Jackie Baillie
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Is it not the case that the SNP was economical with the truth in its manifesto when it promised all those things, knowing that there was no budget to deliver any of them? Angela Constance: This Government will deliver a new hospital for the Monklands. This is not about ditching; it is about delivering.”
“I congratulate Marie McNair on bringing the motion to the chamber for debate and on her consistent championing of the cause. Asbestos was finally completely banned in 1999, the same year that the Parliament was established.”
“Today, Cape is owned by the construction engineering company Altrad, which operates around the world, and its UK arm alone made a pre-tax profit of £37.3 million in the year to August 2025.”
“Although shipbuilders and tradesmen might be the most affected, their wives and children might also have been exposed to asbestos dust, and, of course, all families are impacted by a loved one’s diagnosis.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance copy of her statement. First, there is no doubt in my mind that the people of Lanarkshire and the hard-working NHS staff at Monklands hospital will be bitterly disappointed by the cabinet secretary’s announcement. It does not sound like a reset; it sounds like an indefinite halt.”
“In 2024, the Scottish Law Commission recommended, helpfully, that the time bar be removed, but that was not legislated for in the previous parliamentary session. I hope that the Scottish Government will make such legislation an urgent priority in this parliamentary session.”
The complete record
Every one of 503 lines we hold for Jackie Baillie, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 11.
“The Scottish Labour Government ended the use of mixed-sex wards in the NHS in 2005 but, in response to a freedom of information request in 2024, only two health boards—NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Orkney—confirmed that they offered single-sex accommodation across all their wards. What assessment has the Scottish Government carried out of the number of mixed- sex wards? Will it ensure that all wards in NHS hospitals operate as single sex? Neil Gray: Since 2005, we have expected NHS boards to ensure that all their facilities comply with the guidelines and recommendations on the elimination of mixed-sex accommodation. Further guidance concluded that there should be a presumption of 100 per cent single rooms in future hospital developments. That is confirmed as policy for NHS Scotland except in exceptional circumstances that are set out.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-20561.2, in the name of Brian Whittle, which seeks to amend motion S6M- 20561, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on the role of political decision making in national health service scandals, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am afraid that my device would not connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Baillie. We will ensure that that is recorded. For 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) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) 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) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) 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) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) 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) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-20561.1, in the name of Neil Gray, is: For 58, Against 61, Abstentions 0.”
“I will allow a moment or two for members on the front benches to arrange themselves. MV Bella 1”
“Counsel to the inquiry, Fred Mackintosh, urged the health board to act now, and not to wait for the findings of the inquiry. It would therefore be a gross dereliction of duty on the part of the cabinet secretary to risk patient safety: he needs to act on that now. I am grateful to the First Minister for joining us, because if the cabinet secretary will not act, will the First Minister do so? We owe it to the families, the hard-working staff, and future patients. I urge members to support the Labour motion and the amendments from the Greens and the Conservatives, but to reject the SNP amendment, which is about doing nothing, and continuing the secrecy and cover up. The Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate on the role of political decision making in NHS scandals. It is time to move on to the next item of business.”
“For months in advance of that, ministers boasted in the chamber that it was a flagship Scottish Government project. Now, it has nothing to do with them; it is the health board’s fault. I have been around here for a long time, so I know that the SNP Government has a fondness for announcements—every Government does— and we have seen that. Stephen Kerr was right to remind us that it was Nicola Sturgeon who launched a ferry with painted-on windows that is yet to sail. In this case, a hospital was opened too early, and people died. Let me say to the cabinet secretary: stop the secrecy, and release all the documentation that covered political decision making. Most important of all, the cabinet secretary must also ensure the safety of the hospital today—because we know that not all of the hospital has been validated as safe.”
“Brave doctors risked their careers to raise their concerns, but they were bullied, sidelined and ignored. The health board has now admitted that it opened the hospital too early because pressure was applied. Shortly before John Swinney appeared on national TV, the health board clarified that it was internal pressure. Really? If you know anything about the relationship between the health board and the Scottish Government, you know that the pressure would have been external to the health board; it would have come from ministers, or civil servants on behalf of ministers. I therefore repeat the question that Anas Sarwar asked at the beginning of the debate: who applied that pressure? We need answers from the Government. In April 2015, when the hospital opened, we were weeks away from a general election—what a coincidence.”
“In June 2017, when a HIIAT red warning was issued at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital, Shona Robison would have been informed. What did she do? In January 2018, such was the complacency that Shona Robison accused Anas Sarwar of talking down the hospital. This is what she said: “It is outrageous that he is talking down our first class state-of-the-art hospital”. —[Official Report, 24 January 2018; c 12.] She had the HIIAT report six months earlier, she misled the Parliament, and children had already died. Again, I have to ask: was it criminal negligence or was it incompetence? From the moment that the Queen Elizabeth university hospital opened, it was clear to those with knowledge of infection control that the water and ventilation systems were not adequate.”
“There is no getting away from the fact that senior Government ministers chose not to have the new hospital inspected, which had deadly consequences. The MacLean report also recommended robust reporting systems for infection monitoring. At that same committee hearing in 2015, Shona Robison told me: “I get alerted straight away about C diff cases or any other infection in hospitals in Glasgow, in Clyde or elsewhere, because the monitoring systems work.”— [Official Report, Health and Sport Committee, 24 February 2015; c 27.] I know that, because it was one of the issues arising from the C diff outbreak at the Vale of Leven. Whenever a healthcare infection incident assessment tool—otherwise known as a HIIAT—is red, the cabinet secretary is automatically notified.”
“We will check that.”— [Official Report, Health and Sport Committee, 24 February 2015; c 32.] In April 2015, just before the Queen Elizabeth university hospital opened, Shona Robison wrote to me claiming that there was no need for an independent audit or to follow the MacLean recommendation because there was robust monitoring and reporting in place. There was even a risk register. Will the cabinet secretary tell us whether the risk register identified any of the problems with water or ventilation that existed at the time? I suspect not. Had Shona Robison commissioned the independent audit, as recommended by the MacLean inquiry that the Government was so keen to learn lessons from, we would not be debating the issue today, and families would not be grieving the loss of loved ones. Was it criminal negligence or incompetence?”
“The Scottish Government accepted responsibility for what happened at the Vale of Leven, stating: “we apologise unreservedly for the suffering and loss caused. We accept in full all of the report's recommendations.” The statement continued: “we can ensure structures and mechanisms are in place to make sure that what happened at the VOLH does not happen anywhere else in future.” A month after that comment, in February 2015, I questioned the then Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Shona Robison, at the Health and Sport Committee. I asked her whether, in light of the Vale of Leven hospital inquiry report, an independent audit of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital had been carried out. That was a recommendation that the Government had accepted. After some pressing, she said: “If it has not taken place, it will.”
“The families rightly campaigned for a public inquiry, and the inquiry that was chaired by Lord MacLean published its report in November 2014, six months before the Queen Elizabeth university hospital opened. The report made a series of recommendations on everything from governance to the management of infection control. The tragedy that affected so many of my constituents at the Vale of Leven could have been avoided, and that is also so true for the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. The Scottish Government said at the time that lessons would be learned. However, six months later, it opened a new hospital when it was clearly not safe to do so, and the consequences have been devastating.”
“Children have died, adults have died and families are grieving. I say to Emma Harper: hard-working staff did come forward and share their concerns, but they were bullied, ignored and let down. This is the worst scandal in the current session of the Scottish Parliament, but it could so easily have been avoided. I take members back to December 2007, when at least 143 patients contracted clostridium difficile at the Vale of Leven hospital. C diff was found to be a contributory factor in at least 34 of those patients’ deaths. Just like in the Queen Elizabeth university hospital, those patients went into hospital expecting to get better, but they never came out.”
“Neil Gray: That is a matter for the inquiry to determine. There are live inquiries under way that must be allowed the respect to conclude their business before we make a conclusion on the evidence before us. I give way, finally, to”
“I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for giving way. You were asked a question about validation of every section of the hospital. That is not about the inquiry; it is about now. You have a responsibility as cabinet secretary to provide assurance to the public. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Please speak through the chair. Neil Gray: That is a matter for the inquiry. Lord Brodie has instructed independent evidence as to the hospital’s current infrastructure. That evidence was provided by Mr Poplett, and it goes into the detail of the situation that is currently before the hospital. Therefore, that is a matter for the inquiry. Anas Sarwar: Is it validated—yes or no? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Sarwar, you have had an opportunity to state your case. I would be grateful if you were not making interventions from a sedentary position.”
“However, the application went back in front of the same reporter, and my understanding is that the report is now with the Minister for Public Finance. At no stage, from when the reporter first considered the appeal to now, has a public hearing been held—not one. Yet there are lots of public hearings about all manner of planning appeals on proposals of far less strategic significance. To be frank, I find that appalling and a denial of democracy. It is important that community concerns are heard and considered. We created national parks to protect and conserve some of our most beautiful scenery and environment. It is right, therefore, that when significant application decisions are appealed, there is a public hearing as part of the determination process. I urge members to support amendment 76.”
“In considering the application from Flamingo Land, the national park paid due regard to planning policy, to the views of statutory consultees such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and to the concerns of the local community. In contrast to what we are seeing now, the national park board held public hearings and made a site visit; it considered expert planning advice from its own staff, many of whom live in the national park; and it decided unanimously to reject Flamingo Land. Given that background, it is astonishing that a single reporter decided that we should support the proposal. Ministers, under pressure in advance of a vote in the Parliament, called it in, and I welcome that.”
“I will speak specifically to amendment 76, in the name of Ross Greer, on planning in national parks. I completely agree with the amendment and commend it to members in the chamber. Members will be aware of the significant planning application for Flamingo Land in Balloch, which is the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. Ross Greer started a petition—I commend him for doing so—that attracted thousands of signatures opposing the application. I did a local door-to-door survey of some 6,000 households and more than 60 per cent opposed the development, but all, whether they agreed or disagreed, wanted to see improvements to roads and the quality of jobs and the economic impact being maximised.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that then health secretary, Shona Robison, U-turned on a promise to carry out an independent audit of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital before it opened to patients. (S6T-02862)”
“That is why, following the UK Government’s removal of the two-child benefit cap, the budget sets out how the Government will spend every penny of the £126 million that was released this year to keep more Scottish children out of poverty. We believe that the budget also responds to and aligns with many other recommendations that came through in other committees’ pre-budget scrutiny. I thank the Education, Children and Young People Committee for welcoming the Government’s commitment to engage with the college sector on clarifying future priorities.”
“We believe that prevention is central to long- term sustainability—a view that the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee shares. Investment now to mitigate the harms of poverty can reduce future demand on acute services and increase participation in the labour market. That is why we are developing a method to identify and track preventive spend through the Scottish budget, with work under way to develop pilots, and first results planned for publication in the summer. We share the view of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee that prevention plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of social security spend. We recognise the risks of increasing demand on public services and believe that investing in a fairer system today can reduce costs in the future.”
“A managed reduction in head count will be supported, where appropriate, by intelligent automation to protect and improve front-line services. I know that that is an area of interest to the Finance and Public Administration Committee, which is encouraging the Government to go further in maximising opportunities in artificial intelligence. In addition to the Finance and Public Administration Committee, other committees have been considering how public service reform can support fiscal sustainability. I know that the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee focused on the invest to save fund this year, and I hope that it will welcome the budget’s increased investment in it of nearly £30 million. The fund catalyses efficiency, effectiveness and productivity by encouraging projects that will generate savings across the public sector.”
“On the matter of pay, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has estimated that there is a £15 million funding gap in relation to meeting the cost of delivering the real living wage to adult social care workers. That will mean cuts to the service. Will the cabinet secretary clarify whether that is a result of the wrong baseline being used? If so, will that error be corrected? Shona Robison: The funding that is provided is for the real living wage. However, we have said that the national minimum wage, which is a statutory requirement, should be met by employers. We are topping up the funding for the real living wage, but the national living wage is the level of pay that they have to provide. I do not think that that is an unreasonable point to make to employers. They have a legal responsibility to pay that.”
“That is why the collaborative response and assurance group, which involves COSLA, the Scottish Government and health and social care partnerships, is so important. We all have a part to play in making sure that the system works effectively. It is important that employers honour their statutory responsibilities and obligations on pay. I have just left a meeting with Councillor Paul Kelly and COSLA in which we discussed that point. Discussions on the issue are on-going. Hospital Discharges and Use of Non-clinical Spaces 2.”
“I think that we would all acknowledge that social care is critical if we are to reduce waiting times at A and E. COSLA has calculated that there is a £15 million funding gap in meeting the cost of delivering the real living wage to adult social care workers. That appears to be because the Scottish Government has taken the baseline as £12.71 per hour rather than £12.60, which is the current level of pay. The shortfall will have a devastating impact on social care services. Will the minister clarify whether that was intentional? If it was not, will he move to correct the error? Neil Gray: I agree with Jackie Baillie’s first point about the importance of social care in ensuring that people receive the right care in the right place at the right time, and ensuring that there is proper flow through the system.”
“Neil Gray: Those matters are subject to live public inquiry and live Crown Office investigations. It would be completely inappropriate for ministers to comment on or narrate what is going on around those issues. Jackie Baillie talks about keeping things secret, but it is the contrary: there are live public inquiries, one of which was instigated by the Scottish Government, and the Crown investigation will clearly have to report. It would be completely inappropriate for ministers to seek to intervene or suppress those inquiries, or to do anything other than allow those processes to continue. I think that you would expect nothing less of a Government minister,”
“It is right to remind members that, when the Queen Elizabeth university hospital opened in 2015, Nicola Sturgeon was the First Minister, Shona Robison was the health secretary and John Swinney was the finance minister. Their fingerprints are all over this. We need to know what they knew, when they knew it and exactly who pressured the health board to open the hospital before it was safe, causing the death of children. We know that the SNP cares only about announcements, rather than delivery. We have experienced the ferry with painted-on windows that has yet to sail, and now a hospital that ministers pushed to open when it was not safe to do so. Who does the cabinet secretary believe is responsible for the deaths of children at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital?”
“The question for Jackie Baillie is: why does she find it so difficult to press her button to support the £2.3 billion of investment in social care? That is something that she will have to explain.”
“Shona Robison: First, the investment of more than £2.3 billion in social care delivers our commitment to increase funding by 25 per cent. In 2026-27, that commitment will be exceeded by more than £500 million, supporting an uplift to adult social care pay as well as improvements to wider terms and conditions for workers. That is part of a package for local government of nearly £15.7 billion, with freedom for authorities to set their council tax rates as they see fit. In addition to that, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care will be meeting local government representatives to discuss what further steps can be taken to address delayed discharge, particularly in relation to complex care needs. All that work is going on, but the money that I have just talked about can be put in place only if members support the budget.”
“Health and social care partnerships that are responsible for delivering social care face a funding gap of £560 million in this year alone, and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities estimates that £750 million will be needed for next year. If the SNP is funding social care adequately, as it claims to be doing, why are lifeline care services being slashed? Why are health and social care partnerships declaring a social care crisis? Why are they funding only the most critical care, which means that people are stuck in hospital and unable to get out? Why is there a growing waiting list for care assessments? Why are essential packages of care being denied? I ask the cabinet secretary: why are the most vulnerable people in Scotland being let down by the SNP Government?”
“To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking following reports that the Queen Elizabeth university hospital released the wrong body for cremation. (S6F-04559)”
“Some elements require to be finalised but, from meeting employer representatives—I did that as part of discussions earlier this afternoon—I understand that those preparations are well advanced. As I have pointed out to our resident doctor colleagues, there is no avoiding the fact that there will be disruption should the industrial action go ahead next week, which has the potential to bring about harm. I know that they do not wish that to happen, as I certainly do not, and I am doing everything possible, through compromise and negotiation, to find a route that avoids industrial action next week. Snow and Cold Weather (Impact) 2.”
“I, too, wish everybody in the Parliament a happy new year, and I say as gently as I can to the health secretary that former SNP health secretary Alex Neil was scathing in his comments about the Government’s turning a corner on the NHS, describing that claim as “rubbish”. The resident doctors’ strike is scheduled to start in one week—on 13 January. However, in one of Scotland’s largest health boards—NHS Lothian— staff are still waiting to hear what contingency arrangements will be put in place. What arrangements are being made to ensure that patients can still access healthcare in the event that the strikes go ahead? Neil Gray: From the moment that the ballot for industrial action was called, we have been working to ensure that our boards are as prepared as possible, and we have contingency arrangements in place.”
“The Government is working with local authorities to ensure that we have the support in place to meet the needs that Jackie Baillie has raised with me.”
“The First Minister: Many of those issues were discussed yesterday at a meeting between ministers and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to address the significant challenges that we face in relation to delayed discharge. Some of that is about the capacity that exists in local communities and the number of staff who are available. As Jackie Baillie will know, we have very low levels of unemployment in Scotland— significantly lower than the rest of the United Kingdom—and vacancies in social care in the provision of packages at local level. The Government has a keen interest in resolving the issue, because that will reduce pressure in our hospitals, which have been experiencing acute challenges because of the rise in flu admissions, although, thankfully, it looks as though that increase is slowing.”
“The First Minister will be aware that health and social care partnerships across Scotland are reporting significant shortfalls in their budgets. In Argyll and Bute, there is a £6 million budget gap. The consequence of that is that, in the past few days, a number of my elderly constituents have found themselves stuck in hospital, medically fit to leave but unable to do so because their care package is simply not being funded. The First Minister knows that that will drive up delayed discharge and have a knock-on effect on hospital capacity. What urgent action will he take to address that crisis in social care, so that my constituents can go home for Christmas?”
“Of course, I welcome any steps that are taken in any jurisdiction to improve the situation for people who are victims of sexual violence or domestic violence, so that they are able to report it and so that the police can respond accordingly. I will respond in writing to Jackie Baillie on the steps that we are taking in Scotland. Third Sector Support for the National Health Service 4.”
“I am sure that the cabinet secretary will welcome the announcement by the United Kingdom Government of specialist NHS support for domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors. It is essential to have trauma-informed specialist healthcare pathways, as their needs often fall between criminal justice, health and safeguarding systems. Is the cabinet secretary considering adopting a similar approach, given the recent concern about grooming gangs? Neil Gray: Sexual assault, like any form of sexual violence, is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated. It is incumbent on boards, in the first instance, to ensure that their staff and patients are supported so that they can report it when it takes place.”
“To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the independent investigation into NHS Scotland by the retired consultant surgeon and former president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Mr Mike McKirdy. (S6F-04529)”
“Combating advertising that targets vulnerable and suicidal people is an issue that the Governments should be working closely together on, regardless of the outcome of the bills. We, on the Labour benches, support the legislative consent motion. 17:42”
“In the recent House of Lords debate that considered the issue, it was noted that those with chronic illnesses have reported noticing Facebook adverts that include negative content about their treatment, about whether they can live with their condition and even content that suggests going to Switzerland for assisted dying. If Facebook algorithms are opaque, artificial intelligence is even worse. The House of Lords debate also referenced the current lawsuit against OpenAI from the family of a young man who allege that ChatGPT encouraged him to take his life. Once again, the bill is a reminder of the work that the Governments must do to ensure that there are appropriate safeguards in place.”
“The Scottish and United Kingdom Parliaments are currently scrutinising assisted dying bills. Although we may be doing so on slightly different timelines, the reality is that the debates are very similar and the nature of the amendments that are being considered are largely in the same territory of enhancing safeguards. Wherever we stand in the debate, it is acknowledged that both bills, if successful, will have a profound impact on people across the UK, so it is right that the two Parliaments should work closely together. That is particularly the case when it comes to advertising and media, because online activity travels much more easily across borders than, for example, a poster on a wall.”
“We need to get better at working collaboratively so that people can continue to serve. The report warns that progress on housing for veterans is still lagging behind where it should be, and the Scottish Government needs to increase the pace if it is to tackle the blight of veteran homelessness. Edward Mountain: [Made a request to intervene.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Jackie Baillie is concluding. Jackie Baillie: There is merit in Edward Mountain’s amendment, and we will support it today. At a time when armed forces recruitment is not a luxury but a necessity, I am sure that both Governments will work at pace to continue to support our armed forces and our veterans. 17:19”
“However, as I think we all agree, there is more to be done. I welcome the minister’s commitment to do more work with GPs to understand why uptake for the general practice armed forces and veterans recognition scheme has been so low and to increase the number of practices that participate in the scheme. I agree with Sandesh Gulhane that we simply need more GPs in order to cope with the capacity that is required. The minister was right to reference long waiting times and, in particular, the impact on services. I have a constituent who sought a referral to treat a tumour that would affect his ability to work, but the waiting lists in Scotland were simply too long. He wanted a referral to the Dreadnought medical service, which offers treatment to seafarers, but NHS Scotland seemed to be unwilling to fund that.”
“Part of thanking those who serve is showing that we value them when their service is over, which is why it is so important that we deliver for veterans. The UK Labour Government recently published its veterans strategy, backed by £50 million of Government investment, as a number of members have already referred to. That includes delivering the digital veteran card in 2025 to make it easier for veterans to access services, and creating a new network of local support centres to improve access to services such as health, housing and employment. The Scottish Veterans Commissioner’s report is to be welcomed, as it shows the progress that has been made by the Scottish Government. I congratulate the Government on that, and we are all grateful to Susie Hamilton for her work in that regard.”
“Just yesterday, the UK Labour Government announced its Atlantic bastion programme, which will combine autonomous vessels and artificial intelligence with warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid force to protect undersea cables and pipelines. That follows an increase in Russian underwater activity, including by the spy ship Yantar, which is apparently mapping our underwater cables. Russia is also believed to have been behind the sabotage of Shetland’s subsea internet cables in 2023. The first priority of any Government should be keeping its citizens safe, and no Government can do that without its armed forces. The UK Labour Government is investing £250 million in His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, which will reap a defence dividend in my constituency and beyond.”
“Support for veterans and those in the armed forces is important wherever you are in Scotland, but it has a special resonance in my constituency, which includes His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane. The submariners protecting our seas do so knowing that they will miss out on many special moments with loved ones on land, and there are few things more moving than seeing families reunite after many months apart. For some, they have been at sea longer than they expected because of the capacity of the service, which the UK Government is addressing. This summer, I had the privilege of meeting the crew of HMS Vanguard at 10 Downing Street, where they were rightly celebrated for their contribution to keeping our country safe. The reality is that our seas are already contested.”
“A working group that has been established and convened by the permanent secretary has been actively considering the implications of the judgment across every key area of Government. As a result of that work, action has already been taken, including the production of updated guidance on the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 and an amendment to the public appointments recruitment process for regulated public bodies, through which the act is applied. Action is being taken.”
“The ruling in the Sandie Peggie case leaves significant questions for NHS Fife and the Scottish Government to answer. The Scottish Government wrote to health boards in early September about the Supreme Court judgment, but left it as a matter for individual boards to consider, following their own legal advice. Surely we should have one consistent approach across Scotland, in which the legal advice for boards is the same and a woman does not need first to complain to have her employer follow the law—or does the Scottish Government expect individual front-line staff to be their own experts on human rights law? Neil Gray: Again, the Scottish Government accepts the Supreme Court ruling. We accept that judgment and are taking forward the detailed work that is necessary as a consequence.”
“Will he help to resolve the situation to ensure the continuing provision of Turning Point’s drug and alcohol services in Glasgow?”