Mike MacKenzie: Does the member accept that the rent capping that is being proposed could take place only after an investigation to prove that there was in fact a significant problem with rent rises? If rents were not rising to an absurd extent, no such cap would be imposed.
Mike MacKenzie: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the United Kingdom Government’s decision to rule out a return to the post-study work visa. (S4O-05275)
Mike MacKenzie: Given that the call for a return of the visa has been backed by businesses, colleges and universities and—as the minister just mentioned—has cross-party support in this Parliament, what discussions were held with Scottish stakeholders on the UK Government’s decision?
Mike MacKenzie: Does the member accept that this Government was the first to show the political leadership necessary to end right to buy, which the previous Administration failed to do? Does he welcome that political leadership?
Mike MacKenzie: I am sure that we would all love to devote more resources to many things. Can Mr Chisholm say where he intends to get the funding to pay for those things and what other services he would cut in order to provide them?
Mike MacKenzie: Will the member give way?
Mike MacKenzie: It is difficult to disagree with the principle of Labour’s motion. Like the cabinet secretary, I agree with most but not all of what Alex Rowley articulated in his speech. The SNP Government has done much to tackle poverty and of course we must do more. Inequality, and the consequent poverty, is a scourge in our society and I can only lament the fact that inequality increased rather than...
Mike MacKenzie: I thank the member for making that point. I am for the principle of universalism wherever it can be reasonably applied. It is well established that restricting services to the poorest has the effect of reducing the quality of those services and creating poor services for poor people. The Labour Party once proudly stood up for the principle of universalism. Generations of Labour supporters...
Mike MacKenzie: If it is brief.
Mike MacKenzie: It is an unfortunate part of Scotland’s history that we educated generations of young people for whom there were no opportunities in Scotland and they left Scotland. We need to bear it in mind that we need to provide jobs. As other members have said, that is the single most effective thing that we can do to tackle inequality. The multifaceted approach of the Scottish Government is the best...
Mike MacKenzie: Does the member agree that the Tory cuts to renewable energy incentives are extremely damaging because they are interfering with our ability to decarbonise our energy supply, which, more than anything else, will lead to better environmental outcomes?
Mike MacKenzie: Will the member take an intervention?
Mike MacKenzie: Will the member give way?
Mike MacKenzie: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on reopening the Forth road bridge to all vehicles. (S4T-01264)
Mike MacKenzie: What discussions have taken place with the Road Haulage Association?
Mike MacKenzie: Jackson Carlaw has not had the benefit that I had of sitting through the Health and Sport Committee’s scrutiny of the bill. He has therefore expressed a general antipathy towards the notion of the Government or Jim Hume attempting to improve the health of children or trying to prevent detriment to their health. It would be impossible to examine the benefits in any scientifically meaningful...
Mike MacKenzie: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. (S4O-05188)
Mike MacKenzie: Can the minister tell me a bit more about how the new energy efficiency programme for Scotland will build on the home energy efficiency programmes for Scotland in terms of delivery in rural areas?
Mike MacKenzie: 3. To ask the Scottish Government what regular assessment it is making of the operation of the plan to minimise the disruption to journey times since the closure of the Forth road bridge. (S4T-01250)
Mike MacKenzie: Does the minister agree with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Fife Chamber of Commerce that enhancements to the Scottish Government’s travel plan, allowing all light goods vehicles to use the corridor on the A985, will be particularly beneficial to local small businesses, as they will enable journeys to be made in a shorter time and will support the supply chain while the bridge...
