Foysol Choudhury
Independent · Scotland
“To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that it is not currently on track to meet its target to reduce child poverty to less than 10 per cent by 2031, what its response is to children’s charities stating that its child poverty plan is “timid” and does not go far enough. (S6O-05709)”
“Sport supports children’s mental wellbeing and improves discipline and performance in the classroom, and team sports help young people grow into better adults by teaching co-operation, respect and how to both win and lose with dignity. Research consistently shows that active children are far more likely to lead healthier lives as adults.”
“It provides safe and engaging activities such as basketball, football, rugby and fencing as well as vital support to vulnerable young people. Youth sport should also be a long-term priority, to ensure that Scotland finds its sporting talent and builds home-grown champions to compete in international games.”
“Some of the young people told me that, without access to school facilities, they did not know how they would spend their summer and that they might start to get involved with things that they should not be getting involved with. That reflects a wider reality.”
“First, I thank Brian Whittle for securing this much- anticipated members’ business debate and for championing sports throughout this parliamentary session. As members might know, I was a restaurateur in my former life, and it did not make me much of a morning person.”
“Through groups such as Scot Bangla sporting club and Scot Nepal club in Edinburgh, sport helps to integrate newcomers and celebrate diversity. Community organisations are doing remarkable work, but they cannot do it alone—they need sustained nationwide support.”
The complete record
Every one of 293 lines we hold for Foysol Choudhury, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 6.
“Amendment 102 seeks to add a complementary duty, whereby qualifications Scotland must have regard to representations from the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland when it exercises its functions. By writing such a consultation duty into statute, we will help to align the school, college and skills landscapes and give young people smoother progression routes that recognise success in all its forms. Members will notice that amendment 157, in my name, would have permitted ministers to issue non-binding guidance on such matters. The Government’s amendment 318 achieves the same objective with better clarity, so I will not move amendment 157, and I invite colleagues to support amendment 318, in the name of the cabinet secretary. My amendments are modest, but they seek to do important things.”
“The SCQF is our common language: it is how a national 5 speaks to a higher, how a higher speaks to a university entrance tariff and how a college certificate speaks to an apprenticeship. All those are critical, not least to support recognition of prior learning. By placing the framework in the bill, we can ensure that our system is consistent and clear. Institutions evolve, so amendments 107 and 265 seek to give ministers a narrow power, which would be exercised by regulations that would be subject to the negative procedure, to update the reference if the SCQF is renamed or its stewardship is transferred to another body. That would avoid the need for primary legislation and would maintain a straightforward signpost.”
“Together, they offer our Parliament a chance to do more than change the name on the door; they will allow us to change the way that the system works, and I urge colleagues to support them. Pam Duncan-Glancy: A qualifications system works only when every learner, employer and post-school learning provider can equally see, immediately, the value of all qualifications and how they connect to the next step. The amendments in my name in this group would strengthen that clarity and embed effective co-operation between the new agency and the wider system. Amendment 101 would require qualifications Scotland to have regard to the Scottish credit and qualifications framework in everything that it does.”
“Contrary to what members on the Government’s front bench might think, I am not opposed to all ministerial influence, but influence must be accountable and transparent. Amendment 157 would achieve both, because it would create a feedback loop in which ministers could act, but qualifications Scotland would retain the right and the obligation to justify divergence. It is a well- judged mechanism for balancing independence with responsibility. If we want qualifications Scotland to earn trust and deliver real value to learners, we must hardwire the principles of partnership, responsiveness and professional respect into its statutory duties. That is what amendment 2 aims to do and what amendments 102 and 157 will help to deliver.”
“It will compel qualifications Scotland to take seriously the advice of those who are tasked with planning for Scotland’s economic future, and it will compel it to avoid drifting aimlessly into irrelevance. I offer my support for amendment 157, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, which would give the Scottish ministers the ability to issue guidance to qualifications Scotland while preserving the agency’s operational independence. Qualifications Scotland would not be obliged to follow such guidance, but if it chose not to, it would be required to publicly explain why. The amendment strikes an elegant balance, because it would preserve the new body’s integrity and autonomy while recognising the legitimate democratic role of ministers in providing direction, particularly in times of urgency or crisis.”
“Nowhere is that disconnect more visible than in computing science. In 2008, 4,256 pupils sat higher computing; last year, only 3,745 did, which is far fewer than 15 years ago. Over the same period, the gaming industry, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity have become foundational for the global economy. At the same time, the number of computing science teachers has dropped, from 766 in 2008 to only 550 last year, which is a loss of 216 teachers. Those are not only statistics; they are a flashing red warning light on the dashboard of Scottish education. Amendment 102 will not fix the crisis on its own, but it will begin to align our qualifications system with the workforce needs of the future.”
“The voice of Skills Development Scotland must be heard not as an afterthought but as a critical partner in aligning qualifications with the evolving needs of the labour market. 17:15 At present, Scotland’s education system has a serious blind spot when it comes to digital and technological skills. The report “Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation”, which is known as the Withers review, described the existing skills landscape as “fragmented” and called for a radical change. James Withers wrote: “the system was more complex and richer than I had experienced.” However, he noted that the system was not focused on the user—the learner—and that, too often, it reflected the needs of the institutions, not of the people or the economy. That observation from James Withers is very important.”
“I would like to see a much more coherent middle layer in the system that actively connects policy and practice, and that involves practitioners as active members of the community”.— [Official Report, Education, Children and Young People Committee, 18 September 2024; c 30.] We cannot build a credible qualifications system while ignoring that warning. The principle of professional respect is not optional—it is essential. Amendment 2 takes that principle seriously and would embed it in statute. I support amendments 102 and 157, which are both in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy. Amendment 102 would require qualifications Scotland to consider representations from the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland. That is welcome and, I would argue, an essential addition to the bill.”
“Professor Ken Muir, in his report “Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education”, warned about precisely that disconnect. He wrote that there is a strong perception that teachers and practitioners were not adequately consulted or engaged with on the changes that affected their practice and that that has contributed to a culture of mistrust. Professor Mark Priestley of the University of Stirling told the Education, Children and Young People Committee: “The system is set up to justify itself and to celebrate its success, rather than take a critical look at what happens, and that is seen very clearly by practitioners working on the ground. There is a lack of connection as well.”
“Amendment 2 would insert into the bill an additional duty that would require qualifications Scotland to “have regard to any recommendations made or advice given to it by Education Scotland” in two specific domains: the curriculum, and professional learning and development for those teaching or training towards qualifications Scotland qualifications. The purpose is straightforward but important. It is to build a statutory link between the work of those who design the qualifications and the professionals who deliver the curriculum. That is about restoring a relationship of mutual professional respect that was badly damaged under the old SQA regime. Too often, teachers were left feeling dictated to by national agencies that seemed deaf to the realities of the classroom.”
“It generates revenue that can be reinvested in our system, but the balance was not right. The amendment would ensure that we redress that balance and make it clear where qualifications Scotland’s priorities should lie. I move amendment 100. Stephen Kerr: Amendment 2, which is in my name, seeks to raise the bar to elevate the ethical, professional and learner-focused duties of qualifications Scotland. If the Parliament is, as Ross Greer has just said, serious about reforming the culture of national agencies in Scottish education, we must legislate for values, including respect for the professional expertise of teachers and a commitment to the future needs of learners and the economy alike.”
“I hope that the amendment sets a clear expectation on the organisation and introduces a provision through which it can be held to account. Amendment 105 would require qualifications Scotland, in the exercise of its functions, to prioritise the provision of services in Scotland, so far as that is reasonably practical. That is to ensure that qualifications Scotland focuses its resources on supporting services that are delivered to learners here, while enabling it to still deliver services outside Scotland if necessary. That would address the problem that we had with the SQA, largely before the pandemic, when, frankly, far too much focus—in particular, far too much senior management focus—was put on international commercial activity. I do not have an issue with such international activity in principle.”
“That would address what I think we all recognise is the historical failure of the SQA to have that kind of systematic consultation and engagement with the people who are most directly affected by the decisions that it takes. Amendment 104 would add a requirement for qualifications Scotland to have regard to the need to operate in a transparent and accountable way when exercising its functions. That comes down to the challenge of a lot of what we are trying to legislate for. We are trying to legislate to change culture, because many of the SQA’s failures are cultural rather than structural. The amendment sets out a principle to operate by without being so specific as to restrict any necessary operational flexibility.”
“Amendment 100, in the name of Ross Greer, is grouped with amendments 2, 101 to 107, 157, 318 and 265. Ross Greer: Amendment 100 would require qualifications Scotland to consult such persons with an interest as it considers appropriate in every case in which it believes that it would be appropriate to do so. Amendment 106 specifies that the persons with an interest are those undertaking a qualification, those providing teaching or training in respect of a qualification and others who qualifications Scotland considers to be appropriate. The purpose of the amendments is to strengthen the consultation duties on qualifications Scotland, particularly with learners and teachers, but also with the wider system.”
“Amendments 75, 78, 83 and 84 simply add bill- wide definitions of college teaching staff and registered teachers, which previously applied only for the purpose of paragraph 3 of schedule 1, as initially that was the only place where the terms were used. My amendment 97 renumbers the place at which qualifications Scotland will be inserted into the list of bodies that are subject to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002, because of changes to that list since that act was passed. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Pam Duncan-Glancy to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 99. Pam Duncan-Glancy: I have no further comments. I will press amendment 99. Amendment 99 agreed to. Section 7—Duties when exercising functions The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 4 is on qualifications Scotland’s duties when exercising its functions.”
“It fine tunes section 6 so that the duty on qualifications Scotland to co-operate with other public bodies and stakeholders is expressed in the same clear terms as are used for His Majesty’s chief inspector of education in Scotland elsewhere in the bill. I move amendment 99. Jenny Gilruth: I welcome Ms Duncan-Glancy’s amendment 99, which helps to bring clarity following a related amendment that she lodged at stage 2. My amendments in the group relate mainly to definitions. Amendments 77 and 79 add definitions of the interest committees, in light of the greater role that they are rightly being given, which has led to them being referenced throughout the bill.”
“Amendment 98 disagreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Before we move to the next group of amendments, I remind members that we are now substantially behind the timetable that has been agreed by the Parliament. I ask members to be mindful of that as we progress to the next group and subsequent groups during this stage 3 consideration. Section 6—Working with, or recognition of, others The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 3 is on minor and technical amendments. Amendment 99, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, is grouped with amendments 75, 77 to 79, 83, 84 and 97. Pam Duncan-Glancy: Amendment 99 is straightforward.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 48, Against 70, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My voting app is displaying an error message. Can I check that my vote was registered? I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can confirm that your vote has been recorded, Mr Choudhury.”
“Although the Scottish Government has provided national guidance on the continued responsibility to provide education while a child or young person is unable to attend school due to ill health, decisions about the fees to be charged for hospital education services are a matter for local authorities and NHS boards to consider, along with independent schools, as appropriate. As I have just said in response to Mr Hoy, I am very happy to work with Ms Gilruth from a health perspective to ensure that we find a solution to the situation. Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (Eligibility Criteria) 8.”
“I have been contacted by constituents who share Mr Hoy’s concern about the issue. Councillors say that the policy regarding learning for sick children who attend independent schools is based on Scottish Government guidance, which places the duty for such tuition on independent schools. It is clear that there has been miscommunication. What effort is the Scottish Government making to inform parents, schools and health boards of that policy? Jenni Minto: Foysol Choudhury is right.”
“Debates like today’s are important in allowing us to put on the record and say, “Not in my name.” We can stand today and say that the UK and Scotland should be partners for peace in conflict, but we cannot be partners for peace while selling weapons where there is risk of war crimes. We cannot be partners for peace if we allow states to break international law without consequences. We cannot be partners for peace if we do not recognise the existence of a Palestinian state. 18:59”
“The consequences of that have been deadly, with desperate Gazans shot and killed while attempting to access life-saving aid. The UN says that 9,000 trucks-worth of aid are waiting to enter Gaza. Every one of those must be let in to avoid further humanitarian disaster. That is not just the right thing to do; it is Israel’s responsibility under international law and as part of the resolution that the International Court of Justice has issued. A ceasefire agreement is now, more than ever, a moral duty as a start to ending this horrific human suffering. The UK Government, as well as Governments worldwide, can increase the pressure to make that happen. We have seen military strikes by Israel in Syria, in Lebanon and now in Iran.”
“Following the Israeli forces’ official blockade of the Gaza Strip and months more of drip-feeding aid to a population in desperate need, according to the World Food Programme, 470,000 people in Gaza—22 per cent of the population— face catastrophic hunger and 100 per cent of the territory is at risk of famine. That is taking place while the threat of bombs looms over. We are now seeing the deeply concerning use of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been criticised by its former leader, who resigned rather than support its strategy, the United Nations agency and the humanitarian aid community for “weaponising aid” and going against the core principles of humanitarian support, including placing conditions on aid.”
“I thank Bill Kidd for bringing this important issue to the chamber. Presiding Officer, “Every day, we lose more ways to survive ... We’re not asking for proper housing or clothes or even meat. All we want is a loaf of bread to stop the children’s crying. Is that too much to ask?” Those are the words of a mother in Gaza, reflecting on the birth of her son during a period of profound violence and instability. In his short life, he has known only conflict. Like countless others in Gaza, he is now enduring the devastating consequences of war, malnutrition, uncertainty and a daily struggle for survival. Conditions in Gaza have been intolerable for months.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am having some issues with my app. I am not sure whether my vote registered. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can assure you that your vote was recorded, Mr Choudhury. Foysol Choudhury: Thank you. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We have a point of order from Alex Cole-Hamilton. [Interruption.] I move on to a point of order from”
“Migration will be necessary for our future in many areas, but it is a tool and we must use it correctly—not as a replacement for a skills strategy, or to contribute to exploitation, but for growing our economy and attracting highly talented people. 16:17”
“We need a sustainable system that prevents that from happening. I welcome the progress that is being made on a youth experience scheme as part of the reset with the European Union, as well as the return to Erasmus+. We know how important Erasmus+ is in promoting cultural exchange. A youth experience scheme would add to that while providing our economy with greater flexibility. I hope that the UK Government will also ensure that working class and underrepresented groups can access those schemes, so that their benefit is shared across society. It should be said that migration is not a sticking plaster solution. It alone will not resolve many of the challenges that we face. It will not end the housing emergency, fix our broken planning system, or stop the rise in violent crime.”
“Anyone who tries to claim that those with international heritage do not contribute or do not prioritise Scotland should be rejected. They do not represent my experience, and I know that they do not represent the views of Scots. With all that in mind, it is important that our immigration system works for both Scotland and migrants. The previous Conservative Government took an approach that worked for neither. The health and care worker visa was a blunt instrument that put people at risk of exploitation and abuse, with harrowing reports of workers being placed into debt bondage and of others paying thousands to work at non-existent care homes. The UK Government’s Independent Anti- Slavery Commissioner has said that that caused avoidable harm and severe exploitation. Migration should never be about the right to exploit vulnerable people.”
“I begin by making it clear that migrants and migration have had a positive impact on Scotland. In my life and career, I have known many people who decided to build their lives in this country and now call it home. I have met and worked with organisations such as Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council—I draw attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I chair that organisation—as well as Networking Key Services and Milan Senior Welfare Organisation here in Edinburgh, which support new Scots to integrate in and partake of their communities. My family is a migrant family. We moved to the United Kingdom when I was very young. People who settle here work in our NHS and our universities and run businesses.”
“If we believe survivors, which I am sure all members do, we should at least consider what more we can do to support them. I again pay tribute to the brave campaigners who are here today, who have not stopped fighting for recognition of the abuse that they endured. However, paying tribute means nothing if we do not offer redress and change to ensure that this never happens again. 13:13”
“Therefore, it is the responsibility of the state to step up and offer meaningful redress to those affected. It should not matter for how long a person was abused when it comes to getting recognition of the pain that has been caused. There is no time limit for trauma. On parental consent, submitted evidence includes allegations that children were told what to write home to their parents, and that they could not contact them freely. That is hardly informed parental consent. On records, we heard from Redress Scotland that there is a presumption of truth, and that it works on a balance of probabilities when considering cases, which means that a lack of detailed records should not be a barrier to change. The committee recommended the Scottish Government consult on extending redress.”
“We have concluded that an injustice has occurred and that current legislation is not fit for purpose in this case. To be clear, seeking redress is not about money. No amount of money can undo what those women went through or the life-long consequences of that abuse. In considering evidence, we heard three major reasons why Fornethy survivors would not be eligible under the redress scheme: the fact that the redress scheme covers only abuse in long-term care; the lack of detailed records available; and the claim that children were sent to Fornethy with parental consent. However, let us be clear that these children were in the care of the state. They were sent to Fornethy at the recommendation of the state, through teachers or medical staff who were employed by Glasgow Corporation.”
“I join members in congratulating Colin Smyth on bringing this issue to the chamber once more, and I pay tribute to him for his long-standing campaigning for the Fornethy survivors. I also join members in welcoming survivors and campaigners who are watching in the gallery today, and I praise their bravery and resolve. Since 2023, I have sat on the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, where we considered the petition that calls for the Fornethy survivors to have access to Scotland’s redress scheme. The committee does not often come to strong united conclusions on petitions, but in this case, we have directly recommended to the Scottish Government that the redress scheme be widened to allow those who experienced abuse at Fornethy access to the scheme.”
“To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is working to ensure that patients are accurately informed of waiting times for NHS treatments following referrals to a specialist. (S6F-04173)”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to ensure that schools are tackling racism and racist bullying. (S6O-04788)”
“I want the Government to reaffirm its commitment to the project and, for safety, the economy and road users, commit to a timeline for its completion. 19:22”
“The proposals that ministers are considering will not only achieve those goals, but allow work on the proposed extension of Edinburgh tram and orbital bus routes to progress. Active travel is also included in the proposals. However, those things cannot happen if progress is not made. I recognise that the process must be followed, but it is not acceptable that seven years have passed since a commitment was made, with no spades in the ground or timeline decided. There is also now doubt over the £120 million costing. All this speaks to a wider issue with a planning system that is holding Scotland back and undermining investment in all areas of our economy. We are discussing Sheriffhall today, but we have to be clear that it is by no means an isolated case. Today, I am hoping for transparency from the Scottish Government on funding.”
“The A720 is also a strategically important road for Scotland’s economy. It connects Edinburgh with our largest trading partners in England; it also connects to one of our busiest cargo airports, Edinburgh airport. We must ensure that our infrastructure is a positive factor in driving growth and we must enable people and goods to move freely and easily. Upgrading Sheriffhall will enable that to happen over the coming decades, as tens of thousands of people will continue to use the bypass and junctions, even as we progress to net zero. The motion notes that “motorists ... have been waiting seven years” for construction to begin, but the need for a flyover was first identified in the 2008 strategic transport projects review. The same point was made then: a flyover will contribute to road safety and reduce emissions.”
“I join members in congratulating Miles Briggs on bringing this issue to the chamber. Anyone who uses the A720 city bypass for commuting or travel will agree on its importance. However, they, like me, will have spent hours in slow-moving, congested traffic, faced frustration at longer journey times and wondered why no progress has been made on delivering a grade- separated junction at Sheriffhall roundabout. It has been clear for a while that change is needed. Sheriffhall was named Scotland’s most dangerous roundabout and topped the roundabout league of shame in 2019. Midlothian and East Lothian are Scotland’s fastest-growing local authority areas, and their populations are expected to grow by 15 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. That will bring more cars, more congestion and more accidents, if nothing changes.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Choudhury. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is working to reduce the average time families spend in temporary accommodation. (S6O-04763)”
“That involves providing opportunities in tech skills in secondary and further education by increasing the number of computer science teachers. It involves increasing co-operation among our business schools to ensure that graduates are ready for the modern economy, and it involves enabling workers to reskill. Scotland has the talent to innovate in new and exciting ways that will grow our economy, but we must act to ensure that talent is channelled and supported so that entrepreneurs and innovators can do what they do best. 16:17”
“Areas in which innovation has a key role to play, such as renewables and hydrogen, are forming an increasingly large part of our economy as we transition to net zero. If we cannot scale up those effectively, we will be left behind. The last point that I will talk about is skills. Developing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship is a whole-system issue on which the Government, businesses and education can all work together to deliver in the areas in which we have an advantage, such as tech. Every year, Scotland is creating around 13,000 digital skills jobs, but we are producing only 5,000 graduates to fill them. The Government can be a bridge between business and education to deliver the graduates that businesses need.”
“Taking advantage of those sectors and allowing talent to thrive are key if we want to remain competitive. The most recent data from Scottish Enterprise shows that the Government is the most frequent investor by deal count in Scotland. Keeping in mind how agencies such as Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish National Investment Bank contribute to innovation and growth should be a priority. Scotland’s investment and innovation system is complex and it lacks a focused economic strategy. We should be removing complexity for businesses and introducing a single point of contact across the Government for international investors, to make Scotland the most attractive part of the UK in which to operate. Grant funding from those agencies should also be used more effectively to scale up businesses.”
“It is a great honour to speak in today’s debate. My colleague Daniel Johnson and I come from a business background, and Colin Smyth has a background in economic issues. I am proud of Scotland’s history of business and entrepreneurship. When I ran businesses, I was lucky enough to meet many successful innovators and entrepreneurs who had an idea and who worked hard to make it succeed. Although the proportion of Scottish businesses that are innovating by introducing or developing a new product, service or process has fallen from 50 to 22 per cent in the past 10 years, Scotland is brimming with potential to create a new generation of entrepreneurs in various sectors. Edinburgh has growing finance and technology sectors that employ tens of thousands of people and are innovating in ways that can be applied across our economy.”
“It is in all our interests, and those of everyone in the cultural sector, that the review is as best informed as it can be, so if he has any needs, interests, concerns or expectations that he wants to raise directly, I encourage him to do so. Festivals (Economic Importance) 8.”
“Last month, it was announced that the scope of the review of Creative Scotland would be widened. As the cabinet secretary will be aware, the review was originally announced in September last year. It has taken the Scottish Government more than eight months to widen its remit. When did the cabinet secretary realise that the remit needed to be expanded? By how much is that expansion likely to increase the cost of the review? Angus Robertson: I do not expect any increase in costs for the review. I thought that it was important that the independent reviewer should be able to look at all relevant areas; if Mr Choudhury believes that there are particular issues that need to be raised with her as part of that review process, I encourage him—and colleagues, as I have already said to Sharon Dowey—to do that.”
“I hope that members agree that we should look to take that further next session by embedding people’s panels into the work of the Parliament and building a new process of deliberation with the people of Scotland at its heart. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ben Macpherson is the final speaker in the open debate. 16:13”
“It is important that participants are well informed of the workings of the Scottish Parliament and about how their recommendations may be implemented. If the work is continued in session 7, improving the tracking of impacts in the long and short term could help to inform future practice on the impact of expectation of participants, and allow for consistent readjustment of the deliberation process. Ultimately, the power to rebuild trust in politics relies on us. It relies on MSPs being out and visible in our communities, listening to people’s concerns. People’s panels are not a panacea for rebuilding trust in politics or solving complex issues. However, the evaluation of both panels that have completed this session shows that they have a serious role to play in informing scrutiny and delivering improved public participation.”