 The first item of business today is general questions. Her first question is from Neil Bibby. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Goodness Trans علese to Transport Poverty Swirland. eden ffrwng y lleMUSIC NOT acceptable in Scotland, the world inequality poverty rate is why we invest only £1 billion annually in public and sustainable transport, we will take account of such tran research in our current review o gwneud i ddweudio ddechrau ddechrau o ddweudio ddechrau a'u cyrraff o'r anion ar y ddweudio ddechrau ar y ddweudio ar 80 miliwn per annum? Gwyrdd eich clywed oes iawn o 1 miliwn cyngorau o ddechrau, oedd mae'n rheswmau o ddweudio ddechrau i ddweudio o ddweudio i ddechrau i ddweudio ddweudio i ddechrau, ond rhaid. Mae'n ddweudio'n drechu gyda'r gwylltig iawn, ac mae'n ddweudio'n ddweudio ar y ddweudio Rfive rule prevails that are currently available to all over the age of sixty, including those on low incomes and in work poverty. It is the Government that failed to back Labour's plan to freeze all rail fares this year, and once the cut air passenger duty for the wealthy-frequent flying few will concede that its own decisions can contribute to and have contributed to transport poverty in this country, and what steps will he now take to poverty-proof transport policy and ensure that public transport is accessible and affordable to all? No, I do not accept the premise of Neil Bibby's question. Also, I would say that in relation to his comments on rail, of course it was this Government that asked under the Smith commission for the ability to have a public transport bid for our rail franchises, something that the Labour Party failed to do. The Labour Party said that it wanted to do that, but it failed to even ask Smith. And this government is the one that's contributed hugely to the expansion of rail services to areas not previously served, either by stations or even in the case of Borders rail line to new lines as well. The biggest new railway line in over a hundred years in the whole of the UK. In relation to the report, of course it's important that we have the constitutional travel scheme, although I have heard over the years I've been in this Parliament from the Labour benches, calls to limit that scheme. I've heard it from the Conservative benches as well. It's perfectly proper for us to go out and consult in relation to the concessionary travel scheme. Of course, the first place in Scotland that introduced a full concessionary travel scheme was my own local authority of clip manager. The SNP has a proud record in terms of concessionary travel. We've extended the number of people in the categories that can access that, and it's quite right that we hold a consultation on its future development. Gillian Martin The cabinet secretary advised of the progress of any consideration of the reopening of a rail link going from Dice to Ellen and possibly beyond to the towns of Banff and Bucking, given those of mine and Stuart Stevenson's constituency, the public transport options that so many other areas of Scotland presently enjoy. Will we remain fully committed to funding high-quality reliable rail services, as I've mentioned, and securing the necessary funding for sustainable investment in the railway to support communities, and to meet future projections for demand? We've seen hugely increased demand for rail travel. The offer that we've received from the UK Government leaves a shortfall of £600 million on what the industry is telling us it needs, but I can assure you that our immediate priority is to press the treasury to secure a fair deal for Scotland. Indeed, my officials are meeting treasury counterparts today. In the meantime, we'll continue to work with the rail industry to plan for the next rail investment period from 2019, including options for investment such as the one that Gillian Martin mentioned. Transport Scotland is also currently reviewing work that Nestrans have undertaken to consider options for transport improvements north of Aberdeen as part of their Fraser Borough and Peterhead to Aberdeen transport study. I also understand that Nestrans have invited local MSPs, MPs and councillors to a briefing on 3 November to outline their emerging findings. Early work also commenced on a strategic transport appraisal as part of the Aberdeen city region deal that I was involved in. This will take a 20-year strategic view of the north-east regions' transport connections across all modes, including road and rail. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of that study in due course. The Sustrans report research applied their calculations to the whole of Scotland and found that 20 per cent of neighbours who studied were at high risk of transport poverty. Can the cabinet secretary tell us what the Scottish Government's response is to the findings that high-risk areas are largely outside urban areas, demonstrating the SNP's lack of care and focus to rural communities? I would hear that from a Conservative in terms of lack of support for bus services. When we have seen, of course, the Conservatives are the ones who have been responsible for the budget cuts. Despite that, we have funded hugely in terms of bus service operators grant and, of course, in terms of concessionary travel. I have heard a number of calls from Conservatives over the years asking for us to cut back on the concessionary travel scheme. In terms of the report, Transport Scotland have welcomed the report. There are some limitations to it, which Sustrans themselves point out in terms of analysis, but we welcome the report and we will take the report into account as we seek to take forward the national transport strategy and, of course, the future funding and support for bus services, which is at record levels under this Government. To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to encourage people from the private communities to get involved in sport and physical activity. The Scottish Government is committed to increasing rates of physical activity. The Active Scotland Outcomes framework sets out our ambitions for a more active Scotland and is underpinned by a commitment to equality. We are committed to ensuring that community sports hubs provide opportunities for all to participate in sport and benefits to the communities that they serve. Current work is focusing on hubs located in communities in the lowest 5 per cent of the SMIND areas. In addition, our active schools programme offers opportunities for children and young people who may experience barriers to participation. The recently published Barclay report recommends that certain public buildings, such as ledger centres and, potentially, some of the hubs that the minister talks about, which are operated at arms length by local authorities, should pay business rates. In the North Lanarkshire council area, the estimated cost of that would be £4.5 to £5 million a year. I have a massive impact on the ability to encourage people living in deprived communities to get involved in sport and physical activity. Can the minister say if she agrees with me on the impact of that proposal and if she has lobbied the finance secretary to reject that particular recommendation? The director of the Parliament made a statement to the Parliament setting out his approach and recommendations from the Barclay review and the consideration that he wants to give further to the impact on allios. I understand that he will be making a statement to update the Parliament this year. I would like to ask the minister if the Women and Girls in Sport advisory board will examine the challenges of female participation in deprived areas. The Women and Girls in Sport advisory board will look at how to increase participation and raise awareness in sport and physical activity for girls and women and will explore all the barriers that women and girls face in terms of accessibility. That, of course, will also include deprivation. However, we should take heart in what is currently happening across the country to provide girls with opportunities that are illustrated through our recent Women and Girls in Sport week and the sports that are reporting an increase in girls' participation, including karate, rugby, dodgeball and cross-country. Good work is happening. More must be done, though. I will continue to keep the member who has a clear interest in that updated work as it progresses. Brian Whittle Given that we know that, if we get young people active, they are more likely to remain active into adulthood and that the active schools programme highlights a 11 per cent greater uptake from deprived areas, would it not suggest that increasing extracurricular activity in schools should be a main drive of the Government in making sure that access to sport for all? Those projects have been a real success and have indicated that higher participation rates have happened in areas of deprivation, showing that, when there is opportunity, a broad range of opportunities for young people, they will take them up. That is why we will continue to work with Sports Scotland to support that good work and to ensure that young people and other older people get the opportunities that they need to ensure that they can become more active because we know of the health benefits that that brings. Richard Lochhead The minister will be aware that to address this issue, we need sports facilities in our communities. Will she therefore welcome the exciting proposal for a Murray Sports Centre and urge her officials and Sports Scotland to offer appropriate financial support and any other advice that is possible? I am very well of the proposals that the member outlines and his enthusiasm for promoting them. The proposed development, I understand that discussions are on-going between the developers and Sports Scotland relating to the plans and proposals. I would strongly encourage all parties to continue the dialogue and to do what we can to support with advice and support as it progresses. I look forward to being kept updated as the project updates and, of course, to continue to engage with the member on that work as well. Question 3, Clare Baker. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Transport Scotland and what issues were discussed. As Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Government, meetings with ministers occur regularly in the normal course of business. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. During the recent debate on the Leave Mouth rail link, the transport minister said that he is minded to instruct officials from Transport Scotland to take on responsibility for the grip 4 process. However, since then, in written response to questions, the minister has said that it is not possible to define timescales for any grip 4 work until completion of the stag and the grip 3 stage. Can the cabinet secretary confirm to the chamber what stage of the process we are at and what work, if any, so far the Transport Scotland is currently carrying out in relation to the Leave Mouth rail project? I think that it was the case that my colleague Humza Yousaf said. I think that, as Clare Baker has mentioned after the member's debate last month, he was going to task Transport Scotland to take forward the feasibility around the Leave Mouth rail campaign. I was to do that with the agreement of Fife Council. I understand that those discussions are on-going. The intention is there. It is something that Clare Baker has spoken on a number of times in his chamber, as have a number of other members from Fife as well. That intention is there to do that, and it is in the process of being discussed between Transport Scotland and Fife Council. If the member is keen, I can make sure that Humza Yousaf passes on a full account of how those discussions are going. Jamie Greene I know that spending on ferries in Scotland has doubled in the last 10 years, with subsidies to operators also doubling over the same period. Audit Scotland has recently warned that there is no Scotland-wide long-term strategy that the state of half of our harbours is unknown and that Transport Scotland will find it increasingly difficult to provide services within its budget. If all that is the case, why is this Government so intent on awarding direct in-house contracts, which will surely only add to the cost of the network? Of course, the position of awarding future contracts is under review for reasons that Jamie Greene I am sure is well aware of. I am not sure if Jamie Greene is attacking the Scottish Government for the introduction of RET, which has seen a major boost to our islands, or for keeping prices affordable for our island communities. This Government has a very proud record of supporting our communities that are dependent upon ferries. That includes building new ferries, such as the fantastic Lock Seaforth. Many areas of Scotland have benefited from investment in our harbours and ports, so I think that there has been a huge investment by this Government in our ferries, and we are very proud of that. If the Conservatives and Jamie Greene want to propose cuts to those services, they will get the chance to do that in the budget, but for this Government, we will continue to support our remote and island communities by investing in our ferries and our ports. Linda Fabiani Can the cabinet secretary clarify concerns that I have read recently about UK Government cuts to the Scottish budget for railway investment and how that might jeopardise vital improvements across the country? As rail improvements to East Kilbride are long overdue, can the minister confirm that the upgrade of the East Kilbride Glasgow rail line will remain a priority? Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Transport The Scottish Government is very concerned about the recent decision by the UK Government. Of course, the projection that has been made leaves a shortfall of around £600 million. That is not the Scottish Government's estimate, but the estimate of the industry and what the industry tells us that it needs. I can assure the member that our immediate priorities to press the Treasury to secure a fair deal for Scotland. As I mentioned earlier, officials are meeting with Treasury counterparts today. In the meantime, we will continue to work with the rail industry to plan for the next rail investment period from 2019. That includes, as the member asks about, options for investment in the East Kilbride line. Further detailed on our approach to investment across the network in Scotland will be contained in the investment strategy due for publication later this year, and that will provide more information to the member on the question that she asks. Jackie Baillie The cabinet secretary may be aware that the Kilcregan to Goruch ferry service, run by ClydeLink for SPT, is off more than it is on, and that is having a hugely negative impact on people in my constituency. Will the cabinet secretary fulfil the promise made by the Scottish Government to take over the running of the Kilcregan to Goruch ferry before the contract is renewed next year? Michael Russell Of course, that is a ferry service that is not run by the Scottish Government. It is a responsibility of SPT, and it requires work and the active support of SPT for any decision to be taken in terms of it coming into the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland's remit. I am happy to get my colleague Humza Yousaf to respond to the member to tell her exactly where we are at in terms of that, but it requires the active support of SPT to bring a service. We have made the offer around the country to other parts of the country that do not have Scottish Government directly run services that we are willing to enter into negotiations to take those on. The same applies to the Kilcregan ferry, but it will require the support of the SPT. Question 4, David Stewart. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment is made of the importance of sprinklers in preventing deaths from fire. Minister Kevin Stewart Following the tragic fire at Grenfell tower, the ministerial working group in building and fire safety is considering all relevant measures to ensure the safety of residents in high-rise domestic buildings, including a review of evidence on automatic fire suppression systems, including sprinklers. As the member is aware, since 2005, building regulations have required an automatic fire suppression system to be installed in a variety of new buildings, including high-rise domestic buildings, residential care buildings, sheltered housing complexes, schools and enclosed shopping centres. The provision of sprinklers within existing high-rise domestic buildings is not compulsory. Sprinklers are only one of a range of risk reduction measures. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service raises awareness of fire risk in the home and encourages people to take steps to make their homes safe. David Stewart Presiding Officer, the minister will be well aware that, in Scotland, there has never been multiple fire deaths where a working sprinkler has been in operation. In Wales and in Fife and Angus councils, they already have a policy of sprinklers in new-build social housing. Will the minister work with me and my members' bill to ensure that a wider coverage of sprinklers is to prevent death, injury and damage caused by fire in the future? David Stewart Presiding Officer, the Scottish Government recognises the importance of fire suppression systems. We have put in place a working group to look at all aspects of that and a separate working group to look at building standards. I know that the member has taken a great interest in that, and he met the cabinet secretary on 12 September. We will continue to update Mr Stewart on the work that we are doing, and I am sure that he will continue to engage with us in that vital work. Graham Simpson The Fire Brigades Union has been calling for sprinklers to be fitted in all tower blocks, not just those since 2005, for the last eight years. When will that happen? Graham Simpson Presiding Officer, as I said in my earlier answer, fire suppression systems are one of many ways of ensuring safety. The expert group that we have put together, which includes international experts, will look at all aspects of that. Beyond that, Mr Simpson will be aware that the ministerial working group has also called for an inventory of all high-rise buildings in Scotland to make sure that the decisions that we take are the right ones for those buildings. Maurice Corry To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm its position on income tax ahead of its budget. John Swinney Minister of Work and Welfare has found the question on his behalf. We will shortly publish a discussion paper on income tax and encourage everyone in the chamber and throughout the country to participate. The draft budget will be put before Parliament on 14 December, and we will announce our formal policy intention then. Maurice Corry I thank the minister for his reply. Nevertheless, a recently released FOI request revealed that the First Minister was warned in March that plans to implement the citizen's basic income would cost at least £12.3 billion a year. Can the minister tell us if it is fair for every Scottish taxpayer to face a rate of 50 per cent in tax to pay for the Government's basic income policy as evidenced by the Government's own briefings? Maurice Corry I thank the member for his question. The Scottish Government is very clear about the principles that will guide our tax policy. We believe that tax should be progressive and that those on the lowest income should not shoulder the burden of UK Government budget cuts. The upcoming discussion paper will cover the importance of progressivity and will be published with our policy intentions on 14 December. James Kelly Given the substantial challenges in the Scottish budget around addressing the issues of child poverty, properly funding local councils and ensuring fair pay for public sector workers, does the minister agree that substantial changes around taxation are required in order to fund those challenges? The Scottish Government has been very clear that, in terms of the process that we are going through, stakeholder engagement is very important. We have written to all party leaders to ask for their views on income tax in order that we can have an honest, informed discussion. Unfortunately, as yet, I do not think that the Labour Party has responded to that request. Thank you. Before we come to First Minister's questions now, members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery his excellency Steve Caciwano, High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia.