 Maer i gael i'r cwestiwn i'r unrhyw yma gyda gael eu gwneud, a'r cwestiwn i'r cwestiwn i'r cyfrifiadau cleansiaf a achor. Mae'n meddygau i ddigwyd i'r cwestiwn i 1, 3 a 6 yma? Rwy'n dechrau i ddweud i'r cwestiwn i 2 a 8 yma. Rwy'n dechrau i ddigwyd i ddweud, maen nhw'n bwysigau, a enti amferwg ddim dim gweld yr ydychu, iddyn nhw'n ddweud i ddweud i gael ei ddweud i'r cwestiwn? iawn i'r cwestiwyr hwn yw'r dweud i ddeithasol, os y gweithwyr awdron ni'n ymddangos. Felly mae'r cwestiwn ni, mae'r cyflwyphol iddynt ar hyn oedd yn ymgyrch i gwych Wonilion Nrheysgrifedd. Grafodd apôl cyfryddiadau roi. That's the question. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any work that its Constitutional Futures division is doing to further the case of Scottish independence. Minister Jamie Hepburn. In common, the wider civil service, the Constitutional Futures division, continues to support the Scottish Government's programme of activity, including the articulation of the case for Scottish independence. I wonder if the minister might give us some clarity on where we are, because we have had three different positions from the SNP in the last few weeks on the question of a day facto referendum. First, they said that they needed a majority of votes cast in an election, then they said that they needed just the most seats in an election, and then they said, I think, that they just need to get a majority of seats in a general election. What they are saying is that, even if the SNP lost 20 seats in a general election, seats lost to the Conservatives, seats lost to Labour and even seats lost to the Liberal Democrats, that they would take that as a mandate for independence, do they really expect people to take this nonsense seriously? I thank Mr Fraser for taking such great interest in the SNP's manifesto for the forthcoming election. Our prospectus is very clear. We have had a full debate at our conference, something that I know is anathema to the Conservative party in terms of their interdimoxy. We have laid out our position, we will take that to the electorate that will seek their support, and I suggest to Mr Fraser that, in terms of our prospects at the election, I think he would be rather better being more concerned about his own party's prospects than the Scottish National Party's. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to further the case for Scottish independence. The Scottish Government will continue to provide information about the opportunities of independence through its building a new Scotland series of papers and various other engagements. We will be building on the plans that we have already set out in the economy, currency, a written constitution and citizenship in independent Scotland, with further proposals including for migration, pension, social security and defence, the EU and the transition to net zero. The next paper is planned for publication shortly. I thank the minister for that answer. Last week, Scottish Labour made a humiliating choice to abstain from voting on devolving more powers to the Scottish Parliament, despite promising a fresh start in their recent campaign. Does the minister agree with me that Scotland's only fresh start is to become an independent country with full control over all the policies that can improve the lives of everyone in Scotland? Of course, I fundamentally agree with the premise of the question, but let me say I would welcome the opportunity to see further powers devolved to this place. This is the debate that we have had in the past, and I understood it to be the case. Certainly it was articulated to me that the Scottish Labour Party position, for instance, was to support the evolution of employment law, something that it is desperately retreating from now. We do not know whether the Labour Party is standing in these matters, but let us be clear where this Government stands and its independence is going to secure a better future for the people of Scotland. To ask the Scottish Government how much public money it plans to spend in this financial year and in 2024-25 on any work designed to further the case for Scottish independence, including the cost of publication of any independence-related documents. The civil service will continue to work on government commitments on the constitution, including independence. From publication of each building a new Scotland paper, we routinely publish the cost of having done so. We will continue that approach. Thanks for that answer. Emergency workers in our police, fire and healthcare services all say they need more resources. With ministers trying to fill a £1 billion black hole in the budget for next year, does the minister not believe that this money would be better spent elsewhere? To be absolutely abundantly clear, the cost of each paper that we have published thus far has been less than £20,000, and compared to the enormous benefits that the opportunity to independence brings, I think that that is money that is well worth expending. Of course we will continue to invest in public services as we have been doing, but the question could equally be posed of the UK Government of Scotland office in the last year spent £1 million in communication staff alone. They have four special advisers in one UK Government department. Let's face it, frankly, Presiding Officer. It doesn't have much work to do, so let's have some answers in relation to the UK Government approach in these matters. Supplementary John Mason. Thank you very much. I wonder if the minister could explain to Murdo Fraser and Sharon Dowie that freedom from London rule has been a huge success for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others, and that Ireland has a huge budget surplus at the moment? Minister. Well, I think, frankly, me trying to explain anything to Murdo Fraser and Sharon Dowie is probably beyond my best efforts, but I'll continue to do my best. But inherent within the question is something I very much agree with. We don't need to look too far beyond these shores to see the benefits of independence. Countries like Scotland Ireland, which is about to launch a sovereign wealth fund, which it hopes will be worth 100 billion euros by the middle of the next decade, Norway, Denmark, Finland, all countries of the same size as Scotland, Presiding Officer, are healthier, wealthier, fairer and happier than Scotland in the UK. What could be more important than creating a happier society? Independence would allow us to do that. Now, question number two from Karen Adam. Can we have Ms Adam's microphone? To ask the Scottish Government in light of the announcement by the First Minister that it will more than double investment in Scotland's arts and culture over the next five years, how is it ensuring that rural communities benefit from current and future cultural investment? Thank you, Presiding Officer. May I take this opportunity at the first culture question since the announcement to welcome the appointment of Anne Leiden as the next director-general of the National Galleries of Scotland? We wish her well, I'm sure, right across the chamber. In answer to Karen Adam's question, our investment in culture and the arts is nationwide and our funding reflects the diverse communities right across the country. The First Minister's announcement last week is a vote of confidence in Scotland's culture sector. The increase in funding for culture and the arts by 100 million per year by 2029 will drive up opportunities for participation in creative pursuits, support the production of new works and ensure that Scotland's cultural output has platforms all across Scotland and abroad. Karen Adam. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer and if I may boast a little bit here, the northeast has some of Scotland's most extraordinary cultural talents and artists across Bamshire and Buckingham coast are putting my constituency on that cultural map. For two decades, organisations like Northeast Open Studios have been ensuring that the work of artists in my constituency and the wider north-east are reaching communities both locally and across Scotland and beyond. With that example in mind, what is the Scottish Government doing to ensure that rural and remote artists get the recognition and support that they so thoroughly deserve? As a matter of course, Scottish Government ministers and the Scottish Government will promote and support artists from the length and breadth of the country. I am delighted to hear about Northeast Open Studios being so well promoted by their local member of the Scottish Parliament here, specifically in relation to the funding of cultural organisations. I think that everybody in the chamber recognises that that largely takes place through Creative Scotland, an arms-length organisation who make funding decisions. I am sure that they will be listening very closely to the points that Karen Adam has made because they see it as an important part of their work that there is funding and support for art organisations the length and breadth of Scotland. To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to cultural organisations that are operating in rural areas. Our culture strategy makes it clear that we want everyone in Scotland to have access to cultural opportunities, regardless of where one lives. That is why we fund a range of organisations that provide access to culture in rural communities. For example, via our regular funding to Creative Scotland, we support 12 organisations across the Highlands and Islands, including Atlas Arts on Sky and the Highland Prince Studio in Inverness. Organisations like the Llyth Centre in Caithness and Inlandshire in Stornoway in my region are central to their communities, reducing isolation and improving mental health alongside and through their arts work. I welcome the recent announcement that was made by the First Minister to increase the budget for art and culture by £100 million by 2028. Can I ask the minister how the newly proposed funding will address the long-term funding challenges for cultural organisations in rural areas? Ms Burgess is right to highlight the importance of ensuring that our increased arts and culture budget is distributed in a way that benefits all communities in Scotland and supports the resilience of cultural organisations in rural areas. While decisions on how the additional budget will be allocated will be subject to the budget process, I can assure members that this will be taken fully into account. Thank you. I've got a lot of supplementaries here. I'll get in most, if not all, but as long as they're brief. The National Museum of Scotland has said that it's facing its toughest financial crisis ever, with fears over the ability to pay staff and maintain the museum. Without a proper plan in place, the solution will mean that they may have to cease some operations. Can I ask the cabinet secretary what further measures can be put in place to maintain, retain and sustain operations like that for Scotland? I begin by saying how sorry I was to learn about the death of Donald Cameron of Lachill and extend condolences via Alexander Stewart to his colleague Donald Cameron MSP, who is not in his place today for very obvious reasons, and to his family at this sad time. In answer to Alexander Stewart's question, I can give him an absolute guarantee that all organisations and agencies that work in the cultural sector that are funded and work with the Scottish Government are absolutely seized of any particular problems that are being faced in venues or organisations. As we know, there have been extraordinary pressures. I don't need to list the number of organisations in Scotland or indeed elsewhere in the UK who have been feeling these pressures, and I would encourage any member across the chamber who is aware of any distress being felt by organisations financial or otherwise to make sure that there can be timious intervention to make sure that we maintain and support the cultural infrastructure, the length and breadth of Scotland. Before inviting the next supplementary, just a reminder that this is focused on arts and culture funding in rural areas, and I call Neil Bibby. As has been mentioned, the First Minister has announced his intention to double the arts and culture budget over the next five years and increase it by £100 million. Yet £175 million is currently allocating Scottish Government's budget for Creative Scotland, other arts, cultural collections and the national performing companies. Can the cabinet secretary explain how he can possibly double a budget of £175 million with only £100 million? I listened very closely to what Neil Bibby had to say, and the one word that I didn't hear him say was the word welcome. I don't know what it is about the Scottish Labour Party in relation to culture and the arts that makes it difficult for them to welcome the fact that the Scottish Government has committed to double the culture spending. It's been welcomed right across the culture sector, and I hope that the Labour Party will join the Scottish Government in supporting the increase in the budget. The budget-related matters are going to be subject to the standard budget procedure of the Scottish Government. That will also include the scrutiny that will be exerted through the Scottish Parliament Committee, and I look forward to giving evidence to explain the decisions that are made in relation to the fantastic increase that the Scottish Government has committed to in the culture and arts sector. Perhaps Neil Bibby can find it in himself either during these questions or the debate later this afternoon to use the word welcome. John Swinney. I wonder if I might encourage the cabinet secretary to visit one of the jewels in the cultural crown of Scotland in rural Scotland, which is Pitlockery Festival Theatre, which has a magnificent record of artistic production in rural Scotland. There may be a suitable opportunity with the upcoming production of Sunshine on Leith, which is not quite Edinburgh Central to be controversial, but it's certainly close to the cabinet secretary's heart. Cabinet secretary. Can I thank John Swinney for extending that invitation? I'd be delighted to return to Pitlockery. I think that it gives the opportunity to highlight the fact that there are fantastic cultural and arts venues and organisations, yes, in Perthshire, in Tayside, but right across rural Scotland, and if there's anything that members across the chamber feel that can be done more to help promote cultural and arts organisations across rural Scotland, I, ministerial colleagues and others will be as keen to support them as we can. Beatrice Wishart. In collaboration with the Tate Artists' Rooms, Shetland Amenity Trust is hosting a photographic collection from renowned American photographer Diane Arbus. How will the welcome extra funding that has been announced be dispersed across Scotland's arts and culture sector to ensure that events like that currently in Shetland and other island and rural areas, which often come with much higher costs when it comes to hosting and delivering events, to ensure the breadth and depth that the sector has to offer reaches all parts of Scotland? Cabinet Secretary. I can confirm one thing for certain since last week. There is not a shortage of cultural and arts organisations that have welcomed the proposed uplift in cultural and arts bending and are making proposals for support for local organisations, as the member has just highlighted. I would encourage any member or party in this chamber who has particularly strong feelings about the best way in which funding can be dispersed. Of course, we already have a cultural and arts organisation, Creative Scotland, that is responsible for that in large part, but we also have national performing companies. We also have a range of funding streams. I am open to suggestions from members and indeed parties right across the chamber about how we can make sure that we disperse £100 million additional, a doubling of the culture budget. I hope that the Scottish Liberal Democrats will make sure that it reaches all parts of the country and has a profound impact on the cultural and arts sector for their positive future. Question 4, Richard Leonard. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on public interest journalism. I should declare an interest as a past career journalist and as a past long-standing member of the National Union of Journalists. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the sustainability of the public interest journalism sector. A free independent press is the bedrock of every well-functioning democracy and local news publications play a crucial role by empowering and informing communities and holding institutions to account. In January 2021, the Scottish Government set up the Public Interest Journalism Working Group, which published recommendations later that year. We responded in June 2022 and following this we convened a round table in which a steering group, independent of government, was formed to progress work towards a strong and sustainable future for the sector. Richard Leonard. Can I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer? In June this year, the Welsh Government announced a £200,000 package of funding for public interest journalism in Wales. It's meant new investment in research training and in 10 local news outlets. Is the Scottish Government prepared to provide any pump-priming funds for a Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute, which its own working group proposed nearly two years ago? Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that the urgent need for this is highlighted by the current industrial dispute at national world, including the Scotsman, where recent cuts mean that just eight journalists are left to produce 19 local weekly titles and where local and national journalists have had a real terms pay cut imposed on them by an owner making a whacking great profit? Cabinet secretary. Well, there's quite a lot in Richard Leonard's question there, and I'm sure you, Presiding Officer, would wish me to concentrate my reply in relation to public interest journalism. There are a number of ways in which the Scottish Government can support an emerging institute, and I am open to all suggestions that can be made to bring that about because I wish it success and he's right to highlight that there are different models in different places and there are different circumstances too. I'm sure he would agree with me, I would hope he does agree with me, that it's really important that public interest journalism is separate from government and is separate from any sense that there is government interest or influence on its independence. Given that in mind, notwithstanding that, I'm interested to learn how we can best support the emerging institute. If he has suggestions, if colleagues who are involved in the steering group have that, I am very open to considering any of those suggestions. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The cabinet secretary mentioned public interest journalism working group in a previous answer. That was a vital platform to discuss the challenges faced by the sector, one of which is a particular concern, disinformation and misinformation. So can I ask the cabinet secretary what work the Scottish Government is conducting to combat disinformation and support public interest journalism in doing so? I think that this is one of those areas where an institute could play a really important role. I think that we are all aware right across this chamber that the issue of misinformation is a very live one and public information about that is extremely important. There are a number of countries that take this extremely seriously, not least our Nordic and Scandinavian neighbours. We have much to learn from there. I would be very supportive of the institute playing a significant role in helping, particularly a new generation of young voters, explain why misinformation is a fundamentally challenging and dangerous development, and I would wish to see the institute play a leading role in that. Question 5, Martin Whitfield. I am very grateful, Deputy Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government, what discussions it has had with Creative Scotland about funding for financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. I attended the Creative Scotland board on 27 September and I discussed current and future funding. The Scottish Government officials have regular formal discussions with officials in Creative Scotland, including regarding budgets as part of the normal sponsorship role as Creative Scotland are a public body. Those discussions include budgets for this and next financial year. My officials will discuss funding for the next financial year with Creative Scotland as part of the budget process. I am very grateful for the Cabinet Secretary's response. He is aware, because he kindly wrote to me about the Lamb & Fewe Festival in East Lothian, who is a consequence of those discussions, has lost its funding from Creative Scotland. This festival, which is an award-winning festival, that has been around for a number of years, is facing the real possibility of closure. So how can the enhanced funding that has been promised for the future do any good if the quality and expertise of the institutional memory of award-winning festivals like the Lamb & Fewe Festival has lost this financial year? Can I first pay tribute to Martin Whitfield, who has been a doubty campaigner on the issue of the Lamb & Fewe Festival and his right to acknowledge that we have been in correspondence about this? So it's no surprise to him that I repeat, as I have made the point a number of times during this question session, that financial decisions by Creative Scotland in relation to specific organisations or events are matters for Creative Scotland, not for Government ministers to be directly involved in. Having said that, he's absolutely right to point out, and I'm not sure if it was a welcome, maybe it was, that this Government is proposing to double the culture budget, which should be hugely welcome in all corners. I would encourage the Lamb & Fewe Festival and all others in these circumstances to make their plans their hopes, their aspirations clear to Creative Scotland for forthcoming funding decisions. Brief supplementary bill, kid. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. Can I ask the Scottish Government from the foreign secretary that he will withdraw foreign office support for Scottish Government ministers will impact our ability to promote Scotland's culture at an international level? Not directly related to Creative Scotland's budget, but if there's anything to add briefly, cabinet secretary? I'm very keen that we work as well as we can to promote Scottish culture internationally. We have a forthcoming cultural diplomacy strategy which will be published in full. I'm extremely clear that we should use each and every opportunity that we can to promote Scottish culture internationally, and I certainly would hope and expect that the UK Government will not pursue any measures which would undermine that to the detriment of the culture sector in Scotland. Questions 7, James Dornan. To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to support the provision of humanitarian assistance for the civilian population of Gaza. Minister Christina McKelvie. Presiding Officer, we have all looked on in horror at the escalating humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Middle East. Our condolences go to all those who have lost loved ones on both sides of this conflict. We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist attacks committed by Hamas. In Israel, like every other country in the world has a right to protect itself from terror. That, however, must be done within international law. As a number of the civilians that increase and supply are restricted, innocent people are being affected and conditions continue to deteriorate. Last week I announced that we will make £500,000 contribution towards the UN's flash appeal in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Those funds will support the immediate food, health, shelter and protection needs of people seeking safety. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and for the creation of a safe humanitarian corridor that allows such and much-needed supplies and innocent people to leave. James Dornan. I thank the minister very much for that answer. I'm sure the minister will agree with me that the First Minister has led politicians across the UK. Sorry, Mr Dornan, we're unable to hear. I don't know if there's something to do with your microphone or it's an IT issue. It's not mine. Do you want to start again, Mr Dornan? Certainly. Okay. I thank the minister for that answer. I'm sure the minister will agree with me that the First Minister has led politicians across the UK in a thoughtful way he shows care and compassion for the victims of the horrendous attacks by Hamas while reminding Israel and others of the need to show the same compassion to the innocent civilians in Gaza as they demand elsewhere. But given the desperate need to protect those affected both during and after the on-going slot of Gaza, will the Scottish Government reiterate its call for a worldwide refugee programme and refugee resettlement programme? Minister. A ceasefire from all sides is needed to allow the creation of a secure and sustained humanitarian corridor to ensure the protection of innocent civilians and the delivery of essential supplies including food, fuel, water and medical provisions. There are currently 1.4 million people displaced within the Gaza Strip. We know that many Palestinians will wish to stay in their homeland and they must be supported with urgent humanitarian aid to do so. Where people choose to leave, however, the Scottish Government is also calling on the international community to commit to a worldwide refugee programme for the people of Gaza. The First Minister has called on the UK Government to take urgent steps to use the existing UK resettlement scheme and ensure that it is aligned with UNHCR to provide those who want to leave with all the support that they require. Scotland stands ready, ready to work with the UK Government to create and implement a resettlement route for the people of Gaza. I welcome the Scottish Government's response to this crisis. Given aid is currently not getting in, how does she expect the money that is already being committed to be used and what work is being done to look at what further support could be given in light of the siege and the worsening conditions? I think that Katie Clark echoes the concerns that all of us feel and to answer her question directly. The flash appeal that we contributed to is a UN appeal and the UNRWA staff remain on the ground in Gaza and that money will be channeled through their work. They are currently protecting 600,000 internally dispaced people and 150 UNRWA facilities. They tell us today that they are running out of fuel and therefore may have to leave the area themselves. We do not want to see that. We want to see that aid money getting to the UN people on the ground and that support given to the people who need it the most. That concludes portfolio questions on constitution, external affairs and culture. There will be a brief pause before we move on to the next item of business. The next portfolio is justice and home affairs. I wish to seek to ask a supplementary question. They should press the request and speak button during the relevant question or indicate by entering the letters RTS in the chat function during the relevant question. At question number one, I call Jackie Baillie. To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on the timelines for and locations of the planned closures of up to 30 police buildings. Cabinet Secretary, Angela Constance. Presiding Officer, overall responsibility for managing the police estate is for the chief constable under Scottish Police Authority scrutiny. As approved by the SPA it is for Police Scotland to consult on and announce the details of any proposed estate changes. The Scottish Government is aware of the Police Scotland estate strategy that seeks to deliver modern fit for purpose police buildings which are co-located with strategic partners and to which meet the needs of 21st century operational policing. To date, over 60 co-locations have been delivered. Jackie Baillie. I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her response but can she advise when she was made aware of the plans to close the 30 police buildings three of which were in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. Can she tell me if any of the planned closures are in ill division in my area and does she back these plans? Can she also advise whether she is concerned by comments from the Scottish Police Federation who warned that people and I quote, may die as a result of the cuts in police officer numbers? Cabinet Secretary. As I have previously advised this chamber that I am of course well cited on the 2019 Police Scotland estates strategy and the work that flows from that to modernise police states. I reiterate that these decisions are for Chief Constable. We are, of course, aware as everybody is in this chamber what has been reported in the press. I can't, of course, give Ms Baillie any direct information about her constituency but, of course, I would be more than happy on her behalf to follow up on any information and to be as helpful as possible. I would point out that this Government has a good record in investing in Police Scotland and that, while there are challenges ahead, we can continue to have confidence that policing is a priority for this Government and that policing will continue on a safe and secure basis. I have received a number of requests for supplementaries. I intend to take all three. I call supplementary Liam Kerr. Very grateful, Presiding Officer. 18 months ago well before the latest financial crisis this Government has visited upon Police Scotland 13 stations in Aberdeen and the Shire were scheduled to be closed. Given the current situation, can the cabinet secretary confirm that there will be no further station closures in the north-east or can my constituents anticipate even fewer buildings going forward? At the risk of repeating myself these matters are for the chief constable as scrutinised by the Scottish Police Authority and, of course, in terms of resources this Government only this financial year has increased investment in policing by £80 million, a 6.3 per cent increase. It is imperative that, if members look at the 2019 police estate strategy that Police Scotland has been very upfront about modernising and where appropriate rationalising their estate and where they have sold-off premises that has been reinvested into their estate we want to ensure that policing and that their police footprint is effective it is efficient that it is fit for the future that it provides a good place for police officers and staff to work in as well as being appropriately visible to members of the public and also to collaborate with other public services. I call supplementary Rona Mackay. Can the cabinet secretary outline some of the benefits of co-location and can she reaffirm the Scottish Government commitment that policing will always be embedded in our communities? I have recently met the newly appointed chief constable I'm sure all members will welcome her to her post and can, of course, reassure this chamber that police services will always be visible and at the very heart of our communities. A well-established example of co-location can be found in Livingston constituency by chance where Police Scotland is one of seven partners in the West Lothian Civic Centre alongside local authority Crown Office, Scottish Courts and Tribunial Service, Children's Reporters Administration, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as well as the health and social care partnership. Co-location with suitable partners makes best use of the public sector's state and most importantly offers the opportunity for increased visibility, closer working and increased collaboration between Police Scotland and its partners. That will deliver better outcomes for individuals and our communities and it's to Police Scotland's credit that they have on 64 occasions moved to co-location and have plans for a further 22 facilities. I'm sure the cabinet secretary will have been following the public inquiry into the M9 crash with the loss of Lamarabelle and John Yew. The cabinet secretary also noted the comments from the Police Federation's David Kennedy that any further cuts could result in a similar tragedy. I don't get a sense from the minister's response today that she understands the severity of the claims that are being made. Does she get it and is she going to stop the cuts in future? Cabinet secretary. Well, let me repeat once again Mr Rennie, this Government has not cut police services. Investment has increased year on year since 2016. Of course people are well entitled to debate what resource is appropriate going forward. Meantime this Government will continue to work very closely with all our partners, whether that's the Scottish Police Federation, the SPA and Police Scotland, to establish their future needs. Of course we are just at the very start of our annual budget process. With regard to the M9 tragedy that Mr Rennie made reference to, my sympathies of course remain with the families affected by this tragic incident. Members will be aware that there is an on-going fatal accident inquiry, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment on that. Let me say to chamber that since these tragic events in 2015 Police Scotland has made a number of significant improvements to how they assess and respond to the needs of the public, and in particular the contact assessment. Question 2 is clear. To ask the Scottish Government how the recently announced £500,000 fund to leave pilot will support women experiencing domestic abuse. Leaving an abusive partner can be a dangerous and difficult time. It is vital that women are able to access the support when they need it. We know that women experiencing domestic abuse face many challenges and that financial barriers can make it even more difficult to leave abusive partners. The fund to leave pilot will help to reduce the financial burden on women as they will be able to receive up to £1,000 to pay for the essentials they and their children need, including rent and clothing. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. South Lanarkshire, local authority for my Rutherglen constituency, has the second highest presentations of homelessness applications by women due to domestic abuse across the country. As such, I am very grateful to the Government for including the council as one of the five pilot areas for the fund to leave. Can the cabinet secretary outline how women, particularly those from South Lanarkshire, can apply for assistance through the fund? Cabinet secretary. Sign officer, referrals to the fund will be accepted from a range of points, including but not limited to self-referrals, local authorities, trusted agencies and third sector organisations. Women's Aid, South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire are some of the partners involved in delivering the fund. Therefore, I would urge women needing assistance from the fund and the five local authority pilot areas to contact their local women's aid group. I strongly encourage anybody that requires support to contact Scotland's domestic abuse helpline 0800 027 1234. Supplementary Katie Clark. Thank you, Presiding Officer. We welcome this fund, which hopefully will help many women. However, organisations like Great Crisis and Women's Aid highlight other barriers facing women looking to escape abusive partners, including the lack of available accommodation and housing benefit rates sometimes not being high enough to cover the cost of a refuge. Will the Scottish Government seek to explore ways to improve the availability of safe housing for women experiencing domestic abuse? Presiding Officer, Ms Clark raises important points. Of course, there are other barriers to women leaving an abusive partner under a dangerous situation. Finance, of course, is part of that, but I recognise that it is only one of the barriers. She may be interested to know that the group that was commissioned by the Scottish Government was co-chaired by Scottish Women's Aid and the Chartered Institute of Housing, so the point that she makes about the availability of accommodation and, of course, other parts of the welfare state also pulling their weight in meeting other burdens and costs are indeed important. Brief supplementary, Presiding Officer, I welcome that initiative and note the positive outcomes of similar pilots. As the Cabinet Secretary has indicated the point at which a woman tries to leave a perpetrator of domestic abuse can be the most dangerous time of all as the abuser can feel their grip weaken and so try to further ramp up their control. What action can be taken to protect those and keep those safe of those seeking financial support from the pilot as they escape the control of their perpetrator? Presiding Officer, there are, of course, well-established supports that are funded through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund and there are legislative protections in place that can be utilised to provide other forms of wraparound support. This pilot, we hope, will be able to support between 450 to 950 women and it will have invaluable learning for the safety of women across Scotland, including in Ms Beatrice's constituency. To ask the Scottish Government what preparations are being made for the bonfire night period. Minister Siobhan Brown, who is joining us remotely. Minister. We all want everyone to have a safe bonfire night this year. As part of the preparations, I met with our emergency services gold commanders for Operation Moonbeam on 5 October. Operation Moonbeam is a multi-agency response to the potential challenges of the bonfire night period and has been activated to ensure a swift and coordinated response to any serious incidents. Through our partnerships we are delivering public awareness campaigns focused on firework safety and preventing bonfire night attacks on the emergency services. There is a significant amount of multi-agency partnership work continuing at local level with our community safety partners, including awareness raising in schools, targeted work to prevent antisocial behaviour, trading standards activity with retailers and a range of measures to reduce the risk of bonfires and will fill fire raising. I thank the minister for her answer and also thank her for her very helpful letter to all MSPs on 17 October. I also commend those involved in Operation Moonbeam and Operation Crackle here in Edinburgh, preparing and planning for the bonfire night period. The minister is aware of the Fire Brigade Union's concerns about the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's recent operational changes that came into effect in September and I appreciate the financial considerations regarding that. Can the minister advise whether the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have provided reassurance that the fire service will have the capacity to be able to respond to any increased demand during the bonfire night period, including here in Edinburgh? Thank you, Presiding Officer. Firstly, the Firework control zone guidance was co-designed with a number of key stakeholders, including representation from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and they are fully supportive of the new powers. The legislation empowers local authorities to introduce control zones and I have written to all the council chief executives encouraging them to consider how those powers might be applied in their areas and setting out the support, including financial support available to them. A point that I did point out so that in my letter to the MSP that the member refers to, Scottish Fire and Rescue will continue to respond to every incident with the appropriate level of resources and in partnership with Police Scotland it is well prepared for an additional demand during bonfire night. Supplementary Russell Finlay. Thank you. The SNP Government says that bonfire night safety will be improved by its new firework law, a key part of which gives councils the power to impose firework control zones. However, via freedom of information I've established that at least 28 of Scotland's 32 councils have no plans to do so. These include Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. It's being shunned by SNP councils. So can the minister explain why this Russian legislation has turned into such a damp scrub as my party warned? Minister. Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is for the local authorities to utilise the discretionary firework control zone powers based on their own assessment of their needs and the communities. However, it is untrue that local authorities are not interested in making use of these powers. My officials are continuing to engage with local authorities on the utilisation of the discretionary power. I can confirm that we have received a number of early expressions of interest from local authorities exploring designating a zone in their area. I think it's really very important to highlight that firework control zones have been developed to support a long-term cultural change in fireworks, not a quick fix. So while these zones will not be in place this year, local authorities across Scotland have a wealth of knowledge and experience of preventing planning for and responding to issues involving fireworks using a multi-agency response and approach. Supplementary, Pauline McNeill. Thank you. In many parts of Scotland and Glasgow the city I represent are plagued with antisocial behaviour because of fireworks. Firework control zones became quite an important aspect of the bill. Given what other members have already asked and have never established as a result of Russell Finlay's question whether local authorities have not applied, does the minister now think that perhaps the Scottish Labour argued for an amendment that community groups should have been able to apply for control zones in order to make sure that if a local authority didn't apply there was another way for communities to be protected by this legislation perhaps in hindsight at the very least the minister gave me assurance that she will monitor the situation to make sure this legislation is used? Thank you. I will give my reassurance to Pauline McNeill that I will be monitoring this very closely as I do want to be implemented within all local authorities because I think there is a desire within the communities for that. I think also I just want to say that the legislation did come in June and there was a recommended guidance in time for consultation although it was up to the local authorities to utilise discretionary firework powers based on their decisions and I will be monitoring it and I'm happy to keep Ms McNeill updated. To ask the Scottish Government what action it's taking to support migrants living in Scotland who have experienced domestic violence. Minister Siobhan Brown Domestic abuse is abhorrent. It is a blight in our society and no place in the Scotland that we all want to live in. Through the delivering equally safe fund we will provide approximately £1.5 million in 23 to 24 to domestic abuse support services including women's aid organisations that provide specialist support and access to temporary accommodation. We have been clear that anyone experiencing domestic abuse but has no recourse to public funds should be offered the same level of support as anyone else in Scotland and should not face disadvantage or discrimination because of their immigration status. Maureen Wight there. Minister for our response and dedication to support all victims of domestic violence. I welcome the recent Scottish Government pilot fund for women experiencing domestic violence to access essentials. That will go a huge way to help victims to be financially independent as we know it's a huge barrier to women when they're able to flee. Given that migrant victims of domestic abuse may face unique problems such as immigration status or lack of access because the UK Government's no recourse to public funds does the minister agree with me that the UK Government's hostile environmental policies are particularly harmful to migrant women affected by abuse? Yes, I do agree. The UK Government's hostile environment and no recourse to public fund restrictions limit the support people can access at time of crisis including migrant women experiencing domestic abuse. The Scottish Government and COSLA develop the Ending Destitution Together strategy to prevent and mitigate destitution arising due to the no recourse to public funds. The strategy also presses the UK Government to extend the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession to make it available to anyone who is in the UK as a dependent on someone else's visa or protection status. Question 5 Do you ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce retail crime? Scottish Government recognises the destruction and the harm to both businesses and the individuals who work there from retail crime. As the First Minister made clear in the chamber on 5 October the Scottish Government supports the innovative Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime strategy. The partnership is led by Police Scotland and includes other organisations including retailers and outlines a partnership approach to prevention, deterrence and enforcement of a range of crimes including shoplifting and I would of course urge anyone affected by such incidents to report them to the police. Can I thank the minister for that answer? Usdaw's latest survey of over 1,000 shop workers found that incidents of violence, threats and abuse has doubled since 2016 showing the challenging reality facing retailers and their workers on a daily basis. The Scottish Grosses Federation has approached the Scottish Government to fund a renewal of their Don't Put Up With It campaign encouraging retailers to take a zero-tolerance approach by reporting all offences. Will the minister support this request from the Federation? Minister. Thank you. The Scottish Government recognises a vital role of retail workers in our society and wants to ensure that they are protected just like everyone else. Retail workers should be safe at work and should never have to experience abuse or violence when simply doing their job. The Protection of Retail Workers Scotland Act which came into force in August 2021 created a statutory offence for threatening, abusing or assaulting a retail worker ensuring that the seriousness of this behaviour is highlighted through a specific offence. There is already access for advice, guidance and financial support to a wide range of organisations across the public sector and these are available to businesses anywhere in Scotland and to social and enterprise as a third sector community-based organisation as well as private companies. Brief supplementary, Audrey Nickle. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, what analysis the Scottish Government has undertaken as to the reasons why retail crime including incidents of violence against staff has risen? Minister. Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is correct to mention that a significant rise in recorded shoplifting is being seen throughout the whole of the UK. Our own figures and those recently released by the Office of National Statistics confirm a similar trend across both England and Wales and Scotland for the year ending June. We know that the cost of living pressures can influence shoplifting while it might not be the driver in all cases. The Scottish Government is currently finalising two pieces of research that consider the relationship between economic performance and crime and crimes recorded under the Protection of Retail Workers Act and these are due for publication in the coming months. Question 6, Emma Harper. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to support the recruitment of police officers in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Cabinet Secretary. Presiding Officer, as the recruitment and deployment of resources is a matter for the chief constable, it is for Police Scotland to determine recruitment approaches both locally and nationally. Thanks to the additional £80 million of funding from the Scottish Government in 2324, Police Scotland has invested in their workforce recruiting around 1480 new officers since the beginning of 2022. Scotland has over 350 more police officers than in 2007 and more per head of population than England and Wales with 30 officers per 10,000 population of Scotland compared to 25 officers per 10,000 population in England and Wales. Emma Harper. I understand that the division in Dumfries and Galloway is struggling to meet the demands of the large rural region with the current number of officers. As the cabinet secretary will know, Police Scotland relies on officers and staff to do more and more overtime to keep the service operating and to keep people safe. The division has also raised concerns with me over a lack of experienced officers coming into the region. Can the cabinet secretary therefore comment on what specific action in rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway as a priority? While the recruitment and deployment of officers as a matter for the chief constable, I can inform the member that, according to Police Scotland figures for June 2023, officer numbers in the V division were broadly similar to the same point in 2022 348 compared to 349 where vacancies are identified in specific geographical areas, Police Scotland hold targeted recruitment events with two such events held in Dumfries and Galloway on 20 March this year and the 21 March also this year both in Stranraer and Dumfries. Additionally, individual divisions can access specialist expertise at a regional and national level to meet demand that would not have been possible before the creation of Police Scotland in 2012. Despite being the third biggest region in Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway has the smallest number of local officers of all the local police and divisions just 320 at the moment not the 349 that the cabinet secretary reported from June and a lot less than the 411 that we had in June 2020 and that's led to community policing being dismantled in many parts of the region. Given the recent warnings by Police Scotland's deputy chief officer of more cuts to come can the cabinet secretary give a category of work assurance to my constituents in Dumfries and Galloway that there will be no further reductions in the already low level of officer numbers? Cabinet secretary Once again, let me repeat this government has not implemented cuts to investment in police services quite the reverse we have increased resource year on year policing both locally and nationally remains secure and stable no one is disputing the pressures on the public purse but despite UK Government austerity record levels of inflation and of course the Scottish Government's budget hasn't kept up with inflation we continue to focus on policing as a priority Question 7 has been withdrawn To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the action plan put in place by the Scottish prison service to address reported concerns raised by local residents about HMP sterling Cabinet secretary I would like to thank the member for raising this important issue on behalf of his constituents and assure him that this has been taken seriously by both the Scottish Government and the Scottish prison service while this is primarily an operational matter for SPS both SPS and the Scottish Government are very sympathetic to the impact on residents and a range of infrastructure and operational measures that have been explored to address the concerns To date, six of the 10 recommendations in the SPS action plan have been implemented and continue to be monitored Keith Brown I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, for the progress and indeed for the discussions that she has held with me on this issue As she will be aware from my most recent correspondence on this matter I continue to receive contact from constituents who are being adversely affected and incidents at the prison Unfortunately, SPS would not attend a meeting with my constituents to discuss the situation on Monday night which was subsequently cancelled I do understand that they have agreed to attend a future meeting but does the cabinet secretary agree with me that SPS who say and I believe them when they say they want to be a good neighbour should meet with local people and engage with them on these issues as a matter of urgency to address their continuing concerns Mr Brown has indeed written to me regularly and spoken to me on a number of occasions about his concerns and I am sorry to hear that residents are continuing to be affected by this and of course agree with the member that the prison service continues to meet with local people to hear their concerns SPS officials have met with the local councillor and residents on two occasions including a community meeting on 8 August to discuss their concerns regarding noise levels and I am also aware that SPS offered to hold smaller engagements and discussions with concerned residents and will also attend the public meeting that is being proposed I have received requests from two members to ask supplementaries, I would wish to take both if I could please have brief questions and brief answers I call supplementary from Alexander Stewart Thank you cabinet secretary the facility cost over £80 million it was designed with a trauma informed approach but it would appear however frequently flawed and not fit for purpose when residents' lives are being disrupted on a daily basis so can I ask the cabinet secretary to confirm what support is being provided to protect the inmates and support the local residents from this living hell as they call it cabinet secretary I am sure the member is well aware that it is a first class facility it is of course a new facility which is newly populated and there are of course issues in and around the bed and down of the support for the women I have met Mr Stewart to discuss this I know that he understands very much the vulnerability of the women concerned and that they have a high level of needs and that he is also aware of the six operational recommendations which are very much about supporting the women to modify their behaviour but also to do so in a way that is trauma informed in the interests of the women and indeed the residents and supplementary Mark Ruskell Thank you, these disturbances are obviously deeply distressing for residents in Velgrove but can I ask the cabinet secretary what kind of assessment of noise was conducted by SPS during the design phase especially given the proximity of the residential wings to housing in the local area Cabinet secretary the statutory obligations were met during the planning and construction processes for the new prison an assessment of noise disturbance was not undertaken as the member may be aware prisons by their very nature are predominantly located within or close to residential areas and negative reporting from neighbouring communities continues to be the exception rather than a rule a prison has been located at Cortenville site for nearly 50 years now and the new prison remains committed to maintaining its positive relationships with its neighbours the level of noise being experienced is also due, as I indicated to Mr Stewart to some of the newness particularly of the new women arriving and the prison staff are working very hard to continue to ensure that both staff and prisoners are becoming acclimatised to the new buildings and the very important operating procedures Thank you cabinet secretary that concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs will be a very brief pause before we move on to the next lines with business to allow front bench teams to change positions should they wish