22/12/2016: First Minister's Questions Politics Scotland

Hello, and welcome a wee bit later on today so we will go straight to

the action in the chamber. For the third year winning she has cited

weak management. She describes it as unacceptable, how does the First

Minister put it? I actually agree with the conclusion that the auditor

general has reached in the report published this morning. She says

police Scotland have taken steps to improve financial leadership, and

governance and arrangements, but these arrangements have not yet had

a chance to have an impact. So, police Scotland and the Scottish

police authority are working to improve their financial management

and I think that is something the chamber should support. For the part

of the Scottish Government, we are working with the police authority

and the police Scotland to ensure the financial sustainability of

policing in the years ahead. That is why in the draft budget we have put

forward a real times increasing protections for the resource budget

of the Scottish police authority and an increase in the capital budget,

continuing also the reform budget which is all intended to put the

police on a good financial footing so that they can continue the

excellent work that they do. I note the First Minister's reply and will

get the budget in a second. That's about the report itself, the master

the auditor general said there was a potential funding gap of ?84

million. This year, we learnt that the cumulative funding gap that our

police service may face if the cause of this Parliament is now running at

?190 million. Call leadership is responsible says audit Scotland it

says there are in accurate records. Ayes port leadership. Her Majesty's

this... Urgent work is still needed to improve the way public funds are

being spent. So, does the First Minister really have confidence that

this is a system is working or indeed improving? Well, the auditor

general said in section 22 report published this morning, and they

quoted this in response to Ruth Davidson's Elliott question that the

SP and police Scotland are taking steps to improve, but these have not

yet had a chance to have an impact. That is the conclusion of the

auditor general and one I support. In terms of the wider budget issues,

as I have said, we are protecting the resource budget of the Scottish

police authority in real pounds. That is important given the

challenges facing our police service. -- in real times. The

reform budget should have ended completely by now is being continued

to assist the police with the ongoing work of reform. The police

are also working as members will be aware, on their long-time strategic

plans and associated financial strategy, as part of the police

seemed Willey policing 2026 programme. I met with the Chief

Constable Elliott this month to discuss their progress with this

work. We will continue to work with and support the police as they face

up to the charms ahead. Can I save this one final thing? There would by

now be additional 25 thousand pounds year available to the police, if,

the Conservatives don't like to hear this, there would be ?25 million a

year extra available to invest in our police, if the United Kingdom

government did not insist on making police Scotland the only police

authority in the entirety of the UK to have to pay VAT. We'll Ruth

Davidson get behind our calls to stop that? -- will Ruth Davidson.

The charges from the audited general are weak financial initiative.

Running to Westminster is not exactly going to cut it, First

Minister. Do you know, there is something familiar about all the

responses we have had so far today. All we have his, it's regretful,

it's in the past, we will do better. The Scottish Government said exactly

the same thing last year, "A year on police Scotland is now staring down

the barrel of a ?190 million budget deficit. We have heard all before.

And if she I want to come on to bomb the two reports today and that is

transparency. The auditor general -- come onto to day. ... Let me just

read their bait from the report, "The Scottish police authority

allocated ?972.9 million to police Scotland for 2016 to 2017, there was

very little detail provided to the SBA board and its papers about what

this allocation was to deliver, in other words, nearly ?1 billion of

funds handed to police Scotland, without us know what it was for."

Does the First Minister ban is as extraordinary as I do? The billion

pounds that we invest in police provide the police officers the

length and breadth of this country that keep this country safe. If Ruth

Davidson doesn't know the police budget is for, then I suggest she

does a bit more home-working future. Let me return to -- a bit more

home-working the future. Let me return to... The audit Scotland

report, when I quoted did Elliott on I was doing exactly that, quoting

the auditor General. I will do it again. It is the conclusion of the

report this morning "The SBA and police Scotland have have increased

steps that have not had a chance to make an impact." That is the view of

the auditor general, not my view. I would expect police Scotland to act

on all the representations by audit Scotland and by Her Majesty's

Inspector of Constabulary. But I noticed that Ruth Davidson did not

address one point, the VAT position. This is material. UK Government

tells was that because the police service in Scotland is funded by

central government, then it has got to pay VAT. But, when the UK

Government decided to set up academy schools in England and fund them

from central government, do we know what it did? It then amended that

that act in order to exempt academy schools from fact. So, there is ?25

million at GM right now that should be going to our police service that

is going to the Treasury. Ruth Davidson will not have any

credibility standing here talking about police in till she backs or is

in telling her Tory colleagues in Westminster to do the right thing

and stop taking money out of the pockets of our police service.

APPLAUSE The Scottish Government were warned

about VAT, they didn't listen to Parliament and you know the First

Minister is in trouble when she can't answer to herself. Twice to

day affairs Minister has stood up and talk about the increasing police

budget. I want to challenge hair on that. The Scottish Government is

claiming that the policing budget is going up by ?7 in real terms, but

like everything else in last week's budget it is not quite what it

seems. The reform budget that was 55 main pounds last year was reduced to

36 main pounds this year. -- 50 ?5 million. They say that despite its

name, this budget is crucial in terms of service to live free. In

fact, far from increasing the amount of money per single force has, the

SNP is cutting it by almost 12 million. Can I ask, on top of cuts

to councils and double accounting, isn't this another stealth cut that

is emerging from the unravelling budget? The resource budget of the

Scottish police authority is not increasing by ?7 million as Ruth

Davidson said, it is increasing by ?19 million real pounds protection

for the resource budget. The capital budget is going up by just under ?4

million, also a real pounds increase. Ruth Davidson talks about

the reform budget, the free-form budget should be completely ended to

financial years ago, instead of that we have continued the supports to

assist the police to make the bombs that they need. Let's come back to

the nub of this issue. We have Ruth Davidson standing up here as she

does week after week, asking for more money for the police, for the

health service, for education, where is that money coming on? Because,

the only criticism last week that she wanted to make about our budget

was that we went giving big enough tax cuts to the richest and is in

Scotland. Here is the incoherence and the inconsistency at the heart

of the Tory proposition. Tax cuts for the rich but standing up here

asking for more money for public services. Of course, there is a

potential source of additional money for our police service, as we know,.

What she has stood up and conceded is that the UK's government refusal

to exempt our police service from vat is nothing more then political

spite. They can do it but academy schools in England, but will not do

for police services across Scotland. That is at Willey absolutely

despicable and the Tories should be ashamed of themselves.

CHEERING APPLAUSE

Question number two, Kezia Dugdale. On behalf of the Labour Party can I

wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Laughter macro

in that spirit as the First Minister what engagements she has banned the

rest of the week? Engagements to take forward the government's

programme for Scotland. This morning audit Scotland published a damning

report into Scotland's police bodies, this will port was laid

before Parliament -- this report. The decision to publish the report

before we break for the Christmas holidays was the Scottish's

decision. Can I add the First Minister what she was time to hide?

The report requires to be laid before Parliament by the 31st of

December each year. The accounts were only would prove Willey

approved last Thursday afternoon so we have published the report to give

Parliament due chance to consider it. The evidence that Parliament is

able to properly consider and scrutinise it is right before is to

date, given that the opposition leaders asking questions about it.

Kezia Dugdale. Is this the First Minister who time and time again

promises openness and transparency? Shi Powles is that she respects the

Parliament. -- she tells us that she was backs Parliament. And this is

how she treats it. This is a serious report about police. They could be a

funding gap by the end of this Parliament. This will cause

considerable alarm inconvenient Terry communities across Scotland.

Rather than having a force that is committed to keeping our communities

safer we have one desperately trying to balance the books. When will the

First Minister realise that our public services are in crisis?

Firstly, on the timing of the report as I said we have into the 31st of

December to publish and laid this report, the fact that it has been

done, it is a nine page report even the opposition can manage to bleed

that in an hour and a half, -- managed to read. The fact that it

has been published this morning gives every opposition the chance to

ask questions at First Minister's Questions, as they are doing. In

times of the financial position of the police, as I have said, the

resort 's budget of the police is being protected in real terms. The

capital budget of the police is increasing by more than a real

pounds increase, we are continuing support through the rubble budget

and we are continuing to make the case for the police no longer having

to play VAT. Can I ask the Labour Party today will they support others

in asking the Tories to stop taking money out of the pocket

we can read it in 90 minutes, First Minister, it's a shame that it took

you a week! If the First Minister had any confidence in this report,

she wouldn't have published it two hours before the Christmas recess.

As the year draws to a close, it is a good idea to look back at the

record of the SNP. School standards are slipping, and the budget is

unravelling in slow motion. SNP MSPs should be embarrassed by this

budget, not queueing up to get copies of it signed. There is a

shortfall of ?200 million in the police service, and this is a

service she says she is protecting. God help our schools and hospitals.

The truth is, the SNP is cutting ?327 million from local services.

When will the First Minister use the powers of this Parliament and do the

right thing, stop the cuts? Well, in the unlikely event that Labour had

won the election, the budget would be going up by inflation. Under this

government, it will be going up by more than inflation. In terms of

funding for local services, in terms of the Draft Budget it will increase

by ?240 million. That includes ?120 million more for our schools, it

includes an extra ?107 million for social care to provide the services

that we need in order to alleviate the pressure is on our National

Health Service. So this is a budget about protecting public services. If

we want to look back, if we want to look back on the relative records of

different parties over the past year, then the crowning glory of

Kezia Dugdale has been the lead her party to 15% in the opinion polls.

We are nearing the end of the session. But the members please just

listen to each other. Bob Doris. Thank you, Poseidon offers. First

Minister, I recently was raised serious concerns about the plans for

the job centre at the Department of you so much work and pensions. The

distance cost and time taken to the job centre, eight employability

services, potential sanctions to name but a few. Can I ask the First

Minister to make representations to the UK Government over any concerns

it may share over how vulnerable groups may be impacted by the

proposed closures, and whether she agrees with me that it would be best

for the current proposals to close eight job centres were abandoned by

Jobcentre plus and a fundamental rethink over how best to support

groups within the city. Well, Bob Doris raises real concerns. They are

concerns I share not least because these changes, if they were to go

ahead, would affect my own constituents on the south side of

Glasgow as well. I know the Minister for employability and training has

already raised concerns over the impact of these changes and groups

in Glasgow, -- vulnerable groups. It could result in additional costs for

those who have to travel further to access them. He is seeking further

clarification on the future of Jobcentre plus across the rest of

the country, not just Glasgow. I understand that the DWP has extended

its plans until January, and I have asked that the use of the Scottish

Government are expressed clearly and directly by that date -- the views.

The epicentre of Storm Barbara will be in the Highlands and Islands,

winds of up to 90 mph will destroy property, cut power lines and

dislocate road, rail, ferry and air services. Is the First Minister

confident that the trials bought system is prepared for and resilient

enough to cope with the forthcoming severe weather. The member raises

important issues of concern. Scottish Government resilient

arrangements have been activated already the ensure that Scotland is

as prepared as possible for the severe weather expected this week.

The authorities have activated the plans to deal with impact, and extra

staffing and on-call or in place. The Minister for transport in the

islands chaired a meeting to discuss the Scottish Government resilient

arrangements, and will continue to chair the daily adverse weather

meetings going forward. Public safety of course remains an absolute

top priority. I would urge people to listen to the latest advice on local

radio and digital channels and obviously to check before they

travel. Still on storms, as we approach the

anniversary of Storm Frank, an estimated 70 families have still not

returned to their homes. Aberdeenshire Council has spent over

?11 million on the clean-up bill. The residents of feeling forgotten.

Flood repairs is inadequate or nonexistent, and they are rightly

concerned they are still at risk this winter. Come the First Minister

reassure them that the Scottish Government is doing all they can to

protect them from future floods? Yes, I can. It is an important

issue. I saw much of this with my own eyes this time last year, the

damage that flooding did to many individuals, and indeed the many

businesses across both the northern parts of the country and the

southern parts of the country as well. I can assure the member that

those affected and those who are still out of their homes after the

damage last year have not been forgotten. The Scottish Government

has been with our partners in local authorities and will continue to do

everything we can, both to ensure that the damage for those affected

is dealt with and they get back into their homes as quickly as possible,

but also throughout flood risk management planning. We can never

eliminate, but we reduce the risk of it happening in the future. To ask

the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of

the Cabinet. Of importance to the people of Scotland. Apex Scotland

has 30 years experience working in prisons. Its chief executive says

that a majority of young offenders have a mental health condition. Yet

he also says access to mental health services is poor or nonexistent. The

latest figures show that attempted suicides at a young offenders

institute went up sixfold in just one year. Apex Scotland is a mental

health services for young offenders are being left Barbie Hynde. -- say

mental health services are being left far behind. Come the First

Minister give me a guarantee that mental health services for young

offenders will change? That is certainly the intention of the

Scottish Government. I agree with Willie Rennie. If mental health

services generally, this is not a new thing, this is a generations old

issue, if mental health services have tended to be the Cinderella

services, this is true when dealing with young offenders particularly in

our prisons. It is absolutely the case that many people, particularly

young people who find themselves in prison, will suffer from mental

health issues. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us that they

have access to good quality mental health services to deal with what

are from the underlying causes of the offending. I said before in this

Chamber many times and I will say it again, we are seeing an increase, a

substantial increase, in demand for mental health services. And we

should recognise that as a positive in terms of the reducing stigma

associated with mental health. But we have an absolute obligation to

make sure that we can beat that rising demand. That is why our

mental health strategy is so important, why we are taking so much

time and chemical ensure that we get that right. Also the additional

investment we have planned in mental health services is so important as

well stop right the problem for the First Minister is that that mental

health strategy doesn't even mention mental health services for young

offenders. Not one mention within it. I have told her before that many

organisations think the strategy is just not good enough. Murray Kure

say there is nothing for the terminally ill. It has been

criticised by the RCA, psychiatrists, and buy a whole lot

of charities. The ?10 million announced at the weekend was a drop

in the ocean. All the while, people are struggling. Hundreds of

teenagers are still waiting over one year to get the help they need. 11

out of 14 health boards can't even meet the basic target and Police

Scotland has lost 200,000 working days from mental ill-health. Does

the First Minister except that this draft mental health strategy, which

is already a year late, needs a major rebate? I think the problem

for Willie Rennie is that he is alleging that the mental health

strategy doesn't cover this particular issue, but the mental

health strategy hasn't actually been published yet. It will not be

published until the New Year, and we are taking time and care to make

sure that the responses, some of which have been cited by Willie

Rennie, are appropriately taken into account. In fact, I think the

committee of this very Parliament asked that we didn't publish it

until they had had the opportunity to properly feed into that process.

A draft document the consultation is a normal part of the process in

developing these strategies. What we hear, the input we get from

organisations like the one Willie Rennie has broken about, is a

crucial part is that when we do publish the final strategy it does

take account of these very important points. I would encourage Willie

Rennie and any other member of this Chamber to continue to play a

constructive role in helping us ensure that on this very important

issue we do get it right in all of these different aspects. In terms of

the general point about mental health services, I continue to

recognise the big challenge because of rising demand. But we are seeing

and we have got a lot of work sold to do. We are seeing rising numbers

of workers in this area. We are starting to see waiting times

improve. Although they have got an awful long way to go. We have got a

lot to do. But I think we are heading in the right direction. And

our mental health strategy will help us accelerate the pace of that. When

that is published in the New Year. I hope that all members of the Chamber

will help get behind it. This is one of the most important issues, not

just for the Government but for all of our partners working in this area

to get to grips with in the years to come. Supplementary. Thank you. The

was the First Minister what the focus of the Scottish Goverment's

new International development strategy will be? Our new

international development strategy was published yesterday. It has at

its core the aim of tackling global poverty, injustice and inequality,

working in partnership with others to achieve the UN global goals.

Since 2005, we have supported hundreds of projects, delivering

health care, giving children access to education, families access to

energy and employment, to lift themselves out of poverty. The

strategy will build on this work and will focus on four partner

countries, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and Pakistan, to allow our funding

to have a great impact on the people we work with. Last Thursday, thank

you very much, last Thursday the Cabinet Secretary provided me with a

written answer about as MP committee meetings being held behind closed

doors. The Cabinet Secretary said it was a matter for the SBA. Later that

day, a member of the SBA raised their concerns about openness and

transparency. Now the HMI CS report, published about 90 minutes ago,

which goes to 17 pages, if the First Minister has got to page five,

however, she will have read that he questions the decision to hold

committee meetings in private. What will the First Minister do to ensure

that the SNP carry out their functions in ways that are

proportionate, accountable and transparent as required by the

reform act which her Government past? I expect the SBA to take

account of a make sure it implements the views of the recommendations of

both the Auditor General, but also of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of

girls dub the ring. That includes the views that have been expressed

this morning -- Inspectorate of Constabulary. Thank you. Given the

unacceptable position by Greater Glasgow health board to close the

outpatient facility centre for integrated care, this is a decision

under the original agreement that can only be taken by the Secretary

of State for Scotland, now devolved to her government. Will the First

Minister now respect the decision of this Parliament in a vote to call

this in and instruct the Health Secretary to stop hiding behind the

board and call this in? Well, as the member is aware, we take all of

these decisions very seriously. We asked the Scottish health Council to

inform decisions about what service changes or proposed service changes

are to be treated as major service changes and which do not require

that. We will continue to follow that advice and make sure that we

give support to local services, but also that we are supporting the

reforms that are required in our health service to make sure that

patients across the country get the services they are entitled to

expect. To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish

Government has had with the UK Government regarding the proposal by

the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

that holders of public office should swear an oath to uphold British

values? Well, the Scottish Government has had no communication

from the UK Government in relation to the Secretary of State's

premature, in my view, responds to the report on social cohesion. We

respect the work published by Dame Louise Casey in the integration and

opportunity, and the Scottish Government will consider her

suggestions carefully in terms of the relevance to Scotland.

I wonder if the First Minister's is any clearer than I am as to what

British values actually are, and if everyone in Scotland is to boost

have them? I, certainly for one, do not feel particularly British. -- is

supposed to have them. I think these are important issues, we respect the

work is being carried out by Dame Louise Casey, it deserves to be

given proper consideration, and I would suggest the UK Government

should do the same. Commit giving proper consideration rather than

taking the premature step of announcing the all public services

should swear an oath will stop it potentially risks the exclusion of

people who do not define their values as uniquely British. As a

nation, hope this is something that all members would agree with, as a

nation, Scotland has a long history of welcoming people of all

nationalities seasonal dates. We are committed of supporting integration

into our communities. -- and all faiths. Not through the swelling of

oaths but by creating a community where diversity is celebrated. Where

we did people on the contribution they make to our country when they

hear and don't expect them to give up their own identities and

backgrounds in the process. APPLAUSE

. Thank you, can I declare an interest, I think a decade ago

non-oddballs were predicted growth of online sales... Sorry? --

non-oars. I thought you did ask the supplementary, this is a general

supplementary, apologies. You can't ask your question? I can't?

Mr Russell will be happy with the very sympathetic response from the

chamber. Question number five, Liz Smith. To ask the First Minister

what the Scottish Government's response is typical by the

Association of head teachers and deputies in Scotland for the

extension of powers to headteachers. We welcome the response to the

government's review family Association, which proposes the

powers of art headteachers in order to have the biggest positive

unlearning and teaching. That's macro powers of our headteachers. I

thank the First Minister for that, good to hear. She will act most are

very long outstanding success of Jordanhill School in Glasgow, but

she will note to that a number of schools that want to adopt different

governments, face some restraints. Will, the First Minister confirm

whether it is the intention to amend the original legislation to make it

easier to meet the growing demand to reach diversity, and give more

powers to parents? I think we made it clear desire to see more power

line with headteachers and individual scores, that indeed is

the presumption that lies at the heart of the Governor's review. That

said, Sweeney made it a clear, when the review was launched that we

believe that local councils should have accountability for education,

but I absolutely want to make sure that the steps we take our guided by

the need to raise standards and close the opinion that, not by

ideology on one side of the other. That is why we set up the review and

why we will listen to all contributions made to the government

's review. It closes on the 6th of January. John Sweeney will set out

our plans, including whether there is any requirement for legislative

change after that. Thank you, I welcome the First Minister's

acknowledgement of the pivotal role that headteachers play in providing

leadership in schools across my constituency and the whole of

Scotland. Kent she advise what the Scottish Government is doing to

strengthen school leadership. -- can she advise. Strengthening leadership

was a key recommendation of the review of Scottish education, and

the changes we are proposing in the consultation are intended to do

that. This will in able that future headteachers have the leadership

skills and support they need by the draft education gives flexibility to

deal with individual, local circumstances, particularly

Malaysians temporary appointments. We recognise the importance of

educational leadership -- including temporary appointments.

Thank you, 18 out of 29 headteachers in Shetland already teach pupils in

classrooms, they struggle to find enough time in the day, as it is, so

if the government plan to give headteachers more responsibilities

what part of their workload will go? I think there is a strong desire on

the part of headteachers to have the greater responsibility that we are

talking about, but I absolutely recognise, I don't think John

Swinney could be any clearer since he took up the post of educational

secretary about the need to make sure we address issues of excessive

workloads. I also would acknowledge very much that in the all island

areas in particular, that may be a particular challenge that we have

got to address and I'm sure that John Swinney would be happy to

discuss that directly. All of these issues are once we take into

account, but are absolute determination, as I've said many,

many times, is to raise standards in our schools and close the attainment

gap. I believe one of the ways of doing that is to support leadership

in our schools and give the leaders in our schools the ability, the

powers and freedoms to get on with the jobs that they do best. Question

number six. To ask the first government what to link

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's

sleeping on Scotland's streets this Christmas.

the number of people sleeping rough has the creased every year. We are

working with stakeholders to gather more robust data on the figures of

those rough sleeping and to assess the often very complex needs of

them. So that we continue to take action to support people to meet off

the street and into a home of their own. I thank you for that answer, it

is a sad fact that there will be many people sleeping what this

Christmas across our streets, a measurable scourge on our society.

The figures I have shows that lasted there is a dramatic increase on Bob

sleeping. In Glasgow, showed this trend is likely to continue. -- on

both sleeping. We know that they are turning people away from night

shelters. There seems to be a severe shortage for women of urgency

accommodation, for some reason. I ask her if she will look at two

areas of government policy in this regard. Would she ensure there is

provision for women in emergency night shelters? Secondly, would she

looked at the model adopted in Nordic countries, and in Glasgow, of

housing first, a model which provides quickly accommodation,

permanent homes, and were the services down the person's

particular problems which may be the problems that have led them to

homelessness in the first place. That is set me a policy web looking.

-- worth looking at. Thank you for raising the issue and ball their

constructive suggestion. The point she makes particularly about access

to nine shelters for women is an important one. On the second one

about housing first model that is something that we are very open to

looking into, although some of our local authorities will already use a

model that is not dissimilar to the housing options work that they do.

The Church of Scotland's new moderator, specifically asked that

we looked at this model and I gave him a commitment that would would

do. What is true, and I think the question goes to the heart of this,

people that find themselves what sleeping will very often the people

whose needs are not just accommodation needs, they have

accommodation needs, but they will have very complex, multifaceted

needs as well, so we have to do look at tackling the problem in that

holistic way. I also think it is important, the official statistics

would say that what sleeping has been reducing, but we do know that

these will not necessarily tell the whole story, which is why we are

working with partners to try and get more robust data. I'm happy to make

a commitment to log in to break points made by Pauline McNeill. --

look into both points. To ask the First Minister what action the

Scottish Government is taking to support the Christmas tree industry?

Well, well, personally I am delighted that there are two home

loan to use in Bute House this Christmas. I would encourage people,

if they haven't already bought their tree this Christmas, to consider

buying a Scottish grain trade, and if they have already bought thereto,

to consider it for next Christmas. The Christmas tree industry is a

privately funded sector, but we are permitted, absolutely as a

government to continue the investment in Scotland's wider

forestry section, an important part of our economy. The draft budget

protects funding per forestry. I thank the First Minister for her

answer and I'm delighted that she has bought two Christmas trees and

hope they Scottish trees. Only 55% of the UK's Christmas trees are

produced on Scotland many on the area that I represent. We still

import over 2 million Christmas trees in the UK every year, said

there is more to do. But, as she pointed out, it is not just

Christmas trees that are important to Scotland, commercial forestry is

as well. Especially if we are to meet Scotland's tended need and the

government's environmental targets. These have been missed for the last

three years. Alba Peter in case you didn't get

the first time, the SNP have missed their planting target the last

three. Does the best minister really believe that the additional

ballpoint million announced in the budget will be enough to make up the

shortfall which no one believes it will, to hit the target of 100,000

hectares of planted eye 2020? The Tory spending commitment of really

piling up today, an they? On progeny, they are relying on Santa

to deliver them the resources they need to bomb them. Ayes

unfortunately. -- the resources they need to bond them. The Christmas

trees in Bute House are Scottish grown. I cannot insist that people

across the country by home-grown Christmas trees but I would

encourage them to do so because it is good for that sector of our

economy. In terms of our own planting targets, we are bright with

housing the action to increase the scale and pace of woodland creation

and that is the right thing to do. I hope everybody, as we go into the

Christmas holidays enjoys their Christmas tree, where ever in the UK

or elsewhere it happens to have been grown.

APPLAUSE Thank you presiding officer, in the

spirit of Christmas which Edward Munton was so uncharacteristically

lacking in, and on the subject of trees I wonder if the first of and

would welcome this buyout of the historic...

We know that the Tories don't like this principle of

I welcome the community buyout which has been achieved by the local

community trust working with Woodland trusts Scotland. 500 acres

of forest from one of only 38 of these sites in Scotland. These are

ancient pinewoods. It is really good to see the local community coming

together to work with other agencies on a long-term plan to conserve and

restore them. As I say, I think the Tories are demonstrating, they don't

like the idea of land being owned by the many, not the few. But this

Government is determined to continue down that road. In the absence of

Christmas spirit from elsewhere in the Chamber, can I end by wishing

you a very happy Christmas, Presiding Officer! Thank you, that

is First Minister's Questions. Parliament will resume... A slightly

barbed ending to a touch of festive spirit. We were reminded that

forestry is for life, not just for Christmas. Nicola Sturgeon was

perhaps reflecting something in the domestic situation, she disclosed

something on social media about a dispute on the subject of Christmas

decorations with her husband. I'm sure it's all sweetness and light in

the homes of my two contributors here. Thank you very much for

joining us. We will get to the Christmas bit. There wasn't an awful

lot of Christmas spirit, a big kicking on the police budget. There

wasn't a great deal of Christmas jerk. You got an indication from the

First Minister that she felt really that wasn't -- Christmas cheer. This

is obviously going to happen, she produced the Auditor General's

report suspiciously late. In the political cycle. Hesiod that

they'll's gag was quite good, why did she take a week -- Kezia

Dugdale's gag. MSPs have plenty of time to read it, 1.5 hours. But if

you produce a highly controversial report in the dying days of the

Parliamentary session, people will say that you are putting it out with

the trash. She got very intense questioning from both Labour and the

Conservatives. She certainly did, but quite right too. Just this week

we have seen revelations about people being left in bands. We

cannot have people dying in pictures because of the cuts that have been

made. -- in pictures. It leads into the wider question of the budget.

The questions about the Scottish police authority went very quickly

onto the subject of budgetary matters. ?329 million cuts. Kezia

Dugdale saying, stop the cuts. Ruth Davidson saying there should be more

money for the police. Where we on the budgetary matters? The

architects of the budgetary act will be well pleased with what is

happening now. We see the fiscal constraints of the cuts being

repatriated. It is difficult for the First Minister to blame Westminster

because she has tax raising powers at her disposal. Hence we have her

saying, being accused of resorting to Westminster bad. It is more

difficult. Obviously the are spending constraints, it is still

important in terms of Scottish spending. The mere fact that these

tax powers are being repatriated to Scotland means responsibility for

cuts seems to lie with those godless government. Nicola Sturgeon got her

own back on a tax issue -- the Scottish Government. Police Scotland

were the only ones on the whole of the UK that had to pay VAT, and the

UK Government had manoeuvred away out of it for an area in England

that ended up in central government control. A curious anomaly that will

have to be addressed. 25 million is somewhat less than this ?190 million

shortfall that the Auditor General appears to have identified in the

Police Scotland budget. Again, this is the problem by Government is

going to face more and more in the future. The opposition party is

going to be laying the blame for cuts on the Scottish Government,

although to be fair to them they don't have entire control of the

physical resources. And the police again, the argument was that

improvement methods had been put in place but they had not had the time

to bring about sufficient impact. There's not really much you can say

on that. You have to just go with what the Auditor General has said,

things are not progressing at a fast enough pace. Let's turned to another

subject that was raised, Jennifer, by Willie Rennie. A subject that he

has made his own. The provision of care for those with mental health

problems. In this case, she was dealing particularly with prisoners.

The suicide rate is of course terrifying. We need to be taking

much greater care of prisoners. And I would suggest that maybe we need

to see some more investment the. It is one that Willie Rennie has

pursued very vigorously. It is interesting, there is a big increase

in the age profile of offenders. We saw that with the paedophile who was

recently incarcerated at the age of 101. This is happening increasingly

in Scotland, as a lot of these Astori cases of abuse are dug up

from the past. Elderly offenders are now finding themselves, it is

extremely difficult to manage the multiple health problems, mental

health is a particular issue for the elderly. It's going to put

incredible resources, a great strain on the resources of the Prison

Service. Is it possible that budgetary matters on this question

of mental health, the Lib Dems are very keen on further resources being

targeted to that, a redrawn strategy. Could that be one of the

hoax that they try to dangle from a Government perspective to get the

Liberal Democrats to back the budget? It could well be. It has

become a kind of cross party thinks ogle the hooks that they can dangle.

We have never seen that before, but in the 2016 elections, every said

that mental health is a Cinderella service that we have to take

seriously. Before we go to a bit of Christmas spirit, the oath of

British values. Jon Mason didn't seem very keen on the idea. For

obvious reasons. There is something to be said about the differences

that are apparent between values perhaps in Scotland and parts in the

rest of the UK. When you look for example at the number of refugees

that Scotland has taken in. Nicola Sturgeon is clear on immigration.

She was saying that this is perhaps not the way to go. She regarded it

as a premature response to a much wider report. I think she was

probably correct on that. It was quite interesting, she didn't

dismiss it out of hand. She obviously sees integration as an

issue. The suspicion that different cultural groups are now not

commingling. Are they going to subscribe to British values? What

are British values? Should they be swearing an oath to them? Remember,

they do have to swear an oath to the Queen. You have to remember, the

independents white paper in 2013, they did say, you are still British

even after independence. You remember when Gordon Brown wrestled

with this problem. The question is, what are distinctly British values?

They tried tolerance and liberty, some people pointed out gently, some

of the French... Cycling to and song. It is fraught with

difficulties. But a serious subject nonetheless. You have also elite is

in America. That is seen as very important. -- allegiance. People who

come to America have to subscribe to those values. The difference is that

we or any state of flux, it is a multinational state and there will

become flicked over that. Join us in a couple of seconds. -- there will

be conflict. This is the season of goodwill, it is Christmas time and

all that sort of thing. Took the chance to ask the five party leaders

what they wanted Santa to bring the Scotland. It would be cheeky to ask

Santa for something that I'm responsible for. I'm going to ask

Santa to bring some certainty for all of the EU nationals living in

Scotland, who now face such uncertainty because of the Brexit

vote. That's not fair, given how matter they contribute to Scotland.

For myself, I don't ask for much. Perhaps George Clooney round for

Christmas dinner! Although I'd probably have the square rigged with

Peter. I think what Scotland really needs from Santa this year is a bit

of a break. A break from referenda, a break from politicians like me

telling folk how to behave at Christmas and to lay off the booze

and mince pies. Also a break from National Football team, maybe an

extra six points from Santa might be nice for our qualifying group. This

Christmas, what I would like the Scotland as an end to the division

in our politics, with EU wide yes, or no,, rich or poor, I hope we can

be the arguments of the past behind us. Christmas is a time to reflect

and focus on what really matters. What do I want for myself was like a

pair of new running shoes so I can start the New Year with a fresh

kicked. I would like Santa to bring Scotland free membership of a

Europe-wide club that will protect our environmental and workplace

rights. If we get that, I will probably need some language lessons

as well. What I want Santa to bring Scotland for Christmas is a big

investment in education, so we've got the best education system in the

world again. A pair of running shoes from me would do fine, too. A pair

of running shoes for Willie Rennie, I'm getting in the festive spirit

here! Let's have a chat with my colleagues again. I know, I'm trying

my best, but it's not quite getting the! It suits you very well! Are you

going to sing later? It's more if I can be prevented from singing!

What's lying ahead in 2017 in political terms? Brexit, of course?

Of course Brexit. It is interesting and important. It is not just the

will of the Westminster Parliament having a right to have a say on

Brexit, it is also about the constitutional status of Holyrood,

and whether it has a right under the Convention to be consulted on the

powers that are repatriated from Brussels. That is tremendously

important. Obviously Brexit is going to be local election results,

fortunately not another referendum hopefully this year. You reckon?

What I'm really looking forward to is Donald Trump was like first visit

to Scotland. That should be entertaining. Local government

elections have been mentioned. They are in May, and they? We are going

to have a continuing tussle between Scottish Government and local

councils overfunding. At the moment we see in Aberdeen that we have an

ongoing crisis with public sector recruitment, particularly in

teaching. It will be interesting to see, as the budget comes forward,

what's happening with that. The budget playing large in the local

elections? Definitely. People always want better public services but they

don't necessarily want to pay the tax. They want somebody else to pay

for it! We also get the devolved powers. How do you see the budget

working out? Derek Mackay isn't confident, he needs one party to

support him or they and now he hasn't got it. The First Minister

came under criticism -- or abstain. She decided not to restore the 50p

tax and not to tax the highest earners, those earning over ?150,000

per year. She was criticised very much indeed from the Independence

movement for that, not least from Labour. But I think now that the

Tories and the opposition, things are slightly easier for her. It's

not clear that the tax changes that she did introduce were operating a

higher rate tax has actually led to an increase in packs and the better

off. On the Tories or actually focusing very much on that. That

will continue in the New Year. She will be under less pressure about

pack than it might appear at the moment. Derek Mackay is adamant that

he ain't going to shift on tax. He has to offer something on spending.

He doesn't look like doing a deal with the Tories warned Labour. Both

the Greens and the Liberal Democrats are being stubborn as well. Perhaps

the issues over mental health could bring the Lib Dems on board. You

think that is a possibility? It's a possibility. I don't think there is

a serious risk... If you look at the demands they are making, you would

be expecting them to say, OK, we're not going to support you and less

you put your money where your mouth is and restore the 50p tax, you've

got the power to do it, why aren't you doing get? The Greens, possibly?

That's what I was saying for the Greens. The Greens could

theoretically, theoretically this could happen, they could

theoretically bring down the government because she lost her

majority, that was the one significant consequence of the

2016... The white thank you very much indeed both of you. I will keep

the silly anglers and for a little bit because we are coming to the

close of the programme. It is a wonderful time of the year. Have a

tremendous Christmas. I hope that Dundee united thrash them... I mean

beat them gently! From me, that's all. Goodbye.

That is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Mr Disney was my old man. Isn't that right, Don?

Oh, my... Dai! Your gays have arrived.

Mr Disney was my old man. Isn't that right, Don?