Meeting of the Parliament 01 March 2016
I accept that, but I will make two points. First, the report makes it clear that the Scottish Government pays the Office for National Statistics to do additional work to provide more detail at the Scottish level, so the capacity is there to improve the statistics that we have. Secondly, caution needs to be applied when political points are made on the basis of the statistics because, as the report says, they do not always bear examination.
It is fair to acknowledge the work that the cabinet secretary and her colleagues have done to increase fair work, particularly through the fair work convention. I will also say what the cabinet secretary ran out of time to say: there is no doubt that the chances of work being fair and of high quality are increased in the sectors that have good trade union organisation and recognition from employers. It is therefore extremely welcome that one of the final recommendations in the committee’s report—although this is not quite how it is put—is that the Scottish Parliament should continue its opposition to the new trade union legislation. Whether we do that by changing Scottish Parliament standing orders or by addressing the human rights issues with the implementation of the legislation in Scotland and by the Scottish Government, what is done will be central to the degree to which we can promote fair work in Scotland.
14:45