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.”
The complete record
Every one of 657 lines we hold for Carol Mochan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 14.
“I begin by saying thank you to Liam McArthur for continuing the work in the Scottish Parliament on this important reform. Despite it undoubtedly being a topic that many might choose to shy away from, he has allowed it to come back to the chamber today. I know that, along with Liam McArthur, there are organisations and individuals that have been working for many years to change the narrative in order to help people who desperately need their Government to act. I hope that today provides the foundations to achieve that. To be clear, the bill is a fundamental step towards compassion, liberty and respect for the dignity of the individual. With proper revision and attention to the many details that have been raised by professionals and advocacy groups, we can secure a historic piece of legislation at the end of this process.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work that it is doing to improve women’s health outcomes. (S6O-04622)”
“As I said in my response to Meghan Gallacher’s question, I very much support the work that NHS Lothian is doing to ensure that its staff get the right support to carry out their roles, which are incredibly important to all of us who live in”
“I thank Stephen Kerr for raising a really important issue. I hope that the minister will have more to say about the issue—families deserve more. Does the minister feel that the Government has done enough to ensure that the shared learning from significant adverse events happens is shared with staff? If the families are not getting the details, how do we make sure that those things do not happen again? Our staff are also at risk. Jenni Minto: I agree that we have to ensure that we get the right support for our staff who work in NHS maternity units. As I highlighted in one of my responses to Stephen Kerr, one key thing that the Scottish perinatal network highlighted was the importance of staff psychological safety.”
“I take the opportunity to re-emphasise those points and urge the Government to make progress on respiratory health, which often receives less attention than other conditions. There is much that we can do, and I know that the minister will be keen to move the situation forward. Respiratory outcomes in Scotland remain comparatively worse than those in other European countries. Without action on the issue and raising awareness in the chamber, asthma and respiratory health will continue to remain a persistent public health problem. I know that nobody in the chamber wants that, so working together is really important. Again, I thank Emma Harper for bringing the debate to the chamber. 13:09”
“On the data point, in last year’s debate, I noted that the Government pointed to on-going work “with Asthma and Lung UK and other key partners on commissioning a full national audit programme for respiratory conditions.”—[Official Report, 8 May 2024; c 119, 121.] I know that the minister recognises the importance of that and, as Emma Harper said, attends many of the related events. The minister knows that improving patient treatment outcomes is important, so any information that she has on that would be gratefully received. I would like to raise concerns about the Government’s progress on the respiratory health policy. At First Minister’s question time last week, I highlighted Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s concerns that the Government is “stagnating” in its delivery of the respiratory care action plan.”
“Many women experience a worsening of symptoms during menstruation and are at risk of potentially fatal asthma attacks every month, yet there is very little research on or understanding about that. During last year’s world asthma day debate, I raised a point about data and the lack of “an accurate collection method or an agreed reporting system across health boards” in Scotland. Following that, I asked whether the Government would consider gathering greater data on the impact of gender on asthma outcomes to help us to better understand that inequality. Perhaps the minister might have some words on that that she could feed back to us in her closing remarks.”
“It emphasises the need to ensure that all sufferers can access inhaled medication and appropriately manage the disease, which is crucial in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks. However, the 2025 Asthma and Lung UK survey found that only 30 per cent of sufferers reported receiving all three basic provisions of asthma care. That is deeply worrying, and I know that everyone in the chamber will be concerned about it, because the three basic elements of care ensure that the disease is effectively managed and controlled and, importantly, that deaths are prevented. I turn to inequalities. We know that, in many cases, women have far worse health outcomes than men, and that is no different in respiratory health. Women are more likely to have asthma, to have more severe symptoms and to die from their asthma.”
“I, too, thank Emma Harper for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I know that she has great knowledge and skills in this area, and I praise the on-going work that she is committed to carrying out in the Parliament and beyond. Scottish Labour welcomes world asthma day 2025 and recognises this year’s theme, which, as members have said, is “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL”. As we have heard, that is important, because two out of three asthma- related deaths are preventable. Asthma is one of the most common chronic non- communicable diseases and, today, we are reminded of its prevalence in Scotland. Although there is no cure, most people can control their symptoms well with asthma inhalers and other medicines, which improve their overall quality of life and outcomes. That is why this year’s theme is so important.”
“However, we are all keen to ensure that information about the new projects can be communicated clearly and quickly. Late last year, both Governments approved the trajectory of a number of changes across the Ayrshire deal capital programme that should pave the way for a greater pace of delivery. We are working with Ayrshire Council, and, in the past few months, I have personally convened a meeting with the Secretary of State for Scotland and senior representatives from the council in order to accelerate the pace of delivery. Infrastructure Support (South-west Scotland) 5.”
“I recently sent a letter to the Ayrshire councils seeking an update on the deal’s delivery. The response acknowledged that progress on delivery had not been as originally envisaged and noted that, at the halfway point of the programme’s lifetime, only a small percentage of available investment had been realised. It also noted that, in response to delays, partners, in consultation with the Government, had undertaken a review of the programme. Can the Government advise when the decision to review was made and what the outcome of the review was, to ensure that my constituents can see the potential and the benefits of economic growth? Kate Forbes: As the member knows, part of the reason for the situation that she outlines is that a number of projects did not proceed as originally envisaged.”
“We can then work with health boards to ensure that those areas are targeted. The Presiding Officer: Question 5 has been withdrawn. Community Energy Projects 6.”
“Recent Public Health Scotland figures found that just two in five high-risk infants were vaccinated against flu in the past winter, which means that more than 1,000 were left unprotected. The decline in childhood immunisation levels continued in 2024, with uptake lowest in the most deprived and rural areas. What action is the Scottish Government taking to investigate why that is, and what is it doing to address the causes of low uptake? Jenni Minto: I agree that work needs to be done to ensure that vaccinations are available across all areas, which they are, and to ensure that the uptake is high. We are currently working with digital colleagues who have developed a system that will provide greater granularity of data so that we can understand where the areas of real need are.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect the on-going viability of local and regional museums and galleries. (S6O-04544)”
“In Ayrshire, the average wait time is continually increasing, with the longest wait at the time being a shocking 238 days. Bringing down waiting lists must be an absolute priority. We must have a plan that actually delivers for patients and staff. Under the Scottish Government, our tremendous NHS staff have been pushed to the limit, services are at breaking point and patients suffer on endless lists. For patients and staff, this is a Government without a plan, and that must change. 18:33”
“Currently, almost 1,500 women in Scotland have been waiting for more than two years for vital gynaecological surgery. My research shows that women in three health board areas—NHS Grampian, NHS Tayside and NHS Lanarkshire— have been waiting for more than four years, often in agony, for laparoscopies. The response to a Scottish Labour freedom of information request shows how many women are being badly failed by the SNP when it comes to hysterectomies. We revealed a wait of almost six years in NHS Grampian, and in NHS Borders, in my South Scotland region, the longest wait in 2024-25 was 10 times longer than in 2019-20. That is absolutely scandalous. I could go on. Waits for a colposcopy—a test that can help to identify cervical cancer—are unacceptably high.”
“We are hearing in the chamber tonight that, whether someone lives in a rural area or an urban area, whether they are young or old or whether they have a long-term condition or are seeking new advice, worries about NHS waiting times are a constant. So far, I have raised the concerns of constituents and staff who have reached out to me. In the few minutes that I have left, I want to raise the voices of women living in Scotland. Recent reporting suggests that women across Scotland are suffering “structural neglect” by the NHS, with hundreds being left to languish on waiting lists for years. Weekend papers highlighted the extreme waiting times that are being experienced specifically by women for female-only medical interventions.”
“The issue of waiting times for NHS treatment is perhaps the one that I hear most about from my constituents, and I also hear from overstretched staff members in the areas that I cover. Constituents say to me that waiting times are too high, that there is unclear information on what is happening and that the Scottish Government has no real plan to address the issue. Staff tell me that thousands of registered nursing staff are missing from health and care services, that the number of nurses leaving the register within their first 10 years is increasing and that the number of students applying to study for a nursing degree is falling. The SNP has no credible plan to rectify that, as NHS staff can see.”
“Today’s debate is of critical importance, and it is right that we use our time in the chamber to debate topics that match the Scottish people’s priorities. The SNP Government might want to hide from its responsibilities and its record when it comes to the NHS, but Opposition members have a responsibility to hold the Government to account on behalf of patients and staff, who have been let down for far too long. I therefore thank Douglas Lumsden for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I share his concern for his constituents. As the motion states, more than 3,000 patients in NHS Grampian have waited more than two years for treatment. That is unacceptable. The Government’s record is also appalling in my South Scotland region.”
“As we continue to focus on making progress towards widening access to higher education, it is important to remember why we are doing that. It is to allow everyone to reach their potential, and I am confident that, with programmes such as the foundation academy, we are helping people to do just that. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. 13:24 Meeting suspended until 14:30. 14:30 On resuming— Portfolio Question Time Social Justice”
“Last month’s Higher Education Statistics Agency statistics showed a welcome upward trend in the proportion of students from deprived areas entering university. I know that those figures reflect a huge amount of effort from all staff who are working to support those learners, whether in our schools, our colleges, our universities or elsewhere, and I pay tribute to them for that. However, we know that, collectively, we still have work to do if we want to support more learners from all backgrounds to access higher education. We are in a different place in comparison with 2016 and, in many ways, it is a much more challenging place. However, I know from speaking to our universities, and to the commissioner for fair access, that the momentum behind this agenda is stronger than ever.”
“It would be remiss of me, however, not to acknowledge the work that is done by other higher education institutions, such as the University of Glasgow and Queen Margaret University, in reaching into communities to help to ensure that our young people are prepared and supported to be able to pursue university education. The Government has been clear that we remain resolutely committed to free tuition. The hundreds of students who were able to go to the university because of the foundation academy have been able to do so with no tuition fees to pay. That is the right thing to do, not only for those individuals but for society, and I am proud that Scotland is a nation in which access to university is based on the ability to learn, not on the ability to pay.”
“As we heard earlier, the successful completion of the programme furnishes graduates with credit- bearing modules that can be used as an alternative to a B at higher when applying to UWS. A measure of its credibility is the uptake of the offering. In 2022-23, it engaged with 441 pupils across seven schools; thus far, in 2025-26, engagement sits at 1,207 individuals across 34 schools. I put on record my thanks to all those at the UWS and their partners for the brilliant work at the foundation academy and for their wider approach to supporting students once they enter the institution. The student success model operating within the institution has real potential, not just for the UWS but for the wider sector.”
“It is a fantastic example of partnership working, and that alternative pathway is the type of innovative approach that will help to make access to universities easier. I am pleased that we have had the opportunity to celebrate it today. As we have heard, the UWS foundation academy supports S5 and S6 pupils who attend schools with lower progression rates. It has partnered with 34 individual schools across 10 local authority areas. The 12-month programme helps pupils to develop academic skills and experience university-level study, and it provides an opportunity for them to visit a campus. That is all helpful in preparing young people for university life, as Miles Briggs noted. The programme is tailored to meet specific regional needs and is delivered at no cost to local authorities or schools.”
“13:20 The Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans (Graeme Dey): I thank George Adam for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I thank other members for their contributions. I welcome representatives of the University of the West of Scotland to the gallery; unfortunately, they sadly missed the beginning of George Adam’s contribution owing to the fire alarm. Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting the UWS to speak to—and, more importantly, hear from— staff and students. I heard about the excellent work that the university does to attract and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The foundation academy is one of those pieces of work, and it continues to go from strength to strength.”
“First, it fully funds visits to the university and, secondly, pupils get experience of modules being delivered by lecturers in their own school for a period each week. That provides them with a comprehensive understanding of how university teaching is structured, and gives them accredited skills, knowledge and confidence—and the qualification that other members have mentioned—to take with them in the next steps in their education. I appreciate all the work that staff and students have done, and I wish them great success for the future. I welcome all the contributions from members today. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I invite Graeme Dey to respond to the debate—around seven minutes, please.”
“As I have a rural constituency, it is very common for constituents to tell me how difficult it is for their young family members to travel to education and training. Recent work that I have participated in around traditional building trades highlighted the issue for me. If a young person living in Dalmellington wants to learn a trade such as roofing, they cannot, through no fault of their own, get public transport that allows them to reach college for the start time. How can we expect them to commit to options that they simply cannot get to? We in the Parliament have a responsibility to fix those injustices. Part of our responsibility in relation to supporting programmes such as the foundation academy is to look at the wider issues for and needs of our communities. The programme addresses the challenges that pupils might have.”
“Through the programme, they have gained insight and learning experiences to improve their future university applications. No child or young person should ever feel limited because of their background or circumstances. Everyone should have support to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to access their chosen path. The programme provides opportunity by creating more routes for students to gain access to university. It is vitally important that students from all backgrounds have access to university, should they wish it. We know the impact of growing up in poverty, which causes unfair barriers to accessing further education. We should be doing everything that we can to provide all children with the tools to choose their own future, which must include access to university, if they choose that option.”
“One of the biggest challenges that is faced by pupils who would like to go to university, especially those who lack support for and experience of university at home, is change. That can be a very difficult gap to bridge, and we all know that it has led to many people simply giving up. The programme directly addresses that issue, and we should all support it in doing so. As others have said, the programme includes accredited modules and affords the students a taster of university education. I was pleased to speak with delegates from the University of the West of Scotland about the foundation academy when they visited Parliament earlier this year. I am proud to say that in my South Scotland region, 245 pupils have participated.”
“I thank George Adam for bringing this celebration of the work of the University of the West of Scotland to the chamber. We all know the power of education, and we all believe that it can transform lives. The right to education at all levels must be embedded in all that we do as politicians. It is important that we continue to work with universities to encourage programmes such as the foundation academy. The foundation academy has allowed pupils who wish to pursue higher education in a wide range of subject areas to gain access to it. It has provided a pathway without which that education might have been out of reach. As we have heard, thousands of young people have benefited from the academy since it was launched in 2022 with the aim of bridging the gap between schools and the university, and the numbers continue to increase each year.”
“Neil Gray: The Scottish Government expects all relevant organisations, in their role as employers, to comply with the requirements of the 2010 act and other legislation that Carol Mochan references, such as the requirements of the law on health and safety in workplaces, as outlined in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. The expectation to follow the rule of law is clear, and we would expect boards and other public organisations to adhere to it.”
“The Government has repeatedly failed to say how it is ensuring that all health and safety workplace regulations are being complied with in relation to single-sex toilets. I have asked this question before, but can the Government provide any assurance that it will take some responsibility and look to assess the current situation in our NHS and other organisations—particularly those to which the Government provides public funds—and gather the necessary data? It should not be difficult, and I think that it is essential.”
“In addition, families have raised with me the lack of training for education professionals, which means that opportunities to break down barriers and to enable people to fulfil their potential are missed. Education services are asking for training and resources, but the Government seems to be unable to respond to the need. There is little doubt that the legislation should be progressed, to address many of the issues that have been raised by my constituents and by other members in this debate. I hope that the minister provides some answers to my constituents in summing up. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Stephanie Callaghan, who joins us remotely. I gather that we are having slight issues with Ms Callaghan’s camera, so I will go first to Stephen Kerr, and we will go to Ms Callaghan after that. You have up to four minutes, Mr Kerr.”
“When families, out of sheer desperation, seek private consultations, there is a lack of shared care and of clarity and follow-up with treatment plans. That all causes undue stress as well as considerable debt for families who can little afford it. Other families have approached me about the complex systems that are in place to divert referrals from CAMHS. That issue is raised with me regularly—families do not feel supported, and they are provided with few options for support with diagnosis and/or treatment and/or integration with other services such as education and employment. The systems lack any opportunity for appeal on rejected referral routes, and families are already struggling and exhausted by the system itself. It is absolutely unacceptable.”
“As MSPs, we all know that that simple request becomes bigger and bigger as families have to fight every step of the way for assessment, treatment and support. The lack of leadership and the lack of urgency from the Government to legislate in this area is absolutely and utterly unacceptable. It seems that there is little doubt among experts and families that the bill should be in the Government’s programme for government, and it is not good enough to delay it any further if we truly want to change outcomes for people. I have some very dear friends who have experience of the service provision for both adults and children with autism and ADHD in Ayrshire. They and many other families across my South Scotland region have had considerable difficulty in finding adequately trained GPs.”
“It was at that point that I realised that the bill was not progressing as many had hoped, following the indication that another consultation period would be added. That consultation did not commence until December 2023. In the short time that I have in which to speak tonight, I want to raise the voices of my constituents. I do not think that the frustration of those people and their families can be overstated. During the four years that I have been in Parliament, this subject has featured as one of the most frequent requests in my casework. Often, it starts with a simple request: people just ask, “Can you help me to understand?” I believe that my colleagues in the chamber will have had the same type of request time and again.”
“I thank Daniel Johnson for bringing this important debate to the chamber. In working with other members across the parties, he has been a real champion in the Parliament for people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence. The Scottish Government committed to the learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill in its programme for government for 2021-22. That was at the very start of my journey as an MSP. At that time, I was approached by constituents and by professional organisations that asked me to support the bill. I must say that people were extremely positive and excited to see that piece of legislation advance. In summer 2022, I had the great pleasure of attending the Borders Additional Needs Group’s branching out transitional youth camp.”
“It can break down barriers, particularly when it comes to inequality, and offer opportunities to the most disadvantaged children. We speak about that in the chamber every day. We need to have the will to ensure that it can happen, and I believe that that will is there, across the parties. Every pupil, no matter their background or individual need, should have the opportunity to attend a residential outdoor trip. I will play my part in making sure that we get the bill through. 16:38”
“We know that disparities exist between pupils who live in the most and least deprived communities. The bill is an opportunity for the outdoors to be a part of everybody’s life and for those who live in poverty not to be disadvantaged. The bill must address the wider socioeconomic issues that impact on a child’s ability to access and attend residential trips. I agree that we need to look at the role of teaching staff and make sure that residential outdoor education is done in a way that supports teachers and is a core part of the curriculum, as has been mentioned. The intention and aims behind the bill are welcome, and its principles are well intended—all of us have said that during the debate. Outdoor learning enhances education, improves mental and physical health and has many benefits for a child’s development.”
“However, as we have discussed, there is a way of addressing those issues. There must be a financial resolution for the bill, and I hope that we can work across the parties on that. I will certainly do so with my colleagues in Scottish Labour. I repeat Willie Rennie’s point about the Government needing to make sure to seek out how we can get the bill through. The bill seeks to address the fact that many schools do not currently provide residential outdoor education. On that, I pick up a point that I often raise in the chamber, which is about inequalities—particularly health inequalities. Those exist, and we know that they exist. The bill has definitely got to be part of the solution. Costs and financial pressures represent a key barrier to families, and to children having the opportunity to go along to residential outdoor education.”
“When somebody asked my primary school-aged son how school was, he said that there was a lot of sitting inside and sitting down. That came from the fact that, in his early years, he spent so much time outside— with his father, in particular. Residential outdoor education represents a key milestone in a child’s educational development, and schools should aim to include it as a core part of learning—which is what Brian Whittle was trying to say, I think. I do not think that that is disputed across the parties. I support the general principles of the bill. There are concerns, but I think that the member in charge of the bill recognises those, and we can fine tune it at stage 2 if there is a willingness to do so. We need to think about costs, provision for pupils with additional support needs and the impacts on teachers.”
“It is welcome that the bill seeks to address the notable decline in the number of pupils who have the opportunity to attend residential outdoor education. The committee’s call for evidence highlighted the benefits that children stand to gain from residential stays, which have been well rehearsed in other members’ speeches, when it comes to confidence, social skills, mental wellbeing and resilience. Respondents described the benefits as “life changing”. Through my role as Scottish Labour’s public health spokesperson, I frequently hear about the value of the outdoors and outdoor learning for both physical and mental health. Brian Whittle: Does Carol Mochan agree that, to tackle the attainment gap in schools, many of the tools that are required inside the classroom are better learned outside the classroom? Carol Mochan: Absolutely.”
“I take this opportunity to say that my thoughts are with Christina McKelvie’s family. She was incredibly kind to me in the early days of this parliamentary session. Today, we are discussing a bill that seeks to improve the outdoor learning opportunities that are available to schoolchildren. I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate. I am not on the Education, Children and Young People Committee, so I have found the debate to be really helpful. The bill’s core aim is to ensure that all pupils in state and grant-aided schools can experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career. As we have heard in the debate, we all recognise the value of residential outdoor education for a child’s learning and development. Liz Smith’s opening speech described that in a very visual way.”
“If we truly want to bring about greater resilience and more positive mental health in the next generation, we need to invest in that at school. I have always been struck by the findings of the 2016 report on scout and guide participation, which is now almost a decade old. It found that people who were scouts and guides in childhood had better mental health in later life. That report, which was put together by researchers at Edinburgh and Glasgow universities, looked at data from a lifelong study of more than 10,000 people who had had outdoor education experiences as scouts and guides, and it found that, as adults, they were 15 per cent less likely to suffer from anxiety or to have mental health complications or mood disorders.”
“The member makes a very good point. Does he agree that it might be possible for us to help local authorities to engage in shared activities to enable some of our constituents to access such provision? Miles Briggs: Absolutely. The visits that the committee undertook showed that it is not the case that there is one facility for each council—we are talking about shared facilities. The economic potential that exists for such facilities to benefit from visits by university students and team- building exercises is such that we can make the proposal work and put in place some fantastic new facilities across our country. Throughout my time in Parliament, I have always championed the need to invest in mental wellbeing.”
“The paper references a number of areas that the Scottish Government can look at, and I ask the Minister for Equalities to make plans to discuss those with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care as soon as possible. I know that I am running out of time, so I thank members for their commitments tonight. 18:17”
“People who have limited, or no, access to shelter or housing, and who are not able to work or apply for benefits, cannot gain access to basic food in order to maintain any level of health. Around 33 per cent of those who are under the restrictions that we are talking about this evening are more likely to be deprived of basic food—that is in Scotland, today. That has to be a concern not only in the here and now, but with regard to the longer-term health of any of those individuals. Access to healthcare for people with no recourse to public funds is, at best, muddled. There needs to be an end to the barriers in that regard; people need to know that they can access healthcare at the point of need, without fear, including fear of charges that they desperately cannot afford.”
“We have heard that one in eight people with no recourse to public funds are currently sleeping rough, with more than half having reported sleeping rough last year. It is clear that immediate action is required. Financial support for people who are living in those extreme levels of destitution can be made possible—it is the systems that we create that cause such suffering, and that is absolutely unacceptable. Evidence shows that a third of the fair way Scotland partnership’s service users can go for months with no income. In the short time that I have left, I will mention access to healthcare. It is no surprise that, as a result of the barriers that we have discussed, a major area of inequality is people’s health and nutritional health.”
“Many of the actions that the paper sets out are within the abilities and devolved capacities of the Scottish Government, so let us use the powers that we have to actually help our fellow human beings. If I think of the most basic of needs, I think of a home: everyone should have a home that meets their needs. That is the Scottish Government’s vision, it is my vision and it is our vision, but it is simply not the reality for so many people. I therefore urge the Scottish Government to use the debate as a catalyst to work on some of the solutions that Professor Jen Ang has laid out. In order for us to see an end to homelessness, we need more action. The paper details the desperate situation of many people who are sleeping on Scotland’s streets, and I urge those at all levels of Government to act now.”
“As other members have said, the briefing paper rightly challenges presumptions that reserved immigration law prevents specific groups from accessing support that would mitigate the harm that they suffer at present. The paper presents workable solutions that national and local government can pursue to achieve immediate positive change. In my view, it is our responsibility as human beings to seek solutions, not to build barriers, when others are suffering. That is why I welcome the briefing paper and the opportunity that Maggie Chapman has given us to speak tonight. The paper is a stark reminder of why we should review legislation and challenge assumptions about how laws are implemented.”