Marie McNair
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“They provide not only advice and support but a voice, ensuring that those affected are heard in this Parliament and beyond. Since my debate last year, we have, sadly, lost two central figures in the fight for truth and justice: David Colraine, a founding member of the Clydebank Asbestos Group; and former MP for Clydebank and Milngavie, To…”
“Mesothelioma is a disease that is rooted in our industrial history, but its impact is still being felt today in Clydebank, across Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom. It reminds us of the human cost of that history and of our responsibility to those who have been affected.”
“Across the United Kingdom, there are around 2,700 new cases each year, including more than 200 in Scotland. However, statistics alone cannot convey the reality of the disease. In my hometown of Clydebank, the issue is deeply personal. Clydebank has paid one of the heaviest prices anywhere in the United Kingdom for asbestos exposure.”
“I say in the strongest terms that knowingly exposing people to a deadly substance without adequate safeguards is not neglect; it is an abhorrent criminal act. The legacy of asbestos is not confined to the past. It continues to affect people across the United Kingdom today.”
“Those are not abstract figures; they represent hundreds of families in one community who have lost loved ones. Clydebank was once described as the mesothelioma capital of Europe.”
“I have campaigned hard on what I have described as the disgraceful three-year time bar, which has denied justice to some victims of asbestos-related disease.”
The complete record
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“It is expected that public bodies will conduct their policies and procedures in line with the legislation that is in place. Further, the Equality Act 2010 includes the public sector equality duty, and there are specific regulations that apply in Scotland to help listed public authorities to meet the public sector equality duty. Its purpose is to make sure that public authorities and organisations that carry out public functions think about how they can improve society and promote equality in every aspect of their day-to-day business. It is unlawful for service providers—public or private—to discriminate against someone based on their protected characteristics. The Scottish Government is also committed to working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.”
“It also takes account of the specific needs of minority ethnic women, and takes an intersectional approach to preventing and responding to the inequalities that some women or young people might experience as a result of their ethnicity, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or immigration status. The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination that happens because of their protected characteristics, including age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. It allows for provision of single- sex spaces and separate-sex services. It is the Scottish Government’s duty to uphold the Equality Act 2010 at all times, and the Government stands firmly behind the exemptions that were provided in that act.”
“I have long campaigned on that, going back to my days as a councillor in West Dunbartonshire, when I chaired the West Dunbartonshire violence against women partnership. I direct members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I support the commitment of all who are involved in the area, including the fantastic Clydebank Women’s Aid, which provides support, information and refuge for women in their time of need. I support policies such as the equally safe strategy, which sets out a vision of “a strong and flourishing Scotland where all individuals are equally safe and protected”. The equally safe strategy prioritises taking a public health approach to ending violence against women and girls, and challenges the notion that violence against women and girls is acceptable.”
“I speak in this debate as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. The Scottish Government is enhancing the equality of outcomes for people and communities across Scotland. Only days ago, we marked international women’s day, and I was pleased to hear directly from the First Minister that the Scottish Government is working to ensure that women and girls have equal rights and opportunities, and equitable access to resources. That work includes delivering the women’s health plan; investing to tackle domestic violence against women, girls and survivors of abuse; supporting women to access fair work; and helping to reduce the gender pay gap. Violence against women and girls in any form has no place in our country.”
“That will come as a great relief to my constituents and pensioners across Scotland. That is further proof that the SNP will prioritise and protect those who are in need. While the Labour Party pushes families into poverty, the SNP will protect them. I call on the Labour MSPs in the chamber today to call on the UK Government to make urgent progress to reduce energy bills for their constituents. We need action from their Government now, not later. 15:51”
“To make matters worse, at the end of last year, the Labour Government made the appalling decision to cut the winter fuel allowance. In trying to make savings, Labour decided to pick the pockets of pensioners. Despite uproar from the public, it has refused to U-turn. Even Labour members voted at their party conference to reverse that cut. There are dreadful briefings that they are now targeting those who are on disability benefits. Paul O’Kane and his predecessor, Pam Duncan-Glancy, now have a so-called voice for those who are disabled, so that is absolutely betrayal personified. The Scottish Government will mitigate the Labour UK Government’s cruel cuts and reinstate, for example, a universal winter fuel payment, ensuring that every pensioner gets a payment next year.”
“According to CHAS, such families are often paying double the amount of the average household to keep their child safe and comfortable. It is a heartbreaking situation that causes significant stress for families at a time when they should be able to focus on their child. Lack of action from the UK Government on energy bills has real and devastating consequences. I urge my Labour colleagues in the chamber to listen to the calls from CHAS and other charities for the UK Government to take forward a social energy tariff to ease financial pressures on vulnerable households that face high energy costs. It is welcome that the Scottish Government’s social tariff working group aims to make recommendations to the UK Government on the design of a social tariff mechanism.”
“That is appalling, especially when Scotland is such an energy source. Sir Keir Starmer must apologise for breaking his promises and urgently outline the emergency steps that he will take to reverse those huge increases to household bills. Scotland is an energy-rich country, yet, under Labour, families are being forced to pay electricity prices that are among the highest in Europe. High energy bills will impact many people, but that impact will be particularly challenging for families who have a child with a life-limiting condition. Alongside the costs of specialist equipment and adaptations, those families often face higher energy bills, and family members are often less able to work because of caring responsibilities.”
“Having held annual cost of living events in Clydebank, which continue to be well attended, I know how valuable those local groups are to my constituents, and I am so grateful to them all. I welcome the cabinet secretary’s announcement today of the investment of £2 million that will fund wraparound support to households. Prior to the general election in July last year, Labour said that it would lower energy bills by £300, yet, only months later, Ofgem announced that the price cap would rise to £1,849 this year. That is the third increase in a row, and the cap is 9.4 per cent higher than it was this time last year. Have Keir Starmer and the Labour Party been uneconomical with the truth? It seems so. A recent opinion poll found that just 12 per cent of Scots think that Labour will cut energy bills.”
“Those groups offer targeted local support that works in tandem with the Scottish Government’s financial support. There are many, so I will name only a few. They include the centre81 initiative; Kilbowie St Andrews church; Improving Lives; Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels; and Dalmuir Barclay church. All provide warm hubs with food and drinks and a safe space in which to have a chat and socialise. Many of those groups, and others such as West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, East Dunbartonshire Foodbank, which is based in Milngavie, and Faifley food share also provide food pantries, supplying thousands of food parcels for those in need. Going even further, the likes of the Recycle Room and Isaro Community Initiative, among many others, recycle clothes and household items and offer energy-saving advice to those who need it.”
“I welcome the chance to contribute in order to assert what is necessary to support households with cost of living pressures and rising energy bills. I thank Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and other organisations for their informative briefings. The Scottish Government is taking clear and substantial action to support households by investing £6.9 billion in social security. In 2025-26, it will support around 2 million people with the cost of living crisis and it will, by providing more than £300 million in heat in building programmes, support more than 20,000 households to save up to £500 a year on their energy bills. The debate also gives me a chance to highlight how local individuals and groups in my constituency have been working tirelessly to support those in need.”
“It feels like they don’t see disabled people’s needs as important. I don’t think they care, and it makes me feel insignificant.” Scope is calling for Labour to invest in an equal future for disabled people and not to increase poverty by cutting benefits.”
“I am pleased to have secured today’s debate to discuss the impact of United Kingdom welfare cuts, and I thank all the members who have supported my motion. I also thank Age Scotland for the briefing that it provided. Today’s debate comes at a very important time. Instead of a change of direction, we have a Government at Westminster that seems intent on making disabled people, children and pensioners the victims of austerity. The biggest lie of any election campaign was the statement, “Read my lips: no austerity.” The Labour Government has declared its intention to proceed with the cruel and inhumane welfare cuts that were proposed by the previous Tory Government. They are cuts that the respected disability charity Scope has described as “catastrophic”. It quotes Naomi who says, “I feel abandoned by the Government ...”
“To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will mark international women’s day, and its theme of “Accelerating Action” to reach gender equality. (S6F-03867)”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting local authorities, such as West and East Dunbartonshire Councils, that have to make PFI and PPP payments. (S6O-04392)”
“The Chancellor of the Exchequer has jumped deep into the Tory austerity playbook. Despite all that we do, our economic growth will continue to be hampered by the UK Government’s decisions and its Brexit policy. Slow growth, job losses and rising prices are direct results of Labour policies such as the national insurance tax increase and the decision to stay out of the European Union single market. Scotland can flourish, as we have so much to offer, but we need to be able to make our own decisions in areas such as immigration policy and rejoining the EU as an independent country. It is now clearer than ever that only with independence will our economy and public services truly thrive. 16:26”
“Unfortunately, Labour sends mixed messages on that issue. Labour members talk a good game in the Parliament, but the mask slips when they are in power. I see that locally with the Labour-led West Dunbartonshire Council. Just this month, the excellent and well-informed Clydebank Post reported that the council has paused its threat to fire and rehire workers over holidays. The article quotes the GMB saying: “We would like to thank you for your support in helping us get the process paused and we will continue fighting until the threat of fire and rehire is completely removed.” Understandably, the GMB said that it “beggared belief” that a council would behave like that, and I totally agree. Labour cannot be trusted with workers’ rights or, more broadly, with our economy.”
“It is also welcome that more than £168 million will be invested to maximise the power of our land and forests to tackle climate change and protect nature. That spending allows us to protect and restore our natural environment, all while supporting Scotland’s rural economy and creating economic opportunities and green jobs. Those examples of public investment in our country through social security and net zero spending are not only the right thing to do; they drive investment in Scotland and help our economy. As a constituency MSP, I engage positively with businesses throughout Clydebank and Milngavie. They know that the most productive workforce is the one that has fair and decent conditions. I welcome the SNP Government’s support for measures to promote a work environment that values the workforce and our trade union movement.”
“Investing in social security is not only the morally right thing to do; an investment in our people is an investment in our economy. Tackling poverty and growing the economy go hand in hand. In our moves towards reaching net zero, we have provided opportunities across the economy that are vital for our future. In its budget, the Scottish Government is committing about £4.9 billion in capital and resource funding for activities that will have a positive impact on the delivery of our climate change goals. Capital funding of £150 million will be used to continue to anchor our offshore wind supply chain, which is part of a five- year commitment to invest more than £500 million in the sector. That investment by the Scottish Government is expected to leverage £1.5 billion in private sector investment and support thousands of jobs.”
“I direct members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am a member of Unison. If we are to fully deliver on our priorities of improving Scotland’s public services, eradicating child poverty and tackling the climate emergency, increased investment in the Scottish economy is critical. In the short time that I have available, I will cover how two particular budget commitments are good for our economy. The Scottish Government budget includes significant investment to support the economy. We know that the economy suffers when poverty thrives, which is why we have given more than £1 billion through the Scottish child payment since it was launched in 2021. Unlike the Labour and Tory parties, we know that the two-child cap must go.”
“Nearly 18 years after Labour was kicked out of office in Scotland, we are still paying a heavy price for the disastrous PPP contracts. The Scottish taxpayers have had to shell out enormous sums of money above the actual cost of projects, while PPP contractors hoard huge profits. It is clear that PPP contracts have been disastrous for Scotland’s public finances, so it is welcome that the Scottish Government recognises those options for what they are—extremely poor value for money and certainly not in the best interests of the Scottish people. 13:17”
“Scotland continues to pay extortionate amounts for Labour’s incompetence. The 2023 figures show that the amount still owed under PPP for hospitals and schools is £15.4 billion, which is not even half of Labour’s eye-watering total PPP bill. The contracts are not just an enormously expensive way to borrow—they are often inflexible. A 2019 report by the JPI Media investigations team found that schools, hospitals and police forces have been locked “in the iron grip of contractors”, and are paying extortionate extra charges. Examples in that report included a school being charged £25,000 for three parasols and a hospital trust paying £5,500 for a new sink. The contracts are extremely profitable for the private sector, but not for the taxpayer.”
“Labour’s financial mismanagement has had severe consequences, and its wasteful PFI deals have foisted a £30 billion repayments bill on Scottish taxpayers, forcing us all to pay many times more than the original cost of the projects. The funds that are used to pay for those agreements would have been much better spent on our public services to support education or tackle child poverty. Instead, it was left to the SNP to fix Labour’s mess. Under the SNP Scottish Government, we moved away from that model to a model under which, importantly, surpluses do not go into the pockets of big investors, as Labour allowed. One perfect example is hospital car parking charges, which are a terrible legacy of PFI; the Scottish Government scrapped the charges that were in place as a result of Labour PFI deals.”
“According to Professor Ciaran Connolly, “They produced projects with assets worth approximately £60 billion, which are costing the taxpayer £170 billion— that’s a gap of £110 billion between what the assets are worth and what the taxpayer is paying for them.” Costs end up getting passed on to the taxpayer, which, as Professor Connolly has said, can constrain “what authorities such as the NHS can spend on essential services, forcing them to reduce budgets accordingly. It has also created pressure to reduce project costs, leading to poorer infrastructure.” That impacts on local council budgets, too. In my constituency, 37.9 per cent of council tax in East Dunbartonshire and 41.2 per cent of council tax in West Dunbartonshire goes on PPP payments.”
“I am grateful to my colleague Kenny Gibson for securing this motion for debate in the chamber. Like me, Mr Gibson has concerns about the negative impacts that the PPP and PFI burden has inflicted on the public sector. It is yet another real example of Labour’s desire to replicate Tory party policy, and the debate serves as a stark reminder of why the Labour Party cannot be trusted to manage Scotland’s finances. PFI and PPP contracts have left a harmful and lasting legacy in Scotland. They were first introduced under the Tory Westminster Government in 1990 and fully embraced by successive Labour Governments in Westminster and Holyrood. However, although they were posed as effective solutions, they have instead burdened Scotland’s public services and taxpayers with unsustainable financial sums for decades.”
“They know that Labour has betrayed them, and they will never forget it. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms McNair. I remind all members to speak through the chair. 15:39”
“I understand why a former Labour MSP has said this about Keir Starmer: “There’s something deeply wrong and sinister about someone who takes apparent delight in making children, pensioners and the low paid poorer and their lives more difficult—it is immoral, shameful and disgusting.” That is from one of your Labour guys. I do not get that one, but there we go. What reasonable person could disagree that Labour’s treatment of WASPI women has been and continues to be disgusting? Pre-election, Labour members called for WASPI women to be compensated and posed for photos with them, but post-election, they say that compensating WASPI women is an unreasonable burden on the taxpayer. Only one Government in the UK stands with WASPI women, and that is the SNP Government. Despite Labour’s student politics shenanigans, the WASPI women know that.”
“Sadly many WASPI women have passed away without receiving compensation. Since the decision on 19 December—I am sure that this is the figure—3,500 women have sadly passed away. That is absolutely shocking. WASPI women have shown determination and courage, but Labour has absolutely forgotten about them. WASPI women have spent considerable time advocating for change and raising awareness of their plight, and they do not deserve to be betrayed in this way by the Labour Party. They must be compensated. The SNP is on the WASPI women’s side, and we will remain so. Labour has called for a change of direction, but it is, unfortunately, already giving the people of Scotland one. This is one of the most right-wing Labour Governments in history, and that is saying something. The current Government makes Gordon Brown look like Fidel Castro.”
“These real women have faced a terrible injustice while already being at a disadvantage. Historically, they have earned lower pay on average during their working lives or experienced interrupted careers because of caring for children or acting as unpaid carers. They have also had less state pension entitlement than men, due to earning less than the national insurance lower earning limit and spending less time in the labour market. As is noted in a policy briefing from Age Scotland, a 2024 report by the Pensions Policy Institute found that, by their late 50s, women’s pension wealth is equivalent to less than two thirds of men’s. Those women were robbed of their pension and there is simply no justification for the Labour Party to deny them compensation. Unfortunately, time is not on their side.”
“When he was discharged with a walking frame and a feeding tube, Liz took compassionate leave and later reduced her working hours to care for her husband. During a work meeting, she found out that she would not be able to retire at 60 after all, but by that point she had already reduced her hours and the other half of her post had been filled. All that had happened without her knowing that the pension age had changed. Liz was faced with an impossible situation and undue stress while taking care of her sick husband, and when her husband died, in 2018, she was only earning half pay. Choices were removed for Liz and many other women. Had they known about the change, they could have prepared and made different choices and decisions. Liz’s story is heartbreaking, but it is important to hear.”
“I do not know whether Marie McNair has read the report, but there are clearly options within it. Marie McNair: I certainly have read the report. I thought that Paul O’Kane was standing up to apologise to our WASPI women and explain why your party is refusing to pay compensation to them. He absolutely did not do that; in effect, all I got was political spin and an aggressive, shouty man. To move on, I call on colleagues opposite to get off your knees and honestly push for full and fair compensation for these women. Recent figures show that the change to pension age affected more than 13,000 women in my constituency. Liz Daly, a co-ordinator of WASPI Scotland, is one of the women who were affected. Liz was expecting to retire at 60 in December 2015. In the summer of 2014, her husband took ill and was hospitalised for months.”
“When the Labour Government can promise tax breaks to the wealthy but not compensation for WASPI women, it is clear how much it values pensioners. It is a question not of money but of Labour’s priorities. In its amendment, so-called Scottish Labour attempts to wipe away any notion that it wants full compensation for women. In his speech, Paul O’Kane spoke about options. What options? A handshake? A medal? A “New Labour” mug? Some Marks and Spencer vouchers? It is complete and utter nonsense. Paul O’Kane: The options that I referred to were outlined in the PHSO report and are about the levels of compensation. It does a disservice to the debate to stand in the chamber shouting about medals and mugs. We are trying to have a serious debate about the levels of compensation that were outlined by the PHSO.”
“Last week, I spoke in my colleague Kenneth Gibson’s members’ business debate on a motion that called for compensation for the WASPI women. It was important to speak in firm support of the WASPI women and to have WASPI women in the chamber, including some of my constituents. I welcome them here again today. I said last week, and I will say again today, that, “Despite the ombudsman’s report being clear on the failures of the UK Government ... and being crystal clear that compensation is owed,”—[Official Report, 15 January 2025; c 102.] Labour’s policy is to ignore that. That position contradicts what Labour said to get elected in 2024. A conscious choice was made to use these women to get elected, only to abandon them straight after the election. Labour promised change, but all the WASPI women got was betrayal and deception.”
“I welcome Katy Clark’s contribution tonight, and I urge her and her colleagues to put pressure on Keir Starmer and to stand up to him to bring about justice for our WASPI women. We do not want to continue using the WASPI women as photo opportunities—we want to stand firm with them. Only time will tell, but as of now, it is as clear as day that only the SNP will champion the WASPI women’s right to fair and fast compensation, and only the SNP will continue to stand with them and push the UK Government to take action. 18:24”
“Days after the announcement, I stood in solidarity with WASPI women outside the Parliament, and I look forward to meeting with WASPI women across my constituency in the coming weeks. The decision was a huge and devastating blow to the WASPI women and I stand firm with them. Time is, unfortunately, not on their side, and I know that, sadly, many WASPI women have passed away without receiving any compensation. They have received setbacks before, and in the face of those setbacks they have remained courageous and determined. They have put the work in and have campaigned tirelessly for a decade now, and it is time for them to see action and to see money in their bank accounts. With a Labour UK Government, however, I do not expect to see change any time soon.”
“Just back in May, Paul O’Kane said: “Labour is very clear that we support the principles contained in the PHSO report, which includes the principle that we must compensate those women.”—[Official Report, 1 May 2024; c 45.] I could go on and on. Labour promised change, but all that the WASPI women got was betrayal and deception. In June, just prior to the general election, I spoke in a WASPI debate that was brought to the chamber by my colleague, Clare Haughey. In my speech, I said that “there will be no change under a” Labour Government, and that the Labour Party had “decided that WASPI women do not matter to it”—[Official Report, 19 June 2024; c 92-93.] any more. I am sure that I was not alone in saying that. Only six months later, we were proved right.”
“Those women were robbed of their pensions, and there is simply no justification for the UK Government to deny them compensation. In my constituency, the decision will affect more than 4,700 women in East Dunbartonshire and 6,000 in West Dunbartonshire. The decision not only contradicts the recommendations in the ombudsman’s report, but contradicts what Labour said to get elected in 2024. For years, Labour MPs and MSPs have stated that they support the WASPI women and have promised to help deliver justice. Anas Sarwar said: “Under my leadership, WASPI women will finally receive the justice they deserve”.”
“I am pleased to speak in the debate and I congratulate my colleague, Kenneth Gibson, on securing it. I, too, welcome our WASPI women who are in the public gallery tonight—it is great to see women from my constituency here. How society treats pensioners and those who are most vulnerable is a measure of our humanity. The decision by the UK Labour Government not to compensate the WASPI women, who have worked tirelessly throughout their lives, tells us everything that we need to know about how the Labour Government values pensioners. Despite the ombudsman’s report being clear on the failures of the UK Government and of the DWP, and being crystal clear that compensation is owed, the Labour Government has ignored that. It is an appalling decision and a complete betrayal of the WASPI women.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire councils, as part of the local government settlement for 2025-26. (S6O-04194)”
“We had a near consensus—with the exception of the Scottish Conservatives, I think—on talking about social security as an investment in people and in our communities. We now have Scottish Labour— and, I see from the front pages of some of the papers today, the UK Labour Government—talking about handouts and cuts to social security. That highlights an obvious difference between this Government, which is, with the financial resources that we have, attempting to deliver for people who are still being impacted by a cost of living crisis, and a UK Government and Scottish Labour, which seem to be in step, talking about handouts and increasing stigma towards people on social security. That is a deeply disappointing new direction for”
“Labour promises a new direction, but now we see that what it means is that it will rush in brutal cuts to winter support for pensioners. Does the cabinet secretary agree that that betrayal underlines just how important it is that decisions on winter heating benefits are made here, where our devolved Parliament can listen to vulnerable households and make the right decisions for the people of Scotland? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Marie McNair quite rightly recognises that Labour is now talking about a new direction. I take it that Labour realised that its change line was not quite working, with people realising that no change was happening. Marie McNair raises an important point that goes to how we talk about social security.”
“The spectacle of Anas Sarwar’s disingenuous belated call on the Scottish Government to mitigate his own party’s two-child policy illustrates that so well. Maybe Labour’s plan to abstain on the budget shows that it is struggling to articulate a vision for Scotland. The draft budget is a chance for Labour—”
“Austerity and Life Expectancy in the UK”, David Walsh and Gerry McCartney of the University of Strathclyde show the astonishing impact that UK Government austerity has had on life expectancy and mortality rates. On Labour and the two-child limit, they say: “worryingly, the Party has publicly stated that they will not reverse the two-child benefits cap ... —a policy seen in many ways as emblematic of austerity”. It is clear that Labour is letting the people of Scotland down. Labour in Scotland has no influence, as Labour HQ is not listening one bit to the Labour colleagues who are sitting opposite me in the chamber, not on the two-child policy, not on universal credit, not on the winter fuel payment and certainly not on the WASPI women—women against state pension inequality.”
“Scrapping the two-child cap; increasing investment in the affordable housing supply programme; investment in breakfast clubs; and the expansion of free school meals will all help to tackle child poverty. Those policies are good for everyone. The Scottish Government’s decision to scrap the two- child cap—an inhumane and cruel policy—has been welcomed by many, including the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Poverty Alliance, and CPAG estimates that abolishing the two-child limit could lift 15,000 children out of poverty. The Opposition lacks credibility, criticising levels of child poverty while supporting keeping in place the policies that are the biggest drivers of it. To continue with those policies makes children the victims of austerity. In their book “Social Murder?”
“The budget will also invest significantly in social security benefits in 2025-26, putting money directly into people’s pockets and ensuring that benefits rise by inflation. As the First Minister put it, “Some argue that investment in social security is the wrong choice for us to make. But we know that inequality is bad for our health, bad for our communities and bad for our economy”. That contrasts with the views of Labour and Tory politicians, who apparently believe that providing such vital support amounts to giving handouts. Such stigmatising language has no place in the Parliament or as part of a modern and compassionate social security system.”
“Despite its restricted powers, the Scottish Government has kept thousands of children out of poverty by taking considered and significant action, yet we recognise that rates remain too high and that there is a real child and family behind every number. The Scottish Government has, therefore, set out a budget with clear action to tackle child poverty and inequality. In education, the budget will provide £120 million to headteachers to support initiatives that are designed to address the poverty-related attainment gap. The Scottish Government will also work with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to expand free school meals to primary 6 and 7 children from low-income families.”
“I take the opportunity to wish you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and everyone at the Parliament a very healthy and happy new year. I speak in support of measures in the draft budget to tackle child poverty and inequality. Eradicating child poverty is not just the morally right thing to do; in the years that follow, it will be paid back in increased wealth generation from a greater number of skilled and creative young workers, and in savings across public services, from health to policing, given that there are long- term costs to public services associated with child poverty. Children in poverty are more likely to have poorer health outcomes, and children in the lowest-income households are four times more likely to experience mental health issues. It is right, therefore, that we step up to meet the challenge of eradicating child poverty.”