Carol Mochan
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“I think that we could take a different approach in that area. A number of older people have been convicted of terrible crimes, but their risk to the general population is much lower than it used to be because of their age and circumstances.”
“Industrial conditions such as those that my constituents were exposed to show what the approach of big business and the insurance giants has been.”
“I am interested in the point about upstream measures, and I am particularly interested in women, because we know that they should not always enter the criminal justice system and prisons in particular. Perhaps there is more that the cabinet secretary could do in that area, because there is a lot of research on it.”
“Those who were members during the previous session of Parliament will know not only that Richard Leonard was a passionate and committed campaigner but that his speeches were also very passionate—as passionate as his beliefs. I thank him for his time in the Parliament, for his guidance and for his commitment to economic justice.”
“I support the Cape must pay campaign, which calls on the former asbestos manufacturer Cape plc, now Altrad, to donate £10 million to mesothelioma research. As my colleague Jackie Baillie said, that is a small amount to expect. Such companies and the state owe a great deal to individuals, families and communities.”
“For a number of years, I was a director of Turning Point Scotland, which is Scotland’s biggest social welfare charity, although I am not any more. Fifteen years ago, we commenced an initiative called housing first, which is primarily a way of dealing with homelessness.”
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“If we are truly to realise our shared ambition of eradicating male violence against women and girls, Scotland needs a progressive legal model for tackling prostitution that shifts the burden of criminality from the victims of sexual exploitation on to the people who perpetrate and profit from such activity. Having spent time talking to women about this trade, I see no other way of ensuring that we start to protect women and girls. We know that much of this activity is underground and not visible to many in society. We also know that, for many years, the attitude to prostitution was that the women were in the wrong or were unable to better themselves. In reality, it is a business that profits from the vulnerability of so many women.”
“I, too, thank Rhoda Grant for bringing to the chamber an important debate that has not, in the Parliament, moved on as it might have done. I support the motion and the introduction of the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, and I pay tribute to Rhoda Grant and other members in the chamber who continually raise the voices of those who often have no avenue to do so themselves. I also thank those women who have been trapped in the sex trade for coming to Parliament and speaking to us, as parliamentarians, about the reality of the life that is led by so many women. That includes the grooming, the vulnerability and the trapped, helpless, hopeless feeling that many women have spoken about. Those conversations have really developed my thinking in the area.”
“In response to a question that my colleague Jackie Baillie recently asked, the Government said: “Audiology is considered as a clinical priority area and the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland.” It also said that it wants to “continue to work with the NHS, Third Sector and private providers to identify and cost an appropriate model of community care for any future service reform”.—[Written Answers, 10 March 2025; S6W-35353.] In closing, I say to the minister that I am interested to hear what the options are, because we need to make sure that there are options. I would not like us just to go down a road of using private services, so it would be good to know whether the Government has managed to get that work done. Given the time, I will close there. 17:48”
“Everyone else in the household and the wider family is talking about how bad things are or how frustrated they are by a member of the family not hearing them, but they rarely mention it to the individual who is suffering from hearing loss. It is so important that we discuss these matters and encourage people to talk freely about what is happening to them or their loved ones and about what can be done. That brings me to the point that we are here to discuss tonight. There is no doubt that, in Scotland, we must galvanise ourselves to implement NHS community audiology services to ensure access to them, as they are incredibly important. We know that waiting lists are long in hospital settings, but there are opportunities, and many people want to have those opportunities within the community.”
“One thing that I had not considered was what she said about feeling safer because she could hear cars coming and things like that. She also said that she wears her hearing aids with pride, which is an important point. I also want to mention the impact on families. We know from RNID research that nine out of 10 of us would feel upset if a family member was missing out on a conversation or avoiding having a conversation altogether because of hearing loss. However, one in three say that a family member regularly does not hear them or asks them to repeat themselves. Despite that, many of us struggle to know the right way to speak with people about the issue. I agree, because that is my own experience.”
“I was continually asking my husband to turn the television up and would often take a back seat in social situations.” I think that many of us know that social isolation can be so hard for people. I particularly liked how Kathryn described the way that she felt after she got her hearing aids. She said: “It was incredible the first time I listened with them ... The immediate impact of being able to hear again was realising how much I had missed—like the joyful sound of birds singing. I believe it lifted my mood and I think it increased my confidence.” Improved hearing is really important for people. Kathryn said that she could appreciate music again, hear children, and experience all the things that lift our spirits and make us feel positive. It has a real impact.”
“Given the demographic changes in our population, the prevalence of hearing loss is set to continue, as we have heard from other members. It is, therefore, right that Sharon Dowey is raising the issue tonight and giving us an opportunity to discuss options for future service delivery. Of course, it is real stories that shine a light on the issues that we discuss. Going through the literature that was provided for us by the Scottish Parliament information centre during my research for the debate, I was particularly struck by some of the words from Kathryn, a retired nurse. She said: “The best thing for me is feeling whole again ... My hearing loss happened gradually. I didn’t suddenly realise it was a problem.”
“I thank Sharon Dowey for bringing this debate to the chamber. It concerns an area that I have recently discussed with constituents, audiologists and third sector groups that support older people in my region. As we have heard, hearing loss is very common. In fact, it is one of the most common disabilities in the UK. In 2015, Action on Hearing Loss Scotland estimated that there were 945,000 people living with hearing loss in Scotland, which is one in six of the population. As we have heard, the statistics speak for themselves. The issue affects many people and their families. More than half the population over the age of 55 has some form of hearing loss, and the presence of hearing loss rises with age. It is estimated that 70 per cent of people over the age of 70 have some degree of hearing loss.”
“My colleague Claire Baker mentioned the disappointment around the proposed learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill. That has also been mentioned to me. Something needs to be done for parents and families who are heartbroken by what has happened to that promise. In fairness, for too long the SNP has been asleep at the wheel on the mental health crisis. We need investment in mental health services, more mental health workers and improvements to CAMHS. Patients, parents and clinicians deserve better than what the Government is currently delivering. That is why Scottish Labour supports the motion, which I hope that our amendment will strengthen.”
“That is why Scottish Labour seeks to strengthen whatever is agreed to today, by saying that the Government should get that data into the public domain, so that we can understand the number of patients with neurodevelopmental conditions and how that relates to CAMHS waiting lists. In his opening speech, Alex Cole-Hamilton raised the failure of the shared care system and the work that needs to be done with GPs on that. We all agree that patients and their families who cannot afford to go private are doing so because they feel that it is so important for their loved ones to get treatment. That is another hurdle that people face, so we need to get on top of that issue. We all agree that the workforce is absolutely crucial. We need to see what is needed in the workstreams.”
“That failure falls against a backdrop of increased reporting of mental health conditions, which links very well to the Labour amendment. We need to understand the figures and what is happening, and I hope that the Government recognises that. The removal of patients from CAMHS waiting lists means that people who have been waiting for years now have to wait even longer. That has been brought up with me on many occasions. Families, parents and the people who are waiting do not understand what has happened, and we in this chamber all have a responsibility—although the Government is ultimately responsible, of course—to understand the long-term pattern of what is happening.”
“We heard from Dr Gulhane and others that many are waiting months, and sometimes years, for treatment, and we are yet to see a dedicated pathway for diagnosis. The Government promised to improve access and reduce waiting times for CAMHS, but we see in our inboxes that some children and young people are still waiting years for treatment. We know that delays threaten the effectiveness of treatment—Ariane Burgess and others mentioned that—and we need to help people to make a change in their life. Mental health services face unprecedented pressure. All members have spoken about that, and we accept it, but NHS spending on mental health services falls short of the Government’s 10 per cent commitment, as a number of members mentioned. Perhaps the minister will speak about that in her closing speech.”
“I thank the Liberal Democrats for bringing the debate to the chamber. I agree with Ariane Burgess that it has allowed us to have a good look at an important matter. It was good to hear the minister acknowledge that things need to improve—that was very helpful. Elena Whitham’s call for cross- party focus was also helpful. However, reflecting on what we have heard today, it is clear that the current provision for neurodevelopmental conditions does not match rising need and demand. Those in the system and their families feel that they are being let down, and they are. My colleague Paul Sweeney laid that out well in his speech, and Willie Rennie’s contribution brought out some strong points that we perhaps do not always consider.”
“I absolutely recognise the points that Carol Mochan made about inequalities and ensuring that people from all areas of Scotland get the right support. That is why we are increasing the number of general practitioner appointments that are available. We have also been working closely with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on a population health framework that is absolutely focused on prevention.”
“Figures that were published last week by British Heart Foundation Scotland showed that incidents of cardiovascular disease in working-age adults aged 20 to 64 in Scotland have risen by 14 per cent. The impact of heart disease on people early in life is increasing, particularly in our most deprived areas, where premature deaths are five times higher than in our least deprived areas. Will the minister commit to addressing that through the creation of a fully resourced plan that is co- produced with clinicians and the third sector? Jenni Minto: We are awaiting the results of the long-term conditions framework consultation, but we must also recognise that we need to go further on the preventative side. That is exactly where the Scottish Government has been increasing its investment in health.”
“Is the First Minister aware that Stagecoach west Scotland’s drivers are the lowest paid of any Stagecoach bus drivers across the United Kingdom? The drivers have simply tried to stand up for themselves, but the company has tried to reduce their leave and cancelled all existing leave over a planned strike period, which has caused much distress to everyone. That is just one of the many tactics that Stagecoach is using to prevent ordinary workers from having any say in their conditions. Does the First Minister agree that those drivers deserve a fair pay deal?”
“To ask the Scottish Government what recent action it has taken to improve the prevention and monitoring of malnutrition and dehydration. (S6O- 04692)”
“Those personal stories mean that we have to take the issue seriously and take a robust approach to tackling it. I am about to run out of time, but I reassure Mr Greer that Scottish Labour really wants to look at the issues that he mentioned in his motion. I know that you will have spoken to my colleague Mark Griffin about that. We want to see tax reforms to ensure that we can turn that around in Scotland. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members always to speak through the chair. 13:10”
“Trade unions have told me that people are not coming to work in the area or are having to travel a long distance, which sometimes involves a journey of an hour or more, to get to their work. That is not sustainable. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has heard compelling evidence on the issue, in oral evidence and on a visit to the islands. The health boards have described the situation as a crisis for service delivery. It is a very important issue. I have heard from my own constituents that empty second homes cause a lot of frustration in communities, particularly when people find it difficult to rent or purchase a home within their own community. We see that every day. People want to live within their community, near their network and want to bring up their own children near to the place where they grew up.”
“Some people say that there are benefits associated with the spend that is connected to second home properties. Some argue that it improves the local economy and keeps resources available for people who live locally. However, it is fair to say that the most compelling evidence to push Parliament to tackle some of the issues comes from local testimony. As we have heard, there are concerns that a high concentration of second homes causes an increase in house prices and rents and reduces the housing supply for local people. A lack of affordable housing affects not only individuals and communities but local businesses that want to attract workers. Very importantly, a lack of affordable housing also affects the recruitment of public sector workers. I have strong evidence of that from the Borders area of my South Scotland region.”
“In my view, that represents a housing market failure, because the primary purpose of homes, as Emma Roddick pointed out, is that they are for living in. That failure, which has taken away the opportunity to provide housing for individuals, families and communities, is one that Scottish Labour believes that we need to reverse. We need to bring those homes back into use. I think that Ross Greer’s motion fairly sets out the challenges of second home ownership. During my time in the Parliament, the sense that I have gained from debates, research papers and constituents—especially those who live in rural areas—is that those challenges are very real. Of course, when we read the research, we realise that second home ownership is a multifaceted issue—of course it is.”
“I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests: I previously owned property to rent. I thank Ross Greer for bringing the debate to the chamber. I acknowledge the work that he has done on the impact of second home ownership and his fierce commitment to ensuring that we address the housing needs of people in Scotland. It was appropriate that he raised the fact that it has been a year since a housing emergency was announced. Second homes are defined as homes that are furnished and lived in for at least 25 days in a 12- month period, but which are not someone’s main residence. My understanding—I am not an expert in this area; as members know, I cover the health brief—is that, as of September 2024, there were just over 21,000 second homes in Scotland.”
“I am looking for transparency about where that resource has landed and what it is delivering, to ensure that that part of the agreement has been honoured. Railway Infrastructure (East Kilbride Enhancement Project) 3.”
“Ayrshire is a good example of the variation that exists in the delayed discharge and social care experience in Scotland, which is part of the reason why we want to reform and improve the way in which social care is delivered. I recently met North Ayrshire leaders—again, on a whole- system basis, including leaders from the health board, the local authority and the health and social care partnership—to look at how we can support them to make improvements on the challenging position that they have been in. We have given additional resource to our local authority partners through the budget. Part of the agreement was that there would be an intensity of focus on, and a prioritisation of that resource into, social care.”
“The cabinet secretary will have seen the recent headline that said: “Numbers of Glasgow patients delayed in hospital reaches highest level in decade”. In South Ayrshire, which is in my South Scotland region, the average daily number of beds that are occupied due to delayed discharge is almost three times greater than that in East Ayrshire. How can there be such a difference between neighbouring local authority areas, which already share a number of services and health boards? I have asked the cabinet secretary this question before: what is the Government doing to help local authorities to share resources and best practice to improve delayed discharge across Ayrshire? Neil Gray: That is a key concern. Carol Mochan will have heard this narrated by not just me but the First Minister.”
“On the £30 million—[Interruption.] I ask Jackie Baillie to allow me to make my point. I think that members in the chamber are just not understanding the scale of the threat that faces our social care sector. Carol Mochan raised the issue of the £30 million—£10 million per year over three years—that was spent on understanding and making improvements to the social care sector. Let us look at the scale of the national insurance bill for the health and social care sector in Scotland. This year and every year as we go forward, the bill is £300 million. That £300 million is going not directly to our health and social care sector but to”
“It is ironic to hear the Government praise its work on the botched National Care Service (Scotland) Bill, which is now unrecognisable from what was first envisioned, with £30 million wasted in the process. Despite the Scottish Government’s warm words today, in reality, the social care sector has been ignored, underfunded and let down for 18 years by this SNP Government. The UK Government provided funding to the Scottish Government to assist with national insurance contributions. However, we believe that local government has not received all its funding to date. Will the minister tell the Parliament whether all the moneys that were provided by the UK Government have actually been allocated? Maree Todd: As I understand it, that is absolutely the case. I can confirm that in writing if that would be of comfort to Carol Mochan.”
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“I thank Gordon MacDonald for securing the debate, for delivering an informed opening speech and for co-hosting with Alex Rowley the construction skills demonstration outside Parliament tomorrow. I look forward to attending and taking part, though I should warn him that the building-skills gene has, unfortunately, skipped a generation in my case. I am my father’s son in many regards, but not that one. Meeting closed at 19:39. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“Through our Government’s strategic approach to growing a green and fair economy, we will continue to ensure that Scotland is known for championing fair work, for succeeding in new industries and for progress in a range of innovative sectors. Of course, the construction industry is central to the success of that work, particularly around our green industrial strategy, where the sector will play a vital role in the supply chains for renewable energy and housing. However, we must also not lose sight of the vital role of traditional building skills—stonemasonry being a case in point—in the maintenance of existing infrastructure, and ensure that they are promoted to the next generation as career options.”
“Migration policy should support mobility, collaboration and innovation and must suitably reflect the skills requirements of all sectors of the economy. The United Kingdom Government’s immigration white paper proposes changes that are short-sighted and will prove damaging to sectors that rely heavily on international talent, including our construction sector. We will continue to press the UK Government to urgently work with us to deliver tailored migration solutions for Scotland and prevent the harm to our economy, communities, and public services that the policy decisions in yesterday’s white paper will undoubtedly lead to.”
“In the recent programme for government, the First Minister committed to bringing together employers, colleges, universities, and other partners to ensure that the system is responsive to regional and national skills needs, and work to deliver that is progressing well. However, it will take a little time for us to see the fruits of that and it will take a bit longer than that to produce completed apprenticeships. So, we also need an uplift in available skilled workers now. Scotland needs talented and committed people from across the world to be able to work and study here without excessive barriers. The evidence shows that those who choose Scotland as their home help grow our economy, increase productivity and innovation and address skills shortages.”
“Subject to legislative processes, the reform agenda for post-school education and skills will bring together all apprenticeship funding into one organisation, making it more streamlined, transparent and easier to direct and deliver. I want that future offer to better support SME participation, the need for which Gordon MacDonald also highlighted. As we look to the future, and as part of a wider- ranging reform agenda, we will give careful consideration to the necessary balance of apprenticeships across key economic sectors to meet wider economic and industry demand, including within our vital construction sector.”
“The SDS careers advisers who are involved in that service are well placed to provide awareness of opportunities in the construction sector. However, they are not the principal influence on young people when it comes to settling on a career pathway. As Gordon MacDonald highlighted, the biggest influence is parents and carers, and there is undoubtedly work to be done in tackling the bias against trades that we see even though each and every household in this country is reliant on the services that trades provide. I believe that there is more to be done to tackle such prejudices and encourage young people to view jobs in construction in a positive light—I say that as the son of a joiner. Good money and rewarding careers are to be found in construction. The scaffolders I saw undergoing training at Inchinnan are an example of that.”
“However, we need to ensure that, in making their choices, they are aware of the range of potential pathways and are informed by up-to-date information about the likely labour market trends and the potential economic outcomes of their choices, and that the opportunities that are available in the construction sector are highlighted. Work to introduce young people to careers in construction and let them experience the opportunities that are available has been taken forward across Scotland by Developing the Young Workforce, which is embedding construction work tasters into schools. That three-year project, funded by the CITB, has been co-developed with the DYW network, employers and young people. That sits alongside the work that Skills Development Scotland is doing to provide an all- age career service in every local authority area.”
“Further, we need to recognise that, when it comes to our colleges and businesses seeking to have courses delivered in their localities, we require those businesses to come together to ensure that there is a critical mass of trainees and a pipeline in place to make that delivery viable over a sustained period. If not, the ask can become unaffordable. The Scottish Government remains committed to an all-age careers support offer that supports people to progress to rewarding careers. Learners must choose their own paths.”
“Costs, economic confidence and apprenticeship delivery are all areas that need to be addressed. That might involve considering different pathways into the industry, looking beyond traditional City and Guilds four-year apprenticeships. I am also very much alive to the role of private sector provision in all of this, having visited the national construction college in Inchinnan a few months ago. There is no doubt that, in setting out to tackle construction industry shortages, we need to consider who is best placed to deliver training and where.”
“Apprenticeships are absolutely vital in helping to develop a pipeline of talent for the construction industry, as well as for other key sectors. That is why we continue to invest significant funding in our apprenticeships in order to meet the needs of employers, the workforce, young people and Scotland’s economy. Construction apprenticeships continue to have one of the highest take-ups of modern apprenticeships, accounting for a quarter of all modern apprenticeship starts in 2023-24 as well as the highest number of modern apprenticeships in training, comprising a third overall. Foundation and graduate apprenticeships are also available for construction, ensuring that our overall apprenticeship package provides a wide range of rewarding career options within the sector. However, we can and must do more.”
“The United Kingdom Construction Industry Training Board figures suggest that there is an annual recruitment gap in Scotland of around 5,000 people, and estimates suggest that the industry needs 64,000 new people in the next decade. However, demand is not geographically uniform, as the excellent CITB biannual report of where the workforce is located clearly demonstrates. CITB data also suggests that there is a disconnect between the number of young people embarking on construction-related courses in our colleges and the number who go on to work in the sector. That is a situation that we need to understand the causes of and address. I want to recognise the constructive role that is played by CITB in all of this work.”
“19:32 The Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans (Graeme Dey): The Scottish Government very much recognises the importance of a thriving construction industry to Scotland’s economy. We also acknowledge that the sector faces recruitment challenges, and we aim to address those primarily through the Construction Leadership Forum, which is a collaborative structure involving industry, workforce representatives, public sector agencies and the Scottish Government and is chaired by the Minister for Business. The main focus of the Construction Leadership Forum’s skills working group, which is co-chaired by Skills Development Scotland, is work on boosting the workforce, in recognition of the fact that the sector requires a significant, skilled workforce to deliver our net zero goals.”
“People seem to find it difficult to find the right provision to enable them to keep up their competencies and qualifications and to become a professional in the sector. If the minister has any information on that, I would really appreciate hearing it. The ability to undertake apprenticeships locally makes a great difference in rural areas such as the one that I represent. That model really helps our young people to take on the roles and jobs that Gordon MacDonald spoke about in his opening speech. This is an important sector for the Parliament to look at. I thank everybody for their contributions, and I thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing the debate to the chamber.”
“Young workers in particular recognise that they need the skills to enable us to meet the challenge of reaching net zero and to deliver on the retrofitting of buildings and the building of our infrastructure and community settings, not only now but way into the future. Lots of skills need to be developed. The consistent message that I have heard from businesses and workers across the sector is that the Scottish Government must set policies to establish clearer training routes, invest in local training and, in particular, drive a desire to save some of the skills that are out there at the moment. We have heard about that from other members today. I have previously raised in the chamber the challenge that young apprentices face in accessing the local education that will allow us to retain those skills.”
“The work to ensure that there is on-going, good-quality construction work in the future, and to ensure the retrofitting of and continued existence of the buildings that we need, must be done—as other members have said—in tandem with the progression of construction training. During my time as an MSP, I have had the great pleasure of meeting a number of trades workers from a great variety of trades and backgrounds right across my South Scotland region. I have attended the annual Scottish Traditional Building Forum event in the Parliament grounds, and I will do so again this year.”
“I am pleased to see that the data suggests that young people see a future in the sector. It is important that we ensure that the sector is well regulated and safe, and that it has strong terms and conditions for those who work in it. I have met with trade union colleagues in construction and I know that we have some work to do, but I recognise the on-going work with the trade unions and the construction industry. During my time in Parliament, I have been fascinated to hear about colleagues’ knowledge in this area, and I have learned a great deal about the sector. Tonight’s debate is such an important one.”
“I thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing the debate to the chamber. If we want to meet all the expectations that we have set out in the Parliament over the past four years for the building of homes and infrastructure for roads, railways and cycle lanes, and for decent public services such as hospitals, schools and community centres, we have to acknowledge that we need skills and trades. That includes traditional trades, along with skills in retrofitting. Our joiners, plumbers and roofers—a whole variety of skills—are so important to our future. In order to meet our climate target—our most important commitment to future generations—we must ensure that there is a skill set in the construction industry. That is why it is important that this debate has been brought to the chamber.”
“Scrutiny of the bill has allowed concerns to be aired, and Liam McArthur has shown great determination in ensuring that compassion and choice, along with a clear commitment to safeguards, have been addressed as the bill has progressed. We are legislators. Our decisions today will have profound ramifications for many individuals. If we do not pass the bill, there will be serious consequences for many people who have difficult days and years ahead. We need to give people every choice that is available to them, and we must seek to diminish pain and suffering where we can. That is the humane thing to do, and it is the right thing to do. That is why I will support the bill tonight. 17:47”
“There is nothing flippant about them, and they happen every day. Why should that be the case, yet a person who honestly tells us that they wish to be in control of an unwinnable, intolerable struggle is ignored? Worse still, there are Scots who are being forced to travel abroad without their family around them in order to end their lives— isolated from all loved ones in order to die far away from home. I want us to help. As parliamentarians, we must have the strength to get the bill right. Compassion and fairness are important in life, and it is important that compassion and fairness are also available to those with a terminal illness as they approach their death. I accept that the bill must contain safeguards against coercion and around the worry about lack of services and support for staff.”
“It found that, in every constituency in Scotland, there was a majority in favour of introducing assisted dying legislation. I believe that the change is inevitable and, in this Parliament, we should put our efforts into ensuring that our constituents have robust legislation, to ensure the safe delivery of that change. We should be in politics to shift power away from the centre and to empower the individuals who have put their trust in us. What right do we have to sit in judgment and tell a person that they must struggle on in pain, powerless? After all, in practice, forms of assistance already exist in Scotland. Care is often omitted because nothing further can be done. Those are serious and well-considered decisions that are taken by experts in conjunction with patients and their families.”
“I know that many members believe in the principle behind the bill but are apprehensive about its implementation. How will it work in practice? I worked in healthcare, and I have worked with clinicians and patients. Every day, clinicians make assessments and patients make decisions about how their treatment will be managed. Sometimes, those decisions are straightforward and, sometimes, they are difficult and complex. Our constituents include clinicians and patients, and they know that healthcare should be compassionate and about choice. People support the principles of the bill, and it is our job to get the balance right in the bill. In 2024, Dignity in Dying Scotland conducted the largest poll yet on the issue in Scotland.”
“Doing so would deliver the kind of forward thinking and truly generous use of power that this Parliament was built to secure. Alternatively, we could instead do as the Parliament has so often done in the past: we could be hesitant, leaving the electorate frustrated by their Parliament’s lack of progressive leadership. The list of countries and states that have already introduced legislation in this area or are in the process of doing so—I include my colleague Kim Leadbeater’s bill at Westminster—is growing every month. As parliamentarians in Scotland, are we simply going to ignore the groundswell of public opinion towards such a reform? I truly hope not. I believe that we need this legislation and that to once again turn our back on compassion and choice would be a grave mistake, driven by fear.”