23/02/2012 Politics Scotland

A very warm welcome to Holyrood. They will be discussing transport.

Let's see where the next session takes them. Let's go over for the

First Minister's Questions. A last week's unemployment figures

reveal more jobs are being lost in Scotland than in any other part of

the United Kingdom. This week, we are presented with more grim

forecasts for the construction and retail sector. The First Minister

needs to realise this about real people and real jobs. The plan has

failed. Can he tell us to date why some of the jobs lost in the UK

where Scottish jobs? The unemployment problem in

Scotland is extremely serious. There is no question whatsoever.

She should remember that the employment rate, the percentage of

people employed in the economy, is higher in Scotland than in any

other country in these islands. Inactivity rate, people who are not

in the labour market, is much lower. These are good things about the job

market. The recession and the slow recovery is impacting the lives of

families in Scotland and across these islands. Shouldn't we turn

our attention to what can be done about it in terms of the UK budget

which is coming up, both in terms of increasing capital spending

which has been demonstrated as a rapid and effective way of getting

people back to work and also an increasing funding to small and

medium-sized businesses. For they are the great drivers of the

economy. Meant it as an operation has refused to deliver the full

goods that was promised. -- Merlin. Let's turn our attention to what

can be done. That is what the Scottish government is doing.

ever, the First Minister focuses on other people's responsibilities are

not his own. His own budget for jobs and growth could be done under

the Trades Description Act never mind about talking the budget at UK

level. If last week the number of young people unemployed broke the

one and 1,000 Markham it is unacceptable. The First Minister

had nothing to save. -- the 100,000 mark. He was arguing the the Prime

Minister about who knows best how to run a referendum. More and more

young people are being shut out of the job market with a long term

consequences we should all fear. From the very man who launched a

consultation document in a castle, when is it going to put people

before prestige? The position of youth unemployment

is extremely serious. This government has appointed a minister

for youth employment which is why we are bringing forward initiatives

like 125,000 modern apprenticeships -- apprenticeships over the next

five years. 60% higher than the level of modern apprenticeships

that we inherited. Every modern apprentice in Scotland has a job, a

critical factor of the Modern apprenticeship system. We are

offering a guaranteed to every 16- Nineteen-year-old in Scotland who

is not in education or training or in a job or a modern apprenticeship,

they will have a training or education opportunity. That it is

very substantive action indeed to tackle the issue before us. We had

come a couple of weeks ago, a forum for youth employment in Scotland.

That United the unions, the employers, a whole variety of

people in the voluntary sector and other political parties. People

united to drive against the evil of youth unemployment and the prospect

of seeing a lost generation as was seen in the 1980s. That was the

time that a third of everybody at that forum. I would love to ask a

Johann Lamont to think about whether she can take the good

wishes and goodwill expressed in that forum into this chamber and

demonstrate to Scotland that every party, every MSP is committed to

fight the evil of youth unemployment.

Of course we support that. We want the First Minister to do those

things that need to beat them because the reality is it is not

working. He talks about his new minister for employment. That is

one job for one woman but what about the other 399 women who were

losing their jobs every day? Of all the First Minister talks about it,

despite the promise made by the First Minister at the election to

protect public service workers, nearly 24,000 people to deliver

public services lost their jobs last year. It has the First

Minister to vote -- who chose to pass on the cuts are to local

government and it was inevitable that women would bear the brunt of

those cuts. Female unemployment is at its highest rate since records

began. Why is the first -- Why has the First Minister broken his

promise? A few things about labour's

approach to these. Labour demanded in this chamber the employment of

the minister for youth employment. What is the point of demanding

something and then deriding it was that initiative is taken? -- wants

that. Labour voted it is having 25,000 modern apprenticeships in

Scottish society. It is also the case that two weeks ago they voted

increasing capital spending. -- voted against. Labour have of

course the five-point plan for growth. Four of which I issues for

the United Kingdom government. Four out of five labour's plan for

growth that is used for the United Kingdom government. How unearthed

birds Johann Lamont say we should not be calling on the UK Government

to do think when the Labour Party's plan is? On the issue of women in

the workforce, female employment in Scotland is higher than elsewhere

in these islands. Many tell Johann Lamont what we're doing. -- let me

tell you. In 2008, 2009, there were young women in modern

apprenticeships. The figure was 27% of the total figure of

apprenticeships. In 2010, in a larger group of apprenticeships,

9,000 women when into apprenticeships. That was 45% of

modern apprenticeships. I would like to see that figure even higher

incidentally. They should not criticise the party that has

increased modern apprenticeships by 60% and the number of young women

taking that live opportunity by Foley 20%. Let us see if Johann

Lamont has the grace to welcome that substantial employment a

slight improvement in female participation. It is breathtaking

complacency by the First Minister. In the face of unemployment figures

that have made his blood run cold to suggest everything is OK. The

First Minister was giving a lecture in London about separation when the

figures were released as that maybe you can take advice and listen for

a change to its Labour government in Wales and dozen other parts of

the United Kingdom where their figures have gone better not worst.

Unemployment heads to a quarter of a million mark in Scotland under

the First Minister's watch. When will the First Minister get on with

the job of running the country and addressing people's real concerns?

I asked if it to one Lamond had the grace to acknowledge a huge

improvement in young women entering the workforce.S Johann Lamont. It

wasn't a question that deserve to be answered on the fact the answer

was pretty obvious. She mentioned Wales. I am not certain that is the

stronger suit for Johann Lamont to go down. Unemployment in Wales is

at 9% which is high compared with the 8th by 6% in Scotland. It has

gone up by a 0.7% compared to 0.67 % in Scotland. The situations in

Wales wears as Scotland is serious. The First Minister of Wales and

myself have called jointly for the action from the UK Government in

order to address this crisis of employment. One of the keys to

addressing it is to do it what is government dead, bringing forward

capital investment. -- government did. Last week, there was a chink

of light. In the middle of the discussions with the Prime Minister

I said, capital investment, the way forward in the economy at this

particular moment to. The Prime Minister asked us to submit a list

of the ready capital projects for their consideration. I hope when

that list of building new schools, hospitals, roads and a repair

budget is put forward, it will get the support from the Labour Party.

We're trying to break the stranglehold of Westminster over

the capital budget of Scotland. When will you next meet the Prime

Minister? I have plans to meet the Prime

Minister's, having met him last week.

On Thursday of last week, the Deputy First Minister was caught

out on a radio programme suggesting the O A C D endorsed a claimed that

Scotland would be the six independent writers country. Come

the First Minister confirm the statistics are not in fact endorsed

by the O A C D and are not official? For the government -- but

they are government statistics. Their rankings at the number of

countries in the organisation of development, an independent

Scotland would be six in it the list. It does support the previous

comments from Ruth Davies when she acknowledged that an independent

Scotland would be good enough and rich enough to be an independent

country. Before she starts to talk about other people being caught out

on the radio, I think we should examine the records of her own

remarkable interview in Newsnight Scotland when faced with a

difficult year trying to reconcile Lord Forsyth and David Cameron's

views on Scotland in the constitution, she used a remarkable

wedding to agree with them both! The Prime Minister agrees with me.

On the issue that I raised with the First Minister, on Friday afternoon,

on Friday afternoons, the First Minister's adviser was scrabbling

around the media tower handing out it while flying document. Is

supported their climbss claims of the O A C D. We find the figures of

was the First Minister relies on the website. There was a cautionary

warning the statistics are not deemed fit for general use. They do

not make the standard of National Statistics. They are not official

and my own personal favourite should not be the subject of media

releases. A First Minister needs to stop presenting his assertions as

fact and manipulating the data to suit his narrow purpose. Can I ask,

but the First Minister authorised the release of information based on

these figures to the media and if he is prepared to be so slippery on

this issue, how can anybody have any faith in anything he ever says?

Yes, I bed and they will gladly republish the information. -- I bed.

You have to take the it gross domestic total of Scotland and

tickets from what is excluded from the government figures. You may say

why should we put in the oil and gas production from the North Sea?

That appears in the UK Government figures. It is only excluded from

the Scottish figures allocated by the UK Government because some time

ago, if she cares to read the history on the oil and gas, back in

the 1960s a UK Chancellor decided to create another country in these

islands. It was called the offshore continental shelf. It was a device

so that the oil and gas industry could be extracted from the figures

of Scotland. From the leaks that have come out at that time,

successive governments were told that an independent Scotland would

be richer than Switzerland. Labour and Tory politicians were telling

us we would be poorer than Bangladesh. Her best when she is on

shaky ground. -- she is on shaky She has said we will talk about

devolution after independence. What happened to the line in the sand?

What happened to the line in the sand by which she beat Murdo Fraser

in the Tory leadership condition test? What the chamber must know,

now she has been elected in the Conservative Party, is she going to

follow the policy of Murdo Fraser, who she beat? Or Lord Forsyth, who

she phones up? Thank you the First Minister may be aware that a

company manufacturing oral care products located in my constituency

closed its door to manufacturing on Friday, transferring production to

Malaysia, because of cheaper production costs. There was a loss

of 130 jobs. The intention to relocate was made public last year.

Can I ask what has been done since then in preparation for these

redubbed sis - eredundancies? share her concern regarding

developments in respect of the company. The impacting -- this is

having on the employees and the area. Can I confirm what we have

been doing and will continue to do everything to support employees,

the local scheme has been involved to provide support since the

company announced their intention to move to Malaysia. Support has

been provided with two special events for employ yeahs, one in

November last year and one in January this year. I can assure

Christine Grahame the team will provide support to employ yess to

minimise the time that those individuals are affected. -- plom

Iees. - employees. The nm will be arare of the NHS in Arran's

mishandling of a freedom of information request. The report and

the poor management that may have put patient safety at risk as a

result. While I welcome the cabinet Secretary's announcement of an

inquiry into practices by health care improvement Scotland, can the

First Minister assure me that the lessons that should have been

learned following over 20 deaths, 50 critical incident and the

creation of action plans, can the First Minister assure me now that

the lessons that should have been learned will now be learned and the

patient safety of my constituency not be put at further risk by the

ineptness of NHS Ayrshire and Arran managers? I should declare an

interest, that Rab Wilson who sought the freedom of information

request is a personal friend of mine and a great character. He was

involved in the critical incident in September of 2006. Can I welcome

the way that John Scott has introduced the subject and support

his welcome for the actions of Health Secretary. The answers to

his question is question and the Secretary has instructed the

trustoted review their policy and report within the week to ensure

they are complying with the legislation and asked health

improvement Scotland to carry out an audit of procedures and consider

any national lessons that can be learned. I hope that satisfys the

member, the action taken by the Health Secretary is appropriate to

these serious circumstances. To ask the First Minister what issues will

be discussed at the cabinet? Issues of importance to the people of

Scotland. I'm on the issue on Ayrshire and Arran and John Scott's

question, I'm confused, because the First Minister knew about this, but

yesterday the Health Secretary instructed an immediate report into

the problems. Why has it taken three months since the Price

Waterhouse report was published in November for the health sct Troy

act? -- sect trito act. I think the actions taken are Timious and the

double action of not just looking at the freedom of information

policy, but looking to the heart of what the freedom of information

request was about is very important as well. Hence the also asking

health improvement Scotland to carry out that urgent audit. I

think most fair minded people would say that twin action of not just

getting the Ayrshire and Arran to by a I pied by their

responsibilities with regard to freedom of information, but get to

heart of the failures that perhaps are evident and that audit done is

a comprehensive and proper response to these circumstances. Why has it

taken three months for us to find out about this problem? This is a

serious problem. Earlier this month I asked the First Minister about

extending freedom of information laws. He refused. This case shows

the value of freedom of information. Kevin Dunnion was critical. He said

this was perhaps the most serious catalogue of failings they have

ever dealt W yesterday the First Minister's personal friend has done

a great service, he took up, when can we expect to see in this

Parliament a comprehensive Report covering freedom of information,

covering all health bard and will patients across Scotland have to

rely on Rab Wilson, or will the Scottish Government do their job?

The report came out this week. The Health Secretary has taken the

appropriate serious response. Can I say, health bards are covered by

freedom of information. It is not the issue which he was pursuing of

extending freedom of information. This is about enforcing freedom of

information on a body has already covered by freedom of information.

And whale that aspect is important, and it is being pursued by the

Health Secretary, he and the constituency member will agree that

the underlying issue that is health and safety and the procedures that

are in place is the key to improvement as well. So the twin

action of making sure freedom of information is enforced in a body

which is covered by it and looking at the underlying issue of the

safety procede yuers I think is an appropriate action for the Health

Secretary to take. To is the First Minister given the impact what

action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure competition

remains on ruepts from Scotland to Heathrow airport. -- routes.

Government is working with airlines and the operators of airports to

improve connectivity. The focus on business, investment and tourism.

It should be said there noise shortage of interest by -- there

noise shortage of interest by airlines. Emirates have offered a

double daily service from Glasgow, jet Two are expanding in the

country and we expect the current owner of Edinburgh aifrpt - airport

to compete to attract new airlines that meet the potential demands.

am sure the First Minister will I share my disappointment that this

week Rayan air announced a decision to cutback services from Edinburgh.

-- Ryanair. What progress is being made in urging the UK Government to

devolve the power of air passenger duty o' so links can remain

competitive? I regret Ryanair's decision, but it provides an

example of difficulties of airline and the airport. As the airport,

Edinburgh airport pointed out, it would have been impossible to grant

some exemption or special deal to Ryanair from duty without doing

that to every carrier in Edinburgh airport. And therefore the solution

and the key solution should be to exemplify in Scotland what the

United Kingdom Government is offering to Northern Ireland. The

devolution of air passenger duty, so we can can make sure our

airports are competitive to expand. And that if I remember was one of

recommendations of the Calman Commission which somehow has

disappeared from the legislation going through the houses of

Parliament in Westminster. Just let's in case anyone thinks there

is not support outside the chaim we are - chamber. I have a letter

saying, air passenger duty is a barrier to growth and I welcome the

continuing efforts of Scottish Government to do devolve it to

Scotland so decisions affecting the future can be made in Scotland in

the best interests of Scotland's airports. So say all of us! To ask

the First Minister what actions the Scottish Government is taking to

improve confidence in the construction sector. In the face of

a United Kingdom Conservative/liberal Government cut

to our budget of over 30%, a cut first put in place by Alistair

Darling, cuts that were to be deeper and tougher according to the

former Chancellor than those of Margaret Thatcherer, the Scottish

Government is max miegz spending by supporting jobs. We're switching

money from resource to capital at the most difficult time. We're

taking forward a new programme of investment worth �2.5 billion. As a

result capital spending will grow over the review period. Of course

with cap pal borrowing powers, we could do more. -- capital. The same

old record and unlike the Scottish construction sector the First

Minister's confidence is not at minus 28. Is he complacent that two

thirds of spri expect construction activity to fall and only one tenth

expect an increase. Is he complacent that 30,000 jobs have

been lost in the sector? And is he complacent that the annual rate of

new house building is at its lowest level since records began? And does

he not consider it is time to consider whether reducing the

affordable housing supply budget by 30% in the current year is not the

correct policy when the sector is so depressed, or does he in fact

believe that the Chinese will build Scotland's houses as well as our

bridges? Is she unaware of what has happened to public sector capital

budget? Normally, when we talk about the squeeze on the revenue

budgets in Scotland, Labour can say we have said it is too far and too

fast we go slower. Of course, in term of dramatic cuts of 30% in the

capital budget, the plans left by the Labour party were to go even

paster. So there is nothing in the sliegest complacent about this

Government in terms of capital the end e spending, but time Labour

accepted for laying plans which saw the greatest reduction in public

capital investment in the last generation. And to Elaine Murray,

every time we challenge ministers on this, the first answer is we

have improved the position we were left by Alistair Darling. So if I

put on SPICE Alistair Darling's phone number, maybe she could give

him a ring and ask him what on earth he was playing at in terms of

the construction sector. In term of what the Government has done, if

she casts her mind back to when this Government was able to

accelerate capital investment and she will find the construction

sector outperformed the rest of the UK proving that investment can have

an effect on the economy. Is it therefore too much to ask her to

respond to the challenge of agreement that Johann Lamont kubg -

- ducked that is to join to the submit to the current regime the

list of capital projects which could be spent now, benefiting

Scotland, the Scottish construction sector and Scottish workers?

should declare my interests as a debent chur holder at Rangers. I

can I ask the First Minister what impact Rangers going into

administration will have on the economy. I think some people

recognised the tie as well. But it is a serious issue. Now Rangers are

in administration, it is a hugely difficult time for the employees at

the club. The administrators have said they hope the club can emerge

from administration and the economic impact will be Lesened.

But I hope a way can be found to allow try. Meet its obligations to