 Lleid poorlydor bottles. On the constitution, external affairs and culture. I would ask those members who would wish to seek to ask a supplementary question to please press the request a speaker button during the relevant question or enter the letter's RTS and chat function. As ever, I would appreciate the succinct questions and answers in order to get in as many members as possible and I call question number one Andleister Allen. 1, Alistair Allan. To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with the UK Government regarding concerns over the potential impact in Scotland of the proposed illegal migration bill. I wrote to the United Kingdom Government stating unequivocally that the Scottish Government do not support the bill, which removes offering a place of safety to desperate people fleeing conflict and persecution, and have urged them not to progress with the bill. The First Minister has echoed this during the First Minister's questions condemning the cruel and inhumane provisions in the bill. We have a moral obligation to offer a place of safety to people fleeing conflict and persecution, both because it is enshrined in international law and because it is the fair thing to do. The bill is proceeding at pace through the commons, and the more we discuss it, the more horrified those of us who believe in a compassionate, global Scotland become. Will the cabinet secretary again confront the Tories on this monstrous bill or the monstrous provisions in it, which could see women have no protection if they have been trafficked and children detained for the alleged crime of seeking sanctuary on this island? The restriction on the provision of support to human trafficking victims penalises some of society's most vulnerable people, who have suffered unimaginable trauma, including sexual exploitation or being forced through violence to work for no pay in absolutely appalling conditions. Those shameful proposals create additional barriers for trafficking victims, tightening the group of perpetrators by reducing the likelihood of people seeking help. Children will also be left in an appalling position until they turn 18, where they will then be detained and removed to a third country, where they have no connections and where they have no family. It is totally unacceptable. The UK Government's illegal immigration bill means that those arriving into the UK via illegal means are not eligible for asylum claims and will be detained on arrival in the UK. Dungable immigration removal centre is Scotland's only detention centre. It can detain up to 130 men and 12 women. It will likely see a huge increase in the number of people detained here, as the process for securing successful asylum application will become much harder due to these restrictive rules. Will the cabinet secretary advise what action the Scottish Government is taking to liaise with the UK Government over this issue as it is likely to completely overwild this detention centre in Scotland? Can I say to Faisel Choudhury that his question is really opposite? We perhaps might imagine that because some of the issues that are being dealt with by the UK Government are very focused on people crossing the English Channel, one might think that it is far away from here. That is an issue that perhaps may not touch us directly, but raising the point about the Dungable facility, which, of course, is managed by the UK Home Office, reminds us that this is something absolutely on our doorstep. It is not only just a matter of human rights and supporting the principles of international law, justice and fairness, but it is also something that will, unfortunately, given the plans of the UK Government, be something that will also be reflected by institutions in Scotland, sadly, which we have no control over. We are absolutely opposed to the legislation. If a reminder was needed that this Parliament should be in charge of immigration, this Parliament should be in charge of human rights, and we should not leave it up to others to make bad decisions on our behalf. To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it is providing to the third sector across Edinburgh and the Lothians to support refugees from Ukraine in the financial year 23-24. Thank you, Mr Johnson. I would remind all members that they need to be here for 2 pm sharp. The Scottish Government recognises the tireless efforts of the community and voluntary sector in Edinburgh, and the tireless efforts of the community and voluntary sector in Edinburgh and the Lothians in supporting displaced Ukrainians. We continue to work closely with a number of community and voluntary sector organisations, and I have committed £200,000 to be shared between the Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council, the volunteer Edinburgh Phoenix Council and the Welcoming Association in Edinburgh. We are operating in a very challenging financial context for the financial year, particularly given recent cuts to tariff funding made by the UK Government and the subsequent impact on local government's ability to support displaced people from Ukraine. Thank you very much. Deputy Presiding Officer, please accept my apologies. I recognise that it is unacceptable. Can I just ask the minister further to his question? The issues go beyond purely financial. Just this week, the Constitutional Rights Committee heard from refugees who were describing that the process to apply for ESOL is cumbersome and requires them to fill out detailed application forms in English, which would be ironic if it weren't so tragic, given the imperative to provide English language training to people who recently arrived in this country from places like Ukraine. Can the minister set out how the Government intends to improve the situation? We obviously see support for English language ESOL classes as being a critical element of our response. We continue to work with local authorities who provide those services, our colleges and other training providers, as well as the UK Government in terms of the tariff provisions that it has provided, of course. In the most recent budget, there was no additional support for the UK's humanitarian response for Ukraine. There has been a significant cut to the local authority tariff from £10,500 to £5,900, no year-two funding whatsoever, yet greater demands placed on our local authority partners by the UK Government in order to respond will continue to make representations alongside our Welsh Government colleagues and local Government partners across the UK for the UK Government to reconsider that, so we can continue to do the good work around ESOL that we continue to set out. The warm Scottish welcome is something that we can all be proud of as Ukraine's fight for freedom and democracy goes on. However, for our support to be maintained, we do need the UK Government to play its part. Can the minister provide more detail on what effect the chancellor's budget may have on Scotland's support for Ukraine? I thank Fiona Hyslop for that question. The UK budget around last week did nothing to reverse the funding cuts in support for people displaced by the war against Ukraine. In December, the UK Government announced tariff funding for local authorities, which reduced from £10,500 to £5,900 for those arriving after 1 January this year. It also confirmed that there would be no year-two tariff funding and the education tariff was being removed. That is not supporting displaced Ukrainians in the way that anyone in this chamber or indeed the wider public would want. I think that there is a wide acknowledgement that the UK Government has done a significant amount in terms of military aid and support. We have contributed £65 million in terms of military aid and support. It is time the UK Government matched that military support with humanitarian support and matched the actions of the Scottish Government, which the Scottish Scotland has welcomed a fifth of all UK arrivals from Ukraine and ensured that humanitarian response matches that of military aid. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Culture Minister has had with Historic Environment Scotland regarding the organisation's waste and resource plan, including any potential impact of the deposit return scheme on its operations. I engage regularly with Historic Environment Scotland to discuss its strategic plans and key developments. I have not discussed the deposit return scheme specifically with HES, but I understand that it is preparing to implement the scheme as an opportunity to increase levels of recycling in line with the Scotland's national targets. I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to write to Mr Whittle with a detailed answer to his question regarding the potential impact of DRS. I thank the minister for that answer. Historic Environment Scotland has nine sites with restaurants or cafes and over 70 sites with shops that could sell single eustring containers, making them retailers and potentially return point operators. According to Historic Environment Scotland's waste resource plan, they must, and I quote, ensure that they are compliant with their legal obligations and obligations in relation to implementing the new deposit return scheme. Can the minister tell me whether Historic Environment Scotland intends to purchase reverse vending machines at any of its sites and how many sites have been applied for and been granted an exemption? Thank you. Historic Environment Scotland is making preparations to implement the deposit return scheme in line with the launch date regarding impacts from a waste perspective and municipal waste. For example, household-type waste that is collected at HES sites makes up about half of the waste that generates and is a waste stream where it has been struggling to increase recycling. In 2021-22, HES, I believe, recycled around 29 per cent of this waste despite having recycling on-the-go bins, so it hopes that the impact of the deposit return scheme will help to improve the rate and meet its waste targets, which are aligned to Scotland's national targets. To give Mr Whittle some reassurance, I am due to meet Historic Environment Scotland tomorrow, and I will raise the representations that he has made with him tomorrow. In the deposit return scheme, visitor sites and venues will have no choice but to use the scheme's single logistics partner to collect return containers, but those sites and venues will also have existing contracts with other waste firms. Can the minister guarantee that historic sites will continue with local businesses rather than the one that is owned by the American private equity firm? As I detailed to Brian Whittle, there has been no concern raised with me by Historic Environment Scotland around the implementation of DRS. Similar to the answer that I gave to Mr Whittle, I am happy to make representations on behalf of Mr Golden to Historic Environment Scotland when I meet them tomorrow and ensure that a full response, as detailed by myself to Mr Whittle, can be provided to Mr Golden as well. To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the regeneration of cultural assets and venues in communities. The Scottish Government delivers a wide support for a variety of cultural assets and venues through funding of our public bodies, including Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland. They in turn provide grant schemes such as the conservation area regeneration scheme, which invest directly in local communities. We also support local authorities, businesses and communities to promote regeneration within towns through programmes, including the place-based investment programme, the vacant and derelict land investment programme and the empowering communities programme. I am glad that the Scottish Government recognises the importance of cultural venues in rural and island areas to the welfare and prosperity of Scotland's communities, despite an incredibly challenging economic climate. My constituents in Bute know that well, with rising construction costs threatening the remarkable regeneration of Roxy Pavilion, what reassurance can the minister give to community groups such as those in Roxy that culture will play a central role in Scotland's well-being economy? I can absolutely give that assurance to Jenny Minto and her constituents. The Scottish Government recognises the important role that Roxy Pavilion plays in the culture, economy and life on Bute, which is why, in 2015, the regeneration capital fund awarded £625,000 to the project. We also demonstrate heritage support through sponsorship of Historic Environment Scotland, which has also contributed funding towards the project. I have previously offered to meet with our Gaelan Bute Council to discuss potential routes ahead and I will also encourage the council to continue engaging with other funders to explore other options, and I would be more than happy to meet my colleague Jenny Minto at any time to discuss that. Given the recent welcome press coverage that the campaign to save the film house is still working to save this vital cultural asset, not just for cultural cinema in Edinburgh, but given its importance as the key venue for the Edinburgh International Film Festival over many, many years, can the minister give us a commitment that the Scottish Government will do everything in its power to use its leadership to save this asset and bring it back into use, providing cultural cinema, jobs and new opportunities for young people going into the future? Yes, I can. I have to be very careful, as Sarah Boyack knows, that there is a legal process on going around the administration of CMI and therefore the film house. I have tried my best within those confines to keep Sarah Boyack and colleagues updated as best I can. The Scottish Government is absolutely committed and has a very strong desire to see cultural cinema remain in Edinburgh and we hope that the administrator can take that into account. Thank you to the minister for his response about the Edinburgh film house cinema. I note what he says about the legal process but does he have any indication of how long it will take to get through this process? I wish I did. It is outwith of the Scottish Government's control and my officials and public bodies that are involved continue to liaise as best we can with the process, within the confines that we can. I reiterate that the Scottish Government is very clear and keen that cultural cinema is retained and that the building continues to be put to that fantastic use. If not just for the people of Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland but for the equipment that is within it, that is of significance across those aisles. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect the culture of the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Government is obviously doing everything that we can in order to ensure that we are providing the best possible response to ensuring that we protect the culture of the Highlands and Islands. Our culture strategy celebrates and sets out our ambitions for nurturing culture and creativity across all of Scotland's communities. We support a range of organisations that enrich the cultural life of the Highlands and Islands, including Atlas Arts, the Highland Prince Studio, Eden Court and many more. More broadly, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Islands announced a significant £4 million investment last year to ensure delivery of the national islands plan, which includes a strategic objective focused on supporting, nurturing and celebrating the arts, culture and language of our islands. The minister will be more than aware of the chronic issues that young people in the Highlands and Islands are facing. They have no choice but to leave to access jobs, housing and childcare, and this is having a devastating impact on the Gaelic language, our culture as well as local services and economies. They want to stay, but they have no choice because they are priced out. They also face transport disruption, making it difficult to access health services and recreation. When will this Government take action to provide affordable homes and boost the economy for the people who live across the Highlands and Islands to protect our culture and language? In terms of the culture response to ensuring that we provide support networks in the Highlands and Islands, I can give to Rhoda Grant my assurance. I myself was born and brought up in Orkney, so I understand and recognise the picture that she paints in the challenges that there are for our rural and island communities. My colleagues across Government continue to invest in housing options, including the rural housing assistance programme, and the cultural investment that we do to help to incentivise people to stay. The regularly funded organisations that are supported in the Highlands and Islands are nine over £2 million-worth, including Eden Court and Moniac Moir Writer Centre. In terms of the culture collective support that has been provided, £1 million to four organisations in the Highlands and Islands, we continue to recognise the importance that culture plays, including the Gaelic language, and the retention that that can hopefully help to provide. I have raised concerns before with the minister about the number of culturally important historic sites that remain either closed or partially closed by Historic Environment Scotland in the Highlands and Islands, including Kismol Castle on Barra and the Bono Iron Furnace in Tainult. What action will the minister now take to fast-track the reopening of these vital historic assets? In terms of Kismol Castle, it formed a large part of the discussion that I had with Historic Environment Scotland when I last met it recently. I know from the students that the Historic Environment staff have given me that they are progressing as quickly as possible to ensure that the safety of those sites is preserved, that the structural integrity is either preserved or enhanced, and that the reopening as quickly as possible happens, but putting the safety of staff and visitors first, which I am sure Donald Cameron would agree, has got to be the first priority. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Does the minister agree that for communities and their culture to thrive, access to affordable housing is key? Recently, the Scottish Government invested £1,512,000 in helping Arran Development Trust to build 18 affordable homes on Arran. What further support will be provided to build more affordable homes in fragile highland and island communities? Minister, I will leave you to respond to the bits that come within your portfolio. I have set out the work that we are doing from a culture perspective. I have tried to provide a supportive nod in terms of some of the work in housing that my colleagues are deploying in terms of the rural housing programmes. That would be a good example that Kenneth Gibson has cited. We will continue to provide that investment where our resources allow because we absolutely value that our rural and island communities continue to be able to thrive. To ask the Scottish Government how its culture policies can help to celebrate Scotland's rich social history. Our culture strategy celebrates the diversity and excellence of Scottish culture past, present and future. For example, our culture collective programme, delivered by Creative Scotland and supported by more than £10 million of Scottish Government funding to date, includes projects that celebrate local social history and empowers communities to shape and share the story of their place. Minister, Andrews Day this year marks the 16th year of John McLean's death. A red-clied cider killed for his views in the First World War, who rallied against the British Empire, champion of free Ireland and independent Scotland, laudied by Vladimir Lenin and inspired both Heimish Henderson and Matt McGinn to pen verse. Can I ask the minister what role may there be for the Scottish Government, or indeed as agencies, to support the efforts of my constituents who would wish to use that centenary for Scotland to celebrate John McLean's contribution to a rich social history and what funds may be available? Bob Doris makes an excellent case on behalf of such an important historical figure as John McLean. For Bob Doris and any others I would encourage any community groups or organisations seeking to organise events of this kind to engage with our agencies and the many brilliant research resources that we have available to us in Scotland. As a starting point I would sign post to Creative Scotland who offer a range of funding for both individuals and organisations, details of which are available on their website. Community groups may also wish to contact Historic Environment Scotland and national records of Scotland, as well as in this case Glasgow City Council's archives to explore opportunities to carry out their own research and support of any celebrations that they are planning. As plans develop I would be happy to hear more and consider ways in which the Scottish Government might be able to be helpful and supportive. A bigger icon for Scotland's social history in the Glasgow School of Art, yet we are almost five years on from the second disastrous fire there with the predicted completion date of 2030. The Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris happened a year later, yet its rebuild is due to complete next year. With the news earlier this month that the tendering process for the Macintosh building restoration project has collapsed, effects like putting the rebuild effort back to square one, will the Minister for Culture now instruct that the project be directly overseen by the Scottish ministers in order to get the restoration of this international architectural icon back on track? Obviously we recognise the cultural importance of the Glasgow School of Art and Paul Sweeney will be well aware of the unfortunate history that there has been in terms of the renovation and restoration project there. It has been a difficult journey. It is one that we continue to support the restoration work and hope that it can be concluded as quickly as possible. I could possibly squeeze in question 7 and 8 if I get brief questions and brief answers to match. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to maintain relationships with Scotland's European neighbours post Brexit. The Scottish Government continues to engage both overseas and at home with ministers and delegations from across Europe. Our international network of offices also worked to develop, maintain and strengthen relationships, attract trade and investment opportunities and create economic, social and cultural benefits for people in Scotland. Of course, rejoining the European Union would be by far the easiest and best way to maintain and to enhance these relationships. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. There is no doubt that he has been working hard to build relationships across Europe following the seven European countries that he visited last year. However, the Scottish Government has made no progress on post-Brexit Erasmus scheme. In Wales, under Welsh Labour Government, the first learners are already feeling the benefits of the Tate scheme. Could you confirm how many of the eight visits to seven European countries during 2022 he discussed a Scottish replacement Erasmus and more specifically on 5 December when he met Dr Maniella Beck of the Goth Institute in Germany? Could he outline the discussions regarding a Scottish Tate scheme and any support that was offered? I am delighted to take the opportunity to confirm the many conversations that took place when I was in Berlin to discuss educational co-operation, not just with the Guta Institute but with the Scotland hub in Berlin and the UK ambassador to Germany and a number of German educational partners. It was noteworthy, however, that within a few short days it became clear that the United Kingdom FCDO, the Foreign Office, had managed to agree an arrangement with the Federal Republic of Germany in relation to educational co-operation without any involvement whatsoever of the Scottish Government. Ironic because, of course, the German side managed to include the federal states, the pedagogical austalschdienst of the German Bundesländer, but it managed to exclude Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If ever a timely reminder was needed that the UK Government does not properly represent Scotland's devolved interests internationally, that is it. The best way to take part in Erasmus, as the member knows, is for Scotland to rejoin the European Union. 8. How it plans to celebrate in March, Andrews Day 2023? As our national day in Andrews Day is a special day for people in Scotland and around the world to come together and celebrate our country, our culture and our shared history, final discussions are yet to be made on plans to celebrate in March in Andrews Day 2023, but we expect communities both at home and those within an affinity to Scotland across the globe to take the opportunity to celebrate in Andrews Day and the Scottish values of kindness, compassion and solidarity. The cross-party group on Andrews Day, which I chair, will be later, will be launching a call for evidence on realising the potential of our national day. Can the cabinet secretary advise what future plans the Scottish Government has to maximise the cultural, economic, faith and external relations opportunities of St Andrews Day? I look forward to reading the results of the consultation by the cross-party group, which does such valuable work. St Andrews Day is Scotland's national day, a key moment for Scotland and those who feel an affinity with Scotland's culture. It is an opportunity for all of us individually and collectively to champion Scotland as an outward looking and fair country. The Scottish Government will continue to harness all of our networks to amplify this narrative and the shared values that underpin our national brand. Thank you, cabinet secretary. That concludes portfolio questions on constitution, external affairs and culture. There will be a very brief pause to allow front-bench teams to switch seats. Thank you. The next portfolio is justice and veterans. Again, if any member wishes to seek to request a supplementary, I would ask them to press their request-a-speak button during the relevant question or enter the letters RTS in the chat function. I call question number one, Liam Kerr. Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that there is sufficient police presence throughout the north-east. Placing is and will continue to be a priority for the Scottish Government. Scotland has a higher number of officers than at any time during the last administration and more per head of population than England and Wales with 30 officers per 10,000 population in Scotland compared to 24 officers per 10,000 population in England and Wales. North-east divisions have a core complement of officers who may be supported by specialist expertise and resources at a regional and national level should operational demand increase. Of course, the recruitment and deployment of resources is a matter for the chief constable. Liam Kerr. I thank the minister for the answer, but Police Scotland is pressing on with plans to close Port Letton police station. An informed professionals warn that such a closure contradicts the joint strategy for policing, sends a wrong message to organised crime and leaves one of the north-east's largest and fastest growing towns without a police station. Fears have been raised about how such a reduced police profile will have an impact on county lines drug dealing, and it risks throwing open the doors to Aberdeen city and our coastal communities. Will the justice secretary demand that Police Scotland look again at its closure plans and ensure that local policing stays in Port Letton? I respect the operational independence of the chief constable, which has written into law in the act that established Police Scotland. However, it is very important to recognise that one of the most important things to local communities and the detection and prosecution of crimes is having enough police officers, well-paid police officers, on the ground. To that end, of course, having police officers paid a starting salaries of £5,000 more per year than they are in England and Wales is a very good point in order to do that. I would also say, of course, that is against the background of now 13 years of austerity from the Conservative Party. If they could just listen for a second, one final word on the size of the police force. If we were to have a police force of the size that the Tories have in England and Wales, it would be less than 14,000 officers—2,600 officers less. I am confident that we are attaching the priority to policing resources that are required to deal with crime in Scotland. Despite years of UK Government austerity, it is very welcome that the Scottish Government has increased the policing budget by £80 million, a 6.3 per cent increase on last year. How will the budget ensure that police can respond to the changing nature of crime and continue to keep communities in Scotland safe? The member is right to say that there is a changing nature of crime. I am in the chair. I decided that the member mentioned Scotland as a whole, which presumably includes the north-east. I am very keen to see the outcome of the meeting with the SPA and the chief constable tomorrow, which includes reference to enhanced emphasis on things such as cybercrime and violence against women and girls. From addressing incidents associated with vulnerability, including hate and domestic incidents, to dealing with the increasing complexity of crime in the digital age. Importantly, the £1.45 billion of funding in 2324, which was not subject to an amendment by the Conservatives, will support Police Scotland's leading work with communities on prevention and early intervention. To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers there currently are in the Edinburgh divisional area. I should say that the Scottish Government is committed to working closely with the SPA and Police Scotland to support the delivery, first of all, of joint policing strategy to ensure that we continue to have safe, protected and resilient communities. Police engagement with the local authority in setting priorities and objectives for the policing of Edinburgh is crucial. I have said already that local deployment is a matter for the chief constable. Scotland's national police service allows local divisions across the country to access special secretaries and resources at regional and national level, depending on demand. Police Scotland statistics indicate that 1,131 officers were in the Edinburgh divisional area on 31 December 2022. Given the very worrying briefing from the chief constable that, as a result of this year's budget, hard choices will have to be made and that change will be needed, can the cabinet secretary tell my constituents what he will do to protect not just the vital work of our police in our communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians, but the particular challenge of policing our capital city? Does the cabinet secretary accept that we need additional police to tackle crime and keep people safe right across the city? I believe that we need additional police to tackle crime across the whole of the country. I have answered already in relation to the number of police officers, which, of course, is substantially higher than any time during the previous administration, and also substantial improvements in terms of salaries for police officers. We will continue to support the priorities that the police tell us are important to them. I have mentioned two of the ones that I expect to be discussed tomorrow, but I think that in relation to this administration, and once again we receive no amendment to the budget that sought more funding for police during the budget process from the Labour Party, we will continue to support the police, and this year that will amount to £1.45 billion. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that children and young people know how to contact the police and other emergency services correctly. Knowing how and when to contact our emergency services is a key skill that we want our children to have at the earliest possible age. Education and information around emergency services is delivered through health and well-being curriculum, and there is a range of material to assist teaching professionals delivering this learning. Furthermore, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service work directly with schools and local authorities to ensure that their role is widely understood among children and young people. Hanlon Stevenson from Winds of Milton was two years old when he called the police when his mum suffered a seizure in 2019. Hanlon has recently been awarded the chief constable's bravery and excellence award in recognition of his bravery and swift action. Does the minister join me in congratulating Hanlon and reinforcing the importance of children knowing the correct action to take in an emergency? The case of Hanlon Stevenson is truly remarkable. I know that the cabinet secretary had the privilege of meeting this young hero at the chief constable's bravery and excellence awards last month, where he and other members of the public were honoured for their quick thinking and courage. Hanlon's actions emphatically underline the importance of ensuring children and young people know what to do in an emergency. Schools, families, communities and our hard-working blue light services all have a role to play in ensuring how and when to call 999 is understood at the youngest possible age. I begin by congratulating heroic young Hanlon. Millions of 101 calls go unanswered with almost one in four failing in the first seven months of 2002. As the chief constable warns that Police Scotland's staffing levels cannot be sustained, what is being done to ensure that when young people need the police, they will be able to reach them? Following the pressures of recent years brought on by the global pandemic, Police Scotland has been very clear that it will prioritise 999 calls, and that is a position that the Scottish Government supports. The average answer time for 999 calls is around five seconds. For 101 calls, it is approximately two minutes. However, this is an on-emergency service, and throughout its weight, callers are reminded that if it is an emergency or an escalating situation, that 999 should be dialed. That is something that I think that all of our young people should understand. To ask the Scottish Government what contact the cabinet secretary for justice and veterans has had with the leadership team of Police Scotland since January 2023. I regularly meet the chief constable and other members of his senior team. While the chief constable is, of course, accountable to the Scottish Police Authority, our meetings provide a valuable opportunity to discuss matters that are important to improving the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities in Scotland. I also met this morning for two meetings with the chief constable and the chair of the authority as part of our schedule of regular trilateral meetings. Justice Secretary is aware of Operation Branch Form, Police Scotland's investigation, into allegations of fraud within the SNP. Does Mr Brown share my concerns about the length of time this inquiry is taking, and is he aware of claims of operational interference within it? As he is also deputy leader of the SNP, does he expect to be interviewed by Police Scotland as part of this investigation? Cabinet Secretary, please deal with the matters for which you have ministerial responsibility. The matters for which I have ministerial responsibility involve Police Scotland, I am not responsible for any investigations. I think that the member knows that. He knows exactly what he is doing in relation to this. I think that it is reprehensible that we are seeing more and more of this evidence of things being referred to individual cases previously and now to an ongoing investigation, but I cannot comment on that, Presiding Officer. Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Last night, a cross-party group of MSPs met with whistleblowers from across the public sector, including former police officers. As the Cabinet Secretary will know my prior interest in those matters, I was just wondering what progress he has made in his contact with both senior police leadership and the SPA in terms of improving whistleblowing processes and ensuring that people are listened to, heard and their experiences act upon within the police but, indeed, across the public sector. I think that there are two things that I would say, Presiding Officer, in relation to that question. One is that, of course, there has been quite a substantial number of meetings and discussions falling on from the meeting, which Daniel Johnson refers to too long for me to indicate here, but I am happy to write to the member with more detail on that. And, of course, in addition to that, we will be bringing forward legislation in due course that will have a substantial impact on the area of policing. The member will be consulting on the opportunity to discuss issues at that time in relation to that proposal. As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Police Scotland, it is important to recognise achievements since 2013. It is equally important to consider what the next steps of reform are. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that utilising evolving digital technologies such as the DEESC pilot in Dundee could make a big difference, particularly to police officer workloads? I think that it is an excellent innovation in the DEESC digital evidence sharing capability service that represents a step towards a truly modern criminal justice system. It is, in the words of the police, the justice partners and, of course, the architects of the system, a world leading system that places the needs of victims, witnesses and other users of the justice system at its heart. It represents, of course, an investment of £33 million over 10 years, which will make it easier to share evidence, allowing swifter access and helping cases to be resolved more quickly, reducing the risk of trauma to victims and to witnesses. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is ensuring that legal aid funding is easily available to tenants in order to defend eviction proceedings. Civil legal aid is available to tenants of private and public landlords to oppose eviction proceedings. The usual tests of financial eligibility, probable cause and reasonableness apply. If an applicant's home is at risk, it is likely that they will satisfy the merits tests. There are also special urgency provisions in place that allow solicitors to take steps without needing the Scottish legal aid board's private approval to protect an applicant's position whilst their legal aid application is being considered. An eligibility estimator for civil legal aid is available on SLAB's website so that potential applicants can check whether they are likely to qualify financially. I thank the minister for her answer. Private tenants have their cases heard through the first-tier tribunal. Although this is intended to hear cases without legal representation, it is increasingly the case that landlords are seeking legal representation, especially in eviction cases. This leaves an imbalance if tenants have no legal representation. Does the minister agree with me that this imbalance needs to be addressed and what can be done to ensure that tenants are aware of their rights and can access legal aid when and where they need it? When a landlord serves notice to leave, this clearly states that the tenant may wish to contact a solicitor and that legal aid may be available to them. Solicitors and the Scottish legal aid board can also give advice about entitlement and about making an application. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website also contains advice on representation at hearings. It is also important to underline that there are many organisations that can help when defending an eviction case. The Civil Legal Assistance Office represents tenants on a daily basis. Free advice and assistance may also be available from Citizens Advice Scotland, the Scottish Association of Law Centres and Court Advisers or Sheriff Clark's offices. Question 6, Jim Fairlie. I would like to ask the Scottish Government how its proposals for criminal law to address misogyny will challenge misogyny in society. The Government believes that reform of the criminal law on misogy can help to encourage men to change their behaviour by sending a clear message about what is criminally unacceptable behaviour. Our consultation is seeking views on new laws that will specifically criminalise misogynistic harassment and sending threatening or abusive messages about rape, sexual assault or disfigurement to women and girls, for example. However, as I made clear during the recent debate on misogyny, new criminal law will not achieve cultural change on its own. We will continue to focus on tackling wider gender inequality and taking forward action in schools to address gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Jim Fairlie. I would like to thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Two weeks ago, during the International Women's Day debates, the Parliament was at its best as members from across the chamber stood together and openly discussed their experiences and expressed their outrage at the existing misogyny in Scotland society. In my speech during the public transport debate, I raised the story about Lorraine Kelly, whose daughter lived in Singapore and would have to adapt simple behaviours such as walking home alone now that she had returned to the UK. What lessons can the Scottish Government learn from other countries to permanently change misogynistic behaviour and culture? I agree with Jim Fairlie about the extent to which men can be ignorant of the way in which young women and young girls have to adapt their behaviour because of the behaviours of men from a very early age. It is right that it is highlighted so that men are more aware of that. I think that it is very important that we consider best practice from around the world and look at how we can learn from what other countries have done to address misogynistic behaviour and change deeply ingrained culture latitudes, both in terms of the law and other measures to achieve lasting cultural change. Just to say that the misogyny bill, if it results in legislation, is likely to be world-leading legislation. For that reason, I hope that we can get support from across this chamber for that legislation. Unfortunately, in one of the ways that many women experience misogyny through interaction with the criminal justice system itself, we have all heard stories of how the whole process re-traumatises them, and they are often met with very outdated views on their allegations of abuse, domestic violence and, unfortunately, rape as well. Can I ask if the upcoming criminal justice reform bill that the Government plans to introduce may be used as an appropriate vehicle to improve those negative interactions and when might the Parliament see some site of that legislation? All I can say is that that will be very soon. That legislation will be coming forward and also confirmed to Jamie Greene that it will do exactly what he says. It recognises not throughout the system but in the areas that we will touch upon that we can and do re-traumatise people coming forward, especially women coming forward, especially for sexual crimes, and we have to make sure that we extinguish that re-traumatisation. The legislation, when it comes forward, I hope that Jamie Greene will be able to support it, will, in a number of ways—he will know from the consultation that we had on the bill—about the ways that we previously intended that it should do exactly as he describes. I hope that he will be satisfied when he sees that bill very soon and that it is exactly what he hopes. Two thirds of respondents to a survey carried out by the working group said that the misogynistic behaviour that they had experienced was online, but online misogynistic harms such as revenge porn or sexual bullying are absent from the Scottish Government's digital strategy. Will the cabinet secretary look at this and consider how that can be addressed? Of course, we will look at this, but the member will be aware that the bulk of the powers in relation to online harms come under reserve legislation. That is currently being looked at by the UK Government. We are fully engaged with that. We are relatively, in fact, almost fully supportive of what the UK Government intends to do. If there is more that we can do here, then of course we are happy to look at that. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its most recent analysis is of the provision of legal aid found in relation to geographic area and types of cases covered. The Scottish legal aid board's most recent annual report shows that the number of grants of civil legal aid in 2021-22 was slightly above the long-term 5, 10 and 15-year averages. Within that total, there has been significant growth over time in working relating to adults within capacity, primarily guardianship applications and renewals, partly offset by a reduction in other types of cases, including family law and personal injury, the vast majority of which are now undertaken on a no-win-no fee basis. To assist with its work to monitor accessibility and availability of legal services, SLAP has recently begun a research project aimed at exploring how trends in legal aid activity at the sub-national level compare to the national trend and vary between areas of law. The research will allanise data relating to the location of the applicant, solicitor and court, and SLAP intends to publish the full results of its analysis when it is completed. I thank the minister for that response. She will be aware that many organisations that support those seeking legal aid have identified significant inequities of service provision. They cite high workloads, failure to attract and retain solicitors to legal aid provision, as well as not-fit-for-purpose delivery and funding models as key barriers to access to justice. Given the evidence review was five years ago, can the minister's apologies provide assurances that those issues will be addressed in this parliamentary term, and does she think that we should treat legal aid like a public service? Since 2019, there have been three uplifts across all legal aid fees, £10 million in other funding in 2021, including 40 traineeships, plus a further £11 million package of reforms to be implemented in May. We are also committed to working with the legal profession to develop an effective and evidence-based mechanism for keeping legal aid fees under review. Therefore, considerable work has been undertaken since the evidence review to support and reform legal aid. The Scottish Government consulted on potential legal aid reforms before the pandemic, and will be undertaking further targeted engagement to progress the manifestor commitment on legal aid reform this year. Access to legal aid is an important aspect in supporting individuals to claim their rights through their courts, and should rightly be recognised as an invaluable public service. It is also important to try to build consensus around a reformed system of legal aid, and that is why, along with the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates, I will be co-chairing a working group to holistically look at the future of the legal profession in Scotland. That deep dive is critical going forward. Scotland has one of the best legal aid systems in Europe, both in terms of spend per capita, eligibility and scope. What steps have the Scottish Government taken to building a generous system and ensuring that it is fair access to justice for all those who need it? As I have confirmed, the Scottish Government will be undertaking further targeted engagement to progress the manifestor commitment on legal aid reform this year. Such engagement is necessary to further inform the consultation exercise for legal aid reform in 2019. It is important to recognise the post-COVID justice landscape and user need, which has seen much greater adoption of technology by users, courts and legal aid providers. It absolutely should also be recognised that, despite economic downturns and other global challenges, the Scottish Government has retained the wide scope of legal aid in contrast to many other jurisdictions where that has been significantly curtailed. Thank you. What support can the Scottish Government give to domestic abuse organisations in rural and island areas to ensure fair and equitable access to legal aid? The Scottish Government's violence against women unit funds a linked project that employs advocacy workers, a project coordinator and admin support that funds the delivery of national helpline. Both projects are interdependent and the advocacy workers are acting as initial points of contact prior to help from a local solicitor. And question number eight, Siobhan Brown, who's joining us remotely. Ms Brown. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can I ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been carried out of recorded crime in South Asia? Cabinet Secretary, if you heard that, please respond. Heard, loud and clear, Presiding Officer. The latest figures show a 43 per cent reduction in recorded crime across South Asia under this administration. That includes a 69 per cent fall on housebreaking and a 73 per cent fall on vandalism, and that reflects wider improvements across Asia, where the proportion of adults who were the victim of a crime, including those not reported to the police, fell from 24 per cent in 2008-9 to 10 per cent in the years immediately prior to the pandemic. I'm looking ahead. We will build on this encouraging progress through investing £1.45 billion in policing across Scotland in 2023-24. I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that answer and the welcome news. The Scottish Government's recorded crime statistics for 2021-22 show an increase of people threatening to or disclosing intimate images of others, not only in South Asia but across Scotland. Does the Cabinet Secretary agree with me these threats or revenge porn is a serious crime, and can I ask what analysis has the Scottish Government undertaken to determine the reasons behind this increase? I agree, first of all, that sharing intimate images of others without their consent is a serious crime. There was an excellent programme on TV this week about a very courageous young woman that took this case, a case of this to court, very successfully. Of course, this was raised by Katie Clark a short time ago. The Parliament legislated to make it a specific criminal offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment. The offence is often committed online and we've been working hard to push, as I've said, the UK Government to strengthen their online safety bill to help tackle this kind of activity. Also, a delivering equally safe fund provides £110,822 to the South West Grid for Learning Trust to help support its revenge porn helpline and to further its work to get illegal intimate images removed from the internet. This funding demonstrates the Scottish Government's commitment to challenging all forms of violence against women and girls. That concludes portfolio questions on justice and veterans. There will be a very short pause before the next item of business to allow members to change position should they wish.