Chamber
Plenary, 27 Mar 2003
27 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Great Northern Partnership
Brian Adam has outlined the SNP's position. My point is that organisations such as the GNP cannot even get access to the funding that is currently available for tackling deprivation. The successors to social inclusion partnerships will have the same problem unless we change the fundamental issues that prevent deprivation in Aberdeen from being tackled.
Elaine Thomson also mentioned the drugs problem in the GNP areas. There is a massive drugs problem in Aberdeen, yet we get the second lowest level of funding in the whole of Scotland because of the perceived wealth of the area. Today's press tells of people who have committed crimes so that they can go to jail and get treatment for drug abuse because they cannot get it by any other means. It all comes back to the same issue of the funding formulas denying cash to the projects that are trying to tackle deprivation and deal with massive social problems in areas of Aberdeen.
It is important that we have some clear measurement of the success or otherwise of the initiatives that are trying to tackle deprivation in Scotland. Where exactly are we after four years of the new Parliament? Do we know if we have moved forward or if Aberdeen is relatively better or worse off under the Executive's policies? I argue that we have not moved forward under the first four years of the Scottish Parliament.
I also argue that we have to get real powers so that the Parliament can make a real difference in tackling deprivation in Aberdeen and elsewhere and that we need a change of Government because we have had four years of wasted opportunities to tackle deprivation. Scotland has not moved forward. We know that the overall statistics show that poverty is increasing. We have to have a change in the Government and we need more powers for the Parliament so that we can change Aberdeen and elsewhere for the better.
Elaine Thomson also mentioned the drugs problem in the GNP areas. There is a massive drugs problem in Aberdeen, yet we get the second lowest level of funding in the whole of Scotland because of the perceived wealth of the area. Today's press tells of people who have committed crimes so that they can go to jail and get treatment for drug abuse because they cannot get it by any other means. It all comes back to the same issue of the funding formulas denying cash to the projects that are trying to tackle deprivation and deal with massive social problems in areas of Aberdeen.
It is important that we have some clear measurement of the success or otherwise of the initiatives that are trying to tackle deprivation in Scotland. Where exactly are we after four years of the new Parliament? Do we know if we have moved forward or if Aberdeen is relatively better or worse off under the Executive's policies? I argue that we have not moved forward under the first four years of the Scottish Parliament.
I also argue that we have to get real powers so that the Parliament can make a real difference in tackling deprivation in Aberdeen and elsewhere and that we need a change of Government because we have had four years of wasted opportunities to tackle deprivation. Scotland has not moved forward. We know that the overall statistics show that poverty is increasing. We have to have a change in the Government and we need more powers for the Parliament so that we can change Aberdeen and elsewhere for the better.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
Our final item of business this morning is the members' business debate on motion S1M-4020, in the name of Elaine Thomson, on the Great Northern Partnership ...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament commends the work done by the Great Northern Partnership (GNP) in Aberdeen; notes that the GNP plays an important role in improving quali...
Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab):
Lab
I am pleased to introduce the debate today, which is almost our last debate.The Great Northern Partnership is one of 48 social inclusion partnerships that we...
Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I lodged an amendment to the motion and I am delighted that, in her speech, Elaine Thomson referred to the role of the community representatives within the G...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Please move to a close.
Brian Adam:
SNP
I am just about to do so, Presiding Officer.Rather than duplicate the administrative functions of other public and voluntary sector agencies, we could better...
Mr Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the motion and I congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing a debate on SIPs as the first session of our Scottish Parliament draws to a close. It is d...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
What a joy it is to follow Tom McCabe's positive contribution. However, it is a pleasure to speak in today's debate. The first members' business debate in th...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
The member seems to be making an argument for refining social inclusion partnership funding, yet the SNP's policy is to abolish such partnerships. Which is t...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Brian Adam has outlined the SNP's position. My point is that organisations such as the GNP cannot even get access to the funding that is currently available ...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
I am happy to congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing the debate. I think that I replied to the first members' business debate in the Parliament so it is pro...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I will when I get into my discussion.Many communities in my constituency in Edinburgh, which is one of the most prosperous cities in the United Kingdom, expe...
Brian Adam:
SNP
We probably agree on the analysis of the source of the problem but we disagree about the solution. Will Sarah Boyack comment on the proportion of the funding...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I think Brian Adam misunderstands the purpose of SIPs and the way in which they operate. I have yet to be lobbied on that issue, although voluntary organisat...
The Deputy Minister for Social Justice (Des McNulty):
Lab
One of the number of points that Brian Adam got wrong in his speech was his claim that this is the last debate. I understand that there will be a further deb...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Modesty prevents me from commenting on that.
Des McNulty:
Lab
I begin by pointing out that this is the final members' business debate. I know that the Presiding Officer and Tom McCabe were very much involved in setting ...
Brian Adam:
SNP
I readily acknowledge that that is the intention. In as much as success has been achieved, the SIP programme has been a success. However, will the minister d...
Des McNulty:
Lab
I will deal later with that issue, which is important in considering the transition that lies ahead as SIPs move towards community planning.It is important t...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Des McNulty:
Lab
I will finish my point.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Technically, the minister is in his last minute.
Des McNulty:
Lab
We are progressing links so that the experience and skills that have been gained through the way in which the SIP has worked can be shared. We want to develo...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I close the last members' business debate of this Parliament.
Meeting suspended until 14:30.
On resuming—