 We have general questions. Question number one. Jimmie Hepburn. Do you ask the Scottish Government what assessment has made of the recent comments by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding further changes to welfare benefits and the impact that these changes would have on poverty in Scotland? Minister, Margaret Burgess. In July 1 this year, the Scottish Government published statistics that show the reduction in poverty in Scotland seen in recent years is now being reversed. One million people Ond, Scotland yn ystod yn gwybod i bobl, dyn nhw i'w mwy o'r gwaith gwaith, i gael yw'r 200,000 oedl yn dangos ar gyfer y ffordd, ac mae'n ddim yn gweithio i'r gwaith cyflwyno i'r gwaith. Gweithwyr analysau yw'r gwaith yn gweithio i'w ffordd yn gweithio i'r gwaith yn gweithio i'r gwaith ar gyfer 6 bilion o gwaith bydd yn 2015-16. Yngyrch yn cyfwilio i gael ychydigoddiad o'r 100,000 o'r gwaith yn gweithio i'r gwaith bydd yn ffordd i'r 2020, o boi gydig o'i oeddechrau'r blwyffoedd Cymysgu, a fynd i chi'n gweithio bod gyda'r ffordd wych Pasteurul i'r ddweud yn ddechrau i'r ddweud yn ffrwng llefodol a phobl. Mae'r wrthgiad gwahodaf, llefod ddweud yn cyffredinol, drafod i'r ddweud o'i ddweud i hynny i fan hyn cynghoru o'r ddiogel iaith o'r ysgolion oedd hyn yn gynghwiel o'r gårragen o wrthgiadau ardal yma. Felly, y dyma o casg y Deyrnasol, i fynd i ddechrau i ddiwaniau i ddiwaniau, sy'n bau i ddechrau i ddweud doeddwn yn ddweud mewn gwneud o chlasoedd ddweud o ddiwaniau i ddiweddau i ddiweddau o ddweud i ddweud i ddiwaniau i ddweud eu ddiweddau, o'r ddiwethaf o'r ddiweddau o ddiweddau. Mae dduw mwy—fyrir, mae'n ddweud o enfants yn fan yn menwyddol i ddiweddau iawn—o ddiweddau i ddiweddau i ddiweddau i ddiweddau i ddiweddau i ddiweddau i The welfare reform in disabled people in Scotland is set out in the recently published Scottish Government analysis paper on financial impacts of welfare reform in disabled people in Scotland. This Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate against the harmful effects of Westminster welfare reforms, but unfortunately the majority of the cuts are still to come and will hit the vulnerable hard. With a yes vote in the 18th of September, we can do much, much more than mitigate, we can halt the rollout of universal credit and personal independence payment, end the work capability assessment and replace it with a system fit for purpose. In an independent Scotland, we will ensure that those with long-term disabilities are treated with dignity and receive a decent level of support. To ask the Scottish Government what methods of consultation it uses to gauge the views of cyclists regarding major trunk roadworks. Minister Keith Brown, the views of cycling groups are sought through the development of our trunk road projects by correspondence, by cycling workshops, exhibitions as part of the scheme proposals, web-based materials and statutory materials published as both draft and made order stages. I think that the minister for that responds to the minister by aware of some of the challenges that existed for cyclists regarding the upgrading of the Keswick bridge and the frustrations that they had regarding perhaps some expectations that were built up. The Scottish Government rightly promotes active travel. Would the minister agree to meet me in the Highlands cycling campaign to look at ways of more positive engagement in the future? Yes, I'm more than happy to do that. Just for the member's information, we have been actively seeking to establish a non-motorised user forum in order to provide the opportunity for representatives of the group, which includes possibly the groups that John Finnie refers to, to provide him an opportunity to consider relevant issues to the ANI endulling programme. I'm more than happy to meet the member and the groups that he's mentioned. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The minister will be aware that 800 cyclists will be travelling on the 82 on 12 September through Fort William and onward to Fort Augustus as part of the Deloitte tour. The 82, as the minister knows, is subject to major roadworks. The 82 partnership are concerned that normal traffic on the road will be brought to a standstill, and this is an unnecessary negative impact on the economy. Can the minister raise this issue with Transport Scotland and Police Scotland and inject some common sense into the proposal by rerouting it? Of course, I will raise the concerns. They've been raised with me already, and I'm in discussion with Transport Scotland. This is the initiative of the organisers. They've come forward with the proposal and what we seek to do in that circumstance is accommodate that as best we can. As I've said to the member, we will happily look at any concerns that have been expressed about possible congestion. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm the latest total annual service charge payable by NHS Lothian to consort healthcare for the most recent financial year in relation to the Edinburgh royal infirmary. The total annual service charge payable to consort healthcare in respect of Edinburgh royal infirmary for 2013-14 was £47 million. As an Edinburgh MSP, I welcome the stricter management of the contract of the Edinburgh royal infirmary, which is delivering annual savings of £1.3 million. However, should consort healthcare not restore to the health service the resources for patient care that have been lost over the years in which the contract has operated and before those savings were identified, will the minister now instruct NHS Lothian to carry out a full financial health check into the contract to identify what further resources are due to the hospital and the health service? I can inform the member that NHS Lothian is currently in the process of procuring an expert review group, which will look at the contract in great detail. Part of that will be to conduct a health check into its performance, both current and retrospectively. The work is due to begin shortly. I can also inform the chamber, in addition to this, the new private finance initiative and public-private partnership specialist support team has been established within health facilities Scotland. They will be responsible for carrying out detailed commercial reviews of all NHS Scotland PFI contracts, including the royal infirmary in Edinburgh. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to strengthen and grow the economy. The Scottish economy is continuing to strengthen and grow. Scottish GDP grew by 2.6 per cent in the year 2014 and has passed its pre-recession peak. As the chief economist's recent assessment of the state of the economy points out, the underlying data and trends indicate that 2014 will be Scotland's strongest year of growth since 2007. Last week's labour market figure showed that Scottish employment has increased further to the highest level on record. The Scottish Government is continuing to take action to support sustainable economic growth in Scotland. We are investing in infrastructure to support growth, building a supportive business environment, investing in innovation and helping our young people to obtain the skills that they need to succeed in the labour market. I welcome the publication of the recent document, which is a jobs plan for the independent Scotland. It is always looking at the long-term aspects of strengthening our economy and providing opportunities within the labour market. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me? To take full control of strengthening our economy for the future, we need the full fiscal powers and tax revenue powers in independent Scotland. As my earlier answer to Dennis Robertson illustrated, we have taken a number of measures within our existing powers to deliver as much impetus to the Scottish economy as we possibly can. Of course, there are decisions that are outwith our control in relation to the economy and the opportunity of independence highlighted by the contents of the jobs plan for Scotland. There will be a range of policy interventions that we could take that would strengthen and support the development of the Scottish economy, and we could only undertake those measures if we had the full range of powers that are on offer to the people of Scotland in the referendum on 18 September. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Dumfries and Galloway Council and what matters were discussed. Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, including Dumfries and Galloway 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. Alex Ferguson. Gratiforthy Minister for that response. He will be aware that the council tax variation for unoccupied buildings regulations 2013 gave local authorities the right to charge up to 200 per cent council tax on properties that have been empty for 12 months or more. He may not be aware that in Dumfries and Galloway that currently amounts to some 926 properties, many of which have been on the market for the entire duration of their vacancy. Indeed, 663 of them have been on the market for over 24 months. Could the minister confirm that this provision within the legislation was not intended to penalise people who are genuinely unable to sell their homes in a stagnant market? Would he also confirm that the legislation gives local authorities the ability to include further categories where exceptional circumstances could allow an exemption to the 200 per cent charter? Mr Ferguson characterises the intention of the bill and the regulations accurately, so I can confirm the position on both questions that that was a fair assessment of what was intended, and it should not punish those who are genuinely trying to sell their property within the market. That is a fair and accurate question, and I will provide further support in writing if that would assist the member. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent reports that the North Sea could hold more than £40 billion worth of unforeseen oil reserves. Recent reports illustrate the important role that innovation and new technological solutions can play in achieving significant cost savings for the industry, boosting production and, ultimately, increasing tax revenue from North Sea oil and gas extraction. With the powers of independence, the Scottish Government would be able to ensure that North Sea revenues are used to provide long-term benefit to the Scottish people instead of being squandered by Westminster Governments as in the past. We know that Scotland has vast untapped potential that could be unlocked by applying innovative production systems and world-leading technology. We all get very excited about new fields such as Bentley, Ferro and Clare Ridge, but opportunity also exists in fields that are already in production. Does the minister share my view that successful innovative solutions such as enhanced oil recovery techniques are essential in order to maximise recovery and that adoption of such solutions will lead to increasing and maximising the tax yield for the people of Scotland? Yes, I do. That and fiscal stability and predictability is something that the industry has never had under the UK stewardship of this matter. Presiding Officer, as the Wood Review highlighted, as Suri and a hugely respected figure in the oil and gas industry highlighted, implementing its recommendations could add £200 billion to the economy, and that included effective implementation of EOR in hand-stall recovery, which could secure up to £6 billion barrels of oil in a best-case scenario, something that I discussed at length with BP earlier this week. I also agree with Suri and Wood when he advised young people in 2012 that my headline message for the youth of today is get involved. The North Sea industry will see you through your lifetime. Does the minister acknowledge that even if all the changes are made with Suri and Wood recommends in his report on maximising economic recovery of oil and gas, even if all those changes are made, Suri and Wood believes that the Scottish Government's central prediction of what is still to come is between 45 per cent and 60 per cent too high? Does the minister accept or reject that view? We have always recognised, as Suri and Wood said, and he mentioned it six times in his report that the amount of recoverable oil and gas reserves could be between 12 and 24 billion barrels. It depends entirely, Presiding Officer, on whether the right policies are pursued or the wrong ones. The truth is that Suri and Wood once again record that in his report. Sadly, the stewardship of the UK of oil and gas over 40 years has been characterised by fiscal instability and a lack of predictability. That is what we offer under independence, that is what has not happened under the UK. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Listening to Mr Ewing's response, you would have thought that Suri and Wood had come out to support independence, which, of course, he has not, but can the minister tell us when did Suri and Wood go from being a much-respected oil expert to being somebody who does not know what he is talking about? I think that Mr Fraser has been here for long enough to know that you should actually listen to the first answer. This is not about personalities. Suri and Wood is a hugely respected figure across the world. Just as we respect people on the other benches, we disagree with their prescription for the future of Scotland. Let me point out that, just yesterday, Suri and Wood has confirmed that, with the right policies, he would expect that between 15 to 16 billion barrels should be recoverable over a relatively short period of a couple of decades. That compares with the OBR's actual prediction of 10 billion barrels. Suri and Wood has simply confirmed once again, along with Sir Donald MacKy and many other leading experts, that the OBR's figures are between 50 and 60 per cent too low, and therefore increasingly are looking utterly discredited. Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has taken it carried out on the impact of UK Government reductions and benefits on disabled people in Scotland. Scottish Government analysis published last week found that disabled people in Scotland are likely to experience disproportionate loss of income due to the cumulative effects of welfare reform. Spending on disability benefits in Scotland is expected to be around £310 million lower per year by 2018. The report also pointed to independent research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and Landman Economics. The authors of this work concluded that, due to UK Government welfare reforms, households with a disabled child face average annual loss of income of around £1400, while households with disabled adults and disabled children are expected to lose around £1,900 a year. Following the Labour Party's absolutely shameful refusal to commit to halting the implementation of personal independence payments last week, what impact does the cabinet secretary believe a yes vote would have? The white paper in our recent report on disabled people recognises that the roll-out of personal independence payments will create hardship for many families with a disabled person in Scotland. Scotland's future sets out in page 158, a clear commitment to halt the further roll-out of personal independence payment in Scotland, which would allow the first Government of an independent Scotland to take forward reforms to the welfare system that meets Scotland's needs and reflects our priority. That commitment has not been matched by the Labour Party, so I absolutely agree that the only way to stop the roll-out of this is by voting yes on 18 September. To ask the Scottish Government whether a review has been carried out and how effective the Queensferry crossing consultation forums have been in dealing with local groups and people. Yes, the effectiveness of the consultation forums is kept under regular review and audited to ensure that proper and efficient communication is undertaken with local groups and people through the project's community communication and stakeholder liaison teams. To ask if contractors of the Queensferry crossing have improved communications to local residents, particularly in the Echelion area of South Queensferry, in the light of complaints from those affected by the major civil engineering works and changes to work schedules, including extra work at weekends. The fourth crossing bridge constructors have been proactive in providing effective and sustained communications throughout the project. That includes regular neighbourhoods and notifications for upcoming works, including the local residents in the Echelion area of South Queensferry. All project work must and has been carried out in accordance with the working hours permitted in the code of construction practice. Any complaints received have been thoroughly investigated and where necessary the communication of information to residents has been improved. That is a hallmark of the scheme. I just referred the member to the editorial in today's Scotsman, which says that there can be little doubt that the Queensferry crossing has been remarkably free of financial, practical or contractual difficulties. It has been a public works project worth celebrating and we intend that that should also be true for the local community. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the most recent labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics. Cabinet Secretary, John Swinney. Presiding Officer, with a record number of people in work, can the unemployment rate, the unemployment rate at its lowest rate since early 2009, the latest labour market statistics show a clear and sustained strengthening in the Scottish economy. The fall in youth unemployment over the last year is also welcome. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that, while independence is not a magic one, with the policy levers available to us for a yes vote, like our transformational plans for Charke, we can get more people in Scotland into work or training? The Government has ensured through the activities and policies that we have taken forward that the Scottish economy has been able to recover to pre-recession levels of activity earlier than the rest of the United Kingdom. What we want to do is to have the wider range of powers to ensure that we can cement that recovery and ensure that we deliver new and better opportunities for the people of Scotland with the exercise of the full responsibilities of an independent Scotland. Thank you. Before we come to First Minister's questions, members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the right honourable Richard Rumsoya, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi.