Katherine Sangster
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Many Scots do not believe that the sentence fits the crime or that cases are dealt with quickly enough and, despite years of reform and investment, public attitudes towards the justice system have changed little in the past decade.”
“I welcome the fact that the Government’s motion recognises the complexity of the changes and makes a commitment to community justice. However, as Scottish Labour’s amendment makes clear, we need greater urgency; we need a clearer understanding of why existing efforts to reduce reoffending and support rehabilitation are not delivering; and…”
“That matters because public confidence is essential if we are to secure support for the changes that many experts believe are necessary and which most of us here agree should be made. As others have said, community justice has an important role to play.”
“There is no doubt that Scotland’s prisons are under immense pressure. Once again, our prison population has reached a record level and, as we have heard, it is circa 800 over capacity and heading upwards.”
“Katherine Sangster: The United Kingdom Labour Government is rolling out breakfast clubs at pace and is ensuring that primary schools are offered expert support and advice on how clubs can be delivered in a stigma-free way for the children who need them most. There is no one- size-fits-all solution.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what specific support it plans to provide to primary and special schools to enable the delivery of universal breakfast clubs.”
The complete record
Every one of 43 lines we hold for Katherine Sangster, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“If we are serious about strengthening Scotland’s justice system, the Government must do more, with greater urgency. 15:35”
“I welcome the fact that the Government’s motion recognises the complexity of the changes and makes a commitment to community justice. However, as Scottish Labour’s amendment makes clear, we need greater urgency; we need a clearer understanding of why existing efforts to reduce reoffending and support rehabilitation are not delivering; and we need to look at how we can make progress. We need a credible plan to address overcrowding in a way that protects public safety and restores confidence in the system. It is clear from the debate that the status quo is not working. For too long, confidence in our justice system has remained stagnant, while pressures in our prisons have continued to grow. The question is about not simply prisoner numbers but public safety, public confidence and public trust.”
“That matters because public confidence is essential if we are to secure support for the changes that many experts believe are necessary and which most of us here agree should be made. As others have said, community justice has an important role to play. It is often far more effective in reducing reoffending and, in many cases, it delivers better outcomes than short-term imprisonment. In conversations that I have had with local police, they have referred to something that my colleague Pauline McNeill spoke about: a revolving door of people going to prison, getting out and reoffending. We have to break that cycle. However, those arguments will carry weight only if the public have confidence that alternatives to custody are robust, effective and properly enforced and funded.”
“Many Scots do not believe that the sentence fits the crime or that cases are dealt with quickly enough and, despite years of reform and investment, public attitudes towards the justice system have changed little in the past decade. Three quarters of Scots say that they know only a little or nothing about how our criminal justice system operates, and only about a third believe that the system delivers sentences that fit the crime. At the same time, people can see that our prisons are overcrowded. They see the headlines about emergency measures and early release schemes—they see a system that appears to be under strain. If the public are not confident that those who should be in prison are in prison and are serving the sentences handed down by the courts, it becomes much harder to build confidence in the wider justice system.”
“There is no doubt that Scotland’s prisons are under immense pressure. Once again, our prison population has reached a record level and, as we have heard, it is circa 800 over capacity and heading upwards. That should concern us because of the impact on prison staff, who are working under increasingly difficult circumstances, and because of the impact on prisoners, many of whom are not getting the support and rehabilitation that they need. Most of all, it should concern us because of what it says about the ability of our justice system to deliver effectively for the people of Scotland and to keep them safe. Public confidence in our justice system matters, yet the evidence suggests that confidence remains stubbornly low.”
“In my initial answer, I mentioned the transitional funding that the Government is providing, and we have identified ongoing funding, too. Work is under way with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities to ensure that every child can access the co-benefits of a breakfast club. Equally, we recognise that, given certain practical issues, including those relating to rurality, there will have to be flexibilities.”
“Katherine Sangster: The United Kingdom Labour Government is rolling out breakfast clubs at pace and is ensuring that primary schools are offered expert support and advice on how clubs can be delivered in a stigma-free way for the children who need them most. There is no one- size-fits-all solution. Will the Government commit to engaging with the UK Government and learning from its roll-out to ensure that, in Scotland, we have access to the best possible practice and expert advice? Màiri McAllan: I am always interested in how other jurisdictions are pursuing policies. We look across the border and elsewhere in that regard. It is worth noting that a great deal of work has already been undertaken in Scotland on the roll- out of breakfast clubs. Nearly half of all primary schools in Scotland already provide one.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what specific support it plans to provide to primary and special schools to enable the delivery of universal breakfast clubs. (S7O- 00117) The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan): This year, we will invest £3 million in our bright start breakfasts fund, which will provide 9,000 breakfast club places and support more than 20,000 children across Scotland, including those in Edinburgh and East Lothian, in ensuring that they have a healthy start to the day. Our commitment to provide a universal breakfast offer from August 2027 is supported by £15 million of investment in this financial year, which will be used to prepare for the transition.”
“In its manifesto, the Scottish National Party promised reforms to non-domestic rates that would ensure that “online giants … pay their fair share”. Today’s statement does not point towards the fundamental changes that would be necessary to do that. How will the Government ensure that that promise will be delivered? Jenny Gilruth: We have not yet set out detail in relation to that manifesto commitment. I would be more than happy to write to the member in due course once I have received advice on that commitment.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of consideration of the legislative consent memorandum on the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, Rule 9B.3.5 of Standing Orders is suspended. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. I would just like to say that, in about one and a half minutes, a reception, which I am to chair, for the consular corps, who have been invited to the Parliament, will begin. If we had not changed our standing orders, we would have had to wait for about an hour outside while the members’ business debate took place, so I am glad that the Parliament agreed to that change. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism (Diagnosis)”
“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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) 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) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) 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) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) 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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Against Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S7M-00397, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on the suspension of standing orders, is: For 108, Against 10, Abstentions 0.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the legislative consent memorandum on the Sporting Events Bill. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S7M-00397, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on the suspension of standing orders, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“A member who is participating in the meeting remotely (on a platform provided by the Parliamentary corporation) from outside the United Kingdom has the right to vote only if the member has, prior to the beginning of the meeting, obtained the permission of the Presiding Officer to do so.” (b) that the suspension and variation set out in paragraph (a) shall have effect from 22 June 2026 and remain in effect until 31 January 2027 or such earlier date as the Parliament may decide, on a motion by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S7M-00379, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on the designation of a lead committee, be agreed to.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S7M-00378, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on the suspension and variation of standing orders, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees— (a) under Rule 17.2.1(b) to suspend and vary Standing Orders as follows for the purpose of Decision Time (or any other item of business which involves decisions being taken other than at Decision Time)— for Rule 11.5.1 substitute: “1. Subject to paragraph 1A, only members have a right to vote at a meeting of the Parliament. A member is not obliged to vote. 1A.”
“Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament recognises the importance of affordable bus services connecting people to employment, education and essential services; welcomes the success of the free bus schemes available to 2.4 million people, including all those aged under 22, over 60 and disabled people; believes that more can be done to make it easier and cheaper for everyone to get around and supports, therefore, the phased rollout of a £2 bus fare cap, building on its introduction in the Highlands and Islands; endorses the introduction of the £2 cap in Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde as quickly as is practicable as part of the next phase of a national rollout; welcomes the opportunity to develop Better Buses legislation in the current parliamentary session to support the delivery of affordable fares nationally and foster new routes, not least in rural areas, and calls on the Scottish Government to take active steps to make bus franchising a reality, by providing the funding and support necessary for Regional Transport Partnerships to fully and more rapidly exercise the powers set out in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, and to advance public control of farebox revenue so that Scotland’s passengers, not private operators, benefit from a restored public bus network.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the digital voting platform. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Your vote will be recorded. 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) 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) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) 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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) 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) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) 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) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S7M-00367, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on affordable bus fares, as amended, is: For 93, Against 26, Abstentions 0.”
“However, sadly, a decade after Jo’s death, we continue to live in a world that often feels angrier, more divided and more polarised. It is worth stating that that is why remembering Jo really matters. As I said, I never met Jo, but I believe that the best way to honour her memory is to stand against hatred, to reject those who seek to divide us and to do the hard work of always trying to find what we have in common. At times, in this place, that may feel hard, but it is a legacy worth carrying forward. 18:03”
“Nineteen graduates have gone on to become MPs, and two graduates are now MSPs: Carol Mochan and me. Others have taken up leadership roles in trade unions, charities, public services and community organisations. However, the programme’s greatest achievement is not the positions that its graduates hold but the community that it has created: an army of feminists working for equality, supporting one another to succeed and never knowing our place. As graduates, we carry around in our heads the voice of the legendary Nan Sloane, the Labour Women’s Network’s training lead: “Get in the room, take up the space, take politics seriously and never apologise for yourself.” I promise Nan that I am trying. We are making progress, and this is a legacy that we should all be proud of.”
“Following her death, the Jo Cox women in leadership programme was established to continue that work by investing in a generation of Labour women to ensure that they had the skills, the confidence and the network to become leaders and to support others in doing the same. In 2018, I was fortunate to become part of cohort 2 of the programme. The programme’s influence extends far beyond elected office. Jo Cox graduates are encouraged not only to seek leadership roles themselves but to support and mentor other women, which reflects Jo’s belief in collective leadership and opening doors for others. The programme gave me practical skills and helped me to think about what kind of feminist I wanted to be. Most importantly, it gave me a group of friends who were determined to hold me up and push me onwards.”
“I thank Jenny Young for securing the debate. I remember hearing the news about Jo’s death as I was driving home from work. At that point, I was not involved in politics. It seemed an unspeakably shocking thing to have happened here, in a democratic country. She was killed while doing her job, meeting constituents who needed her help on the streets of the community that she represented. Jo’s murder shocked the Labour family and the nation. I never met Jo, but her legacy and the determination of her friends and colleagues to honour her memory helped to propel me here today. Jo was a passionate feminist who worked tirelessly to maximise women’s voices in politics and public life. As Jenny Young mentioned, she was elected chair of the Labour Women’s Network, leading the organisation from 2011 until she became an MP in 2015.”
“Màiri McAllan: As we do the careful work that is required to design and, thereafter, implement the conditions for a three-year teacher job guarantee, I will, of course, consider, among many other issues, the points that Katherine Sangster has put to me about the very practical question of how roles are advertised and the ways that individuals with different needs can access the roles. That is but one important part of developing the right conditions for the three-year teacher job guarantee that the Government is undertaking.”
“However, in recognition of difficulties in securing permanent posts, we have committed to delivering the reforms that are necessary to provide a jobs guarantee for a minimum of three years for newly qualified teachers. Katherine Sangster: Teaching unions have raised concerns that the way in which local authorities advertise temporary contracts is making work difficult to access for some teachers, by creating an inequality for those with caring responsibilities and those who are unable to check their phones because they are working. The advertising sites are not collecting data that would highlight the scale of the issue. Will the cabinet secretary commit to looking into ways to collect that data to ensure that all teachers have equal access to work?”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress it has made towards reducing the number of teachers on short-term or temporary contracts. (S7O-00065) The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan): Local authorities are responsible for teacher employment practices, as they are the employer of teachers. However, the Government is doing everything possible to maximise the number of teaching jobs that are available, including permanent posts. The 2026-27 budget continues to provide local authorities with an additional £186.5 million to protect teacher numbers. The number of teachers in Scotland’s classrooms has increased by more than 2,700 over the past decade as a result of investment, and we have the best teacher pupil ratio in the United Kingdom.”
“Our constituents want to have safe communities and thriving local businesses on their high streets, and they deserve to feel safe in their public spaces. As members of the Scottish Parliament, it is our responsibility to ensure that they get that. 18:03”
“Reviewing existing programmes and considering new approaches is an important first step, but reviews alone are not enough. They must lead to a clear plan of action that is backed by the resources that are necessary to deliver meaningful change. Scottish Labour set out a number of proposals for tackling antisocial behaviour, but it was the Scottish National Party that won the election, so I call on the minister to deliver on her party’s election promises and make our communities safer. One of those promises was on a trial fund for social impact partners. It would be good if the Government could provide clarity on when that fund will be established, how success will be measured, how the trial will be evaluated and, crucially, what action will follow from its findings.”
“The number of full-time equivalent police officers is now almost 900 lower than it was a decade ago. At the same time, as Police Scotland has been required to make more efficiencies, many communities have seen a reduced visible police presence on their high streets and in their neighbourhoods. Visible community policing matters. It helps to deter the kind of behaviour that we are talking about today, but it also reassures residents and allows officers to build positive relationships with local people, especially young people. Police Scotland must have the resource that it needs to maintain that presence. As we move into the summer months, communities deserve confidence that they will not experience the disruption that we have seen in recent years, including in places such as Portobello beach.”
“In Edinburgh, we have had a particular challenge around bonfire night in areas such as Craigmillar and Niddrie. Thankfully, this year there was a marked improvement. Although that was partly due to the City of Edinburgh Council’s introduction of firework control zones, it was also because communities themselves stepped forward and took action. Local organisations, community leaders and volunteers worked together to provide positive alternatives and to create safe and inclusive family events that brought people and communities together. In doing so, they demonstrated that prevention is just as important as enforcement. I pay tribute to everyone who was involved in that work, including Police Scotland. The rise in antisocial behaviour that we have witnessed in recent years has not happened in isolation.”
“During the election campaign, antisocial behaviour was one of the issues that came up on doorstep after doorstep. Time and again, people spoke about the disruption to their neighbourhoods, the damage that was being done to public spaces and the impact that persistent disorder was having on the quality of their lives. I have also heard from local businesses that are having to deal with graffiti, vandalism, abuse directed at staff and—sometimes—racial abuse. No one should have to face that simply for going to work. Free bus travel is fantastic, but it is no use if people are too scared to get on the bus. Parents want their kids to have the freedom to use their bus passes to explore and to learn to do that responsibly, but people feel unsafe when they go on buses if there is antisocial behaviour.”
“We have all heard deeply concerning stories from our constituents, including those about residents feeling unsafe in their own communities, businesses facing threats and vandalism, and workers being subjected to unacceptable abuse simply for doing their jobs. I am grateful to Colin Beattie for lodging his motion and to other members for their contributions. It is right that consideration is being given to cuts in our communities and structural issues of poverty. The experiences that Colin Beattie shared from Midlothian North will resonate with members across the chamber, because they are not unique to one community. Unfortunately, they are being felt right across my region and throughout Scotland. That is why we in the Parliament need to provide a collective response.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its policy providing 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare, what action it is taking to address any parental concerns about flexibility and choice. (S7O-00056)”
“Màiri McAllan: I would reflect a similar experience to that of Katherine Sangster. She mentioned having spoken with a number of parents who are keen to see this carefully developed policy move to the next stage and to a nationwide position. I, too, have had that experience. Most teachers who I spoke to in a constituency capacity, prior to coming into my current role, reflected that desire for a central position, and that is what the Government is now moving to deliver. Katherine Sangster is right to ask about timelines. In the first 100 days of this Government, we have committed to opening the consultation on the legislation and publishing the updated guidance, which we are encouraging schools to adopt now, in advance of the change of the law.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance notice of her statement. We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to making progress on mobile phone- free classrooms. Scottish Labour campaigned on the issue for some time and it was found to be hugely popular with parents. Can the cabinet secretary give the Parliament some detail about when the consultation will open, when it will end and when the legislation will be brought forward? It was positive to hear about the cabinet secretary’s visit to James Gillespie’s high school and her keenness for schools to roll out the measure now, but what support and guidance will be given to headteachers who wish to remove phones from classrooms when they perhaps face obstacles? How do we ensure that we are sharing best practice?”
“To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to address wildfire risks and to ensure appropriate resource is given to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, in light of last week’s fire on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. (S7O-00009)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to address wildfire risks and to ensure appropriate— The Presiding Officer: Excuse me. I called you for a supplementary to the question that was asked by Colin Beattie. Katherine Sangster: Sorry. The Presiding Officer: Please resume your seat. The next question is from Emma Roddick. Public Sector Reform (Inverness and Nairn) 2.”
“I move amendment S7M-00128.2, to leave out from “acknowledges” to end and insert: “further recognises that the Scottish Government needs to do more to reduce the costs of childcare for working parents, improve the flexibility of the childcare system, support childminders and give parents more choice and control over the childcare that works for their family, and calls on it to set out a fully costed delivery plan and timeline for its commitment to extend year-round childcare support to every child from nine months old to the end of primary school.” 14:56”
“Parents such as me have been raising these issues for 10 years. That is why I am calling on the Government to fix the issues now and to set out a fully costed plan and a timeline for delivery. As a new member of the Parliament, I hope to contribute constructively and seriously to that work. I came into politics because I believe that Scotland deserves a Government that is relentlessly focused on making the country work better for working people. It is the honour of my life to stand here representing Edinburgh and Lothians East, and I look forward to serving its people.”
“On behalf of the families and staff who need change, Scottish Labour will hold the Scottish National Party to account in keeping its promise on delivering childcare policy in this parliamentary session. The SNP introduced this debate, and our questions for the Government are simple: when and how will the delivery of childcare policy happen? Scottish Labour has set out its own plan to reduce the cost of childcare for working parents, improve the flexibility of the system, support childminders and give parents more choice and control. A failure to tackle those matters would be a missed opportunity that no family can afford. I turn to the motion in the cabinet secretary’s name. In the election campaign, the First Minister and his party promised big on expanding childcare, and they now have the responsibility to deliver.”
“Parents have lost access to nurseries that match commuting patterns and working hours or they have lost funding for places where children were happy and settled. Those points speak to a wider challenge at the heart of Scotland’s childcare system, which is to align national ambition with local delivery and the everyday realities that working parents face. Childcare is one of the most important investments that we can make in Scotland’s future. When childcare works, parents can participate fully in the workplace, women are more able to continue their careers and children get the best possible start in life. However, for too many families, that is not the reality.”
“My involvement in politics began with campaigning for fairer access to childcare for working parents some 10 years ago. Many of the problems that parents faced then are still with us today. Across Scotland and the Lothians, parents speak about nursery costs consuming huge chunks of household income, long waiting lists, inflexible hours and free childcare provision that does not cover the full cost. For many families, childcare determines whether a parent can return to work, increase their hours or progress in their careers. Therefore, although I welcome the commitment to expanding childcare provision, we must address the pressures that families are under now. In Edinburgh, restrictions on cross-boundary nursery placements have affected families from East Lothian and Midlothian who need childcare close to where they work.”
“Over the years, I have made many friends here, raised my family here and worked here. I know the communities of Leith, Portobello, Musselburgh, Wallyford and Elphinstone not simply as places on a map but as places that welcomed me and my family—places that are full of warmth, resilience and enormous potential. One of the first votes that I cast was for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament—never imagining then that one day I would stand in this chamber. I believe deeply in the power of devolved Government to improve people’s lives—however, good intentions alone are not enough; Government must deliver in practice. A policy cannot just sound good on a campaign leaflet; it must make the everyday lives of working families better. I am therefore pleased that my maiden speech comes in a debate on childcare.”
“The need to tackle deep-seated issues in Scotland remains as urgent today as it was during the campaign, and this Parliament must rise to that challenge. I pay tribute to Sarah Boyack, who represented the Lothian region before me, for her years of public service, her commitment to the Labour movement and her wise counsel over many years. I also thank Chris Murray MP, who campaigned by my side, proving that Westminster and Holyrood can sometimes work together. Politics is indeed a team effort. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the people who supported me over the past few years—they know who they are and I thank them not only for their belief in me but for their belief that Scotland can be a fairer, better country. I am especially proud to represent a region that has been my home for most of my adult life.”
“It is a huge privilege to make my maiden speech as Scottish Labour and Co- operative MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East. I thank the voters across our communities who placed their trust in Scottish Labour and in me. I also thank those who ultimately decided to put their cross elsewhere for our conversations and for sharing their challenges with me. Politics should take place not just online or in the chamber but on doorsteps, in community meetings and in conversations with our neighbours. That is where mistrust of politics and politicians can be overcome, consensus can be reached and progress can be made. Although the election result is settled, the challenges that Scotland faces are not.”
“I, Katherine Blackstock Sangster, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”