Neil Gray
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I welcome the fact that, through the police and the courts, our justice system is ensuring that justice is done. Victims show enormous bravery and trust in our legal system in reporting crime, and I want that to continue.”
“The Scottish Government-funded Caledonian system is a good example of a community-based programme that aims to address the behaviour of men who have been convicted of domestic abuse, alongside providing support to affected women and children.”
“On the day after my appointment as justice secretary, I visited HMP Edinburgh to see the level of pressure that the Scottish Prison Service is facing due to an increasing prison population. It is clear that staff want to focus on rehabilitation and reducing reoffending but that it is increasingly difficult for them to do so.”
“Scotland shows a clear and persistent trend of increasing the length of average custodial sentences, including a 37 per cent rise between 2014-15 and 2023-24.”
“However, although the operational impact that will result from the changes is expected to be minimal, I still advise the Parliament to give legislative consent to the relevant sections of the bill.”
“I note my thanks and appreciation to the Parliament for expediting consideration of this legislative consent motion. It is regrettable that we are having to expedite scrutiny on an LCM, which is due to the UK Government’s timetabling for the National Security (State Threats) Bill.”
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“The motion also calls for the immediate disclosure and preservation of communications. I will place on the record the comprehensive steps that have already been taken. Under section 35 of the Inquiries Act 2005, all relevant parties must not destroy, alter or conceal documents. That duty applies from the start of an inquiry, not only when a written notice is issued. Since 2021 and throughout the inquiry, the Scottish Government has responded to a wide range of statutory information requests. Officials working with the Scottish Government’s knowledge and information management division conducted deep searches across corporate and non-corporate systems, identifying around 1 million documents, all preserved in their original locations.”
“Any attempt by Government to direct an inquiry would compromise the independent scrutiny that families fought to secure and that is enshrined in legislation. If there was any attempt to do so, we would rightly be held to account by this Parliament. That is why we could not support the motion as it was drafted. Nevertheless, the Government respects the will of Parliament and I will, therefore, set out the measures that are being taken to respond to last week’s motion. On the important element of transparency, the Government has already provided extensive material on ministerial decision making— submissions, minutes, Cabinet papers and correspondence—and ministers and officials have given evidence under oath. If the inquiry seeks further documentation, it will be provided. That commitment is unequivocal.”
“Secondly, on the point about pressure, the evidence before the Scottish hospitals inquiry is unequivocal in demonstrating that there was no political pressure applied by Scottish ministers to open the hospital prematurely. Counsel to the inquiry made that clear during the final hearing, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that no external pressure was applied. Importantly, it is a clear matter of public record that the Government took steps to pause the opening of the Royal hospital for children as soon as matters of safety were brought to our attention. The motion that was passed last week suggests that the inquiry should examine political decision making. However, under the Inquiries Act 2005, it is for the chair—not ministers, and not MSPs—to determine what evidence is relevant.”
“First, as is a matter of public record before the inquiry, the Scottish Government was informed of water contamination issues at the QEUH only on 1 March 2018. The hospital infection incident assessment tool—or HIIAT—red alerts received by the Government prior to 2018 and referenced by members of this Parliament and by the media over the weekend did not suggest that there were wider problems with the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. Indeed, that evidence is already before the inquiry, and HIIAT alerts can be assessed as red for a range of reasons, including severity of illness and impact on service delivery, and are not necessarily an indication of a wider problem.”
“That is precisely why the Scottish hospitals inquiry was established: to interrogate decisions taken and decision-making processes, in order to assess responsibility, wherever it lies, and to shine a light where answers were lacking. Its independence from ministers, from this Parliament and from national health service boards is fundamental. It ensures that the truth can be uncovered without interference or political motivation. The evidence before the inquiry is extensive. While it is for Lord Brodie to draw his own conclusions, it is also important to clarify some of the assertions made in recent days in the media and by members of this Parliament. I recognise the strength of feeling, but we must be led by evidence, and I am pleased to put on record some clarifying points.”
“I welcome the opportunity to update Parliament in response to the motion that was passed on 28 January 2026. Before turning to the detail, I again recognise the profound distress experienced by patients and grieving families and by staff who have dedicated their careers to caring for others. For many, the recent inquiry hearings looking into the evidence relating to the Queen Elizabeth university hospital have reopened long-standing and deeply painful wounds. My thoughts remain with all those affected. Let me be clear: when families or staff raise concerns, they must be heard; when problems are identified, they must be investigated; and when systems fail, there must be accountability, but that accountability must be based on due process and evidence.”
“We have updated our guidance for the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018, amended the public appointments recruitment process for public bodies that are subject to the act, moved to an interim trans and non-binary inclusion policy for Scottish Government staff and written to health board chief executives to reiterate the importance of ensuring that the law is followed and that the Supreme Court judgment is implemented. Engagement with health boards is on-going.”
“Sadly, the Scottish National Party Government continues to betray women in Scotland by refusing to instruct all Scotland’s public bodies to uphold the Supreme Court ruling. Is the Scottish Government prepared for more legal challenges funded by the taxpayer to keep defending the indefensible? Neil Gray: We accept the Supreme Court ruling. The Scottish Government has made it clear that it accepts the Supreme Court ruling and it is taking forward the detailed work that is necessary following it. Every key area of Government that is or might be affected by the Supreme Court judgment is carrying out assessments across legislation, guidance and policies.”
“The outcome of the Darlington employment tribunal is a matter for the NHS trust and the claimants in that tribunal, and I will not comment on it. However, in relation to single-sex spaces, health boards must ensure that all their facilities comply with relevant legislation, including the Equality Act 2010. We have written to health board chief executives to reiterate the importance of ensuring that the law is followed following the Supreme Court judgment. Pam Gosal: The Darlington employment tribunal found that employers had indirectly discriminated against female nurses when they allowed a biological male to use single-sex changing areas. That case re-emphasises what we already know: the definition of a woman is based on biological sex.”
“To instruct or to attempt to instruct a statutory inquiry to examine particular categories of evidence after the inquiry has been established and is under way would be a breach of that framework. It would undermine the very independence that gives the inquiry its legitimacy. It is therefore not for Scottish ministers—or, indeed, for the Parliament—to decide what evidence Lord Brodie should or should not consider; that responsibility rests with him alone.”
“Those powers are not held by ministers but by the independent inquiry chair. Any member who seeks to support the motion’s attempt to influence the action of the chair is calling for the Government to act in a manner that is incompatible with that legislation, which, of course, we cannot do. The separation in the act is fundamental. It ensures that no Government, present or future, can direct, restrict or shape an inquiry to suit political convenience; it ensures that the search for truth is not compromised by external pressure; and it ensures that the families who have placed their trust in the process can have confidence that it is conducted without fear or favour.”
“I turn to the motion that was lodged by Mr Sarwar. I understand the motivation behind it. When something goes badly wrong in a project of this scale and significance, it is entirely reasonable to want every possible line of responsibility examined. However, although I recognise the concern that underpins the motion, I cannot support it, because it would be incompatible with the legal framework that governs the inquiry. All statutory public inquiries in Scotland operate under the 2005 act, which was passed by Parliament. That act exists to protect the independence, integrity and credibility of inquiries. It gives inquiry chairs powerful legal tools—the power to compel witnesses, to require the production of documents, to take evidence on oath and to determine what evidence is relevant to their terms of reference.”
“The Government’s intention in doing so was clear and unequivocal— to uncover the full truth about what happened, why it happened and what lessons must be learned. Before I turn to the substance of the motion, I note again to the chamber two important points of clarity. First, neither the Scottish ministers nor anyone in the chamber should prejudge the outcome of the inquiry or seek to influence the independent chair. That would be wholly inappropriate and, indeed, a breach of the very principles that are set out in the Inquiries Act 2005. Secondly, the police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have independent responsibilities to investigate and prosecute as they see fit. There is a live, on-going police investigation into patient deaths. For that reason, I will not be commenting further on that particular matter.”
“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was responsible for the delivery and oversight of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital project. It was the largest hospital build in Scotland’s history, and was designed to be a flagship for modern healthcare, serving patients for decades to come. However, when serious and deeply concerning allegations were brought to the Government’s attention in 2018 about safety, construction standards and ventilation systems and the potential links to infection and patient harm, it became clear that those concerns could not be dealt with through internal reviews alone. That is why the Scottish Government established a statutory public inquiry, to ensure that those affected could have their questions answered in a forum that is independent, rigorous and empowered by law.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate. The matters that are before us today go to the heart of public trust and patient safety, and I begin my speech by extending my deepest sympathies to every family who has lost a loved one and to every patient who has suffered harm or distress in connection with the issues that are being examined by the inquiry. No words spoken in the chamber can undo what they have endured, but it is essential that the Parliament acknowledges their pain, their courage and their determination to seek truth. Their persistence has been extraordinary. It is because of them that these matters are now subject to full independent scrutiny, with the determination that no other family has to suffer in the same way. I pay tribute to every single one of them.”
“Given the evidence that is before the inquiry, it is important that it is allowed to pursue its deliberations free from political interference. That is the tenor of a public inquiry, as it should be, and we will obviously take the inquiry’s recommendations seriously. At the centre of all this are the families, to whom my heart goes out and who should be, above all else, at the forefront of our considerations. We instigated this independent, judge-led public inquiry so that the families’ questions could be answered. I believe that, as a result of the evidence that is being led through the public inquiry, we are getting to the truth of the matter.”
“Shona Robison told the committee: “The new hospital’s facilities are second to none and state of the art, and all the processes and procedures will be tested before staff and patients migrate to the site from April onwards.”—[Official Report, Health and Sport Committee, 24 February 2015; c 30.] Given what we know now, does the cabinet secretary agree that she did not tell the truth and that the Government now stands accused of criminal negligence? Neil Gray: Jackie Baillie knows full well that, while those live inquiries are on-going, it would be completely inappropriate for Scottish ministers to intervene or comment. She also knows that it is a matter of public record from evidence led at the inquiry that information was withheld from the Government by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
“It is important that that inquiry is allowed to carry out its business without interference from any politician and that it does so with the full evidence before it. The Scottish Government has provided all relevant material that has been asked of us by Lord Brodie’s inquiry, and we intend to continue that co-operative approach. We resolve to respond to the recommendations when that inquiry concludes. Jackie Baillie: The cabinet secretary did everything but answer my question. Frankly, I find the response extraordinary. The evidence is there in black and white: there is no getting away from the fact that people died as a result of this Government’s incompetence. Senior Government ministers chose not to have the new hospital inspected, which had deadly consequences.”
“Jackie Baillie: In the light of the Vale of Leven hospital inquiry, which was chaired by Lord MacLean, I asked Shona Robison at the Health and Sport Committee on 24 February 2015 whether an independent audit of the new hospital had, in fact, been carried out. After some pressing, she said: “If it has not taken place, it will. We will check that.”— [Official Report, Health and Sport Committee, 24 February 2015; c 32.] A week later, Shona Robison did a complete U- turn. The result? No independent audit of the hospital took place before it opened its doors to staff and patients. Does the cabinet secretary understand that the failure to carry out an expert, independent investigation cost lives? Neil Gray: I have set out that the matters that are before us are the subject of an independent, judge-led public inquiry.”
“Once again, I pay tribute to the patients and families at the heart of the inquiry, who have already faced immense pain and trauma. I also commend the work of the inquiry team and Lord Brodie. It is vital that we allow the inquiry to deliberate and consider its findings, which we will respond to in full. The Scottish Government provided all relevant evidence to the inquiry, which is being considered by Lord Brodie in advance of his final report and recommendations later this year. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. However, I note that it is a matter of parliamentary record that Ms Robison responded on the matter via written correspondence to Jackie Baillie as a member of the Health and Sport Committee on 24 February 2015. I refer Ms Baillie to the parliamentary record.”
“Before we move to the next item of business there will be a brief pause to allow front-bench teams to change places. Budget 2026-27”
“Neil Gray: Improving access to primary care is the key priority for the Government. We are building on our on-going commitment through the service renewal framework to shift more care into community settings and make services more accessible for patients. As part of that approach, we are developing options to improve access to primary care, including the walk-in models, which will be open from Monday to Sunday and so provide more flexibility for patients. We will develop those proposals first as a pilot model, which will be complementary and will not duplicate current core general practice. We are considering potential locations for those pilot sites, and we will set out further details as those plans develop. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio question time on health and social care.”
“We are committed to making services more accessible for patients. As part of that, we are investing £36 million in walk-in general practitioner services to provide the distinct benefit of allowing patients to see a GP without an appointment. The funding for those walk-in services is just part of almost £22.5 billion that has been allocated to the health portfolio, including a record £17.6 billion for services in and resources for the national health service. Our continued investment in the NHS is allowing us to target areas that are experiencing long waits, to reduce backlogs and to get people the appointments and treatments that they need as quickly as possible. Evelyn Tweed: How have locations for the first walk-in clinics been chosen? Can the cabinet secretary provide more detail on how the clinics might operate?”
“I expect all health boards to report incidents of sexual assault or harassment, and I expect suspected criminality to be reported to the police. Local boards have a local reporting obligation, on which I have clear expectations. Ms White will be familiar with the Government’s policy on single-sex wards. It remains our policy that we expect boards to provide single-sex spaces where that is possible. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We are over the time limit, but, before we move to question 8, I am minded to take a couple of supplementaries to question 7 as long as they are brief.”
“However, last year, the Women’s Rights Network exposed the facts that there have been 276 sexual assaults and 12 rapes in Scottish hospitals over a period of five years. The Patient Safety Commissioner said that those numbers might be underestimates and called for all health boards to consistently record or categorise all incidents of sexual assault and rape. Can the minister confirm that all health boards are doing so? Does he agree that every woman should be entitled to be treated on a single-sex ward? Neil Gray: There are several elements in Ms White’s question. I have met Karen Titchener, the Patient Safety Commissioner, to discuss the issue with her. As I sought to do in my first answer to Ms White, I gave her my reassurance about our response to the Women’s Rights Network’s report on Scotland.”
“Rape and sexual assault occurring in our hospitals—or anywhere else in our society—is unacceptable. I expect all health boards to uphold their legal duties as employers to keep staff, patients and visitors safe. Everyone has the right to access healthcare or their workplace without fear of assault. The safety of patients and staff remains our absolute priority. That is why a national network has been created to bring together health boards and partner organisations to explore and share approaches to preventing sexual harassment across the national heath service in Scotland. That includes reviewing approaches to data, reporting and training, sharing resources and best practice, and providing support for staff and employers. Tess White: That is welcome.”
“I was grateful for an opportunity, alongside Mr Johnson, Ms Boyack, Mr Macpherson and other colleagues, to meet some of the eye pavilion’s patients, and I recognised their anxiety and the need for progress. That is why I am pleased that we have confirmation of the continued prioritisation of the eye pavilion replacement. As I have said, the capital investment that will be required has been fully committed to over the pipeline. We await the outline business case from NHS Lothian to confirm the rest of the timeline and the project’s progress. Daniel Johnson referred to capital funding. I have to say that the capital funding that is available to us is being squeezed by United Kingdom Government decision making. Perhaps Mr Johnson can refer that concern to his colleagues at”
“A replacement was committed to in 2018 but was cancelled in 2020, after which there was a U-turn during the 2021 Scottish Parliament election campaign. The next election is almost upon us. Although the development of the eye pavilion is in the pipeline, we do not have a clear timeline. We also know from the Government’s spending review that capital spending on health, as a proportion of all capital expenditure, is forecast to decrease. When will we have a clear timeline? Until we have that, people in Edinburgh will remain extremely anxious about the future of the eye pavilion. Neil Gray: There are a number of points in Mr Johnson’s question. I recognise the anxiety that he highlights.”
“The refreshed infrastructure delivery pipeline confirms that replacing the Princess Alexandra eye pavilion remains one of the Government’s four priority health projects, alongside replacing University hospital Monklands and the Belford hospital in Fort William, and progressing the Barra and Vatersay community campus project in Barra. Capital funding for the replacement of the eye pavilion has been fully committed, and we await the business case from NHS Lothian. It is usual for the business case process, construction and commissioning to take some time, and there will be greater clarity on the timeline following receipt of the outline business case. Daniel Johnson: The cabinet secretary will recognise the sensitivity of this matter. The eye pavilion was declared unfit for purpose in 2014.”
“I also make it clear that it is not acceptable that Mr Jones waited so long in the accident and emergency department. I know that investigations are on-going in that regard. As Ms Boyack will recognise, I have regular engagement with the Royal College of Nursing. I know that this is an area of focus for it and that it wants to see greater data reporting, and I am engaged in discussions about how that could happen practically. However, as I said, my first priority is to address the reasons why this is happening. That is an area of concern for me that goes across the entire system. As Ms Baillie’s question alluded, it requires all parts of the system pulling in the same direction.”
“Sarah Boyack: Given Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s damning report on NHS Lothian; the horrific story in the Edinburgh Evening News this month about the young father who lost his life after waiting for 13 hours to be seen in accident and emergency; the Royal College of Emergency Medicine noting that, last year, there were around 720,000 days of unnecessary hospital stays in Scotland due to delayed discharges, which is nearly 2,000 years of lost bed capacity that could have helped to relieve exit block and corridor care; and the fact that the RCEM has been raising these issues for years, when is the Scottish Government going to fix this? Neil Gray: First, I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dylan Jones at this unimaginably difficult time.”
“We do not currently collect national data on the use of non-clinical spaces. Our focus right now is on addressing the underlying causes of the issue, such as high hospital occupancy and poor patient flow. We are driving improvements and we are working closely with local systems to ensure that plans are in place to cope with demand peaks. Through the NHS Scotland operational improvement plan, we are investing £220 million to reduce waiting times, improve hospital flow and minimise delayed discharges. Regular public reporting on hospital discharges is undertaken and published by Public Health Scotland and can be found on its website.”
“We have been working with the collaborative response and assurance group, which is co- chaired by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Government, through me and Mr Arthur, to ensure that the standards that we expect to be met on a consistent and national basis are being met. There is good practice in some areas, which have seven-day discharge, discharge before noon and work with front-door frailty services. The standards are there to ensure that there is a high level of application and consistency across the country so that we can get better flow through the system. That is happening in some areas, but I want it to happen everywhere. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Several members wish to ask supplementary questions. Again, I appeal for brevity.”
“Willie Rennie: The most recent data, which is from November, underlines the significant problem that we still have, as 37 per cent of patients who presented at A and E had to wait for more than four hours. That is unacceptable. In addition to social care capacity, there is a big push to improve the delayed discharge numbers, and there is also pressure to have seven-day discharge services. When will there be such services in every hospital and health board across Scotland? Neil Gray: That requires collaboration not just at the hospital level but also in social and community care.”
“Through the national health service operational improvement plan, we are supporting boards to reduce waiting times, improve hospital flow and minimise delayed discharges. The plan is backed by £220 million of targeted investment. To support resilience over the winter, we are also providing up to £20 million to fund increased social care and reduce pressure at hospital front doors. All hospital departments have a part to play, as does the wider health and social care system, and they must work collaboratively to improve patient flow through the system, thereby ensuring that patients can receive the right care in the right place with no unnecessary delays to the patient journey.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting system. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Gray. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“As at all hospital sites, there is a comprehensive system of clinical oversight and patient safety monitoring at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. No information has been reported through our robust governance arrangements that questions the hospital’s safety. While the inquiry continues, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is required to ensure that its hospitals remain safe for patients, and it will continue to closely monitor a range of data and quality indicators to demonstrate that. I add to that the work that has been done to establish the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland—that is Karen Titchener, who I have had the pleasure to meet and with whom I now meet routinely—which underlines the Government’s commitment to patient safety and transparency for those who are impacted by these issues.”
“For the sake of the victims, will the Scottish Government make clear who knew what and when? Will the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care commit today to saying that anyone who was involved in a cover-up, even if they were senior Government ministers, will face justice, including for corporate homicide? Neil Gray: Those issues are currently under the live consideration of a public inquiry and an investigation by the Crown. It would be completely inappropriate for me to comment on or pre-empt those investigations. We take the issues of transparency and patient safety extremely seriously. That is why we instigated the statutory independent public inquiry that Lord Brodie presides over.”
“Sandesh Gulhane: The issues with the water supply have not been solved. A whistleblower told me today that the pressure is so bad that dishwashers have been out of action for months, and taps stop running water monthly. It is time for honesty, transparency and accountability—and it should not have taken a public inquiry to get here. For more than a decade, successive Scottish National Party health secretaries have presided over a culture of secrecy and cover-up at the expense of patients. SNP ministers must take responsibility for this scandal. They have refused to intervene or to hold senior management responsible, despite mounting evidence and patients demanding the truth. Nicola Sturgeon opened the hospital, Shona Robison was health secretary at the time of Milly Main’s death, and John Swinney served in senior positions throughout.”
“Neil Gray: On the question of transparency, I note that the Government brought forward the public inquiry so that families—some of whom I have met, and to whom I pay tribute for their work and their diligence following the trauma that they have undoubtedly experienced—can get answers to the questions that they are posing, as Dr Gulhane sets out. It is because we have instigated a public inquiry that, I believe, we are getting to the truth. It is important that we allow the public inquiry the space to consider its final conclusions, so that the final report can be considered before we determine any final considerations. I am duty bound as a minister to do that—there are strict rules about seeking to influence, commenting on or pre-empting public inquiries—and it would be best for the Parliament to do likewise.”
“As early as 2015, multiple hospital inspections exposed the fact that water at the hospital was not safe and that there was a high risk of subsequent infection. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has spent years covering that up, silencing whistleblowers, gaslighting families and betraying the trust of patients. The calculated attempts at hiding the truth have denied the victims’ families closure. How many more times must we say, “Never again”, before this culture of secrecy and cover-up ends? What is the health secretary doing to hold past and present senior management at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to account for their lies, failures and dereliction of duty?”
“We look forward to Lord Brodie’s final report and recommendations, which will be forthcoming in due course. Sandesh Gulhane: I declare an interest as I am a practising national health service general practitioner. The unforgivable cover-up of infected water that led to the unnecessary deaths of cancer patients, including two children, is the most appalling and disgusting hospital scandal to engulf our health service. After more than a decade of denial, we have had to drag the health secretary here today after NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted at the 11th hour, in the most sleekit way, that the water system at the Queen Elizabeth hospital caused infections in cancer patients. Victims include Gail Armstrong, Molly Cuddihy and 10- year-old Milly Main, whose mother said last week that she had been fighting for answers for six years.”
“First, I offer my deepest condolences to all the families who have loved ones who are affected by the issues that we are discussing today relating to the hospital’s inquiry. Ministers take seriously all concerns about patient safety and patient care. That is why we established a statutory public inquiry to investigate in detail all matters relating to those cases of infection and to provide patients and families with the answers to their questions and concerns. The closing statements from core participants were published by the inquiry on Friday 16 January. The contents of those statements will now be considered as part of the final inquiry hearings this week, so it would be inappropriate to comment further on the proceedings at this stage.”
“Liz Smith shares my enthusiasm for the project, which is good news for swimming provision and is giving children life-saving skills. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. Neil Gray: It is also good news for ensuring that we provide opportunities for the next Duncan Scotts and other elite swimmers to come through the system. On progress with local authorities, we are providing the funding to enable local authorities to make provision for all primary children in Scotland precisely because of the variability in provision. Those engagements with local authorities will continue, and, given Liz Smith’s interest, which I genuinely accept and understand, I will ensure that she is kept updated on the matter. Child Poverty (Draft Budget 2026-27) 7.”
“Liz Smith: Is the cabinet secretary aware that, earlier this morning, first at 9.48 am and then at 10.15 am, Shona Robison made a request to correct the record—I am not sure whether it is another of those “production errors”—to say that her answer to the question that Jackson Carlaw asked on Tuesday on the budget statement was factually inaccurate? Namely, the one-year commitment is not, in fact, one year but is being rolled out over a sustainable period. That is welcome, but what action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that the 18 local authorities that are not making full provision for swimming lessons will now do so and that children in those areas have access to swimming pools in the first place? Neil Gray: I confirm for the record that the funding is, indeed, recurring, which is incredibly positive.”
“The Scottish Government agrees that there is a real opportunity to create a lasting legacy for children across Scotland from the 2026 summer of sport. I know that Liz Smith cares a great deal about that and shares my enthusiasm for it. The 2026-27 budget announced an additional £40 million of funding for sport and physical activity. That includes the universal offer of swimming tuition for primary school children in Scotland to give them vital water safety skills. I hope that members will welcome that announcement and support the budget proposals, which provide vital support for the sector and open up a range of sports and activities to more children.”
“Since 2006, NHS staff numbers have grown by 35,000 whole-time equivalents. This Government has acted to reduce post-Covid waiting lists, investing £135.5 million this year in initiatives such as additional recruitment. As a result, thanks to the efforts of those staff and thanks to the Government’s targeted investment, long waits have fallen for six consecutive months, with year-on-year increases in activity. I am very grateful to those staff for their efforts in helping to turn a corner in our NHS. First Minister’s Question Time 12:00 Taxation 1.”
“Although health boards are responsible for the recruitment of individual staff, the Scottish Government provides strategic leadership to ensure a sustainable national health service workforce through policy initiatives including investment in international recruitment, the establishment of a national centre for workforce supply, and record investment in pay. Staffing levels are now at their highest-ever level, which is strengthening services and improving patient care. Gordon MacDonald: Since September 2006, NHS Scotland’s staffing levels have expanded by approximately 27 per cent, which represents an additional 35,000 staff in whole-time-equivalent terms. How have the improved staffing levels assisted with tackling waiting lists, and especially the backlog that was caused by Covid? Neil Gray: Gordon MacDonald is absolutely right.”
“Beyond physical benefits, swimming pools offer a calming environment that supports mental health. The rhythm of movement in the water, the focus on breathing and the feeling of weightlessness can create a calming and supportive environment. Swimming has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.”
“Swimming pools are far more than buildings filled with water; they are important community spaces and places that promote health, safety, social connection and personal growth. Although all forms of physical activity contribute to mental and physical wellbeing, swimming offers unique benefits. It provides low-impact exercise that engages almost every muscle group, making it suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Swimming improves cardiovascular health, flexibility and lung capacity. Pools provide essential support for recovery and rehabilitation through hydrotherapy, which is particularly effective for conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, thereby helping to reduce pain, improve circulation and ease stiffness.”