Seòmar agus comataidhean

I will not sing this evening. Members can come to the choir to hear me some other time.

As I said, we must ensure that we have access to experts and clinicians across Scotland and that the issue of access is looked at. I look forward to hearing what the minister has to say on that, because we know that there needs to be much more equal access to advanced therapies, which can be transformative. We must manage severe asthma.

I hope that the minister will, in her summing up, talk about: where we are when it comes to the progress of the respiratory care action plan; a pledge to address the misdiagnoses and the underdiagnosis that we know are taking place; implementing clear national once-for-Scotland protocols, because we know about the issues of disparity; establishing nationally agreed severe asthma referral pathways that promote collaboration between primary and specialised care; and collaboration across partners, including patient advocacy groups, as well as the third sector.

This afternoon’s debate has provided an opportunity to explore this important issue in detail, and I am grateful for the opportunity to close the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. The petition has been under consideration for much of the parliamentary session and I welcome the debate.

When Nicola Murray first submitted her petition, I helped to scrutinise the proposals as a member of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee. I thank the committee clerks for their assistance with the process, as well as those who gave written and oral evidence. I also—of course—thank Nicola Murray herself. As we have heard, she has had the courage and tenacity to lodge the petition, with the support of organisations such as Scottish Women’s Aid and Victim Support Scotland.

It is vitally important that we are discussing the issue in the chamber, because it shines a light on the matter. We have already heard that a loss of this kind can impact other family members, as it can mean the loss of a sibling or a grandchild. We also know that the current justice system can leave victims feeling as though the perpetrator has not been brought to justice. Many members have highlighted a leniency around the information and what happens to individuals in cases like this. That needs to change. The petition that was lodged by Nicola Murray has highlighted several issues around the effects of domestic abuse and coercive control, which need to be exposed as problems in how they are dealt with in the Scottish system.

Since the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, Police Scotland’s approach to domestic abuse has improved—it needed to improve—but there are still gaps in the system around showing that coercive control has taken place. Nicola Murray has spoken about how much more needs to be done to support victims throughout the current process and how victims can sometimes struggle to be taken seriously when reporting this type of domestic abuse. We have heard today about groups such as Brodie’s Trust, which are there to support victims. It is fantastic that we have organisations, charities and trusts to support victims, but they need to be supported by our judicial system and our police force.

During scrutiny of the petition, the committee raised the possibility of a new requirement that could be introduced, which would ensure that the fact that violence has led to the loss of an unborn child will always be mentioned when the perpetrators of those crimes are charged. That could be a possible alternative to the creation of a completely new criminal offence for actions that lead to the loss of an unborn child. The Scottish Sentencing Council has stated that there is nothing in the current sentencing guidelines to prevent that requirement from becoming a reality. However, as Nicola herself highlighted, there are very few examples of cases in which that type of reference has been included in a charge. So, although that part of the legal framework may already exist, it is clear that it is not effective enough and that more should be done.

We have heard some excellent contributions in the debate. As I said, it shows the strength of the Parliament when we can have a debate of this nature in the chamber. As the convener, Jackson Carlaw, said in his impressive, excellent and emotive speech, the committee has an important role to play in the Parliament and it should be praised for the role that it has taken. There is no doubt that this type of process is a real asset to the Scottish Parliament, when a petition of this calibre can come forward and we can ensure that a review takes place.

The cabinet secretary spoke about her approach of co-operation and collaboration, as well as the challenges with the petition. She also acknowledged that more needs to be done. I look forward to hearing, in her summing up, where we can take this.

My colleague Pam Gosal spoke about the loss, fear, shame and silence that women experience in these circumstances. The fact that four pregnant women are abused every day in Scotland shows the harrowing situation that we find ourselves in.

Pauline McNeill spoke about the fear that victims experience and the loss that they deal with. She said that women should not be put in that position by men and that it is the men we need to manage. That is important, so we need to be tough with their sentencing.

Maurice Golden spoke about the women’s harrowing experience of being badly let down and the pathetic compensation of £300 that Nicola Murray received, which is insulting to say the least.

Sharon Dowey spoke about this evil crime and the lack of justice.

John Swinney spoke very eloquently about the effectiveness of the committee. He shone a light on the committee being a prime example of what the Parliament has the ability to do when an individual raises such an important issue. The matter can be given the respect and support that are required, and the Government can make some changes. I look forward to seeing that happen.

Clare Haughey, Maggie Chapman, Fulton MacGregor and Foysol Choudhury all made very passionate speeches about the issues.

As I have said, the petition has shone a light on many issues, but it is not possible to cover everything in the debate. I hope that the debate will ensure that the Scottish Government looks at the issues highlighted by support groups and campaigners such as Nicola Murray, who have led the charge.

In conclusion, it is vitally important that the appalling crimes of domestic abuse and coercive control are dealt with, to ensure that our justice system is proper and fit for purpose. I look forward to seeing the debate progress and the issues continue to be discussed. I join colleagues in hoping to see a real change and an improvement in the situation, because it is clearly long overdue. With all of us working together, we will ensure that a solution can be found—because solutions need to be found for people like Nicola Murray.

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it anticipates its recent announcement on changes to its net zero targets will have on the development of a green economy. (S6O-03362)

The Nuclear Industry Association has warned that Scotland’s green economy risks losing billions in investment thanks to the Scottish National Party’s short-sighted opposition to new nuclear development.

Now that the Greens are no longer in government, will the minister use the opportunity to consider nuclear power as a means of bolstering Scotland’s green economy and strengthening energy security?

Touring artists are being priced out of Edinburgh due to escalating accommodation costs. The chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society described the current level of Scottish Government support for what is the largest arts festival in the world as a “national embarrassment” and said that the fringe was becoming “almost impossible” to deliver. What is the Scottish Government doing to support that event and those touring artists?

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports that one in 10 planned operations in the national health service were cancelled this January, what steps it is taking to reduce the rate of cancelled operations. (S6O-03303)

The message that such a level of cancelled operations is standard fare is simply not good enough. A teenager who had only months in which to undergo life-changing spinal surgery was woken after being prepared for surgery and told that the operation had been cancelled due to staff shortages.

The situation is intolerable for parents, patients and families. What action can be taken to ensure that other people who are in similar positions are treated with the urgency and respect that they deserve?

Will the cabinet secretary give way?

I thank the cabinet secretary for giving me that time.

We talked about the relief of funding issues in the sector and he was keen on that. What are the cabinet secretary’s views on the UK Government’s higher rate of tax relief for theatres, museums and galleries and on how that support has affected the sector?

I am pleased to close on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. I will support the amendment in the name of Meghan Gallacher.

When it comes to the culture sector, Scotland is truly able to punch above its weight on the world stage. We have heard that today from many members. Culture is a fantastic area; the international footprint of Scotland is renowned and continues to be so. We have heard comments about Brexit, but international individuals are still coming to Scotland and we are still sending people to other parts of the world. I look forward to seeing that continue.

The Scottish Government’s international culture strategy follows publication of its 2020 culture strategy. The strategy includes the opportunity that the Government wants to promote. It is the first time the Government has published an international cultural strategy of this kind. I welcome the fact that, today, in our debate, we get the chance to talk about the positives of the sector.

Certain aspects of the strategy—for example, the value of the international cultural exchanges and knowledge exchanges, and the engagement with the cultures of many countries—are vitally important. The strategy talks about the bodies that we have in Scotland, including Creative Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland and the British Council in Scotland. All those have important parts to play, along with Historic Environment Scotland, which looks after hundreds of significant sites across the country. We know that many of those sites have suffered of late because of the pandemic, but they are now starting to develop and move forward.

The strategy highlights the generation of £4.4 billion for Scotland’s economy and support for nearly 70,000 jobs across Scotland. That is good for us and good for the sector. It is important that we analyse that and look at what we can achieve, as we go forward.

As I said, the pandemic had a massive impact, as the sector told us when it came to committee. It talked about areas of concern and the closures and difficulties that it has to deal with. The Government has had to listen to that, and we have to acknowledge it when we talk about what is happening in the process. Conservative members understand the importance of the sector and the opportunities that we need to give it to ensure that we continue to have fantastic worldwide potential that expands and goes forward.

We have heard many contributions to the debate. The cabinet secretary talked about the importance of the cultural sector, funding and the realisation that we need to have opportunities. However, they need to be funded. He has heard, as we all have, that there are still areas of real concern across the sector.

My colleague Meghan Gallacher talked about the deep-rooted culture in this country and our need for a business model that is successful and inspiring. VisitScotland has a chance to do things, but closing its information centres is the wrong direction to go in and the wrong message to send out to our communities and the world at large. Funding is vitally important.

Neil Bibby talked about a sector that is struggling. He said that it has had a crisis and a perfect storm. We on the committee have also heard that. People have come forward and told us about the power that we have, the way in which it is managed, and the fundamental problems that the sector faces. All those issues are important.

The convener spoke about Scottish Opera and the RSNO. They are great, but—as was alluded to—they are footnotes in the strategy. That needs to be looked at. We cannot talk from the rafters about the things that we have if we do not give them our full support. I am inspired by those organisations because they work really hard to achieve on many of the issues—sometimes, with one hand tied behind their back.

Jamie Greene gave a good speech about how the Scottish Government cannot put its head in the sand: it cannot blame other people. It has been running the country for 17 years. The running costs of the Edinburgh fringe, its affordability for performers and the availability of accommodation are very important to any organisation. The Government has heard from the grass roots about where we are on that, and about how cutting funding for local government has had a massive impact on many sectors.

Jackson Carlaw gave a passionate speech, as we would expect, and showed where the priorities should be and how we should realise them. We have five phenomenal national companies that give us opportunities and real pride, but they need to be supported, as do the ideas that we are trying to achieve in the coming years.

It is worth looking at our international culture strategy. I repeat many of the things that have been said in the debate. The Scottish Government has a role to play in that. The strategy boldly claims that independence would open new opportunities. We have heard that many times before. In reality, we know that that could be an issue when it comes to funding. The United Kingdom’s international influence and its broad financial shoulders could be risked in that process. We already know that.

It is right that the Parliament debates what Scotland’s fantastic culture sector is built on. It has a worldwide reputation. However, the strategy fails to show the ambition that the culture sector wants and needs, following years of being treated as an afterthought. At the moment, the Government is playing with some of that; it is attempting to show that there are opportunities, but at the same time it is giving individuals, companies and organisations a difficult strategy to manage.

I want to see ambition, but that ambition needs to be realised and to have opportunities behind it. It cannot be the strategy that makes things happen; the public and the processes need to make them happen.

The creative sector is innovative and sustainable, and it has a strong cultural impact, but the Government must turn that narrative into reality. It must provide support and put its money where its mouth is if it is going to ensure that the strategy, our culture and the environment around it are to succeed. We want all that to happen, and we have the ability to make it happen, but it needs to be endorsed by the Government and the Parliament. If we can do that, success will breed success.