Kaukab Stewart
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“All forms of violence against women are abhorrent, and those who perpetrate violence and abuse— the majority of whom are men—must change their actions and behaviours.”
“Will the Government stop blaming teenage boys for misogyny and finally connect the dots upstream by strengthening sex-based protections and confronting systemic misogyny through urgent legislative and societal action to reverse this crisis?”
“Ash Regan: Twelve years on from the equally safe strategy, women and girls in Scotland are less safe than ever. Male violence is escalating in homes, on our streets and online.”
“I have also met Jess Phillips MP, so that we can take a collaborative approach to tackling technology-facilitated abuse of women. This Government is absolutely taking action to address those abhorrent abuses of women and girls. The Presiding Officer: That concludes general question time.”
“Bill Kidd: The support and dedicated services that are available to help people with their struggles with the cost of living are a lifeline to many in my constituency and across Scotland, given the continuing pressures on households and in the light of rising petrol, energy and food prices, which are linked to global instability.”
“We recognise the pressure on household budgets, which is why we are working with key partners, including Glasgow City Council, to tackle child poverty through transforming the way in which public services are delivered.”
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“Our “Evidence Review: Non-Binary People’s Experiences in Scotland” highlighted that existing research suggests that non-binary and trans people face discrimination in multiple sectors of society— Sue Webber: Will the minister take an intervention? Kaukab Stewart: —such as education, health, communities, work, benefits and issues around homelessness. Sue Webber: Will the minister take an intervention? Kaukab Stewart: Trans and non-binary people are a small marginalised group, at 0.44 per cent of Scotland’s population— Stephen Kerr: This is shameful. Kaukab Stewart: That group is often misunderstood and misrepresented, and it receives disproportionate levels of attention.”
“Trans people continue to suffer poorer outcomes relative to outcomes among the wider population— Ash Regan: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise—you might have misunderstood my point. I was not referring to whether a member or minister takes an intervention. I was asking whether it is customary practice for the member who is summing up— whether for the Government or the Opposition—to answer the points that were raised in the debate and to reflect the debate that took place. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Regan. It is the case that members’ contributions are not a matter for the chair, but for the member who is speaking. Kaukab Stewart: Thank you, Presiding Officer. As I was saying, trans people continue to suffer poorer outcomes relative to outcomes among the wider population, and that needs to change.”
“As the cabinet secretary highlighted in her opening remarks, we need to remain mindful of the negative impact that polarised and sometimes inaccurate public discussion can have on minority groups. The Scottish Government is committed— Ash Regan: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance. Is it not customary and does it not reflect extremely good practice for the minister who is summing up to engage with the substance of the debate? [Applause.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Regan. I will repeat what the Deputy Presiding Officer said earlier, which is that it is up to the member who is speaking whether to accept an intervention. Kaukab Stewart: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will continue. The Scottish Government is committed to increasing equality and improving the lives of trans people in Scotland.”
“Stephen Kerr: Diabolical! Kaukab Stewart: We recognise that fair work is vital in tackling the cost of living crisis, in-work poverty and child poverty, all of which have a disproportionate effect and impact on women. Tess White: Will the minister take an intervention? Kaukab Stewart: We have committed to further embedding equality and human rights in all stages of the budget process. The next steps are included in our response to the recommendations of the equality and human rights budget advisory group. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the minister. Kaukab Stewart: A key part of our work is the “Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement 2025-26”, which was published alongside the Scottish budget.”
“Violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights, which is why we are implementing the equally safe strategy to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls and to tackle the underlying attitudes that perpetuate it. Rachael Hamilton: Will the minister take an intervention? Sue Webber: Will the minister take an intervention on that point? The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the minister. Kaukab Stewart: I had the honour of visiting women who are demonstrating their excellent work with young women between 16 and 24 who are experiencing violence and are at risk of suicide. We are taking forward activity to tackle the drivers of the gender pay gap, which are set out in our refreshed “Fair Work action plan: becoming a leading Fair Work nation by 2025”, which was published in 2022.”
“We continue to take forward work to protect, promote and improve gender equality, while recognising intersectional inequality, in Scotland. To achieve that, we are working to deliver and implement the ambitious recommendations from the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, alongside the women’s health plan and the equally safe strategy. Murdo Fraser: Will the minister give way? Kaukab Stewart: Through collaborative work on the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021, access to free period products is enshrined in law for anyone who needs them, which has built on Scotland’s world-leading work in that area.”
“Fergus Ewing: Will the minister give way? Kaukab Stewart: We welcome the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in supporting public bodies with their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Murdo Fraser: Will the minister give way on that point? Kaukab Stewart: Much has been said in the debate about protection of women. I reiterate the actions that we are taking to support and empower women in Scotland. Gender equality is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s vision for a fairer Scotland. Sue Webber: Will the minister give way? Kaukab Stewart: We want women and girls to be empowered to exercise equal rights and opportunities, to have equitable access to economic resources and decision making and to live their lives free from all forms of violence, abuse and harassment.”
“In response to the debate this afternoon, I will take the opportunity to reiterate the facts once again. The Equality Act 2010 is largely on reserved matters, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission is the body that is responsible for enforcing that act. The Scottish Government strongly supports the separate-sex and single-sex exceptions in the 2010 act, and we expect all relevant organisations to comply with the requirements of the 2010 act and any other legislation in their role as employers. The commission has produced specific guidance to support organisations in their compliance, including the statutory codes of practice and guides, including those for service providers that are looking to establish and operate a separate-sex or single-sex service. The Scottish Government requires all public bodies to comply with the law.”
“In conclusion, as I and many members in the chamber have highlighted, the recent statements by UK Government ministers on welfare reform and benefit cuts show no regard for the reality of people’s lives. I will close the debate with a clear and urgent message to the UK Government: remember your pledge of no austerity; do not punish those who most need our help; recognise the hardships that mean that people may require help from the benefits system; and join us, in the Scottish Government, in working to banish stigma from social security rather than amplifying it through aggressive soundbites and rhetoric. 13:25 Meeting suspended until 14:30. 14:31 On resuming— Covid-19 Day of Reflection”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, minister. Kaukab Stewart: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for giving me the time back for Mr Kerr’s lengthy intervention. I do not accept that this Government does not support people getting into work. We have a raft of investments in ways to do that. This debate is uncomfortable both for the Tories and for Labour because their approach to welfare benefits is based on punishment and stigma, and this Government rejects that approach whole- heartedly. Despite the fixed budgets and limited powers of devolution, we have transformed social security provision in Scotland and we are committed to ensuring that finances remain on a sustainable trajectory. We will publish our next medium-term financial strategy later this year, alongside a fiscal sustainability delivery plan.”
“Stephen Kerr: The minister mentions the numbers in the 2025-26 budget—the £1.3 billion more that is being spent over what has been allocated through the block grant. Would she share with members in the chamber exactly how the Government plans to fund its proposed exponential increases in spending in this area? Would she also accept that the Government should perhaps set its sights on creating jobs and helping people who are currently on benefits to move into work? That never seems to be part of anything that ministers say in this place when it comes to the welfare system. The whole point of the welfare system for many, if not most, people is to help them temporarily while they get back into good work. Why does the Government never talk about that? Sustainability of budgeting and work—what is the minister’s response to that?”
“In 2025-26, we will invest around £3.6 billion in the adult disability payment, which is £314 million more than we are forecast to receive from the UK Government through the social security block grant adjustment. We are also using our limited budget to mitigate some of the UK Government’s most damaging policies. Over the past 14 years, we have spent around £1.2 billion on mitigating the effects of policies such as the bedroom tax and the benefit cap, including almost £154 million in 2024-25. Furthermore, from 2026, we will mitigate the effects of the pernicious two-child cap, thereby helping to keep thousands of children out of poverty and reducing the depth of poverty that many more face.”
“It is an investment because, as we all know, inequality is bad for our health, our communities and our economy. In the recently passed budget, the Scottish Government made a conscious decision to invest in social security for the people of Scotland by investing around £6.9 billion in benefits and payments for 2025-26. That investment will support approximately 2 million people and amounts to around £1.3 billion more than the funding for social security that was received from the UK Government. In Scotland, we are taking a positive and compassionate approach to delivering the adult disability payment. That approach is ensuring that more disabled people get the support to which they are entitled while making sure that accessing that support is as straightforward as possible.”
“The Scottish Parliament unanimously created the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, which enshrines the principles of dignity, fairness and respect, reducing poverty, and advancing equality and non- discrimination at the heart of a radically different social security system. As Stuart McMillan so eloquently pointed out, we must retain compassion at the heart of any social security system, and those are the principles that guide this Government’s social security decision making. While the UK Government is focused on reducing the amount of money that is spent on supporting the disabled and others who need help, the Scottish Government believes that social security is an essential collective investment in Scotland’s people, its communities and its future.”
“The UK Government is now reconsulting, and we will see the results of that reconsultation in the green paper that is meant to be forthcoming. As Marie McNair points out in her motion, the UK Government’s language when discussing disabled people and people with long-term health conditions is deeply concerning, as it seeks to further stigmatise and blame the sick and disabled for accessing social security benefits that they are legally entitled to and on which they rely. In Scotland, we know that there is a different way to deliver social security. As a devolved nation, we are able to do that, as Maggie Chapman pointed out.”
“When the previous UK Government initially set out proposals for changes to the work capability assessment, the Scottish Government, along with poverty campaigners and disabled people’s organisations, roundly condemned the targeting of vital benefits that support disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. It is deeply disappointing that the current UK Government is continuing with those plans. With reference to Paul O’Kane’s intervention, I know that this is a very uncomfortable space for Labour. Although the reforms originated with the previous Conservative Government, Labour has defended them. In fact, at the judicial review it was found that the consultation on the reforms was based on the need to save money as opposed to getting people back into jobs.”
“I thank Marie McNair for bringing this debate to the chamber. I have listened carefully to the comments that have been made and I hope to respond to some of the points that have been raised. Any one of us might find ourselves at any time in our lives unable to get paid work due to sickness or disability or because we are caring for a loved one. If that happens, social security should provide us with a safety net. It should provide protection from poverty and financial insecurity no matter what life has thrown at us. That is what social security should be. However, what we are seeing from the current UK Government, ahead of the publication of its green paper later this month, raises significant concerns for the future of that social security safety net.”
“No woman should feel under pressure to undress in front of a male colleague. That is why women across Scotland are fed up with the Scottish National Party putting gender ideology before their safety. Will the minister make an urgent, unequivocal statement supporting the rights of women who work in public sector buildings and who expect suitable single-sex facilities—yes or no? Kaukab Stewart: I have answered several questions on that issue. I fully support the law. The Equality Act 2010 is generally reserved, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission is the body that is responsible for enforcing the 2010 act. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There have been requests for a couple of supplementary questions—both will need to be brief.”
“The Equality Act 2010 allows for separate and single-sex spaces when they are “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.” It is the responsibility of service providers to interpret and comply with the act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcement. The commission has produced specific guidance for organisations, such as statutory codes of practice and a guide for separate and single-sex service providers. The guidance also states that organisations might need to consider the impact of other legislation, such as legal requirements for health and safety in workplaces. Rachael Hamilton: Time and again, the Scottish Government has shirked its responsibilities for ensuring the safety of women and girls. Even the First Minister is tone deaf to the issue.”
“That does not give reassurance to survivors of rape and sexual assault that the charity will be a safe, single-sex space for them. Does the minister agree that “adult human female” is the only appropriate definition of the word “woman”? Kaukab Stewart: A woman is an adult female— that is clear. However, it is simply a fact that trans people also exist and have always done so. That is not new. Bereavement Education (Schools) 7.”
“The Scottish Government is clear that the needs of survivors of rape and sexual assault must be the utmost priority of support services. Although we cannot intervene in the running of independent organisations, we are clear that access to separate or single-sex provision for survivors is a legitimate and proportionate response when providing support to rape survivors. We therefore welcome the fact that Rape Crisis Scotland is currently consulting member groups and survivors to agree a clear approach to the matter within the terms of the Equality Act 2010. Pam Gosal: It was recently reported that Rape Crisis Scotland has dropped its pledge to define the word “woman”, after a series of scandals over the service’s embracing of gender ideology.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to building cohesive communities within which divisive narratives will not resonate. It is everyone’s responsibility to challenge hatred. We have been working closely with partners, including third sector organisations, justice organisations and local authorities, to tackle and prevent hatred and prejudice and to support and protect the marginalised communities that they serve. Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Dundee) 3.”
“Blatantly racist slogans and stickers are appearing with increasing frequency on bus stops, lamp posts and the like in Aberdeen and elsewhere. It is no wonder that many members of our diverse communities feel increasingly targeted and marginalised. Does the minister agree that we all have a responsibility, as part of our anti-racist practice, to stand up to and challenge racism wherever we encounter it? What work is under way with partners, including in the public sector, who support marginalised people, have responsibilities to protect them or have responsibilities to tackle racism? Kaukab Stewart: We unequivocally condemn all forms of prejudice or hatred, including racism. They have absolutely no place in our society, and nobody should ever be subjected to them.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners across the public and third sectors to embed anti-racism and advance the race equality framework, including through delivery of the anti- racism observatory, as stated in our programme for government for 2024-25. The details of spending commitments are subject to the outcome of spending reviews by the Scottish Government and approval of annual budget bills by the Scottish Parliament. The equality and human rights fund for 2021-25 represents an overall £1 million increase on previous funding, with an additional £6.3 million— 22 per cent—dedicated to race equality and anti- racism. Maggie Chapman: Far-right activity stoking anti-migrant rhetoric and violence is on the rise around the world. High-profile figures are casually using fascist gestures and hateful language.”