John Swinney
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Since the report from several years ago was published, the Government has presided over the passage of legislation to rationalise that area of activity. Work is under way to transfer the responsibility for the funding of further education student support from the Scottish Funding Council to the Student Awards Agency Scotland.”
“I appreciate the urgency of the general policy elements of the question, because a number of applications are now being considered by planning authorities. My view is that, given the concerns that have been expressed by planning authorities, the Government has to be responsive to the issue.”
“For as long as we do not have a proper strategy on prison capacity, rehabilitation and clearing the court backlog, early release will be a revolving door, with people going in, coming out and going back into our prisons. Our justice system is in crisis, so we need a strategy.”
“I associate myself unreservedly Mr Cole-Hamilton’s comments about the feelings in the Muslim community. On Monday, I visited the Broomhouse mosque along with Simita Kumar and the Annandale Street mosque in Edinburgh with Ben Macpherson.”
“The development of further guidance will be undertaken in a manner consistent with the ruling by Lady Ross. Malcolm Offord: I thank the First Minister for his answer, which was more comprehensive than I expected.”
“I am a huge supporter of apprenticeship programmes. With foundation apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships, the Government has brought forward important reforms that create new and successful pathways for young people. I am determined to make sure that every young person has that desirable pathway for their future.”
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“His advocacy—and that of his peers Winnie Ewing, Gordon Wilson and Margaret Ewing—for Scotland and for independence shaped the political convictions that I have held for my entire adult life. Throughout my parliamentary service, George Reid was a source of wise counsel and steadfast support. Leadership can be a lonely place, but I was always strengthened in exercising leadership by the encouragement and the deepest of loyalty of George Reid. So it was when I visited George for the last time in July. Knowing that his life would soon come to an end, I listened to a wise man at peace with himself and as assured as any of us can ever be that he had led a fulfilled life of joy, of service and of love. I feel immensely privileged that my life was enhanced by knowing George Reid and benefiting from his counsel.”
“When the history of this Parliament is written, the role played by George Reid will be at its heart because he was a true statesman, a man whose life’s work was devoted to, and has benefited, the whole nation of Scotland. His unique and exemplary commitment to public service was recognised in his appointment by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and to the Order of the Thistle, one of the ancient symbols of our nationhood. George’s political life was anchored in his drive to secure for Scotland her place as an outward- looking, equal and independent member of the family of nations. As a teenager, I heard his arguments for that cause.”
“That was typical of George. Although an inspiring and captivating speaker, he was never content just to speak. He was always determined to act, to make a real difference and to use his huge intellect, his drive and his compassion for others to make the world a better place. It was that determination that he brought to bear so effectively here in this Parliament. Those of us who served during his time as Presiding Officer will remember the extraordinary leadership that he provided, putting aside party and working truly in the national interest, ending the early struggles and controversies and truly cementing our Parliament’s place as the centre of the political life of the nation.”
“His finest speech in this Parliament was in the debate on the Iraq war in 2003, when he cautioned: “The war has already claimed its first victim, which is the truth.”—[Official Report, 13 March 2003; c 16446.] Railing against that sentiment was not just something that George thought or said, or would have had others do; it was a value that he put into practice throughout his life. His humanitarian and international outlook was at the heart of his life and work. He played a central role in the media coverage of the Ethiopian famine and worked tirelessly to provide assistance through the Red Cross and Red Crescent around the world. He used his remarkable knowledge, his experience and his intellect as a professorial fellow at the University of Stirling, teaching on international conflict and co-operation for the learning of others.”
“As the last surviving member of the trailblazing group of Scottish National Party MPs elected in 1974, George was so proud to have served his home county both at Westminster and here in the Scottish Parliament, an institution that he dedicated so much of his life to establishing. Although this Parliament reconvened in 1999, it truly came of age under George Reid’s tenure as Presiding Officer. That stewardship reminded us that this Parliament and this country are at their best when we look outwards, not inwards.”
“It is with enormous sadness but also with the warmest of heartfelt thanks that I rise to move the motion in my name to honour a true giant of my party, of this Parliament and of Scottish public life, Sir George Reid. I express my condolences and those of the people of Scotland to his wife Dee, to his daughter Morag, to his son-in-law Pete and to his grandchildren, and I welcome members of the family who join us in the gallery today. Born in Tullibody, in the shadow of his beloved Ochil hills, George was a proud son of the wee county, a passionate advocate for the people and the communities of Clackmannanshire, and destined to make a huge impact on the lives of others far beyond Clackmannanshire’s borders. George was a distinguished journalist, academic, parliamentarian, humanitarian and public servant.”
“I was able to marshal, for President Trump, some of the difficulties that are being created for the industry in Scotland as a consequence of tariffs. Some such difficulties are also prevalent in the United States, because the tariffs are leading to a loss of employment in Kentucky, due to the reduction in production activity in the Scotch whisky industry. I hope that, with regard to what I have characterised as a win- win situation, President Trump will be persuaded by my arguments, but time will tell on that matter. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time. Point of Order 12:47”
“One thing that I will always be able to say about Jackson Carlaw is that he knows how to bring hilarity into the parliamentary chamber. [Interruption.] Oh, and Jackie Baillie thinks that I can manage it, too. I am glad that I am conveying such bonhomie. It is not always how Jackie Baillie describes my contribution to Parliament but, if bonhomie is the order of the day, I shall settle for that. On Mr Carlaw’s question, the fact that President Trump was prepared to engage in discussions about that issue in the Oval office should be welcomed, because it indicates a willingness to consider the propositions that I am putting forward. Fundamentally, all that I can ask for is to get a fair hearing about issues that are affecting the industry in Scotland.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the issue. In one of my earlier answers, I made reference to the local housing allowance; that uplift would assist us to tackle the issues of homelessness that we are wrestling with and to support families who are living with poverty. In this financial year, the Government is making £7.9 million available to mitigate shortfalls in local housing allowance rates and help to protect tenancies. We are making a further £2 million available to support households in temporary accommodation to find settled homes. There would be much greater assistance if a link were to be established with the local housing allowance. I encourage the UK Labour Government to do exactly that.”
“It will be a material part of the budget process and, as I said in one of my earlier answers, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will engage with all parties on those priorities in the run-up to the setting of the Government’s budget for the next financial year. Local Housing Allowance (Rates)”
“I totally acknowledge the points that Pam Duncan-Glancy makes about the importance of care workers and supporting independent living. I express my admiration for those workers in general, and especially for the fine individuals who support Ms Duncan-Glancy, who are always a joy to see in the Parliament. This is a pay dispute between Unison and Enable, so I have to leave it to the trade union and employers to resolve it. For its part, the Government is investing around £900 million in social care pay support. I value the work that care workers undertake; the state relies entirely on those care workers to provide that support. We continue to look at what more we can do in that respect.”
“As a matter of fact, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy is in Japan this week. She is at the Osaka expo, at which she is promoting the tremendous strengths of Scotland in renewable energy. That is exactly the type of work that ministers should be doing to promote the interests of Scotland to an international audience. I welcome all that the energy secretary is doing. Mr Lumsden invites me to consider issues that will become the subject of live planning consideration by ministers. He knows the rules as well as I do: I cannot engage on issues of this nature that will be determined by ministers. The proper process will be followed. Care Workers (Enable Scotland)”
“However, I also had the opportunity last night, at the state event that was hosted by His Majesty the King at Windsor castle, to discuss the issue further with President Trump. I will continue to engage in order to ensure that I deliver the type of zero-for- zero arrangement that the United States whiskey industry and the Scotch whisky industry are seeking, because I think that that makes economic sense on both sides of the Atlantic. Energy Infrastructure (Community Groups)”
“As colleagues will be aware, I travelled to Washington DC last week to support the efforts of the Scotch Whisky Association and its counterparts in the United States in the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and the Kentucky Distillers Association, which have a shared and symbiotic relationship in relation to the sustainability of the industry. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend about 50 minutes with President Trump explaining that argument, and I engaged substantially with the President on the issue. I make it clear to Parliament that I was making representations on behalf of the industry—I was not negotiating a trade deal; that is the proper responsibility of the United Kingdom Government.”
“There is a consultation process under way, led by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which is looking fundamentally at the basis for delivering a safe and sustainable fire service that is appropriate for our needs at this particular time. I know that there is widespread concern about Marionville fire station; I have seen representations about that, and I encourage all interested parties to engage with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. I give Mr Choudhury an assurance that the SFRS will undertake the consultation on the basis of assessing the needs to enable sustainable and safe delivery of a service, and that must include a service for his constituents in the city of Edinburgh. Whisky Industry (Tariffs)”
“I ask Mr Whittle to furnish me with the details of the case; it will obviously be familiar to the Government if the cabinet secretary has already intervened. I have to say that I am not very happy with what Mr Whittle has recounted, because if a cabinet secretary directs an organisation to engage with a member of Parliament, I would expect that engagement to be substantial, regardless of the politics in the chamber. I have dealt with Warmworks on a constituency basis on a number of occasions, and have pursued cases where things had not worked out perfectly, so if Mr Whittle would give me the details of that case, I will pursue it on his behalf. Fire Service Provision (Edinburgh)”
“We have a range of other programmes to support our creative industries, which again, this week, delivered formidable achievements in taking steps to engage young people and members of the public. I very much welcome the participation of the DICE summit in Scotland and I look forward to supporting the industry as part of the Government’s focus on growth.”
“I very much welcome Clare Adamson’s points. It was my pleasure to host, along with the minister responsible for innovation, Richard Lochhead, representatives of the games industry at Bute house on Monday evening as part of the prestigious DICE Europe summit, which had come to Scotland for the first time. It is an industry that matters, and we brought its senior leaders to Bute house to consider how we can continue to build on the growth that has already been delivered. We now have an industry in Scotland that has increased in turnover by nearly 800 per cent since 2010—that is a huge vote of confidence in the industry. The Government is investing in our skills system to ensure that our universities are able to produce the graduates who will support the industry, and we provide targeted enterprise support for our start-up ecosystem.”
“That is a consequence of the increased Government investment. Significant protections are already in place in existing legislation and, as Maggie Chapman indicated, consideration will be given to the Housing (Scotland) Bill as it goes through its final stages in the relatively near future. The Government will look at all policy proposals, but I encourage Maggie Chapman to consider the significant steps that have already been taken to provide greater protection for renters in Scotland and that provide substantial protection for individuals and tenants in”
“Renters in England will soon be protected from eviction on the most common grounds for the first 12 months of their tenancy and will also get a longer notice period, but that right does not currently exist in Scotland. We can fix that when we consider the Housing (Scotland) Bill next week. Will the First Minister commit to supporting Green amendments that would ensure that Scotland does not fall behind and would improve protections from eviction for renters in Scotland? The First Minister: I appreciate the significance of Maggie Chapman’s points. I want to make sure that families can rely on good-quality accommodation, which is why the Government is investing so significantly in housing. We are making progress on acquisitions and voids work, through which we are bringing more and more properties back into use.”
“One of the most significant levers of support is local housing allowance, and this Government has repeatedly called on the UK Government to commit to uprating housing support for tenants. I hope that that will be delivered in the upcoming budget on 26 November. Maggie Chapman: A renter moving into their new home today will have no clear sense of how long they can stay before they could be kicked out by their landlord. They may have as little as four weeks’, and a maximum of three months’, notice. Sarah and James and their two children were evicted from their home in Inverness and were unable to find a suitable home in the three-month notice period. A family of four was forced into a cramped one-bedroom flat that was so much smaller than what they needed.”
“Scotland leads the United Kingdom in supporting private tenants, and that work is backed by some of the strongest homelessness legislation in the country. In addition, we have recently announced an ambitious plan, backed by the provision of £4.9 billion, to accelerate action on tackling the housing emergency. The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which is now at stage 3, will further strengthen support by introducing new prevention duties, enhanced protections for domestic abuse victims and new tenants’ rights, including the introduction of rent controls. This year, we are also providing more than £99 million to local authorities for discretionary housing payments to mitigate Westminster’s cruel bedroom tax. However, there are limits on how much the Scottish Government can do.”
“The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government met with the Scottish Retail Consortium this week and we will give every consideration to its ideas. The Government has taken a number of steps to support town centres. As I indicated in my earlier answer to Mr Fraser, we maintain the lowest property tax rate in the UK for more than 95 per cent of non-domestic properties. The Government has a long track record of ensuring that businesses in our town centres are supported by a competitive business tax regime and we will look to reflect that in the policy and budget proposals that the Government brings forward.”
“Murdo Fraser: All members will be aware of the decline of town and city centres as traditional retail destinations. This week, the Scottish Retail Consortium published a five-point plan to make retail investment more attractive, including changes in planning, a focus on retail crime and, crucially, a “more competitive” business rate than in England. Despite what the First Minister has just said, in the past three years, the Scottish Government has not passed on to businesses here the far more generous rates relief that is available south of the border. Will the Government now rethink its position and give retailers here the support that they need? The First Minister: I welcome the Scottish Retail Consortium’s contribution to the debate and we will further consider its proposals.”
“Economic growth is at the very heart of the Government’s agenda and we are working closely with businesses to drive economic growth in our towns and cities and to support both consumers and local businesses. That support includes funding the Scotland loves local campaign, more than £3 million in funding to address retail crime and the most generous business rates relief in the United Kingdom. Our competitive non-domestic rates regime in 2025-26 includes a freeze on the basic property rate, delivering the lowest such rate in the United Kingdom for the seventh year running and maintaining the lowest property tax rate in the UK for more than 95 per cent of non-domestic properties in Scotland. Those are some of the measures that we are taking to support towns and city centres.”
“The First Minister: The Government is taking steps, through our budget provisions, to allocate more than £3 billion to policies that tackle poverty and the cost of living. Those measures include the Scottish child payment, free prescriptions, supported bus travel for 2.3 million people and support for early learning and childcare of more than £6,000 per eligible individual. The Government is taking steps, using our own resources, to support families facing difficulties, and we will constantly look to establish how best that can be undertaken, but we have to do that against the backdrop of decisions taken by the United Kingdom Government that create ever more challenges for families and for the Scottish Government in addressing those circumstances for families in our country. Town and City Centres 5.”
“What does not help us is to have significant negative economic impacts coming from policy choices such as the United Kingdom Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions, which is damaging the economy. Gordon MacDonald: According to the Food and Drink Federation, the inflation increase is down to Labour policies such as the rise in national insurance contributions and skyrocketing energy prices, which means that families and businesses in Scotland are once again paying the price for Westminster policies. Will the First Minister outline what the Scottish Government is doing to provide support to families in Edinburgh Pentlands, and across Scotland, who are struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living?”
“I agree with Mr MacDonald and with the comments from the Food and Drink Federation, whose forecast is concerning, particularly for low-income households in Scotland that are already grappling with cost of living pressures and are disproportionately affected rising food prices. I will quote the chief economist of KPMG, who summarised the situation as follows: “Since April, the rise in inflation has been driven largely by domestic policy choices, including the increase in employer national insurance contributions.” The Scottish Government is taking steps to try to support households. Our most recent intervention has been the abolition of peak rail fares, and we have other interventions, such as the Scottish child payment.”
“The Government has put in place a two-vessel service between Troon and Brodick. I accept the disruption to Ardrossan. That is why Mr Gibson has been given the solemn commitment of the Government on the acquisition of Ardrossan harbour, so that we can take it into public ownership and ensure that it gets the enhancements that it requires. I have demonstrated that there has been a two- vessel service between the mainland and Arran on a constant basis. There are, of course, other ferry links from the mainland to Arran, at Lochranza. A variety of other opportunities are available. Where the service has, unfortunately, not been satisfactory, we have provided compensation. That has come about by examining and exploring the disruption that has taken place and providing the support that our islanders deserve. Food and Drink Costs (Inflation) 4.”
“The Scottish Government clearly is not, because there is no compensation for Mull, where the toy shops of Tobermory are genuinely displaying signs that say that their toy ferries are more reliable than their real-life counterparts. There is no compensation for Cumbrae or Ardrossan, which has lost its link to Arran because the SNP Government built a boat that does not fit its harbour. There is no compensation for the islands and port towns of the west Highlands or in Argyll and Bute, where timetables were stripped back to hide cancellations. Sympathy does not pay the bills. When will the First Minister enrol those communities in the scheme? When will they get the cash? The First Minister: I will take the example that Mr Cole-Hamilton puts to me about the ferry service to Arran.”
“That is the judgment that has been applied by ministers in putting in place a compensation scheme, and we discuss and consider such schemes with the relevant island communities. Alex Cole-Hamilton: The First Minister should tell that to the communities that have seen their timetables altered to hide the cancellations. That is “unfair, arbitrary and divisive”. That is what Joe Reade from Island Bakery on Mull says about the scheme, and that is what everyone in excluded communities thinks. The Scottish Liberal Democrat consultation on the future of ferries closes tomorrow. We are listening to everyone who is affected.”
“First, I accept that there has been disruption to ferry services in Scotland. We are working hard to replace the fleet. As Mr Cole-Hamilton will know, one of the large vessels is now in service, another is being finished at the Ferguson Marine yard, and four further vessels are coming from the Cemre yard in Turkey. That will give us six new vessels for the fleet in the current period—those contracts are taking their course—which will strengthen the ferry network. The Government has put in place a compensation scheme that examines the degree of disruption in different island communities and considers where that disruption has been acute and where the delivery of payments is merited. In the islands that Mr Cole-Hamilton has cited, the level of disruption has not been comparable with the level in areas with more significant disruption.”
“If people want to know what a Labour Government might be like, they need only look at the shambles that was in here before us and the shambles that is in place in the United Kingdom at present. I am all for buses being built in Scotland. I am all for ferries being built in Scotland— Anas Sarwar: When? The Presiding Officer: Mr Sarwar. The First Minister: I am all for developing the skills to make sure that we can do that, and I am all for ensuring that we invest to make that happen. That is what I was doing this week— making sure that that is likely to happen—and I am proud of that record for the people of Scotland. Ferry Services (Compensation Scheme) 3.”
“[Interruption.] Will John Swinney make that same commitment and stop sending— The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. Anas Sarwar: SNP members do not want to hear it, Presiding Officer. Will John Swinney make that same commitment to stop sending public contracts to Poland, China and Turkey and give those jobs to Scotland? The First Minister: I am sorry to break some sombre news to Mr Sarwar, but, when the Labour Party was the leading party in the Scottish Executive, it sent contracts for ferries to Poland and to other European countries. Mr Sarwar will have to check up on his history— Anas Sarwar: I was at school. The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. The First Minister: He will have to check up on the history of the performance of the Labour Government.”
“I welcome that, and the Government is committed to making that happen. Our agencies, whether that is Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland or any other bodies, are actively engaged in that work. Anas Sarwar: We need a more coherent industrial strategy, whereby we build our vital infrastructure here in Scotland. That means building buses in Scotland so that Scottish companies can thrive, and it means building ferries in Scotland so that Scottish shipyards can thrive. However, under the Scottish National Party, we have had buses for Scotland built in China while Scotland’s bus companies struggle, and ferries built in Turkey and Poland while Scotland’s shipyards go without. I am clear that a Scottish Labour Government that I lead will build Scotland’s buses, ferries and other crucial infrastructure right here in Scotland.”
“I give Mr Sarwar the absolute assurance that the Government is strongly engaged in exploring that as a possibility. The transport secretary gave comprehensive details of the work that is under way. Mr Sarwar will understand that I cannot disclose the legal advice that is available to the Government on this question, because we need to consider all those elements. However, I give him the fundamental assurance that the Government is actively considering such a proposition, along with other propositions, as the transport secretary has set out. Our work on the contract and continued support for Ferguson Marine is part of a comprehensive industrial strategy for Scotland, which is essential. We are now getting into territory in which more progress is being made on manufacturing opportunities in Scotland.”
“Guaranteeing a supply of work for that yard is essential to the workers there, but it is also essential to protect taxpayers’ investment and to secure those jobs for generations to come. In the spirit of collaboration, what legal advice has John Swinney sought on a direct award of contracts to Ferguson Marine? Will he share any existing legal advice with the Parliament? The First Minister: I think that Mr Sarwar was in the chamber to hear the Cabinet Secretary for Transport give a detailed response to Katy Clark’s question on exactly that: a potential direct award to Ferguson Marine for the contract for the successor to the MV Lord of the Isles. I said on Monday that it is complicated but that the Government is doing the detailed work to enable that to be considered.”
“In relation to ScotZEB 2, there is a procurement process that must be pursued, and the Government will report to the Parliament on the conclusions of that exercise. Anas Sarwar: The workforce will want to hear commitments on contracts in Scotland, as well as guarantees from the company in response to the very welcome furlough scheme. Industrial strategy must be more than simply crisis management. Whether in relation to buses or ferries, we need a joined-up approach. On Monday, the GMB union led calls for the Ferguson Marine yard to receive a direct award for the next ferry for Scotland’s fleet. We welcome that call. John Swinney has spoken of his support for the yard, but, when pressed on a direct award, his Government will say only that it is complicated.”
“I am pleased that Mr Sarwar welcomes the progress that the Scottish Government has made in collaboration with Alexander Dennis and its workforce. I take the opportunity to thank the company and its workforce for engaging substantively with the Deputy First Minister on all these issues to get to a position in which the Scottish Government has been able to support the company to retain hundreds of manufacturing jobs in Scotland, which is very welcome. The Government has engaged with the company, and we have put in place the offer of a furlough scheme. The furlough scheme can be activated only if the company demonstrates success in securing orders. There is growing confidence that satisfactory orders will be secured.”
“At committee this morning, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance, was asked five times how that bill would be paid, and the best answer that she could come up with was that the money would come from “the people of Scotland.” That will send a shudder down the spine of every taxpayer in the country. By exactly how much will the SNP raise taxes to pay for its £2 billion benefit black hole? The First Minister: As Mr Findlay knows, all the issues around tax are dealt with in the budget process, and there will be an opportunity for the Conservatives to engage in that process to discuss those issues. I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will engage in those discussions constructively, but the Conservatives have to be able to come to them with some proposals. [Interruption.]”
“Therefore, the point that he advances is not a valid one to put to me. As I have indicated to Mr Findlay, the Scottish Government has put in place a system that is designed to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. I think that that is the right purpose for our social security system, which the Government is proud to have in place in Scotland and which is delivering support to almost 350,000 of our most vulnerable citizens. Russell Findlay: Every week, John Swinney omits to give a straight answer to basic questions. There are no checks on fraud or error. There is not even a timeline for when checks might be introduced. Scotland’s soaring benefits bill is unsustainable, but John Swinney has no plan to pay for it. We are talking about a £2 billion black hole, made by the SNP.”
“The Auditor General also reveals today that 20 per cent of personal independence payment benefits are reduced or ended following standard review elsewhere in the UK but that, for Scotland’s equivalent benefit, that figure is just 3 per cent. Again, that means that, in the words of the Auditor General, “Social Security Scotland does not have a reliable figure for the amount that is lost to fraud and error.” The SNP’s approach is not only naive and negligent; it is a betrayal of those in genuine need and of taxpayers. Can John Swinney tell us how much benefit fraud is taking place, or does he really have absolutely no idea? The First Minister: Mr Findlay omitted to say in his question that the data about the United Kingdom system shows that a substantial proportion of the cases that he mentions are overturned on appeal.”
“If errors are made in the system, or if there is evidence of fraud, those issues are already addressed by the systems that Social Security Scotland has in place. Those mechanisms are there to ensure that the public purse is protected and that support reaches those who need it. One of the undertones of Mr Findlay’s question, which he never gets round to answering, is: whose benefits does he want to take away? We hear all his rhetoric, but when it comes down to the hard, specific realities of whose benefits are getting withdrawn, Mr Findlay has no answers. Russell Findlay: It sounds to me as if John Swinney is saying that the Auditor General is wrong. He is not. It is black and white: there are no systems in place to prevent fraud.”
“The Auditor General also says that there is no system to investigate the fraud that is not only inevitable but happening right now. He highlights that “there is no timescale for when Social Security Scotland can consider incorrect payments due to client error or fraud.” Can John Swinney tell us when those vital checks will be introduced? The First Minister: One of the facts that Mr Findlay omitted in putting his question was that the Scottish Government, through the establishment of Social Security Scotland, has presided over the safe and effective transfer of personal independence payments to adult disability payments for 350,000 disabled people in Scotland. I take this opportunity to thank the staff of Social Security Scotland for doing such an excellent job in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
“As Mr Findlay knows, the Scottish Government is obliged to balance its budget annually. We have done so on every single occasion since we were elected to serve the people of Scotland in 2007. The issue that Mr Findlay raises essentially comes down to whether we are prepared to follow the benefit policies of the United Kingdom Government, which include making cuts to support for people with disabilities, who are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. My Government will do no such thing. Russell Findlay: Of course, social security is an essential safety net for every citizen, but it has to be fair and affordable. The SNP has created an agency that takes claimants at face value when it reviews benefit claims. Claimants have only to tick a box on a form that says, “My needs are the same,” and that is it.”
“There will be a short suspension before the next item of business to allow those who are leaving the chamber and the public gallery to do so. 12:47 Meeting suspended. 12:49 On resuming— Scottish Youth Parliament (Work on Transport)”
“This is a matter for local authorities. I know that I am responsible for everything, but the parking arrangements in Bishopbriggs are just a little bit beyond me, perhaps. This is a matter for East Dunbartonshire Council to sort out. It has the responsibility. The Government sets out the guidance, and it is up to councils to get on with it. I see the application of the pavement parking ban in my constituency. Folk are just getting on with it, and councils are getting on with it, so there is no reason why East Dunbartonshire Council cannot get on with it. I invite Pam Gosal to take the matter up with East Dunbartonshire Council and see what she can do about the parking. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time.”
“Obviously, if an inquiry chair such as Lord Weir makes comments of that type, I have to take that deadly seriously, which I will, but I suspect that there is something, possibly in the governance of all of this, that needs to be looked at. I will take that away, explore it and write to Mr Marra. Pavement Parking (Scottish Government Guidance)”
“As Mr Marra knows, I have constituents who are involved in the issue. I am anxious to make sure that not just their interests—although they are my constituents, so I care deeply about them—but the interests of all those who are affected in the Eljamel inquiry are properly supported. I am going to explore the issue that Mr Marra raises with me. This is an independent clinical review, so it has to be independent of the Government in order to command the confidence of those who are affected, and pressure for the Government to get involved might undermine that independence. I need to take the issue away and see what we can do to try to make sure that nobody loses confidence in the method of engagement.”
“I am very sympathetic to the point that Mr Briggs makes to me and I will try to establish what the situation is.”