 Good morning. The first item of business is general questions. At question number one I call Demond Tor感覺 somebody from China, refused ... Did you ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the gender pay gap? Cabinet Secretary Neil greif Thank you. The latest S фigures for 2022 show that the median gender pay gap in Scotland for all employees, full in part time, is below the UK gap, 12.2 percent versus 14.9 per cent, yn y cyfnodol ar gyfer y cyfnodol yn cyd-dwylliant ar gyfer 8.3% o'r rhai unigion i'r Uneddaeth yw'r 22-22. Byddai'n cyflason. Felly, mae fawr yn cael rhaid i fawr yn cael yr wych. Aeth y gallwn y fawr yn cael ar y cyfnodol, rhaid i fawr yn cyfnodol, yn cyfnodol i'r ysgolwyd ar gyfer y gendigoedd ar y gyfer cyfnodol, ac yn gyfnodol i ddweud y cyfnodol yn cyfnodol contains the wider intersecting inequalities faced by women in Scotland's labour market. Additionally, we are providing funding of up to £700,000 to close the gap between 2021 and 2024—to change the employment practices and workplace culture to tackle the gender pay gap in Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary, however, make a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing compulsory gender pay gap reporting? Rwy'n credu, David Torrance, ond mae o'r drafodaeth gyda Llywodraeth a i'w ddau'r cylwyddiant. Felly, mae'r lleoedd y mae Ffremdwyth i'n fawr. Mae'r Porth monarchiaeth yn ddweud yn ddyn nhw i gondol i gafoddau o'u 250 oedd yn gŷnol ac mae mae'r ddaf yn ddefnyddio i gynnwysgau cyflwyfau oedd o'r bydoliau sy'n ei gavodau yn gynnal arbyn y fwyfyr p chopd. Mae ganweithio maechef poetau antyiadiau sydd ei wneud sy'n gweld ar gyfer niferol yn cymdeithasol sydd y gydych chi'n gweithio'r gweithio mwyaf iawn ar gwrth 찍hau yn gobeithio arddangosd y gweld ysgolig aglweldau. Mae gweithio'r gweithio ar gyfer y cyffredin, a ydych i gyffredin mwyaf iawn wedi'i gweithio i gweithio a ddefnyddwch â'i cyfweithio arall, ac yn hoffodd o'n gweithio'r gweithio a ddweud hynny ym 4 billion pwiynt o gweithio yn symud gyfo'r gweithio cyffredin ar 2219. The proportion of women employees aged 18 and over earning the real living wage or more has also increased from 83.9 per cent in 2021 to 89.7 per cent in 2022 continuing the upward trend since 2018. Cabinet Secretary, can I just stop you there? I'm very keen to get through as many members as possible and I would be grateful if we could have short and succinct questions and responses. On that note, I'll call Beatrice Wishart. Fy enw i 있고llwyrgwyrnuaeth, yn awrnyn i ddweud i fod yn gwych amddangos sgolwyr barriers iawn ar ddyn nhw'n iedd yn cymryd modern yn gyffredigol cymryd ei gwaith. Gweithredu hefyd, mae hyn yn hynny o gwych cyffredigol pwysig ac yn gwych cyffredigol pwyllfa ar gyferaethau a fragments, ddim yn hyffynt gyda gwych ar gyferaethau y bwysig mewn cychydag yn cymryd ddyn nhw? Thank you very much to be at your question. As I said, that is a really important area those are not simply the gender pay gap, but the gender employment gap, not just the right thing to do, but it is also a huge economic opportunity for us to engender better economic growth. It is recognised that increasing pay for social care workforce would positively contribute to our commitment to reduce the gender pay gap and improving paying conditions for the adult social care workforce, which is around 85 per cent female, is a priority for the Scottish Government ac eich bediwyr aglennu iawn o gymhag oedd yn eich gwheithio. Felly, ar y cael ei chymdeithasol, ar gyveldiad o fewn iawn, profiad pethau o bobl yn y cyfleio sydd wedi'u gwheithio ar gyfer cael ei haf.. Ar cyfnod cyflawnau ma harmlessau a'r cyfeilio wrth cael ei gweld ei hach. Rwy'n deithasolaeth eraill eich raiowadol i'r 23, 24 oes y maef iddi. Cyflystaniad 2, Christian Graham. Leth下Ifrwyr fyddeniad gyda gwaith y grafffa ddefnyddiant ar gyfer y broses cyfan hyfforddiant. Gwladau am gweithio'r cyflawn na'r gweithio'r cyflawn y cyflawn ar y cyflawn y Lord? Fe'r ysgoladau ynghylch yn ymgyrch â'i gynhyrchu cyflawn y cyflawn y cyflawn a'r gweithio'r cyflawn y cyflawn yn y Cyflawn y cyflawn, a i ddweud gyda'r cyflawn ar gyfer y gwaith y cyflawn mynd i gynnwys y proses. Y cwylwch yn gweld â'r cyflawn lleiwyr yn ymgyrch, o'r wych yn ddiddordeb yn gwneud gwirio cyfnodau a'r eich cyfnodau o'r ddiddordeb ymlaen nhw ymgyrch yn ddigital cyfnodau a'r reilio cyfrifwyr. Fynd y bydd y Gwrthogol yn ymgyrch ar gyfer y corffredgau gyda hwn, ac mae'n i gweithio iawn i gyrfaen i gyfarwadau yn hynny o'r gweithio gyfrifwyr a'r y 42.2 miliwmpiwn byddiol yn y 23.24 byddiol? I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer. As the main witness in a trial for threatening behaviour to me, I had to give evidence on incidents spanning from 2017 to 2020, the trial having been deferred from 2022 to earlier this year. The case against Peter Morris was found not proven. No one can determine that the outcome was due to delays in prosecution. What data there is regarding any possible connection between delays in the prosecution process and conviction rates? I agree wholeheartedly with Ms Graham that justice is not best served by delays. That is why the recovery programme funded by the Scottish Government has seen the court backlog in summary cases fall by 37 per cent. We, of course, continue to invest £26 million in the Scottish Courts and Tribunials system, which are confident that the summary backlog will be cleared by March 2024. In terms of data that connects both processes and conviction, I will have to go and seek further information on that matter. However, I would point Ms Graham to that, for the first time, justice analytical services within the Scottish Government are now publishing journey times, end-to-end journey times, from the start to the end of people's justice journey. That will give us far more detail, transparency and scrutiny to ensure that the investments that we are making are indeed delivering justice on the ground. Justice delayed is, of course, justice denied, and many solemn cases in the High Court are taking up four years to reach court itself. Survivors report self-harm, depression, anxiety and even attempted suicide, so clearly something is not working here. What analysis has been done as to why cases are taking so long and when will this horrendous backlog finally be cleared? Mr Graham raises a very important point of crucial detail. Although we have seen significant reduction in the backlogs in summary cases, he is quite correct to point to the on-going challenges with solemn cases and with high court cases. We know that this is a trend in terms of cases coming forward, in particular to the High Court, and that that is likely to continue. That is why we, in terms of the recovery programme, have refocused our endeavours and investments on to solemn proceedings and to the High Court. For example, the criminal justice board agreed to create two additional High Court courts and six additional Sheriff's solemn courts from April 2023. That is on top of the additional High Courts and Sheriff's solemn courts that were established in 2021, and I will, of course, keep Parliament updated. Question 3, Maurice Golden. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding any implications for its water safety action plan on future lifeboat provision in our growth in light of reported concerns expressed by the local community about the service. The Scottish Government greatly values and appreciates the work of staff and volunteers for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who work alongside other emergency services to provide a vital service and saving life around Scotland's expansive coastline. The Royal National Lifeboat Institute played a key role in the creation of our water safety action plan and continues to do so through its work with Water Safety Scotland. The RNLI operates as an independent charity across the UK and any decisions on operational matters are rightly made by the RNLI. Maurice Golden. I thank the minister for that answer, but it is hard to overstate the anger in our growth over the RNLI's decision to downgrade the town's lifeboat station, especially as the community has contributed millions of pounds for the construction of an all-weather lifeboat. The fear is that this decision could compromise the safety of the crew or reduce operational capabilities, particularly in rough seas. I appreciate the limitations that the Scottish Government is under here, but does the minister share the community's concern and will they encourage the RNLI to enter a dialogue with the lifeboat crew, local volunteers and the wider community to find a solution? The Scottish Government takes the issue of water safety very seriously and welcomes water safety Scotland's national drowning prevention strategy when it was published by Water Safety Scotland in 2018. The Scottish Government continues to provide funding via the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents to support the operation of Water Safety Scotland, of which our RNLI is a key member. We work closely with Water Safety Scotland and other partners to support the recommendations in its drowning prevention strategy and initiatives that can help to raise awareness of the hazards around water and reduce deaths from accidental drowning. However, as I said in my previous answer, any decisions on operational matters are rightly made by our RNLI. To ask the Scottish Government, prior to the signing by the Minister for Green Skills, Sector, Economy and Biodiversity of the memorandum of understanding between NatureScot and financial partners, how much financing it had identified would be required to meet its net zero for tree planting? Research by the Green Finance Institute in 2021 estimates that, to meet our desired outcomes, there is a finance gap of £1.3 billion for woodland creation and maintenance in Scotland up to the year 2031. The memorandum of understanding between NatureScot and its financial partners represents an important step in bridging this and the wider nature-related outcomes finance gap and will ensure that private financing is used in line with our interim principles for responsible investment in natural capital. I did not hear the answer there. How much is needed to reach the net zero target for tree planting? What is the actual amount that you are looking for? I apologise if Mr Mountain did not hear me. Maybe I did not say it clear enough, but the figure is £1.3 billion. To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure Scotland's financial sector plays its role in tackling our climate emergency. The previous question and answer has made clear that responsible private investment is crucial to delivering net zero. Given the scale of the transition that is required, there is a real growing opportunity for green financial services. In pursuit of those opportunities, Scottish ministers engage regularly with the financial services industry via the financial services growth and development board. Building on Scotland's commitment to adjust transition to net zero, we established the Scottish task force for green and sustainable financial services, chaired by David Pip Watson. The task force is working on positioning Scotland as a leading global contender for green and sustainable finance, which will maximise economic and employment benefits for all. I thank the cabinet secretary for her response. It is very welcome news that the most recent addition of the global green finance index has shown Scotland rising through the rankings in green finance, with two cities featuring in the green index compared to just one financial centre in England. Can the cabinet secretary advise what assessment has been made of those findings, and can she further advise what steps are being taken to build on that progress? Audrey Nicholl is absolutely right to reflect on the fact that our financial services industry is making great progress and to pull out those figures demonstrating that both Edinburgh and Glasgow rose in April's global green finance index. Indeed, Edinburgh moved eight places to 14th in Glasgow, moved up seven to 46th. Given the scale of the opportunity, we are absolutely clear that Scotland must seize the momentum. Our task force for green and sustainable financial services is developing a road map that will identify areas where we can build on deep specialisms to complete global green finance. The industry, through the FFE's five-year strategy, has made financing the journey to net zero a critical priority. Can I ask the cabinet secretary if the Scottish Government is merely facilitating big profits for private financial sector and international companies through exploiting the resources and potential of Scotland? The answer is resoundly no. The Scottish Government is absolutely clear, noting that finance gap, which Gillian Martin referred to in the context of tree planting, overall natural capital, stands at around £20 billion. We know that activities such as a forest station and peatland restoration contribute massively to our net zero targets. We also know that there is a significant gap in funding and that the public sector could never be expected to meet that alone. That is why we are working. We have developed the interim principles for responsible investment in natural capital, which means that the investment is welcome, but it must be responsible, it must work with communities, it must be additional, verifiable and have integrity. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the free bus travel through the national entitlement card scheme, particularly among people with a qualifying social security entitlement. I am proud that we are investing £300 million annually to provide the most generous concessionary travel schemes in the UK. Last year, we delivered a national marketing campaign and increasing awareness of free bus for under-22s, with two thirds of young people now joined, and more than 62 million journeys made. I was pleased this week to mark the delivery of the choose bus campaign with the bus industry. Transport Scotland is working with Social Security Scotland to ensure that clear processes are in place for people with qualifying benefits and would encourage anyone who is eligible to apply. Thank you to the minister for his answer. The support for people who qualify for social security entitlement, particularly disabled people, is absolutely vital. The cover extends to a carer in receipt of a free bus travel where it is required. Has any representation that has been made by the Government to the DWP regarding the fact that many people who are transferring on to adult disability payment from PIP seem to be unaware of that, to ensure that everyone who is interested in the support gets it in Scotland? I thank Ms Adamson for her question. As I said, I met bus industry officials in Gala Shields around phase 2 of our choose bus marketing campaign earlier this week. That has a clear focus on concessionary travel. I said in my initial answer that we are working with Social Security Scotland to ensure that clear processes are in place. What I would say to Ms Adamson is that we will try to extend that and see if we can do similar with the DWP. I would hope that the DWP would co-operate as much as Social Security Scotland has. 7. Michael Marra To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Transport Scotland regarding the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee. Presiding Officer, the Scottish Government has not held any recent discussions with Transport Scotland regarding the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee. I can advise that officials are in continued discussions with the developer of the adjacent Dykes of Grey Road development site. Those discussions are to finalise the legal and operational aspects for changes at the A90 trunk road swallow roundabout, which the developer is required to make under conditions to their planning consent. Those are legal and commercial matters for the developer to progress and finalise before advising Transport Scotland. Michael Marra I am afraid that that is quite a disappointing answer from the Minister. His predecessor took an active interest in this issue and brought Transport Scotland to the table to try and conclude this process, which has dragged on for over a decade. Can the Minister give some reassurance to the community that he will take a similar interest to his predecessor? And what lessons can he draw for Transport Scotland and his Government about the failure for this project to be delivered? My officials will continue to work constructively with the developer, but the ball is in their court. We want to progress this and progress the outstanding issues and conclude the minute of agreement as soon as possible. Mr FitzPatrick is the constituency MSP. Minister, if you could just give me one moment, Minister, sorry. Can we have the Minister's microphone please? I want to see this issue progressed, but the developer needs to move on this too. My officials will continue to work constructively with them to see that that happens.