 Maen nhw'n gyfnod o'i gweithio'r bywyd yn gennych gyffredinol. Yn ymgyrch i'r cymaint, Rachel Hamilton. Maen nhw'n gyffredinol i'r gweithio'r bywyd yn gwybodol o'u gweithio'r bywyd. Felly, o'r Sgolffordd Gwfffordd, y bydd yn gweithio'r gweithio'r bywyd yn cael ei bywyd yn cael ei bywyd? Rangodydd bwysnys yn gweithio'r bywyd yn cael ei bywyd yn gweithio'r bywyd yn cael ei bywyd yn cael ei bywyd. The Business Gateway service is a first point of contact for all public sector business support for pre-start, early stage and established businesses. Within the tourism sector, Visit Scotland provides a global marketing platform, together with opportunities for our engagement for business development missions and attendance at trade fairs, as well as free market intelligence and advice. Visit Scotland also offers support to individual businesses through the quality assurance schemes and where appropriate hotels may be assisted through direct enterprise agency support from one-to-one account management. Also, skill support is available through the recently launched Scottish tourism skill investment plan. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Draft re-evaluations released on 6 December by the Scottish Assessors Association indicate that rateable values for hotels will increase by between 10 and 117 per cent, with initial analysis suggesting an average increase of 48 per cent. That will have a devastating effect on hotel businesses across Scotland, who have to pay eye-watering rates. Those are labour-intensive businesses with high-fixed overheads. They operate on low margins and have highly-priced, sensitive customers. Hotels are already competing with Airbnb on unequal terms. They have seen cost pressure from wage increases and auto-enrollment. Is it the intention of the Scottish Government to make Scottish hotel businesses unsustainable and uncompetitive? The member will be aware that the rates assessment is conducted by independent assessment. That is very important. It is independent assessment. The member will also be aware that, during the budget, we announced that the current poundage that is currently at 48.4 pence in the pound will be reduced to 46.6 pence in the pound. In those areas where the Scottish Government has control, we are making efforts to make sure that we reduce that burden in terms of the poundage. Of course, if the Conservative Party and its members vote against the budget, they will be voting against the reduction from 48.4 pence to 46.6 pence. Rachael Hamilton, a hotel owner, has just asked a question about Government support for the hotel industry. That is the 24th time since May that the Tories have asked explicitly self-serving parliamentary questions to advance their own business interests. Does the cabinet secretary agree that this is a completely inappropriate use of parliamentary time and resources? That is not a question for the cabinet secretary. Question 2, Mark Ruskell. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to argue the case that Scotland's concerns are taken into account in relation to the comprehensive economic trade agreement. The Scottish Government has made clear to the UK Government and to the European Commission that trade agreements must not adversely affect the delivery of public services or lower standards or limit the Government's right to regulate in the public interest. I wrote to the Secretary of State for International Trade last month re-emphasising that our ability to regulate and our ability to determine how the NHS in Scotland should operate should in no way be compromised by trade agreements have not yet received a response. Regulation of international trade is currently, as a member will know, a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998, and trade negotiations are led by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union's 28 member states. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament do not therefore have a direct say in or direct influence on negotiations or the ratification of any agreement. Mark Ruskell. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response, and he will be aware that I have asked over 14 questions now on this topic in recent months. Following the statement that we had to this chamber on Tuesday, perhaps we could get some clarity about CETA and the implications for Scotland. So if Scotland remained a member of both the UK and the European Economic Area, would it be subject to the conditions of CETA in any future trading with Canada? I think that the proposal made by the First Minister in relation to Scotland's place in Europe has a number of questions, which we have to seek to get answers to in relation to the interests of other parties. Of course, if it was to be the case that Scotland was to be represented by the UK in international trade agreements rather than the EU is currently, then I have heard it said to me, certainly, by very senior people involved in this, that the UK does not have the expertise to properly defend and promote its interests compared to a country like Canada, which has huge experience, huge numbers of people involved in negotiating trade agreements over many years. That represents a clear and present danger to the interests of Scotland, so we will keep our eye on that. Of course, we want to promote the best possible interests for Scotland. The optimum outcome, of course, is where we could represent our own interests internationally and make sure that our interests were served in those discussions. Question 3, Ben Macpherson. To ask the Scottish Government how its budget will affect the people of Edinburgh. Cabinet Secretary, Derek Mackay. We have invested in the Royal hospital for sick children, the NHS Lothian Partnership Centre facilities, which are estimated to be operational in June 2017, and a huge investment in the Queensferry crossing. The NHS and Lothian will see funding of £1.34 billion in the next financial year alone. In eight new or rebuilt schools in the east of our country will be operational or in construction in 2017-18, benefiting from the £97 million of Scottish Government funding. Schools in the area will benefit directly from the share of almost £7.4 million of the attainment Scotland fund, and Edinburgh Council will receive over £3 quarters of a billion through the local government settlement. In addition, over 12,000 businesses in the east of Scotland will save almost £26 million a year through the small business bonus. There are just some of the positive policies from the budget. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer and strongly welcome the Scottish Government's strong commitments to invest in our capital city. With population levels rising in Edinburgh, I also welcome the Scottish Government's commitment in the draft budget to invest £470 million of direct capital investment in affordable housing. Can the cabinet secretary advise how Edinburgh specifically will benefit from increased investment in social housing? I think that all members will welcome the excellent investment in housing. We have a target of 50,000 affordable homes, backed by an investment package of some £3 billion. I think that it will benefit every part of Scotland. 70 per cent of those homes will be for social rents. Having achieved a target of 30,000 homes in the last Parliament, I look forward to this Government delivering a target of 50,000 homes in this Parliament. That will also include new innovative financial packages to stimulate growth right across the sector, and Edinburgh will absolutely be a main beneficiary of those excellent housing policies. Can I give the opportunity to the cabinet secretary to apologise to Edinburgh residents for the budget shambles that we saw last week? The Government had to contact Edinburgh City Council within days of its budget being published to tell it that it had got the numbers wrong. In fact, allocation to Edinburgh City Council was £9 million less than the published figures. Does the cabinet secretary think that this is a competent way of running Government finance? I know that Miles Briggs is new to the chamber, but local government finance is incredibly complex. Miles Briggs might also want to study very closely the evidence that I gave to his colleagues in the Labour Party. I know that Miles Briggs is a very diligent member of the chamber and will want to know the answer. I encourage him to look at the evidence that I gave to the local government committee around local government finance. I have covered every question that was asked. We will also be aware that the point of the exercise around the circular is to put out draft figures to engage with local authorities individually and collectively. That is a consultation exercise. That is what we have done, and we have delivered those technical arrangements. Miles Briggs's commentary around Edinburgh City Council is not quite accurate in terms of reductions, because I am looking at the figures here for them. I will come to the figures, Mr Kelly, which shows that the increase for City of Edinburgh Council is an increase of over £10 million. I think that the citizens of the capital city will look forward to the increased spending power that the council and all local government services have, because when you look at the totality of the figure, it is not just an increase of £10 million, in fact it is an increase of over £18 million. The leader of Edinburgh City Council, Andrew Burns, describes the settlement for Edinburgh as the worst revenue settlement since devolution. He goes on and I would like to quote this. He says, rarely in my near 18 years as a local councillor have I seen so much spin and manipulation of figures. He points out that, in Edinburgh's case, it will receive £37 million less than it did in last year's budget. Right across Scotland, local government, leaders, local government and finance directors are warning that we will see deep cuts in public services. Are they all wrong? If it was the case that local authorities were not happy with the settlement, why has the councillor not rejected the settlement that I have given to him? It is certainly still under our discussions and it does not surprise me that Alex Rowley is quoting a Labour council leader to undermine the position of the Scottish Government. However, I have just given you the position that the city council will have extra resources to spend when you look at the total package and when you include the integration authorities, which is the point of integration. The extra resource to Edinburgh area is over £18 million, which is a 2.3 per cent increase to the area. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement the recommendations of the Enabled Scotland report included in the main. The Scottish Government will consider the recommendations of the Enabled Scotland report included in the main in conjunction with the advisory group for additional support for learning and other key stakeholders. Jeremy Balfour Can I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer? He will be aware that over 80 per cent of the education workforce who participated in the Enabled national conversation that we were not getting it right for every child with the presumption that our children should be taught in a mainstream setting. Would the cabinet secretary agree that in some cases mainstreaming can intensify the feelings of isolation and exclusion felt by some children with a learning disability or physical disability, and that a charge education requirement should be based on the individual needs and background, and does he agree that the time has come for the Scottish Government to review the current guidelines, not just to look at what happened in the classroom but the holistic approach to the whole school day? I agree with a lot of analysis that Mr Balfour has set out to the Parliament that I think that we have to make individual judgments about the educational needs of every child. That is at the heart of getting it right for every child agenda, and that should be applied in all circumstances. I am still a firm believer in the presumption of mainstreaming, but I would not want that to be perceived as being a view that essentially ruled out the provision in a special educational setting that met the needs of individual young people. I pretty much agree with the analysis that Mr Balfour has set out. In relation to the wider exercise of our responsibilities in respect of additional support for learning, ministers have reviewed on a five-yearly basis performance in relation to additional support for learning, and I intend to continue to look very close at those issues, recognising the interests that have been taken in this matter by the Education and Skills Committee of the Parliament and the wider issues that are raised by the enabled report. I will continue that dialogue in the period ahead. 5. Alton Harris To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to attract more higher-rate tax payers to Scotland. Our income tax proposals for 2017-18 and beyond will ensure that Scotland continues to be an attractive place to live, work and do business. Tax is only one side of the balance sheet by not passing on the Tory tax cut. Those on higher incomes benefit from the social contract, free higher education, free personal care, free prescription and other vital public services in Scotland, maintaining Scotland as an attractive place to live and invest. Can the minister explain why Scotland has seen a decrease of 10,000 higher-rate tax payers over the past year? I do not know why it is that the Conservatives are trying to pretend that our tax position going forward has affected the past. I am happy to look at the issue in further detail and share it with Alison Harris, who I know as a former charter—maybe I am currently practicing chartered accounting—I do not know the position, but certainly as a former chartered account will take this matter very seriously. However, I would point out that all the predictions that Alison Harris made in the previous debate on taxation have turned out not to be accurate. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Glasgow City Council and what issues were discussed. Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland. I most recently met the leader of Glasgow, Frank McAvity, on 1 December to discuss housing issues. The minister will be aware that Glasgow City Council plans to contract out its ICT services. The minister will further be aware of concerns raised by the workforce and unison about the process that has led to the decision, including the fact that it appears to have been taken behind closed doors without a detailed options appraisal business case being published, meaning that the figures for claimed savings exist in isolation with no reasonable means of comparison, scrutiny or verification. Does the minister agree that this is a matter that the Accounts Commission could usefully investigate? I am aware of the concerns that have been expressed around Glasgow City Council's plan for delivery of ICT services. Councils are under a legal duty to demonstrate that they are delivering best value for their communities and that they are securing a balance between social, economic and environmental wellbeing in the way that they operate. The member is right that auditing all council's delivery of best value is the responsibility of the Accounts Commission. However, the commission is independent and so it would be for them to decide whether to look at this particular issue. As Mr McKee will also know, all local authorities are subject to the freedom of information in legislation and must therefore respond to requests for information about their decisions. They are also legally required to provide public access to their meetings and to their minutes and background papers, unless that would be a breach of confidentiality. To ask the Scottish Government how its disability delivery plan will assist people with learning disabilities and people with autism into employment. A fair of Scotland for disabled people sets out a range of actions to support disabled people into work. We will also introduce a one-year transitional service through newly devolved employability programmes from April 2017 for disabled people to provide continuity of service for those who need it most, called Work for Scotland. It will deliver employment support for up to 3,300 disabled people. People with learning disabilities and autism will be eligible for the service. In addition, there is a package of specialist employer support tailored to the needs of the individuals being delivered nationally by the open doors consortium. A partnership made up of Scotland's leading specialist employment providers will enable, as part of the consortium, those who look forward to meeting in the new year. I thank the minister for that. If he is aware of the furnishing service based in East Kilbride, which not only is an accredited living wage employer but does work experience schemes with Sanderson High School, which is a special needs senior school in East Kilbride, those work experience programmes have turned out to be beneficial and are bringing out the great abilities that many people who attend Sanderson High School have. Would you consider visiting the furnishing service and Sanderson High School to see the examples that can be given in a way of encouraging other employers to do likewise in their communities? What I can say to Linda Fabian is that we have in place the developing young workforce strategy, which is designed to see far better interaction between the school environment and employers across the country. We are seeing that increasingly. That is important for all of Scotland's pupils to be able to get better access to the labour market, particularly for those who are furthest removed from the labour market. In that regard, I congratulate Sanderson High School and the furnishing service, which she has mentioned. There is a very positive example. I would encourage others in East Kilbride and South Lantern across Scotland to follow that example. I would be very happy to visit the Sanderson High School and the furnishing service at some point in the new year. To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on what issues were discussed. Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with representatives of all boards to discuss matters of local importance. At the start of this year, the First Minister promised that the people of Inverclyde that services at Inverclyde royal hospital were safe. This week, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde agreed to hold a formal consultation on the closure of the Inverclyde birthing unit, as well as the birthing unit at the Vale of Leven. If the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport will not make good on our Government's pre-election promise and commit to stopping the closure of the birthing unit today, will she at the very least take the opportunity to tell people in Inverclyde when she will make this very important decision? As Neil Bibby has just said, the board at its meeting this week agreed that the proposals for Inverclyde and the Vale were to be major service changes. Of course, that means that those major service changes will come to me exactly what the member has been arguing for all along. I hope that he will be satisfied that that is the case. Paul Gray, the director general for health and social care, has written to the chair of Greater Glasgow and Clyde today to ensure that the terms of the consultation are consistent with the recommendations of the review of maternity and neonatal services, which, as he knows, will be published in the new year. He is reiterating to the chair that it is important that the recommendations of that review are understood before the consultation issues on the Inverclyde royal hospital and the Vale of Leven. As I have said before, I am very happy to keep Neil Bibby and other members updated as those proposals go forward, but I am sure that he will be satisfied that ultimately the decision will be mine.