19/01/2012 Politics Scotland

A very warm welcome to Scottish Parliament here at Holyrood.

Members have been talking about whether the local Government

control should be transferred from Westminster to Holyrood. They are

discussing whether 16 and 17 year old kids should be allowed to take

part in that ballot. Let us cross to the chamber for the big issue,

First Minister's questions. Good afternoon. They are addressing

a question from Annabelle Ewing. They are addressing issues about

the vital role at the Scottish retail sector plays in import --

employment. We have heard from Derek Mackay, he updated

preparations for later in the year. We are tuning in to Alex Salmond.

To ask the First Minister, what engagements he has planned for the

rest of the day. I am delighted to announce I will be opening the new

headquarters of the global financial services firm which

supports more than 200 jobs in Edinburgh. It recruits a large

number of graduates. It is an example of a global company

supporting jobs and investment and expanding its operations in

Scotland. Yesterday we were shocked to learn that 200 Scots lost their

jobs every day for the last three months. Unemployment is up 10% over

the same period. There is a 25% rise in the number of women

unemployed and the impact that must have on families and 123% increase

in long-term youth unemployment over the last year. In the light of

these figures, what changes can we expect in the First Minister's

Budget Bill when it is published tomorrow? The Scottish Government

places the highest emphasis on job creation. That has been the

hallmark of all the budget. These unemployment figures are extremely

serious as they are cross these islands. They should understand

that we do not have, at the present moment, the ability to increase

demand in the Scottish economy. That lies with the Westminster

Government. It is exactly why a both myself, the First Minister of

Wales, the First Minister for Northern Ireland, have repeatedly

called for the UK Government to change economic direction in order

to give us by the VAT increase in demand now or the economic tools to

do the job for Scotland. I know this is a pattern that I

didn't expect to get her into the alley by a so early in the process.

This is not a game. We can trade figures but we need to confront

them. The reality is if the First Minister is saying that he has this

as his highest priority, it is not working. This seems to me the First

Minister simply does not get it. Last summer, he claimed then that

the unemployment figures demonstrate, and I quote, not that

it wasn't their fault, but the economic policy of the Scottish

Government is delivering and is continuing to create and safeguard

jobs across our communities. When the figures are good, he is

fabulous, when the figures are bad, ways that alibi? With 200 Scots

losing their jobs each and every day or his watch, does he still

stand by his statement that he made in the summer? The statement in the

summer if she cares to reacquaint herself with them, made it clear

that the job growth in jobs and activity in Scotland over that

period would be put at risk unless the United Kingdom governments were

prepared to change course. They seem to think this is a view only

shared by the Scottish National Party. I have here Labour's five.

Plan for growth. The plan announced in November, 2011. That is before

last week's admission that the new economic policy is identical to the

Conservative Party's economic policy. The five-point plan

includes a 2 billion tax and bank bonuses, temporary reversing that

rise, a one-year cut in a vat of home improvements and a tax rate.

Each of these is the province of the Westminster Government. The

only area which is in the province of the Scottish Government, that is

the switch to capital investment, it is accepted the policy that has

been pursued by John Swinney in terms of transferring from revenue

to capital and in the non profit distribution programme. I do mind

but I think people might even more about a Labour Party are now in

cahoots with the Tories both in the constitution and on economic policy.

What I do mind is a Labour Party in cahoots but the Tories but in

cahoots and in denying this Parliament the economic tools we

need to do the job for Scotland. am sure that response will be a

great comfort to the 200 people every day for the last three months

who lost their jobs. Your response is a it wasn't me, I didn't direct,

by the way, you have the problems and I haven't. This is a man that

takes himself seriously, we know that. It is about time he took his

job seriously. What concerns me, not just his complacency about

these horrendous unemployment figures, is the fact he clearly did

not see it coming. He now has more than half a billion pounds extra

from at Westminster as a consequence of budget decisions in

his back pocket. The First Minister, we give us an assurance that every

coin of that money will be spent in tackling unemployment and giving

young people some hope for the future? You begin to sound like

your predecessor who pursue this theme at week after week and it

didn't do him a great amount of good. The people of Scotland know

where the economic power lies at the present moment. That is

precisely why they are demanding the economic powers from

Westminster. A classic illustration will be in the �500 million figure

that she has indicated to this chamber. Issue not aware that two-

thirds of that spending, specified by Westminster, is directed into

the second part of this Comprehensive Spending Review? We

believe that Scotland needs investment in the economy now. That

is precisely why, along with the Labour First Minister of Wales, we

are being jointly calling for the change in economic course from the

UK Government which will allow us to deploy these funds. While we

have been calling for that change of course, the UK Labour Party have

decided to back the Tories on the economy. I said it already, I am

not playing a game. I am not pursuing a theme. I am talking

about the issues of Conservative people of Scotland and that the

moment -- at the moment, 200 Scots a day are losing their jobs and he

settled for party political jibes. Given this serious mess, given the

situation and the pathetic response from the First Minister, I fear for

those people who have lost their jobs, I fear for those people

worried about losing their jobs and uncaring Prime Minister and what

looks like an ultra complacent First Minister, and interested in

what the people of this country are talking about. A man in the job for

five years must at some point surely take responsibility. Of

course, this is a man who want to Scotland to join and are cough

prosperity which is an arc of insolvency. He graduated from the

Fred Goodwin School of Economics and backed the deal that broke the

bank. Can we have quiet please. Sometimes they have a problem with

what they are hearing. The reality is, in the real world, 200 people

each and every day on losing their job on a First Minister's watch.

When will the First Minister stop congratulating himself on how well

he is doing his job and come up with a serious plan to create jobs

for the people of this country? afraid the script written is no

better than the script is already by previous advisers. Listen, let's

have a look at the detail of one of the really serious... Settle down,

please. Enough. I don't think the Labour Party will want to look at

the detail. There's a block of the detail of one of the serious issues

that of that is unemployment amongst women. It is far too high.

7.8% in Scotland, a 4.7% in Northern Ireland. You might judge

from that that Northern Ireland has the best position. If you look at

employment in Scotland, that is the number of people in jobs. If you

look at economic activity among women in Scotland, it is higher

than any other part of these islands. 7.8% is a substantial

worrying figure. It is precisely why the Scottish Government has

25,000 new Modern apprentices in Scotland. For 2% more than what we

inherited from the Labour Party. -- 42%. 10,000 of these were women.

Young women starting a Modern apprenticeship. 45% of modern

apprenticeships are now started by women in Scotland compared to a

level of 27% which was what we inherited from the Labour Party.

The same applies to training to work in Scotland with a number of

women getting the opportunity. 36% of the European structural funds of

the 40,000 women in Scotland to benefit is a higher figure than

previously. We are doing our bit, with the powers under our control,

to rebalance and present justice in the economy in Scotland. These are

the detailed figures and the Labour Party want detail now. They don't

like it when they get the detail because it shows at the record they

had. We have an opposition who have an economic plan which depends on

economic policy is being changed from Westminster. They will neither

call for the powers to this Parliament to do that and now they

actually support these economic policies in the House of Commons.

Little wonder that I was in the Gulf this week, gaining jobs and

investment for Scotland. It was leading on the headline, Labour

faces poll disaster on the forecast from the uniting unions. -- Unite

unions. To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime

Minister? It has not been through lack of trying that I haven't had

any recent meetings with the Prime Minister. I am delighted to say

that the Prime Minister has now agreed to meet me after the

Scottish Government publishes the referendum consultation next week.

I look forward to that meeting. It shows that persistence can always

pay off, even when meeting the Prime Minister. I am sure you are

looking to meet him but it is The First Minister's goal is to

separate Scotland from the United Kingdom and to replace those

ensuring links with ever-closer union with the EU. Can the First

Minister tell me how many times he or his cows come it has written to

the relevant EU commissioner asking about Scottish's concession to the

European Union? We have discussed issues over the years and I hope

and believe that Ruth Davidson is familiar with the substantial legal

opinion which would sepia be a position with the European Union.

One of the most famous opinions was commissioned by the such --

Scottish Conservative Party. The only does to the side over the

European Court of Justice. They didn't get the opinion they thought

they would get because he pointed out that Scotland would be in the

same position with regard to to each other and the European Union

The idea that Scotland is a nature and that would stand in Equality

with other nations is a difficult concept for the Conservative Party.

That is why, in first questions, there was a suggestion of a new

constitutional formation. The Prime Minister must go through the

Secretary of State for Scotland for a meeting. There were no specifics

and talk on a very specific question. We know for a fact that,

for example, the current Commissioner has never received any

correspondence from the Scottish government on this topic. It begs

the question, has the Scottish government -- who has the Scottish

government been in contact with and what advice has been given? In 2007,

the SNP published document said that independence would continue in

the EU. The former President of the European Union says that is not the

case. Professor Robert Hazell and Dr Joe munchkins, expects on

government and constitutional your -- Law, said that is not the case.

They say that Scotland would have to reapply to be a member of the EU

with the consequence that Arab farmers would be bankrupt without

European payments. While Scott and waits for renegotiation, and

forcing Scotland to adopt the euro on accession. -- Scotland. If the

First Minister believes that saying something often enough becomes fact,

the Scottish people demand more than that. It states Scotland would

not be an autocratic -- automatic member of the European Union. What

the First Minister now publish any evidence he has to support his

claim? BP people of Scotland deserve an answer to this question.

The Dictionary of the European Union has been edited. It has said

that Scotland is part of the European Union. Since it does not

have provision to expel a member, the negotiation would be conducted

within the European Union. In that question, I seem to think that Ruth

Davidson actually said it was asking about European payments. I

thought the European Union would face disaster without payments from

the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party should be able

to reconcile two things. The only conceivable threat to Scotland's

current membership of the European Union comes from members of Ruth

Davidson's party in the House of Commons who are advocating the

withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Scotland

is a European nation. We played our position from within the context of

the European Union. The concept of Scotland, as a nation, standing

equally with other nations, may be difficult for the Conservative

Party to grasp. It probably explains The Record low in the poll

ratings this week. It is not something the Scottish people find

difficult. Not just in the opinion poll ratings, in regarding Scotland

as a nation equal and capable of exercising that equality in Europe

along with all the other European nations. Supplementary question,

Sandra White. The First Minister will be aware of the proposed curbs

at BBC Scotland and the action about Newsweek Scotland at Ten.

Will he comment about political debate in Scotland? We need a full

and formal debate on our future. We need control of our own

broadcasting company. In a time of such significance for Scotland, I

have deep concerns about the potential impact of job losses and

cutbacks to BBC Scotland, particularly in relation to news

and current affairs. The BBC has been forced to make difficult

decisions because of the damaging licence fee settlement imposed by

the UK government. That is why Scott gurneys greater

accountability and responsibility for broadcasting in our country. --

Scotland needs greater accountability. I hope that one or

two of these Conservative members are actually concerned about the

job of people working in news and current affairs and BBC Scotland.

The First Minister will be familiar with signs of Met de from his time

-- make tough from his time as an MSP. Can he advise me of the

Scottish government's contact and insular future of the business is

secured? This is the second time in two weeks a member has brought a

constituency concern which involves the conduct of financial

organisations or other people in terms of companies which have been

moved into administration. In terms of the query from last week, there

was a meeting this morning. I am aware of the situation. I share

concerns about the situation. The administrators of the company were

written to about the situation. With the club to the conduct of the

Bank, it was agreed he would speak to the bank later. I can confirm

that representatives are on standby to offer support and contact with

administrators. The fakers of what must be done in terms of the detail

about the company's trading positions and its profitability,

its lack exposure and debt, it should give each and every one of

us the most serious concerns in an economic position such as the one

we currently face. I think it is the very least we can expect

lenders, banks and financial positions are as supportive as they

possibly can be in terms of companies in Scotland. If the

information is anything like accurate, the most serious

questions have to be asked in this particular case. I would like to

ask the First Minister what issues would be discussed at the next

meeting of the Cabinet? Issues of importance to the people of

Scotland. A year ago, the First Minister's government told us the

abolition of local policing would save �200 million a year. The

Justice Secretary did admit at the time that the numbers were not

panned perfect in any way. What is the actual saving in the

Government's plans published this week? The Justice Secretary set-up

what the plans were. With regard to the savings, there were a range of

scenarios. That statement in terms of my interpretation seemed to

attract substantial support from across this chamber. Most people in

Scotland seem to believe, and I think quite rightly, that we would

make savings and having a national police service in Scotland. I would

just point out they took that different view very volubly during

the election. It is the only thing I can remember them saying during

the elections. There was a resounding support for their

position. He has obviously not even read the document. Not read the

document. The annual figure, he does not know the annual figure -

the basis on which he proposed his plan. His own document makes it

clear that almost all the headline figures that he quotes are not

attributable to structure. The savings in the document and not

attributable to the changes. He promised �200 million. He sold us

National political control of the police for nothing. He has made...

Maybe he has seen us. The chart that shows the structure of the

review that is going on. The project board. Two deputy chief

constables, a Chief Superintendent, two chief inspectors, an inspector

and another inspector, a sergeant, or have been taken from frontline

duty to deal with governments -- governance and structure. There are

12 other units like this. Is it just those 12 officers working or

are there more? I would have thought most people would welcome

that the people who are looking at the Organisation of the new police

service in Scotland are serving police services Foster that seems

to me an important innovation in government to ask the people who do

the job to dominate the plans for the future. Can I also point out

that we would not have 1000 extra police officers on the streets and

communities of Scotland if he had his way? Bet is the lowest recorded

crime in Scotland. There was an assumption of 1.7 billion over 15

years. I hope that convinces Willie Rennie of my abilities. I do not

think the Liberal Democrats have arrived at the position where the

post held by somebody called the advocate general, Lord Wallace,

sitting in an unelected house, appointed by the party came 4th in

the Westminster election and 4th in the Scottish election last year,

appears to know better than the democratic parliament elected by

the Scottish people at the Lord President, the highest office in

Scotland. You should be the last person to talk about politicians

dictating to the people. As usual, when he loses the argument, he

resorts to chips shops about the issue. -- chip shops. The First

Minister would do better to focus on the withdrawal of local

connectivity between the police and the communities was that that is

what he should be concerned about. Willie Rennie even lost the support

of his coalition partners at Westminster in making that

particular point. He describes the position of an Advocate-General as

dictating the Scottish judiciary of the Scottish Parliament as cheap. I

regarded as a serious constitutional position. Perhaps if

he thinks about it further, he will agree with me but at the basic

disagreement between Willie Rennie, who proposes we keep the current

structure and the rest of us, who think the single service offers

both economies, efficiencies and further improvements in police

performance, is essentially best. Most of us with local police think

of a local sergeant, a local superintendent, serving officers

and communities around Scotland. The extra officers we have doing

that. Willie Rennie seems to think that local policing is about having

eight per -- chief constables in Scotland. We think it is about

having local officers on the street. To ask the First Minister what

progress is being made on building international business connections.

I have already mentioned the fact that the headquarters of the global

financial company today. I hoped that his work and across this

chamber. On Tuesday in Abu Dhabi I signed an agreement with the chief

executive of the leading alternative energy company. It is

the first agreement of its kind between master and a nation. That

will result in investment and low carbon projects as well as a

partnership to boost research. Sharp exchanges earlier in First

Minister's Questions on the subject of unemployment. Duran Lamont was