 Maage, dy mask Orange, ddweud yler cooperative. M amino, mae'r Phewt llёpa. Maektor y Llywodraeth sy'r dyschol Abergaid yn cyd nesaf scriwg Llywodraeth, a ond yn dyanyaid i di落yddoeg yn cyfw yn y number of female victims increased from 10 to 16, meaning 30 per cent of victims in 21-22 were female. Over half, 56 per cent, of female victims were killed by a partner or ex-partner. We are taking forward work to develop a multi-agency domestic homicide review model for Scotland, through the recently established domestic homicide review task force, and that model will entail our lessons to help to prevent and reduce the number of domestic homicides related to domestic abuse, and to give a voice to those who have been killed. Ruth Maguire, I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer and welcome the Scottish Government commitment to domestic homicide reviews. I wonder if the cabinet secretary can give a bit more of an update on the progress of that, and can I ask if there is scope for widening that or looking at a similar type of process, where a victim of domestic abuse known to services loses her life prematurely, but no charges are brought? As I outlined in the initial reply, we have established the task force that will meet for the second time in March. We will also hold a workshop with key multi-agency partners later this month as part of a deep dive into what a domestic homicide review model for Scotland might look like. That will inevitably include a discussion around scope, just as the member has raised and the issues that she's raised. I'm sure that we'll be part of that discussion, and I will certainly ensure that the member's comments are taken into consideration as that work progresses. I'm also happy to keep the member informed of the progress of the group as it goes forward. Pam Gossel. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Cabinet secretary, the crime of men murdering women is one of the worst crimes that can possibly be committed. My thoughts are with all the loved ones who lost a woman close to their heart last year. The perpetrators of the crimes deserve the harshest possible punishment. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that we should have a whole life sentence so that judges have the power to order men who murder women to spend the rest of their life behind bars? No, I believe that the sentences that the courts currently have, the powers to hand down, are sufficient for the purposes that have been described. I associate myself with the comments made by the member in relation to the horrendous nature of the crime that has been perpetrated, especially in relation to partners of female victims. It might be the case that 70 per cent of the victims of homicide are men, but it's men who are committing those crimes, as well as the crimes against women. What's really important to do is tackle this in a prevent manner, as well as making sure that people are properly sentenced. That will go to things like education, equally safe. I would hope that all MSPs, we all go into schools on a regular basis and I do this, reinforce the message about when the stereotypes start, the entitlement starts in schools, that's when misogyny and that's what can end up in these terrible figures. I think that we all have a part to play in relation to this. Question 2, Paul MacLennan. To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the local governance review. The Scottish Government remains committed to concluding the local governance review within this Parliament and will continue to take the work forward in close partnership with COSLA. Paul MacLennan. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. The local governance review is one of many feeding into Scotland's programme to empower communities and deepen local democracy. I welcome the Scottish Government and call to a shared approach of the improved delivery of sustainable public services. Can the cabinet secretary indicate what progress has been made in this regard? We are keen to work with local government on key shared mutual priorities, tackling child poverty, transforming the economy to deliver net zero and to sustain the focus that we brought collectively in the Covid recovery strategy to address systemic inequalities made worse through Covid and the cost of living crisis. At the heart of the approach is a new deal for local government, which comprises a fiscal framework and outcomes focus partnership agreement. The framework and agreement will ensure a clear link between fiscal empowerment for local government and achieving the outcomes that we want jointly to see for our communities and also working with communities themselves to make sure that we deliver their priorities. Question 3, Clare Adamson. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote that take of the Educational Maintenance to Learns programme. We remain committed to providing EMA financial support to eligible young people from low-income households to help them to overcome financial barriers to access and stay in learning. Our delivery partners are responsible for raising awareness of the programme at a local level and we work closely with them to ensure that EMA is being promoted effectively. Clare Adamson, I have been contacted by numerous constituents who have yet to receive EMA from applications submitted in August in North Lanarkshire Council. I believe that some have left school as a result of not being able to maintain their education due to financial concerns. It concerns me that any young person is left without vital support of the EMA. Can I ask the minister to be aware of those problems in the administration of EMA in North Lanarkshire? If so, what action can be taken to address those issues as we have to get it right for every child or young person? Clare Adamson raises a very concerning issue. Officials are engaging with colleagues in North Lanarkshire Council to resolve any issues. I have asked that they report back to me so that I can be reassured that every young person that is eligible and has applied is receiving this key support. I will be happy to report back to the member with further details as those in that engagement continues. Michael Marra To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Parliament on the future of benefits, devolution and development, including any proposals for industrial injuries benefits. Minister Ben Macpherson On Tuesday, I was pleased to set out to Parliament the timeline for delivery of the next phase of Scottish Government benefits. As I informed Parliament then, in the next few months I intend to consult on employment injuries assistance and matters regarding replacement of the current UK Government industrial injuries disablement benefits. Michael Marra I am concerned that the Government seems to be focusing a little too much on what it cannot do in regards to industrial injuries benefits rather than what it can be doing right now. The easiest way is to be deciding here in Scotland who qualifies for this benefit. So would the minister agree that those decisions should be made in Scotland? To this end, will the minister commit to supporting my colleague Mark Griffin's bill to establish a Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council? Will he work to ensure it as the ability to designate new industrial injuries, including those of footballers that I have been working with who have sustained brain injuries? As I set out to Parliament on Tuesday, employment injuries assistance is a very complex area. It is important that we work with stakeholders and members to decide the right approach, recognising the limits on our devolved powers in relation to issues such as health and safety and employment law. We also need to recognise the substantial costs and operational requirements of a new benefit and the challenges of moving from what is an antiquated and entirely paper-based UK benefit. Just for context, the UK scheme was established in 1948 and has undergone just limited reform since its introduction. I am pleased to say that DWP remains committed to working with us to agree an approach that is practical, affordable and, of course, in the interests of people, including current recipients. It is right that we take appropriate time to consider all of that thoroughly. I have engaged with the proposals that Mark Griffin has put forward, and I have met him and look forward to meeting with him again. We also need to be mindful that it is important to consider the establishment of a Scottish advisory council in the round of the consultation activity. I referred to my first answer, rather than in isolation. With regard to the particular points that Mr Marra raised about footballers, I would be happy to receive any correspondence from him on that matter. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the fire and rescue services and what was discussed. Met with the SFRS board chair and acting chief on 1 February, a range of matters were discussed and included the tragic loss of life of firefighter Barry Martin, firefighter Pay and industrial action, the fire brigade union decontamination campaign, finance and SFRS budgets and fire safety and enforcement. Annabelle Ewing. I thank the minister for her answer and, of course, associate myself with the remarks about Barry Martin from Recife and express my sincere condolences to his family and to the fire service. Will the minister take this opportunity to welcome the constructive approach of the FBU to the collective bargaining process, which in fact has seen potential strikes being called off, while members are now being balanted on the new pay offer? Can the minister say what lessons can be learned for the future in terms of ensuring fair pay for our heroic firefighters and control room staff? Minister. Like Annabelle Ewing, I very much welcome that progress has been made through established collective bargaining arrangements and that strike action has been averted. I would like to emphasise that the Scottish Government is not part of negotiations on firefighter pay. This is rightly a matter for SFRS as the employer, but I am sure that SFRS, along with the other fire and rescue employers and the FBU, will look carefully at the processes to ensure lessons are learned for the future. Russell Findlay. The loss of Barry Martin reminds us of the dangers that our firefighters face, and I support all efforts to establish the facts and to prevent another tragedy. Presiding Officer Scotland's most senior Fire Officer, Martin Blundin, quit his job five months after being suspended from duty, but the public and firefighters have been kept in the dark about what happened. A whistleblower has now contacted me with allegations about a culture of croniesm and bullying in the fire service. I have written to the minister today, setting out in detail what is alleged. All I ask is, was she aware of those claims and will she give her commitment today to provide a full and transparent response? I thank Russell Findlay for bringing this matter to the chamber, and I will have a look at the letter that you have set out to me. Obviously, staff conduct is a matter for the SFRS board, but I am happy to discuss this issue with Mr Findlay. Maggie Chapman. I would like to associate myself with the comments by Annabelle Ewing about the death of Barry Martin and put on record my thanks to the SFRS for its contribution to the rescue and relief efforts in Turkey this week. I would like to ask the minister for an update on what steps are underway following her meeting last week to incorporate aspects of the FBUD on campaign, specifically health screenings, for all current and former firefighters to keep them safe from the health risks that they face while on the job. Like Maggie Chapman, I would like to put my thanks on record for the firefighters who are in Turkey and Syria at the moment on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. I met the Scottish Fire Brigades Union officials along with Professor Anna Stec of the University of Central Lancaster on 2 February to hear directly about their important campaign and the emerging evidence. I also have a dedicated meeting arranged with the SFRS later this month to be briefed on the steps that they are taking on minimising firefighter exposure to harmful contaminants and also to understand more clearly the proposals around enhanced health screening. I will carefully consider those proposals when they are received to ensure that the Scottish Government is playing its part in keeping our firefighters safe. To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the value of outdoor education to children and young people. There are a range of benefits related to outdoor education such as connecting young people with the natural world, supporting their wellbeing and developing their skills for life, learning and work. In relation to recent assessments, I would point Mr Greene to HMIE's thematic inspection on outdoor learning published in February 2022, which reiterated those benefits and concluded that increasingly outdoor environments are being used to deliver the curriculum. Jamie Greene Can I thank the minister for that? I couldn't agree more with those comments, but those benefits can be reaped if the outdoor education centres are closing. Arran outdoor education centre is a wonderful facility that has been offering services to the young people in North Ayrshire for considerable amounts of time, but like many outdoor education centres it's staring down the barrel of closure due to funding cuts at local councils. Can I ask first of all if the minister will give serious consideration to my colleague Liz Smith's proposals on ensuring access to outdoor education in law and much-needed access to outdoor education? On the issue of Arran, would the Government intervene directly on this issue? Is there anything that the Government can do to intervene and make sure that this facility remains open and free to access for many young people right across my region? I thank Mr Greene for those follow-up questions in relation to Liz Smith's private member's bill on residential education. The Government is currently reviewing the final bill proposal, and, as with any new legislative proposal, stakeholders' views must be taken into account, and the full range of consequences costs and options must be explored. We are reviewing those perspectives, the various costs and the potential impacts, before deciding on our position with the bill. With specific reference to the Arran outdoor centre, I am aware of the potential closure as part of a range of options that has been consulted on by North Ayrshire Council. My understanding is that the council is still in the process of finalising its budget proposals, and I am also aware that the council will not be making final decisions until 1 March. As Mr Greene is aware, local authorities are accountable to the public that elect them and have the financial freedom to operate independently, taking into account local need. I would reiterate that the Scottish Government values the many forms of outdoor learning and values the specific role of residential centres. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards its 2032 affordable housing targets. Scotland has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK and is proud of our record of delivering 115,558 affordable homes since 2007, more than 81,000 of which were for social rent. We remain committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which at least 70% will be available for social rent and 10% will be in our remote rural and island communities. A total of 4,927 homes have now been delivered against the target to the end of September 2022, of which 85% are homes for social rent. What evidence does the Scottish Government have that increased provision of affordable housing is having a positive impact on the wellbeing of Scotland's citizens, and how does that compare with other UK nations? It is well recognised that warm affordable homes can have a positive impact on people's wellbeing. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report poverty in Scotland 2021 notes that comparatively lower housing costs continue to be the principal reason for lower poverty rates in Scotland compared with England, and keeping social rents lower than market rents of course benefits approximately 110,000 children in poverty each year. Across the four years to 2022, we have delivered 59% more affordable homes per head of population and nine times as many social rents per head of population than in England, and of course we remain committed to affordable housing with £3.5 billion being made available to this Parliament.