Audrey Nicoll
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Some consider that mobile phone use by children is so ubiquitous that bans in isolation are not enough to tackle the negative impacts. It seems that there is still some way to go to find a clear, evidence-based approach that safeguards children.”
“However, Ms Gosal’s motion reflects the concerns of many—parents, teachers, legislators, police officers and children—that overexposure to the use of mobile phones carries risks. I commend the work of many organisations to safeguard children in that space.”
“What an utter privilege and an amazing experience it has been to be a member of our amazing Scottish Parliament. I thank a number of people for making it happen: my loving husband, Alex; my wonderful son, Sam; my parents, Bill and Jean; and my sister, Susan. I also thank Maureen Watt, who has been a mentor and friend throughout.”
“I thank Pam Gosal for securing this debate on a Scotland-wide ban on the use of mobile phones in schools, and I congratulate her on her powerful and comprehensive speech.”
“Having entered politics later in life, I have often found it hard to understand why we think fractious discourse and debate serve the people of Scotland.”
“Amendment 41 agreed to. 17:45 Amendment 143 moved—[Martin Whitfield]— and agreed to. Section 10F—Register of foster carers: procedure for regulations Amendment 42 moved—[Natalie Don-Innes]— and agreed to. Section 10G—Register of foster carers: interpretation Amendment 43 moved—[Natalie Don-Innes]— and agreed to. Amendment 144 not moved.”
The complete record
Every one of 432 lines we hold for Audrey Nicoll, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 9.
“They could even appoint Baroness Casey, which I think we would all agree would be an absolute masterstroke. Martin Whitfield: Will the member take an intervention? Liam Kerr: I will come back to Mr Whitfield in my closing comments. I urge members to support my amendments 31 and 32 and to deliver justice for the victims of grooming gangs. I move amendment 31. Angela Constance: The Scottish Government fully recognises the terrible suffering that is experienced by children who are abused and exploited, and we are all determined to tackle that and share the priority of protecting our children from harm. This is a sensitive area and it needs to be treated as such. However, I do not support amendments 31 and 32, which do not represent the most effective approach to these grave matters.”
“Members will be united in our condemnation of the issues that the member refers to. However, does Liam Kerr agree that his proposal is extremely specialist and complex and that, rather than this being a role for the victims commissioner, any work in Scotland to look at the issue more closely would need to be done by a more specialist and multi-agency forum? Liam Kerr: That is a well-made intervention. The victims commissioner that the bill will bring in will have a blank slate. Therefore, the commissioner can be set up in a way that will appropriately facilitate what amendment 31 would require. However, that is a valid intervention, and amendment 31 specifically provides for the victims commissioner to appoint someone else to conduct the research on their behalf, if they should so wish.”
“If we could use Scotland’s share of that to deploy our renewable energy resource in this country, we could create even more thousands of jobs and support supply chains in this country. We should focus on capturing that prize.”
“As the minister highlighted, nuclear power takes decades to become operational, at an eye-watering cost to the public, with EDF Energy reporting that the costs of Hinkley Point C could spiral to almost £48 billion, which is more than double the original estimate. Does the minister agree that, given the risks and huge costs of nuclear, we are better placed to take advantage of Scotland’s natural abundance of far more affordable and far quicker to deliver renewable power? Richard Lochhead: Audrey Nicoll lays out very eloquently the case for the Scottish Government’s current energy policy. She is right to talk about the spiralling costs—the eye-watering costs—of the proposed nuclear power stations and those that are under construction in England at the moment, which are into tens of billions of pounds.”
“It is also very important that we give reassurance that the Scottish Government will not undertake the cuts to disability benefits that are, unfortunately, still happening at Westminster. There was, rightly, great pushback on the threat to take away personal independence payments for people. The Scottish Government clearly laid out that it would not follow suit on that. However, cuts are still being made to the incomes of disabled people because of what is happening with universal credit, which is part of the reserved benefits system. I will make clear to the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the impact that that has, not only on disabled people but on child poverty levels. Disability Equality Plan (Funding and Timelines) 3.”
“Recipients of disability benefits in Scotland will, understandably, be concerned following the United Kingdom Government’s recent proposals to cut social security, given the implications for disability benefits in Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on the Scottish Government’s engagement with the UK Government on those proposals? In addition, what reassurance can she provide to disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions that their interests are being protected? Shirley-Anne Somerville: It is very important that we provide reassurance for disabled people. As I said, we are prioritising getting the decision right the first time for all benefits.”
“Moreover, our risk capital market grew 19 per cent to £704 million, with significant private sector participation. All those are examples of what is actually happening; in other words, it is all about looking at outcomes and outputs, instead of focusing just on the inputs. Motorway Gantry Signage 3.”
“I welcome the record funding for entrepreneurism that the Scottish Government is investing this year, which comes alongside the news that Scotland is now the fastest-growing start-up nation in Europe. Can the Deputy First Minister say any more about the renewed support that the Scottish Government is providing to start- ups and about any collaboration with the private sector? Kate Forbes: I thank Audrey Nicoll for the point about collaboration with the private sector. One of the best examples in recent weeks has been the commitment to co-invest in Scottish EDGE. We have committed to investing £3.6 million in Scottish EDGE over the next three years, which means that leading entrepreneurs have committed additional funding to Scottish EDGE, too.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Seafood Scotland regarding the development of the Scottish ocean cluster. (S6O-04898)”
“For example, their voices—not least that of Peter Krykant—drove the design and delivery of the Thistle safer drug consumption facility, the work of the national collaborative and the development of the charter of rights, and the development and on-going monitoring of the medication assisted treatment standards. We also continue to fund a variety of grass-roots organisations through £13 million administered by the Corra Foundation. It supports a wide range of activity, much of which is focused on peer support. The meaningful participation of people with lived and living experience has been, and will continue to be, fundamental to the design and shape of our strategy as we move beyond 2026.”
“In light of the latest drug deaths figures, and reflecting the clear message from the Scottish Drugs Forum’s stop the deaths conference that people with living experience must be central to solutions, can the minister set out how their voices will be prioritised in leading and shaping policy and practice, not only as consultees but as partners in building the strengthening movement that is needed to end preventable deaths? Maree Todd: I absolutely welcome the clear message from the SDF living experience groups. It is clear that the efforts of the SDF and others to empower people with living experience are having an impact, and our commitment to put lived and living experience at the heart of everything that we do has been an integral part of the national mission.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress being made in relation to its hydrogen action plan. (S6O-04893)”
“Over the past couple of years, I have met people in many companies that are working on new devices, software and so on that can benefit people who may be harder to reach. The member raises a very important dimension to national innovation week, noting Scotland’s track record and pedigree in innovation. Scotland’s Start-up Economy 4.”
“Keeping Scotland at the forefront of digital literacy and innovation is a priority that will enable Scotland to pioneer the industries of the future. Can the minister say more about Scotland’s upcoming innovation week and about how we can maintain the momentum, both for our economy and for our society? Richard Lochhead: The member raises a good point. I am very excited by Scotland’s first national innovation week, which will take place later this month. I hope that members will pay attention to it. It will display and showcase a lot of the amazing innovation that is under way in every single corner of Scotland. Digital inclusion is an important area that can be supported by digital innovations.”
“However, I absolutely appreciate that this will be a really anxious time for staff, and I have asked my officials to engage with the Scottish Funding Council and other relevant stakeholders to explore options in order to optimise forensic capability at the university.”
“That is because we recognise the critical importance of the university’s forensic science capabilities, which must be protected into the future. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council will continue to offer the university support to ensure that it fully explores all available options to maintain its significant research expertise as part of its pathway to financial recovery. I understand that the situation at the Leverhulme research centre relates to external research funding, which was already due to come to an end prior to the situation with Dundee university’s finances arising last November.”
“Will she provide clarity on the university’s recent statement that forensic science will continue to be delivered as part of its portfolio, while pressing ahead with possible redundancies for all its research-active and core-funded forensic science staff? Jenny Gilruth: I thank Audrey Nicoll for raising a hugely important point. Dundee university’s contribution to our national and international forensics, justice and law enforcement policy is of significant importance, and the Government has made strong representations to the university about the importance of retaining its strength in forensic sciences. To reassure Ms Nicoll, I highlight that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs is a member of the cross-Government group on Dundee, which is led by the Deputy First Minister.”
“The Leverhulme research centre for forensic science at the University of Dundee provides a range of crucial forensic services in Scotland. Recent evidence that was provided to the Criminal Justice Committee’s inquiry on substance misuse in prisons described the drug testing service provided by the centre as “critical”. I understand that nine core-funded staff are at risk of redundancy, which risks the future of the drug testing work for the Scottish Prison Service and for the planned national drug testing laboratory for Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on the work that is being done to secure the future of the centre, given its importance to the delivery of justice in Scotland?”
“Specifically, the reconviction rate for those given community payback orders in 2020-21 was just under 28 per cent, compared with more than 50 per cent for those who completed custodial sentences of one year or less. Protecting victims and the public from further harm is our absolute priority, and that is entirely consistent with our approach to community justice.”
“Community payback orders make a significant contribution towards the wider objective of strengthening alternatives to custody and ensuring that our prisons are used for those who should be there. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on what assessment the Scottish Government has carried out in relation to community justice and reoffending rates? Angela Constance: The evidence is clear that community sentences are more effective in reducing reoffending than short prison sentences of up to 12 months. Community disposals may also provide greater opportunities for rehabilitation, leading to fewer victims and safer communities.”
“To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s latest engagement with the United Kingdom Government regarding funding and timescales for the development of the Acorn carbon capture and storage project. (S6F-04200)”
“I also commend the former Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, for his engagement with me and community members on the situation that faces private owners. I am also grateful for his feedback on his latest engagement with Aberdeen City Council, in which he set out a range of actions that reflect the Government’s commitment to supporting Aberdeen City Council to resolve the situation. To conclude, I welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Housing to her new role, which reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling that priority area, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the issue with her in early course. I strongly urge strong leadership—strong local leadership—to effect a timely and collaborative response that is centred on people, not cost, and fairness for everybody who has been impacted. 17:51”
“I commend council officers and many other professionals who have worked tirelessly to support home owners, including Dr Adrian Crofton and his team at the Torry medical practice, and Eleanor Sheppard, executive director of families and communities in Aberdeen City Council, whom I thank for her engagement and solution-focused approach. Although the issue that we are discussing is nothing short of a major incident, cost has become a central and challenging theme. On that, I have engaged with all tiers of government and numerous stakeholders to look under the bonnet of the issue to see how we can address the plight of home owners in such a way that they do not lose out. That is simply the right thing to do. It has been a frustrating process, and I deeply regret that we are not there yet.”
“Following the discovery of RAAC, Aberdeen City Council confirmed its intention to demolish the estate on safety grounds, and tenants have since been rehoused across the city. Home owners now face a choice of compulsory purchase or agreeing a sale at a reduced price that reflects the impact of RAAC on valuations. That has significant financial implications for home owners, many of whom stand to lose many tens of thousands of pounds through no fault of their own. Over the past year or so, I have engaged with well over 100 constituents, who are bewildered and frightened and feel powerless.”
“Twenty months ago, Aberdeen City Council assessed around 360 of the 500 homes or council houses as being at high risk from RAAC. The remainder—around 138 privately owned properties—had previously been sold by Aberdeen City Council under right-to-buy legislation, with many being resold since, and they, too, are assessed as high risk. Torry is a Scottish index of multiple deprivation priority area, part of which sits in the bottom 10 per cent of deprived areas in Scotland. Generations of families have grown up, and live, in Torry, with practical support flowing across generations in both directions. People know each other well and there is a strong sense of belonging and connection. Crucially, the community does not have particularly high expectations or demands in life—people just want to have a good life.”
“I thank Liam Kerr for bringing the debate to the chamber. It is an issue that impacts on our constituents and, although we are on different parts of the political spectrum, I think that we are united in our belief that a meaningful and fair solution can, and must, be found, following what has been a traumatising and life- changing experience that is not yet over. As we have heard, RAAC has been used in buildings in the UK for many decades. However, the risks that are associated with RAAC have become more commonly known only following failures of the material, which have prompted investigations in both housing and public buildings. In my constituency of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, more than 500 dwellings that were built using that material in the construction of the monopitch roofs sit within the Balnagask area of Torry.”
“That is a new investment in general practice as we look to shift more care to the community in a more preventative way, which is the subject of the service renewal framework and the population health framework, both of which were published this week. More investment will help to sustain general practice and ensure that patients can access services locally, and we are working with the BMA to bring that forward. That is alongside the expansion of pharmacy first services, through which, for many ailments, pharmacies are the recommended first port of call for patients.”
“GPs are very much at the heart of our health system, so it is vital that we move forward with work to increase timely access. Can the cabinet secretary advise how the steps that are outlined in the programme for government will build on the Scottish Government’s work to improve GP waiting times in NHS Grampian? Neil Gray: I very much recognise, and am grateful for, Audrey Nicoll’s point about improving access to general practice. I recognise that too many of our constituents are feeling that frustration. The steps that we have outlined in the programme for government include enabling 100,000 enhanced GP appointments for patients who have key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity and smoking, and who are not currently being treated.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how its marine fund Scotland 2025- 26 will support businesses and organisations in coastal communities. (S6O-04800)”
“A further £10.5 million has been invested this year to expand targeted interventions by GP practices on cardiovascular disease and frailty prevention. As part of that investment, we have already agreed an enhanced service with the British Medical Association that will increase the number of proactive interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease from having a significant impact on patients’ long-term health outlook. By spring next year, we will offer a frailty enhanced service to general practices, enabling each GP practice to identify a frailty lead, which will help to drive improvements in frailty care through training, data optimisation and cross- sector collaboration.”
“The landscape of general practice in Scotland has changed significantly in recent years, with rising numbers of people living longer and with more than one condition. What reform opportunities are being considered to enable general practitioners to offer a greater specialist response, meeting the needs of population groups across areas such as cardiac and frailty? Neil Gray: Audrey Nicoll is absolutely right that general practice will play an ever more important role in the delivery of our services. For us to shift the balance of care and for our constituents to receive services within the community that they call home, we will be required to support general practice to play that role in a sustainable way.”
“Can the minister advise whether that is still the case? Ivan McKee: When local authorities come to us with solutions that require flexibility in existing funding settlements, we are more than willing to consider them. I know that Aberdeen City Council has sent a proposal for using the housing infrastructure fund. Housing officials are currently appraising that proposal and will reply shortly, once we have given it full consideration.”
“I am grateful to the Minister for Housing for his engagement with me on the RAAC situation that is impacting about 500 council and privately owned houses in my constituency. I am also grateful for his recent engagement with community representatives to discuss the situation that is impacting private home owners and to hear at first hand about the devastating impact that the issue has had on the community. Although the focus of today’s statement is the public sector, the Torry case highlights the complexities that arise in responding to RAAC when former council housing stock has been sold and is now in private ownership. The Scottish Government has previously indicated that fiscal flexibility is an option that is available to councils, including Aberdeen City Council, to finance their responses to RAAC.”
“We need to see continued improvement in ambulance triage, including a reduction in the risk of patients waiting in an ambulance and more effective prioritisation and, where appropriate, redirection to other care pathways. The rapid ambulatory assessment centre is now seeing 25 to 35 patients daily, with an increased footprint and extended operating hours. There is increased respiratory and frailty capacity locally, with two extra wards having been opened as step-down areas for high-demand specialties. We need to build on that progress through this escalation to ensure that ambulance stacking, particularly at Aberdeen royal infirmary, and critical incidents such as the one before Christmas cannot happen again. However, we are seeing improvements in unscheduled care pathways.”
“This is not the first time this year that NHS Grampian has been discussed in the chamber, with members of all parties recently highlighting concerns about the specific issue of ambulance wait times in the board area. I welcome the cabinet secretary’s update on the work that is under way to reduce turnaround times for ambulances. However, how is the Scottish Government supporting NHS Grampian’s work to respond to the centre for sustainable delivery’s recommendations on the issue and to help to improve patient flow from the emergency department? Neil Gray: Audrey Nicoll alights on a particular area on which people served by NHS Grampian wish to see demonstrable progress and on which we have tried to provide support through the centre for sustainable delivery. On Audrey Nicoll’s example of ambulance triage, we are seeing movement happening.”
“Many of the benefits, including the young carer grant, the job start payment and the Scottish child payment, are only available in Scotland, which is because of our commitment. That is an important part of our investment in the people of Scotland, which recognises social security as a human right. Equality and Human Rights Commission (Meetings) 5.”
“I apologise for my late arrival in the chamber, Presiding Officer. I very much welcome the child disability payment and the fact that, since its launch, it has provided more than £1.1 billion in support to eligible children and young people. Will the cabinet secretary speak to how the Scottish Government will continue to support our most vulnerable young people? Can she reaffirm this Government’s commitment to always providing welfare support to those who need it? Shirley-Anne Somerville: A very important part of the work that the Government will always do— not just in social security, although social security plays an important part in this—is protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society through the devolved benefits. That includes low- income families; carers, including young carers; and disabled people.”
“I also note the commitment by GB Energy to provide £20 million over the next financial year to support community projects, and hope that we will see tangible benefits coming to Scotland. There is no doubt that community energy projects have the potential to leave a lasting legacy and that developers, Governments and the public want to be part of that. I commend the work of Community Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government and the many other organisations and stakeholders that work in that space. It is important that communities understand the likely parameters and economic realities of community investment or shared ownership schemes, which will help to strengthen the social contract around renewables, ensuring that it is truly just, fair and lasting. 15:55”
“Communities may feel that something is their project and that they are the ones impacted by it, but such restrictions might cut off communities that could benefit from additional investment and revenue. How might investors respond when presented with a project that includes an obligation to sell a percentage on to a community partner? I think that many investors would welcome that opportunity, but how would that sit with their obligations? That links to Patrick Harvie’s well made distinction between community ownership and community benefit. What sources of investment would community projects require, over and above funding? I note that the UK Government’s recent call for evidence on community energy projects cited funding as the biggest barrier, so the announcement of funding from the Scottish Government is really welcome.”
“Sarah Boyack: The point is that we have loads of experience, and what we need to do is package that up and share it with communities, so that they can make the choice that will work for them, regardless of community size or where they are in Scotland. Audrey Nicoll: I agree 100 per cent. There may be a specific piece of work to look at how we can do that, and I would be happy to be part of that work. We have already heard about the possibility of communities investing in projects outwith their geographical area. Not all communities are created equal with regard to their ability to create energy, so is there scope to develop a system to share the funds that are generated by our renewable energy?”
“As we have already heard, not every community has the experience, expertise or desire to engage with those opportunities, so how can we enable communities to consider community energy projects in the first place? Which models work well, are outcome- driven and can genuinely be delivered by communities? Will they be able to raise the capital to invest or to buy up to, say, 10 per cent of a project? Is there flexibility that can make investment more attractive, for example by offering the option of making, say, a 5 per cent investment? Other speakers have highlighted the potential role of local authorities in supporting community energy projects, whether by the provision of land or by investing in projects—if, indeed, they are permitted to do so.”
“I enjoyed listening to Michael Matheson outlining some of the benefits that CARES has already delivered in his constituency and beyond. I am grateful to everyone who assisted me in thinking about some points that are worth further exploration and some challenges that I do not think are insurmountable. The first challenge is definition. The “Community Ownership in Scotland User Guide”, published in 2024, defines a community according to its geography, but the problem for developers is the risk that someone will be left out. There will always be a line on the map and a community on the wrong side of that line. Are community groups the right target for community ownership?”
“One business in my constituency produces significant heat as a byproduct of the process that it uses to produce fishmeal. That heat could contribute to the local district heat network scheme but, to date, that has proved to be unsuccessful. I welcome the Scottish Government’s new £8 million community energy generation growth fund, which will support local communities to install wind turbines and solar panels or to develop other types of renewable energy generation, such as hydro, to heat and power local homes and businesses. Significant progress has already been made thanks to the work of CARES, which we have heard about and which has provided more than £67 million of funding to more than 990 community projects.”
“As members would expect, there are many wind and hydro projects in rural areas of Scotland, making the most of our natural resources to reach our interim target of 2GW of renewable energy capacity in local ownership by 2030. Wind turbine projects seem to be the most common option, even if they are sometimes a bit controversial. Hydro schemes seem viable but limited, due to requiring communities to be located near a watercourse. There are many other options, too, including district heat networks. The city of Aberdeen hosts several district heat networks, including in my constituency, supplying low-cost energy to homes, public buildings and businesses. With strong political leadership, funding and policy clarity, heat networks offer opportunities to maximise the benefit of heat decarbonisation.”
“Despite energy featuring so heavily in debates in the chamber week in, week out, I have learned a lot while preparing for today’s debate. It has been really helpful to understand a bit more about the community energy landscape, the opportunities that are created by Scotland’s community energy generation growth fund and the challenges that are faced, and how we can respond in general terms with regard to developing community energy opportunities. We have already heard that, as well as generating renewable energy through large-scale projects, it makes sense to have smaller-scale projects bringing together households or businesses—or both—to create community energy schemes.”
“I understand the member’s point about skills and knowledge but, as a constituency MSP, I have had a number of retired engineers from the oil and gas sector come to discuss potential projects in all aspects of renewables. I put that out there so that the member is aware of it. Douglas Lumsden: I absolutely agree with Audrey Nicoll. A lot depends on skilled people, but they are not always there for the duration because the process is so long.”
“Phase 6 of the cashback for communities programme runs from 2023 to 2026 and has funded various projects, including youth work, employability support, creative arts and sports projects. Additionally, the Government has provided more than £2 million of funding over the past three years for community-based youth work through national third sector youth work organisations to reach young people outside of school.”
“Will the minister outline some of the very good and important youth work that the Scottish Government has supported, including through the cashback for communities programme, which specifically supports young people to divert them away from crime and antisocial behaviour and teaches the consequences of violence and carrying weapons, including knives? Graeme Dey: It is important to say—I should have said this earlier, because I know that Martin Whitfield did not mean to imply otherwise—that the vast majority of young people, both those who engage with youth work and those who do not, are law-abiding citizens. They would not indulge in the kind of behaviours that the member has rightly pointed out, and I know that he did not mean to imply that they would.”
“On a point that some members have raised, my view, certainly in the context of criminal justice, is that there is a need for some pre-prepared questions, which help to ensure that all aspects of a bill’s provisions are the subject of evidence taking during committee scrutiny. However, it is important to extend some flexibility to members who are interested in following their own line of questioning.”
“It is a pleasure to speak in the debate and, in my role as convener of the Criminal Justice Committee, to give some personal reflections on committee effectiveness. I pay tribute to the work of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee in securing the debate following its important and interesting inquiry. I also thank all members of the Criminal Justice Committee and those who have been members during my time as convener. I believe that we have demonstrated what an effective committee looks like. Without being immodest, I think that the committee has worked hard to secure its reputation for robust scrutiny, whether in committee-led inquiries or when scrutinising legislation that comes under our remit. My goodness, there has been a lot of legislation.”