Helen McDade
Reform UK · Scotland
“I apologise for joining the debate slightly late. I am speaking mainly on behalf of Julie MacDougall, but I have an interest in the matter because both of my grandfathers were miners and died of lung disease, although I did not know either of them, because they died so long ago.”
“If a new hospital would be too expensive but the cabinet secretary is going to deliver the many things that she set out in her statement, can she assure us not only that capital funding will be included— obviously, that will be less than the £2.1 billion— but that resource funding is already being allocated in budgets now and in the futur…”
“We cannot spend £2.1 billion— nor, indeed, more—on one project and meet all our other commitments relating to the aspirations that we all share across Scotland.”
“He was a British Labour politician who served as MP for Glenrothes from 2005 until his death. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2001, as the MP for Central Fife.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement. She says that this is a whole-system approach, that the old approach of having a large acute hospital is not now the answer and that there will be better services that bring together acute care, community services, diagnostics and digital provision.”
“Malcolm Offord: In relation to the much- vaunted jobs in Scotland, how does the minister respond to the fact that, among all the turbines around our country, there is not a single blade made in Scotland?”
The complete record
Every one of 66 lines we hold for Helen McDade, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 2.
“He was a British Labour politician who served as MP for Glenrothes from 2005 until his death. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2001, as the MP for Central Fife. In 2007, he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and, due to his illness, his participation in the Parliament became fleeting, although he remained an MP until his death the following year. He had major surgery and had a lung removed before his death, and his illness was caused by working in the shipyards. Julie MacDougall very much wanted to participate in this debate. I assure Marie McNair and other members that we are interested in co- operating with any move to take matters forward, and I thank her for securing the debate. 17:43”
“I apologise for joining the debate slightly late. I am speaking mainly on behalf of Julie MacDougall, but I have an interest in the matter because both of my grandfathers were miners and died of lung disease, although I did not know either of them, because they died so long ago. One died very young and the other died soon after he retired. I do not know whether they were diagnosed, but it seems likely that what we have been talking about today was a contributory factor. However, I am here to speak on behalf of my colleague Julie MacDougall, who, unfortunately, has taken ill. I am sure that everyone will join me in hoping that she recovers quickly. She very much wanted to be here. I would like to read something about Julie’s father, John MacDougall, whom some members would have known.”
“We cannot spend £2.1 billion— nor, indeed, more—on one project and meet all our other commitments relating to the aspirations that we all share across Scotland. We know that we need to do things differently, and I know that, in quieter moments, the majority of MSPs acknowledge the need for public service reform and to do things differently. To deliver on the many commitments that I have outlined today, we have to make hard decisions, and I am prepared to make hard decisions about affordability and what is best for future health and care services. If I have missed anything, I will happily follow up with Helen McDade in writing. We are investing £22.5 billion across the health and care portfolio, with additional investment in many areas.”
“If a new hospital would be too expensive but the cabinet secretary is going to deliver the many things that she set out in her statement, can she assure us not only that capital funding will be included— obviously, that will be less than the £2.1 billion— but that resource funding is already being allocated in budgets now and in the future? Can she estimate when the facility will open? Angela Constance: For the record, I have written on this matter to Ms McDade in her capacity as the convener of the Health, Care and Sport Committee. Let me be clear: we still need acute hospitals. The good people of Lanarkshire still need and will get a new Monklands hospital. However, Helen McDade’s point about the stewardship of public finances is crucial.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement. She says that this is a whole-system approach, that the old approach of having a large acute hospital is not now the answer and that there will be better services that bring together acute care, community services, diagnostics and digital provision. We have seen before good intentions from the Scottish Government for more integrated care. One smaller example, in relation to GP services and care, is Pitlochry community hospital, which was built and opened to some fanfare by Nicola Sturgeon. That hospital has been plagued by a lack of staff and wards being closed due, partly, to issues with funds. Where will the money come from?”
“However, the Scottish Government will not retreat in the face of a challenge, especially when it is accompanied by opportunity—and the scale of that opportunity is massive. Scotland’s energy networks alone plan to invest about £40 billion over the next five years to strengthen our electricity grid and make full use of our renewable energy. That £40 billion investment in the grid will create real opportunities for the people and businesses of Scotland. It is expected that between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs will be created in the short term, and those jobs will put real money into people’s pockets.”
“Malcolm Offord: In relation to the much- vaunted jobs in Scotland, how does the minister respond to the fact that, among all the turbines around our country, there is not a single blade made in Scotland? Tom Arthur: I want Scotland to be able to fully benefit from all the economic opportunities, and that is what this Government is committed to doing. This is a devolved Government. It does not have the full range and suite of powers of some of our near neighbours, such as Denmark or Norway. However, we work constructively to attract investment and create local supply chains to benefit our economy. The biggest threat to that is the anti-net zero policies of Reform. Let me be clear that delivering a just transition is a challenge.”
“Will the minister take an intervention? Tom Arthur: No, thank you. If we get this right, we will build a foundation for the future, locking in investment, jobs and industries that will provide opportunities over the long term. However, we cannot do that alone. Energy is at the heart of our economy and will remain our largest economic opportunity into the future, delivering more investment, more good jobs and lower costs for households and businesses. Our priority is to secure maximum economic advantage and employment from that spend by capturing supply change and high-value jobs in Scotland, giving investors confidence that projects can move at pace and will benefit communities.”
“I have sincerely welcomed the passion across the chamber in putting the case for local news and the creation of culturally relevant content close to home. I assure members that I will reflect their views vigorously when I meet Ofcom in the coming weeks. Meeting closed at 19:24. Correction The First Minister has identified an error in his contribution and provided the following correction.”
“I will meet Ofcom, the BBC and other relevant partners to ensure that they closely understand Scotland’s requirements. I reflect again that the value of public service broadcasting has never been more important. As many members have reflected, as misinformation and disinformation become pervasive in our society, public service broadcasters must step up and be the trusted voice of impartiality on which we can rely. I hope that Mr Middleton, along with everyone in the chamber, is clear that the Scottish Government joins him in absolutely condemning STV’s plans and Ofcom’s decision to approve them. The First Minister has made that point in written exchanges with those organisations, and I reiterate it.”
“Màiri McAllan: I do not think that anything I said would contradict the fact that excellent output exists across Scotland. I responded to the debate on Screen Scotland. In fact, when we talked about the freezing effect on opportunities and job creation that STV’s decision is likely to have in the north-east, I reflected on the fact that we celebrated the opposite last week in relation to Screen Scotland’s work and the opportunities that it creates for training across the board. Unfortunately, tonight’s debate reflects the opposite trend. I want to say a word about Ofcom. Its first priority must always be to protect audiences and ensure that they have access to the information that they need and the cultural representation that they deserve.”
“At the same time, it is important that we take a moment to celebrate the fact that we have some fantastic Scottish content and that fantastic things are happening in this sector. We had a debate last week to celebrate what is being done on screens small and large—I think that Alyn Smith lodged the motion. It would be wrong not to celebrate some of the achievements of, for example, STV Studios, which is part of the STV world, and some of the tremendous productions that have been commissioned from the BBC and independent companies. We do have things to celebrate—it is not all doom and gloom. However, we need to be real about this particular issue, which relates to the channel 3 licence in the north of Scotland, don’t we?”
“We have rightly focused our comments on STV, but last week the BBC announced deep cuts across its services, which so far represent a disproportionate impact on Scotland. I understand that the BBC and other public service broadcasters are facing significant financial challenges, but it is incumbent on them to provide comprehensive coverage for all nations of the UK. Of course, the BBC is funded by the licence payer, and those considerations should be paramount for it. Any further reduction of Scotland-specific content across the BBC’s output, as in STV’s, puts audiences and our broadcasting workforce at risk and is unacceptable. Stephen Kerr: The cabinet secretary will understand that I do not agree with everything that she has said, but I understand why she has said it.”
“We deserve services that meet a proper public service broadcasting obligation, not only in letter or spirit but also in fact. If broadcasting were devolved, the Scottish Government could ensure that television and radio truly met the needs of the people who live and work here, including by ensuring that Gaelic broadcasting was properly supported. Members of this Parliament would be able to hold us directly to account on that. We will continue to press for the devolution of broadcasting; however, until that happens, we will use every avenue to advocate for our creative workforce and our audiences across Scotland. I assure members that we will not stand by and accept any more steps backward in reporting and coverage, whether of Scottish, UK or global news.”
“It is also not good enough that the regulator, Ofcom, can approve those plans with apparently no regard for the interests of the audiences that it is supposed to protect. That is exactly why broadcasting has to be devolved to Scotland. It is clear, not just from that decision but from decisions across the piece, that our priorities will not be best served by public service broadcasting that is organised on a UK level—or, crucially, by a regulator with a UK-wide remit. The Government and I believe that the people of Scotland—both audiences and the creative professionals, whose interests we have been right to reflect on here tonight—have a right to a broadcasting ecosystem that reflects and represents us not only in news but in entertainment, sport and the cultural programmes that we watch.”
“The issues that are important to people in Glasgow will not always be the same as those that are important to the people of Aberdeen, and we all have a right to be informed about our local area, our local interests and our local people. It resonated with me when Jackie Dunbar said that that local voice is what fosters trust—and trust in our news and public service broadcasting is under threat like never before. It is simply not good enough that STV can just decide that it no longer wishes to fulfil its public service broadcasting obligations. There is huge opposition to that from audiences. Liam Kerr was right to say that only 4 per cent of audiences have demonstrated support for the plans.”
“I add the Scottish Government’s voice to that support by being absolutely clear that STV’s choice to reduce news coverage in the north-east and Ofcom’s decision to approve that are completely unacceptable for not just the audiences who are directly affected but the people across Scotland who are experiencing the erosion of their right to access relevant, reliable and trustworthy news, which—as has, rightly, been reflected on tonight—is absolutely fundamental to local democracy and accountability. Scotland’s areas and regions are distinctive. We are made up of different communities with different interests, different needs and, as both Laura Mitchell and Helen McDade have reflected, different emerging news stories.”
“We need to fight at national and UK levels to continue to get STV North, because—members should make no mistake—once it goes, they will come for ITV Border. I am therefore delighted to have had the opportunity to speak. 19:17 The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan): I thank Jack Middleton for securing the debate. I was very pleased, recently, to meet him along with the Minister for Business and Fair Work. He and others are absolutely right to reflect both the cross- party consensus on the issue and the support across civic society.”
“When I watch the other STV, occasionally, when I am in Edinburgh— it can also be watched online—it does not even mention really major things. To go back quite a long way, to a significant anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the news on STV North looked at the ceremony but it was virtually not mentioned on the national broadcasts. That is an important point. The journalists are trained and embedded in the area. I remember being interviewed about pollution in the Ythan, and STV North turned up with about five Gaelic trainees. That was when it was starting the Gaelic programme. We need to fight for STV North. It is very difficult to see how to roll back such decisions once they have been made. It has been pointed out that the Scottish Government has an advertising revenue. Can that have some weight?”
“It covers a huge area, but we never feel, “Oh well, that’s about up there—the far north,” or, “That’s about Aberdeen,” because we have all watched the same thing. I grew up in Thurso, and there is something about bringing together rural north Scotland. David Green mentioned that breaking news will be lost, which is an important point. Sometimes, something important is on STV North but, if I watch the other side—because I have to know what is going on—there is nothing about it, which is because they have nobody up there. Nowadays, when broadcasters want to interview, they will say, “We’ll do it online.” I might say, “Why don’t you come to Perth and interview me there?” It is just Perth; it is not Thurso. However, they are not interested. Sadly, that is what we face.”
“I thank Jack Middleton for securing the debate. Other members have talked about the process regarding Ofcom and STV. I do not know about that, but Jack Middleton said he was surprised that 99.7 per cent of responses to the consultation were ignored. All I can say is that we probably get more cynical with age, because I am not surprised. As has been mentioned, there will be big money behind the decision and people who think that these communities are not important. Once these things have started down a certain road, it is hard to roll back. It is a really retrograde action. Geographically, Scotland is a large country that is sparsely populated, and STV North supplies a huge area. I have lived in Thurso, Aberdeenshire, north-east Fife and now north Perthshire, and I have been served by STV North in all those areas.”
“What is the Scottish Government’s position on the appropriateness of a single individual holding the dual role of chief executive of NHS Scotland and director general for health and social care given that that arrangement places responsibility for operational delivery and the scrutiny of that delivery in the same office?”
“The motion highlights the importance of early diagnosis of both autistic spectrum disorders and ADHD to allow much-needed advice and help to be given to those who are affected, and to their families, in order to improve life chances. The comorbidity of both conditions is rightly highlighted, but it is important medically that the conditions are also considered separately. I was a veterinary surgeon, and so I like accurate diagnosis as an important way to ensure that the correct treatment, where possible, and targeted assistance can be given. I will consider ADHD first. People with ADHD can be offered medical treatment where appropriate, although if it can be addressed without treatment, with coping mechanisms, that is preferable. Either way, early diagnosis is important.”
“Apologies—it is getting late in the day for everybody. I thank all those who have stayed for this very important debate. The motion gives some frightening statistics about the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In some ways, it is a pity that we are having the debate so late this evening, as there may not be as many people here with a special interest in the subject, and what we are talking about is really important. It is now estimated that one in 31 children in the US will have autistic spectrum disorders. I will come back to that, as it is something that can be argued about.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of people diagnosed with ME and long Covid and recognising that early diagnosis and appropriate care can improve outcomes for recovery or long-term disability, whether it will commit to providing ring-fenced funds to set up specialist clinics staffed by either a nurse practitioner or medical staff in each national health service board area. (S7O-00083)”
“The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Jo Cox’s Death (10th Anniversary)”
“The result is: For 78, Against 26, Abstentions 16. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament commends the essential role that the third sector plays in supporting people and communities; recognises the contribution that the third sector provides to the delivery of many Scottish Government key priorities, including eradicating child poverty; acknowledges that the Scottish Government understands it has a shared responsibility alongside other funders and those who contract out to the third sector to take action to ensure that the sector is sustainable; agrees that a Third Sector Partnership Agreement provides the opportunity to formalise the relationship between the Scottish Government and the third sector, building upon the Scottish Government's progress in delivering on its Fairer Funding commitments to date and responding to the views of the sector; agrees that the Third Sector Partnership will be co- designed with third sector stakeholders to embed their knowledge and experience, demonstrating the value that the Scottish Government places on the sector; believes that the third sector would benefit from a transition to multi-year, simplified, flexible funding models that considers inflationary increases and covers full operating costs as the default; calls on the UK Government to reimburse Scottish third sector organisations for the cost of increased employer NICs, which are currently estimated at £75 million per year; recognises that those working in the third sector, such as organisations addressing violence against women and girls or supporting migrants, carers and disabled people, are also experiencing multiple and overlapping inequalities, secondary trauma and harm, and that they would benefit from an approach to third sector funding that includes the Real Living Wage and fair work principles; further recognises that some third sector organisations, particularly those working with marginalised communities such as trans people and migrants, are experiencing threats to the safety of their staff, volunteers and service users; understands that the third sector employs over 130,000 paid staff in Scotland, providing employment opportunities for those who find it harder to gain work, including disabled people, and often offering flexible working conditions, which has resulted in women making up 64% of the workforce; notes that Scotland's charitable and voluntary sector contributes significantly to the delivery of government policy objectives, yet relies heavily on public donations and fundraising; believes that the sustainability of many charities depends on multi-year funding and appropriate government support; considers that any diversification of funding should assist smaller charities that can find it difficult to participate in public funding rounds, and believes that any charity in receipt of public funding must retain the absolute licence to criticise, as well as to shape, public policy and the actions of government.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not record my vote; I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded—thank you. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Against Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Abstentions Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S7M-00356, in the name of Shirley- Anne Somerville, on strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the third sector, as amended, is— [Interruption.] Do you want to hear the result of the vote or not?”
“I will not speak about the problems, as Jackie and others have often mentioned them, but what specific steps is the Scottish Government taking to increase the recruitment and retention of midwives?”
“I thank the minister for her statement and I welcome the independent review. As someone who has stood for this Parliament once before, in relation to saving local hospitals in Dunfermline, Perth and Stirling, I am interested to see how things have progressed in 20 years. The key issue of the workforce remains the same. In Caithness and other areas, it is often a case of death by 1,000 cuts. First, you do not have the medical staff—there is no housing for them, so they do not want to come. Then you have a problem with midwives and you maybe do not have midwives. Then you say that anybody who is anything other than a low risk has to be moved— and so it goes on.”
“The Presiding Officer: I am not aware of the First Minister addressing his comments specifically to any individual, but that is a point of argument, not a point of order. Members are responsible for their own contributions in the chamber— Helen McDade: He was— The Presiding Officer: Excuse me, do not interrupt when I am speaking—do not heckle. It is not actually a point of procedure, which is what a point of order should be. It is a point of argument, not a point of procedure. As I have already said, that concludes First Minister’s question time. Maternity Services”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am learning. The last time I learned that I need to know the standing order and this time I have learned that I need to wait to the end of First Minister’s questions. I refer to rule 7.3 of standing orders, which states that members “shall not conduct themselves in a manner which would constitute a criminal offence”. The First Minister believes that saying the word “strangers” incites violence. What does he think the word “racist”, aimed at me, does to my risk? I think that it increases the risk to me as a public figure. I ask the Presiding Officer to rule on the use of the word “racist” in this Parliament, or to ask the First Minister, who has known me for 20 years, to say to my face that he thinks that I am a racist.”
“On Tuesday night, Police Scotland issued a statement that indicated: “Officers responded to disorder and violence, including incidents in Glasgow where members of the public were attacked because of the colour of their skin. Officers were also attacked.” Members of the public will ask—they say this to me when I am out and about in the country—how on earth has Scotland become like this? Well, Scotland has become like this because people on that side of the chamber—Malcolm Offord, Thomas Kerr and various others—are inciting racial division in our society, and this Government will stand up to all of that. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Okay, members. Thank you. Settle down. Racist Demonstrations 3.”
“The Scottish National Party and every other party in the chamber have championed mass uncontrolled immigration— The Presiding Officer: Will you wind up your question, please? Malcolm Offord: However, Reform Scotland does not do that. I ask the First Minister, one last time, whether he will immediately reintroduce the priority need and local connection rule to our housing system and finally put Scotland first. The First Minister: I think that what the Parliament and the country have just heard for the first time in this parliamentary session is exactly what I was warning about during the election campaign. Language has been used about “strangers” and to create division between people who walk the same streets of our country.”
“Following a recent freedom of information request, The Times showed that Glasgow has become home to 20 refugees per week in the past year, with the vast majority of those being fighting- age men of undisclosed nationality. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Excuse me—let him finish. Malcolm Offord: That is unsustainable. We all agree on that, sensibly. However, sadly, it is not surprising, because the First Minister wore a T- shirt that said, “I welcome refugees”, while advocating open borders. I say to the First Minister that we cannot have that. These are the consequences. We are asking the First Minister to reapply local connection rules, which he can do, to alleviate the pressures on the big issue of social housing. That will rebalance the system, once again, to put our own people first.”
“In Greenock, which I know is a town that is very close to Mr Offord’s heart, police officers were attacked, two officers sustained minor injuries and damage was caused to police vehicles as the police were simply doing their duty of protecting the citizens of our country. Mr Offord should condemn his colleague Thomas Kerr right now. [Applause.] The Presiding Officer: Let Mr Offord speak. Malcolm Offord: I say, once again, unequivocally, that we condemn violence. Violence is not the way to protest. However, protest is a valid mechanism to make one’s views heard when in frustration. In all the interviews that Thomas Kerr gave yesterday, he was very clear that there is no line to cross into violence, but a right to protest remains valid. Thomas Kerr says that as a local Glaswegian.”
“I want to explore some of the comments that Mr Offord has made on the issues around protest, because I fear that the issues around “less savoury” characters are not too far from home. On Tuesday, there was disorder in the streets of Scotland, particularly in the city of Glasgow, which I unreservedly condemn, and I condemned it yesterday. At the same time as I was condemning it, Thomas Kerr, who is sitting beside Mr Offord, was saying to people that it was important that people went out and protested last night. At the same time, I was making it abundantly clear that, in the current context, nobody—although they have democratic rights—should be out protesting last night, given the climate that we are in. That was my advice: for people not to protest. Mr Kerr said that people should get out and protest. What happened last night?”
“If we, the politicians, do not fix it democratically, other, less savoury actors will fill that vacuum. In Scotland, will the First Minister now take immediate action to restore the priority need for scarce housing resources to local Scots ahead of strangers? The First Minister: On Malcolm Offord’s question, I simply point out to him that the problem that was created by the Conservatives, in his words, was created by a Conservative Party of which he was a member and a serving Government minister. It stretches credulity for Mr Offord to come here and present himself as some form of a solution to a problem that he allegedly, in his own words, created in the first place.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The Presiding Officer: We take points of order only at the end of First Minister’s question time. Malcolm Offord: The First Minister has not answered my question. Instead, he has thrown false accusations at my party. Let me address directly the terrible riots that we have seen in Belfast. First, I condemn the brutal and unprovoked attack on Stephen Ogilvie, and, secondly, I echo his family in saying that violent protest is not the answer. Whatever the problem is, violence is not the answer, but that is not to ignore the problem. The reality is that there is a very real problem with immigration, which was created by the Tories and is now being exacerbated by Labour. Weak politicians have created this unrest in our society.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I just wonder what the process is. Can you explain what happens once a vote has been cast when there is only one candidate, so that we know what we are voting against? The Presiding Officer: If a candidate receives the majority of votes, that candidate will become the committee convener. If the majority is against it, that candidate will not be the committee convener. Helen McDade: What happens then? The Presiding Officer: The process is opened again for further nominations. However, to be clear, any other member who is nominated will have to come from the party from which the original member was selected.”
“At times, it has been useful and instructive, but we need an awful lot more candour if we are to actually make progress. Ivan McKee: Will the member give way? Daniel Johnson: I apologise—I am out of time. 16:48”
“We have to reform council tax and non-domestic rates at the same time, and that needs to be done holistically. Partial tinkering around the edges might make the system much worse, given that it was arrived at in a hurried fashion in 1991 and was imperfect to begin with. We also need to start with some principles. Let us have a non-domestic rates regime that is built on transparency, that is based on economic contribution, that does not hinder investment, and that aligns local government with the revenue from where it is generated. Perhaps that would be a starting point. If we want reform, let us at least establish the principles and have some dialogue about how it could take place. Let us get on with it, because we cannot wait another 20 years. This is an important debate.”
“It did not want to mention the £5 billion figure, but even if it rejects that, the Government’s own figures, according to the IFS, show that we would need an extraordinarily increased rate of productivity growth in the health service just to stand still once we take account of increased pay. Additionally, the IFS identified £1.4 billion of additional pledges in the SNP manifesto. We need a grown-up, mature conversation, and it has to start from a realistic position about our growth and why it matters. Just saying, “We’re going to do reform” does not really cut it; we need to understand the detail if we are not to undermine the very public services that are so important. Above all else, we have gone on too long talking about council tax reform and local government reform without getting into the detail.”
“In the previous 10 years—from 2014 to 2024— Scottish growth was 8 per cent, while UK growth was 14 per cent. We have to think about why we are lagging and how we can make up that difference, because economic growth is important. Willie Rennie was absolutely right to say that we will not tax our way to growth or sustainable finances, but the issue is more important than that. Ultimately, economic growth matters because it is all about increased living standards, increased opportunities for individuals and increased wages. It matters for the Government, but it also matters for those who live and work in Scotland. This is an important debate, but we need much more detail about how the Government will tackle these issues and the deficit that it faces.”
“We do require some candour from this Government; its inability to acknowledge the performance gap that has been outlined by the Scottish Fiscal Commission over a number of years is worrying. That £800 million gap has arisen primarily because of “slower earnings and employment growth compared to the” rest of “the UK.” That is the definition that the Scottish Fiscal Commission has set out. If we want to make progress, both on economic growth and on public finance sustainability, we have to start by acknowledging that at least. We also have to acknowledge longer-term growth trends. Before Ivan McKee gets to his feet, I am happy to acknowledge that economic growth in Scotland last year was 1.4 per cent, but it was only 0.1 per cent higher than the figure for the UK.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Daniel Johnson: I will continue my point, and the member can see whether or not it is relevant. We have to have a debate about how we grow the economy and develop sustainable funding for public services. More broadly, I say to the parties of the right that they have to understand that this is not an either/or—we cannot cut our way to growth. Growth requires good quality public services. We need our schools to teach the right skills and knowledge; we need hospitals so that people can get better to return to work; and we need good roads so that goods and services can travel from point A to point B. This is not about either/or—we need both.”
“I move amendment S7M-00228.1, to leave out from “including long waits” and insert: “; further recognises that 93% of people in Scotland think that the NHS needs to be reformed whilst continuing to deliver services free at the point of use, and calls on the Scottish Government to set up an independent, Scottish Health and Social Care Commission, comprising experts, staff and service users to review health and social care delivery, produce a workforce plan to train and retain more doctors, nurses and social care professionals in Scotland, propose solutions for delayed discharge, and actions to streamline frontline services through greater integration between community health and social care services and local GP surgeries.””
“In addition, we must see that, after Covid, there are tens of thousands more such people. I will be delighted to join the Covid group and the medical inequalities group. However, carers are dealing with the bulk of things. The cabinet secretary will be pleased to know that I do not lay all of that at the Government’s door. In fact, the medical professions need to be brought to the table with patients and carers. We have the latest research on some of the illnesses, and mandatory continuing professional development is required. The Government should look at what medical research it is funding and monitor that closely for outcomes. A commission could steer the NHS through those changes, and I ask members to support my amendment.”
“When I was in that space, I used to think that, if I went to an appointment and came away without one of us being in tears or absolutely furious, that was not too bad. We must have specialist nurses and doctors for chronic illnesses. There has been only one specialist ME nurse in Scotland in the 20 years since that debate in the Parliament, which some current members attended. We had one nurse— Keith Anderson, who, sadly, died prematurely. I would like his family to know that we recognise his dedication and the wonderful care that he gave to thousands of ME patients and, latterly, long Covid patients. I return to my personal starting point in the Parliament. After two decades, on just one common, painful, distressing and often lifelong condition, the result is that we are no further forward. That must change.”
“Without knowing the detail of what happened, I am sorry that the Government’s plans to bring health and social care together were not put into practice. One obvious issue that needs looking at is bed blocking, but I do not think that I heard about that in the cabinet secretary’s speech. What does the current state of the NHS mean to people in practice? One area is the inadequate care that people with chronic health conditions receive. I come back to my family’s involvement with ME. Because I am a vet, I looked a lot at research on the topic. In some ways, encouragingly, that is coming on. Sadly, however, the reports are that doctors are not doing much more to help those people. They leave the patient feeling helpless and unsupported.”