 Rydw i ymdúr y pethau cyfnodd Cymru yn cyfran wahanol i gyntaf, ac yn pwysig ymddwyr yn cyfran wahanol i gymhwylliant. Aelun Mek McNeil, mae gyda Gwadran Chymru sydd wedi cael cael gfermwyd gan dyfrifiadau honno i gael y cael gwaith deli. Yr Mwrdd Genes i fod, I feudde i'n gweithio, mae Gwadran Chymru yn ddigidio i ddefnyddio ar gyfryd Cymru. Yr wych yn ei ddiffeniad i'u cymryd sy'n credu iawn i'i chyfryd cyfryd. Felly, we share the aim of having an effective and fire and rescue service to keep our community safe. I make regularly with the FBU and I'm next scheduled to meet them with them this month. Regional Secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, John Mackenzie, is on record saying that the Union is in consultation with its members around industrial action, but it's extremely important to note that this action is as a result of the deep impact of cuts on the safe running of the fire and rescue service, and firefighters are considering taking this unprecedented action because they are firmly of the view that lives are being put at risk. With that in mind, what does the Scottish Government going to do to avert strike action and ensure saver communities? The £36 million savings figure for £26.27 quoted by the SFRS chief officer is based on various assumptions of inflation, pay increases and future funding levels, which can all change over time. The RSR provides long-term indicative spending plans for the Scottish Government based on the challenging financial situation that we currently find ourselves in. While it is appropriate for the SFRS to assess its long-term planning up to £26.27 on that basis, it does not replace the annual budget presented to Parliament. The actual amount allocated to SFRS in the annual budget will be based on a robust assessment of need, as was the case for £23.24 when we gave them an extra £14.4 million. Our fire service is in crisis, according to the Fire Brigade Union. This on-going dispute if unresolved threatens to have a further detrimental impact on response times in rural communities in my area. Minister, why is it that rural communities should suffer due to the SNP Government's failure to resolve long-standing issues within Scotland's fire and rescue service? Since 2017-18, there have been substantial year-on-year increases in funding to support SFRS to create a modern and effective fire and rescue service. The equivalent annual budget for SFRS for £23.24 is over £55.3 million higher than it was in 2017-18. I would like to highlight to the member that during the First Minister's questions on 26 October, the First Minister made clear and I quote, We continue to invest in our fire service. I want to thank and pay tribute to the FBU and our firefighters on the ground. I will continue to promise them that we will, as long as we are in government, continue to ensure that they will get the investment that they need to keep the community safe. To ask the Scottish Government what its responses to the FBU report Firestorm, which reportedly warns that the Scottish fire and rescue service is in crisis. I recognise the role that the FBU plays in highlighting the concerns of its members, including in the publication of its Firestorm report. There are many points in the Firestorm report that I agree with, including that our firefighters should be paid a fair wage for their work that they do and should be properly trained and equipped to deal with the wide range of emergency incidents that they attend. As I said in my previous answer, we are providing Scottish fire and rescue with more than £368 million this year, which is an increase of £14.4 million on last year. This Scottish Government will continue to support SFRS to prioritise public safety. I thank the minister for that answer. On Tuesday, the fire brigade indicated in the publication showed new statistics showing a rise in fatal fire incidents and an increase in non-fatal fire casualties amounting to just under 1,000 in one year. The data illustrates the dangerous consequences of an underfunded fire brigade. Therefore, can the minister tell me how worst will it need to get before this Government looks at statistics and provides the information that is required to support the fire service that they deserve? Fatal fire casualties per million per population have been in a long-term downward trend in each nation since the early 2000s. That trend leveled off in each nation around early 2010, but differing demographics, deprivation and urban rural profiles of each nation are the likely factors in explaining the different rates of fires. However, we, as the Scottish Government, will continue to work with the FBU and SFRS to ensure that they have the money that they need to keep the community safe. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is highly valued for its unwavering dedication to saving lives and protecting communities, embodying the highest levels of service and public safety. Within the Firestorm report, 96 per cent of respondents agreed that increased investment in training and facilities would positively impact the skills and preparedness of firefighters. With consideration to the concerns raised about training, will the minister consider the recommendation in the report for an independent audit of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service training provisions? Ensuring that our firefighters are properly trained and equipped is a ministerial priority within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Framework 2022. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a dedicated assistant chief officer with responsibility for training to ensure that strategic priority is properly addressed. Some aspects of training fell behind as a result of the Covid restrictions, but the service is addressing that backlog as a priority. His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland carries out independent inspection of fire service activity, and training is already examined as part of the HMFSI service delivery area inspection programme. The East Service delivery area inspection report was published on 19 October, and the service will be taken forward all the recommendations contained in the report. Geetie Clark Minister, I agree with me that the Firestorm report makes alarming reading, and that the failure to provide safe systems to enable firefighters to decontaminate is a failure of the employers to provide a duty of care to their workforce. The safety and wellbeing of firefighters is a priority for both the Scottish Government and the fire service. SFRS continues to make progress with its contamination working group, and I was pleased that we were able to recently provide £56,000 contribution to allow Scottish firefighters to be part of the current health screening trials. The Scottish Government will provide an update on the transition of HMP Kilmarnock into public ownership. Cabinet Secretary, Angela Constance. I saw first-hand when I visited HMP Kilmarnock in August, working its transition into public ownership and operation is progressing well and on track for handover to the Scottish Prison Service on 17 March next year. The Scottish Prison Service has been working closely with Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd and Serco, the private operator, to deliver a smooth transition in a way that not only supports staff and those in custody, but maintains the high standards that are already set within the prison. I also visited the prison last week and asked the staff if they backed the transfer. None did. I asked if they knew why it was happening. None of them did. I asked if they knew how it would happen. None of them did. Humza Yousaf is transferring HMP Kilmarnock for blindly ideological reasons. He does not actually care that it is an effective, efficient and well-run prison. The SNP transfer will even result in staff losing the protection of body-worn cameras that will be sent to English prisons. Will the cabinet secretary reverse this dangerous decision and commit to providing cameras to all prison officers across Scotland? The contract with Serco was due to come to an end. The Government has always believed that our prisons should be owned and operated within the public sector. That is in the interests of public safety and not private profit. When you look at the facts of the matter in terms of information, there is a lower level of assaults in the Scottish Prison Service in comparison to our private prisons. There is a lower level per population of drug take incidents within the public sector, as well as matters that I thought that Mr Finlay would take seriously. I can also reassure him on the body-worn cameras that the Scottish Prison Service is finalising its arrangements for a pilot in collaboration with our trade union partners, and that the cameras that are currently in HMP Kilmarnock belong to Serco and not the Scottish Prison Service. Let me assure him that efforts are being made and will be made to take forward the important factor around body-worn cameras. Thank you very much. Mr Finlay's comments are completely at odds with what I hear from the project director and the staff that come out at prison over many years. Can the minister confirm that arrangements for a TUPI transfer for all the staff and prison officers is well under way and that there will be an overall beneficial impact when they transfer to the SPS? The transfer will take place following the well-established TUPI process, the regulations that have existed since 2006. The Scottish Prison Service has written to Serco to inform staff groups on the measures that will be taken. There are plans developed in partnership with recognised trade unions and the Scottish Prison Service is actively planning one-to-one meetings. It is also important to recognise that the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service has chaired four engagement sessions to date. We move to question 4, and let's keep our questions and responses concise, please. I call Pam Duncan-Glancy. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its national transitions to adulthood strategy following its statement of intent on 28 September. We will introduce Scotland's first national transitions to adulthood strategy in this parliamentary term to ensure that all disabled young people can experience a supported and positive transition to adult life. We are currently engaging with more young people, parent carers and others with a role or interest in transitions to seek feedback on that statement of intent. Following this phase of engagement, we will analyse and publish a summary of the responses to show what people have said, and that will then be used to develop the strategy going forward. Pam Duncan-Glancy. I thank the minister for that answer, but this Government mentioned a strategy on transitions as far back as 2016 in the manifesto. That's seven years ago and there's still no strategy. A young person who entered high school then will have left by now. They've not seen a strategy and their chances have been affected as a result. The Government no transitions isn't working, so can I ask the minister what date will her Government publish a national transition strategy and will it include a legal right to a plan that gives all young disabled people a fighting chance for their future? As I've said in my previous answer, we're currently seeking feedback on the statement of intent through the online questionnaire. Through a whole host of engagement events, including the Glasgow Disability Alliance's transitions event for young people, the Scottish Youth Parliament and the forthcoming carers Parliament. This is an important step to send check what we've heard so far. We want to get this right. Findings from this phase of engagement will be used to develop the strategy going forward, which we will aim to consult on more widely in spring 2024. Question 5 has been withdrawn for reasons that are apparent, and we move to question number 6, and I call Christine Grahame. To ask the Scottish Government what data it has on rates of winter admissions to accident and emergency as a result of winter falls since October 2020. Public Health Scotland published quarterly data on emergency hospital admissions, resulting from a fall. When looking at the total fall admissions across the two winter quarters ending December and March, there has been a slight downward trend with the highest number seen in the winter of 2020-2021 of being 18,508 and the lowest number in winter of 2022-23 of 17,892. Christine Grahame, I thank the cabinet secretary for a detailed answer. Can I advise the cabinet secretary both the Midlothian Council and the Scottish Border Council in my constituency to have information on their website as to where salt bins are located, which is good? However, would the cabinet secretary agree with me that the more that can be done by simply increasing the number of salt bins for clearing winter pavements, the likelihood is even fewer falls and less pressure and already hard pressed accident and emergency? I would want to encourage councils across the country. I know that they take action when there is adverse weather that can result in slippery pavements, which can have an awkward effect to demand on array need departments. I know that local authorities will consider applications from local communities who are looking for salt bins to be located within their respective areas. It is something that I have undertaken on behalf of constituents in my constituency, and I want to encourage the member to do so on behalf of her constituents where they feel that that would be appropriate. To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to residents who have been required to evacuate their properties due to deteriorating reinforced, auto-claved, aerated concrete. Where residents are evacuated from their homes under local authority dangerous building powers, it is for the local authority themselves to determine what support is available to the individuals affected. For Mark Ruskell's constituents who have been decanted in telecootry, that has involved providing temporary housing, as well as support and advice to find alternative accommodation while detailed investigations take place. My thoughts are of course with the families who are currently in these circumstances, and the impact on those households has been significant. However, I know that Clip Manager Council is working hard to minimise disruption while keeping people safe. Mark Ruskell Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response and obviously her awareness of the situation in telecootry? I also understand, though, that the council there suspected that over 100 other residences in the same area could also be seriously affected. So can I ask about what that engagement with Clip Manager Council and the Scottish Government has looked like? Has there been correspondence about the dire situation that some residents are in at the moment? How is the Scottish Government preventing affected residents across Scotland from remaining in temporary accommodation indefinitely while they await the outcome of building assessments and potential remedial works? The Government is in contact with all councils on this issue and with the Scottish Housing Regulator. They have been with the example of telecootry right from when this was first identified. My understanding is that 29 households across three housing blocks have been affected, and the local authority is conducting further survey work to determine next steps. However, it has not identified other blocks with unsafe rack. I think that this is an important point for reassurance-providing, Presiding Officer. The institution of structural engineers note that statements of, for example, a 30-year lifespan for rack are misleading. There is no specific data supporting that. The institute note that if manufactured and stalled correctly and appropriately maintained, rack should perform comparably with similar materials. However, it also stressed the importance of inspecting rack installations to determine the condition, which is very much my understanding of what the council is doing. A freedom of information request that I put into Edinburgh City Council identified two developments comprising of 43 homes that contain rack. Can the cabinet secretary tell Parliament that ministers now know how many social rented properties and private properties across Scotland could now be containing rack in this country? That is an issue for the council's concern, but we are working with the Scottish Housing Regulator to undertake a data gathering exercise in the presence of rack across all social housing providers. The initial responses for that request were due for 31 October and are now being collated. It is very important to ensure that the Scottish Government continues, as it is already, to work with local councils to support communities where affected. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it can take in response to the reported rise of violence and bullying in schools. In June, I convened the first meeting of the headteacher task force focused on school exclusions. In September and October, I hosted two events as part of the Scottish Government's summit on relationships and behaviour in schools. A third event will take place later this month to discuss the behaviour in Scottish schools research. This research will provide the robust national picture of what is happening in our schools across the country on a wide range of behaviours. My aim from the summit process is to work with teachers and other stakeholders to identify practical actions that we need to take to make progress. Finally, we have started a review of our national anti-bullying guidance respect for all. The outputs from the summit and behaviour research will inform the work. I think that it is important to work with teachers and pupils to work with schools, but the fact is that we are not going to build a world-class education while so many pupils are worried in schools. We need to put discipline and behaviour back on the topic of the agenda as a condition for being in school. Is it the cabinet secretary going to bring forward a detailed proposal that sets out the types of resources and the plan that we are going to do to address this problem, which is affecting schools up and down Scotland? I thank Mr Rowley for his question. I very much recognise his interest and I agree with him that we need to work with the profession in relation to how we can support them to best respond to some of those challenges. He talked about behaviour and discipline. I am very conscious that we have a cohort of young people moving through our education system who have experienced disruption to their education, whether that be from industrial action or from Covid impacts. We need to be mindful that all of that is playing into change behaviour and relationships in our schools. That being said, the member raises an important point. There is already national guidance in relation to what we provide as a Scottish Government. The national policy that already exists is the included engage and involve policy document. However, I have made very clear that my intention through the summit process is that we look to gather the national evidence from those working on the front line, so yes, our teachers but those who work as learning support assistants to play a hugely important role in relation to our schools. We use the findings from the summit process and the BISR research, which gives us the national picture to help to inform that national action plan. Subject to the agreement of Parliament, I intend to bring forward a statement later this year.