First Minister Alex Salmond
Legislative statement
Scottish Parliament
September 3, 2008
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Presiding Officer, fellow Members of Parliament, let me welcome you back for this new Parliamentary session.
I hope that you have returned refreshed after the summer recess.
Of course I know that not all colleagues here have been able to put their feet up. Some were preoccupied with leadership elections. And all were engaged in a summer by-election.
So let me warmly welcome Tavish Scott as the new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
And it is right to acknowledge here the service to Parliament of Wendy Alexander and Nicol Stephen, who respectively stood down as leader of Labour and of the Liberal Democrats.
Concerning the matter of the Glasgow- East by-election, John Mason pulled off a stunning victory sending out the message that there is no such thing as a safe Labour seat anymore, anytime, anywhere.
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Presiding Officer, before setting out this year's legislative programme, I would like to inform Parliament of the tour that the Scottish Cabinet undertook in July and August - visiting Dumfries, Inverness, Pitlochry and Skye.
Around each Cabinet meeting we held local engagements and an event with community and voluntary sector leaders. And a National Conversation event, allowing local people the chance to question Scottish Ministers and put forward their main concerns - both local and much wider.
My Ministers and I are very grateful to everyone involved for their enthusiasm and their engagement.
Those discussions helped make ever clearer to us the aspirations and the concerns of the Scottish people.
These meetings confirmed that this Government is right to focus on the impact of rising prices for food and energy - which is causing concern to every business and household in the country. And we are right both to take what action we can and to press the government in London to do much more.
But those discussions also showed us a confidence and an optimism in our people that seeks expression in our political institutions. Looking beyond immediate challenges, to the future of this country and the opportunities ahead.
That is the mood to which this Government is determined to respond. That is the expectation which it is our duty to meet - not just as a government, but - all of us here - as a national Parliament.
THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
Presiding Officer, it is a pleasure to present this year's legislative statement.
The second legislative programme of this government - and a programme that sets out a clear, consistent and confident direction for Scotland.
As before, it is the programme of a minority government. We remain, as always, dependent on the support of other parties across this Chamber to secure progress.
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Over the past year and more - indeed since the Parliamentary elections - I believe that we have secured progress. That Scotland is moving forward.
Today we see a stronger Parliament - more keenly focused on advancing the Scottish national interest - and more responsive to the priorities of our people.
That may not be view held universally across this Chamber. But it is the firm view of our people.
The recent Scottish Social Attitudes Survey showed that 71 per cent of people trusted their government to act in Scotland's interests - up from only 51 per cent last year. And just last month, new research found that Scotland reported the third highest level of 'life satisfaction', or happiness, of any nation in Europe.
Therefore, across Scotland we see a more confident nation - a society readying itself to take on much greater responsibility for our own destiny.
Presiding Officer, these are important and positive changes.
And it right to record here the contributions that opposition parties have made - helping to deliver real improvements for Scottish society.
For example, Margo MacDonald has been an effective advocate of the position of Edinburgh as a capital city.
The Green Party have secured progress on public transport and on the Climate Challenge Fund.
The Conservatives are working in partnership with us to ensure effective action on drugs.
The Liberal Party has joined with the Government in the restoration of free education in Scotland.
And we have secured consensus with Labour's leadership candidate, Cathy Jamieson, that the £400 million of Council Tax benefit is Scotland's money.
Indeed, the political ground has shifted significantly in the Labour camp this summer, with all three candidates at last realising that the current system of taxation has to change. So we look forward to Labour's support in abolishing the unfair Council Tax.
CONTENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
Presiding Officer, this government has a single overarching purpose - to increase sustainable growth.
That purpose is supported by our strategic objectives - building a Scotland that is safer and stronger, greener, healthier, smarter, wealthier and fairer.
Presiding Officer, altogether this year's legislative programme comprises fifteen Bills. That includes one Bill - on flood risk management - carried over from last year's proposed programme.
In the course of this statement I will present the new Bills that support our strategic objectives, and key non-legislative measures.
Because advancing these goals lies behind all of our actions in government. Not just the legislation we pass.
Presiding Officer, we will continue to focus on growing Scotland's economy, because that will bring greater prosperity to families and communities across Scotland and allow us to invest more to create the rich society Scotland can be.
That is our social democratic contract with the people of this nation.
A WEALTHIER AND FAIRER SCOTLAND
Presiding Officer, we seek to build a nation that is wealthier and fairer.
Currently, the most powerful lever that any Scottish Government can use is the Scottish Budget.
However that budget is fixed, and the Scottish Government has no ability to borrow and very limited discretion on taxation. Thus, if we spend more in one area, the consequence is lower spending elsewhere.
This is a particular frustration at a time when it seems glaringly obvious that the economy requires a substantial fiscal stimulus, a reflation, to boost demand and confidence.
That is why our higher ambitions for Scotland - and those of our people - should be matched by greater responsibility for economic policy.
As a government we are determined use the economic levers we do have, to maximise Scottish resilience in this time of global economic challenge.
This year's Budget Bill will seek parliamentary approval for our spending plans for 2009-10.
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It will include fast-tracked investment designed to encourage and support key areas of Scotland's economy.
Full implementation of the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Record investment in our transport infrastructure. And increased resources to local government as part of the historic Concordat.
And Presiding Officer, in line with our commitment to a fairer Scotland, this year we will also introduce the Council Tax Abolition Bill.
This government is committed to replacing the regressive, unfair council tax with a fair system of local taxation, based on the ability to pay.
This change will help to lift thousands of Scots out of poverty. And, by delivering a net tax cut of £281 million, it will provide a vital financial boost to low and middle-income households across the country as the biggest tax cut in a generation. Eight out of ten Scottish families will be better off.
Presiding Officer, abolition of council tax will lift 85,000 individuals from poverty. And it will save the average Scottish family between £350 and £535 per year.
I have no doubt Scotland will judge harshly any MSP who votes to keep the Council Tax in the face of the overwhelming benefit that would flow to millions of ordinary Scots.
These two Bills on the economy are far from the sum of our intentions.
Because in the face of a global slowdown - spurred by high commodity prices and a credit crunch - this government is acting to uphold the resilience of our economy, and lay the foundations for a strong recovery.
Bringing forward vital investment in affordable housing, and ensuring quick, effective deployment of European structural funds.
Through the Scottish Futures Trust, ensuring that people in Scotland benefit from modern, high quality infrastructure that supports excellent public services.
Postponing a review of developer contributions, to avoid placing new burdens on development in Scotland.
Using the opportunity of the Homecoming 2009 celebrations to deliver the maximum benefit for tourism nationwide.
And taking action to promote energy efficiency and to alleviate the effects of rising energy prices on our businesses and households.
A GREENER SCOTLAND
Presiding Officer, I have noted many times - in this Chamber and outside it - that others see Scotland as a country on the move. That we are recognised as Europe's place of the future.
This country has huge economic potential. And the key to fulfilling that - and to generating truly sustainable growth - is harnessing Scotland's stock of natural capital.
That is why, Presiding Officer, this year's legislative programme proposes three Bills - on climate change, on the marine environment, and on flood risk management - that seek to build a platform of sustainability for the future Scottish economy.
There is no dispute in this Chamber that climate change is the one of the most serious threats we face. Urgent action is needed to cut emissions which cause climate change.
And we know - from the Stern Report and other studies - that the cost of inaction will ultimately far outweigh the cost of taking the necessary steps to stabilise our climate.
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The Scottish Climate Change Bill will introduce a target to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050 - and a statutory framework to support its delivery.
This goal not only substantially exceeds the UK Government's 60% target. It goes further still - placing Scotland at the forefront of global action on climate change.
I referred just a moment ago to our stock of natural capital.
Annually, Scotland's seas generate at least £2.2 billion of marine industry - excluding oil and gas - and support approximately 50,000 jobs.
Our seas are also home to 40,000 marine species, including 6,500 animal and plant species
There are many competing demands on Scotland's marine and coastal environment - demands from the energy sector, shipping, fisheries, tourism and conservation.
So in addition to simplifying existing marine legislation, our proposed Marine Bill aims to balance the long-term viability and growth of all these industries with enhanced protection of our special marine environment.
Separately, Presiding Officer, we are conscious of the increased danger of a major flooding event in Scotland.
In February we opened a wide consultation on flood management. That was a valuable exercise, gathering wide endorsement for our proposals.
And I am pleased to announce that in the coming year we will publish the Flood Risk Management Bill.
That Bill is necessary to transpose the European Community Floods Directive. It will help to strengthen coordination and cooperation. And it will create a single enforcement authority for the safe operation of Scotland's reservoirs.
Overall, this Bill will help to establish a sustainable, risk-based approach to flood risk management.
Each of these Bills will help safeguard the environment. And, just as important, they show our commitment to harnessing our economic potential - Scotland's natural capital - to promote sustainable economic growth for this and future generations.
A SAFER AND STRONGER SCOTLAND
Presiding Officer, over the past year we have made significant progress towards making Scotland safer and stronger.
We are working with police forces to ensure that by 2011, there will be an additional 1,000 police officers recruited to police our communities.
And last year, as we promised, 150 officers were recruited and paid for by the Scottish Government - and are already working in Scotland's communities.
That seemed to come as a disappointment to some of those in this Chamber whose manifesto contained no commitment whatsoever on police numbers.
This year this government is directly funding recruitment of another 450 officers, over and above forces' previous plans. And as of June this year, we have a record number of 16,339 police officers on our streets, keeping Scotland safe. And we will achieve even more - with three new bills to improve Scotland's justice system.
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The Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill will ensure that prison remains the correct disposal for serious and violent offenders.
It will ensure that serious and violent offenders are dealt with firmly and effectively in prison.
Building on the recommendations of the Prisons Commission, it will reform community punishments available to the courts.
The Bill will also reform the criminal law and criminal court procedures. Consolidated by the creation of a Sentencing Council - it will ensure public confidence in sentencing decisions.
As members know, we are consulting on a wide range of measures to change Scotland's relationship with alcohol.
The consultation, which ends later this month, outlines proposals in several key areas. To prohibit off-sales to under 21s. To set a minimum price for alcoholic drinks. And to introduce a social responsibility fee.
We will reflect on the results of that consultation and use this Bill to bring effect those proposals which require primary legislation.
We will also introduce a Legal Profession Bill. This will be the first significant reform of the legal profession since 1980, and will introduce alternative business structures to the legal profession while maintaining the profession's independence and strength.
The Arbitration Bill will modernise arbitration law in Scotland - something which has been under consideration for at least 20 years.
By ensuring that Scotland has codified arbitration rules in statute, the arbitration procedure will become more accessible and user friendly - benefiting individuals and businesses in Scotland who wish to settle disputes outwith the court system.
A HEALTHIER SCOTLAND
Presiding Officer, this government is committed to improve the health and wellbeing of this country.
We can point to good progress in the quality of our health care and in major indications of health outcomes.
Scotland's National Health Service continues to drive down waiting times - last week announcing an all-time low in waiting at accident and emergency departments.
This week we have ensured that Scotland becomes the first part of the UK to introduce vaccinations for cervical cancer. By next year every girl under 18 in Scotland will have received the vaccine.
This is major progress in public health which I know will be supported across the Chamber.
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And - in addition to working to abolish prescription charges - we have also scrapped charges for car parking in NHS hospitals across Scotland. Removing these taxes on the sick, and those who care for them. However, unfortunately scrapping car parking charges on PFI hospitals is not within our power - something which at least one of the candidates for Labour leadership will care to reflect upon.
Presiding Officer, we are clear about the challenges ahead in improving Scotland's health.
Our Health Inequalities Task Force, which reported in June this year, set out an Action Plan to improve health outcomes across Scotland.
We have made clear that we regard this as a moral imperative. And a mission which will bring far wider benefits to our society and the Scottish economy.
In the coming year we will introduce a Health Bill. One objective of the Bill will be to help ensure that the future of GP services in Scotland remains within the NHS family and firmly rooted in the traditions of general practice.
And the Health Bill will take aim at the problems caused by tobacco - a major factor in health inequality in Scotland and a major cause of the 'big three' killers: cancer, coronary heart disease and strokes.
So our Health Bill will control availability and promotion of tobacco. Introduce a tobacco sales registration scheme. And restrict display of tobacco products in shops.
These reforms will be supported by new resources at the front line. The Scottish Government will commit an additional £9 million over the next three years to support local government and the National Health Services deliver measures in the smoking prevention action plan.
A SMARTER SCOTLAND
Let me turn to the measures we are introducing in education and for our young people.
We know the fundamental importance of a good start in life, and a good Scottish education. The Early Years Framework, developed together with COSLA, is an important step.
Through a close partnership between local government, our health service and the Scottish Government, we can help to give our children the best start.
I am pleased to say that local government is also firmly behind the proposals in our Children's Hearings Bill.
The Bill will modernise and strengthen the Children's Hearings System, bringing 33 separate organisations under one new national body.
Children's rights will continue to be properly upheld within the system. And it will be a more integrated and effective system, providing consistently good support to volunteers and professionals - and ultimately leading to better outcomes for children and families.
Presiding Officer, around 1,000 schools across Scotland are classified as rural schools. That represents 41% of our primaries and 23% of secondaries.
Since 1999, more than 50 rural schools have been closed.
During that time, three have been kept open by Ministers - all decisions made by this government.
The trend of rural schools closures causes us concern. And it can mean real hardship for children and parents in rural areas.
Our Rural Schools Bill will introduce a presumption against their closure.
And because we recognise that any school closure can be emotive, the Bill will improve the consultation process for all proposed closures.
Presiding Officer, we will also introduce amending legislation through the Additional Support for Learning (Amendment) Bill.
The Bill will maintain the foundations of the 2004 Act. But it will also enable parents and young people to make out of area placing requests. Following an unsuccessful request, it will allow access to mediation and dispute resolution services. And expand parents' and young people's rights of access to Additional Support Needs Tribunals.
STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE IN SCOTLAND
Finally, Presiding Officer, let me outline three new Bills concerning the governance of Scotland.
Our aim to introduce a Referendum Bill on Scottish independence is widely known.
So I am delighted to reaffirm for this Chamber our intention to introduce that Bill in 2010 - in line with our manifesto commitment.
I have lost track of the position of the three candidates for the Labour leadership. Though I did notice it was one of the first matters addressed by Tavish Scott, following his elevation to leader of the Liberal Democrats.
We will continue to work to improve the governance of Scotland, through legislative and non-legislative means. The historic Concordat with local government is just one such step.
The Public Services Reform Bill will introduce further substantive improvements in Scottish governance. The Bill will help to achieve this government's commitment to reduce the number of Scottish public bodies by 25 per cent by 2011.
The Bill will also enact proposals from Professor Crerar to reform the scrutiny landscape in Scotland. It will set the framework to reduce the number of scrutiny bodies by 25per cent. And it will simplify scrutiny and complaints handling of public services.
Furthermore, Presiding Officer, we in this Chamber know that the legislative process - like the creative process itself - is not always straightforward.
But I can inform colleagues that our Public Services Reform Bill will also give legal status to Creative Scotland, subject of course to Parliamentary will.
The development of the Legislative Reform Bill is a good example of Government and Parliament working together.
It will take forward recommendations made by the Subordinate Legislation Committee.
And it will mean that some important matters, such as the scrutiny of secondary legislation, will finally be covered by Scottish Parliamentary legislation - rather than transitional orders made under the Scotland Act.
Lastly, Presiding Officer, we will introduce the Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections Bill.
Regrettably, with this Bill we cannot assume responsibility for Scottish Parliamentary elections from London. But we will enact Ron Gould's recommendation to separate the timing of Scottish parliamentary and local government elections - by extending the current and next council terms of office by one year.
The Bill will allow access to voting data at polling station level - helping to increase confidence in the overall result.
And we will consult on other recommendations made by Gould - notably the creation of a Chief Returning Officer for Scotland, as we strive to increase public confidence in the electoral process.
CONCLUSION
Presiding Officer, that concludes the presentation of this year's legislative programme. It is a programme which shows that this Scottish Government is committed to act on behalf of the whole of Scottish society.
Which shows that today Scotland may face challenges - but we are responding to them. And as a society, as a nation, we will overcome them.
And we will build a sound platform for long-term sustainable economic growth. A future in which all can benefit and secure their potential.
There should be no limits to our ambitions for this nation. Just as there should be no limit to what we can contribute globally - if we take on the mantle of leadership and responsibility, and work in favour of the common weal.
This legislative programme is an important step towards building that strong and purposeful Scottish society.
And - on climate change and on the environment - it will propel us into a new leadership role, but one in which we can be comfortable.
So let me invite colleagues across this Chamber to continue to work constructively with us. To help implement this programme. And to move Scotland forward.
View details of the Legislative Programme