John Swinney
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Since the report from several years ago was published, the Government has presided over the passage of legislation to rationalise that area of activity. Work is under way to transfer the responsibility for the funding of further education student support from the Scottish Funding Council to the Student Awards Agency Scotland.”
“I appreciate the urgency of the general policy elements of the question, because a number of applications are now being considered by planning authorities. My view is that, given the concerns that have been expressed by planning authorities, the Government has to be responsive to the issue.”
“For as long as we do not have a proper strategy on prison capacity, rehabilitation and clearing the court backlog, early release will be a revolving door, with people going in, coming out and going back into our prisons. Our justice system is in crisis, so we need a strategy.”
“I associate myself unreservedly Mr Cole-Hamilton’s comments about the feelings in the Muslim community. On Monday, I visited the Broomhouse mosque along with Simita Kumar and the Annandale Street mosque in Edinburgh with Ben Macpherson.”
“The development of further guidance will be undertaken in a manner consistent with the ruling by Lady Ross. Malcolm Offord: I thank the First Minister for his answer, which was more comprehensive than I expected.”
“I am a huge supporter of apprenticeship programmes. With foundation apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships, the Government has brought forward important reforms that create new and successful pathways for young people. I am determined to make sure that every young person has that desirable pathway for their future.”
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“I assure Mr Dunlop of the Government’s focused approach to implementing the terms of the Promise to improve outcomes for babies and children in our country.”
“This is an essential part of the work to implement the Promise. As Mr Dunlop knows, because he is very familiar with all this work, there is an intense focus on supporting families. It is also reflected in the Government’s commitment around whole family support to ensure that families in difficulty are supported to stay together when it is safe and sustainable for them to do so and to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place to care for and support babies and children. That is part of the commitment that we take forward. Just last week, I had a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic and with the leaders of The Promise Scotland—the independent adviser, Fiona Duncan, and the chief executive, Fraser McKinlay.”
“I am familiar with the issues that Jenni Minto raises. During the election campaign, I discussed them with campaigners when I visited her constituency in Oban. I understand the issues that are at stake here. On the general question of LEIP funding, I think that the criteria are robust and provide the appropriate governance. I accept that, in island community situations such as Mull, there may be a requirement for greater flexibility, and I am prepared to have that issue examined. I hope that that helps. I know that there are some controversies around the locations of schools, but if it would help Argyll and Bute Council to have some flexibility to resolve those issues, I am happy to confirm that in Parliament today. Care System (Waiting Times)”
“However, I air to Parliament my concern that the management of all these questions—to ensure that patient safety is a paramount consideration in our hospitals—is resulting in the presentation of extreme difficulties in the delivery of capital investment projects in the health service. The Government must address and resolve that issue so that we can continue our investment programme in health. I assure Mr Kerr that there is no lack of attention to this particular question. Indeed, it is troubling me enormously, and I am determined to ensure that we get to a better place as a consequence. If it would help, I would be happy to meet him, with the health secretary, to discuss the issue. Learning Estate”
“The implications of the construction issues around the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and the essential scrutiny that is required of all these issues are part of what is raising the issues at the Baird and ANCHOR hospitals, because the questions that are being addressed are about the infection control and safety arrangements that must be in place. I know that Mr Kerr will understand the perspective that I am putting here. Those are the substantive issues that are at stake. However, that is resulting in an extraordinary increase in cost, which I find totally unacceptable. Ministers are actively engaged on the issue. I have a briefing about it, because the issues have been explored by NHS Scotland Assure, which was set up to address the implications of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital situation.”
“I understand the concern that Mr Kerr brings to Parliament, and I share it, because I am deeply aware of the delays to those projects. The issue has been personally explored and examined by me, so let me assure him that the issue is no stranger to my desk. It is an issue about which I am profoundly disturbed. Mr Kerr commented on the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and the children’s hospital in Edinburgh. I contend that the delay to the opening of the children’s hospital in Edinburgh was a direct result of the Government’s response to the early concerns that were raised about the Queen Elizabeth university hospital, so I do not think that those two issues are directly comparable.”
“Decisions on legal aid are taken independently by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, in line with the highest standards of scrutiny and cognisant of the responsibilities that we carry, which are underpinned in the Scotland Act 1998, to be compliant with the Human Rights Act 1998 and with the provisions of the European convention on human rights. Fundamentally, Mr Kerr seeks to erode the rights of individuals in our society, and I make it clear to Parliament that I have absolutely no intention of eroding the human rights of individuals, because those rights are the foundation of a civilised society. Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre (Delays)”
“That is in addition to funding from local authorities and integration joint boards. Through those different channels— whether direct funding for local authorities or direct funding for carers centres—the Government is trying to create capacity at local level to support the delivery of assistance to carers in our communities. Legal Aid (Asylum Seekers and Refugees)”
“First, during carers week, I record my appreciation to carers for the essential support that they provide in our communities. Without the love, care and attention of carers in our community, we literally could not provide the support that carers provide to individuals in our community. Carers week reminds us all to encourage the contribution that carers make, and I do so happily today. The Government is investing more than £88 million in local carer support through local authority funding in line with the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. That is designed to be distributed at local level to meet the varying circumstances that exist in different parts of the country. We are also providing £600,000 of support in the current financial year for local carers centres, which give invaluable support to carers.”
“I understand Emma Roddick’s concerns. The issue was raised with me last week, and I indicated then that I expected there to be discussions between Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Loganair to find a collaborative solution. I am encouraged that discussions between the parties have taken place, because that is the best way to resolve commercial issues. Ministers will be kept apprised of progress. It is important that we support development in and around Inverness airport to ensure the sustainability of employment, to which Emma Roddick referred. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport is meeting colleagues from across the chamber regularly to discuss the issue. Unpaid Carers (Support)”
“Prior to the election, along with the then Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, I convened discussions with a variety of different stakeholders about issues relating to knife crime. From those discussions, I am confident that we have a range of appropriate measures in place, but we must constantly keep those under review. At the weekend, the current justice secretary made comments about looking at the question of an amnesty on knife possession, and the Government will give active consideration to that. Loganair (Inverness and Northern Isles Services)”
“I express my condolences to the family of Kayden Moy for their tragic loss and the suffering that they have endured. I very much understand the concerns that Patricia Gibson has brought to the Parliament today. The Government takes a range of different measures to address knife crime, not least of which is the support that we make available for education programmes in our schools and in the wider community under the theme of no knives, better lives, as well as a range of other actions, which can lead to imprisonment for individuals who are convicted of knife crime offences. The Government will always review the steps that are in place to ensure that we have adequate measures.”
“I make it clear that I am not on a mission to destroy Mr Rennie’s career; I am here only to support him and to encourage good outcomes for the people of Scotland. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time for party leaders. We will have a one-minute break in order to prepare for the next debate. Wealth Taxation for Public Services”
“I am very happy to engage on this question, but I respectfully encourage Mr Cole-Hamilton to do likewise. On the issue of protection of vulnerable groups checks, I am very happy to consider that. I do not want bad actors to be operating anywhere in our public services, and I extend that to members of the Parliament. If Mr Cole-Hamilton wants to advance the issue, he should take a leaf out of the book of Mr Rennie, his next-door neighbour in the chamber, who suggested the other day that there are opportunities for us to make progress on shared objectives. I encourage Mr Rennie to counsel his colleague next door and give him some of the constructive advice that Mr Rennie is always sharing with me.”
“However, again, the SNP Government has blocked progress. It is time to remove bad actors from public life. I cannot believe that the First Minister wants to go through any of this ever again, so will he stop standing in the way of efforts to clean up our politics? The First Minister: I respectfully say to Mr Cole- Hamilton that it would help if, once I have given an answer to his question, he could perhaps change the script of what he was going to say. He just ignored everything that I said about recall, but he could have engaged in a substantive discussion about how we might take forward recall legislation. The issue with the recall legislation in the previous session of the Parliament was that it was unworkable, and the Government cannot allow unworkable legislation to be passed.”
“I hope that that answer contributes to Mr Cole- Hamilton’s evaluation of how we make progress on these questions, because I want to make sure that the highest standards are applied at all times, which is what I do. Alex Cole-Hamilton: I heard the same warm noises from John Swinney in the previous parliamentary session, when there was a live bill in front of members that would have given effect to such proposals. He had the votes to push the bill across the line, but he instructed his party to vote against it. Recall provides a solution for when things go wrong, but we can do more to ensure that the right people are in politics to begin with. I am a former youth worker and I have twice tried to change the law so that elected representatives are subject to the basic safeguarding checks for working with children and vulnerable adults.”
“That is not my position. In the course of the past week, I answered a question from Graham Simpson about whether the Government would co-operate on the formulation of proposals on recall legislation. I gave Mr Simpson a positive answer. The Government is prepared to contribute to this process, but I have a debate in my mind about whether it would be appropriate for the Government to bring forward proposals that would affect the status of elected members of Parliament. I would much rather that such proposals came from within the Parliament. If it would be helpful, I would certainly bring forward proposals to enact a workable recall mechanism, because it is important that the people have the opportunity to recall members of Parliament who behave inappropriately.”
“I will lead with privilege and pride, and I will always serve the people of Scotland. Mr Sarwar and Mr Findlay will always remain on the back benches, and the people of Scotland have sent them out there with a ringing message that they are not listening to either of them. Recall Legislation 5.”
“John Swinney has spent years defending every single indefensible SNP scandal, but all he has in response to this seedy crime spree is angry, fake deflection. John Swinney’s and Nicola Sturgeon’s complex web of stories is unravelling. The Presiding Officer: Please ask a question. Russell Findlay: Does John Swinney not realise that his leadership is also unravelling because of his central role in this scandal? The First Minister: What an absolutely pathetic spectacle to bring to the Parliament. My leadership was on the line in the general election on 7 May. It was paraded by every one of my political rivals— week after week, Mr Sarwar and Mr Findlay questioned my integrity, so it was on the line. The people of Scotland sent me here to lead this country and Government.”
“The Conservatives took another hammering in Perthshire North—not for the first time, but for the seventh time in this Parliament—so people do not listen to Russell Findlay and the Tories. Russell Findlay: Dearie me—what a performance of crocodile tears. That was so sad. The SNP treats taxpayers with the same contempt as it treats its own members. Former accountant Alistair Cameron joined the SNP in the 1960s, before half of that lot were even born, and he donated money to the party for years. He passed away a few months ago at the age of 89. His daughter Susan told me this morning that he would have felt betrayed not only by Peter Murrell’s theft but by those who did not stop Peter Murrell but facilitated and enabled his crime spree.”
“[Interruption.] Russell Findlay is complaining about Stephen Flynn barracking him, but he is just barracking me, so I suggest that Mr Findlay should learn some lessons from what he has gone on about in his contributions. Russell Findlay has spent years coming here, abusing me and—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the First Minister respond. Mr Findlay, you should not heckle someone when they are trying to answer a question that you have asked. The First Minister: Russell Findlay was denigrating my personal integrity and reputation. I point Mr Findlay to the outcome of the election, when the people of my constituency had the opportunity to reject me, having listened to everything that Russell Findlay and his sidekick piled out about me and my constituency.”
“I stand by the comments that I made to Russell Findlay. He may have noticed a quote from the Electoral Commission last week, which said: “The SNP receives policy development grants as set out in law. Parties have to report on their use of the grant, and have that grant expenditure independently audited. The Commission checks carefully that the grant is spent correctly. The SNP have provided those audits, we have checked them, and we have seen no evidence of misuse of policy development grant funds. If there is evidence of any misuse, the Commission will take appropriate action to safeguard public money.” Those are the words of the independent Electoral Commission. The police have carried out an extensive investigation and have found nothing to substantiate the abuse that has come from Russell Findlay today.”
“I am full of admiration for the work that is being undertaken by Highland Council, in whose area many more services have been brought under public ownership and control. The legislative framework is in place to enable that to happen. We want to work with local authorities to advance such propositions, because they would be in the public interest. We can make public transport more affordable and sustainable through the steps that we propose to take with the £2 bus fare cap. Along with the Deputy First Minister, I look forward to engaging with the Greens on the Government’s financial priorities. Scottish National Party (Public Money) 4.”
“Will he work with the Scottish Greens to bring our bus services back under public control? The First Minister: I have always prided myself on giving avuncular advice to Mr Greer. All I can say is that I think he touched a raw nerve with his comment about bus operator donations to the Labour Party. When he made his point about free travel in the west of Scotland, I kept thinking that he looked as though he was eligible for the under- 22s bus pass into the bargain. To be serious, I am very sympathetic to Mr Greer’s points. There are a number of good examples of bus transport being in public ownership—the city of Edinburgh is a shining example, given its outstanding, high-quality bus service.”
“Forty years after Thatcher privatised the bus network, many communities just do not have the bus services that they need. Fares have gone up, but routes have also disappeared, which leaves people isolated and holds our whole economy back. At the same time, a handful of private bus company owners have become obscenely rich. Some have made so much money from being bus company operators that they can afford to set fire to a pile of their cash by writing £100,000 cheques to the Scottish Labour Party. The Scottish Greens proposed bringing our bus services back into public ownership through a bond scheme, but the SNP’s manifesto was silent on the ownership question. Does the First Minister not agree that it is time to end the failed experiment of privatisation?”
“It is providing real benefits for individuals in our communities there, and I want to see families in other parts of the country benefit. During the election campaign, my party made it clear that our priority was to roll out the proposal, although I have to be candid with the Parliament that it will take us time to do so. Our priority was to roll it out across the Strathclyde transport area in the west of Scotland, and then to take the practical steps that will be necessary to implement our manifesto commitment. Ross Greer: As a West Scotland MSP, I welcome the First Minister’s prioritisation of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, but families across Scotland should be able to benefit from the cap as soon as possible. Making bus travel cheaper is only half the picture, though.”
“Expanding the £2 cap nationwide was in the Green and SNP election manifestos—in our case, it was set out as a transitional step towards the provision of universal free bus travel. Given that school holidays are coming up, families are looking for affordable days out and the cost of petrol is skyrocketing, expanding that cap should be a top priority for the Government. Does the First Minister agree with the Scottish Greens that more families should be able to enjoy £2 bus fares this summer? The First Minister: I agree with that proposition, which is why it was in the SNP manifesto. It is being progressed as part of the Government’s early actions. We are very pleased with the progress that has been made on the bus fare cap in the Highlands and Islands.”
“I and the Scottish Greens want to see a UK-wide ban on that form of torture, but the UK Government has made the same promise over and over and it has still not introduced such a bill. Should it fail to do so again, I will expect to see it in the Scottish Government’s programme for government in September. Turning to a different matter entirely, during the election campaign, I was pleased to meet people from across the Highlands and Islands who are now saving a fortune thanks to the £2 bus fare cap that the Scottish Greens secured through negotiations with the Scottish Government. For example, someone commuting from Elgin to Inverness is now saving £17 a day on that journey.”
“First, let me associate myself with the substance of Mr Greer’s comments on his concern about the erosion of the position of members of the LGBTQ community. I express my solidarity with them to ensure that their rights are protected at all times and that they are asserted. On the question of a ban on conversion therapy, my party’s manifesto said that, first, we would embark on dialogue with the United Kingdom Government to establish its intentions and to seek a common purpose. Simita Kumar, the Minister for Equalities, has sought that dialogue with the United Kingdom Government. We will update the Parliament on the implications of it as they relate to the specific question that Mr Greer has put to me. Ross Greer: I thank the First Minister for his solidarity.”
“I have taken strong action to ensure that we have effective financial management in the Scottish National Party and we have put in place measures to ensure that we have the highest standards. We have had a police investigation. There can be no higher and more forensic investigation than a police investigation. Therefore, I do not support the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry, because we have had an investigation and it convicted somebody for embezzling from my party’s funds. Conversion Therapy Ban 3.”
“There has been, and there had to be, because my party was the victim of criminal embezzlement by somebody who was trusted in my party. That investigation had to take place. Mr Sarwar now wants to have another investigation; I presume that he did not like the outcome of the last one because it did not suit the priorities that he is setting out. Last night, I convened a meeting of my party’s national executive committee to ensure that we could take the action necessary to address the implications of Peter Murrell’s conviction. We agreed unanimously to act to secure the party’s interests by instructing our solicitors to begin action in court to recover the money that has been stolen from us. We have significantly improved our financial procedures and controls over the past few years.”
“It has brought further scrutiny on the dual role of the Lord Advocate, it has raised issues for the governing party of the country about the misuse of £600,000 of supporters’ money, and now there is an acceptance that there has been a possible defrauding of public money and HMRC. The Presiding Officer: We must have a question. Anas Sarwar: My question is this. It is beyond doubt that there should be a parliamentary inquiry. Will John Swinney finally back that inquiry, or will it require further arrests for the public to get the truth? The First Minister: In the course of that rambling explanation from Mr Sarwar, he said that there has been an extraordinary amount of time and resource spent on a police investigation.”
“Anas Sarwar: I thank John Swinney for accepting that there could potentially have been illegal reclaiming of VAT from HMRC, which means potential misuse of public money that should not have been claimed, because of the fraudulent receipts issued by Peter Murrell. However, that also demonstrates that this is the biggest political and financial scandal in the history of the Scottish Parliament, and it goes far beyond the crimes of Peter Murrell. John Swinney will not get away with taking the same approach—a culture of secrecy, cover-up and deflection—that led to the situation in the first place. Operation Branchform dragged on for almost four years. It consumed huge amounts of police time, cost the taxpayer at least £2.7 million and raised profound questions about transparency and accountability at the heart of Government.”
“Would the First Minister welcome that investigation, and will he launch his own audit so that we can make sure that any misused public money can be recouped? The First Minister: Let me help Mr Sarwar out with an update on information. The issues in relation to Peter Murrell’s admission of guilt about the embezzlement of Scottish National Party funds have potential implications in relation to the payment of taxation. That is why the Scottish National Party has already opened up discussions with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on exactly that point. In making sure that we deliver the highest standards of financial governance, which are exactly what I preside over, we are proactively taking those forward, at our own request, with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.”
“Political parties, like businesses, are able to claim back VAT on purchases relating to operating costs. That means that fraudulent purchases recorded by the SNP using phoney receipts may have been included in any reclaimed VAT. For example, the £124,000 camper van that was recorded in the system as a van would be subject to 20 per cent VAT; the £3,000 robotic lawnmower that was recorded as legal fees would be subject to VAT; and the ridiculous luxury egg poacher that was recorded as an ethernet cable would be subject to VAT—all potentially illegally reclaimed from HMRC. Today, we have written to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, asking it to launch a full investigation into the potential defrauding of the public purse.”
“What I said yesterday was nothing different from what the Scottish National Party said in 2021, so I think that Mr Sarwar needs to do a wee bit of a check of his press cuts before he tries to put that into his comments. I do not think that it will be a surprise to members of the public that the Scottish National Party and John Swinney believe in Scottish independence, that we raise money to deliver Scottish independence and that we have every intention of delivering Scottish independence. Anas Sarwar: There are really serious questions here. Peter Murrell has pled guilty to embezzling £400,000. It has now become clear that he did much of that by falsifying receipts, on many occasions pretending that they were for legitimate business costs.”
“We cannot have a realistic debate about priorities if Reform is saying, on the one hand, that we should cut taxes by £2 billion and, on the other hand, that we should spend more on health and local government. Those two statements are completely and utterly incompatible, which is why the IFS says that Reform’s plans are simply fiscally incredible. Scottish National Party Finances 2.”
“The Institute for Fiscal Studies describes Reform’s taxation and spending plans as “not fiscally credible”. That is essentially a summary of what I have just said to Malcolm Offord. His tax plans will have the effect of dramatically reducing the investment available for public expenditure. I am all for a vigorous debate in this Parliament about the priorities that we have to take forward, but I have listened to some of Mr Offord’s colleagues over the past few days and weeks and I have heard a number of calls for more expenditure to be undertaken. I heard the other day that there should be more money for local government and the health service.”
“We have a live example of that today: Nicola Sturgeon is a very wealthy Scot who has cut her tax burden by paying herself through dividends, thus avoiding pay as you earn and national insurance, and is now moving to London to enjoy lower English taxes. Does the First Minister agree that that point proves that Scotland’s record high taxes are driving away our most talented Scots? Why on earth did she leave before at least hearing the First Minister’s cunning plan for a second independence referendum? Is it simply that she does not want to inhabit the same country as Stephen Flynn? The First Minister: I think that she would be much happier to live in the same country as Stephen Flynn than she would be to live in the same country as Malcolm Offord and Reform. I refer Malcolm Offord to an assessment of his tax plans.”
“We also said that, over the course of this session of Parliament, we would look for opportunities to simplify the tax system. As Mr Offord may have picked up from the comments that I made publicly at a Confederation of British Industry event a couple of weeks ago and at the Prosper conference this morning, I lay the heaviest emphasis on the importance of the Government taking measures—which we will take—to encourage and motivate growth in the economy. If we have a strong economy, we can have strong public services. That is the social democratic contract that I deliver to the people of Scotland. Malcolm Offord: It is well proven around the world that too-high taxes drive away the highest taxpayers.”
“The First Minister: I do not accept that model, because the reality is that doing what Malcolm Offord wants me to do would have to involve significant, immediate reductions in public expenditure, which would be enormously damaging to people who rely on our public services. Mr Offord is correct that these are early days in this session of Parliament. As he knows, my party’s manifesto set out a willingness to do a number of things on tax. We set out that we would not increase the rates or the number of bands, and we gave an absolute commitment that the majority of taxpayers in Scotland would pay less in taxation than taxpayers in the rest of the United Kingdom. That is our sustained position, and it is important that we deliver that.”
“That is a daring and bold attempt by Lord Offord to get me to accept his point of view, but I am afraid that I will resist the temptation. If I were to accept his point of view, I would have to accept swingeing cuts in public expenditure, and I have no intention of doing that. Malcolm Offord: It is early days in the seventh session of the Holyrood Parliament, but in all the preliminary debates so far there has been one dominant theme—just referred to by the First Minister—which is the demand to spend more money. If the First Minister wants more money for public services, does he accept that he will raise more tax revenue if he cuts tax rates to allow the economy to grow?”
“I have just answered a question from a member about the issue in relation to jet fuel and the damage that has been done because of the closure of Grangemouth. That extends our energy vulnerability. Let me say to Rachael Hamilton that the Scottish Government has set out a very clear position in relation to oil and gas, which I have communicated on multiple occasions. [Interruption]. The Presiding Officer: Mr Flynn, you are not in Westminster now.”
“As I have explained to Parliament on a number of occasions—I explained it to Malcolm Offord at First Minister’s question time last week—the Scottish Government’s position is founded in the existing law of the United Kingdom, which is that if we are to take forward new developments, a climate compatibility assessment has to be undertaken to ensure compatibility with net zero. That is the legal framework of the United Kingdom today and, as a Government that operates within the law, that is exactly the position that we take. I have also said that, because of the very volatile situation that we are experiencing in the middle east, issues of energy security need to be taken into account in the judgments that are formed.”
“The Government is committed to bringing forward legislation to ensure that individuals are able to afford a range of items in our supermarkets at an affordable price. That is my Government’s commitment. We are developing the legislation and we will engage with Parliament on it to ensure that we take practical and tangible action to support members of the public who are experiencing such significant pressures as a consequence of the cost of living issues with which they are wrestling.”
“My Government’s support for the people of Ukraine is absolute, and it has been a central part of the Parliament’s position to support the people of Ukraine in the terror that they face from the Putin regime. The issue is that one of our biggest vulnerabilities is the production of jet fuel, which is why I find it inexplicable that the United Kingdom Government, which assured everybody that it would protect the refinery at Grangemouth, has allowed that refinery to close. I reaffirm my strong support for the people of Ukraine and for the sustainability of our energy industries to ensure that our country’s energy needs can be met through the activities that we undertake in Scotland. Food”
“They are not straightforward, because of the nature of the commitments that are sought, but equally the challenges in the college infrastructure are not straightforward, nor is the situation sustainable, because of the issues that Mr Marra cites. I give him an assurance that ministers are actively taking forward those issues. Aviation Fuel (Sanctions)”
“As Mr Marra will know, the issues at stake are about long-term financial commitments to support an ambitious development by Dundee and Angus College. For absolute transparency, I place on the record the fact that I represent a constituency adjacent to Dundee and Angus, so there may be implications for my constituents. The questions that are being wrestled with concern how long-term financial assurance can be given to Dundee and Angus College to enable it to enter into commitments to undertake what I recognise to be a significant regeneration opportunity in Dundee city centre. I assure Mr Marra that those issues have been given active consideration in Government.”
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has to make an assessment based on that risk and the resources that the Government is making available. There are statutory obligations on the Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the exercise of its powers, but Parliament can consider issues that arise from the decisions that are taken by the service. I commit the Government to engaging constructively with members of Parliament on the issue, because I recognise the concerns that will exist in all parts of the chamber about ensuring that the Fire and Rescue Service comes to the right conclusions in the important exercise that is under way. Dundee and Angus College (Support)”
“The issues that are connected with the review that has been undertaken by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service relate to an assessment of fire risk as it applies in Scotland at present. We know that, over the course of the past 40 years or so, fire risk in Scotland has changed quite significantly. Thankfully, there has been a welcome decline in domestic fires because of the increase in protective activity that has taken place, in relation to sprinkler systems and so on. We have also seen a change in the deployment of the Fire and Rescue Service because of the implications of climate change. Earlier, Katherine Sangster asked about the fire on Arthur’s Seat, which is a local example of the changing nature of the fire risk that we are having to deal with.”