Paul McLennan
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking forward in partnership with East Lothian Council, Taylor Wimpey and Hargreaves, to deliver and expand the housing development at Blindwells, which has been classified as a strategic housing site. (S7O- 00129)”
“Scotland has decarbonised its electricity supply faster than almost any other country in Europe has done. More than 90 per cent of our electricity now comes from renewable sources—a transformation that is powered by the wind, waves and tides that shape our East Lothian shores every day.”
“We are at a moment that will define the future that we leave to our children and grandchildren. The science is clear, the evidence is all around us and the window for action is narrowing. Today, red weather warnings for extreme heat have been issued in the south-east of England.”
“Therefore, does he regret his party’s decision to close down nuclear energy in Scotland, which has been a huge contributor to the Scottish economy? Paul McLennan: I will touch on that. I mentioned the need for investment in the green jobs and infrastructure that grow our economy.”
“Paul McLennan: I go back to my point that the broader debate is about ensuring that those who are successful pay their fair share towards the foundations that make that success possible.”
“As the efficient and fair function of Scotland’s justice system is a priority for all in this chamber, does the cabinet secretary agree with me on the importance of the Scottish Sentencing Council and the courts working independently to ensure that objective?”
The complete record
Every one of 431 lines we hold for Paul McLennan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 9.
“I find it ironic that the Tories talk about choice, yet they are against local authorities having the choice to introduce workplace parking charges. Local authorities can raise only between 15 and 20 per cent of their income. Their other source of funding is from central Government. In most European countries, municipalities raise around 50 per cent of their income through local income taxes, sales taxes, visitor levies and various other levies. That gives local authorities more freedom to raise funds and increases their accountability. Grant funding from central Government needs to focus on securing agreed mutual national policy objectives. We need to engage the spirit of the Christie commission and look again at public sector reform. We need to use the refreshed political mandates in 2026 and 2027 to move ahead at pace.”
“There have to be mature, rational and pragmatic political discussions on the subject in this place, and in council chambers, too, after the council elections in 2027. We cannot let electoral cycles dictate the pace of change. Local authorities’ ability to raise money is limited. We all acknowledge that. Council tax is a key source of income, obviously. Income from fees and charges for services makes up a small percentage of what councils can raise. Non- domestic rates are another source, but the poundage is set by the Scottish Government nationally. Of course, there is now the visitor levy, with councils having discretionary powers to introduce a levy on overnight accommodation stays. Further, there are other potential levies.”
“That consultation seeks views on how Scotland’s council tax system could be made fairer and up to date. We will have to make a judgment after the consultation responses have been received. If the council tax is to be replaced at some point, we need to ensure that it remains fair in the meantime. In the early years of the next session, Parliament—not just the Scottish Government— must progress and prioritise council tax reform or replacement. That point has been made by Willie Rennie and Patrick Harvie, but one of the key points to make is that there have been no formal proposals from the Tories on that issue. The issue will be a challenge to all members of the next session of Parliament.”
“We worked with stakeholders in a formal consultation process and came up with a proposal that would have delivered combined savings of millions of pounds. However, when the formal Labour-Tory coalition came into power in 2012, it decided not to proceed with the proposal at that time. It is safe to say that the recommendations of the Christie commission have been progressed on only a limited basis. Again, that is the responsibility of us all in this place. I am obviously aware of the work of Ivan McKee on public sector reform. In the next session of Parliament, members must work together in a cross-party manner to move that agenda forward. I struggle a little with the part of the Tory motion that expresses a lack of confidence that the current consultation on the future of council tax will deliver fair and considered reform.”
“The principles that must inform the reform process are as clear today as they were then: “Reforms must aim to empower individuals and communities”. That is a responsibility not only of Government but of local authorities. The Christie report went on to say: “Public service providers must be required to work much more closely in partnership, to integrate service provision … We must prioritise expenditure on public services which prevent negative outcomes” and work together with a view to becoming more efficient. Craig Hoy: Will the member give way? Paul McLennan: I am sorry, Mr Hoy, but I only have four minutes. I took that challenge seriously as council leader. I worked with the then Labour-controlled Midlothian Council and we proposed having a combined education service.”
“I am glad to be able to speak in the debate. I was a councillor in East Lothian from 2007 until 2022 and council leader from 2010 until 2012. It was always a busy time when we discussed our budget-setting decisions. Those were tough decisions, but our priorities were always part of that process. I remember the report of the Christie commission, which came out on 29 June 2011, when I was leader of East Lothian Council. The Christie report stated: “If we are to have effective and sustainable public services capable of meeting the challenges ahead, the reform process must begin now.” Here we are, discussing it 15 years later. As Patrick Harvie said, it is the responsibility of all of us to pursue that process.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what implications the recent announcement of next steps for its £1.5 billion bonds programme will have for the financing of major capital projects across Scotland. (S6O- 05455)”
“I have to reiterate that there is existing primary legislation on the matter. As I said, legal provision is set out in sections 314 and 315 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, in respect of local authorities making byelaws for the situation as it arises in their area. We are taking on longer-term work on considering a national suite of standards. That would require careful development, public consultation and, likely, primary legislation. I will be glad to keep Parliament up to date on the progress of that. National Health Service (Single-sex Spaces) 2.”
“In the meantime, the Scottish Government will continue to develop a longer-term piece of work on considering whether a national set of standards would be appropriate. Paul McLennan: During my time as housing minister, I was aware of the complexities of the matter, and the cabinet secretary is quite correct to say how important local authorities are in that regard. Scotland can lead the way in the United Kingdom and globally by commencing statutory standards for the accommodation of seasonal horticultural workers to help ensure that they have safe and dignified places in which to live. What is the indicative timeframe for introducing legislation? What will be the scope of the legislation that the cabinet secretary referred to? Màiri McAllan: I thank Paul McLennan for the work that he did as housing minister to advance this important area.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on improving accommodation standards in relation to legislation that currently exists in Scotland for seasonal agricultural workers. (S6O- 05435) The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): No one residing in Scotland, however temporarily, should have to live in substandard accommodation. There are currently provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 that oblige a local authority to make byelaws with respect to accommodation for agricultural and seasonal workers. Those are in sections 314 and 315 of the act. I therefore expect local authorities to use existing law to make provision in their area, suited to their area and in response to activity in their area.”
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s £40 million investment in the summer of sport, which will provide thousands of young people with the opportunity to get involved in sports and learn to swim this summer. Can the cabinet secretary say any more about the Scottish Government’s work to commemorate this year of national events? Angus Robertson: Sport and physical activity are among the most powerful ways to support physical, mental and social wellbeing. Our summer of sport programme in 2026 will provide opportunities for every child and young person in Scotland to take part in free, accessible sporting activity. The programme aims to inspire lifelong participation and help Scotland to become a healthier, more connected nation. National Performing Companies 4.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with the United Kingdom Government to ensure that the consultation on combinable crops will deliver for Scotland’s arable farmers. (S6O- 05393)”
“Public agencies will not be able to refuse to co-operate, and the inspectorates will help to obtain the evidence that is needed to inform future decisions and investigations. Once the independent national review is complete, the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, which is independently chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, will consider the findings and provide expert advice to ministers regarding our next steps. As I set out previously, if any harm or risk is identified during that process, that matter will be escalated, including to Police Scotland, as appropriate.”
“All sexual abuse and exploitation of children is horrific, and it is important that we treat the issue sensitively when we discuss it. Can the cabinet secretary set out more detail of what the national review will involve? What more can she say about the evidence and information that it will collate and what will happen when it is received? Jenny Gilruth: I want to be absolutely clear that the four inspectorates that are leading the national review are independent of Government. They will show no fear or favour in the work that they have been instructed to undertake urgently and at pace, and, crucially, they have powers to compel public authorities to provide the information that they request. Those powers will be critical to the success of the review.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding transport solutions to support the current and future development of Blindwells, East Lothian. (S6O-05383)”
“Scotland, at which we heard from about 40 children of different ages and backgrounds from across Scotland. We had many committee evidence sessions, but the evidence that we heard from the 40 children really stood out. One child stated that it was a great opportunity for all care- experienced people to help shape policy and government and improve the lives of those in care. They are the people who have had to live with it, and we owe it to them to pass the bill at stage 1 and continue engagement. 16:55”
“Some say that it is about the person, not just about independent advocacy. That is really important. Those are a few of the key points. I thank the organisations that have sent briefings for today’s debate, and I will mention a few of them. In its nuanced briefing, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland talked about the need for children and young people with life-shortening conditions to get the support that they need, along with their families, to transition into adult services. That is a small but important point to raise. The NSPCC’s point about the rights of babies, which has been mentioned, is also important. The minister and I have had discussions about that, and I think that she will be meeting the NSPCC on that particular point. The most enlightening experience for me was the event that was organised by Who Cares?”
“That really important issue was raised by the kids we spoke to. Another of the key issues that has been raised is whether an assessment is required before support for someone in that position can be considered. As a few committee members have said, we need to be clear on eligibility. The current duty on local authorities to provide aftercare is closely linked to throughcare, and we must ensure that such support is provided in all parts of Scotland, not just in selected local authorities. The committee and the previous First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, have talked about independent advocacy. For me, that was a key issue when we spoke to the children at the Who Cares? Scotland event. Children must have a voice that will stand up for them. John Mason raised the point about the flexibility of the system.”
“There should be the scaffolding of help, support and accountability. As a member of the committee, I will pick up on a few of the key issues that have been touched on. In relation to engagement prior to the bill’s introduction, the committee’s report mentioned that key stakeholders felt that they had not been fully engaged in the bill’s development. I know that the minister has had extensive discussions and that she continues to do so. I heard that from stakeholders and from discussions with the minister. Aftercare is incredibly important. Extending aftercare provisions to those who leave care prior to their 16th birthday fulfils a key ask of the Promise. In our discussions about aftercare, we have heard that the issues do not stop at someone’s 16th birthday; it is a whole-life experience.”
“The bill is about children and care, but there is also a family issue. Many children feel safe and loved with their families, so they should stay with them if they possibly can. When we spoke to children at the event that was held with Who Cares? Scotland, that was one of the issues raised. When it is not possible for children and young people to remain with their family, they must stay with their siblings if that is possible. An issue that has not been raised so far today relates to the workforce. The committee heard evidence that members of the workforce must be supported to develop trusting and compassionate relationships with those they support, and they must be aware of the importance of listening during decision making. Children, families and the workforce must be supported by a system that is there when it is needed.”
“During my 15 years as a councillor, such issues were raised by families, parents and carers on many occasions. We need to focus on what they told us then and take things forward from where we are now. In brief, the Promise is Scotland’s ambition that every child and young person should grow up safe, loved and respected. The question is how we maximise that. One of the key points that has been made today is about family and group decision making, and I am glad that the minister touched on that and will be meeting Children First to take forward that work. I will focus on some of the five foundations on which the Promise is built and the change that is needed. In relation to voice, children and young people must be listened to and involved in decision making about their care. I will touch on advocacy, which is a key issue, later.”
“What was the independent care review? It was a consultation on how our care system needed to change. It came from a place of activism and voice, following the work of a movement of care- experienced people across Scotland who were determined to improve the life chances of people with experience of care. The key message was about improving the life chances of people with experience of care. In 2016, ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, the movement secured a cross-party commitment to an independent care review. Following that, the then First Minister pledged her support and announced an independent root-and- branch review of care. That review commenced in 2017 and concluded in 2020. During that time, it listened to what thousands of children, adults and families told it about their experiences of the care system.”
“It is a pleasure to speak in this debate today. I will take a step back and look at the background to the Promise. Between 2017 and 2020, Scotland’s independent care review heard of the experiences of more than 5,500 people, including care- experienced infants, children and young people and adults, and members of the paid and unpaid workforce of Scotland’s care system. I express my thanks to them for their contribution. Today, we are speaking for them. Their vision was set out in the independent care review’s conclusions. In 2020, the Scottish Parliament agreed to keep those conclusions in full. When it did so, it made the Promise, and we have to keep it. The bill represents a significant step forward, but future Parliaments will always have to continue the work, regardless of the views on the bill today.”
“The member will have seen the £9 million announcement yesterday, which includes £3 million for next year to provide support for any new employers moving into the site. Ferguson Marine 2.”
“Despite a challenging UK policy environment, Scotland continues to do all that it can to preserve skills, protect jobs and deliver a truly just transition. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, in order for that to happen, the UK Government must start delivering north of the border? Can she provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to secure a future for the site? Kate Forbes: In terms of the funding that we have provided through the £25 million Grangemouth just transition fund, we have invested £8.5 million to date to bring forward new business opportunities to secure Grangemouth’s transition. We are also examining every option, alongside Scottish Enterprise, to ensure a just transition for the workforce and the site at Mossmorran, and we look to the UK Government to do the same.”
“The debate is not about bypassing clinical decision making, but about ensuring transparency, consistency and confidence for families who are navigating a lifelong condition. If the system is intended to be national and standardised, it should be possible to demonstrate that lived experience reflects that ambition. I am pleased to support the motion. 17:28”
“That matters for families in constituencies such as East Lothian, who should be able to rely on a system that supports them over the long term, rather than one that feels uncertain or fragmented. People who are living with PKU already shoulder a heavy responsibility every single day. Our role is to ensure that public services support them effectively, consistently and with compassion. I fully recognise the nationally commissioned nature of inherited metabolic disorder services and the clinical governance arrangements that are in place, as I have said— however, the question that families ask is whether that national framework delivers consistently. Respecting established appraisal and governance routes should go hand in hand with readiness in pathways, service capacity and communication.”
“People with PKU report inconsistency in how pathways are applied and how quickly individuals can access support. They want confidence that the national guidance translates into predictable, equitable care, wherever they live in Scotland. I recognise that PKU care sits within the nationally commissioned inherited metabolic disorder services, with established clinical governance and decision-making structures. The ask from families is not to bypass those systems, but to ensure that they work consistently and transparently for patients. If we are serious about improving long-term outcomes, strengthening services must mean more than recognising new developments. It must mean ensuring clear pathways, timely communication and the capacity within services to respond as evidence and treatments evolve.”
“The motion rightly highlights two developments that offer real potential to improve quality of life. First, there are on-going UK trials of a home blood phenylalanine—please excuse my pronunciation— monitoring device. As stakeholders have highlighted, the ability to monitor levels accurately at home could significantly reduce stress, improve control and support better day-to-day management. Secondly, there is an emerging treatment: sepiapterin. We heard evidence of how, for some people, that treatment could increase dietary tolerance and ease the relentless burden of restriction that defines daily life with PKU. However, families and clinicians have been clear that innovation must be matched by clarity and consistency in how guidance is implemented in practice.”
“Everyday foods that many of us take for granted are simply not options. That affects school meals, work, social occasions and travel, and it places a sustained mental and emotional load on individuals and carers alike. I recently met with members of the board of the National Society for PKU and listened directly to people with lived experience of PKU. What came through clearly was not only the clinical reality of the condition, but the importance of consistency, predictability and clear communication in the support that people receive. The recent drop-in event that was organised by Fulton MacGregor and held in the Parliament provided a valuable opportunity to hear those experiences directly and to understand current challenges in navigating care pathways.”
“I am pleased to speak in support of the motion, and I thank Fulton MacGregor for lodging it. It is about recognising PKU, which is a rare, lifelong metabolic condition that places a significant, and often invisible, burden on those who live with it and on their families. It is not something that can be managed occasionally or partially—it requires constant attention, from infancy throughout life. Without strict dietary management, the consequences can be severe and irreversible—in particular, they can include neurological damage that affects learning, cognition and mental health. That reality shapes every single day—every meal and every social interaction—for people living with PKU. For those families, food is not simply food: it means calculation and vigilance, and planning ahead in ways that most of us never have to consider.”
“In addition to our £50 million-a-year package of whole-family support and continuing to increase our Scottish child payment in line with inflation, we have committed to developing the systems and legislation to increase the Scottish child payment to £40 for children under the age of one.”
“I welcome the announcements that have made today to give the best start in life for children and families. That will benefit thousands of people in East Lothian. How will the budget continue to drive down child poverty and, in particular, increase support for families? Shona Robison: We have put child poverty very much at the heart of the budget and the spending review, which outlines how we will drive continued progress. That includes more than £100 million to support the delivery of a universal breakfast club offer for primary school-aged children and increased investment in wraparound childcare through the school day.”
“The contribution of staff in Scotland’s colleges to education and society is hugely valued. How is the Scottish Government encouraging constructive discussion between staff and employers? Ben Macpherson: I absolutely agree with the sentiment that the member has expressed, and I put on the record again the Scottish Government’s gratitude to staff in Scotland’s colleges for the invaluable contribution that they make. We deeply value the contribution of all our colleges to local communities and the wider Scottish economy, which could not be achieved without the commitment of staff throughout the sector. We have been pleased to hear of improved industrial relations in the sector and we commend the efforts that have been made to foster and take forward those positive and constructive industrial relations.”
“Nearly one in six inward investment projects in the UK are in Scotland. A new Confederation of British Industry report shows that business investment in Scotland has risen to a 20-year high. We cannot get away from the fact that that contrasts with the fall in business investment across the United Kingdom. The success of Scotland’s economy has come despite the UK Government’s tax on jobs and its low-growth model, and that is alongside the fact that unemployment in Scotland is lower than that in the rest of the UK. Scotland has a strong record on business growth and will continue to do so in the future. 16:47”
“We need to deliver a fairer and more progressive tax system, which is about raising additional revenue to invest in public services. In debate after debate, we have heard all the demands in the chamber. We need to protect the NHS, grow our economy and lift children out of poverty. I will not take any lessons from the Tories on household bills, for example, given that they dragged Scotland out of the European Union against our will, made us poorer and reduced the funding that is available for public services. Nor will I take lessons from Labour, given its employer national insurance contributions tax on jobs. Scotland’s economy outperformed that of the UK as a whole in 2024, when significant growth was recorded in Scotland. For the 10th year in a row, Scotland is the top destination in the UK for foreign direct investment outside London.”
“The everyday economy drives footfall and provides local and flexible jobs and career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Scots.” I know that the minister has engaged with the Scottish Retail Consortium, as I and many others in the chamber have. The BIDs add: “Creating the best investment conditions for retail, hospitality and leisure premises is vital to keeping these businesses attractive to customers”. They are asking for delivery on “pledges about business rates competitiveness” and support for “commercial investment and growth in our city and town centres and regional economies.” I am sure that the minister will address those points when it comes to the budget next week. One key thing is that budgets are about priorities and achieving balance, which we need to have a nuanced debate on.”
“Of course, Scotland’s competitive non-domestic rates regime in 2025-26 includes a freeze on the basic property rate, which delivers the lowest rate in the UK. As Bob Doris mentioned, for 95 per cent of non- domestic properties in Scotland, that maintains the lowest rate in the UK. I want to raise another point that was mentioned. I am aware of an email that was sent to all of us and to ministers from the Scottish Retail Consortium and the business improvement districts in Scotland. In the press release, the BIDs state: “Our ambition is for Scotland’s cities and towns to continue to be great places to do business.” The key word is “continue”. They state: “Our cities and towns are the backbone of regional economies and communities across Scotland.”
“Tourism and hospitality is a major sector in East Lothian and in other parts of Scotland, but let us try to have a balanced and nuanced discussion and debate about the issue. Economic growth is at the heart of the SNP Government’s agenda. I know from discussions with the minister, the Deputy First Minister and the First Minister that they engage closely with business to drive economic growth in Scotland and to support consumers and local businesses. On town centres, as we have heard, the Scottish Government supports funding for the Scotland loves local campaign, and more than £3 million has gone in to address retail crime, which we have heard about in the chamber. The Government also has the most generous business rates relief scheme in the UK.”
“I am glad to engage in the debate. My background is with the Bank of Scotland—I worked in business and corporate banking for more than 20 years, and for that period I engaged with businesses on a daily basis. What businesses need more than anything is certainty. The Scottish budget in 2025-26 protects the small business bonus scheme, which is the most generous small business relief in the UK. I know that, over a number of years, it has helped many businesses in every part of East Lothian. We have talked about the proposed revaluation, which will have an impact on businesses in East Lothian. I have had businesses contact me on that point, and I would be keen to hear the minister talk about it, although he has talked about engagement on the issue.”
“Proceed with reforms to increase fees paid to legal practitioners; ... Find more opportunities for traineeships to increase capacity”— we have heard about issues around that—and “Consider proposals to reduce administrative burdens and bureaucracy, thereby improving relations between SLAB and legal practitioners and creating an environment in which trauma informed approaches can thrive”. I mentioned domestic abuse. In the longer term, the committee welcomed “the emphasis being placed on mixed models of delivery and user voice by the Scottish Government” and asked that “the Scottish Government consider preventative approaches and public legal education” as part of its discussion on longer-term measures. The Presiding Officer: We move to the winding-up speeches. 15:20”
“We heard from the minister about the action that has been taken in the meantime. However, there has been an awareness of the need for reform since the current session began. It is really important that the matter is picked up and worked on immediately in the next session. The committee recognises that it is now too late to introduce such primary legislation in the current session. Although the committee recognises that some changes can be made only by way of primary legislation, we urge the Scottish Government to make whatever changes it can make in the interim to effect an improvement in access to justice. The committee report stated: “The Scottish Government must work with SLAB now to progress reforms not requiring primary legislation. Specifically, in the short-term, the Scottish Government must ...”
“The committee calls on the Scottish Government and SLAB to take action to address those concerns. The committee recognises that the current processes exist within a legal framework and that, in some cases, changes cannot be made immediately. However, the committee considers that removing administrative burdens could not only address some of the challenges in the system but result in financial savings for SLAB and the legal profession while also improving the experience of those who engage with the civil legal assistance system. As the committee notes at the beginning of the report, there is an urgent need for action to improve the delivery of civil legal assistance and, in turn, access to justice. It is disappointing that legislation has not been introduced in the current session to reform the civil legal assistance system.”
“In seeking to respond to the issues, it is critical that there is a better understanding of the extent of unmet need. We heard from various sectors about that, and various speakers have mentioned it today. We really need to get to the bottom of that, because any response to the issue must begin with a proper assessment of the levels of not just geographic need, but issue-related need as well. To that end, the committee encourages SLAB and the Law Society of Scotland to work together to develop a better evidence base on demand for and supply of legal aid-funded legal services. The committee has significant concerns about the current administrative processes and the damaging effects that they are having on relationships between legal practitioners and SLAB and on the capacity to undertake trauma- informed approaches.”
“Later in my speech, I will touch on what needs to be done before the end of the session. However, in the next session, Parliament must make legislating to reform civil legal assistance an immediate priority, and I am sure that the equalities committee will take that forward. There is a need for long-term structural reform of the current system. In the meantime, the Scottish Government should be taking all the steps that it can take, short of primary legislation, to ameliorate the situation. The committee is concerned about access to legal aid in Scotland. As we have heard this afternoon, there are lots of issues, particularly in relation to domestic abuse. I have had such issues in my constituency, as I am sure other members have, and we need to take them up as soon as possible.”
“However, the public rightly expect that publicly funded services will be responsive, user centred and accountable and that they will work effectively. The committee heard that in the evidence that we took. The Scottish Government recognises the need for further reform to ensure that Scotland has a modern and responsive system that provides services as efficiently as possible where and when they are needed. We heard about that from the minister and other speakers in the debate. Although the Scottish Government’s launch of a legal aid discussion paper was welcome, the committee is disappointed that legislation to give effect to reform has not been introduced in the current session of Parliament. The committee recognises that, at this juncture in the session, such legislation will now not be introduced.”
“I am speaking in this debate as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, and I thank everyone who contributed to the inquiry, including the clerks. The committee agreed to focus on two things in its inquiry—first, what is working and what is not working in the current civil legal aid system; and, secondly, what changes could be made in the short and longer terms to address access issues. I am sure that we could all have long discussions on those issues, but this is only a four-minute speech, so I will try to keep to the main points. Let us remember that Scotland’s legal aid system is still one of the leading jurisdictions in Europe in terms of scope, eligibility and cost.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland on its proposal, “The future of provision for neurodevelopmental conditions”. (S6O-05303)”
“I want Scotland to be a country where BSL users never have to explain, justify or negotiate their right to equal access; where public bodies do not wait for reminders or complaints before acting; and where deaf communities genuinely shape policy, not as consultees but as partners. That was the spirit behind the act, and it must guide the next stage of implementation. The committee will continue to scrutinise progress closely. Our role is to ensure that the lived experience of BSL users matches the promises that have been made in the chamber because, ultimately, equality is measured not by legislation alone but by the lives that people are able to lead.”
“However, scrutiny requires honesty, and the honest assessment is that progress has been made, but it is too uneven; that rights exist, but too many people still have to fight to have them respected; and that the system has created plans, but plans alone cannot guarantee delivery. We have a responsibility as a committee and as a Parliament to push the system towards consistency, ambition and accountability. Let us not forget that the 2015 act remains world leading. Scotland was the first nation in the UK to recognise BSL in law. However, leadership means staying ahead and not looking back.”