Seòmar agus comataidhean

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and thank George Adam for securing it. I also thank the University of the West of Scotland for its helpful briefing ahead of it.

As has been said, St Mirren Football Club and the University of the West of Scotland are two of Paisley’s greatest institutions. It is important that we celebrate their efforts in working together, and I join Mr Adam, Mr Whittle and Mr Gibson in congratulating them on this new and exciting partnership, which looks to combine the best aspects of sport and education through understanding and learning. It gives students the best opportunity to fully appreciate how a top-flight professional football team is run and allows St Mirren to fully utilise the university’s significant and valuable expertise to develop as a club.

Since the partnership was announced in September, 30 students have been on placement at the club. They have had the opportunity to observe the coaches and staff in action and, as a result, have had direct access to ask questions and learn from professionals at the top of their game.

As we have heard, journalism students from the university have been supporting the club’s media activities across the men’s and women’s first teams, as well as the academy teams. That has noticeably improved the club’s capacity and social media reach, as, with the students’ assistance, all teams are able to be covered.

I have been pleased to meet St Mirren’s chief operating officer, Keith Lasley, on a number of occasions over the past year, and I commend him and his team for their leadership as well as their commitment to the local community, building on the excellent work of his predecessor and club ambassador, Tony Fitzpatrick.

St Mirren is, of course, fan owned, and it is clear that, over the past few years, it has made a real attempt to enhance its connection with the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire. There are many great examples of that. Early last year, I met volunteers including Jim Crawford, Ian McLaren and others at St Mirren park who are part of the buddie bin it campaign, which aims to reduce the club’s carbon footprint by recycling waste and making the stadium lighting as energy efficient as possible.

Moreover, since 2009, St Mirren has run a free youth programme called street stuff alongside Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Engage Renfrewshire. The activities include multisports gaming, and statistics show that, in the areas visited by the programme, there has been a sustained reduction of up to 65 per cent in youth disorder and antisocial behaviour.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit the University of the West of Scotland’s Paisley campus with my colleague Alison Taylor MP. We met the principal and vice-chancellor, Professor James Miller, and heard about the institution’s positive impact on Paisley and beyond, and I commend him and his team for their leadership and commitment to the community. It was also fantastic to hear last month that the university is celebrating its highest ever number of sport scholarships, with 37 people receiving tailored support to achieve success in their chosen fields. The partnership with a Scottish premiership side will only enhance a sport department that is already excelling.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the partnership alongside colleagues today. I do not know whether this is a consequence of the fact that Mr Whittle is no longer doing the training, but it is fair to say that St Mirren is a team that is on the up, having secured European football for the first time in 37 years and consecutive top six finishes in the past two seasons.

However, the club’s work off the pitch is equally impressive. The partnership with the University of the West of Scotland is an exciting development, and I wish both institutions all the best with it in the future.

To ask the Scottish Government how it determines what constitutes a major service change in the national health service. (S6O-04109)

Proposals to close ward 36 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, which serves older adults, would result in the removal of 22 beds. Those proposals are proceeding despite significant opposition from NHS staff, the Unison trade union, families and patients, given the impact that the closure could have on delayed discharge and the wider hospital.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s guidance outlines key factors for designating a major service change, including the

“impact on patients and carers”,

changes in accessibility, “public or political concern”, “consequences for other services” and alterations in service delivery methods, each of which is clearly relevant to the closure of ward 36.

In the light of that, will the cabinet secretary pause the proposed closure until a full public consultation is carried out?

I join the cabinet secretary in congratulating Jasleen Kaur on winning the Turner prize.

Analysis of Creative Scotland’s published accounts from 2022-23 shows that the percentage of its budget that reached the pockets of front-line creatives in that year fell to 83 per cent, compared with 92 per cent in the two previous years. On achieving fair work, does the cabinet secretary agree that a greater proportion of Creative Scotland’s budget should be used to put money in the pockets of front-line creatives? Will that be considered as part of the review, alongside Mr Harvie’s sensible suggestions?

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.

I will give way to Mr Robertson.

I absolutely accept that—it would be significantly beneficial. That is why the new UK Labour Government is committed to seeking the veterinary agreement. It would be beneficial to consumers and businesses in the UK as well as in the EU. We certainly want to see progress in that area.

These are still early days. Not only is the UK Government new in office; so, too, are members of the European Parliament and the EU commissioners who are taking up their posts. Fourteen years of our relationship with the European Union being undermined cannot be undone overnight.

The report is timely and welcome. However, it is clear that the UK Government is moving quickly in the right direction to reset relationships with the European Union and the devolved Governments. That is to be welcomed, for our businesses, our citizens and the country as a whole.

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement. Ministers and shadow ministers have always attended sports events to support our national teams and to meet governing bodies. The attendance of ministers, where appropriate, should be supported by the Government. That is not in question. The key question is whether the correct protocols and rules were followed. Engagements to discuss Government business should be attended by a civil servant and be fully minuted.

Neil Gray has today apologised for his error, and he said that he is happy to provide further information. The Aberdeen v Livingston match at Pittodrie in particular has raised eyebrows. Can the cabinet secretary confirm that all the engagements were by official invitation? Will he publish details of who he met on each occasion and the minutes showing what issues were discussed for all, and not just the majority, of the matches? Will he confirm whether a civil servant was in attendance at each of them?

I have already taken two interventions. I am sorry, but I would like to make some progress.

As I said, we should seek a veterinary agreement with the EU to significantly reduce border checks and the administrative burden on exports of agrifoods to the EU. I am pleased that the new UK Labour Government is committed to doing so in order to make it easier for Scottish businesses to export.

The reduction in costs from a reduction in unnecessary trade barriers is not just a potential benefit to businesses; it can be beneficial to consumers with the cost of living.