12/11/2015 Politics Scotland

A warm welcome to the Scottish parliament here at Holyrood. The

subject of this programme is questions for the First Minister.

First, potential job losses at HMRC. Perhaps the issue of the

economy and spending generally will be addressed to the First Minister.

Let's cross to the chamber. Jobs will be at the forefront of mind at

Holyrood. Yesterday, figures suggested a rise in unemployment. It

was a great relief to wake up to the news this morning that Pauline

Cafferkey is only meant. -- on the mend. I was also delighted to hear

that Pauline Cafferkey, a brave and inspirational woman, is recovering

well. I'm sure we wish her all the best as she continues to regain her

strength. This afternoon I will seek urgent talks with the UK Government

about the announcement being made today by HMRC which would appear to

put significant numbers of jobs in Scotland at risk. In addition to

that, I will his engagements to take forward the government's programme

for Scotland. The First Minister has urged people in Scotland to judge

her government on its record. Let's do just that. This government

established a single police force. We supported that plan, but urge the

government to ensure reform was implemented properly. The report

published on Tuesday into call handling in the wake of the M 9

crash makes clear that did not happen. It concluded there were

major weaknesses in the roll-out of the new call handling system. The

then Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said that had been a

smooth transition. With the First Minister said today that there has

been a smooth transition to a single police force? Well, obviously as

Kezia Dugdale is aware, and all members are aware, the report

published this week was commissioned by the Cabinet said to four Justice.

To make sure we were sticking and getting assurances about the

operation of Police Scotland call centres and also making sure that we

were identifying so that we can learn any lessons, and that is what

has happened in times of the publication of this report. Report

this week makes 30 different recommendations. As the chamber had

a Justice Secretary see this week, each and every one of these

recommendations has been accepted by and will be implemented by Police

Scotland. Review highlighted a number of issues around government,

change management and performance. These issues will continue to be

addressed. It is important to note, and Kezia Dugdale and those on the

Labour benches may not want you this, but I think people watching at

home will want to hear this, the report also records the progress

that has been made since the review started. And also gives some very

important assurances on a number of key points. Firstly, staff levels

are stable at the call centres in Govan, Motherwell and Bilston Glen.

Secondly, the grading for high priority calls is working well. Risk

and vulnerability assessment is strong. Staff training has improved.

These are some of the assurances the inspectorate has given. We will

continue to make sure that Police Scotland continues to make sure the

services being provided for the public are of the very high standard

that people expect. There is simply no escaping the fact that this

report is a damning assessment of the government's record on policing.

Calls across the country diverted elsewhere, not enough staff at

Bilston Glen which resulted in low levels of performance, IT problems

affecting day to day operations, a lack of governance leaving risks

unidentified, and an overtime bill that has gone through the roof. The

day after the incident on the M9, we were told there were no systemic

failings in the call handling process. We now know that simply was

not true. Following the publication of the report, does the First

Minister now concede that there were in fact systemic failings? Firstly,

this is a serious point and I hope people will listen to it seriously.

I again today want to put on record my condolences to the families of

both people who died in the M9 incident. My heart goes out to both

of these families for the loss they suffered and the dreadful

circumstances in which that loss occurred. As the chamber will be

away, the circumstances of that particular case are still under

investigation. The report was not into this particular case and that

point has been made clear in the report. The report that was

published this week is into the wider issues around call centres. I

would say frankly to Kezia Dugdale I am not trying to escape any facts

here, I want to make sure our public services are performing to the

highest standards. It is right for anybody to point in this report to

some of the weaknesses identified. If there is to be any sense of

balance in this, it is appropriate to point to the many things the

inspector says have been dealt with, address and improved. And 2.2 key

issue and says he gives the Scottish public about the operation of call

centres. We will continue to make sure any issues that require to be

addressed are addressed, and the public can have confidence in the

services the pro with -- services to police are providing. It is simply

astonishing that even though with all of the evidence the First

Minister cannot except there are systemic failings in Police

Scotland. There is a wider reality here. This is an SNP Government that

has been pretty timid because when it comes to our schools and

hospitals they are happy to manage the status quo. The single police

force is the one major area of public service reform they have

undertaken. And they have got it wrong. And what was the response of

the Justice Minister this week? It is all Westminster's fault. The fact

is that Justice Secretary is bang to rights on police failings. He cannot

lay the blame anywhere else. Can ask the First Minister, but she still

have full confidence in her Justice Minister? This is a really serious

issue. Order. I accept absolutely and unreservedly everything that is

in the report. We accept, as does Police Scotland, all of the 30

recommendations. For Kezia Dugdale to say, as I think she did, that I

refuse to accept what has been found to be the case is either a

deliberate distortion of what I said or perhaps she was so busy reading

her script for the next question she forgot to listen to the answer I

gave the previous question. Order. I simply pointed out that the

particular circumstances of the tragic M9 case are still under

review by the police Independent review commission. That is something

all of us in this chamber should respect. On the issue of wider

public sector reform, let me mention briefly some of the major reforms

under way under this SNP Government right now. I'm not sure if Kezia

Dugdale is unaware of health and social care integration, the biggest

reform in our health and social care services perhaps since the health

service was established 60 years ago. Fire Service reform. A reform

that was vital. The attainment challenge we have been talking

about. This government recognising the challenges our public services

face and not shying away from equipping our public services for

the future. I repeat, I am more than happy to allow the Scottish people

to judge my government on its record. Perhaps that is why we see

today that 58% of people in Scotland in Scotland intend to vote for us

again next year. I think the people of Scotland want to hear a bit less

about the polls and more about what she is going to do to support the

police. The last few months have been some of the worst in the

history of policing in Scotland. The resignation of the chief... The

resignation of the Chief Constable and police authority chair, morale

at rock bottom, a third of staff preparing to leave the force,

civilian staff numbers cut, bogus figures over stop and search, a lack

of transparency on armed policing, a 20% increase in housebreaking here

in Edinburgh, controversy over deaths in police custody,

allegations of spying on journalists, and a ?25 million

budget overspend. Judge me on my record, says the First Minister.

What is her verdict on that record? It is not my verdict that counts, it

is not Kezia Dugdale's verdict that counts, it is the verdict of the

Scottish people that counts. We know at this stage what the verdict of

the Scottish people is. There was one fact in the long list that Kezia

Dugdale forgot to mention and I'm going to be charitable to her and

just except that she forgot to mention it. Here is the fact that

Kezia Dugdale forgot to mention. Crime in Scotland at a 41 year low.

That is down to the dedication of police officers and police service

that working hard around this country. So Kessler Dugdale is right

to hold this government to account. I don't deny that for a second. But

it is her miserable approach that denies anything good about this

country, that sees her and her party languishing in the opinion polls.

Question to. To ask a First Minister Wen Jiabao next meet the Prime

Minister. 14th of December. The report by the inspectorate into the

M9 tragedy made several criticisms regarding staffing levels in call

centres. The report raised many serious issues that required serious

examination. Following the publication, the Justice Minister

toured the TV studios and blamed Westminster cuts. What was the cash

increase in her overall budget last year, and what was the cash increase

in the amount she chose to allocate to policing? Look, the point that

the Justice Secretary was making, and one of the points he was making,

is this one. Because Police Scotland is the only police service in the

entirety of the UK that has to pay VAT, then it is paying in the region

of... Order. Stop shouting across the chamber at each other. As usual,

the Labour benches are jumping to the defence of the Tory Government.

?25 million a year is being paid by Police Scotland on VAT, that would

not have to be if Police Scotland was being treated in the same way as

other police services. So we will continue to make that point, because

when it comes down to it, we will always stand up for the interests of

Scotland and people and public services in Scotland, in stark

contrast to the parties on each of the side of me today. Going back to

the report, this is a serious issue and a serious report into that

serious issue. That is why we are accepting all 30 recommendations. It

is why we have Ed sure the police and the Scottish Police Authority

has started to put right the things that were wrong, which the report

recognises. Will continue to get on with that job of making sure any

weaknesses identified the rectified so the public has the confidence

they deserve to have in their police service. The figures the First

Minister was looking for, the ones that actually and so the question I

asked, are as follows. Or overall budget went up from last year to

this by ?661 million. The sum that the Scottish Government chose to

spend on policing in that same period when town by ?6 million. The

Scottish Government sets its own spending priorities, and clearly

leasing is not one of those priorities. And you cannot blame

Westminster for that. This First Minister has sole responsibility for

health, education, policing and much else in our society. She's about to

get huge new powers over tax and welfare. This is a government which

is always quick to claim credit for every bit of good news, but passes

the buck when something goes wrong, as it did in this case. The Scottish

Government chose to create a single police force, their budget this year

went up by over ?600 million, and they chose to cut the police budget

as well. Isn't it time that the First Minister accepted

responsibility for that and didn't send her ministers out to the TV to

point a finger of blame someone else?

The first person to mention Westminster today was Kezia Dugdale.

Not me, actually. On the issue of the police... Order! We did

choose... We did choose to create a single police service.

Interestingly, both Labour and the Conservatives went into the 2011

election pledging to create a single police service. But they do not like

to be reminded of that. In terms of the Scottish government budget,

there has been a real terms cut in the budget by 10%. That is the

reality. The whole point, or one of the points of a single police

service is cutting out unnecessary expenditure. ?1.5 million saved

because we do not have duplicated cheap constables across the country.

We will continue to take the decisions which are the right

decisions to make sure all the public services are on a strong

footing which they need to face up to the challenges of the future. --

Chief Constable. For those of us living and working in the Islands

area, there is a genuine lifeline for hospital appointments and the

wider public and yesterday another local mayor flight had to make an

emergency landing, the second in less than a week. I never transport

Minister takes this very seriously. Will the first Minister agree to

meet direct representatives of the airline? Will she meet the Chief

Executive and reiterate the need to get a current problem sorted? Will

she stress again that regaining public confidence in the reliability

and safety of these services public confidence in the reliability

the number one priority? Absolutely. The services provided

vital to the island communities. There are real concerns about

performances and the emergency landing yesterday caused

considerable concern, not least for those on that plane as he alluded to

himself. Derek Mackay is discussing these issues with Loganair and we

will continue to do so and demand these issues are rectified. I would

be happy to ask Derek Mackay to keep Liam McArthur fully appraised and I

am happy to make directly the views of the Scottish government known to

the Chief Executive. Because we expect the highest standard for

people who rely on these services. To pass the first Minister what

impact we would have on the Scottish figment buddy -- budget

impact we would have on the Scottish a practical reality. The Deputy

first Minister has made it clear that we have got to establish a

fair, sustainable and satisfactory fiscal settlement between Scotland

and the rest of the UK. I agree financial matters need to be

discussed between the Scottish and UK government on the basis of equal

footing and each government treating the other to reach a joint agreement

with respect. I hope we have the whole backing of the parliament in

seeking to do so. In the house of commons this week, SNP MPs

introduced a bill to introduce full autonomy for Scotland. What

assessment that the Scottish governance do on the impact of its

budget if that amendment had been carried? This is another opportunity

for me to make their case that it will always be better for Scotland,

this Parliament and this place to have hands on the levers for the

power of economic control to build a better country. I do not think that

is the most significant thing that happened in the house of commons

this week will stop the mid-significant thing was watching

Labour go through the lobby with the Tories to vote through the

devolution of tax credits. To ask the First Minister what

action the Scottish government considers needs to be taken to fully

realise the objectives of the Equal Pay Act, 1970? On Monday we mark

equal pay day, when many women are essentially working or nothing for

the rest of the year because on average women continue earning less

than men. I think it is a complete disgrace that despite the Equal Pay

Act being passed 45 years ago, the year I was born, we still do not

have equal pay in this country. We are looking to lead by example. We

have made tackling the gender pay gap a priority for government. We're

working with the quality and human rights commission to tackle

pregnancy and maternity related discrimination and promoting fair

working practices and extending childcare. I call on all

organisations and businesses to take action on this issue so we can once

and for all and pay inequality in Scotland. -- end. Does she agree

local authorities that had a same political power in office four years

like South Lanarkshire Council have no excuse not to have settled equal

pay claims on a fair and equitable basis? Does she realise some claims

date back from many years and continue causing stress and strife

amongst hard-working constituents in East Kilbride and elsewhere?

Ministers have repeatedly made it clear, and let me do so again,

unequivocally, delays by councils in settling equal pay claims are

unacceptable. Many of these claims, as Linda Fabiani has said, go back

to 2006, even further in some cases. There can be no justification for

taking so long to resolve this issue. There has been recent

progress, like the settlement of claims against Fife Council but more

work needs to be done. Equal cases need to be progressed with urgency.

And commitment. So those affected get legal entitlement. We have

written to all 32 Scottish local authorities reiterating big and the

desire to have more and faster progress and seek information on the

of claims settled and still outstanding for each council.

Often apprenticeships are the first step in career progression. In 2013,

analysis from the Herriot Watt University showed Scotland is the

only part of the UK where the nub of female staff are lower than the male

star. -- number. Why is this proportion continuing to fall? I am

not sure that is quite relevant but if you wish to answer. I am happy to

answer because it is an important point. I am happy to provide the

figures to the member. We are increasing been of women going into

modern apprenticeships. That is one of many things we need to do to get

more women into the labour market and more women into jobs, more women

into full-time and high-quality jobs and amongst the job figures we saw

yesterday, we saw increased full-time work in the past year.

These are important issues. Let me say that I am determined and

committed to making sure we advance gender equality in all of its forms.

Question number five. For what reason is the publication of the

findings of the review paediatric services in Lothian being delayed?

We are advised by the NHS Lothian that the advice has been that not

all independent expert review team members can begin work for January.

Originally it was invaded it would begin this month, in November. -- in

this aged. We will make sure there is a full and thorough review is

carried out. -- in visit. I am sure -- considered.

Just to be straight with the people of West Lothian, will the First

Minister give a guarantee the current level of service, including

24-7 patient services will be returned and there will be no

downgrade of paediatric services at St John's Hospital? Maybe she can

throw away her script and give a straight answer for the first time.

The only person I know talking about closure of these services as far as

I can tell is Neil Findlay. We want to make sure there is a sustainable

service in place. That is why it is right for NHS Lothian to instruct

this thorough review. I was health secretary and I in heritage a

position from the last Labour government which had St John's

Hospital possibly in terminal decline. This government turned it

around and St John's Hospital is a thriving local hospital today. To

ask the First Minister what impact is the proposals in the Trade Union

Bill could have on Scottish government commit to their work? On

Tuesday this Parliament made clear the opposition to a Draconian Trade

Union Bill. It threatens the fundamental rights of workers to

organise, bargain collectively and if necessary withdrawal labour. It

is not unacceptable threat to trade unions and to the track record of

Scotland of industrial relations and his government's approach to their

work. We have progressed it Scotland is exempted from this bill entirely

and I hope we get the support of Parliament in doing so. Does she

agree it is a disgrace that this Tory government are pushing through

a bill which will have a major impact on devolved services and the

workers across the country without any proper in gauge went with the

Scottish Parliament, or Scottish government? -- conversation. Yes, I

do. This issue I think was raised explicitly by the Secretary in the

debate earlier this week. It is vital the parliament can fully

consider whether it can consent to the provisions in Scotland. Anna

Cunningham has asked legal advisers to explore several possible basis

for legislative consent memorandums and motion. Never before has we been

in a position where the UK and the Scottish government has not have

agreement on issues of legislative consent which I think illustrates a

disgraceful lack of dialogue from the UK Government. There is no doubt

in my mind that this is a Bill which it was implement it in Scotland it

would have significant implications for devolved responsibilities. If

the UK Government will not exempt Scotland from its provisions it is

essential that we have a legislative consent motion so this Parliament,

as I hope it will choose, can deny its consent, Draconian measures

attacking our trade unions. That is the mister-macro's

questions... Here we have it. The close of questions. -- First

Minister's. They referred to the HMRC job losses and talks with the

UK Government. More about that on the BBC and throughout the day. And

it moved into as expected a more general discussion about taxation

and public spending. It is time for me to pass on from the end of the

programme. Goodbye.