 Rwy'n credu i'r cwmaint ond o'r cysylltu'r cwmaint, ac y cwmaint o'r cwmaint o'r cwmaint yw dechrau, a'r cwrdau, ac y cwrwpeth. If a member wishes to request the supplementary question, he should press the request to speak button, or indicate so in the chat function by entering the letters RTS during the relevant question. As ever, I would ask for succinct questions and answers to match in order to get in as many members as possible. Question number one, Jim Fairlie. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Like I asked the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to November's Supreme Court ruling on whether the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate for an independence referendum. Cabinet Secretary, Angus Robertson. Thank you, Presiding Officer. We've been clear that we accept and respect the Supreme Court's judgment. However, the Supreme Court was not asked to decide and cannot decide whether the Scottish Parliament should have the power to hold an independence referendum. The outcome of this case has demonstrated the weakness of the UK's constitution. No matter how the people of Scotland vote, or how often they elect parliaments, that support a referendum and support independence, they can be told no by the UK Prime Minister. A position that doesn't allow Scotland to choose her own future without Westminster consent exposes as myth the notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership. In a voluntary union, one part doesn't have to rely on the agreement of another before it is allowed to think about leaving. The First Minister has made clear that she is ready and willing to negotiate the terms of a section 30 order with the Prime Minister. Jim Fairlie. I'd like to thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Yesterday's events at Westminster brought into sharp focus why Scotland requires a release from the shackles of Westminster. The Tories anti-strike bill launches an attack on workers rights and we also know that the retained EU law bill retains the threatens to revoke vital environmental protections, food protections and workers rights without adequate solutions in place. Meanwhile on this chamber yesterday, this Parliament reiterated its call on the UK Government to respect the right of the people in Scotland to choose their constitutional future. How many more times does the cabinet secretary believe that the Tories and Westminster will try to deny democracy before they realise that this cast-iron mandate for a referendum is only growing stronger? I'm pleased that a majority of members elected to this Parliament by the people of Scotland backed the motion yesterday, calling on the UK Government to respect the right of people in Scotland to choose their constitutional future. Every member in this chamber is here today because of the trust placed in us by people in Scotland through their votes. That places obligations on those of us who win elections and we must do our best to deliver on the mandates that we're given. Should the UK Government continue to deny the Scottish people the right to choose, people in Scotland will have their say in independence at the next UK election. The Scottish Government spent £0.25 million in the Supreme Court case last year when people are struggling to pay their home energy bills and when public services are in such a state. Has the minister reflected over the Christmas period as to whether this was a good use of public funds? Of course, there would have been no reason to raise a legal challenge if the United Kingdom Government had agreed to a section 30 order as they did after the 2011 general election. That would have been the optimal way forward. That would have been the preferred option and it's now for the UK Government to respect the views of this Parliament and the last Scottish Parliament election and agreed to a section 30 order with the Scottish Government. That wouldn't have cost a penny. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with representatives of Systema Scotland. Neil Gray, the Minister for Culture, met with Systema Scotland representatives on 12 July 2022 when he visited their big noise programme in the Ratcliffe Centre in Stirling. I was also pleased that Nicola Cillian's esteam as CEO was able to attend a round-table discussion that I chaired in December. My officials are also in regular contact with Systema Scotland representatives. I'm proud to support Systema Scotland, who are a brilliant example of a cultural programme that contributes to many policy outcomes, in particular our ambitions to tackle child poverty. Mike Marra. I thank the minister for that response and for the efforts he and his colleague have put into meeting with the organisation. They will both be aware of the recent study conducted by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, where children and young people who take part in Systema Scotland's Big Noise Ratcliffe are much more likely to achieve positive post-school outcomes and are more likely to be in employment. What does the minister believe the Scottish Government can learn from this hugely positive evaluation? What can he do as a minister to ensure that Systema Scotland continues to be supported by his Government to deliver these positive outcomes? Yes, I'm aware of the study and it's very encouraging. Do I agree with him that Systema is playing a vital role, and I agree with Dundee that I am. The excellent work system of Scotland does in relation to targeting disadvantaged communities, tackling child poverty, significantly enhancing participants' lives. Prospects and health and wellbeing, to name but a few, is uncontested. It's highly valued. It's supported by the Scottish Government and I'm pleased it commands so much support across the parties in the chamber. Question 3, Edward Mountain. Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with the Royal Household regarding the coronation of His Majesty the King in relation to events across the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Government is liaising with the Royal Household, the Lord Lion King of Arms and the UK Government on planning for the coronation of His Majesty the King. The First Minister has already announced that an extra bank holiday will be provided for on Monday 8 May to allow for celebrations to take place across the coronation weekend. As with previous royal occasions, it's expected that any local events held around Scotland to celebrate the coronation will be community-inspired and led. Edward Mountain. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Once details have been made available by the Royal Household, does the Scottish Government intend to have conversations with local authorities to ensure that school pupils learn of the importance and the significance of the coronation? Celebrations of this nature are community-led in Scotland, and the Scottish Government will facilitate communications between the relevant organisations, including local authorities and Scotland's Lord of Tenants. Conversations will be continuing. Question 4, Donald Cameron. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to accelerate the reopening of historic sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Minister Neil Gray. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Historic Environment Scotland has completed the first group of inspections in its prioritised inspection programme on schedule and is making progress on the next group of prioritised sites. They will continue to put the health and safety of individuals first through opening sites when safe to do so, and we continue to provide substantial support to Historic Environment Scotland. In the 23-24 budget, Historic Environment Scotland's total operational budget is rising by 18 per cent to £114.5 million, enabling the organisation to invest in fair staff pay, in running and maintaining properties, in delivering grants to the heritage sector and in fulfilling its advisory and regulatory functions. Donald Cameron. I thank the minister for the answer, but more than 60 of the sites managed by HES remain either closed or partially closed, including in my region Kismill Castle and Barra and the Bono Iron Furnace in Tainult. The number of closed sites has remained consistently high for some time now. Can the minister explain why Scotland's historic sites have been left to crumble under this Government's stewardship, and what action will he take to protect our vital historic assets for generations to come? I don't accept that characterisation by Donald Cameron. There is progress being made by Historic Environment Scotland. The Scottish Government is investing substantially, as I had outlined, in terms of the budget transport that we give to them in order to carry out these high-level masonry inspections and to make sure that facilities can reopen. Dunbarton Castle, for instance, an iconic site is due to reopen in the spring, so progress is being made. Obviously, I am looking for HES to move as fast as possible. We are making an investment for that to happen, and I will continue to engage with them, including when I meet the chair and chief executive next week. I have a number of requests for supplementaries. I will try to take as many as possible, but I probably will not be able to take all. I would ask for succinct questions and answers. Supplementary, Alistair Allan. Kismill Castle and my constituency, the seat of the McNeill's of Barra and one of Scotland's most iconic sites has faced an extended closure with repair work needed. Can the Scottish Government indicate how the 2023-24 budget will support HES's current high-level masonry survey and ensure that it is timetabled at a pace that ensures the safe opening of this and other sites of national importance? Minister. Thank you. I thank Alistair Allan for that question, and, like the previous question, if Alistair Allan would like to visit the Kismill Castle or any other site within his constituency, I am happy to help to facilitate that through HES. Obviously, the 2023 budget sees HES costs fully funded by Government grant and by their rising commercial income post-pandemic. We have provided HES with significant support while the pandemic reduced its commercial income. Indeed, the grant for them this year is 80 per cent higher than it was before the pandemic, and the 2023-24 budget will see HES's total operational budget rising by 18 per cent to £114.5 million, enabling them to continue doing the fantastic work that they are doing to protect these sites, ensure fair staff pay and the grant making that they do. I will continue to work hard alongside HES staff to facilitate the reopening of our precious heritage as soon as it is safe to do so. Supplementary fossil charity. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can the Minister please advise what the Scottish Government's plan to ensure that historical environment and Scotland's properties will be able to open to a sufficient degree to allow its revenue to raise as predicted in the budget? Minister. Thank you, and I thank fossil charity for pointing out what is a really important fact, which is that this year's commercial income that HES has been able to derive is because of the reopening process that has been under way both in terms of some of those sites that were either partially or entirely closed. That is more than anticipated commercial income as a result, which has seen them being able to enjoy a much higher budget as I have already articulated for next year. I can commend and congratulate HES for that work. I hope that that will continue. I will continue to engage with them to ensure that they continue to be supported to allow that to happen. Supplementary beaches, wish it. Thank you, Deputy Convener. The minister will recall that I raised the HES Yarosoff site facilities project this year. I have repeatedly raised this issue since before the pandemic. Could the minister facilitate an update from HES on the project for the long-awaited toilet and coach parking project for one of Shetland's main tourist attractions? Minister. Yes, I would be more than happy to do so. I would be happy to meet with Beatrice Wishart alongside HES to make sure that her concerns can be put across and to ensure that the work that she is requesting can be looked at and if possible, facilitate it as quickly as possible. Supplementary Liam Kerr. One of the north-east four most historic sites is the five-star Peterhead Prison Museum. This week it had to shut its cafe with a loss of five jobs, although it is important to note that the rest of the operation remains open. Will the minister agree to join me in a visit to Peterhead Prison Museum and explore ways that the Government might accelerate the reopening of this excellent facilities hospitality? Minister. I would be happy to look at that in more detail and consider coming to Peterhead to visit as requested at the invitation from Liam Kerr to look at avenues if it is possible for that aspect of this facility to reopen. I have already spoken about Historic Environment Scotland's commercial income success and if it is possible for Peterhead's museum to be able to enjoy similar, then I would be happy to look at that. Can the minister confirm or seek confirmation from Historic Environment Scotland that the technical panel that has been established will be giving as much importance to the relative national historic importance and tourism and economic impact of properties as the necessary technical health and safety construction issues in their determinations and that they are properly staffed to do so? The political palace in my constituency, as I have read it before, has a national priority for work as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Can I gently point out that the 80 per cent increase in budget is needed precisely because of lost commercial income for such close sites as Llanlithgow Palace? Yes, absolutely. Fiona Hyslop is absolutely right. I was pleased to have been hosted by her and to Historic Environment Scotland staff. I visited Llanlithgow Palace last year and to see the high-level masonry issues that are there. I would be more than happy to ensure that the comments and concerns that she has raised are passed on to Historic Environment Scotland when I meet with the chair and chief executive next week and to make sure that that is fed back to Fiona Hyslop as quickly as possible. To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting children and young people's theatre. The Scottish Government recognises the important role that theatre can play for young people. We provide £150,000 per year to the Scottish Youth Theatre, which provides theatre training to young people aged 3 to 25. In addition, 29 of the 120 regularly funded organisations by Creative Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government, actively run programmes in theatre for children across Scotland to improve accessibility of theatre for school pupils, the National Theatre of Scotland, one of the companies that receive funding from the Scottish Government, also manages theatres in schools project as well. I thank the minister for that answer. In my region, PACE Youth Theatre has served children and young people for over 30 years, giving children and young people opportunities to benefit educationally, socially and culturally from a variety of performing arts experiences. Indeed, their alumni include Richard Madden, Pauline Attyry and indeed one, Paul O'Kane. They are embarking on an ambitious project in Paisley town centre to turn a derelict site into Scotland's first children's theatre. They have received funding from Renfrewshire Council through the town centre regeneration fund, but they have a way to go. Will the minister commit to supporting this important project and will he agree to visit the project with me and meet with PACE Theatre company to see how the Government may support it going forward? Minister. I will avoid the temptation of pulling the obvious joke about Paul O'Kane's theatrical ability. Of course, I am happy to endorse the fantastic work that PACE Theatre does, obviously, on their own merits, but also because the Minister for Parliamentary Business, the local MSP George Adam, would have my guts for garters if I didn't, too. I would be more unhappy to meet with Paul O'Kane to discuss that. He will be aware in December 21 that the Scottish Government's regenerational capital fund awarded Renfrewshire Council £800,000 to help them build PACE's and gay exchange Young People's Theatre. Independent theatres in Scotland running programmes for children and young people constituted as non-profit distributing are eligible to apply to Creative Scotland's open fund, as well. I am happy to discuss all that, happy to meet with Paul O'Kane and with PACE if that would be helpful and I look forward to corresponding further. The recent £5.1 million cut to Creative Scotland in 2324 will inevitably have an impact on youth theatre arts Scotland funding in my region. What impact assessment has the Scottish Government conducted to determine the effects of funding cuts particularly on the theatre industry? Minister. We welcome the fact that Creative Scotland is using the lottery reserves that it has built up to to protect the regularly funded organisations to ensure that their funding can continue over the next year. Obviously, we are all facing incredible financial pressures not least because of the economic situation that we find ourselves in not least because of the reckless approach to the economy taken by the UK Conservative Government. We will continue to work with the culture sector. Myself and the culture secretary have met regularly with stakeholders across Scotland so that that work is continuing. We will also continue to push the UK Government to make greater investments also which would allow us to do more too. I know from experience that theatre and the arts in general can be a wonderful escape for young people and that organisations like the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra allow them to create memories that will last them for a lifetime. So could the minister explain how the Scottish Government is supporting more young people from less affluent backgrounds to be exposed to the theatre and to music? Minister. I thank Emma Roddick for that question. I think that it is really important and she is absolutely right as someone who has benefited from access to theatre in my childhood as well. I appreciate the important role that theatre and music can play for children through subsidy from National Theatre of Scotland and imagine tickets to Theatre and Schools Scotland programmes at which costs approximately £2 per child schools in low-income areas can also use their pupil equity funding to pay for access to the programme. The pupil equity funding is allocated directly to schools and targeted at closing the poverty-related attainment gap. In addition, NTS has approached different local trust and foundations to enable free or very low-cost performances in economically deprived areas. Our Youth Music Initiative puts music at the heart of young people's lives and learning with particular emphasis on widening access and participation by reaching all children and young people within funds such as access to music making support out of school music making for target groups of young people who might otherwise not have these opportunities. We have also already heard about the support that has been provided to Systema Scotland as well, a fantastic organisation providing access to music across Scotland. There is much work being done obviously more to do but I welcome the input from Emma Roddick to make sure that that is emphasised here today. Question 6 To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture minister has had with ministerial colleagues regarding what support is available for anyone working in creative industries including the Bellman cinema in Aberdeen who may wish to take control or ownership of their workplaces. Minister. I have not been approached by creative industries workers about an interest in control or ownership of their workplaces. I would be happy to discuss this with ministerial colleagues in creative Scotland enterprise agencies and relevant partners if there is an ask to do so to see what support is available. Effective worker voice is critical to fair work underpinning all other fair work dimensions and collective bargaining, social dialogue and effective voice are key to improving terms and conditions. Worker wellbeing and developing progressive and fair workplaces including social enterprises and co-operatives. I thank the minister for his answer. The Bellman and its predecessors acted as a focal point for a range of different community groups and creative organisations for more than 125 years. The First Minister recently stressed the importance of culture to our communities. We must support not only the big international festivals in organisations but also local community and worker owned enterprises. Will the minister meet with former Bellman cinema workers keen to secure a viable, sustainable and independent cinema and provide guidance for those seeking to protect places like the Bellmont for future generations? Yes, I will. First, I want to echo the First Minister's feelings about the importance of culture to local communities. I feel that, the cabinet secretary feels that. I would obviously welcome the opportunity to meet with stakeholders as I've previously offered to do in relation to the Bellmont seeking to secure a future for cultural cinema provision in Aberdeen. Thank you, Presiding Officers. We've heard Aberdeen's Bellmont cinema is an important educational and cultural cornerstone. It's wholly owned by Aberdeen City Council so it's all the more alarming that such a venue has been allowed to close and to go into administration without the option of saving the cinema being considered. Can the minister confirm what obligation is on the administrators of the cinema to explore such options and what financial support this Government can make available to support that? Thank you, Presiding Officer, for her question. She's obviously alluded to the fact that the Bellmont cinema in Aberdeen is owned by Aberdeen City Council. There is a legal process under way in terms of the administration of CMI so she'll be aware of the fact that I'm constrained about how far I can comment about the process under way. I'll be more than happy as I've previously offered other colleagues regarding the administration process of CMI to meet at any stage to discuss where things are at and obviously to discuss the concerns that I share about ensuring that there is continued cultural cinema provision continuing at the Bellmont in Aberdeen. Question 7, Jamie Halcro Johnston. Thank you and apologies for being slightly late into the chamber. To ask the Scottish Government on the responses to Creative Scotland's actions following the announcement of the draft budget. Minister. The Scottish Government welcomes Creative Scotland's decision on the 19th of December to maintain funding for the regularly funded organisations at current levels next year drawing on its accumulated national lottery reserves. We've provided Creative Scotland with over £33 million over five years to compensate for generally reduced lottery funding when we now face difficult decisions about Government funding. The time is right for Creative Scotland to draw on the national lottery reserves available to them. Jamie Halcro Johnston. The minister just referenced the First Minister's comments on arts and a headline in the press and journal on 3 January read Nicola Sturgeon urges Scots to back the arts as sector faces uncertain future. He described the First Minister as an aficiado of books, festivals, music and movies but decisions by her Government have seen one in eight Scottish libraries in 2010. Scotland's Winter Festival fund cancelled live music venues under real pressure and the Edinburgh International Film Festival the Edinburgh Film House and the Belmont Cinema in Aberdeen all seized trading. Of course, her Government has just slashed funding for Scotland's creative agency so it wouldn't have been a better and more accurate headline if Nicola Sturgeon urges Scots to back the arts because her Government won't. Minister. No. As I've already outlined we are making decisions to support the creative industries and cultural provision across Scotland as best we can under the economic situation that we face that is largely out with our control. We are facing an economic storm across the UK that is of the UK Government's making. Their economic recklessness has meant that not just the Scottish Government's budget has been impacted by inflation but the creative and culture stakeholders that we have been meeting myself and Angus Robertson over the last number of months have also seen their budgets impacted by spiralling inflation spiralling energy costs all because of the recklessness and the failure of the UK Government to actively address the problem. So I'll take no lessons from the Conservatives on our investment and our support for the creative industries when they are doing nothing about it. I can squeeze in question number eight if I have brief questions and answers. Question number eight, co-capture. To ask the Scottish Government on communication it has had with the UK Government regarding the potential impact on Scotland of the retained EU law revocation and reform bill. Cabinet Secretary. I received a response to my two letters from Grant Shaps on 21 December and while I'm happy to finally receive his response I'm disappointed that our concerns continue not to be addressed and our amendments drafted to limit the damaging impact of the bill will be ignored. Scottish Government officials continue to work with their UK Government counterparts as part of the programme to identify devolved retained EU law yet we're still operating largely in the dark in terms of what the UK Government proposed to do with retained EU law and therefore what powers Scottish ministers might need to use to prevent deregulation and uphold high standards for the people of Scotland. Co-capture. Cabinet Secretary, for his answer this sort of absence of any attempt at co-operation over a bill of such magnitude for the Scottish democracy is truly ridiculous especially given the Parliament's overwhelming rejection of the Brexit freedoms bill does the cabinet secretary agree that Westminster must urgently acknowledge the threat that their Brexit-year plans represent for devolution and democracy in Scotland and scrap this bill? I've been absolutely clear that our preference is for the bill to be withdrawn entirely or for areas of devolved competence to be carved out from the sunset provisions. However, the amendments that we tabled were dismissed by the UK Government in the House of Commons Committee I agree that the UK Government's plans to disrespect the Seoul Convention should be of grave concern to the Scottish Parliament and we're therefore putting plans in place to ensure that the UK Government is not to be a part of the EU law, but that is a significant undertaking and has the potential to impact on officials' ability to dedicate time to urgent issues affecting the people of Scotland like the energy and cost of living crises. Thank you Cabinet Secretary that concludes portfolio questions and constitution, external affairs and culture there will be a very short pause before we move on to the next item of business to allow front bench teams to change positions thank you. I remember wishes to seek to ask a supplementary question they should press the request to speak button during the relevant question or enter the letters RTS in the chat function during the relevant question again in order to get in as many members as possible I would appreciate to sync questions and answers to match I call question number one Fiona Hyslop To ask the Scottish Government what can be done to improve the situation faced by victims in criminal court cases who are also simultaneously involved as victims support is required and how is this going to be delivered by the Government work on reforming the justice system? Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown The Scottish Government Victim Centred approach fund supports third sector organisations to provide practical and emotional support to victims, to survivors and witnesses of crime in Scotland in order to achieve better long-term outcomes while there is no direct role for victims support and victims support organisations in civil proceedings the Children's Scotland Act 2020 contains provisions on special measures in some family cases to protect vulnerable witnesses and parties in last year's consultation on improving victims' experiences of the justice system we propose extending the provisions in the 2020 act on special measures to civil cases generally Fiona Hyslop Following the victims and witnesses at 2014 more categories of witnesses were automatically presumed to be vulnerable in criminal cases and now usually have a right to certain special measures when giving evidence however in civil cases the parties themselves must apply to the court for special measures for victims support it's not an automatic presumption that they should be offered now as the cabinet secretary has just indicated improving victims experience of the justice system consultation raised the possibility of special measures being available when required for all civil court hearings in Scotland so can the cabinet secretary confirm if these measures will be automatically applied for vulnerable witnesses in civil cases On special measures the consultation referred to by Fiona Hyslop suggested following the model not yet in force in the children's Scotland act 2020 for family cases and under this a witness will be deemed vulnerable if they have a civil protection order against another party or the other party is committed or is accused of committing certain criminal offences against a witness in these circumstances a court will have to make an order authorising special measures the 2020 act also makes provision so that special measures can be made available in non-evidential hearings at the moment special measures in civil cases depend on the hearing being evidential with witnesses many civil hearings are not of that nature so we will consider responses to the consultation to address the point made by Fiona Hyslop and supplementary Russell Finlay numerous rape victims whose cases were not prosecuted in the criminal courts or whose prosecutions were unsuccessful have had to resort to DIY justice to bring in a civil case against their attacker can the cabinet secretary tell me how many such cases if any are currently before the Scottish courts no I don't have that information but I can get information and happy to correspond with Mr Finlay to provide it question number 2 Pam Duncan-Glancy to ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to improve public safety in Glasgow Minister Elena Whitham public safety is a central priority in Glasgow as in the rest of Scotland we work for a society in which people feel safe and are safe in their communities to that end we will continue to work with our transformative policies including those outlined in the vision for justice in Scotland and programme for government in doing so we will engage with a range of partners including the emergency services but also the wider community safety organisations such as the Scottish Community Safety Network Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland as well as local community safety partnerships Pam Duncan-Glancy I thank the minister for that answer however more can and should be done a tax in Glasgow including in its parks have become all too common leading radio Clyde to launch its light the way campaign for lighting in parks at night and unite to their get me home safely campaign calling for safe and free transport home at night including taxis so can I ask the minister what action can be taken to ensure Glasgow city council introduce lighting in Glasgow's parks and to support the taxi industry so that there are cabs available to help people in the city I thank Pam Duncan-Glancy for that supplementary question and I know it's something that she's very passionate about I myself understand that people do need to get home safely so I'm willing to continue to engage with all partners including Glasgow city council to ensure that we can make progress in these matters question number three Mark Griffin Thank you, Presiding Officer to ask the Scottish Government what the average cost to the Scottish courts and tribunal service of non-attendance at court hearings by all parties The managing of non-attendance is obviously an operational matter for the Scottish courts and tribunal service and they do not record the costs of non-attendance so an assessment of the average cost is not possible that said we do know that the costs are substantial and that SCTS employ a range of measures to minimise those costs and I think the chief executive of SCTS will be writing to the member in response to a similar written question Mark Griffin I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer I've got a constituent and his family who have gone through the emotional trauma of attending court on six separate occasions to face the person accused of breaking into his property stealing personal items with huge emotional value in setting fire to his home only for that case to be postponed every single time Can the cabinet secretary say how many cases have been postponed due to non-attendance by an accused person what's the Government's view on the impact that has on victims and families the impact on dealing with court backlogs and what plans does it have to raise this with the courts and tribunal service to stop this happening Of course SCTS have a degree of autonomy and independence in relation to this and the scheduling of trials is their responsibility and where they try to mitigate this currently is to overbook to minimise the court time that's wasted by which I mean that a number of specific measures are also taking including the summary case management pilot which is currently undertaken in Paisley, Dundee and Hamilton to ensure that methods are employed so that if time becomes available because of non-appearance another case can take that place and that minimises the time that's wasted for the courts it doesn't directly address the point of concern to Mark Griffin for his constituent that the assessment of court cases is for the Scottish courts serviced to undertake. One estimate that was done going back to the original point of cost the last one that was done substantially was by Audit Scotland and they admitted the difficulties of war they were in trying to get a definitive figure but it might be interesting to Mark Griffin and partly answer his question to know that they arrived at a figure around 5% the cost of churn i cases which weren't taken to have the daily number for the number of cases which have been subject to non-attendance and provide that to Mark Griffin in writing Travel delays and cancellations between the islands and mainland Scotland are impacting the justice system what's the cost of non-attendance at court due to travel delays and how many non-appearances in court are due to the transfer of prisoners by private contractors and what discussions has the Scottish Government had with SCTS about those contractors and this situation Cabinet Secretary We've had discussions both with SCTS and with the Scottish Prison Service because sometimes it involves the transportation of prisoners to court as well which can be an issue and there have been issues in relation to transportation of prisoners not least because of some of the problems of employment in which the contractor is currently experiencing in terms of a very constrained labour market in relation to the cost that she refers to given to Mark Griffin happy to look into it further to see if despite the fact it's very difficult to bear down and identify the costs audit Scotland found that as well if there are some identifiable costs in relation to transport which has mentioned people travelling to court as Beatrice Wishart mentioned if there's further information to be provided I'm happy to do that in writing To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reduce antisocial behaviour in the central Scotland region The Scottish Government will continue to ensure that Police Scotland and local authorities have appropriate powers to prevent and deal with antisocial behaviour in all of Scotland's communities Local authorities and Police Scotland are best placed to understand the issues that communities are working with or facing and work with them to address these issues through a wide range of options including the use of antisocial behaviour orders fixed penalty notices and formal warnings alongside positive diversionary and early intervention activities in appropriate circumstances for the reply I ask because two elderly constituents of mine in Falkirk are woken every night by their neighbour calling the emergency services and many of the calls appear to be hoax calls The noise can continue late at night for many hours as the police or the ambulance services bang on the door or shout through the door to try and get entry My constituents have significant health problems caused by living with sleep deprivation and intense anxiety This type of behaviour is not admissible as evidence of antisocial behaviour Will the minister tell me if this example is not an example of antisocial behaviour just what is it and how can my constituents get peace? Minister I'm very sorry to hear about the issues that your constituents are facing and I'm quite happy to engage with the member directly on that because I think that people do have the right to enjoyment of their own home and feeling safe and secure in that area Obviously local authorities and police do have powers in terms of antisocial behaviour and there's a range of options that the local authority could and should be using in that instance so I'm happy to engage with the member on that Question 5 To ask the Scottish Government what are the responses to the latest recorded crime in Scotland statistics Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown The latest recorded crime statistics remain at the lowest level since 1974 showing Scotland as a safer place since this Government took office As I pointed out to Craig Hoy when he asked the same question on 21 September last year there is still much more to do and that's why within the recent Scottish budget we plan to invest almost £3.4 billion across the justice system for the 5.8 per cent increase in the resource budget which equates to an additional £165 million and this will strengthen and reform vital front-line services provide support for victims and witnesses and tackle the underlying drivers of offending Nonetheless the Cabinet Secretary knows that the most recent statistics from Police Scotland show a 17 per cent rise in non-sexual violent crime in Perth and Kinross 12 per cent in Fife and 10 per cent in Stirlingshire which I think many constituents across Mid Scotland and Fife will believe is completely at odds with the Cabinet Secretary's claim in the 1919 magazine that Scotland continues to be such a safe place in which to live so what urgent action is the Scottish Government in line with our police forces taking to address these very serious concerns Cabinet Secretary Nonetheless it remains that crime in Scotland has fallen significantly under this administration Scotland is a safer place since this Government took office recorded crime is at the lowest level since 1974 homicides extremely low and compared to historic trends we've also seen a reduction of 25 per cent in non-sexual violent crime mentioned by Liz I don't know if you want to hear the response so I've got to shout instead Excuse me, no sedentary cross chatting please ministers on and speak the minister will respond to the question we've seen a 25 per cent reduction in non-sexual violent crime since 2006-07 though we accept of course as I said originally there is much more to do and to help address that we will continue to fund the police at a higher level here in Scotland we'll continue to pay our police more in Scotland through almost every rank and we'll continue to have more police per capita in Scotland than they do in the rest of the UK and of course we have given as I've just mentioned an increased budget despite the constraints that we have from the economic mismanagement that we have in England and Wales supplementary Katie Clark the number of sexual and violent crimes has increased again and we know that the number of victims particularly of sexual offences who don't report is far greater than those who do so the real figures will be even higher how will the real terms cuts to budgets of the Crown Office judiciary, police and courts help tackle this issue I agree with the first two parts of the question raised by Katie Clark first of all about the increase there has been an increase in terms of sexual crimes 6% higher compared to the year ending September 2021 and also the point that she makes about the vast number of sexual crimes which are not reported so I think we can agree on that we don't agree in relation to the Crown Office and the funding which has been increased again I think from memory and I'm happy to correct this if it's wrong around an excess of 3% and Katie Clark will know full well what we receive from the miserable settlement that we get from the UK Government of course related to their economic mismanagement so within a very constrained environment we are putting more money into this and I've already mentioned the extent to which we fund the place both in terms of numbers and in terms of pay to a greater extent than elsewhere and that should help in relation to trying to drive down something which is common across the world in many different jurisdictions but I recognise the problem to ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its support for the veteran medal replacements initiative I announced the launch of the scheme to fund the cost of replacing medals for eligible veterans during the Remembrance debate in November last year I'm happy to say that the first veteran to be supported through the scheme has now received his medals In the meantime my officials have been working with the Ministry of Defence to formalise the arrangements for the scheme to do so but we are now formalising the arrangements with them to fund replacement medals for veterans resident in Scotland on an on-going basis I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer it's positive to see that the Scottish Government remains committed to investing in its veterans community and I note that we have also welcomed a new veterans commissioner as well what steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that veterans voices continue to be represented in policy development? I thank Jenny Minto for her question she has pointed out that we are the first so far the only administration to have the medal replacement cost being met by the Governments within the UK we were the first to have a veterans commissioner and we are also the first to go to the point of Jenny Minto's question to have a famile veterans commissioner as well and this role is vital in listening to and representing veterans the recommendations of the commissioner to government are part of policy development the new commissioner is currently involved in the hearing the veterans voice initiative which seeks to develop better ways of engaging veterans and families directly and that will help to build on the work done by the Scottish Government to engage with the veterans community in developing and then refreshing our veterans strategy action plan as well as our regular engagement with the veterans stakeholders to ensure that the issues faced by veterans are heard and understood thank you to ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the mental health of police officers the Scottish Government welcomes the preventative approach that police Scotland is adopting to support the health and wellbeing of its workforce which includes proactive measures such as wellbeing assessments police officers and staff can access a range of services to care for their psychological, physical, social and financial wellbeing through police programme post-traumatic support is offered to all officers and staff who are directly involved in potentially traumatic incidents through the trauma risk management programme also police Scotland has signed up to the mental health at work commitment and standards I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer police officers are often the first to arrive at murder scenes, abuse incidents, suicides and road traffic accidents officers and staff in the force missed 76,848 days due to psychological disorders in 2021-22 given the reports of burnout, low morale and high turnover among officers what further steps is the Scottish Government taking to address mental health challenges facing police officers and can the Scottish Government update officers in how its proposed police complaints bill will address the mental health problems that can be caused to officers when police complaints go unresolved for long periods of time I have laid out previously to the chamber and will do so again as we move through the bill process for the police complaints and standards initiative that we are taking forward in the bill but the member asked what else we are doing so the mental health at work commitment and standards, which I mentioned has been signed up to by Police Scotland, that includes prioritising mental health in the workplace and taking a proactive approach to organisational culture again to go back to the point that Sharon Dewy mentioned about the forthcoming bill on the life-positive mental health outcomes and that forms part of the blue light together package of mental health support to change workplace culture with regard to mental health and to provide special support to emergency responders and their families Police Scotland is also working with Lifeline Scotland to provide mental health and wellbeing training and that training aims to raise awareness and support the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the police workforce I am pleased that the criminal justice committee held a session with Police Scotland officers to discuss the issue last year more recently the Scottish Police Authority hosted a conference on mental health and policing and both provided valuable insight into the challenges of policing mental health and the mental wellbeing of officers and staff I welcome the increase in police budget reflecting policing as a priority for this government Does the cabinet secretary agree that the higher pay for officers in Scotland shows that the Scottish Government recognises the hard work and utter commitment of our police officers? Absolutely I am not trying to pretend that just being better paid than police officers and other jurisdictions is enough to deal with some of the mental health pressures of course that's not the case but our officers are the best paid in the UK and we recognise the hard work and dedication of the police workforce across Scotland the starting salary for a constable is around £5,000 more than in England and Wales and the importance of policing will provide the additional £80 million to the Scottish Police Authority in 2324 taking the police budget to £1.45 billion and that additional funding will continue to ensure a stable basis for which to improve the delivery of policing and enhance the safety and security of communities across Scotland Thank you In June of 2022 I asked the First Minister what actions the Scottish Government would take to support police officers struggling with the cost of living crisis The First Minister responded that we will continue to value them not just in rhetoric but in action Can the cabinet secretary please outline what action has since been taken to support police officers with the cost of living crisis to help mitigate the potential impact of financial strain on their mental health Cabinet Secretary I suppose there's two points in answer The first is as I've mentioned some of the mental health support also covers support in terms of financial it's very important if you think about it in terms of the police that police are not subject to extreme financial pressures because of the other dangers of that in particular in relation to the police's role so that is done within the place of the police or the employer they provide at support for the government we provide the support in terms of making sure we have the best paid police officers in the whole of the UK starting police constable £5,000 a year more that's a substantial amount more than elsewhere and will help, I'm not saying it's a complete answer but will help with the cost of living crisis and we'll continue to make sure that we support our police officers to a greater extent than we're seeing elsewhere in the rest of the UK Question number 8, Jamie Greene Thank you. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service estate Minister, Elena Whittle Currently the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has 357 fire stations which provide fire and rescue cover to communities across Scotland Jamie Greene Let me give the Minister an update in the absence of one from the centre benches of those 357 stations 220 of them are in poor or bad condition 150 of them don't have any showering facilities 100 lack drying facilities and 11 have no water supply at all Is it any wonder, Minister, that our firefighters in Scotland are 600 times more likely to suffer from certain cancers in the wider population? None of us in this room would work in conditions like that Why should our firefighters? Those are very important points that Jamie Greene brings to the chamber and points that I'm very well aware of I think we have committed to increasing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service budget by £10 million for a resource this year and protected the capital budget as far as we can when we merged them into one service they did come with a £389 million capital backlog I'm going to make sure that I will be engaging with them over the short term and with the Fire Brigades Union about what the priorities are for their buildings their fleet and equipment going forward Supplementary Collette Stevenson Almost £3.4 billion in funding across the justice system was announced as part of the 2023-24 budget to fund the vital front-line services so can I ask the Scottish Government how this investment will support Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe? Minister The draft 2023-24 budget includes a £10 million increase to the resource budget as I've already mentioned for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support service delivery and reform this will bring the total budget for them to £362.7 million which is over £55.3 million higher than the equivalent budget in 2017-18 A supplementary Mikey Chapman Thank you Study the research of which was published on Tuesday of emergency service staff in Scotland found that firefighters' cancer mortality rate was 1.6 times higher than others likely due to exposure of toxic substances while on the job and as we know the World Health Organization classifies firefighting as a carcinogenic profession firefighters deserve the best preventative medical care, education and support to reduce the risk of cancer but they also need the right equipment and facilities to enable them to decontaminate properly after attending fires Will the Minister commit to producing a plan of action to upgrade facilities and infrastructure at fire stations across Scotland to ensure that these front-line workers have what they need to be safe? Before her I know that Maggie Chapman has a keen interest in this area as do I both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have a high priority to protect the safety and wellbeing of firefighters and I know that SFRS are taking action across all aspects of operations to reduce exposure to contaminants and that includes investment in new fire appliances and facilities and I am keen to engage with them and the FBU on this issue difficult decisions have had to be taken available to the Scottish Government but, as I said before, we have protected the capital budget for our Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as far as possible. That concludes portfolio questions on justice and veterans. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.