRS board, but I am happy to discuss the issue with Mr Findlay.

I also associate myself with Annabelle Ewing’s comments about the death of Barry Martin, and I place on the record my thanks to the SFRS for its contribution to rescue and relief efforts in Turkey.

Following her meeting last week, will the minister give an update on what steps are under way to address aspects of the FBU’s DECON campaign, particularly the call for health screenings, so that all current and former firefighters can keep themselves safe from the health risks that they face on the job?

Like Maggie Chapman, I place on the record my thanks to the firefighters who are in Turkey and Syria at the moment on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

On 2 February, I met Scottish Fire Brigades Union officials and Professor Anna Stec of the University of Central Lancashire to hear directly about their important campaign and the emerging evidence. I have also arranged a dedicated meeting with the SFRS later this month so that I can be briefed on the steps that it is taking to minimise firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants and can more clearly understand the proposals for enhanced health screening. I will carefully consider those proposals when I receive them to ensure that the Scottish Government is playing its part in keeping our firefighters safe.

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Outdoor Education (Children and Young People)

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the value of outdoor education to children and young people. (S6O-01898)

Outdoor education has a range of benefits, such as connecting young people with the natural world, supporting their wellbeing and developing their skills for life, learning and work. Regarding recent assessments, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education’s thematic inspection of outdoor learning, which was published in February 2022, reiterated those benefits and concluded that

“increasingly, outdoor environments are being used to deliver the curriculum”.

I could not agree more with those comments, but those benefits cannot be reaped if outdoor education centres close. Arran Outdoor Education Centre is a wonderful facility that has been offering services to young people in North Ayrshire for a considerable time but, like many outdoor education centres, it is staring down the barrel of closure due to funding cuts by local councils.

Will the minister give serious consideration to the proposal by my colleague Liz Smith to enshrine in law much-needed access to outdoor education? Is there anything that the Government can do to intervene directly to ensure that the facility on Arran remains open and free to access for young people from across my region?

I thank Mr Greene for those follow-up questions. In relation to Liz Smith’s proposed private member’s bill on residential outdoor education, the Government is currently reviewing the final bill proposal. As with any new legislative proposal, stakeholders’ views must be taken into account, and the full range of consequences, costs and options must be explored. We are reviewing those perspectives, the various costs and the potential impacts before deciding on our position on the bill.

I am aware of the potential closure of Arran Outdoor Education Centre, which is one of a range of options that North Ayrshire Council has consulted on. My understanding is that the council is still in the process of finalising its budget proposals and will not make final decisions until 1 March. As Mr Greene is aware, local authorities are accountable to the public that elects them, and they have the financial freedom to operate independently, taking into account local need. However, I reiterate that the Scottish Government values the many forms of outdoor learning, including the specific role of residential centres.

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2032 Affordable Housing Target

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards its 2032 affordable housing target. (S6O-01899)

Scotland has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the United Kingdom, and I am proud of our record of delivering, since 2007, 115,558 affordable homes, more than 81,000 of which were for social rent. We remain committed to delivering, by 2032, 110,000 affordable homes, of which at least 70 per cent will be available for social rent and 10 per cent will be in our remote, rural and island communities. To the end of September 2022, a total of 4,927 homes, of which 85 per cent are for social rent, have now been delivered.

What evidence does the Scottish Government have that increased provision of affordable housing is having a positive impact on the wellbeing of Scotland’s citizens? How does that compare with other UK nations?

It is well recognised that warm affordable homes can have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report, “Poverty in Scotland 2021”, notes that

“Comparatively lower housing costs continue to be the principal reason for lower poverty rates in Scotland compared with England”.

Keeping social rents lower than market rents benefits approximately 110,000 children in poverty each year. Across the four years to 2022, we have delivered 59 per cent more affordable homes per head of population and nine times as many social rented homes per head of population as have been delivered in England. We remain committed to providing affordable housing, with £3.5 billion being made available in this parliamentary session.

That concludes general question time. There will be a brief suspension before we move on to the next item of business.

11:57 Meeting suspended.  

12:00 On resuming—