Live webchat with Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond, Tues 15 Feb, 1-2pm

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond is our guest for a live webchat on Tues 15 Feb.

Mr Salmond, who is MSP for Gordon, was first elected as MP for Banff and Buchan in 1987, and went on to become leader of the SNP in 2004 and an MSP in May 2007. He stood down as a Westminster MP in the last General Election to concentrate on his role as first minister.

His minority government has just got its final budget before the Scottish elections through the Scottish parliament, after striking a deal with the Lib Dems to boost student funding.

When he's not working, Mr Salmond enjoys horse racing, football, golf and reading.

We're very pleased to welcome him to Mumsnet. Please come and put your questions or, if you can't join him on Tues lunchtime at 1pm, post your question on this thread, as per usual.

Thanks
MNHQ

send him a link to your blog, otter.

la la la la

Well, that is a shed load of people who will not be voting Nationalist.

One of my favourite songs, love it!

Thanks to Mr Salmond for coming on. Thanks to everyone who took part, too. Going to be posting some more answers shortly that he'd prepared earlier.

Oh, yes - I guess it's always fair to wait a bit (easy to say now mine got answered) but sometimes they do post answers later - pre-prepared or later thoughts, etc.

@Louii

Hello Mr Salmond,
I wonder if you can tell me what the SNP government has done to protect hard working families in Scotland?

Louii, I am delighted and proud that we as a Government are helping families by freezing the Council Tax for the fourth successive year and by abolishing prescription charges. These are SNP policies that are making a real difference to family budgets in challenging times and in the face of the most extraordinary Westminster cuts. And those cuts mean that we in Scotland are faced with a choice.

We know what the future holds if we stay in our present circumstances with the big economic decisions dictated by London. We would face a generation and more of continued cutbacks in our public services.

But there is an alternative, there is another option, and that's why there is a decision to be made. That option is to gain economic independence and control which will enable us to mobilise the great resources of Scotland, apply them to the human resources of the people of Scotland, and generate growth and wealth in our own economy.

That's the decision we will have in 2011. We can either have a better future for our country, or we can have a generation of fighting against London control and years of cuts.

@Beveridge

How will the SNP support the implementation of the new Curriculum for Excellence with one of the most vital elements it needs (e.g cold, hard cash) in the current financial climate?

And will teaching pay and conditions as per the McCrone agreement be protected to ensure there is no disruption to the education of Scottish children in the coming years?

Beveridge, all the work being undertaken by Government at this time has to be done against a backdrop of tight budgets.

Education Secretary Michael Russell recently asked Professor Gerry McCormac to conduct a review ten years on from the McCrone inquiry. The McCormac Review will examine a range of issues related to teacher employment, including whether the agreement is delivering all benefits that were intended for both teachers and pupils, and is tied to the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence.

@JollySergeantJackrum

Mr Salmond, thank you for agreeing to come and chat with us.

Your party's main policy is independence for Scotland. Can you please explain why you believe Scotland should be independent? Wouldn't we all be worse off?

Let me just say that you couldn't be more wrong - Scotland would be much better off as an independent nation. Independence is the natural state of being for most countries around the globe.

But on top of that Scotland has some fantastic advantages which we could only fully capitalise on as an independent nation. We have known about our North Sea oil wealth for many years - but on top of that Scotland is poised to become the green energy powerhouse of Europe, with a huge share of the continents's wind, wave and tidal power. That is set to create many thousands of jobs in the coming years - but we need the full financial powers of an independent country to really make the most of that.

In any case, the most recent figures prove that Scotland more than pays its own way at the moment as part of the UK.

Good chat all told

GeraldineMumsnet and co. Don't know if it's the format of the forum but this has been much easier to follow than others I have been on. (Even if I have to F5 to refresh all the time!). Even ones that get heated (like the Grant Shaps one) are at least reasonalby easy to follow and read.

The Guarndian one last week with Maria Miller was a nightmare......

Also other ones seem to close the thread too. It is nice to be able to have a post party chat.

Maybe it's the offering of biscuits that does it....

@RRocks

Mr Salmond,

Can you please explain the effect on Scottish universities of the UK government's changes to the funding of universities in England, and how the Scottish government intends to deal with that?

RRocks, It's no secret there are big challenges facing higher education. The solutions, however, are complex, further complicated by the fact that Scotland does not have full power of its own finances and the £1.3 billion cut to next year's budget.

To find a "uniquely Scottish" solution, we have published a Green Paper to encourage a debate involving government, universities and students about how higher education will be paid for in future.

No decisions will be made until all those who have an interest have offered their views. But be sure, there will be one measure ruled out ? tuition fees.

One of the decisions we have taken as a Government these last 4 years which I am most proud of is the restoration of the historic Scottish principle of free education, when we scrapped the so-called "graduate endowment" brought in by the previous Labour-Lib Dem administration.

@doricpatter

Re the trams, I realise that the SNP were always against it. But I wonder (probably quite naively) why we can't pull the plug on the whole thing? I'm fairly sure that general public feeling would be in favour of walking away from what's turning into a grotesque waste of public funds, not to mention the disruption caused thus far.

Also, on transport, is Mr Salmond aware of the current shenanigans at Moy? £2.6 million wasted on creating a breathtakingly dangerous section of road. It has to be seen to be believed - the overtaking lane is so short it's pointless, and I firmly believe that the "design improvements" we've been promised (read: more paint on the road) will do nothing to improve safety. How Transport Scotland can be allowed to create yet another blackspot on an already frighteningly dangerous route is beyond belief - any lay person can identify the inherent problems with the layout yet presumably some highly paid road planner came up with this? Surely someone should be held to account for wasting vital funds like this - spending money on overtaking lanes is wasteful anyway, given we've been repeatedly promised full dualling in the future.

I could start on about the classroom assistants scandal, and I'd love to get into the fuel regulator discussion (because we evidently can't rely on that obsequious ginger rodent for support), but I'll stop now. I'm a big fan - keep up the good work

Doricpatter, I would have to say that safety on Scotland's roads is of paramount importance. The A9 Moy scheme met all the requirements of the relevant design standard and was subject to a full Road Safety Audit.

The A9 is the longest trunk road in Scotland, and the SNP Government is committed to pressing ahead with many of the key improvements that have been long overdue.

@DanJARMouse

Hello!

Can you please advise why anything north of Inverness gets forgotten about?!

Transport links especially are beyond atrocious, and now there is reviews left right and centre for taknig away classroom assistants (small victory this week!) and merging schools (am in Thurso btw)

The state of our roads are appalling, the priority of gritting and ploughing in bad weather is all to pot and to be honest, its all going a bit pete tong here!

Come on Mr Salmond, why exactly should I vote for you on 5th May?!

DanJARmouse, I can assure you the SNP Government is one for all the airts and pairts of Scotland, and that very much includes the North of Scotland.

As someone who has represented the North-east of Scotland for many years, I totally understand the need to ensure communities in more remote parts of the country get their fare share. The North of Scotland has benefited, like the rest of the country, from the policies like the council tax freeze and scrapping prescription charges.

But in addition, we have pursued policies like the road equivalent tariff scheme which has radically slashed fares on many island ferry schemes, helping some of our most remote and vulnerable communities. In addition, we have just seen the establishment of the University of the Highlands and Islands as a fully fledged university - something which has been an ambition for many years but has been brought to fruition under this SNP Government.

@Louii

I also thought it was somewhat petty that the labour party in Scotland would not vote for the SNP policy for the introduction of a minimum pricing for alcohol, yet what are they agreeing with at Westminster, hmmmm!

That was certainly a black day for Scotland, Louii. Labour, Tory and Liberal MSPs in the Scottish Parliament should be hanging their heads in shame. The voting down of the minimum pricing bill was based on petty political advantage and was at the expense of the physical and mental health of thousands of Scots.

Scotland has a major public health problem when it comes to alcohol, and doing nothing is simply not an option - and you are right to point out the total hypocrisy of Scottish Labour on this issue, as with so many others recently.

@LisMcA

Hello Mr Salmond,

Firstly I think its great that you are taking the time to joins us here on Mumsnet.

I would like to know your opinions on the Westminster proposal for the NHS budgets, for England and Wales, being managed by GPs? Is this a route you can see the Scottish Government taking?

Also, with the consideration of moving to a National Police force for the whole of Scotland, what do you see happening to the individual forces administration centres (Non-Emergency contact centres being one)? Will these be consolodated and relocated to a central location or should local knowledge remain local?

LisMcA, let me reassure you that frontline services are of the utmost importance to this administration. We have no plans to mirror the plans being proposed in England. In Scotland, our emphasis is on building a health service which is publicly run and publicly accountable and which has quality at its heart.

It is important to note that no decisions have been taken on the future structure of Scotland's police forces. But the main thing, as I have said already, is that we are committed to bobbies, not boundaries.

The SNP has already delivered more than 1,000 extra police on the streets of Scotland - an all-time record number - and that has helped crime fall to a 32-year low. We are totally committed to maintaining current police officer numbers. And at the same time we have now launched a consultation that has put forward three options for reform: greater collaboration between the existing forces; a regional model with fewer forces; and a single national force. We believe this process offers real opportunities for Scottish communities, because we want to give power of policing to the very people who know their neighbourhoods.

@IHeartLeith

Hello. Thanks for taking the time to answer some of these questions. I'd like to ask how you intend to vote on the SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville's motion for a ban on large scale biomass plants in residential areas?

As a resident of Leith I am very concerned about the proposal for a biomass plant in our area; in particular about the effect on the already poor air quality and the inevitable traffic increase.

Thanks in anticipation.

IHeartLeith ? A great name but could be even better if it was IHeartHearts! There are currently three applications for biomass plants with Ministers for decision and we will be considering them in the normal manner, following full consultation and consideration of all representations. We intend to review future support for biomass, including consultation on future support for biomass electricity under the Renewables Obligation, this year.

I recognise that there are pockets of poor air quality in Edinburgh, as in a number of other Scottish cities and towns and the Scottish Government is working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, Transport Scotland, SEPA and others to ensure that we do everything possible to improve air quality in these areas.

@pointydog

You should increase council tax. Many people can't bear to see all these cuts to public services.

PointyDog and KeepCalmAndCarryOnMNing ? We have placed at the heart of the budget a social contract with the people of Scotland which protects jobs by bearing down on public sector pay, with a pay freeze for those earning over £21,000.

In return the Government will protect household budgets by providing the resources to end prescription charges and for a freeze in the council tax for a fourth year in succession - that's a huge help to family budgets, especially at a time when others bills are rising, partly due to the Westminster VAT hike.

@geordieminx

Hello Mr Salmond

Due to the bad weather that we have suffered over the past few months the road are now in a terrible state, with huge pot holes on major roads.

The council (South/North Lan) doesn't appear to have made any effort to start and repair them...I presume due to a lack of funds... Is there going to be more money made available or is there an action plan in place to start and repair the roads before they get even worse?

GeordieMinx, after the winter we have had ? or are still having ? it?s no wonder our roads have taken a pounding. However, the Scottish Government has made an additional £15m available to deal with urgent repairs on local roads and cover the extra costs of winter roads maintenance from this recent severe weather.

This is in addition to the extra £5 million made available last year for councils - on top of the almost £12 billion in funding for local authorities. The settlement also matched the commitment to maintain local government share of the Scottish budget to help councils to meet priorities such as maintaining roads.

And it's worth remembering that operating companies are contractually obliged to repair potholes and other defects within defined timescales.

@sammac

Hello Mr Salmond
I know you are very busy and thanks for taking the time to do this.

As a teacher, I am interested to know why the SNP have failed to keep their promises regarding class sizes?

There is currently a high level of unemployment amongst post-probationer teachers, yet they continue to be churned out of universities to swell these numbers. Surely there is some method of harnessing these skills to redress the class size issue and improve the Scottish education system by allowing CfE to be fully implemented in the most professional manner?

Thank you and what is your preferred biscuit?

Sammac, this Government is working hard to tackle the issue of teacher employment and there are signs we?re now turning the corner. For example, the number of Scottish teachers claiming Job Seekers Allowance is falling and Scotland has the lowest claimant number in the United Kingdom.

However we know more needs to be done and that's why the budget agreement with Scotland's councils includes a commitment to a real reduction in teacher unemployment as well guaranteeing a probationer place for every newly-qualified teacher in August 2011, and sufficient posts for all those finishing their probation in summer 2011 to apply for.

Class sizes in primary education in Scotland are now at a record low, with almost 22 per cent of P1 to P3 pupils now in classes of 18 or fewer.

@Whyriskit

Hello Mr Salmond,

I would like to ask if the redevelopment of the Waverley Line from Edinburgh to the Borders is definitely going to go ahead?
Thanks.

Whyriskit, the Waverley Line development is certainly going ahead. The Borders Railway is on track to open in 2014 and will re-establish passenger railway services from Edinburgh through Midlothian to the Scottish Borders for the first time in over 40 years.

The railway will deliver major economic and social development opportunities, connecting people to jobs, housing (including affordable housing) and leisure opportunities and facilities.

The project is a key part of the Scottish Government's wider programme of investment in transport infrastructure working towards the sustainable economic growth of Scotland.

@abdnhiker

Hi can I just add my voice that we'd be willing to see inflationary raises in our council tax too if needed. Maybe just in bands d and above or E and above to protect those on lower incomes. Also free prescriptions aren't a priority for us if it could mean money for classroom assistants or services for the disabled etc. Guess basically I'm saying we'd manage to pay a bit more if others need it more (my husband had a ten percent paycut due to the recession but we managed - I know we're relatively fortunate). But I'm not in favour of spending more than we have so I support the budget cuts in principle and hope that Scotland will do the right thing in protecting the most vulnerable rather than playing politics like what seems to be happening in England.

These are certainly challenging times for all of us, Abdnhiker, but I know you appreciate that it may be tougher for others than for ourselves. That is why in Scotland we are doing everything in our means to protect frontline services.

And when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable, the SNP Government is absolutely committed to doing the right thing - that's why we have pledged to protect key policies like free personal care for the elderly.

That's all, folks. Off for and a few and to stock up on Tunnocks wafers.

Oh . My question was higlighted in orange on the previous page, but there was no answer to it. Technical glitch?

venusandmars Yes, that was a technical error. Really sorry about that.