Jamie Halcro Johnston: I welcome the minister to his new position. The move by HIAL to introduce parking charges was at least financially motivated. Today, we have seen Loganair, the main operator serving the islands, announce significant losses. Both organisations will be looking for certainty about the Government’s future approach to island aviation and road equivalent tariff on ferry fares, which will...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I join other members in welcoming the Social Enterprise World Forum, which is back in Edinburgh after ten years. This week’s forum will be a truly collaborative event, with a range of sponsors from the world of business and enterprise as well as local organisations such as the University of Edinburgh. It is also positive to see the support from the partner organisations—the British...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I certainly agree with the minister on that. I hope that both she and Jamie Hepburn will help to spread some of the lessons on good practice that they have learned from places such as Shetland. In addition, other social enterprises in my region act to preserve local heritage and boost their local area by providing visitor attractions. In 2004, when I was a young candidate just starting out in...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I apologise to the minister and to my colleague Dean Lockhart for leaving the chamber briefly during their speeches. I join previous speakers in expressing my gratitude to my fellow committee members, as well as the clerking team, for all their support during our inquiry. I thank the organisations that came to the Parliament to give evidence and the organisations and individuals who submitted...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: They can fight it out between themselves. Mike Rumbles talked about his experiences, and Colin Smyth also highlighted the issues of both digital and physical connectivity and how important they are. Alasdair Allan talked about the difficulties with access to banking in island communities. Again, I am aware of that issue, which is extremely important. Overall, the debate has been constructive...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the reported increase in incidents of antisocial behaviour. (S5O-02373)
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I welcome it where antisocial behaviour has reduced but, according to Police Scotland management information figures, antisocial behaviour has increased significantly in parts of my region—in Moray, by 25 per cent in a single year. With pressure on local authority budgets across Scotland, we have seen the number of community wardens cut in many council areas. Will the minister confirm...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests. I congratulate my fellow Orcadian Liam McArthur on securing today’s members’ business debate on a subject that is of such importance to our islands and to my wider Highlands and Islands region. We have heard a number of interesting and thoughtful contributions, and members have given details of projects that are taking...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I, too, welcome the minister to his new position. It is important that courses are linked to the needs of industry and the wider labour market. Is any assessment made of whether college leavers enter employment that is relevant to their qualifications and for how long do such assessments continue after leavers have entered the workplace?
Jamie Halcro Johnston: There have been some positive contributions from members on all sides of the chamber and some good discussions about the feedback from the first steps of the co-design process. However, I would like to reflect not simply on the intentions of the charter, but on what can be done to make it useful. The Scottish Government noted last year that a charter was a popular idea; the same was true of...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: For decades, Scotland has provided a spectacular backdrop for the screen sector and its reach has spanned the globe. We have punched above our weight internationally, while films and television have grown to form a major part of our domestic culture. The screen sector has also supported other parts of our wider cultural offering. Scottish literature has often reached further, finding wider...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what action the health secretary is taking to support those most vulnerable to the effects of winter weather. (S5O-02460)
Jamie Halcro Johnston: Recently released figures show that last winter saw the highest recorded increase in winter deaths in Scotland in 18 years. It is only October, but across Scotland we have already heard of a shortage of flu vaccines in many pharmacies. In my region, many older people in Orkney and Shetland are already struggling to keep their homes warm because of high rates of fuel poverty. In Moray, my...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I am grateful to have the opportunity today to raise an issue that is of importance to every home and business in Scotland. Virtually all premises across the length and breadth of the country, whether on or off-grid, have some form of electrical installation. It is ultimately that body of consumers that I ask members to consider today. First, I extend my thanks to all members from across all...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I certainly agree. As shown in the motion, many more conversations need to be had to make sure that all such areas are encompassed in any legislation that is introduced. As the greatest prevalence of poor and unsafe work is found in the domestic market—in people’s homes—there are other challenges. For most people, commissioning electrical work is not a frequent exercise. We know that...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I am grateful that the minister was ahead of me on that. Does he support the principle of protection of title in this case?
Jamie Halcro Johnston: Will the member take an intervention?
Jamie Halcro Johnston: The minister has made a rod for his own back. Obviously, both Neil Findlay and I have lodged motions on the matter, but the minister and his predecessor in the role have had representations about it from industry bodies. It is not just a question of what MSPs have been doing; there has been contact about the matter from representatives of the industry for a long time.
Jamie Halcro Johnston: I, too, welcome Kate Forbes to her new role as a minister. Speaking as a highlander, it is good to have somebody in that role who will have shared the many frustrations that a lot of us in the Highlands and Islands will have felt when using the internet. As we have heard, digital connectivity touches the lives of an increasing number of Scots in an ever-increasing number of ways. I welcome...
Jamie Halcro Johnston: As an Orcadian with farming interests in Orkney, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important subject. Around Scotland, a range of problems face people who rely on our ferry services. The ferry routes are often essential links to our island communities, with few, if any, alternatives for travel or freight. They are a lifeline for people who seek access to public services to operate...