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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“The cabinet secretary pointed out that boys’ viewing of warped behaviour online can have an effect on them for life. Katy Clark as well as others mentioned that the digital world is being taken over by the far right, which is pushing messages to our young men. We have a responsibility to do all that we can to combat that. I have to clearly say that digital abuse, including trolling, stalking and other forms of technologically facilitated violence against women and girls, really worries me. If I am honest, I do not think that we fully understand all the aspects of it. The debate has raised challenges that we face. We have heard that digital violence changes so rapidly that it always seems to be one step ahead of legislators.”
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to close this debate for Labour. I thank the Government for bringing the motion to the chamber—it is very welcome at this time—and I thank members for speaking on such an important issue. Although the theme of this year’s 16 days of activism asks us to unite to end digital violence against all women and girls, recent statistics remind us that violence against women and girls remains far too common right across society— many members mentioned that this evening. Whether through domestic violence, sexual harassment or rampant misogyny, women continue to be the target of far too many men’s terrible behaviour and aggression. As we have heard in the debate, that is in many ways magnified in the digital world.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the financial sustainability of Ayrshire College. (S6O-05213)”
“We have additional funding—Scottish dental access initiative allowances—to increase the number of dentists in various areas.”
“Data released only yesterday revealed that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has the third lowest rate of child dentist registrations in Scotland. Significant inequalities exist, with more than a 10 per cent gap between children living in the most and least deprived areas. Why are children in Dumfries and Galloway considerably worse off when it comes to registration? What is the Government’s response to that inequality, and what action will it take to address it? Jenni Minto: I recognise the importance of ensuring that we support people and children, specifically those in the more deprived areas of Scotland. Dumfries and Galloway has been impacted by a reduction in the number of dentists, and we are working closely with the health board.”
“In a world where there is such division as there is today, I hope, as we celebrate St Andrew’s day, that—as others have said—we can look beyond the division to a message of hope and unity that we in this country and around the world so desperately need. We know that St Andrew would have hoped for that also. I thank Michelle Thomson again for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I thank members for their contributions. 17:47”
“The diaspora consists of Scottish people who emigrated—as we know, we were a great nation for emigrating around the world—and now their descendants, whose number is estimated to be anything between 30 million and 40 million people. I know that, in my South Scotland region, there is plenty going on this week to celebrate St Andrew’s day. That includes traditional events such as ceilidhs, and a mixture of others involving important history and institutions. In my area, the local Burns club is having an evening event to celebrate the day, and there is even karaoke. I am sure that those who are attending are very pleased that I will be dealing with amendments later tonight, so I will not be singing in Ayrshire.”
“In addition, as the motion states, we need to acknowledge “the economic benefits that global recognition brings to Scotland through the culture, business, education, tourism and retail sectors, supported by the use of the Saltire as both the national flag and the ‘Brand Scotland’ identifier of Scottish produce and marketing”. We see that in Scotland, and I am sure that others will often see it when they are abroad. People will notice our flag in shops and retail outlets, wherever they go. We have great relationships around the world. St Andrew’s day is recognised and celebrated around the world by people who believe that they have a connection to Scotland. They are known as the Scottish diaspora.”
“When I was young, I had family who lived abroad for many years, and they enjoyed St Andrew’s day and saw it as a great opportunity to invite international friends over to enjoy and celebrate Scotland. The real wonder was in people from cultures from around the world enjoying one another’s culture; that was so important to them. St Andrew is both Scotland’s patron saint and our national symbol, officially recognised—as others have said—in the 1320 declaration of Arbroath. The relationship is represented by the saltire flag, with the blue-and-white X-shaped cross symbolising the way in which St Andrew was martyred.”
“I thank Michelle Thomson for bringing the debate to the chamber; I am pleased to speak in it. I acknowledge the work of the cross-party group on St Andrew’s day and the people who continue to run that group, as others have mentioned. The motion highlights the on-going work of the former MP and MSP Dennis Canavan to ensure that St Andrew’s day continues to be an important day that recognises our patron saint. He took forward the campaign to make it a bank holiday to be enjoyed by everyone. As a proud Scot, I believe that it is really nice, and important, that we—like many countries around the world—celebrate our patron saint as part of celebrating our history, our culture and our country.”
“Our former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, gave updates to the public and made herself available to the press on a regular basis. Another point that I would like to put on the record is that co-operation between the Scottish Government and the UK Government during the pandemic was frequent and collaborative. There was wide-ranging collaboration and co-ordination on a range of issues, including testing, vaccine roll-out and public health measures. I know that to be a fact, and I am hopeful that it is recognised in the report.”
“How does the SNP plan to rebuild the public’s trust in Government after such findings? Can the Deputy First Minister indicate when another statement will be made so that we can scrutinise the issue? Does she accept that that must happen well before the end of the parliamentary session? Kate Forbes: In relation to the first part of Carol Mochan’s question, I assure her that, even during the rapidly evolving and intense circumstances of the pandemic, which we all remember, the Scottish Government sought to maintain its usual process of formal collective decision making. We were open, transparent and accountable in respect of the decisions that were made. I personally recall the number of statements that I gave to members in the chamber, making myself open to scrutiny and debate.”
“The Deputy First Minister has said that we have had only a brief opportunity to read the report. However, I have no doubt, from my brief reading of it, that public confidence in the Scottish Government’s decision making will be significantly affected. Important decisions were made through informal structures, which reduced transparency and, ultimately, accountability. A number of witnesses who were involved in the UK Government’s response to Covid-19 told the inquiry that, in their view, part of the reason for the divergence in approach between the UK Government and the Scottish Government was a desire on the part of the Scottish Government on a number of occasions, for political rather than policy reasons, to adopt measures and language that were different from those adopted by the UK Government.”
“We must do more to empower our communities to speak to healthcare professionals when they need help, and to ensure that a clear and understandable plan is put in place to address any inequalities that people might face. I thank the guests in the gallery for their attendance and all the members who have contributed to the debate. 13:10”
“Before closing, I will take a moment, as I often do, to reflect on health inequalities and their impact on outcomes for our constituents. We know that the detection of cancer in our more deprived communities can be very difficult. In those areas, people interact with health services in a very different way, and we have a responsibility to raise this issue time and again. The latest Public Health Scotland data revealed that the incidence of all cancers was 24 per cent greater in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas. Often, that is about early detection and supporting people to get the right advice at the right time. In previous debates, I have warned about the impact of health inequalities on some of our most vulnerable communities and called for urgent action in that regard.”
“I, too, thank the various organisations that do that work, and those that have contacted me ahead of today’s debate for their work and for all the helpful briefings. The briefings show the scale of the problem and the challenge ahead; they also show us what we have to work towards. Other members have mentioned the importance of research and the related challenges and barriers, as well as the important tests that can detect the disease. We need all that work to come together so that we can improve survival rates. I noticed that, in the past 15 years, the five-year survival rate has increased from 3 per cent to 7 per cent. It has not moved at pace, but it shows that we can make a difference by working together, including with other nations.”
“We know from the statistics that eight in 10 people are diagnosed at a late stage, which means that they are often diagnosed too late for treatment. That is a tragedy. More than 50 per cent are diagnosed in emergency settings, such as accident and emergency, despite the vast majority of patients visiting their general practitioner multiple times before being diagnosed. For patients, recognising the symptoms of pancreatic cancer represents a first step in diagnosis, especially in the absence of the early detection tests that others have mentioned. Symptoms can be vague, which can make the cancer really difficult to spot, so the public awareness campaigns that are run by charities and organisations to support early detection are crucial.”
“I, too, thank Clare Adamson for bringing the debate to the chamber, and for all the work that she has done on pancreatic cancer over this session of Parliament. I am glad that the Parliament is once again marking pancreatic cancer awareness month and highlighting the importance of greater awareness and timely diagnosis. I welcome the opportunity to contribute—I think that I have contributed in each of the previous annual debates. It is important to take a moment to reflect on the scale of the illness and the profound impact that it has on many families. Others have mentioned the statistics, so I will not go back over them, but I will say that we must always remember that catching the cancer early dramatically improves the chances of treatment and recovery.”
“To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to news that public satisfaction with the NHS has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to the Scottish household survey. (S6F-04472)”
“These challenges are real for both patients and staff. The Government might point to on-going work, but the reality is that communities need action and tangible changes for them and their families. What communities need now is delivery, and that is what we would like to hear more about. 18:23”
“I have talked to many people about that model, which would allow people in rural areas to train, work in and be committed to their local area, whether they live there because they want to or because they cannot, for whatever reason, move away. I have been talking about the issue for five years now, but it does not feel as if it has edged forward at all. Perhaps the minister could come back to it in her closing remarks. Lastly, I would like to highlight the workforce problems in South Ayrshire. That region might not be what some would traditionally think of as rural or remote, but people in communities such as Girvan feel that things are just becoming worse and worse. In my discussions with constituents and staff at the local hospital, I hear that it is often difficult to recruit and retain staff.”
“Mothers in Wigtownshire, in my South Scotland region, do not have a dignified service, and it is important that we address that. I know that there are staffing pressures, but women are travelling 70 miles to receive care. Those mothers, their husbands, their partners, their family members and other campaigners say that they are extremely concerned about the difficulties that might arise during that process. I also want to mention staff recruitment, retention and training, because it is a real concern that has been raised with me. I have asked the Government a number of times about its plans to expand the apprenticeship-type model for healthcare workers, as recommended by the nursing and midwifery task force, which offers a great opportunity to grow skills in our communities.”
“Many people in those communities feel disconnected from their healthcare, as services seem to move further and further away, and many of my constituents have told me that they feel a sense of doom, because they cannot see any improvement in rural healthcare. Last year, we debated the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s findings on remote and rural healthcare, which revealed profound inequalities in access to services and care. That is a really important issue. The report reinforced what has long been known, which is that those communities experience greater inequalities in accessing healthcare compared with those in our more urban and central areas. That is true across health services—including maternity services, which I will mention only briefly, as Scottish Labour highlighted the issue in the chamber just a few weeks ago.”
“I, too, thank Finlay Carson for bringing today’s debate to the chamber, and I was pleased to support his motion. As we have heard, people in rural areas face unique challenges in accessing healthcare. I therefore welcome this debate and the opportunity to highlight the day-to-day realities of those who live in my rural South Scotland region. Issues have been raised with me not only by my constituents who are patients, but by our hard- working NHS staff. Living in a rural community should not limit people’s access to basic healthcare, as Brian Whittle has mentioned, and there should also be ways of managing more specialist care. However, for many constituents and staff, it is frustrating that things do not run smoothly.”
“That was helpful for us, so we would certainly not argue against identifying the funding that comes through the apprenticeship levy. 16:02”
“We are also taking action right now to respond to need, including the provision of £2 million for engineering skills in the Glasgow city region area. Finally, we heard from the Conservatives about the apprenticeship levy. That is all part of the Barnett formula grant, and how that comes through is not a decision that we can necessarily influence. However, I assure the Conservatives that we make a considerable investment in skills. I think that the Conservative figure is based on a freedom of information request to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. We would certainly be open to working with the UK Government in the way that it worked with us from 2017 through to 2019-20, when it identified how much funding came through the apprenticeship levy.”
“I have had a lot of engagement with the college in recent months. Daniel Johnson talked about the scale of in- work training. There are some useful statistics from the employer skills survey that show that, overall, 60 per cent of employees have received training in work. That figure illustrates the commitment from employers to support in-work training. We also heard about opportunities for structural change. I heard what members said about not focusing so much on structural change that we lose the opportunity to make changes now. However, we have a time-critical opportunity to make structural changes to the education, skills, careers and employability system to ensure better alignment—that point comes through in Daniel Johnson’s motion.”
“[Made a request to intervene.] Kate Forbes: I have only five minutes and I am three minutes in. Alex Rowley talked about the good work that is being done by employers. He mentioned the workshops in Methil—the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills was telling me how much she enjoyed her visit there. Claire Baker talked about the novel approach of the co-location of Levenmouth academy and Fife College. The Scottish Government funded more than half of that initiative, which illustrates our desire to support such co-location. Jamie Hepburn and Fulton MacGregor talked about the strength of our education and skills system. We also heard about the work that is being done by one of my favourite colleges, Ayrshire College, which is right at the heart of our growth agenda, particularly regarding aerospace.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated in its budget for the improvement of road safety on the A77 trunk road. (S6O-05170)”
“I reiterate that we must work together, but in that we must pay attention to some of the things that we can do in Scotland in our devolved capacity. What will make a difference here and now? From what others have said, we know that we need to look at sustainability. We also need to use the science that the Labour amendment mentions. I hope that that can be supported, because without a move towards the use of that science, we might find that we cannot keep the seas sustainable. During this parliamentary session, we have had a much greater emphasis on this issue, mostly from Opposition members. I reiterate my gratitude for people working together, participating in the debate and, I hope, changing the trajectory. 16:27”
“That is a weighty responsibility, so it is important that the chamber takes the time to treat this issue seriously. It also gives us a reason to work together. I return to the economy. I will not restate the figures that the cabinet secretary provided, but we know that the fishing industry gives us large amounts of landings and of jobs. It is important that we work with that industry to ensure that that continues. Fisheries employ more than 20,000 people in Scotland. That is important because fisheries are part of our rural and coastal communities, as others have said. We also know that employment in the industry has decreased by 15 per cent. We need to talk about what we can do about that now. I have only 38 seconds left to speak. I want to talk about what we need to do.”
“Although the fishing sector in South Scotland is a small part of the overall Scottish industry compared with major hubs such as Peterhead and Fraserburgh in the north-east, it is a vital component of the coastal and rural communities of my region. My constituents believe that, in order to maintain the environmental wealth that we have in the south of Scotland, we must begin to see the coast as a delicate ecosystem with varied needs and challenges, from erosion to the loss of seagrass to the changes that the fishing industry brings. We need a thriving coastline in order to preserve not just the local environment but the environment of our whole country, and to provide the boost to the economy that coastal and rural communities require.”
“Rather than fighting across the chamber, we need to talk about what we can do to move forward. Mairi Gougeon: Does the member appreciate that the Scottish Government wants discussions to take place but that, because the interministerial groups are the only forums that we have and they have been cancelled or have not met for the past six months, discussions with the UK Government have become increasingly difficult? That is certainly not for lack of trying on the Scottish Government’s part. Carol Mochan: I appreciate the cabinet secretary’s intervention. Of course, I understand how difficult it is to get time with the Government of the day—I am in an Opposition party. We need to keep moving forward and keep talking.”
“Of course, I recognise that the industry has had complex difficulties over many years in relation to quotas, funding across the UK, Brexit and other worldwide matters that are often turbulent. I think that we can all agree that the fishing industry deserves stability, and it is by working together that we might get that. Finlay Carson: I absolutely agree that the Governments should work together. However, where were the UK Government’s Scotland Office and Secretary of State for Scotland when it came to identifying a sensible mechanism to set the funding for the budget that the SNP Government motion mentions today? They were absolutely lacking. Carol Mochan: It is fair to say that we need to think about what happened. My colleague Torcuil Crichton, the MP for the Western Isles, has also spoken to the Labour Government in the UK.”
“Across the UK, we are deeply fortunate to live on a spectacular and unique island that is furnished with an incredible coastline that, for centuries, has provided us with food, employment and leisure. The environmental wealth that is present across Scotland’s coast is abundant and, without it, our entire culture would be altogether different. I am immensely thankful for that environment. From speaking to my constituents, I know that it is perhaps the thing that they love and value most about the South Scotland region, and that is why I speak in the debate today. My constituents love the history of the coastal and fishing industry and the environment within which it functions, and they enjoy the chance to improve their towns and economy that comes with the industry.”
“I will start with a quote from my colleague Rhoda Grant, who has said before in the chamber: “We all know that fish know no boundaries and, because of that, negotiations have always taken place on fisheries.”—[Official Report, 30 April 2025; c 70-1.] That is a very good place to start. If we are to help to protect the future of our fishing industry, we must learn to negotiate and, of course, work together. It seems to me that the Parliament wants to support the industry and indeed believes that we need to do so. How we work together will make a great deal of difference. The Government motion recognises the need for “continued investment to build a thriving, sustainable and modern fishing industry, which is of key importance to Scotland’s island and coastal communities and the wider economy”. I think that we all want to work towards that.”
“I apologise to my colleagues for making a point of order, but I inadvertently misled the Parliament during my contribution, when I mentioned the £2.3 billion that Marie Curie estimated was spent on the last years of people’s lives, the vast majority of which was in the acute health service. I said that half a billion pounds was spent on social security payments. It is not half a billion pounds—if it was thus, that would be fantastic—it is half a million pounds. It is important to put that on the record. I apologise for cutting in to the flow of the debate, which so far has been superb. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Doris. That is not a point of order, but it is now on the record. 17:32”
“I am going to say some words again because, when I think about the issue, I think that we all need to understand this: everyone deserves as pain-free and peaceful a death as possible, surrounded by those who love them, in a place that comforts them and where they can make choices. Those choices should never be dictated by what can be afforded. I cannot accept that someone who is dying cannot get the care and comfort that they deserve in a time of need such as the end of life. Surely, we must be looking for solutions to providing all the care and comfort that are necessary. I will close on that point, Presiding Officer. Bob Doris: On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer.”
“One thing that struck me was the humiliation of everything slowly falling apart around her as she was struggling to care for herself, and then that she was not even able to stay in her house at the end. It was devastating to witness that in that exhibition. It speaks powerfully to the point that Carol Mochan just made. Carol Mochan: I was fortunate to see that exhibition in Glasgow and then in the Scottish Parliament. It brought home what is the reality for so many people who wish to stay in their own homes but who are struggling to do so. We must not forget that they do that throughout their lives. That injustice must be made right. That powerlessness is the final injustice and we should be doing everything that we can to limit it.”
“The reality is that, at the end of life, the rich can often afford to stay at home and receive direct daily care in the places where they have lived and prospered. At a time of their choosing, they can move to a place that is more suitable to support them. However, for those who have suffered through a life of struggling to make ends meet, often, no such options exist. Their lives end, as they proceeded, with a sense of powerlessness. Paul Sweeney: Carol Mochan makes a powerful point. In the exhibition “The Cost of Dying”, there was an older woman who was dying and who had been so house-proud that she was photographing all her rooms to show how she had kept her house really nice.”
“Figures that I found last year suggest that 44 per cent of the working-age population in the Scottish coalfields are claiming some form of benefits, compared with a Scottish average of 23 per cent; 40 per cent of people in the Scottish coalfields have no qualifications, compared with a figure of 27 per cent for Scotland as a whole; and the mortality rate in the Scottish coalfields is 25 per cent higher than the Scottish average. That is why I feel that we do not prioritise the issue enough. Poverty is the root of the injustice that permeates our society, and that injustice is often suffered from the cradle to the grave. I simply cannot accept that, which is what has driven me to speak in today’s debate. We must do more to stop so many having so little while the few have so much.”
“That one in four working- age people and one in six older people still die in poverty should shame us all. I have said this before in the chamber, but I feel compelled to say it again: everyone deserves as pain-free and peaceful a death as possible, surrounded by those who love them, in a place that comforts them and that they have chosen. Little attention is paid to working people and the strain that often comes with working multiple jobs or living in forgotten communities. What makes me say that? I grew up in a coalfield community. It is almost 40 years since the rapid closure of the mining industry began in coalfield communities in the South Scotland region, yet we are still seeing the consequences.”
“I thank Paul Sweeney for again securing a debate on this important subject. I have spoken in previous years’ debates on the issue, and it saddens me that, once again, we need to raise our voices to speak out for those who are dying in poverty. This year’s report tells us that we have not moved the dial one bit, so all our efforts must remain focused not on talk, reports or briefings but on the delivery of services and the redistribution of wealth. My colleague Richard Leonard put that so much better than I have done. The issue is about how, as a society, we can redistribute wealth and power. As with so many things that we encounter in the course of our lives, the process of death is influenced by the poverty and inequality that are experienced by so many.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Ayrshire growth deal. (S6O-05107)”
“Is your position that there will be an investigation, or is your position, as your amendment suggests, that it is a case of “if” there is an investigation? I would be happy to take an intervention. Jenni Minto: I have been clear in what I have said. Through the task force, we will work towards how we start to look at an investigation.”
“I offer my deepest condolences to all those affected by what we have heard about today. I commend the families who have bravely shared their stories and have spoken out about their experiences, and I thank them for sitting with us in the public gallery today. I also thank the families who are watching the debate at home. I understand that speaking about this will not have been easy, and I offer my personal thanks to them all for telling their stories. We have heard their call for a national investigation, and I hope that the Government has, too. Jackie Baillie and Willie Rennie have shown that this is not an either/or situation. The cabinet secretary can support our motion, so I ask the minister to come back to me, through an intervention, with an answer to this question.”
“More recently, the Government introduced new clinical guidance, a miscarriage framework and an action plan to tackle racialised health inequalities in maternity care, which others have mentioned. Those initiatives reflect a proactive, systemic approach, rather than a reactive one. It is not just about fixing problems; it is about building a culture of trust, learning and continuous improvement. We owe that to the families who have shared their stories, the staff who care for us and every child who is born in Scotland. 16:36”
“Last year 1,054 babies were born in Dumfries and Galloway, and 20 per cent of those births were considered low risk, which means that last year 210 births in Dumfries and Galloway were low risk. Obviously, there are challenges in our rural areas. I am appealing to the minister in this: I support any progress to help to improve perinatal care and to provide confidence to expectant mums and their families in the west of the south-west region. I know that the Scottish Government has been working on maternity safety for years. The best start five-year plan sets out a vision for maternity and neonatal care that focuses on continuity, safety and family-centred support.”
“I do not think that we should be sending people home when they are in the early stages of labour if their home is 72 miles away. Women have been having babies in lay-bys and in ambulances because they could not reach the hospital in time. As I said, safety and choice are my primary concerns. Women have described their experience as frightening, exhausting and traumatising, with some even reconsidering pregnancy because of the lack of local birthing provision. I know that a wide range of perinatal services are provided in Stranraer, but birthing is not taking place there. An independent review recommended having a midwife-led birthing service for low-risk births in Stranraer.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: I will, if the member is really quick, because time is tight. Carol Mochan: I thank Emma Harper, who knows that I always value her professional background. One focus of the task force is on leadership and mentoring and how investment needs to go into that. Would she support that? Emma Harper: I would absolutely support developing leaders and mentors in everything. My 30 years as a nurse was spent mentoring, guiding and teaching people in trauma surgery and trauma-type situations, which are very stressful. Following the 70-mile journey to Dumfries, some women were told that they had shown up too early and were sent home again. As an MSP, I have called on NHS Dumfries and Galloway to provide holding accommodation while labour progresses, but I cannot see that that is happening at all.”