27/04/2017: First Minister's Questions Politics Scotland

Hello there, and a very warm welcome to the Scottish Parliament and the

Garden Lobby. We are here on Parliament business but the shadow

of the elections hangs over it, I'm not sure the general election has

heated up yet but it's entered new linguistic realms with Boris

Johnson's comments about Jeremy Corbyn this morning. I'm sure that

will not feature in comments and questions to the First Minister but

let's cross to the chamber. Willie Rennie failed to get a single answer

from the First Minister on whether the SNP will support all EU

membership in its manifesto. He should have waited a week, now we

have two. Nicola Sturgeon's stated position is to be a full member of

the European Union, MPs stated position is to leave the common

fisheries policy but full membership of the European Union means full

membership of the fisheries policy. Isn't that the case, First Minister?

Ruth Davidson has clearly not been paying attention. The SNP has been

consistent over many, many years in our criticism of the common

fisheries policy. And very clear about our intentions to see it

fundamentally reformed, the 2007 manifesto continued to work for

withdrawal from the CFP, in 2011, the CFP well past its sell by date,

the 2014 by paper on independence, independence for Scotland and the

European Union would give Scotland an opportunity to take a leadership

role in reforming the common fisheries policy sober reality here

is the SNP is the one that stands up for Scottish fishing and always will

stand up for Scottish fishing! And of course the uncomfortable truth

for Ruth Davidson is that its success at Tory governments who have

sold out the fishing industry. Remember the words, remember the

words, I know Ruth Davidson doesn't want to hear what's coming next,

Presiding Officer. Remember the words of the Tories, in the wider UK

context, the fishermen must be regarded as expendable! That, the

Tory record on fishing and of course, we know that the Tories are

at lining up to sell out fishing again because the Brexit white paper

makes it clear that fishing will be a negotiating chip in the Brexit

talks, so the SNP stands up for fishing, Tories sell them out. Ruth

Davidson. Priceless, Presiding Officer, she wants to quote internal

SNP documents let me quote a document, chapter 13... Chapter 13

of a little thing called the EU conditions of membership and it

says, it requires the introduction and participation in the common

fisheries policy and it doesn't get out clearer than that. So let's

spell out the complete absurdity of the SNP's position here or should I

say the positions. Firstly, it's the SNP's position that Brexit is a

terrible threat to Scotland and fishermen are better off being

governed by the EU's heated common fisheries policy. That's a position

Angus Robertson outlined at the weekend when he said we are in

favour of Scotland being a member state of the EU and in favour of a

reformed Common fisheries policy but it's also the Brexit session that

Brexit is a sea of opportunity for fishermen and we must avoid any

policy, any practice or regulation or treaty which could return us to

the common fisheries policy and we note that because on Tuesday, two of

his parliamentary colleagues signed a pledge written by the Scottish

fishermen Federation saying so. Can I ask the First Minister was Mr

Robertson wrong or are his colleagues wrong or is that the SNP

plan to try and say they are all right so they think the people are

so daft we won't notice? Ruth Davidson has managed to hold several

different positions on Brexit all by herself. Brexit is a terrible threat

to Scotland is what Ruth says is the SNP's decision. The problem is that

used to be her position as well. Remember her screaming at from

Wembley but now, of course, it's different, she's fallen into line

with Theresa May and now Brexit is the greatest thing since sliced

bread. You know, on this issue, Ruth Davidson flip-flops more than a fish

being landed. Flip-flop, flip-flop! On Brexit. The truth of the matter

is that the SNP always has and always will stand up for fishing.

You know, we've already heard about the Tories thinking fishing is

expendable, expendable. That was the word the Tories used about

Scotland's fishing industry but let's come up to date and let's read

the Brexit white paper, paragraph 8.16, given the heavy reliance on UK

waters of the EU fishing industry it's in both our interests to reach

and the Julie beneficial deal that works for the UK and the EU's

fishing communities. Let me translate that for the Davidson.

That means the Tories are lining up in these negotiations to sell out

the fishing industry and allow European countries what they say

they don't want which is accessed to Scottish fishing waters. The Tories

are preparing to perpetrate a con on Scotland's fishermen, they were not

get away with it, it is the SNP standing up for the fishing

industry. Ruth Davidson. Presiding Officer, maybe Nicola Sturgeon's MPs

didn't report back to her but let me quote but the Chief Executive of the

Scottish fishermen Federation told them and MPs at Westminster last

week. Two secretaries of State, two minister said the UK is leading the

EU and we will regain control of our fishing, she wants to go toe to toe

overfishing, let's bring that on the Presiding Officer, this week, Mike

Russell was in Brussels and he was speaking to fishing industry chiefs

and his pitch was that Scotland will leave the EU with the rest of the UK

but after independence it will go straight back in but it will opt out

of all the things it doesn't like including the common fisheries

policy. And this is utter nonsense. So right now, we have SNP MPs in

fishing communities saying CFP is terrible and Scotland would pull out

and at the same time we have Nicola Sturgeon standing up in Edinburgh

trying to win the vote of remainder is saying they would go straight

back in. Us and even the First Minister see the utter hypocrisy

here? Utter consistency in the SNP position over years on the common

fisheries policy, what I see from the Tories is flip-flopping all the

time on Brexit and on fishing and of Ruth Davidson's argument today is

that the Tories are not preparing to celebrate fishing industry to use

them as a bargaining chip in negotiations that lie ahead give her

the opportunity to explain in simple terms to the chamber today for

exactly the Brexit white paper means when it says that the UK of and

wants a deal that works for the EU's fishing community. What does that

mean if that doesn't mean allowing Spain and other countries access to

European fishing waters? Why can't Ruth Davidson be honest with the

fishing community, the Tories are preparing to treat them as

expendable all over again. It's the SNP that will always stand up for

fishing. Ruth Davidson. After Brexit, we'd be out of the CFP as

members of her party that want to take us back in but what we've got,

Presiding Officer, is the SNP saying they're in favour of joining the

European Union but the First Minister, not confirming whether the

SNP will back full membership in their manifesto. He said they are in

favour of the common fisheries policy except for MPs and fishing

can these who say they are against it and then we have the real hopper,

in Scotland, we have Nicola Sturgeon saying the coming election hasn't

anything to do whatsoever with independence but from the broadcast

studios of London, up pops Alex Salmond to confirm they want to use

this election to demand a referendum that the rest of us don't want.

First Minister thinks on fishing, on EU membership and on independence,

she can face both ways and promise all things to all people, isn't it

the case she's treating the electorate as fools? First Minister.

This election of course as I said yesterday morning is an opportunity

to determine who chooses Scotland's future, is it a Tory government at

Westminster or is that this democratically elected Scottish

Parliament, exactly the same as Alex Salmond commented yesterday

afternoon but let's get back to fishing because what we've just seen

here is Ruth Davidson, all at sea, drowning in our fishing waters

because she can't explain and Ruth Davidson really has to explain this

in simple terms to Scotland's fishing communities, I gave her the

opportunity once and she felt to do so so I am going to give her the

opportunity again. What does it mean in the UK Government says that they

want a deal that works for the EU's fishing communities? That can only

mean that the Tories are preparing to sell out Scottish fishermen,

grant other European countries access to fishing waters and treat

that vital Scottish industry as expendable once again. I think that

is crystal clear from Ruth Davidson today. It's the SMP that will

always, as we always have one, stand for Scottish fishing. -- the SNP.

Questionable too, Kezia Dugdale. To ask the First Minister what

engagement she has planned for the rest of the week. Engagements to

take forward the Governor's programme for Scotland. Next week

voters will go to the polls to decide the future of local services

like our schools. The First Minister it used to claim that education was

her number one priority would even she doesn't claim that any more.

After ten years of SNP government Scottish education is facing

challenges like never before. Since the SNP took office there are 4000

fewer teachers, 1000 fewer support staff and class sizes are bigger.

International study shows Scotland is declining in maths, reading and

in science. John Swinney's response to this was to publish a mini

manifesto repeating the very promises he's been breaking every

year since 2007 so can the First Minister tell teachers, parents and

pupils white they should believe the SNP this time around? First

Minister. Education is my top prior to, that's why... Kezia Dugdale

doesn't like to hear this but that's five right now, across Scotland,

head teachers and teachers have in their hands, ?120 million of

additional funding. That's why local government services are better off

to the tune of ?400 million under this SNP government and I would say

to Kezia Dugdale, she has zero, not a shred of credibility left on the

issue of local Vermont funding. Because for years, in her local

government manifesto, published just days ago she complains about the

council tax freeze, how it's strangling local over meant services

and yet, of the eight councils freezing the council tax in this

election, you know how many are led by Labour? Eight. This is Stirling,

labour, freeze your council tax. Don't come here talking about

funding for local services when it's your councils failing to raise the

money we need for our schools. Kezia Dugdale. From the First Minister who

has cut ?170 million from local services this year alone? And who's

-- at education was a top priority should be listening to teachers

across Scotland who are crying out for help. Black Priory School in

Edinburgh felt the need to e-mail all parents, the e-mail said, as you

may be where there is currently a national shortage of teachers this

is making it challenging head teachers around the country to

trying to fill vacant posts or indeed cover classes. There is a

teacher at shortage in Scotland. Wilbur First Minister be honest, how

many schools are struggling like Blackall, just how many teacher

vacancies either across the whole of Scotland? John Swinney, myself, this

government have never shied away from the issue that Scotland, like

many countries right now, has an issue was teacher recruitment, that

is one of the reasons why we have increased the intake to teacher

training to train more teachers, to work in our schools and close the

attainment gap. The fact of the matter is it is this SNP government

that investing in local services, whatever Kezia Dugdale tries to say,

there is ?400 million available extra in this financial year for

council services and the question for Labour is this. If they don't

think there is enough money for council services white either eight

Labour led councils going into this election promising to freeze the

council tax? Maybe Kezia Dugdale will give us a straight answer to

that straight question? In all of that, Presiding Officer there was no

answer to the question that I asked and I'll give the answer to the

First Minister. The reality is is that there are 700 teacher vacancies

across Scotland and 400 of them are in our secondary schools for pupils

will begin their exams in just a matter of days. And I can reveal

today that the government's own internal documents at net that it

could take up to three years to fill these vacancies. Three years for the

government to ensure it are enough teachers to educate our children,

three years to clean up the mess the SNP have been making for the past

ten. Three years together young people a fair chance in life. But we

all know, Nicola Sturgeon will spend the next three years campaigning for

independence so can the First Minister really keep a straight face

and tell teachers, parents and pupils that once again, education is

her number one priority? First Minister. As I said, we recognise

the challenge in teacher recruitment, Scotland is not unique

in that regard, that's why in 2017, 18, we are making resources

available to train... Kezia Dugdale doesn't want to listen to this, to

train an additional 371 teachers, its white the General Teaching

Council right now is another of initiatives under way to encourage

people back into teaching to encourage new people into teaching.

These are the actions we are taking to tackle what is a problem and

challenge for many countries and we are doing that of course, in

conjunction with the national improvement framework, the

attainment challenge, the attainment bond, putting extra resources into

the hands of head teachers because our commitment to raising attainment

and close in that attainment gap is absolute and we'll get on with the

hard work of doing it, leaving Labour as usual, camping on the

sidelines. We have a couple of constituency questions. Thank you.

The First Minister will be aware last Thursday Diageo announced plans

to cut up to 100 jobs in Scotland potentially affect up to 70 workers

at premises in my constituency. The GMB union laid the blame squarely at

the third of a damaging Tory hard absorb what assurances can the First

Minister get my constituency face and London said to do the

conservatives? I was very concerned to learn that the jewel has begun

consultation with that staff over potential job losses and I know this

will be an extremely anxious time for employees and their families.

Keith Brown has a body arranged to meet with the company and officials

and Scottish enterprise are engaged with the company already and we will

do all we can to explore all options for storing the business and

protecting jobs and while families and individuals are affected by this

situation have the right to expect a similar response from the UK

Government I think it's really troubling that the GMB union appears

to have raised concerns about the impact of exit on these jobs and got

furry little response from the UK Government. This is yet another

example of the threat that rakes it poses to Scotland. Ruth Davidson

used to tell us but doesn't any longer but what I still believe and

examples like sadly illustrate, we will continue to do everything

possible to support the workers. John Lamont. Thank you, Presiding

Officer, I declare an interest as a trustee of the lifeboat trust, one

of the best examples of a community campaign was for the creation of an

independent lifeboat when the RNLI withdrew their service, the

community rallied together organising a fundraising effort to

raise funds needed to establish their own lifeboat service... Order,

order. Nation started to roll in the community trust was used to funds

whilst lifeboat trust was set up, the money was transferred to the

lifeboat trust and the new board was purchased. I had the pleasure

sitting beside the First Minister at the launch of the new lifeboat, on

Twitter, the First Minister spoke of this incredible achievement, of the

community coming together and spoke of what they had achieved, it was

something special but now transpires Scottish waters dismissed stream

have stripped the community trust of the water rates exemption for the

community cafe and its centre, I'd been in correspondence with the SNP

environment and stir but she has confirmed that she will not give the

exemption for this community trust. Given the exceptional circumstances

surrounding this will First Minister on like her backbenchers, apply some

common sense to this? This issue has a ready been drawn to my attention,

the situation with the water and sewerage charge around ?900 that has

gone to the community trust. On the investigation I've done into the

matter is so far this charge appears to be a direct result of the

excellent efforts to raise funds for the lifeboat, ones that didn't

actually belong to the trust but which they held and then transferred

to the lifeboat trust account when that account was set up. Given those

circumstances, I am hugely sympathetic to the situation they

find themselves in and I have this morning instructed my officials to

look again at this issue to try to find a solution. I was at the launch

of the lifeboat, it was a fantastic example of a community coming

together in order to preserve a service that is vitally important to

life in that community so having looked at this, it seems unfair,

that's why I've instructed officials to see what they can do to fix it,

that's the kind of action able can expect from an SNP government.

Question three, Patrick Ah Van. To ask the First Minister from the

Cabinet will next meet. I think I heard that question, Tuesday. --

Patrick Harvie. I think the reason the First Minister couldn't tear was

because the Deputy First Minister was shouting across the chamber in

her ear so can I suggest, I know this is election time, all members

are more respectful to all other members, so we are questions and

answers? Patrick Harvie. If the Deputy First Minister wants to

continue to distract the First Minister it's no skin off my nose

but can I say the Scottish Government proposed tax cut aviation

which all know, even though the Scottish Government at first denied

it will increase carbon emissions that are driving climate change,

increasing emissions at the time when we should be cutting them

radically? Even if the First Minister thinks the aviation damage

to the climate can be ignored its clear that this tax cut will also be

very unfair. Research published by the Green Party shows just how

unfair, even if the airlines pass the full tax cut on through reduced

ticket prices the highest income households stand to gain for more

than anyone else. Of the 90 odd million tax giveaway going to UK

leisure passengers alone, the richest 10% of households will gain

over 33 million by the press 10% stand to benefit by just eight and a

half. While public transport that people depend on everyday remains

expensive and unreliable, how can it possibly be fair to offer a tax

break that drives up both pollution and inequality? Can I do with both

of those issues, firstly, the climate change issue because it six

to me important to this government. We are meeting our climate change

targets and we have some of the most ambitious climate change targets any

for in the world, the UK Committee on Climate Change previously

commented on this issue making the point and it's a point I would

endorse more generally, for any policy has a potential adverse

effect on emissions, that increases the responsibility of government to

make sure we balance that in other ways and our overall ambition to

meet those climate change targets is absolute as a commitment that the

government has set. On the wider issue of reducing ADT and I should

say the discussion and vote in parliament this week was not on

rates of a discount tax, it was about transferring the legal

responsibility for this from the Westminster Parliament to the

Scottish Parliament, it's about trying to improve the conductivity

of Scotland because we know improving connectivity of Scotland

is one of the key things we need to do to grow the economy of Scotland.

We all know growing the economy of Scotland is really important in

terms of supporting the public services all of us rely on, that's

why we must have a balance in policies but as Patrick Harvie will

be aware in response to the Finance and Constitution committee stage one

report, already confirmed we will commission an independent economic

assessment and the government will bring forward tax exemptions at

stage two suburban plenty of opportunity for the parliament to

scrutinise the details. It's important we get policies right in

the round so yes we are supporting our vital public services but we are

also supporting the economic growth that is so vital to doing exactly

that. Patrick Harvie. The bulk this week wasn't on rates and bands and a

Green Party will move amendments to introduce social and environmental

principles into that legislation and we won't vote for it unless those

powers. But the First Minister cites the UK Committee on Climate Change

who have argued for a cap on aviation emissions growth. She also

says we need more chronic David E, it's perfectly clear from the

continuing growth of our existing aviation that Air Passenger Duty has

not stopped that growth. Even for roads for rail is a perfectly viable

option we are failing to make sure it's the affordable choice for

people to make. Relentless aviation growth cannot possibly be

sustainable, we have visitors today to Parliament who are the most

directly affected people by that growth, affected by the noise and

pollution from increasing flights in Edinburgh and those campaigning

against an additional runway at Heathrow. The aviation industry

itself can well afford to lobby hard, sponsoring lavish events here

at Westminster and even at the First Minister's party Conference but

should we not be listening more closely to those whose lives will be

most affected by increased are quality, pollution here at home and

the effects of climate change around the world? Is it not time the

Scottish Government had a courtier and policy on aviation levels

including a cap on the emissions and protection for communities from the

direct impact they have to live with on a daily basis? Firstly trying to

find some consensus, it's important all voices are listened to. The

Scottish Government as made clear argue that in our view there are

benefits to Scotland from Heathrow expansion but it would be for the UK

Government in taking forward that policy to answer the questions on

the impact on people living around that area and also the impact on the

environment and of course we will continue to pay very close attention

to the answers to those questions and the case made as it develops. On

our own policy, hattrick Harvey talks about Loretta -- relentless

growth in aviation, it's not what I'm proposing the government is

proposing or but for the advocate is good connections for Scotland, of

course good real connections are vitally important and I would

encourage people to use the train when travelling across the UK but

our economy also needs good aviation connections and we know over past

years, the constraints there are a spin on the economy from lack of

certain routes and in particular of direct flights into and out of

Scotland so we need to get these policies right, you must grow the

economy, how many times rightly and understandably in this chamber do we

talk about the challenges facing the economy and the need to have

policies to grow the economy. That's a key priority of the government and

connections for business, exporters is a vital part of that but of

course, we have to make sure all of our policies taken together, past

the climate change challenge and it would be one thing to level these

criticisms of the Scottish Government if we weren't meeting

planner change ambitions but not only are we meeting those, and have

been praised by the committee on Climate Change for our record, we

are meeting the targets ahead of schedule, are not complacent, we

want to opt our ambition and go further but we need to have policy

balance so we can support economic growth and have support for public

services across the chamber that we want to see. Willie Rennie. To ask

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

meeting of the Cabinet? Excuse me. Matters of importance to the people

of Scotland. The First Minister has done nothing in the last 20 minutes

to avoid her party looking shifty and evasive on Europe and

independence. The First Minister said on Monday, this election is not

about independence. Yesterday, we see her sitting on a yes to

independence branded motor bike in the shadow of the Wallace Monument

on the bee Rautenbach burned so can the First Minister tell me what this

position today? -- Road to Bannockburn. My position is as it's

always been, he seems to be struggling to understand it, I

support Scotland being independent and an independent member of the

European Union, there you go, how can Willie Rennie struggle to

understand that and he's right, I went to Bannockburn yesterday, I

went to visit a fantastic heritage project, the restoration, the

proposed restoration of Alnwick Berghuis where Bonnie Prince Charlie

stayed back in those days, so that was a fantastic visit yesterday and

I'm proud in this election, to get out there and make the case for a

strong opposition to the Tories at Westminster and making the case that

on the key questions, independence and other key questions, it should

be the voice of this Parliament, is democratically elected parliament

that determines the future of Scotland, not the voice of an

increasingly right-wing Tory government at Westminster. Willie

Rennie. Does she really think were all buttoned up the back? She

said... Once again, once again, she has refused to say that this is what

the election is about but her predecessor was on the radio saying

exactly that is what it is about, it's about independence first, last

and every priority. Last week she was evasive about her future plans

in Europe, this week but confusion about independence. Starting with

denial and ending with a Hells Angels tour of the central belt.

Meanwhile, the economy is teetering on the edge of recession,

international education rankings have slipped, and the mental health

strategy is months behind schedule. She should be ashamed of that

record. The best way out of all of this is for her to do just what the

majority of people in this country would applaud her for, white can't

she just cancel this divisive, independence referendum campaign and

get back to her job for Scotland? So says the guy that has gone around

the country arguing for a second EU referendum. In answer, to Willie

Rennie's first question, I think most people watching this would

start to think that yes, the Liberal Democrats appear buttoned up the

back. So, if the cap fits, perhaps you should wear it. More seriously,

Willie Rennie raises in passing issues like education and the

economy and mental health. I agree that these are fundamentally

important issues which begs the question, why Willie Rennie does not

take the opportunity of these questions today to actually ask me

about any of these matters? He had the opportunity. Here am I, standing

here. He can ask me anything he likes, but chooses not to ask me

about education, health, or the economy. Do you know where that is,

presiding officer? Because all of the opposition parties here

actually, they are the ones that only want to talk about

independence. Why is that? Because it is a smoke screen. It is a smoke

screen, presiding officer, because none of them are prepared to talk

about their own policies or their own record. Let me tell you what I

am going to work in this election. I am going to work to win this

election, there is no other party in this chamber prepared to say that

that is what they are trying to do. The first question from Monica

Lennon. I have a question on a domestic matter, it's about

education. The First Minister will be aware that college electors are

on strike today, gathering outside Parliament for a rally this

afternoon after talks on Tuesday aimed at resolving the ongoing

industrial dispute failed to reach a solution. The SNP have been

promising lecturers equal pay since 2011. Lecturers have already

compromised by agreeing to stagger pay over three years up to 2019.

Despite this, a deal was agreed last year still has not been on it. What

message is does the First Minister have for the striking lecturers, and

what action ministers taking to resolve the dispute? First Minister.

In terms of the lecturers that are visiting Parliament today, the

Minister for further education and higher education will meet with them

later today. I want to see this dispute resolved, because strike

action in our colleges is in no 1's interest, certainly not in the

interest of college students. Let me be clear what has happened here. We

have put in place as we were asked to do, arrangements for national

bargaining. When you have those arrangements, it becomes ultimately

a matter for the trade union and the employers to resolve. As I

understand it, clearly I pay close attention to these matters, this is

not actually a dispute about paid. Pay increases have broadly been

agreed, this is now a dispute about terms and conditions about the

amount of class contact time and numbers of holiday. I would

encourage certainly the employers to go the extra mile to resolve this

dispute and I hope in discussion with the union, they will be able to

do that. I think the move to national bargaining is a significant

step forward. Once you have government having to step in to

resolve these things, you no longer have national bargaining. We want

that, there is going -- that is going to work, both sides have to be

prepared to come to a resolution under very much hope that happens

and soon. Tavish Scott. The First Minister will know that farmers and

crofters have three weeks to make 2017 payment applications. She will

also know the ?180 million commuter system is to make these payments

does not work. -- computer system. Will she undertake to give her

long-suffering officials and departments across Scotland the

tools in order to make their job possible, and that does not include

continuing with a computer system does not work? Of course we support

our officials working across the country, and officials working on

these matters are working exceptionally hard. We will ensure

the equipment and the tools they need to do the job is vitally

important, the payments to crofters and farmers more generally paid and

paid on time. We are focused on that. I am prepared to ask him to

meet with Tavish Scott to listen to any concerns he continues to have.

And we set out what we're doing to address them. Fulton MacGregor. But

I would ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is

taking to protect children and young people online? Last week the

Minister for children launched a national action plan on Internet

safety for children and young people. It contains a range of

actions we will undertake, working in partnership with the police,

health boards, and crucially children and young people

themselves. Our average 60 help young children stay safe on the

Internet and to support parents and carers be more where the potential

risks their face online. Fulton MacGregor. I welcome the stem

element. It's vital we all do what we can to keep children safe in

every aspect of their life. Can the First Minister advise what role was

envisaged for service providers and technology businesses, who clearly

also have a responsible of the two protect children from harm online?

The online industry, and I have to say, social media providers in

particular, have a key role. Key responsibility in ensuring that

children and young people do stay safe online. It is reassuring to see

the industry taking its responsibility to protect children

seriously, do a range of actions and measures. We should continue where

it is necessary to put pressure on the industry to take the action that

is appropriate, because there is more for the industry and for

providers to do. Indeed I think there's more we can all do to help

keep children safe online. The action plan we published last week

sets out how the government will take the Steps that are for us to

take, and I look forward to industry playing its role fully with

ministers and other stakeholders to implement its measures. The Internet

overwhelmingly is a force for good. We should embrace that positively.

It opens new worlds to children every single day, but the downside

for the dangers of the risk children face. We must tackle them so

children can continue to enjoy and benefit from the Internet as they

currently do. Liam Kerr. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish

Government 's position is on the accuracy of the GERS figures. GERS

is a national statistics publication which means it has been

independently assessed by the UK Statistics Authority to make sure it

meets the code of practice. That code ensures that statistics are of

high quality and public value. GERS estimates the level of public rent

new raised in Scotland and for residents of Scotland under the

current constitutional arrangement, it is based on a range of estimates

and it is not an indication of the finances of an independent Scotland,

which of course would be dependent on a range of other factors,

including the spending choices and priorities of the government of the

day. Liam Kerr. I think the First Minister for a reply. She has to say

that, to those SNP supporters including members of this chamber,

who in recent months had mounted a concerted attempt to undermine and

delegitimise GERS. Can she also put on record the GERS our official

statistics, produced by her government to the highest standards

and that those who denigrate the figures are, including in this

chamber, as a matter of fact, simply wrong? Can I recommend to the member

that when he comes here and asks a question, he actually manages to

listen to the answer. Let me repeat what I said in my first answer. He

asked me to put on record that they national statistics. The first words

in my original answer work, GERS is a national statistics publication. A

bit of listening instead of heckling might have gone down well. The I'm

making, the simple point I am making is this. GERS does not tell us

anything much about the finances of an independent Scotland. It is not

just me that says that. The Frazier of Allah Institute says that jurors

-- of an Institute, reflects that. An independent campaigner said

recently that nobody suggests the GERS figures reflects what an

independent Scotland would look like. Yes, they are official

statistics known to be of high value. They have a range of

estimates underpinning them as everyone is aware. Crucially they

reflect the position in Scotland, under current constitutional

arrangements, not under independence. Alex Rowley. To ask

the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take to

ensure that older people receive the free personal care payments that

they are entitled to, in light of research by Age Scotland, which

suggests that thousands are missing out due to delays in accessing and

arranging care. Age Scotland's figures show that 95% of older

people assessed as needing care received the assistance they needed

within five weeks. Those with critical and substantial needs were

conducted within two and a half weeks. That said, no one should have

to wait longer than necessary to receive their care package, that's

why we continue to work closely with councils to make provision even

better than it already is. Alex Rowley. I think the First Minister

for that question. The fact remains that for many individuals, and for

many families, far too often their experience of social care is not

always a good one. The residing officer said, where there is no

honour to the elderly, there is no future for the young. Being able to

provide support and care for older people in Scotland at the point

where they need that support and that care, must be the accepted will

of every Scottish Government. Will the First Minister agreed to set up

a view that will examine the progress today in rolling out

integrated health and social care, looking at what is working, what is

not, and why it is not, and building on best practice across Scotland to

ensure that every individual who needs health and social care is able

to access it? First Minister. I agree strongly with the sentiments

behind Alex Rowley's question. Health care the elder people is very

often the more uncivilised society. We should all be proud of elder care

in this country. And the fact that vast majority older people get good,

high-quality care, and they get it upon an assessment that says they

need that care. Yes there are still some individuals for whom that is

not the experience, and we must and determined to work to resolve that.

For that reason, we did take the step is a government, a step that no

previous government was prepared to do, to formally by statute integrate

health and social care. It is white, as Alex Rowley is aware, we are now

doing again the very difficult thing that governments have shied away

from my long time, of transferring money from acute health services

into social care and community care, in recognition of the fact that it

is those services that are absolutely essential that

individuals, particularly older people, but when it comes to

relieving the pressure on our acute health service. He asks for a

review, I would say the progress of integration is under constant

monitoring and review will stop that will continue to be so. It is

absolutely the right thing to do. Initiatives of that magnitude

clearly have challenges along the way. I already speak on a regular

basis to people who work in social care in different parts of the

country who point to improvements that are already being made because

of that integration. We are delivering, or we the people out

there are delivering those services, are delivering a high quality

service for older people. Working with health services and voluntary

organisations which are absolutely crucial here as well, to make sure

that is the experience for every single older person in Scotland.

Kristin Graham. As the First Minister is aware, the introduction

of free personal care in 2002 has saved over the 15 years, tens of

millions to the Treasury because they are not required to pay out

attendance allowance. Tens of billions that could have gone to

free personal care. Does the First Minister agree with me that it is

ironic, indeed hypocritical, but in the same breath as the Tories defend

their cruel reap laws and demand the Scottish Government provide funding

to support that callous clause, they refuse to pay out savings that we

have made in this Parliament through our compassionate policies? She is

absolutely right. It remains something of a national scandal,

that the UK Government clawed back attendance allowance from Scotland

following the introduction of free personal nursing care under previous

administration in 2002. Kristin Graham talks, I think she may have

misled about the tens of billions of pounds that have been lost to this

government as a result of past and current UK governments. Let me tell

you how much much that is exactly, over the past 15 years. It now

amounts to ?600 million. More than half ?1 billion that rightly should

be here in Scotland, helping to support our older people that is now

currently in the pockets of the London Westminster Treasury. That

policy, I have to say, was started by a Labour UK Government but it has

been continued by Tory UK Government. If either of those

parties now wants to say that they stand up for pensioners, although

that would be difficult for the Tories who are preparing to abandon

the triple lock on pensions, if either of those parties want to come

here and talk about what more we need to do for older people, the

support for this government is trying to get that money back for

Scotland would certainly be overdue, but it would be very welcome indeed.

That concludes FMQs. Ending with a very substantive issue

there, the business of free personal care and attendance allowance and

the call for the early days of this Parliament. The former

administration for the should have pushed harder with the UK

Government. Those are things for the past, for the present we have the

exchanges today. Was there any of the rudeness of mugwump, no there

was not. I stress, constructive mugging going on.

Joining me now are the political commentator Rebecca McQuillan

and The Courier's political editor Keiran Andrews.

I'm concerned on that one. Rebecca, first of all, let's flip flop a

little bit, to use Nicola Sturgeon's phrase of the day. Willie Rennie

first. He pursued hard this business of whether the election was a

referendum on a referendum. He did. He actually brought together the SNP

stance on Europe, which is quite as clear as it once was. And whether

this was really about trying to strengthen their mandate for a

second independence referendum. He used some fairly colourful language.

Called her shifty and pervasive! He did, and talked about her posing on

the BRoad to Bannockburn. The reason he has chosen to call this issue is

he knows the polls show you is not a huge enthusiasm for an independence

referendum. He suspects the SNP are trying to, not to talk about it too

much. And therefore trying to put them on the defensive line. On this

point, Nicola Sturgeon said I am in favour of independence. There's a

shock. I'm in favour of the EU, she has said previously in a statement

that there was already a mandate for a referendum and all the selection

would do would be reinforced that. She says she has made it clear. Does

Alex Salmond was Mac comments muddy the water? I think his comments do.

It seems he can't go on TV without giving journalists a newsline. It's

built in to his DNA. It does make it difficult for Nicola Sturgeon, she

knows that running an election campaign based on a second

independence referendum will be difficult. Most Scots voted no will.

To have her predecessor bring it front and centre of this again,

might cause a few problems, certainly in all parts and the

north-east of Scotland. Was it aptly who said a period of silence on your

part would be welcome? Is that possibly the sentiment she has. I

don't think anyone, not even the First Minister, could zip up the

mouth of her previous incumbent. Let's go back to the stop them, Ruth

Davidson. The fishing industry, the European issue generally. She was

going quite hard on that? She was. We have mentioned there, how this

issue of Europe is difficult. She was talking about, gunning for votes

in the fishing constituencies. We know for example, the Tories are

hoping to perhaps take some big scalps in the selection. Talk of

even Angus Robertson, the leader of the SNP at Westminster, losing his

seat. We don't know how likely that is, but they are putting all their

energies into that certainly. What they are trying to do is say, look,

you say you don't like the Common fisheries policy but you're poor in

Europe told a different story. Nicola Sturgeon was quite effective

in coming back. -- your policy in Europe. She talked about joining the

market and 73, she recalled the White Paper saying there has to be a

role for the European fleet. She absolutely came out all guns blazing

on that, and aimed to put Ruth Davidson on the offensive. She asked

what does the White Paper mean when it says the UK Government wants a

deal that is acceptable to EU fishing communities. Turning to

Kezia Dugdale, she was going not for the UK general election but the

small matter of the locals next Thursday. Lots more in the

slightest, I say that in a gently satirical sense. She was raising the

issue of education. Nicola Sturgeon's first priority, or was

it? Education has been a real thorn in the side of Nicola Sturgeon, said

she announced it was her main priority, I think she would be

judged by. She has been judged on her record of education as a First

Minister. It has been tough. There are 700 Scotland -- Scotland are

short of 700 teachers. That's an awful lot of people is not getting

the education that they deserve, and they need. It was quite refreshing

to see actual domestic policy come to the fore of a FMQs, which was

general election campaigning in every other sense. It was a dream,

wasn't it, Nicola Sturgeon reported those suggestions from a Kezia

Dugdale, but she did not go out all guns blazing as you said with

regards to other things. She is aware it is a tricky record to

defend. She says, we're trying our best, it's not in his coroner has

shortages. Absolutely. John Swinney has been put in charge of education,

he was seen as the man to come in and sort out the problems left by

his predecessors. He has found more lurking under the floorboards and

perhaps either him or Nicola Sturgeon expected. Patrick Harvie of

the Green Party, some effective questions on the business of the

impact of air taxation. That's right. There is a bill just

approved, its first stage, which would enable the Scottish Parliament

to start the process of doing away with air passenger. He pointed out,

as other have before him, there is no official analysis yet about what

the economic, social or my mental impact of that would be. Now the

Scottish Government have said they will go away and provide that

information before rates and bandings are set. Nicola Sturgeon

trying to set the other side of the equation, the potential benefit? She

was playing the, if you like, the stateswoman role with that. Saying

she has two balance issues of mitigating climate change against

boosting the economy. We have a good record on climate change. Give us a

chance to get this right. Rebecca and Kieran, hang on very few

seconds. Local politicians always tell you the only poll that matters

is the one on election day. They are of course entirely right. Does that

mean they pay no attention to the polls come from the opinion

pollsters on the way? No, of course it doesn't. They pay very close

attention to that indeed. I decided to catch up a little bit in the

where we are on the polls and spoke to an expert from the Scotland

Office of Ipsos Mori, Mark Diffley. The vast majority of polls that have

been published since the campaign was on the way since the election

was called, showing the Conservatives at UK level of very

strong lead position. Up to 40%, 50% of the vote. Two things, to watch

out for. Some of that is at the expense of Labour, who are down in

the early to mid 20s in some polls, which would be a pretty disastrous

result for them of course. Actually the Ukip vote much collapsing at a

UK level as well. Down to four, five, 6%. The Tories being the main

beneficiary of that. I suppose at the Mrs Merkel question, what first

did attracted Theresa May to the election? Polling helped. There are

a number of factors behind her rationale and reasoning. She is

right in saying, if she gets an increased majority, that will

probably help with the Brexit negotiations. That's at the

forefront of her mind. Of course the polling really does help. It's not

just that the Tories are set for an increased majority at this stage,

albeit we are not actually into the campaign proper yet. Her personal

majorities in all the polls are pretty sky-high. There was a lot of

voter satisfaction with the job she's doing. A lot of confidence in

the prospects of her leading the UK's negotiations on Brexit. As

ever, Scotland is different, the polling picture is different in

Scotland? Hugely different, as ever, or as ever in recent times. I had to

say, although not at the same level, we are seeing somewhat of a Tory

resurgence in Scotland as well. The polling that has been done, since

the Prime Minister called the election, shows the Tories up

approaching a third of the vote in Scotland, which in recent times is

entirely unprecedented. I think the bigger picture of course is that the

SNP still a very dominant position, in terms of the number of seats they

are likely to win, I doubt it will be up at 56 again like it was in

2015. Still likely to be the vast, vast majority of the 59 seats that

are available in Scotland. That was Mark Diffley

from pollsters Ipsos MORI. On the apparent disparity in the

situation in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Rebecca McQuillan and Keiran Andrews are still with me.

A glance at the morning Star, they said Churchill was a shoo-in and 45.

Anyway. The point was, it still all to fight for. On a UK basis that

still true, but the Tories do look pretty comfortable. The polling

industry has had some nasty knocks, hasn't it, in the last couple of

years? Sparta about -- part of that, they have been trying to call polls

which are very close. When you have a 3% margin of error which is very

difficult to narrow, and you have a very close result, there will be

problems. There have been methodical runs as well. This is a very

substantial lead in the polls that Theresa May has, so I think it's

probably fairly safe to bet that she will be returning to Downing Street.

What will happen to labour on the other hand, that I think is more of

a moot point. We have to see what happens now that... Once the

election rules kick improper. What happens to Jeremy Corbyn? 59 MPs by

definition in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon saying it's about standing

up for Scotland. Sturgeon is really pushing this rhetoric that they had

to be the official opposition, the real opposition, with the collapse

of any effective opposition from the Labour Party in the Commons. It's

likely the SNP will leave seeds in the selection simply because 56 of

the 59 was an incredible result last time. A hugely high bar. Just

because that falls, as Mark Diffley says, they will still be the largest

party with a considerable difference and the largest part of the boat,

which is still a win in Scotland. Thank you very much my both of you.

We will see the outcome of the elections in the UK general

election, and we will see whether United are promoted to the

premiership! That's it from me. this super-sized hospital has been

transforming lives in Scotland. There's nowhere else in Scotland

that could have done This is all Roz,

she's trying to frame me! This is the final push,

we cannot fail. He sent you, didn't he?

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