Seòmar agus comataidhean

I am keen to hear from Magnus Linklater on this issue. We have heard that larger estates tend to do land management plans anyway. What is your view on the bill’s provisions with regard to net zero, nature and climate? Should that sort of detail be included? Do you agree that we might need more detail at this stage?

I join colleagues in expressing my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Keith Rollinson.

A lot has been said in the debate already, and it has been good to hear lots of points of agreement. I will try not to be repetitive, but it is good that we realise the seriousness of the challenge. Too many of our bus drivers and other front-line workers are experiencing abuse and violence, which is not acceptable. It affects those in the workforce and people who want to get on the bus to get to work, access education, go to see their friends or spend money on our high streets. It is a serious issue, and it is good to see that there is a lot of agreement in the chamber.

I thank Unite the union for its role in lobbying MSPs and getting people to take the issue seriously. I remind members that I am a member of Unite the union. I also declare an interest as the parent of a child who has a young person’s bus pass and uses it regularly. I want her and all young people to feel safe when they are travelling on public transport up and down the country.

However, listening to our constituents and to people who have raised concerns, we hear that not everyone feels safe. That cuts across different ages and backgrounds. We need people to feel confident about using public transport, and we need people to feel that we are on their side.

I again draw attention to Unite the union’s 15-point plan. There are some really good points in it. Sue Webber talked about CCTV, and Mark Ruskell mentioned the plan. It offers solutions, and there is stuff in it that bus operators could get on and do. My colleague Alex Rowley made some important points that I hope the Scottish Government will reflect on, such as on conditionality and the fact that many operators receive public funds.

It is not just about bus travel; it is also about the wider public transport network. I am thinking about Hamilton, where the rail and bus stations are co-located. I am concerned about ScotRail’s proposal to reduce the hours of operation of our ticket offices. My colleague Richard Leonard raised that issue, but it also concerns me and other colleagues. We have to look at such things holistically. We are in a climate and nature emergency, and we need to get our economy working for our communities. Every pound that we invest in public transport makes a difference, and we all care about that.

I am grateful to Mark Ruskell, who talked about gender-based violence. Colleagues are aware that we are now in the 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls. Misogyny, sexism and sexual assault happen on our buses, at bus stations and across our public transport system.

I looked to see what young people are saying. Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament say that they want safer public spaces and transport. Part of the solution is early intervention through better education, and not just in schools, but through youth work, too. Colleagues have not pointed the finger only at young people, because we would not want to do that. We have to look for holistic solutions. My colleague Martin Whitfield proposed a member’s bill on youth work. We need to ensure that we do not demonise young people and that we do not defund public services. We need to invest in our young people, and that includes investing in youth work.

[Made a request to intervene.]

Will the minister take an intervention?

No—that was really helpful; I thank Calum MacLeod and Malcolm Combe. I noted down the term “rational polluter”, which sounds as if it will be helpful for my endeavours on ecocide law. I will hand back to the convener.

That is helpful. Would it be helpful for the Scottish Government to clarify some of the rationale behind that?

I have a final question for Malcolm Combe. I wanted to talk about natural capital, but that has helpfully come up already. In your written evidence—[Inaudible.]

It feels as if this might be an area of the bill that needs further work and amendments. However, to reinforce the point, do you believe that the Scottish Government needs to be clearer in setting out its aims and objectives in relation to land management plans, including what their purpose really is, what value they will add and who they will benefit? Do we really understand that, based on what we have right now?

You are not familiar with it. Okay. I may come back to that point. Are any of your colleagues familiar with project domino?

I said that we will talk about the future, and I come to the small vessels replacement programme. It was mentioned earlier by David Dishon, I think, and we have heard a lot about potential partnership working. At this stage, are you able to say more about Ferguson Marine’s ability to submit a competitive tender and about how important securing the contract is for the yard? You have talked a lot about the workforce and young workers coming through, which is great to hear about. I am interested to hear your thoughts on that.