Ivan McKee
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“We understand that the SPSO assesses complaints to identify how they should be prioritised. The SPSO prioritises cases where a complainant is vulnerable or the matter is assessed as urgent and ongoing. The SPSO keeps people who are affected by delays informed. In 2024-25, the SPSO reduced the number of open cases by 15 per cent.”
“As part of our programme of public service reform, we are embedding openness, transparency and accountability into how services are designed, delivered and improved. Our next open Government action plan will set out an anti-corruption strategy and plans for improving public participation in decision making.”
“Will he agree to meet me and other members from across the chamber to discuss how we might work together to provide legal support for the Nolan principle of integrity in public life? Ivan McKee: I am very happy to meet the member to discuss that further. Such issues are hugely important to the Government.”
“How bad does the situation have to get before a full investigation is made? Ivan McKee: That would be a matter for the Parliament, not the Government. As an organisation, the ombudsman rightly sits separate from the Government.”
“More than £300 million has been saved through more efficient procurement in the past two years and we are projecting savings of more than £50 million through the rationalisation of estates—13 core Scottish Government buildings have been closed in the past three years and there are more to follow.”
“I am delighted to open this afternoon’s debate on public service reform, which I believe will be the defining task of this session of Parliament.”
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“Ivan McKee: I would need to check that that is indeed the case. I do not know whether the member is talking about the cost of projects, which will of course depend on a number of factors, including the geography and so on, or the cost of the private partnership itself, which is hugely expensive for projects across the UK. In 2007, the new Scottish Government Administration made it clear that the PFI approach used in the past had not delivered best value for the taxpayer in Scotland. It was made clear that PFI was an expensive mistake and no longer a feasible option. The Scottish Government moved away from using PFI for any new projects from May 2007, and it announced the non-profit distribution programme in November 2010.”
“Although that increase to the capital funding from the UK Government is welcome, it is set within a challenging fiscal context. We still face significant pressures on our capital budget. For example, a high level of inflation experienced in the construction sector has permanently increased the cost of delivering projects. The Scottish Government has always recognised that public-private partnerships are more expensive in cash terms than capital grant funding for any particular project. Michael Marra: Can the minister tell us why those capital procurement contracts are so much more expensive to deliver in Scotland than in other parts of the UK? Why is there a particular gap—if he acknowledges that—between the cost of delivering a mile of road in Scotland and doing so in other parts of the UK?”
“I thank Kenny Gibson for securing this afternoon’s important debate, and I thank all the members who participated. Across the Parliament, we all agree on the importance of infrastructure investment, not just in creating and supporting jobs and economic growth today, but to ensure that Scotland’s asset base is in place to support the economy of our communities well into the future. The 2025-26 Scottish budget sets out more than £7 billion of capital spending to eliminate child poverty, grasp the opportunities of net zero, boost economic growth through our infrastructure plans and maintain high-quality public services and infrastructure. That includes using £167 million of financial transactions to support innovation and attract investment.”
“The Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate on employer national insurance contributions. Decision Time 17:37”
“If the UK Government is serious about economic growth, supporting business and strengthening public services, it must provide full financial compensation to mitigate the impact of this misguided tax increase. I fully agree with the Minister for Employment and Investment in his view that the policy is detrimental to all of Scotland’s economy. We can already see the negative impact that it has had on business confidence and business conditions, and it is only a matter of time before we start to see the real impact on jobs. It is the wrong tax at the wrong time. This tax on jobs must be reversed. Scotland’s businesses, workers, public services, third sector, education and care sectors and others deserve better. I call on members to support the Government’s motion, and I call on the UK Government to reverse this misguided tax increase.”
“Why must Scotland repeatedly battle to have its needs recognised? In the debate today, members set out the severe risks that are posed by this misguided tax increase. We warned of the pressures on businesses, the burden on public services and the broader economic impact of the tax on jobs. During the debate, those warnings have been reinforced time and time again. Members across the chamber have highlighted the impact that the increase will have on businesses; on local third sector organisations; on public services, both directly and on those that are commissioned; and across the wider economy. The impact that it will have on jobs is potentially significant. We have seen that this tax increase impacts on many parts of the economy across the private, public and third sectors.”
“Scotland’s businesses, workers and service providers are speaking with one voice: the policy is harmful, unnecessary and unsustainable. It is staggering that, despite the scale of the concerns that have been raised, the UK Government has still failed to engage meaningfully with Scotland. The change was made without consultation or dialogue and without any consideration of Scotland’s economic reality. If we are to believe that there is a genuine desire to reset relations between our Governments, actions—not words—must reflect that. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will once again press the issue with the UK Government at the upcoming finance interministerial standing committee on 27 February. Nonetheless, the key question remains: why are we having to fight for basic engagement?”
“Education will also suffer. Schools and nurseries depend on support staff, whose employment costs will rise significantly under these charges. Local authorities will be left with few choices—reduce services, cut jobs, or pass on costs to struggling families. It is entirely unacceptable that decisions made in Westminster will directly harm Scotland’s young people, educators and parents. The First Minister and the COSLA president, Shona Morrison, have already written to the chancellor, with their concerns being backed by 48 Scottish public sector and third sector organisations including the STUC, the SCVO and the British Dental Association. That breadth of opposition, spanning the public, private and third sectors, should be a wake-up call for the UK Government.”
“There will be an impact on local organisations in our constituencies across the country unless the UK Government reconsiders and acknowledges the hugely damaging consequences of its decision for businesses, for the services that we all rely on, and for the wider economy. To provide some certainty for public services, the finance secretary has announced our intention to cover 60 per cent of the estimated employer national insurance contribution costs for directly employed staff. This misguided tax rise by the UK Government will not only burden businesses but exacerbate the financial pressures facing Scotland’s local authorities. Council leaders have issued stark warnings that front-line services including social care, waste management, and local infrastructure will be forced to bear the brunt of these cost increases.”
“Let us be absolutely clear about what that means: the funding gap will hit GP practices, dentists, social care providers and early learning and childcare workers—services that are fundamental to the wellbeing of our population. Those services are already stretched and, without full financial compensation, their ability to operate effectively will be severely compromised. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care met social care providers and other key stakeholders to discuss this very issue just last Thursday. We should be under no illusions about just how sobering the impact of this measure will be in terms of potential care home closures, job losses and cuts in service provision. The impact on the third sector needs to be recognised as well—a point that Clare Adamson, among others, made very well.”
“We highlighted that key public services—services that the people of Scotland rely on daily—would be placed under even greater strain. What we have heard throughout the debate has only confirmed those concerns. The economic impact will be felt through the impact on jobs and through higher inflation, and it will affect every community, every sector and every household in Scotland. Although the chancellor has confirmed that Scotland will receive a Barnett share of the funding provided to UK departments, that funding covers only directly employed staff. Commissioned service providers, who are critical to healthcare, social care and education, are not covered by the Barnett formula and nor is further or higher education—colleges and universities.”
“Our most valuable and important public service asset is, of course, our workforce, so this is not simply a technical adjustment—it is a fundamental abdication of responsibility by the UK Government. Reserved policies should work for all parts of the UK—yet, once again, Scotland is being disproportionately affected. In his opening remarks, my colleague Mr Arthur set out the real and immediate dangers that are posed by this tax hike. He warned that businesses, which are already facing immense cost pressures, will have to make difficult choices about how to deal with materially higher costs, including through job cuts. Make no mistake, Presiding Officer, this is a tax on jobs—that is where the tax ultimately falls.”
“As my colleague the Minister for Employment and Investment made clear in his opening remarks, the impact of the UK Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions is catastrophic. The decision leaves Scotland’s public services facing a bill of more than £700 million and it leaves the Scottish Government in a position where we are still to find out the final amount of consequentials, which is yet to be confirmed by HM Treasury. The reality is that this represents a significant material shortfall in relation to the expected cost to public sector employers for directly employed staff, due to the proportionally higher number of public sector workers in Scotland, who are also more highly paid.”
“I move, as an amendment to motion S6M- 16488, to insert at end: “; warns that the increase to ENICs is a tax on jobs that will negatively impact employers and employees; acknowledges that, as a direct consequence of Scottish Government policy, the Scottish public sector is disproportionately exposed to increases in labour costs because the Scottish public sector is proportionately larger than in the rest of the UK and its salary costs impose a heavier burden on taxpayers; considers, therefore, that budget decisions by both the Scottish and UK governments will hurt taxpayers, consumers and workers in Scotland and will negatively impact growth, and supports common-sense Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party proposals for tax cuts to grow Scotland’s economy and give workers and businesses much-needed relief.” 16:09”
“We should be looking to reduce the cost of Government, to reverse worrying trends in the size and scale of the social security system in Scotland and to reduce tax on ordinary hard-working people and businesses. Sadly, the Labour Party and the SNP have united to create a big state—a high-tax, low- growth Scotland—in which jobs are lost and businesses go to the wall. When prices rise, it will be increasingly clear that they are both failing to deliver for the people of Scotland.”
“Secondly, there is a statutory obligation to balance the budget, but the SNP Government has done that by forcing councils to go down the route of an uber-austerity drive, which it has imposed on them year after year. The Deputy Presiding Officer: You will have to bring your remarks to a close. Craig Hoy: This year, councils are having to contemplate increases that are way above inflation because of ring fencing and the policies of Ivan McKee’s Government. Undoubtedly, Labour is to blame for the decision to raise national insurance, but the SNP must take responsibility for the consequences of its own choices. As the Parliament prepares to pass the SNP’s budget next week, I remind businesses and workers that there is a different model to the cosy left-wing consensus that is doing so much damage to our economy and competitiveness.”
“The Government has managed to balance its budget every single year and will continue to do so in the future. Our ability to pay for a larger public sector is well evidenced. Does Craig Hoy think that it is a bad idea that we have more front-line workers—more doctors, nurses, midwives, police officers and prison officers—in Scotland, and that they get paid more? Craig Hoy: I will make two points to the minister. One is that that is to be welcomed, although productivity is not rising off the back of it. However, we also found out last week that there are more senior civil servants and more pen pushers in the Scottish public sector, which the minister has said he would address.”
“I also thank colleagues for their co- operation in allowing us to get in so many speakers in the time available. Meeting closed at 18:21. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit. Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“I should add that our culture strategy for Scotland, and its action plan, set out actions that are designed to meet the needs of communities, and cultural outcomes from libraries at a local level are at the forefront of that. I again thank Mark Ruskell for lodging the motion and allowing us to have this debate, and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to respond on the vital role of our public libraries and to advocate for their unique place at the centre of our communities. It is of critical importance that local authorities think carefully about the future of those services. Finally, I am proud that the Scottish Government continues to invest in and support our public libraries to provide a service fit for the future. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, minister.”
“As has been mentioned, the Scottish Government supports our libraries through our funding to the Scottish Library and Information Council, which provides leadership and advice to Scottish ministers, local authorities and the wider library sector. We support the council with annual funding of £665,000, including £450,000 for the public library improvement fund. That is on top of the Scottish Government’s general revenue funding to local authorities. In 2024-25, 13 individual projects across the country were awarded PLIF funding. A further £270,000 has been allocated to SLIC in the 2025-26 budget, subject to its passing later this month, to allow it to expand its important work.”
“I have listened with interest to some of the imaginative suggestions from Paul Sweeney and others, and I am sure that my colleague Angus Robertson will be interested in taking them up. Christine Grahame: Will the minister take an intervention? Ivan McKee: I am very short of time now, but I will if it is a very quick one. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Please be brief. Christine Grahame: I meant to pop this in earlier, but I think that the minister will probably want to take this opportunity to compliment the mobile libraries across Scotland, which go to even remoter parts of my constituency and the Highlands and Islands. Ivan McKee: Indeed I will.”
“Local authorities are independent corporate bodies with their own powers and responsibilities; when it comes to meeting their statutory obligations, it is, of course, up to each local authority how it manages its decision-making process. and it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their communities. We urge local authorities to consider any decision on public libraries extremely carefully, and we encourage our colleagues at local level to work in partnership with communities to explore ways of delivering those services, based on local needs. For our part, we will continue to work with local government to ensure that the people of Scotland continue to receive the high-quality public services that they expect and deserve.”
“On the issue of funding, which has occupied much of the debate this evening, the Scottish Government has provided block grant funding of more than £14 billion to local authorities this financial year—that is, 2024-25—which is a real- terms increase of 2.5 per cent. Assuming that our budget passes later this month, authorities will, in financial year 2025-26, receive record funding of £15 billion, a further real-terms increase of 4.7 per cent. I should say that, when members talk about being in favour of a small state, they should recognise that libraries are very much part of the state and that those are the kinds of services that come under threat when they argue for that kind of economic and social policy.”
“I am sure that my colleague Angus Robertson, who leads for the Government on this matter, will be happy to pick up that specific point with the member. Mark Ruskell: Will the minister give way? Ivan McKee: I am a bit concerned about time. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, minister. Mark Ruskell: I welcome the minister’s answer to my question, which I will now follow up with another question. When will the Government review the “adequate provision” definition? Ivan McKee: As I have said, I am speaking for Angus Robertson this evening, and I am sure that he will be happy to engage with Mark Ruskell on the specifics of that. The Government is happy to take forward an engagement process on the definition.”
“As members will know, library policy is devolved to our local authorities, which have a statutory duty to ensure adequate provision of library services to their residents. In response to Mark Ruskell, I make a commitment that the Government will engage with our local network on the definition of “adequate provision”. Michael Marra: In Dundee, various library facilities are being closed, with three shelves of books proposed as a replacement. Does the minister agree that that is not in any way an “adequate” replacement for those facilities, in terms of the legislative framework that he pointed to? Ivan McKee: I am not familiar with the specifics of the library situation in Dundee that Michael Marra has talked about, but on the surface of it, it sounds as if that is pushing the definition rather far.”
“They are key to providing access to information technology, bridging the digital divide, closing the attainment gap, enhancing educational outcomes, supporting children and young people in early years, engaging our older citizens, and empowering our communities. They play a fundamental role in building strong, resilient communities and allowing people to come together to learn, connect, engage and create. I would also note that, like Christine Grahame, I will be holding my constituency surgery in a library— Riddrie library—this Friday. According to 2023 Scottish household survey data, libraries, including mobile and online libraries, were the most frequently visited cultural events or places across the country, with 16 per cent of adults visiting a library at least once a week, and more than a third visiting at least once a month.”
“We are truly grateful for their efforts in helping public libraries evolve and maintaining those vital services. That commitment was showcased in the tremendous response from libraries during the pandemic, when they were among the only cultural venues open in Scottish communities, offering lifeline services. We are pleased to see in communities across Scotland such passion for and dedication to for our library services, and we understand how valuable the opportunities that are provided via libraries are for people from all walks of life and of all ages. Libraries offer a free and inclusive space for people. They provide a wide range of benefits, offering essential access to learning materials and resources that might otherwise be out of reach.”
“I thank Mark Ruskell for securing this members’ business debate on the important issue of public libraries. There have been some very interesting contributions and personal reflections on the use that members have made, and continue to make, of libraries across the country. My colleague Angus Robertson, who is the culture cabinet secretary, and I are avid supporters of our public libraries and commend the tireless work of our librarians across the country in keeping those services thriving. The Scottish Government as a whole deeply values our public libraries and firmly believes that everyone should have access to those services. Libraries provide a wide array of essential services and consistently demonstrate their crucial role in our communities, thanks to the dedication and passion of all those who work in the library sector.”
“If the Scottish Government is not going to give more money directly to councils, but if it does want to save libraries—it will be interesting to hear what the minister says in summing up—it will be crucial that he puts a further pot in place to protect our local libraries. 17:37”
“I would like Tim Eagle to square that with the £1 billion in tax cuts that his party would implement, and the further pressure that that would put on local government budgets. Tim Eagle: I was just about to be nice, because I was going to say that it is also about the other pressures on councils. We have faced abnormal pressures in adult health and social care, to say the least. The budget conversation that we are having is about growth. The Conservative party is a low-tax, small-state party—that is what the Conservatives stand for, and it is perfectly reasonable, in this day and age, to have that viewpoint. We believe that we can take Scotland forward in a low-tax economy—in fact, our businesses might agree with that. That is the point.”
“The Accounts Commission’s report states: “This initial 2025/26 draft settlement allocates £15 billion of revenue and capital funding to councils, a 5.8 per cent real terms increase on the 2024/25 draft settlement.” Medication Assisted Treatment Standards”
“If it does not achieve those savings, NHS Fife and Fife Council will have to cover the overspend. Will the minister look again at the Fife health and social care partnership’s base budget, which is clearly inadequate to meet the needs of the people of Fife? Ivan McKee: The funds for health and social care partnerships are determined by local partners and the funding for local government through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities formula. Alex Rowley should recognise that the Accounts Commission said that the local government settlement for 2024-25 provided a real-terms increase in funding and that the 2025-26 draft settlement, which was published in December 2024, indicates that there will be another real- terms uplift in funding for councils.”
“I welcome the Accounts Commission’s independent confirmation that the local government settlement increased in real terms in 2024-25 and in 2025-26. I share the commission’s view that the transformation of front-line services must be progressed at pace by all public bodies, including local authorities, and that any transformation must be taken forward in partnership with local communities. Alex Rowley: Does the minister accept that, despite the increases in funding for local government, the report paints a pretty bleak future for local government finances? Specifically, I draw his attention to the fact that the Fife health and social care partnership is currently projected to overspend by £34.8 million, and it is looking at a number of horrendous proposals that would impact the poorest, the elderly and the most vulnerable in Fife.”
“I will try to square that with the member’s previous question, which was on more investment in public services across the country. The reality is that we watch the behavioural impact of taxation very closely, and more people— across all tax bands—continue to move to Scotland from the rest of the UK than move in the other direction. The tax strategy and tax policies that have been adopted in Scotland have, so far, raised significant additional funds to invest in our public services, and that additional investment in public services is one of the reasons why more people continue to move to Scotland from the rest of the UK than move in the opposite direction. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 6 was not lodged, and question 7 has been withdrawn. “Local government in Scotland: Financial bulletin 2023/24” 8.”
“Despite that warning, the Scottish National Party continues to increase tax by stealth by freezing the thresholds in the upper bands, meaning that more Scots are paying higher marginal rates of tax in what is already the highest-taxed part of the UK. Scots also have to contend with the complexity and compliance costs of income tax rates of 19, 20, 21, 42, 45 and 48 per cent. If the minister will not join us in our commonsense crusade to cut tax, is it not time that he tackled the complexity of the Scottish National Party’s high-tax regime by reducing the overall number of Scottish tax rates and Scottish tax bands? Ivan McKee: Common sense dictates that the Conservatives’ plans to reduce tax rates would result in up to £1 billion less for the Scottish Government to spend on public services.”
“As part of our recently published tax strategy, we engage with 65 different organisations in Scotland, including businesses, think tanks, academics, civil society groups and tax professionals. After listening to the views of those stakeholders, we are providing a period of stability on income tax for the lifetime of the parliamentary session. That will provide businesses with the confidence to invest in Scotland and support our economic growth priorities. Stakeholders have praised that approach and have welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the development of our tax strategy. We will continue with that engagement as we implement the strategy. Craig Hoy: Speaking last year, the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, warned that the nature of tax policy in a devolved context means that it is very easy for people to move.”
“The member is correct in saying that Lochgelly medical centre was not included in the infrastructure investment plan from 2021-22 to 2025-26, which identified the priority health capital projects for funding in that period. However, the infrastructure investment plan pipeline beyond that period will be reviewed after the United Kingdom spending review. All due consideration will be given to which projects can be included in that revised pipeline, including the Lochgelly facility that the member mentions.”
“Annabelle Ewing: The minister may not be aware that Fife Council has just granted planning permission for the new medical centre for Lochgelly. Now that there is clear support from NHS Fife and the local community, recognition by the Scottish Government that the current site is not fit for purpose and planning permission in place, will the Scottish Government fulfil the promise that it made way back in 2011 to deliver a new medical centre for Lochgelly? Ivan McKee: As we announced in the Scottish budget, there is continued challenge and uncertainty in the capital funding position. Combined with the reductions in capital funding in recent years, that means that we cannot afford all our capital commitments or all the projects that we might wish to commit to.”
“The importance of health infrastructure was a key consideration in the 2025-26 budget- setting process. Additional capital investment of £139 million will support improvements across the national health service estate and will provide increased core capital funding for NHS boards as well as funding to support boards’ priority areas for infrastructure investment. The Scottish Government is working closely with all NHS boards, including NHS Fife, to develop a whole-system NHS infrastructure plan. That will consider health infrastructure needs for the whole of Scotland to inform the allocation of funding. The approach supports the continued safe operation of existing facilities and the determination of longer- term investment priorities.”
“I encourage the member to look into that, and I am happy to engage with him on the detail of that approach.”
“I know that many of my constituents want to see local brownfield sites developed and the green belt protected; they would wish a development plan to reflect that very thing. Ivan McKee: The guidance sets out that any call for ideas is expected to be open to everyone to propose ideas for any aspect of the plan. It is not limited to suggestions for development sites or types of development. Our guidance on effective community engagement in local development planning, which was published in December last year, outlines all the opportunities for individuals to have a say in local development plans. Local place plans can also be used by communities to outline their aspirations for the future development of their place, and those must be taken into account in local development plans.”
“Bob Doris: Scottish Government local development plan guidance includes a reference to a call by councils for ideas or sites, including “for development sites or types of development e.g. housing.” In practice, landowners and developers are given an early opportunity to influence the development of a plan. For instance, a potential developer has used a call for sites to put a large-scale housing development on a green-belt site at Blackhill Road in Summerston, in my constituency, although it had been rejected previously for very good reasons. I ask the Scottish Government to consider how guidance could be improved to give a greater voice to communities at the earliest stage.”
“Local development planning guidance that was published in May 2023 advises planning authorities on using an optional call for sites or ideas when preparing their local development plans. That is one of several ways in which people can have their say. Further advice is set out in our guidance on effective community engagement in LDPs, which was published in December 2024. Planning authorities are responsible for preparing LDPs, including gathering information that is needed to support decisions on future development. The Government is monitoring the progress of new-style LDPs and will consider updating the guidance if experience suggests that that would be appropriate.”
“I reiterate that that is a better offer than was made elsewhere in the UK. Additional funding is baselined in the forthcoming year’s budget, and it was at the request of the unions that successive pay deals have prioritised the lowest- paid local government workers.”
“Over the past year, mortgage interest payments have increased by 17.6 per cent and average two-bedroom rents are up by 6.2 per cent, yet local government workers are expected to get by on a pay increase that is well below that level. Minister, would you apply for a job in which the value of your pay is almost certain to decrease every year? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair. I call the minister. [Interruption.] Ivan McKee: As a member is shouting from the back benches, ministers have not taken a pay increase for 18 years. I absolutely recognise the member’s point. As I said, that is why the Scottish Government provided that £77.5 million of additional funding last year to support local government, which resulted in an uplift of 5.63 per cent for the lowest- paid workers.”
“The Scottish Government values the contribution of local government workers. In 2024- 25, we provided £77.5 million of additional funding to support local government to make a pay offer that protected the value of pay for those on the lowest incomes by providing an uplift of 5.63 per cent. The offer was better than that made elsewhere in the United Kingdom and additional funding is baselined in the 2025-26 budget. Although decisions on pay are for local authorities as employers, the Scottish Government will continue to engage with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on recruitment and retention, wider workforce planning and pay. Carol Mochan: The value of pay for local government workers has been declining for many years.”
“The proportion of Scottish schools that are in good or satisfactory condition has increased from 62 per cent in 2007 to 91 per cent in 2024. We have committed to working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, local authorities and the Scottish Futures Trust to explore how we can deliver further improvements in the school estate across”
“However, there are still areas for which the council has no plans for new schools. One of those is in the village of Moodiesburn, where the community strongly feels that there is an urgent need for new school buildings and the associated community facilities. Many constituents have now raised that with me. What more can be done to ensure that North Lanarkshire Council is able to bring all schools in the area up to the same modern standard, including in places such as Moodiesburn? Ivan McKee: As Fulton MacGregor rightly points out, the Scottish Government has already provided North Lanarkshire Council with significant funding support for the delivery of new schools, even though it is the statutory duty of local authorities to manage their school estate.”
“The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government continues to discuss with Scottish ministers the issues that affect local government. Although it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage their school estate, the Scottish Government will continue to provide them with significant funding support through the £2 billion learning estate investment programme, which will deliver modern, state-of-the-art learning environments and benefit tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland. Fulton MacGregor: My constituency has certainly been grateful to benefit from the Government’s investment in schools over recent years, with some fantastic examples of new builds across Coatbridge and Chryston, including the very recently opened Riverbank primary school and Chryston primary school.”
“We recognise the importance of business input to the implementation of the levy in each council area and the input that businesses can make to how the funds are taken forward to better the local area for the use of visitors and make localities more attractive for visitors who will support those businesses. This form of visitor levy is in place in the majority of European Union countries, so it is not unusual. We will continue to engage with businesses through VisitScotland and other channels to take on board the points that he has made. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We need brevity in questions and answers, please. Karen Adam has a supplementary question.”