16/11/2017: First Minister's Questions Politics Scotland

Welcome to the garden will be at the

Scottish Parliament for questions to

the First Minister. Some personnel

changes. The First Minister is on

climate change duty in Germany. John

Swinney will deputise for her. We do

not have the deputy Labour leader

Alex Rowley. He has stepped down as

the interim leader yesterday and was

suspended from the Parliamentary

group at Hollywood under accusations

of sending abusive texts to a former

girlfriend. He denies those

accusations. Patrick Harvie and

William Bailey will still be in the

usual place. -- Willie Rennie. Let

us cross to the chamber.

We are waiting on First Minister

questions kicking. The transport

minister was taking a general

question.

Before we come to First

Minister's Questions members might

want to welcome the Ambassador of

Estonia to the United Kingdom.

APPLAUSE

.

We time to First Minister's

Questions and Ruth Davidson.

One

month before last year's Scottish

elections the Deputy First Minister

promised that basic rate taxpayers

would not see their tax bills rise.

It was, he said, the right

reassurance to give to people who

find it challenging to make ends

meet. We will give them that

reassures us for the remainder of

the parliament term. Will he stick

to that promise?

As Ruth Davidson

will know the Scottish Government is

engaged in a dialogue and discussion

with the public in Scotland which is

the right thing to do at this moment

to consider the steps that we should

take in terms of taxation. That

debate is being led by the finance

Secretary. The options have been set

out. A range of options including an

assessment of the plans by Bailey's

political parties. The question that

the Government is engaging with the

members of the public is the correct

stance to take on taxation to fund

effectively the public services of

Scotland to meet the needs of people

in our country and to invest in

developing the Scottish economy

given the significant economic

challenges arising out of Brexit.

These are the issues that the

Government will discuss as part of

the consultation with the members of

the public and that is direct

approach to take forward, the

finance Secretary will announce the

conclusion the budget.

That was

lacklustre applause. This is like

the Deputy First Minister is not

prepared to stick to that promised.

Before the election in 2016, he made

another promise. He was asked about

what he would seek to local

Government staff who were worried

about their jobs. I say to those

individuals that the Scottish

National Party is determined to

protect their incomes, not punish

them with a tax rise. Before the

election the Deputy First Minister

said a tax rise would be a

punishment and now apparently it is

a virtue. Can the Deputy First

Minister explain why the SNP said

one thing to people about taxes when

they needed their boats and another

when they had them?

I do not think

Ruth Davidson for those closely

fought of the Government says in

these questions. We will act to

protect at all times the interests

of all income individuals in our

society. That has been what has run

through the Government's promise.

When the United Kingdom Government

slashed council tax benefit, this

Scottish Government came to the

rescue. This former finance

Secretary came to the rescue of low

income families with in Scotland.

When the bedroom tax was applied by

the Conservative Government, this

former finance Secretary came to the

rescue of low income households in

Scotland. I am absolutely determined

to make sure we stand shoulder to

shoulder with low income households

in Scotland and take the right

decisions to protect their incomes.

Presiding Officer, the truth is the

SNP failed out Mr Swinney, honest

John before the election, to tell

people that there taxes would not go

up. As soon as they got back in the

promises turned to dust. Just to be

completely fair, let us give the

Deputy First Minister one more

opportunity. Just a few weeks before

the election he said this, I want to

say to teachers and public service

workers the length and breadth of

the country, I valued the sacrifices

they have made and the last thing

that I am going to do is to put up

their taxis. The last thing. It

turns out the only thing that you

lot are going to do with taxes is

put them up. One thing before an

election. The exact opposite after.

Does this sound to the Deputy First

Minister like honest Government?

Presiding Officer, the Scottish

Government is engaged in a

substantial debate with members of

the public about the real choices

that are faced when you are in

Government. When you are trying to

address the fact of the public

expenditure has been slashed by the

United Kingdom Government and

prosperity continues to roll forward

year by year although the canister

has an opportunity next week to

bring that to a halt. -- the

Chancellor. We have to take the hard

decisions in Government. Ruth

Davidson comes to this Parliament.

Yes, she is raising the issue of tax

today but she does not talk about

her proposals which would reduce

taxation for some of the richest

people in our society and also would

remove £140 million from public

expenditure within Scotland. I will

give Parliament an illustration of

what a looks like. It looks like

going to every single school in the

country that is in receipt of people

equity funding and saying, because

of the Tory tax cuts we are taking

that money away from you and giving

it to the richest in society. This

Government is determined to use

public expenditure to close the

equity gap in Scottish education to

deliver the best future for the

people in our country and we are

determined to resist the Tory's

attempt to take it away from them.

They are shouting today but were

shouting something different one

year ago. Last year they were

shouting, vote for us and we will

not put up taxes. All change. On

these benches we are saddened that

the Deputy First Minister has lost

his way. There was once a time where

he and Alex Salmond used to preach

the merits of competitive taxation.

Now Mr Swinney takes his direction

from Derek Mackay and Mr Salmond

take Sims -- takes his directions

from Mr Putin. How the mighty have

fallen. Broken promises, more taxes

and the friends of Boroughmuir put

in.

The only sad thing today is the

miserable contribution of the

Davidson to First Minister 's

Question Time. That is what is sad.

Week in, week out. We have this

miserable contribution to the debate

about the future of Scotland. This

Government takes the series

decisions about the future of

country and we will leave Ruth

Davidson weeping in opposition

benches.

Jackie Baillie. Can I declare an

interest as a member of the GMB

trade union. The announcement

earlier this week that burnt Island

fabrications is going to go into

administration is very worrying for

communities and faith, the Isle of

Lewis and the wider Scottish

economy. Some of them are here today

and such is the commitment is for

people to work without pay to keep

things going. I hope the Deputy

First Minister will join with me in

welcoming them to Parliament. There

are over 1000 skilled jobs at stake.

It is a key player in the renewable

energy sector and has built up a

reputation fax to its workforce for

carrying out this type of work. They

are having financial problems due to

disputed contracts. This is a Dutch

company that has received

significant public funding from the

UK Government for offshore wind farm

development. What discussions has

the Government had to keep the work

and jobs in Scotland?

I welcome the

issue that Jackie Baillie has

raised. I want to see first of all

that the issue of Bi Fab is very

important to the three communities

that Jackie Baillie has referenced.

It is important to the entire

country and it is important to the

proposition on manufacturing and

renewables. I cannot overstate the

importance of the contribution that

the company makes. I admire the

workflows for the skill, capability

and capacity but also the tenacity.

-- workforce. We have proved very

difficult circumstances. -- they

have worked through. I want to

assure Parliament, the workforce and

the communities that the Scottish

Government is doing everything we

can to bring this matter to a

resolution. Fundamentally this is a

private contractual dispute between

the players within the consortium

that are involved. The Scottish

Government has been talking to every

Party involved when this became

clear to us for the first time. The

Government has had an extensive

relationship with Bi Fab, myself, Mr

Ewing, Mr Brown. We know the company

well. This circumstance became clear

on Thursday to us. Keith Brown

became involved in discussion with

unions and with Bi Fab and also SSE

and SHL. The First Minister spoke to

SSE and SHL and she is returning

from Germany this afternoon to have

face-to-face discussions today at

Saint Andrews House. That is a

further discussion taking place

during First Minister's Questions

time that will give us further

information about the progress that

is being made. I want to reassure

Jackie Baillie that the Scottish

Government is doing everything we

can by convening discussions and by

driving discussions to protect Bi

Fab, the employment of everybody

involved in the three locations and

to detect the investments we have

made to develop the manufacturing

capacity in Scotland.

Can I thank

John Swinney for the tone and

content of his response and I hope

it does of the thousands of workers

whose jobs are at stake. The

Scottish Government's energy

strategy Jake prioritises

renewables. This is an area where

more work is expected and Bi Fab

should be at the forefront of

delivering that infrastructure. That

is a key reason that the Scottish

Government has an interest in Bi

Fab. Can the Deputy minister --

Deputy First Minister tell us what

the total value of the disputed

contract is that led to the problems

and has an impact assessment being

carried out to the impact of Bi Fab

to the wider community both in Fife

and also the island of Lewis?

The

total value of the Beatrix project

is about £1 billion. This is a

colossal investment. Not all of that

investment is taking place at Bi

Fab. There are issues within the

contractual mentions that Darren

dispute with the different parties

and the Government is actively

involved in trying to reach a

conclusion to create a pathway to

form future stability and activity

at Bi Fab. The Scottish Government

through our agencies in the

Highlands and through Scottish

enterprise have been heavily

involved in supporting Bi Fab in

developing its capacity and

capability. The Government and other

agencies are very prepared to

continue to take forward discussions

in that respect. On the question of

the economic analysis, the

Government is involved with Bi Fab

because we recognise the economic

significance of the organisation to

the renewables sector. Jackie

Baillie makes reference to the fact

there are significant opportunities

in the renewable energies sector

into which Bi Fab would be a

fantastic contributor in that

process and for that reason, the

Government is determined to secure

the future of Bi Fab.

Can I welcome

the return of the First Minister

from Germany where she has been

talking about climate change,

particularly as one of Scotland's's

biggest sources of renewable jobs is

facing administration. These benches

will support the Government in any

way we can to secure the jobs at

risk at Bi Fab and to keep the work

in Scotland. It is essential that

all options are explored and I am

encouraged by the Deputy First

Minister's worked and I am sure that

workers in Fife will welcome that

too. What is a cat and commitment, a

commitment that will allow them to

continue to continue to work and to

prepare for future work. -- cast

iron commitment. Will the Government

provide financial support upfront so

the company can be an operational so

the jobs are secured and the work

remains in Scotland?

My ministerial colleagues have been

keeping Members of Parliament in

touch on this issue. Keith Brown

responded to a topical question from

my colleague, David Torrance,

earlier this week. Later today, a

briefing will be issued to members

of the Scottish Parliament to advise

colleagues of the progress being

made in these discussions. That

should be available later today. On

the question of financial

involvement and assistance, the

Government will of course stand

ready to engage in any discussions

on that question. Why clearly, there

are rules within which the

Government has to operate in

employing public expenditure. But

our fundamental focus just now is on

resolving the contractual issues

that have led us to the situation.

Our energy is concentrated on that.

That is why the First Minister is

coming back early from Germany. It

is why Keith Brown and Paul

Wheelhouse have been involved in

these discussions directly to

resolve these questions. The

Government will remain open to

discussions about financial support,

should not be required. I want to

close on one final point. We're the

situation we are in just now with

the opportunity of a slightly longer

time window than we first thought we

had to solve this. Because of the

commitment and dignity of the

workforce of BiFab. That is why we

are where we are. I thank every one

of them. They will be having a very

uncertain time since this news broke

on Thursday. Their tenacity is seen

around the world as a commitment of

workers in this country to

manufacturing and we are very proud

of all of them.

APPLAUSE

A number of constituencies

supplementary questions.

Further to

my question on Tuesday, can the

Deputy First Minister guarantee that

he will keep Parliament and MSPs

updated on any discussions with

BiFab in the future. And what

message does he have to members of

the workforce today?

I say to Mr

Torrance that the Government will

keep Members of Parliament informed

in the course of today. We will

issue a briefing from relevant

ministers will this afternoon.

Communications will be broadcast

more widely if we have for the

progress. We're not at the

conclusion at this stage and I think

we have some way to go before we get

to conclusion that provides the

workers the assurance that they are

quite understandably and rightly

searching for. Finally, can I say to

Mr Torrance that we very much value

the contribution and expertise of

the workers of BiFab. They are the

key strength in the renewable energy

sector and the Scottish Government

is determined to do all we can to

protect their long-term future.

The

Deputy First Minister will

appreciate that Shetland's chronic

pain service has been provided by

two clinicians. One will leave next

week. This will not own the effect

chronic pain sufferers, but women

awaiting delivery of babies. What

will he now do to ensure continuity

of care for those who need it and

particularly the requisite skills in

the maternity service?

He raises a

significant issue. It is directly

related to the continuity of

important services we would all want

to see delivered instrument... In

Shetland in an accessible way to

members of the public. We will have

discussions with NHS Shetland about

these issues and the Health

Secretary would be very happy to

discuss the issue directly with Mr

Scott to make sure we can take all

necessary steps to ensure the

continuity of service for members of

the public. People who depend on

that service in remote island

communities.

Today I am meeting

Ofcom to discuss parcel delivery

charges and the impact in my region.

It is a growing issue in the

forefront of people's minds in the

run-up to the festive period as more

people buy online. Is the Deputy

First Minister aware that it is now

cheaper, according to many of my

constituents, to buy online from

overseas companies that have things

delivered from elsewhere in the UK?

There seem to be no rhyme or reason

for the delivery charges and even

some island -based companies, as we

learned this week, are charging more

to deliver to Elgin and Essex. Will

he or -- urge people to shop around,

and discuss with colleagues what can

be done to tackle this issue, which

is costing people in rural areas and

is called millions of pounds because

of these ridiculous so charges.

He

raises a very important issue and I

understand the significance of it

for his constituents in

understand the significance of it

for his constituents in. I welcome

the conversation with Ofcom and I

reassured him that the Scottish

Government will do all we can do

influence the discussion and debate

alone these questions with the UK

Government and Ofcom. I associate

myself with his cold to consumers to

set out their concerns about these

issues. -- Coll... Call. Consumer

behaviour can change the attitude of

these companies. Individuals should

have access to deliver the services

without being punished because of

the location in which they live.

It

has already been a knowledge that

the Deputy first is answering

questions today because the First

Minister has been at the climate

conference in Germany. -- Deputy

First Minister. Greens have been

following the lead of countries like

Sweden and suggesting we should

target zero net emissions. Any lower

rates would be... I welcome the

statement made by the First Minister

that the Government come to an LA

decision of when Scotland were

deemed to have net zero emissions.

That implies it is a matter of when,

not if. Is this no Government

policy? Of net zero emissions. And

will it target be set?

I want to set

out to Parliament the reaction the

First Minister has had to the

commitments already given by

Scotland and the performance we have

already delivered on climate change.

The First Minister and I have spoken

a number of times over the course of

the period in which she has been in

Germany and she has been struck, as

was the Environment Secretary,

Roseanna Cunningham, who was there

earlier than the week, by the

tremendous level of international

respect for the leadership Scotland

has deployed. Not just this

Government, this Parliament, which

unanimously approved the climate

change bill back in the first term

of this Government. For the

leadership we have taken and the

inspiration that has deployed to

other countries. So, quite clearly,

the Government wishes to maintain

that position of leadership on the

issue of climate change. Patrick

Harvie is absolutely correct that

the First Minister said yesterday

that we would be coming to an early

decision on when we would aim to

reach net zero emissions. That is

the issue we are currently

considering within Government and

obviously how we take that forward

will be set out to Parliament in

June course. It will obviously have

a bearing on commitments made in

relation to the climate change Bill

which will be before Almond shortly.

-- Parliament.

It will be for all

political parties to commit to

ensure realistic and ambitious date

for is -- net zero emissions is

made. If we're to make those

ambitious targets in progress, it is

very clear that one the areas that

is inevitable is it cannot be done

without offshore wind energy. I

welcome the comments about BiFab, a

company at the forefront of the

transition from fossil fuels and was

a renewable economy. The commitment

shown by the workers that the Deputy

First Minister has recognised me is

to be repaid by us all. They deserve

no less than that. It is important

if we are to retain the jobs

important for a renewable future to

show like. After all, if the

Scottish Government can be led to an

airport, surely we can show a level

of commitment and investment to the

renewable energy industry is

critically important for our future.

How can the workforce at BiFab have

confidence that the Government's

transition plan will involve large

and support for their jobs and the

many others that can be generated,

and an industrial strategy that

commits wholeheartedly to fossil

fuel decommissioning and renewable

industries instead?

I hope I have

made clear to Parliament, in my

answers to Jackie Baillie and David

Torrance, the absolute determination

of the Government to secure the

future of the three BiFab sites

across the country. In so doing,

that is as fulfilling the practical

manifestation of our commitments on

renewable energy. This Government

has been criticised, actually, by

many people for being so determined

to pursue a renewable energy rich.

Others have challenged us in this

Parliament. I am looking at some of

them over here. To take a different

approach on energy policy. We have

been absolutely trenchant in our

commitment to renewable energy

development. I make no apology. It

is something of which I am

enormously proud of my association

with this Government that we have

managed to deliver. There is

obviously an interaction with UK and

policy and the wider debate in that

respect. We perceive that actively

with the UK Government. I was

pleased when I met the convention of

the Highlands and the recently and

discussed news about better

opportunities for us to activate

renewable energy in Ireland

committees, the Western Isles,

Orkney and Shetland. We are

beginning to get the framework in

place that allows us to develop for

the renewable energy proposals. He

should take heart that in the

programme for Government, we made it

absolute crystal clear that

transforming our approach on energy

generation would be an essential

part of our industrial strategy,

particularly in relation to the

decarbonisation of transport over

the course of the next 20 years. And

within that period. The Government

is determined to take forward that

agenda. I hope that reassures

Patrick Harvie of the continuity of

policy that the Government is

determined to take forward.

Does the

Deputy first believe the present

another talk-show, legitimising

Artie Russia today, would be a fit

and proper person to run Scotland's

oldest national newspaper Budget --

RT Russia Today.

One of the things I

do not control is the ownership of

newspapers in our country. Not yet,

anyway. But no doubt Mr Rennie is

suspicious that at some stage I

could find myself in that position.

What is important here is that the

choices... Alex Salmond has made a

choice about the platform of his

television programme to be moving

forward. The First Minister set out

her respective on this question. I

understand, though I have not seen

it myself, that on the programme

that has been broadcast today, Mr

Salmond had guests from both the

Labour Party and the Conservative

Party on his programme. So I suspect

that we've let the Pru were it --

breadth of choice on his programme.

I am disappointed that he's making

such a light topic of this matter.

Newspaper legislation is devolved.

It is reasonable to ask whether Alex

Salmond would be a fit and proper

person to own the Scotsman when he

is being paid by President Putin's

propaganda channel. You should

remember that this is the TV channel

that seeks to undermine Western

democracy and ignore human rights

abuses at all. -- home. The Estonian

ambassador told this Parliament this

morning that Russia today is Kremlin

backed propaganda. It should turn

our stomach to see that a former

First Minister of this country is

give it credibility by watching this

show this very day. -- launching.

Scotland's reputation abroad has

been damaged. Countries, small

countries, particularly along the

Russian border, will be deeply

concerned by this decision. Alex

Salmond does not speak for Scotland

on this.

By the thought that Willie Rennie

would have up the the question he

asked of me today. On the 24th of

September 2015, none other than

Vince Cable appeared on Russia

Today. I think it is important. The

First Minister has set out that if

she had been asked about what

channel was appropriate for this

programme to be broadcast on she

would not have chosen Russia Today.

This is an issue that Alex Salmond,

who is not an elected politician, is

free to take forward as he wishes.

What is also fair for me to say in

all of this is the entire debate has

been struck by a stinking beak of

hypocrisy by every other political

Party on this question. And that is

perhaps the best way I can close my

answer to this question.

Additional

supplementary is.

The first question

from John Finnie. Two days ago

ScotRail issued this document, it is

a long of a voluntary leave scheme

and is available to a range of

positions and the organisation. This

is the third time since 2015 they

have sought to encourage people to

leave. I am told there are 256

vacancies and that is worth £3

million per annum. Will you get the

Scottish Government to intervene to

ensure that these 236 vacancies are

filled and it is public service

rather than proffer that drives the

railways? The first thing I would

say is that there are clear

contractual obligations within the

Obelio contract that need to be

fulfilled. What has been cleared and

the last few months -- what has been

cleared, the transport minister has

pressed ScotRail Obelio to insure

those contractual obligations are

fulfilled and the services to which

the organisation were committed are

delivered within Scotland. What is

important is that monitoring and

presence is sustained by the

transport minister and give the

assurance that will be the case.

Within the contract, there is a

commitment and an obligation that

there should be no compulsory

redundancies within that contract.

That is a stipulation in the

contract. Clearly ScotRail Obelio

will make judgments about the

recruitment and deploying of the

staff. That must be done within the

context of fulfilling the contract

will regulations signed up to by

that organisation. Daniel Johnson.

The Deputy First Minister will have

seen the tragic story of the

17-year-old woman who took her life

with the year suck -- with years of

suffering from mental health. The

Scottish Government has agreed in

principle to secure nine secure

beds. Though the Deputy First

Minister clarified when people will

have these and also come from this

seems to follow the weedy pattern of

missed opportunities. She was

diagnosed as having ADHD and also

autistic spectrum disorder and none

of these were followed up.

The first

thing I want to see is that I

understand unreservedly the deep

sorrow with the death of Libby

Toledo and the anguish that will

cause of family for the struggle she

has had in her life. I cannot go

into of detail about the case but I

want to assure parliament that there

has been interaction with services

over the sustained period of time.

That is of no comfort comfort to the

family of Libby Toledo in the trauma

that there are no having to come to

terms with. The Government is

committed to the creation of secure

inpatient units. The work is

underway to take that forward. It

will be housed by NHS Ayrshire and

Arran. The unit is at a relatively

advanced stage any process and we

are working to complete that as

quickly as possible. I will give Mr

Johnston the assurance that we

recognise the significance of this

issue and the necessity of these

facilities to be treated, and the

act of work that is underway to make

sure it happens as as possible.

It

is widely accepted that there is a

skills shortage in the building

industry and that the industry is

sitting on a demographic time bomb.

I was concerned to hear that the

construction industry training board

is seeking a new operator of the

National construction College site

and will withdraw from the site once

Andrew Bayer is found. Can the First

Minister say what steps the Scottish

Government will take to ensure a

seamless transition and how they

planned to step up training for the

sector?

The Government clearly

recognises the importance of having

important and adequate skills

available in the construction

sector.

The work that we take forward in

relation to the development of

apprenticeships and the expansion of

apprenticeships to 30,000 of this

Parliamentary term is an important

foundation of that commitment as is

our commitment to developing the

Scottish workforce agenda to develop

the skills required. In relation to

the specific point about the

facility, the Government will

negotiate with the draining board to

ensure a seamless transition so that

is no disruption. Allow me to inject

into this the fact that this week we

saw our unemployment rate in

Scotland at 4%. The joint lowest in

the United Kingdom, equal with

Northern Ireland and lower than the

rest of the United Kingdom. We are

in a strong position. A large

proportion of the population are in

employment. And we still have

vacancies in various aspects of the

public sector, the private sector,

and we want to encourage the filling

of those vacancies. I simply pose

the question to Parliament how on

earth do they think that will be

helped by turning off the tap of the

movement of Labour to address these

issues which is the lunacy that the

Conservative Party is associating us

with.

Bruce Crawford. What

representation in the Scottish

Government is making to the UK

Government ahead of the autumn

budget?

The Cabinet Secretary for

Finance wrote to the Chancellor on

the 10th of November ahead of the

forthcoming budget. The letter

called on the Chancellor to

recognise the serious challenges

Scotland is facing because of Brexit

and to bring forward sustainable

measures to boost the economy. It

also called on him to ease the

pressure on the public sector and

those who work in it. The Cabinet

Secretary also asked the UK

Government to reverse plans for a

father of £3.5 billion worth of cuts

in Scotland and to pause the roll of

universal credit. The meeting the

Prime Minister had with the First

Minister, the First Minister

reiterated the Scottish Government's

long-standing opposition to the

austerity agenda.

I welcome the

representation made to the

Chancellor ahead of the UK budget

next week. Timing specifically to

the paying of the ET by police and

Fire Services. I may be naive but I

am hopeful that four years of

consistent SNP campaigning on this

issue will pay off. -- Value added

tax. And that the Chancellor will be

able to give Scotland's police and

Fire Services the same exemption

from the ET as every other

territorial force in Scotland. Does

the First Minister agree with me

that the Treasury should also pay

back the £140 million already paid.

Does he also agree with me about the

noises off to his left show that

there are more concerned about

standing up for the Masters in

London and defending public services

in Scotland?

I think Mr Crawford

makes a very strong point to

Parliament today. I agree with Mr

Crawford that the Treasury should

hand back the £140 million already

paid. We welcome the Prime

Minister's commitment that was given

yesterday to look at the issue of

VAT paid by emergency services in

Scotland. The Scotland remains the

only territorial police service in

the UK unable to claim back VAT. The

same inequality is applied to

Scottish fire and rescue. We have

pressed the Government over this

disparity and asked them to bring

the situation to an end and do the

right thing for Scotland's front

line emergency services.

Rachel

Hamilton. May I declare an interest

as a small-business owner. What

action will be Scottish Government

take in light of reports that one in

ten shops are lying empty and fewer

people are visiting high streets?

The Government is taking forward a

number of measures. Through the town

centre first principle and the town

centre action plan to tackle key

issues such as empty shops and to

improve the vibrancy of town centres

we have reduced the rates by 3.7%

this year and have funded total

rates including the Small Business

Bonus Scheme which will lift 100,000

properties and operates altogether.

We also plan to increase the

incentive for occupation of empty

properties through an expansion from

April next year. And have introduced

powers for councils to further

reduce rates in the areas.

I thank

the Deputy First Minister but the

SNP's large business supplement is

double the UK rate and despite its

name, it does not only punish large

businesses, many struggling high

street stores with reduced the

default being hit by this bridge is

great when there are family run,

local businesses. Will the First

Minister accent as he did once in

2012 that the poundage rate should

be, no higher than that set in

England to help attract and retain

businesses.

The Government has taken

a sustained range of measures. A

trickling through the small-business

bonus scheme to believe many

businesses from the burden of

business rates. As I go around the

country I have met many small

businesses who are deeply

appreciative of the fact that

commitment has been in place. The

Government has over the years given

consistent support of the

small-business community in town

centres and will continue to do so

as we take forward our commitments.

Monica Lennon. In light of it being

alcohol awareness week, whether he

will provide an update on what

action the Scottish Government is

taking to reduce alcohol harm?

The

government's efforts to reduce

alcohol harm will be enhanced by

yesterday's judgment by the Supreme

Court it from the legality of the

minimum policy. It will be

implemented as soon as is

practicable from this is to tackle

the high strength, low-cost alcohol

that is doing so much damage. We

have about 40 other measures in the

alcohol framework. It has had an

effect. We will updated to take

further measures.

Thank you. I join

him in welcoming the Supreme Court

decision to approve the

implementation of minimum unit

pricing. All gone are the costs

Scotland £3.6 billion each year and

is ripping apart lives. This will

reduce alcohol harm over the longer

term and it is the right thing to

do, I congratulate the Government

for pursuing it. Minimum unit

pricing on its own is not a panacea.

Changing the relationship with

alcohol reducing harm will require a

radical culture change. Will the

Government consider the National

employment -- information campaign

to increase awareness of the Chief

Medical Officer's updated

guidelines?

Can I welcome the

comments that Monica leading has

made in relation to the Supreme

Court judgment. -- Monica Lennon. I

am proud of the tenacity of my

ministerial colleagues who have led

in this process. Nothing to do with

me. Kenny McAskill, Shona Robinson,

many stakeholders who have led this.

We appreciate the support of

Parliament. Trade has been an

enormous challenge to our agenda. I

have delighted that this parliament

held its nerve and won the day at

the Supreme Court this week. Monica

leading has a close and very

personal contribution to make to the

debate on alcohol and she talked

about costs. She knows better than

all those that costs are not about

monetary costs of the impact of

alcohol in people's lives. We will

give consideration to the

suggestions that she makes in

relation to a national information

campaign. As I indicated in my

original answer, the alcohol

framework will be updated. Aileen

Campbell will lead the process in

the Government and will discuss the

suggestions that Monica Lennon

makes. I will accept that point that

minimum unit pricing will not be a

panacea and there needs to be a

culture change in society. That will

look back at the culture change in

terms of the ban on smoking in

public places or the culture change

taken since we entrenched inequality

between individuals in society and

the change that has led to in our

society, Scotland is a better

country for being bold in these

respects and I am proud of what this

parliament has legislated for.

That concludes First Minister's

Questions.

Ken Macintosh dry matters close.

There was quite a wide range of

topics. Ruth Davidson, who I did not

mention a new set of the

programme... My apologies to Ruth

Davidson on that. Wes Chew this over

with a couple of colleagues. There

was a fairly good pursuit of this

topic by Ruth Davidson. A

challenging one for the Deputy First

Minister and this we repeatedly

reminded us, former Finance

Secretary.

The broken promises about

taxes and sneaking in the thing

about what you put in's pals at the

end. -- Vladimir Putin's. He did not

give as good as he got. It took a

while to warm up. He did not

emphasise the minority status of the

Government. That has been no default

line of the SNP will stop we might

raise taxes but only because we

allow minority Government. He stuck

to a script about the changing

nature of the UK.

All good points.

This tag is Rick Gibson get -- Ruth

Davidson kept pointing out that they

said this during the election and

did not keep, promises.

Ruth

Davidson is correct when she says

the SNP have very little credibility

on the issue. They went into an

election campaign saying they would

not do so in the hope of winning

votes. This subsequently changed

their mind.

The promise was the

basic rate. No increase in that over

the lifetime of Parliament. That was

the key promise. The impression

given was it was protection over for

photos at that level of earnings.

John Swinney was not even willing to

give that guarantee about the basic

rate. They are keeping all options

open at the minute and we're not

sure where it will go. On a steady

and cuts, he was on former territory

but he was slow to get going on

that. -- austerity and cuts. Ruth

Davidson has calculate and that the

strategy of raising taxes is

unpopular with the Electric,

whatever you might think.

John

Swinney made the point about the

social contract argument, what

taxation brings you. Talking about

the Scottish Government's ability to

mitigate cuts etc.

He got into this

stride when saying what the Scottish

Government was able to offset. In

terms of the basic rate, the

discussion paper has a lot of

options. It is disingenuous to rule

anything out when the just published

that.

It wasn't just the current

rate of 2040 and 24 to five, they

might change and it might not. The

point is whether they are looking at

moving into other bands.

You cannot

make the promise of a basic rate

when we might change the rate

altogether.

My inkling from the way

that Nicola Sturgeon was talking as

she launched the paper was she was

quite tempted by something dramatic

with bands and rates.

Rather than having the highest

paid...

You could protect law in a

-- lowest earners.

Let's talk about

the topics raised by Jackie Baillie

Patrick Harvie on the subject of

BiFab. There was consensus all

devices it is a tricky this one.

Issue.

They will be working very

hard to keep this. It was at given

that Nicola Sturgeon has been at the

climate change conference in Germany

that such an important renewable

energy firm, in a country where

renewable energy is so important for

the future economy, was being

discussed. The cynic in me would

suggest it suited Jackie Baillie's

strategic purpose. She was there

because Alex Rowley had to step

aside. Finding an issue that was

consensual all-round worked in her

favour.

But it was a good, detailed

set of answers from the Deputy

first.

They were, but as John

Swinney said, this is a contractual

dispute. Their hands are tied but

there is not anyone in the

parliament that would disagree with

the approach to try do anything

possible.

Huge praise for the

workforce who have been outside

today.

In great numbers. It was a

very impressive demonstration

outside Parliament. Also the fact

that several politicians were

mentioning they have been working

without any real confidence they

will get paid for a recent day's

work. Going above and beyond.

I hate

to mention another broadcaster, but

let's make an exception. I am open

to all of this. RT Russia Today,

that was a bit of controversy. A

ding-dong.

It was. John Swinney

should have led the fact that Alex

Salmond is not an MSP. He is a agent

to do what he wants.

But he got

there.

When asked what Nicola

Sturgeon has done to distance

herself, she has. She used pretty

strong language to distance herself.

It is a complex argument but that he

and a video, he does his own thing.

We have a piece in the Daily Record

from an independent fact checker

pointing out the fact that RT Russia

Today is a Vladimir Putin propaganda

service. It is a fact. He gives it

legitimacy and credibility by

appearing on it.

Mr Swinney did not

look comfortable on it. But he did

talk about hypocrisy.

He has a

point, in that Labour and

Conservative politicians have

appeared. They will say that they

were not paid, but putting forward

their view. The wider picture is

that at a time when Russian

influence in Western democracy is

one of the biggest issues in the

country, it shows a lack of

judgment.

Thanks. We talked about

tax Elia in discussion of the

questions. The UK budget next week,

the Scottish budget to follow. I put

some questions to SNP

representatives and faster model

Fraser of the Conservatives.

The Chancellor has to make sure we

support the growing economy and help

people in this difficult

circumstance ie not hiking taxes,

for example. At the same time,

tackling a budget deficit which is

still a major issue.

When he talks

about hiking taxes, I think he means

the SNP.

The issue we have that UK

level is as territory is causing

problems.

Would you borrow more,

like the Labour Shadow Chancellor?

You provide clarity around Brexit.

That is a big ask for a Chancellor

on a single budget statement.

Without clarity, the situation will

get worse.

It is poisoning

everything else, Brexit?

Everyone

accepts it is difficult. We don't

know what the different direction

for Brexit would be. There was a

call for an extra amount of spending

in the billions. The SNP can't

answer the questions.

I have asked

to not temperament before the 3.5

billion of cuts in austerity. -- do

not implement the further.

Austerity hasn't worked. You would

get that money through dumb and back

through our growing economy. That is

our work. -- that money back. It is

not a huge number in the grand

scheme of things but that is what is

happening with more cuts down the

pipeline.

The accusation to you,

your party, the UK Government is

that as territory simply has not

worked and makes things worse.

I

don't accept that. Those who argue

for yet more borrowing for future

generations, they have to pay it

back.

Interest rates at historically

low levels...

They are that

historically low levels. Bidding

interest rates up and borrowing more

money is only answer. Someone has to

pay this back in the long term.

More

austerity, more driving down wages?

I don't think growing the national

debt which is a recognisable even

more...

It is a growing economy.

Because of Brexit and austerity,

growth rates in the UK are lower

than the rest of Europe. That is

ridiculous.

How would growing taxes

in Scotland help the economy? You're

talking about increasing the tax

burden. Every business leader in

Scotland says increasing the tax

burden in Scotland will damage the

economy by driving people away.

We

need to engage in public services.

We need to invest in the public

sector.

You're contradicting

yourself. One minute ago, you said

we had to grow the economy.

By

investing. That is what needs to

happen.

All the SNP are suggesting

is taxing more people in Scotland.

Scotland has the highest taxes in

the UK. No wonder businesses...

Final word.

When you take tax

across-the-board, Scotland is the

lower tax part of the UK.

Thank you

both very much. That was then, this

is now. Still joined my two

journalistic chums. What sort of

approach do you see him taking, the

Chancellor, next week? The challenge

for him is to make it seem like the

UK Government is in control of what

is happening. You are setting him a

tough one near!

David, the key challenge facing the

Chancellor?

It is an impossible

challenge. They have to look

credible, which is difficult for the

Tories at the minute. They will be

facing this situation were

politically they cannot raise tax or

borrow more. He almost certainly

will be faced with an economic

situation thanks to Brexit where

growth is being reduced. Where does

the money come from?

And his own

wreck of a position as well, not

just the Government's.

He is under

difficulty in ten I and externally.

The question he faces is, not only

can I make the Government credible,

can I do it in a way that all these

Government interests are kept onside

as we going to Brexit. These

industrial, academic interests will

stop how can he keep them on without

spending money?

Thank you very much

indeed. That is next week. We will

be watching out for the BiFab story

and the tax debate. But of course

the coverage of the UK budget will

be live on BBC Scotland next week

and the Scottish budget to follow

the month after that.