 First item of business today is consideration of business motion 17860, in the name of Graham Day, on behalf of the business bureau setting out a revised business programme. Can I ask Maurice Golden to move the motion on behalf of the bureau? Moved. Thank you very much. No member wishes to speak in the motion, therefore the question is that motion 17860 be agreed. Are we agreed? We are agreed. Thank you very much. We are going to turn now to general questions. Our first question is from Mark Griffin. To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is a median disability pay gap of 26 per cent in Social Security Scotland. Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. Social Security Scotland was established on 1 September 2018, and the majority of its workforce has been recruited since that date. The data used to determine the median disability pay gap was from 1 December 2018, and is based on voluntary self-declaration. At that time, the disability status of 62.5 per cent of the agency's rapidly growing workforce was unknown. The most recent staff survey highlighted that 22 per cent of employees who have completed a survey within Social Security Scotland identify as having a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability. I am proud that we have sought to recruit people in Social Security Scotland that are reflective of the society that we live in. Mark Griffin. The cabinet secretary knows that I have taken a keen interest in that the new agency employs and is representative of the very disabled people who will be supporting with billions of pounds of assistance. When I previously raised concerns about the agency's struggle to recruit disabled people, a member of Social Security Scotland's executive advisory body told me my focus almost entirely upon the external attributes, and that to do so is a judgmental approach and accused me of misinformation and casting such deep aspersions publicly. I would trust that the cabinet secretary would agree that attempts from a member of the executive advisory body to suppress legitimate and substantiated concerns about the recruitment of disabled people. By extension, equal pay and promotion are simply unacceptable. Will he commit today to bringing forward a plan to close the gap in the pay gap in the agency and get more disabled people into positions of leadership to all levels of the organisation so that it represents the disabled people that it will serve? I thank Mark Griffin for the question. I know that Mark Griffin has been particularly interested in that. However, I hope that he listened to my original answer when I talked about the fact that the staff survey has highlighted that 22 per cent of the employees that completed the staff survey have a long-standing physical or mental health condition, etc. That means that they are representative of the communities that we are serving. The agency already has in place great recruitment efforts to ensure that we are employing those with a disability, for example in Dundee. We have recently had TASER sessions with the Glasgow Disability Alliance. All those TASER sessions were exceptionally successful. We also have Inclusion Scotland offering placements for disabled candidates. We are also working internally to ensure that there is a great deal of focus on encouraging those who came in at entry-level jobs, as the vast majority of jobs at the moment are in social security Scotland, to improve their prospects of internal promotions. I would be more than happy to share that information that is already in place with Mark Griffin, because I do appreciate that he is very interested in that subject. I am very proud of what the agency has delivered and will continue to deliver in this area. Ruth Maguire For the avoidance of doubt, can the cabinet secretary confirm that disabled staff at the agency do not earn less than other people doing the same job? Can the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government is working with disabled people's organisations to ensure that Social Security Scotland is seen as an attractive and inclusive place for disabled people to work, and, importantly, that we are not missing out on their talent and skills? Ruth Maguire I can absolutely confirm that staff working for Social Security Scotland are employed under the Scottish Government's main terms and conditions, which include standardised pay skills. Therefore, we are very confident that we provide equal pay for equal work. I have mentioned some of the aspects of my original answer to Mark Griffin about the work that we are taking on with disabled organisations to attract a diverse talent. The agency is also a disability-confident employer, and we take part in the guaranteed interview scheme for people with disabilities-reducing barriers to employment. I hope that that gives the member—indeed, the chamber—some reassurance about the great deal of work that the agency is undertaking in this very important area. Annie Wells Government, how is meeting the objectives of its Equally Safe strategy? The Minister for Public Health and Sport said that, in November 2018, the Scottish Government in Coesla published its first Equally Safe annual report, which highlighted progress made on implementing the strategy and the delivery plan. Work is continuing to take forward important measures, including building understanding of consent and healthy relationship, tackling women's inequality, ensuring early and effective interventions for victims and survivors, and holding perpetrators to account for their actions. We will continue to report on progress annually for the lifetime of the delivery plan. Annie Wells I thank the minister for that answer. One of the objectives of the SNP Government strategy is that men who carry out violence against women and girls are held to account by the justice system. The same SNP Government is letting the vast majority of domestic abusers avoid jail in favour of soft-touch community sentences. Community sentences that, according to Scottish Women's Aid, put women and children in danger, why are the SNP refusing to exempt domestic abusers from their plan to abolish jail sentences for up to a year, as the Scottish Women's Aid and others have asked? Mr Yousif, I think that Mr McKelvie has answered the question. The First Minister Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. It's all teamwork in our Government. I would want to emphasise the important relationship that this Government has and values with Scotland, Scottish Women's Aid and other organisations. I know that they will continue to hold us to account and doing more to support victims of domestic abuse and tackling perpetrators, and we will continue to work constructively with them going forward. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport is on-going with that work right now, but what I want to make absolutely clear is that it is our commitment to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls through our equally safe strategy, which I have responsibility for. That includes action to support perpetrators of domestic abuse to change their behaviour, and we have committed an additional £2.8 million over 2018-2020 to expand the innovative Caledonian system for domestic abuse programme so that more male perpetrators of domestic violence can receive specific rehabilitation services. That complements our approach to holding perpetrators to account through the Domestic Abuse Act, and I know that our justice system will continue to give those matters serious attention. I am going to gently remind Annie Wells about the proposal from the UK Government to ban short sentences, but I think that I might not so gently remind her that our proposal is a presumption against short sentences, which gives sheriffs a discretion to put away domestic abusers at their own will. Shona Robison has for a long time been a hidden aspect of domestic abuse. Does the minister believe that the first conviction under the new domestic abuse law sends a clear signal that domestic abuse in any form will not be tolerated, and I hope that it will provide assurance to victims, giving them greater confidence to report all forms of abusive behaviour? The Commencement of the New Domestic Abuse Act, which was a great event in this Parliament, marks a new area in Scotland that tackles domestic abuse. Coercive and controlling behaviour that has long been the hidden aspect of domestic abuse is increasingly being brought to the fore and highlighted as absolutely unacceptable. The first conviction is a positive start and sends a clear and unequivocal message that domestic abuse in any and all of its forms will not be tolerated in Scotland. There is only one person responsible for abusive behaviour and that is the perpetrator. I hope that the first conviction will provide reassurance to survivors that we take this abuse seriously and will hold perpetrators to account for their abusive behaviour. Tom Arthur. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Earlier this week I met White Ribbon Scotland, who recently teamed up with bookies across Renfisher. As part of a campaign that Scotsaw Scores of Men signed, the White Ribbon Scotland pledged to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women in all its forms. Will the minister join me in thanking White Ribbon Scotland and all involved for running this positive campaign and disagree that the work of White Ribbon Scotland in changing men's attitudes makes a vital contribution to our shared goal of ending male violence in all its forms against women? Presiding Officer, I would wholeheartedly join with the member in extending my thanks. I am extremely grateful for the work of White Ribbon Scotland in highlighting the important role that men and boys have to play in promoting positive role models, changing men's attitudes and encouraging men and boys to recognise and call out male violence against women and girls in all of its forms. I have also taken a keen interest, in fact, taking part in my constituency in this initiative. I look forward to continued engagement with White Ribbon Scotland, who undoubtedly have a vital role to play on our shared goal of preventing and ultimately eradicating this type of violence. Fulton MacGregor It has followed on quite nicely from the last line of questioning. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce domestic abuse. As a Scottish Government priority to tackle both the causes and the impacts of domestic abuse, the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018, which we have just heard about, came in to force in April, reflects the full spectrum of abuse that victims may suffer. Criminal proceedings using new legislation are on-going in courts across Scotland. As Shona Robison rightly said, there has been one person already convicted and sentenced for the new offence. We have supported the delivery of training to more than 14,000 police officers and front-line staff in Police Scotland to recognise the dynamics of trauma and abuse, and we are also investing significant levels of funding for front-line services to help support survivors of domestic abuse. Fulton MacGregor I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. The Caledonian programme seems to be making a huge difference already in areas where it has been rolled out and is gaining the confidence of sentences up and down the country. Can the cabinet secretary advise when it is likely to be rolled out across the whole of the country, including in North Lanarkshire? I thank Fulton MacGregor for his question. It is an important point to make. There are community disposals available. Again, it is always a sheriff's discretion. Some of those community alternatives and disposals that could be available are the likes of the Caledonian project, which work with the perpetrators of domestic abuse and work on the rehabilitation of those perpetrators to change their behaviours. That is why we have invested £2.8 million to expand the Caledonian system domestic abuse programme. 19 local authorities now benefit from Caledonian, and we support local government with £100 million for criminal justice social work. That includes North Lanarkshire. On a specific question about the Caledonian project, I will write to him in more detail about the plans to roll that out to the remaining local authorities. The question has not been lodged. Question 5, Gillian Martin. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect marine animals from entanglement. The Scottish Government supports the Scottish marine animal stranding scheme, which investigates the cause of death of marine animals, including entanglements. Through that, it contributes to the Scottish Entanglement Alliance project, which aims to monitor and ultimately mitigate entanglements. Mandatory by-catch monitoring is carried out across the UK under EU regulations and delivered under contract through the University of St Andrew by-catch monitoring programme. The Scottish Government is leading the development of the UK dolphin and porpoise conservation strategy, which includes actions on by-catch and entanglement. That strategy will be subject to public consultation later in the year. Gillian Martin. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. An EMFF-funded research project looking at cetacean entanglement is under way. Members of the project have called for piloting of measures to prevent or mitigate entanglement due to fishing gear, but have been told that they need to establish the extent. In the last couple of months, we know that two humpback whales have been drowned as a result of entanglement, and last month another juvenile humpback was spotted in the first of fourth entangled in fishing rope and netting. If she supports calls for this pilot, what other measures are in place to salt whales, dolphins and seals from being entangled in our litter? That answer outlined a range of work that is on-going. I fully support the work of the Scottish Entanglement Alliance project to investigate the extent of the problem and provide an evidence base for proportionate mitigation strategies. However, any pilot fisheries measures should first be discussed with the regional inshore fisheries groups before coming to the Scottish Government. In 2017, the Scottish Government signed up to the global ghost gear initiative to tackle ghost fishing gear, which is often the reason for the problem. However, of course, that is a global problem that does need global action. To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that the most appropriate support and services are in place for women in the prison system. In 2015, my predecessor announced ambitious new plans for the future female custodial estate. The Scottish Prison Service has a dedicated team and programme in place to deliver the Scottish Government's vision of transforming how Scotland cares for women in custody. SPS is working with a range of partners and stakeholders in developing a new model for managing and supporting women in custody in Scotland. That has included developing new custodial arrangements for women to ensure that both the physical environment and the available services are gender-specific and trauma-informed. SPS works with a range of statutory and third sector partners to deliver services to women, which include learning and skills, employability, physical activity and wellbeing, including mental health and support for addictions, as well as support for family engagement. Further needs-based services are available, including behavioural change programmes and bespoke trauma and bereavement services. Elaine Smith I thank the minister for his informative answer, but there are changes to public policy taking place with regard to gender recognition at the moment without a law change, meaning that they are unregulated, unscrutinised and specifically are affecting women in prison who are particularly vulnerable. Is the minister aware that the SPS implemented its policy on gender identity with an EQIA that did not consider the effect on women prisoners or consult them? Does he agree that that was a deeply flawed process and will he ensure that the current review, which was referenced in the report by Women and Girls Scotland, will properly equality impact and risk assess any new policy proposal and involve a wide-ranging consultation, which includes female prisoners? Michael Matheson Can I say to Elaine Smith that I will ensure that what she has mentioned and what she says, the concerns that she has reflected in her answer are part of that review. She is right to say that review is going on. It should be said that the SPS's gender identity and gender reassignment policy was developed in partnership with a number of organisations, including Stonewall and the Transgender Alliance, which was published in 2014. It is right five years on that that is under review and that review is on going. There will also be a consultation, which will be part of that review, and it will be open for members across this chamber to feed in to that review. Notwithstanding that, I will ensure that a copy and a transcript of what Elaine Smith has said is passed on to SPS for her to comment on. Margaret Mitchell Given the high incidence of women in prison who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, does the cabinet secretary agree that cutting the availability of prison-based specialist services such as those provided by OpenSecret, now well-being Scotland, is a retrograde step, resulting in the underlying problems that have often led to those women using alcohol and drugs to self-medicate not being addressed? Michael Matheson I say that it would be better if the vast majority of those women were not in custody. The presumption against her sentences, which she does not support, is that 90 per cent of women who are in custody are in for 12 months or less, so they would disproportionately, in a good way, be affected by that presumption. It would be better if Margaret Mitchell and the Conservatives supported that presumption. That would mean less women in custody and more women perhaps being treated in the community and treated in relation to the problems around substance abuse and so on and so forth. However, yes, the premise of our question in around services that are available, we will always continue to fund SPS for those important services that are provided, but it is much better that, instead of sending women to prison, the Conservatives supported our presumption and we were able to treat women in the community and treat the root causes of why they offend instead of just the symptoms. 7. Jenny Marra Fast the Scottish Government, for what reason the number of people starting modern apprenticeships reportedly fell by almost 12 per cent in Dundee between 2017-18 and 2018-19? Minister Jamie Hepburn. Modern apprenticeships are demand-led and, as employers, are often recruited in cycles, including modern apprenticeship, starts to fluctuate year-in-year in any area. We have seen growth in apprenticeship starts throughout Scotland with record starts for the eighth year in a row. In Dundee, Skills Development Scotland, they are working with employers, partners and individuals to promote work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships. Jenny Marra Presiding Officer, I feel that this 12 per cent drop is particularly worrying given the economic situation where in Dundee the minister knows that there will be even fewer apprenticeship opportunities when Mitchell encloses next year and 70 fewer apprenticeships after this minister's failure to support McGill Electrical. Will the Government designate Dundee now as a priority area for apprenticeships and meet with me as soon as possible to discuss special measures to get young Dundonians into work? In respect of McGills, as the member has mentioned, of the 72 modern apprentices who were employed, there are 70 of them who are no longer seeking alternative employment to who they are. They continue to be supported. In relation to the wider labour market position in respect of Dundee, against the context of record high employment in Scotland, 75.9 per cent record low and 3.3 per cent. Dundee last year saw the third highest increase in employment rate of any local authority area. With the support that we are giving at Michelin, with the £150 million that we are putting into the city deal, with that context of the market, there are plenty of opportunities for employers to take on apprentices in Dundee, rather than getting our letters press release lined up. Why does Ms Marra not join with me and not only congratulating those employers on providing more than apprenticeship opportunities in Dundee, but encouraging other employers to take on more apprentices in Dundee and across Scotland?