Seòmar agus comataidhean

I thank Murdo Fraser for bringing this debate to the chamber, and I join him in welcoming the return of the Royal National Mòd to Perth earlier this month—the 10th time that it has been hosted in the city.

Perthshire has a sizeable Gaelic culture that is demonstrated not only by the number of traditional groups, musicians and singers in the city, but by the countless community and educational groups that are working to inspire future generations of music lovers and performers to carry on those traditions.

Returning to Perth for the first time in 18 years, the eight-day festival included 200 competitions and other events celebrating the Gaelic language, music and culture, encompassing traditional instruments, singing, poetry, storytelling, sport, literature and film. Since the city last hosted the Mòd, we have seen the refurbishment of Perth theatre, the reopening of a new outdoor performance space at St Paul’s church and the opening of Perth concert hall, which, alongside a number of other city venues, showcased performances by competitors and hosted visitors from across the world.

Alongside the competitive events, the fringe programme offered a diverse programme, including workshops, ceilidhs, music sessions, open stages and literature events, demonstrating that, beyond the competitive disciplines, there was much to offer people of all ages, whether they were lifelong Gaelic speakers or people who were just looking to find out more about this cultural celebration.

Often, when we think about celebrating Gaelic culture, our thoughts immediately turn to music, which the Mòd showcases well, from choir competitions to the celebration of traditional bands. For those who were unable to attend in person, a line-up of fantastic singers took part in free and informal online song sessions throughout the week. We also saw performances and competitions across dance, sport and literature, alongside fringe events such as concerts and a shinty fixture. It really was an inclusive and welcoming celebration.

Although it celebrates the traditional, the Mòd also works to promote Gaelic language and culture through new routes, as was demonstrated this year through the use of TikTok to showcase comedy and other video formats in Gaelic. This year also saw the presentation of the first Highland art prize, which celebrates another aspect of Gaelic culture, with the winner, David Page, sharing his prize with his local art organisation to support local participation in art.

Although, in recent years, the Mòd has begun to attract a younger audience, the ability to appeal to new generations of Gaels and to engage with its potential audience in new and different ways will be important to its continuing success. I am hopeful that, in coming years, we will see its reach widen further.

Over the eight days of its programme, the Mòd celebrated not only Gaelic language and culture, but the city of Perth itself, with 14 venues hosting thousands of competitors and visitors throughout the event. Such large events are important to the local economy not only in bringing significant economic benefit to the area, but in showcasing to a wider audience what Perth has to offer. They can provide valuable opportunities to connect and share experiences, create memories and celebrate friendships old and new. Locals and visitors alike have spoken of the vibrant atmosphere in Perth during the Mòd and the great sense of community demonstrated in the work of staff and volunteers from across Perth and Kinross who helped to make the event a success.

I was interested to hear other members’ comments on learning the Gaelic language. I say to Roz McCall that I understand that Duolingo now offers Gaelic as one of its languages, so there are new ways to learn and pick up some bits of Gaelic. Someone mentioned children’s TV. I remember that, when “Dòtaman” came on, my niece used to watch it. Everyone then learned “mun cuairt mun cuairt a Dhotomain Bhig” and various other wee bits and pieces of Gaelic, so it was quite effective to have that on mainstream television.

Although the work of the Scotland Office has been highlighted in the debate, the Scottish Parliament has provided an important focus for promoting and scrutinising Government support for Gaelic. I know that the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee focuses on BBC Alba and recognises the financial pressures that it is under, along with many other broadcasters.

I welcome the boost to tourism that hosting the Royal National Mòd has brought to Perth and the opportunity that staging it provided to show what the city has to offer. The eight days were a huge success and a joyful celebration of Gaelic language and culture. I congratulate all participants, staff and volunteers who contributed to the Royal National Mòd in 2022 and send my best wishes to Paisley for an equally successful event next year.

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to support the museum and gallery sector during the cost of living crisis. (S6O-01448)

In recent evidence to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, the cabinet secretary spoke of museums and galleries providing warm spaces for communities. They can only do that if they are able to remain open.

I note that, in his response to Sarah Boyack earlier this week, the minister advised that engagement is taking place with Creative Scotland to support organisations in the arts and culture sector that are facing immediate challenges. I recognise that he has spoken about a new resilience fund today, but is he confident that that will meet the needs of the sector? We know that National Galleries of Scotland has announced closures and that the Filmhouse in Edinburgh has recently closed. There are threats of venues being closed across the country. Is he confident that that money will be enough to get the sector through this winter?

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring the availability of affordable housing, including for students at Scottish universities. (S6O-01434)

In my region, students at the University of St Andrews are being housed in Dundee due to a lack of local affordable housing, and we have heard about students being advised to defer courses if they cannot find somewhere to live.

The Scottish Government is not directly involved in student housing, but it works with universities. The majority of students are in social or private housing, and although the coming rent freeze is welcome, there will still be a housing crisis in Scotland, with more families becoming homeless and housing completions still being below pre-Covid levels.

When will the housing bill be introduced? Is it still intended that it will be introduced next year? How will it ensure that there will be increased provision of quality affordable housing?

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report “Ending the exclusion: Care, treatment and support for people with mental ill health and problem substance use in Scotland”. (S6T-00904)

The Mental Welfare Commission’s report is damning. It talks about there being little or no out-of-hours support for people and a lack of trauma-informed care; people being refused access to mental health service due to their addiction; and services being understaffed and underfunded. One service user said that people feel

“abandoned by a broken system”.

Another said:

“I just want to see change ... all I see is people dying or being forgotten about.”

However, the time until the delivery of MAT standards 6 to 10, which are central to addressing mental health and addiction issues, has been extended, with an implementation date of 2025, which is three years later than it was originally promised. Following the statement in June from the Minister for Drugs Policy, have senior leaders been appointed across Scotland? How will the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care work with the Minister for Drugs Policy to drive forward the delivery of MAT standards 6 to 10, which are central to mental health, and ensure that they are not neglected, as the focus will be on standards 1 to 5, which have to be delivered by next year?

All of that activity, which I recognise is taking place, requires investment. Although the Drug Deaths Taskforce acknowledged recent funding commitments, it said that they did not go far enough “to deliver transformational change” and described the funding as “woefully inadequate”. Although the Minister for Drugs Policy leads on policy in the area, it is, as the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care has recognised, partly his responsibility because many of the MAT standards focus on the relationship between drug services and mental health. Is he confident that the £10 million a year for the implementation of the MAT standards is enough, given concerns that have been raised around the risk of staff burnout?

I thank the minister for advance sight of the statement, and I welcome the appointment of David Strang as the chair of the national mission oversight group.

More strategies and structures have been announced today, but it is three years since the public health emergency was declared, with at least 2,500 people having died from drug overdoses. Those were preventable deaths, and those people leave behind devastated loved ones. I will hold the Government to account for that, for the lamentable lack of delivery on MAT standards and for the cuts to ADP budgets, which are only now being reinstated. However, we all want the same outcomes—the deaths to stop and people to be supported, accepted and able to live a life.

In order to ensure a more rapid response—one that does not wait for the action plan or for a decision on priorities—will the Government ensure that people who have had a near-fatal overdose, including those who have already experienced one, are always contacted and offered support, regardless of which health board area they live in? I know that MAT standard 3 says that, but the task force’s report says that not all health boards are delivering that due to capacity and resourcing issues.

The minister also mentioned the impact of street benzos. When will we see the final clinical guidance and a strategy to address their widespread usage?

It is three years since the Scottish Government announced a public health emergency, yet the figures demonstrate little emergency response. It is no wonder that the accusation, “We keep dying; you keep talking” continues. The progress on medically assisted treatment standards, in particular, is lamentable. Although a target has been set to introduce standards 1 to 5 within a year, implementation is now more than a year behind the timescale that was initially promised. What action has taken place over the summer to push for effective delivery of the MAT standards?