Angela Constance
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Patients deserve better. There have been active campaigns by members across the chamber to represent the views of constituents in Lanarkshire, including by my colleagues Neil Gray and Fulton MacGregor. I fully appreciate the strength of feeling on the need for a new Monklands hospital.”
“Proceeding in that cost envelope would significantly limit our ability to invest in services and infrastructure across the wider NHS. I have carefully weighed the opportunity cost against our objective on improving public services. The current proposal also raises important questions about value for money.”
“For the wider system, it will reduce pressure on acute hospitals, allowing focus on those who need specialist care most. I can announce today that, as part of the programme, specifically for Lanarkshire, we will begin with a new general practitioner walk-in facility in Lanark—transforming an old shop front and a retail park in the town ce…”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to provide an update to members on NHS capital projects, specifically on the current position and next steps for the Monklands replacement project. I begin by being absolutely clear: the Government will deliver a new Monklands hospital. That commitment has not changed and it will not change.”
“During the election campaign, the Scottish National Party promised to increase use of the new refugee doctors project, which is meant to help medically trained refugees from Gaza and other places to get registered for work in the national health service.”
“Scotland welcomes refugee doctors and is committed to supporting them in overcoming barriers that prevent them from rebuilding their medical careers.”
The complete record
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“Amendment 176 disagreed to. Amendment 177 moved—[Maggie Chapman]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 177 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (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) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) 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, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) 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) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (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 Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 47, Against 63, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 176A disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: Does Maggie Chapman wish to press or withdraw amendment 176? Maggie Chapman: I press. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 176 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (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) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) 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) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (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 Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 43, Against 65, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 78 disagreed to. Amendment 176 moved—[Maggie Chapman]. Amendment 176A moved—[Maggie Chapman]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 176A be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 23, Against 86, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 78A disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: Does Maggie Chapman wish to press amendment 78? Maggie Chapman: Yes. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 78 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 24, Against 85, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 75 disagreed to. Amendment 76 not moved. Section 23—Assured tenancies: capping of rent increase Amendment 77 not moved. After section 23 Amendment 5 not moved. Amendment 78 moved—[Maggie Chapman]. Amendment 78A moved—[Maggie Chapman]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 78A be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 29, Against 81, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 4 disagreed to. Section 22—Private residential tenancies: capping of rent increase Amendment 75 moved—[Maggie Chapman]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 75 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The digital voting connection could not be started. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Constance. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 5, Against 98, Abstentions 0.”
“We need to let those whom we seek to serve know that their pain has not been in vain and that we are with them in their creation of a legacy that comes from their loss. I appeal that we come together and back the bill.”
“The great thing about Scottish justice is that it does look at itself and it does move and it does develop.” Our justice system needs reform so that those who become part of it, whether as victims or witnesses of crime, feel safe and informed and are treated with understanding. The bill is needed to ensure that the structural, procedural and cultural change that will put victims and witnesses at the heart of a much more modern and fair justice system is created. Even at this late stage, I appeal to—I urge—all parliamentarians not to let victims, their families and their support organisations down today. They want to know that we have heard them and that we are giving them our full support.”
“There will be new independent legal representation for victims where the court has been asked to look into a victim’s character and sexual history, and we will strengthen protections for victims through reforms to non- harassment orders and other protective orders. That is the transformation that parliamentarians have the power to agree to by supporting the bill today. Yes, it is a big bill, but, as someone once said to me, “You do as much as you can for as long as you can.” I know that we are all attached to our tradition and history, not least that of our unique legal system in Scotland, which of course we are all proud of and which we will do everything that we can to safeguard. However, as Lady Elish Angiolini said, our justice system “doesn’t stand still due to tradition.”
“Rape is the most serious offence, not because it is prosecuted in the High Court but because it is the most degrading crime that a woman can experience. Other improvements include changes to the parole process, including requiring the Parole Board for Scotland to take into account whether a prisoner has information about the disposal of a victim’s remains but has not disclosed it. Through the legislation, we will embed trauma- informed approaches with a statutory duty on criminal justice bodies, and protect the privacy of victims through lifelong anonymity for sexual offence victims.”
“I just could not accept an alternative that only gave the power to courts and did not see that through by compelling them to change. There is, of course, the abolition of the not proven verdict. There has been a long debate on that. That change, which is long overdue, will happen now. Some of the evidence to support the abolition of the not proven verdict goes back decades and, indeed, even to Michael McMahon’s Criminal Verdicts (Scotland) Bill. That bill was, of course, unsuccessful at the time, but it speaks to the value of member’s bills, irrespective of whether they complete their journey. There is also reform of the victim notification scheme to ensure that victims can be supported, informed and, ultimately, empowered.”
“The commissioner will have powers to require criminal justice bodies to respond, and if they do not, the commissioner will have a route to the Court of Session. The commissioner will have the purpose and power to hold bodies to account in the implementation of trauma-informed approaches that will avoid the retraumatisation of victims, and to support victims and witnesses to give their best evidence, because that, surely, is in the interests of fairness. Liam Kerr: Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention? Angela Constance: Not just now. The bill will introduce radical improvements to how sexual offences are dealt with through the creation of a new sexual offences court, which will, in its establishment, compel change.”
“Once again, I thank everyone for their thoughtful consideration of and engagement on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill and for their remarks this afternoon. For the record, the bill was introduced with its current title. I say to Jamie Greene that, I, too, made a promise: the day that I introduced the bill, I promised that I would see it through and do everything that I could with it. I believe that the Parliament can be proud of the significant reforms that the bill will introduce, which will support victims and witnesses in our justice system. I remind Parliament of those reforms. The bill will introduce a new champion for victims by establishing a victims and witnesses commissioner who will have oversight of a victims charter.”
“I do not want to pollute the debate with partisan comments because, at the end of the day, victims will judge for themselves whether they see through any contortions or manufactured grievances. As parliamentarians, we have had our debates and our disputes during stages 1, 2 and 3 and I believe that the bill is all the better for it. We have had debates on amendments that we have all either won or lost at some point during the legislative process. Today’s debate is not about repeating, reheating or rehashing those old debates. Today is about putting our past battles behind us, because, ultimately, it is not about us. Today is about the people who are gathered in the gallery behind us and about the many victims, survivors and victim support organisations the length and breadth of the country.”
“I conclude by once again quoting Lady Dorrian, who explained why the reforms in the bill should be supported: “if we do not seize the opportunity to create the culture change from the ground up ... there is every risk that, in 40 years, my successor and your successors will be in this room having the same conversation.”—[Official Report, Criminal Justice Committee, 10 January 2024; c 22-23.] I move, That the Parliament agrees that the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill be passed. 15:33”
“I am pleased that there has been cross-party support for the abolition of the not proven verdict, from the manifesto commitments of several parties to the support for the bill today that will bring about that change. There is much to be proud of in our justice system and there have been many positive changes recently. The bill builds on that with reforms that can create the structural, procedural and cultural shifts that are required to make improvements for victims, witnesses and survivors. We have reached where we are today by listening to many voices in advance of and during the passage of the bill. The Parliament must also demonstrate that it is listening and that it is serious about putting victims and witnesses at the heart of our justice system.”
“I cannot stress enough how essential the creation of a new national sexual offences court will be to improving the experience of survivors. Lady Dorrian, the Lord Advocate, senior members of the judiciary, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, victims and support organisations have all been clear that that stand- alone specialist court can deliver further improvements in culture, process and practice that will benefit many. MSPs who support the bill today should be proud of the part that they have played in creating that court. We might wish that such a court was not needed, but it will benefit so many. For victims generally, the victims and witnesses commissioner for Scotland will have a significant role to play in ensuring that the interests of victims are central to the operation of the justice system.”
“I know that cultural changes and new laws that the Parliament has introduced mean that women feel that they are more able to report sexual offences. However, it pains me that so many have to face the challenges that that brings. It is abhorrent that so many women and girls are victims of sexual crime and, although I believe that laws and culture can help to protect women, we need men to address their abusive behaviour and attitudes that underpin it. That is part of the work that we carry out in our equally safe strategy. The reforms in the bill will implement a trauma- informed justice system and introduce lifelong anonymity and independent legal representation, which will afford greater protection to survivors of sexual offences.”
“I want everyone to be in the position to back the bill today. It is time to come together. I listened to concerns about the piloting of single-judge rape trials and took the decision not to pursue that. Instead, I lodged amendments that will enable further research on jury deliberations to help us to better understand the impact of rape myths on decision making. If the Parliament agrees to the bill, I will seek approval from the Lord President to commission that research as a priority. Changes that were made to the bill also reflect the determination to work constructively with members of the Scottish Parliament. I have worked and engaged with all parties, as was seen during stage 2 and yesterday’s stage 3. Many MSPs have changed the bill for the better, and I thank each and every one of them.”
“The bill is large and ambitious, with the scope to make fundamental and meaningful changes to ensure that the justice system meets the needs of survivors of sexual offences, the majority of whom are women and girls. We want a justice system in which victims are treated with compassion and their voices are heard; in which processes are modern, fair and transparent; in which the rights of the accused continue to be protected; in which there is strong public confidence in justice outcomes; and in which vulnerable parties and witnesses in civil cases are better protected. That is what the Parliament has the opportunity to support tonight. The bill is a landmark bill of reforms, and I wanted to ensure that I worked collaboratively with members across the chamber to reach a consensus wherever possible.”
“I thank the committees that considered the bill, particularly the members—past and present—of the Criminal Justice Committee and its clerks, as well as the wide range of individuals and organisations that brought significant legal and academic expertise through their engagement with the committee and the Government. I am grateful to all those who were involved in major pieces of work that informed the bill: the victims task force, Lady Dorrian’s review, the large-scale jury research, the victim notification scheme review, the NHS Education for Scotland trauma workstream and the Emma Ritch law clinic. I also thank my officials in my private office for their considerable support and patience throughout the bill’s passage. It is fair to say that this journey has been a marathon, not a sprint.”
“The core of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is about supporting victims. I begin by recognising everyone who has been impacted by the matters that the bill seeks to address—victims, witnesses and survivors, their families, campaigners and support organisations. Many of them have shared their lived experience to shape the bill, and I know how painful that was. I am grateful for their courage. Let me speak directly to those people, whether they are watching online or joining us in the gallery, as I know some are. You have campaigned for many years for many of the reforms in the bill, which the Parliament will vote on tonight. Although it will not lessen the pain that you have gone through, I hope that you will feel a sense of pride and achievement as a result of the changes that you have brought about.”
“As Paul Sweeney has articulated, there is a raft of evidence—both at the individual level and in empirical evidence—that speaks to the inefficiency of short-term sentences. We understand that such sentences are sometimes times necessary, case by case, but they are far less effective in setting folk on the right path when compared with an alternative to custody. Our focus therefore has to be on building up alternatives to custody. Community sentencing is on the increase. On the issue that the member raised about an individual, I highlight that the support that is provided by Upside begins in custody up to 12 weeks prior to release, where possible, and it is underpinned by more than £5 million of funding per annum, which is an increase of nearly £2 million.”
“The staff there were clear that short prison sentences do not have the benefits in rehabilitation that they would like, and there needs to be improvement in that area. One case was cited of a young man who had been released after a short sentence and was back in prison because he did not know how to pay rent to his landlord; he was so humiliated by that that he ran away and ended up back on drugs and in a fight. Clearly, that case was a failure; it resulted in a bad outcome for that person and for society. Will the minister undertake to review the efficacy of short- term sentencing so that, in each case in which it does not work, we can address why it has not worked and deal with that? Angela Constance: We await the independent deliberations of the sentencing and penal policy commission.”
“As I said earlier to Bob Doris, the Upside service is aimed at supporting all individuals who leave custody after a short prison sentence or period of remand. Upside is made of eight experienced third sector organisations. On release, all individuals who leave prison are eligible for support to help them to resettle into the community and to ensure that the basic needs of those who leave custody are met. That is absolutely critical for a safe transition back into the community. We are also taking forward work to improve the support that is available to people who leave prison, including the development of national standards for throughcare introduced in the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023. Paul Sweeney: I visited Barlinnie prison last month.”
“I note that, in its report last year, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland commended the SPS’s progress towards the vision for women in custody and identified a number of good practices, including work on developing women’s entrepreneurial skills.”
“The Lilias centre in my constituency works very hard to deliver that. Will the cabinet secretary join me in commending the efforts of the team at the Lilias centre? Does she agree that investing in rehabilitation is crucial in tackling women reoffending? Angela Constance: Absolutely. The Lilias centre in Mr Doris’s constituency and the Bella centre in Dundee represent a step change in the rehabilitation of women in custody. As members would expect, I have visited both centres, which help women to develop key life skills and a much greater degree of independence. I commend the work that the Scottish Prison Service and partners do to give women in custody the best possible chance of a successful return to the community.”
“The Scottish Government provides funding to local authorities and third sector organisations to support women to prepare for release. We provide more than £5 million a year to Upside, which is the national voluntary throughcare service, to support people who are completing short-term sentences and periods of remand. That one-to-one support includes help to address issues such as access to housing, healthcare and social security payments, as well as longer-term support to help people to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities. For women who are completing long-term sentences, we centrally fund local authorities to provide statutory support through justice social work. Bob Doris: The opportunity to develop the skills that are needed for adjusting to life outside prison is hugely important in delivering better outcomes.”
“It is a matter of public record that this Government will provide almost £90 million in additional funding compared with the previous financial year, and that we have increased capital funding to £70 million. I remind colleagues that, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, responsibility for the control and management of asbestos in Scottish police stations rests with Police Scotland as the duty holder. I discuss a range of matters with the chief constable and Police Scotland in relation to their requirements for capital funding.”
“I do not recall him or any member of his party coming to the chamber to advocate for additional resources for Police Scotland or doing so during budget negotiations. In fact, I might have been the only MSP who actively advocated for additional resources for Police Scotland. [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Members. Angela Constance: I am pleased that, due to Scottish Government commitments, we have provided almost £90 million—[Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Cabinet secretary, please resume your seat. I will not have barracking from members in sedentary positions. Please show courtesy and respect and listen to the cabinet secretary’s response. Angela Constance: Thank you very much, Presiding Officer.”
“I have a response to a freedom of information request that shows that Police Scotland has spent more than £230,000 on managing—not even removing— asbestos in police stations over the past three years. The north-east has the highest number of buildings with asbestos; 25 are riddled with it. Police officers are being forced to work in buildings that are not just substandard but dangerous, as if being a police officer in Scotland is not dangerous enough. Will the cabinet secretary commit to properly funding Police Scotland and ensure that its buildings are fit for purpose and that all asbestos is removed where it is safe to do so? Angela Constance: It is all very well for the member to argue for additional funding for Police Scotland after the budget has passed.”
“The management of the Police Scotland estate, including assessments of the condition of buildings and statutory and general health and safety at work requirements, is an operational matter for the chief constable, who is under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. We support Police Scotland’s commitment to providing a safe environment for officers, staff and the public. For 2025-26, we have increased capital funding to £70 million for investment in the estate, technology, fleet and body-worn video. That will support Police Scotland to commence delivery of its estates master plan, which will deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose estate that serves the needs of the workforce and our communities. Alexander Burnett: I am afraid that the cabinet secretary will not get away with her Government putting officers and staff at risk.”
“That work includes common ground, which is a collective of partners who have secured premises outside Central train station in Glasgow to utilise as a youth hub and to support the work of street pastors through the provision of a safe space for young people and targeted engagement. That is underpinned by our broader programme of work. If the member wishes more detail on that, I would be delighted to write to her.”
“Annie Wells: Given that, historically, Glasgow has experienced some of the highest levels of gang-related violence in Scotland, what additional targeted measures are being introduced in the city to address the issue and to support prevention and diversion programmes for young people at risk of gang involvement? Angela Constance: The Scottish violence reduction unit is working with partners to deliver street guardians. That is similar to the street pastors model that is being used to deploy youth workers and volunteers during the early-evening economy hours in Glasgow city centre. Workers undertake a capable guardianship role, and they undertake early intervention with young people to prevent violence from happening.”
“Partners on the serious organised crime task force continue to use every means at their disposal to disrupt serious organised crime, including gang-related violence. In addition, the Scottish crime campus enhances collaboration between key partner organisations in disrupting serious organised crime and terrorism. The public should be reassured that Police Scotland continues to work with partners to disrupt such criminal activity. These criminals show a complete disregard for the safety of the public, and it is incumbent on us all that they are stopped and held to account. I would encourage anyone with relevant information to report it to Police Scotland or, anonymously, through Crimestoppers.”
“Ms Dowey’s amendments 98 to 100 also seek to bring local authorities and providers of social housing into the scope of the enforcement that is provided for in the bill. That does not seem appropriate, for the reasons that I have already set out. In addition, for such changes as Ms Dowey proposes in respect of this group to be introduced at this stage, I would expect there to have been considerable engagement with councils and social housing organisations, to seek their views on the impact of those, and I suspect that that has not been possible. I therefore urge Ms Dowey not to move the amendments in the group, and I urge the Parliament to oppose them if they are moved. I move amendment 17. 14:45”
“However, I reassure her that section 6(2) of the bill provides the victims and witnesses commissioner with the power to engage with such bodies as they consider appropriate, and section 7 allows further flexibility in how the commissioner discharges their duties. In addition, under sections 10 and 12, where the commissioner is conducting an investigation, they can require any persons to provide evidence or documents. Therefore, as the commissioner already has the power to engage those bodies as part of their functions, and I do not consider it appropriate for such bodies to be subject to enforcement and the requirement to provide information in the same way as criminal justice bodies, given the nature of the work of the commissioner, I urge the member not to move those amendments.”
“That ensures that the commissioner’s ability to take enforcement action towards criminal justice bodies, where appropriate, is not undermined. I urge the Parliament to support my amendments in the group. I cannot support any of the amendments in Sharon Dowey’s name. Her amendments 96 and 97 would place a duty on local authorities and providers of social housing to provide information requested by the victims and witnesses commissioner for the purpose of determining the support that they are providing to victims and witnesses. It would also bring those organisations into the scope of enforcement that the bill currently applies only to criminal justice bodies, as is appropriate for the victims and witnesses commissioner. Ms Dowey’s amendments appear unnecessary and disproportionate.”
“Amendment 24, which is linked to amendments 17 and 19, makes it clear that the right of the commissioner to report to the Court of Session or publicise the criminal justice body’s failure to provide information does not apply if the criminal justice body is relying on the exceptions in sections 14(3) or 14(4)—that is, where the body could refuse to provide information to a court or, in the case of the Lord Advocate, where doing so might prejudice criminal proceedings or be contrary to the public interest. Amendment 21 provides the commissioner with an alternative route—to the Court of Session—if a criminal justice body has refused to provide information based on the exception in section 14(3) and the commissioner wishes to challenge that refusal.”
“Provisions in the bill relate to the information-gathering powers of the victims and witnesses commissioner, which are subject to certain exemptions. Amendments 17 and 19 clarify that a criminal justice body or the Lord Advocate can refuse to provide information in certain circumstances, rather than being obliged to provide that information, as is required by the current wording. That ensures consistency of language and makes it absolutely clear that refusals are not overridden by the requirement to provide information to the commissioner.”
“Section 8—Restriction on exercise of functions Amendment 8 moved—[Angela Constance]— and agreed to. After section 8 Amendment 9 moved—[Jamie Greene]—and agreed to. Section 10—Carrying out investigations Amendment 10 moved—[Angela Constance]— and agreed to. Section 13—Reports on investigations Amendments 11 and 12 moved—[Angela Constance]—and agreed to. Section 14—Power to gather information Amendments 13 to 16 moved—[Angela Constance]—and agreed to. The Presiding Officer: Group 4 is entitled “Victims and Witnesses Commissioner: power to gather information”. Amendment 17, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 19, 21, 96, 97, 24 and 98 to 100. Angela Constance: I begin with amendments 17 and 19, which are in my name.”
“We consider that the use of the description “criminal justice body” addresses that concern. Although it does not have any impact on the legal standing of any of the criminal justice bodies that are included under the definition, that term is considered to be a more neutral term than “criminal justice agency”. It will avoid any suggestion that those independent bodies are in any way subordinate to the Scottish ministers or the victims and witnesses commissioner, or a suggestion that the commissioner or the Scottish ministers will be able to direct them. I move amendment 6. The Presiding Officer: Just to confirm, cabinet secretary, do you wish to add any further comments to wind up? Angela Constance: I have nothing to add. Amendment 6 agreed to. Amendment 7 moved—[Angela Constance]— and agreed to.”
“Angela Constance: The amendments in group 3 will change the term “criminal justice agency” or “criminal justice agencies” to “criminal justice body” or “criminal justice bodies” in part 1 and schedule 1, which relate to the victims and witnesses commissioner. The criminal justice bodies, as they are proposed to be known in light of the amendments, are listed in the bill as the Lord Advocate, the Scottish ministers, Police Scotland, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Parole Board for Scotland. The amendments were developed in relation to stakeholder feedback and, in particular, a concern raised by the Parole Board for Scotland about how the term “agency” could be perceived, as the bodies operate independently of the Scottish ministers.”
“As with the separate amendments to change the term “criminal justice agency” to “criminal justice body”, which I will speak to under group 4, amendment 8 is designed to meet the concerns that have been expressed about perceptions of the independence of decision making within the justice system. Amendment 8 will therefore state in the bill that the victims and witnesses commissioner may not exercise their functions in a way that would adversely impact the decision making of a criminal justice body, and it therefore expressly protects their independence. I move amendment 59. Amendment 59 agreed to. The Presiding Officer: Group 3 comprises minor and technical amendments. Amendment 6, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 7, 10 to 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25 to 27, 29, 30, 33 to 37 and 58.”