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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“Indeed, our patient safety programme is very highly regarded internationally because of the work that it involves. However, the quality and strength of that patient safety programme will be undermined if there is not a culture of accepting the need to tackle the behaviour that the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report highlights. Mr Sarwar has my assurance that, in my communication and that of the health secretary to health boards, we are making it clear that the contents of that report are unacceptable and must be addressed by health boards around the country. Anas Sarwar: The problem is that patients and staff have heard that before, and the culture continues. The report highlights the “unacceptable normalisation” of corridor care and the patients stuck in ambulances outside accident and emergency departments.”
“After years of warnings and hollow claims of lessons learned, why is the SNP Government allowing that rotten—and, at times, fatal—culture to continue? The First Minister: We do not accept it. We do not see it as acceptable in any way, nor are we resigned to it. That is why Healthcare Improvement Scotland went in and undertook that investigation. It is why the leadership of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said today that those issues will be addressed “at pace” and with urgency. Let me use this platform to make it abundantly clear to every health board in the country that the culture that is referred to by Healthcare Improvement Scotland is completely and utterly unacceptable. In general, Scotland has a formidable record on improvements to patient safety.”
“Anas Sarwar: I have been raising concerns for years with successive Scottish National Party health secretaries and First Ministers, but here we are again. This is just the latest report, after 29 doctors raised concerns almost two years ago. The report exposes serious issues around the culture of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and follows the same pattern: patient safety is being compromised; staff are being ignored, bullied and silenced; and when staff blow the whistle, management denies their claims, intimidates them and attempts a cover-up. Staff describe the working environment as “brutal” and “inhumane”, and they talk of “moral distress” or of being “haunted” by some patient experiences, leading to harm. They say that “It’s a constant battle to keep patients and staff safe” and that “there is no support from management”.”
“First, I thank Anas Sarwar for his generous remarks. I appreciate his words about our dear colleague. In relation to the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, I do not think that the practice that Mr Sarwar recounts is acceptable. That is why Healthcare Improvement Scotland has responded to the concerns that were expressed by the clinicians. I acknowledge the sustained questioning that Mr Sarwar has led on the leadership of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. As he will know, new leadership is in place that is committed to addressing all the questions that are raised in the report. Professor Jann Gardner, the new chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has publicly indicated her commitment to addressing the recommendations “at pace and scale” to ensure that the issues are properly addressed.”
“We also want to strengthen access to general practice, which was the point that Mr Findlay made in his first question, so that individuals with healthcare requirements can get appropriate treatment and support at the earliest possible opportunity. Of course, a wide variety of treatments and support are available through pharmacies, general practice and other allied health professionals to whom we wish to improve access. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Healthcare Improvement Scotland Report) 2.”
“For example, if a hospital is at full occupancy and congested, it is difficult for staff in an emergency department to admit individuals into the hospital, and if we do not have enough social care provision in the community, we will have delayed discharges from our hospitals. There is an integrated link between emergency departments, hospital occupancy and delayed discharge. I assure Mr Findlay that all three of those elements relating to flow within the healthcare system are priorities for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and me as we undertake weekly scrutiny of the health system’s performance and the work to reduce waiting times.”
“The report makes a number of suggestions for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as national recommendations for the Scottish Government. The report advises the Government to define new standards and introduce new guidance to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Those are sensible suggestions that could improve patient experiences and reduce NHS Scotland waiting times. Will John Swinney take the necessary and decisive action to make those changes? If so, by when? The First Minister: Those are urgent priorities for me, because they go to the heart of what I think is the key issue that is affecting the performance of our healthcare system in a number of respects, which is our ability to manage flow within healthcare settings.”
“I reassure members of the public that, for some weeks, the performance of A and E units against the four-hour standard has been improving as we recover from the significant disruption as a consequence of the flu outbreak that dominated over the Christmas and new year period and well into January. The position in A and E departments is strengthening. On the substance of Russell Findlay’s question about Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s report, I expect the recommendations to be addressed by the board. Russell Findlay: For its report, Healthcare Improvement Scotland surveyed NHS doctors and nurses who were working in three separate hospitals. Shockingly, the majority of those who were surveyed said that patients rarely receive care that is either appropriate or timely.”
“Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s report was designed to address the legitimate concerns that have been raised by representatives of staff in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde emergency departments. I expect the board to implement and address the findings of the report, and I am confident that it will do so. There has been an entire change of leadership in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, with a new chair, a new chief executive and a new medical director in place. As the chief executive of the health board has made clear publicly, the board is taking forward the necessary reforms at pace and at scale. On the wider question, I understand the concerns about access to accident and emergency services.”
“Russell Findlay: Another publication that was released today, by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, details serious concerns at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde accident and emergency units. Those problems are consistent with what is happening at hospital emergency departments across Scotland. The regulator says that it has become routine for ambulances to queue up outside the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and for patients to be treated in corridors. The HIS report says that patient safety is being “seriously compromised”. Does the First Minister agree that that is unacceptable? Will he explain what steps he will take to put patient safety first? The First Minister: Patient safety is a fundamental prerequisite of our healthcare system.”
“That information will be shared publicly very soon. We start from a high platform, in the sense that Scotland has the highest number of GPs per head of population in the United Kingdom. We are determined to build on that. We are also determined to expand the workforce in general practice. For example, we have employed more than 3,500 whole-time- equivalent staff in other primary care teams. That is designed to boost access to healthcare. We have also employed an additional 1,300 whole- time-equivalent staff to support general practice through health boards. Issues about the manner in which members of the public are able to access general practice— which I accept are important—are being responded to by the investments that the Government is making.”
“The independent Auditor General’s report states that the Government has not met previous pledges, which should have been delivered by 2021. The report calls for “a clear delivery plan for general practice by the end of 2025 that includes specific actions, timescales and costs.” Will the First Minister confirm that he will bring forward that plan by the end of the year, for the benefit of patients across Scotland? The First Minister: As I set out in my speech on the national health service in late January, the Government will make a number of different interventions to improve access to healthcare services. At the heart of that will be access to GP services, as I said in my first answer. The Government has set out our intention to explain the specific interventions that we will make in that respect.”
“I thank Russell Findlay for his kind remarks about my dear colleague Christina McKelvie. I appreciate his condolences to all on the sad news. The Government will consider the recommendations that are contained in the Audit Scotland report. We are taking forward a series of investments to strengthen access to healthcare in Scotland. General practice is one of the areas in which access is most critical. The Government’s investment through the primary care improvement fund, for example, and other steps that have been taken to expand the workforce in general practice are among the practical steps that we are taking to address the issues in the Audit Scotland report. Russell Findlay: Those commitments should be delivered so that patients can get a face-to-face general practitioner appointment when they need one.”
“The Presiding Officer: I invite members to sit with me in a moment of quiet reflection. Thank you, colleagues. I suspend the meeting until First Minister’s question time at 12 noon. 11:45 Meeting suspended. 12:00 On resuming— First Minister’s Question Time General Practice Care 1.”
“Today is an unbearably sad day as we all come to terms with the loss of our generous, kind, loyal and fun- loving colleague Christina McKelvie. Members across the chamber all feel that loss, but my party is aching at the news today. Christina was a parliamentarian of the highest motivation and the finest nature. I was proud that she was a member of my Government, giving her all to make life better for others, which was always her motivation. She served her constituents, her party and her country with the greatest amount of devotion that was imaginable. Today, I express to her partner, and my deputy, Keith Brown—one of my dearest friends—and to her sons, Jack and Lewis, my profound sympathy at their loss and my gratitude for the benefit of having known such a magnificent woman.”
“12:46 Meeting suspended. 12:48 On resuming— Criminal Exploitation of Children”
“I am very pleased to welcome the appointment of Graeme Thomson as the new chief executive of Ferguson Marine. He will take up that post on 1 May. The Government is taking all the steps that Mr McMillan has put to me about making sure that we strengthen the yard. The yard has been part of a competitive tendering process and, within that, it has put forward a credible bid that indicates the strength of the yard. The Government is supporting that with a further £14.2 million of investment to strengthen the yard, and is also working with the yard to ensure that it is able to command further work to support its future. That will remain the Government’s priority in the forthcoming period. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time. There will be a suspension to allow people to leave the chamber and the public gallery.”
“I recognise the importance of all our public transport services being operated safely, and that applies to passengers and members of staff. Such incidents are indeed totally unacceptable. Police Scotland will take active steps to ensure that the community is kept safe and that there is every opportunity for bus services, and public transport services in general, to operate in the way that members of the public reasonably expect them to.”
“What we can expect is what we have seen from the Labour Government in the course of this week: the perpetuation of the austerity agenda that it inherited from the Conservatives, which it promised that it would bring to an end, but which it has revitalised as part of the Labour Government. I do not think that anyone would have imagined that a Labour Government would come into office and inflict more austerity on the people of Scotland. Antisocial Behaviour (Bus Services)”
“The issues that Mr MacDonald raises are serious. The effect of the increase in employer national insurance contributions will be a negative impact on growth. Indeed, there is now speculation that the material to be announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the spring statement will reduce the growth forecast that is expected for the United Kingdom, which will inevitably have the effect of reducing the tax revenues that are likely to be available for the chancellor to utilise. The implication of that is that there is likely to be further pressure on the Scottish Government’s budget in the years to come.”
“We can see the effect of many of those changes around our communities, where such infrastructure is now being put in place. United Kingdom”
“I echo Mark Ruskell’s welcoming of the race organisers’ announcement at Edinburgh castle last night. I was delighted to be there to welcome the interest and commitment of those organising the Tour de France, and of the women’s race into the bargain. It will be the first time in the event’s history that the women’s race will have started outside France. That presents an enormous opportunity for Scotland and demonstrates our success and effectiveness in attracting major international events. I am delighted that we have been able to secure that for 2027. The principal lesson that I have learned from the UCI world championships is that we must put in place infrastructure and facilities that enable local people to take part in cycling activity. The Government’s investment in active travel assists in that respect.”
“I will certainly explore that question. It is important that people in our society who require support are able to receive it at the earliest possible opportunity. We are seeing a reduction in Social Security Scotland’s processing times across the range of social security services that are available. I will consider the point that Mr Balfour has put to me. Tour de France 2027”
“A number of steps are coming together that will enable us to reap the rewards of the significant natural opportunities that we have. Children with Cancer (Disability Benefits)”
“The Government is taking a number of steps to support the development of the offshore wind industry. Significant investments have already landed in Scotland, with the commitments at Ardersier and the investments by Sumitomo at Nigg. We are also supporting further developments at Scapa Flow and Montrose. There is a great deal of investment happening. I reassure Jackie Dunbar that the level of investment interest in Scotland, as demonstrated at the global offshore wind investment forum on Monday, is very encouraging. The Government is taking steps to ensure that we align the investment opportunities with sites in Scotland, supported by our enterprise development agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank.”
“Those are, of course, decisions for BBC Scotland, but I recognise the disappointment about the decision not to continue the “River City” series. The point that underlies Mr Bibby’s comments is the importance of production of television material within Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has been discussing that issue with the BBC, and he will discuss the implications of the “River City” decision with Equity. I want to be clear to the Parliament that the Government attaches the greatest importance to ensuring that production activity is undertaken genuinely within Scotland, so that the economic benefit of it is felt within Scotland. That is what the BBC charter would oblige of the BBC. The Government will be engaging very strongly to ensure that that is the case.”
“I am all for having considered discussions in the Parliament about the public finances, but I have to put it to Mr Carson that he has a bit of a brass neck coming here— Finlay Carson: This is about wildfires. The First Minister: Yes—this is about wildfires, but there would be no money to tackle them if the Parliament had not passed the budget—a budget that the Conservatives voted against— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Members! The First Minister: I will not tire of pointing out to the Conservatives their total and utter inadequacy in the Parliament, because they come here asking us to spend more money when they would not put budget provision in place. The Tories are a disgrace. BBC Scotland (“River City” Cancellation)”
“I acknowledge the concern that exists about the warning that has been put in place. That warning has been put in place in March when, I think, none of us would ordinarily expect a wildfire warning in Scotland. That is an indication of the serious effects of climate change that we are now experiencing in our society, which must be addressed. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will work with Forestry and Land Scotland, non- governmental organisations, landowners and communities to respond effectively to any incidents, and it is monitoring examples. The service does an exceptional job in Scotland and is being supported by a budget increase of £29.3 million, which is a measure of the Government’s commitment. Indeed, the budget is now £79 million higher than it was in 2017-18.”
“The UK Government’s decisions do not have at their heart dignity and respect, but austerity. We were told that the election of a Labour Government would end austerity, but this week disabled people and others who are vulnerable in our society have learned the hard way that Labour is carrying on the austerity of the Tories. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Wildfire Warnings)”
“I understand the anxiety that Christine Grahame has expressed. We have all been enormously troubled and concerned by the United Kingdom Government’s announcements, which will significantly undermine access to the disability benefits that will be available to individuals. We have to observe with care the process that the United Kingdom Government is going through, because it will determine the principal impact on the finances that we have available to support the benefits and social security arrangements that are under our control. I cannot give a definitive answer to Christine Grahame, but I can say that, under the legislation that the Government has put to the UK Parliament, the decisions that we take on social security must ensure that we operate a system that has dignity and respect at its heart.”
“The First Minister: I agree with those sentiments, and it is for that reason that I have indicated that I will convene a gathering of political and civic leaders to establish constructive interventions that we can all agree on to create a cohesive society in which everyone feels safe and at home. The example that Mr Stewart has given to Parliament—the steps that the community in Old Aberdeen has taken to demonstrate exactly that type of solidarity and support to the Muslim community in the city of Aberdeen—is a splendid example of the type of spirit that we need to have in this country, where we are defined by what unites us and not by what divides us.”
“I unequivocally condemn the recent attack on the Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre. I recognise the traumatic impact that such incidents have on individuals, families and communities. That is why we are taking robust and meaningful action to challenge such prejudice. We are tackling hatred and Islamophobia through delivery of our hate crime strategy. Kevin Stewart: That incident of vandalism has shocked Aberdeen’s Muslim community and the city at large. The police have responded positively and people in Old Aberdeen have rallied round to help the mosque congregation with the clean-up. Does the First Minister agree with my view that it is incumbent on Governments, all leaders and all politicians in the Parliament and elsewhere to unite to tackle Islamophobia, intolerance and extremist views?”
“The First Minister: First, the Government is working with a range of stakeholders to take forward the women’s health plan. Secondly, the Government is putting in the investment to reduce waiting times to make sure that women such as Chloe do not have to wait as long as they are having to wait, and we are making progress in reducing waiting times across a number of sectors. Thirdly, we are putting in place more than £21 billion of investment in the national health service to make sure that it can meet the needs of the public in Scotland. That is all part of the budget that the Government has put forward, and I am glad to say that Parliament has supported it.”
“Rachael Hamilton: Although the SNP said that it would bring the waiting time for endometriosis diagnosis down to 12 months, it remains at eight and a half years. After diagnosis, women with endo face further hell when waiting for treatment for this crippling condition. For example, 24-year- old Chloe Bremner was told that she faced a two- year wait for surgery on the national health service in Scotland. The pain was so unbearable that Chloe had to go to Abu Dhabi for treatment. The women’s health plan is not cutting it. It was meant to reduce health inequalities for women and girls, and not to exacerbate them. What decisive action will the First Minister take to stop women such as Chloe paying a fortune for treatment because they cannot get proper care in Scotland?”
“Endometriosis is a chronic and painful condition that can have an enormous impact on the health and wellbeing of women who are affected. That is why endometriosis is a priority in our women’s health plan. March is endometriosis awareness month, and we are taking action to raise awareness of the condition and its symptoms and to help women to find information and support. Earlier this month, we lit Government buildings in yellow in recognition of endometriosis awareness month, and we have produced a social media toolkit to help others to raise awareness. We have also provided educational resources for those who work in primary care to improve understanding and to support earlier diagnosis, which I know is a critical issue for those who live with the condition.”
“I recognise, support and endorse Michelle Thomson’s point that the already higher levels of economic growth per person that we have been able to deliver in Scotland under devolution would be enhanced if we had the wider range of fiscal powers that independent countries take for granted. I would want to deploy those powers to deliver growth and prosperity for the people of”
“The First Minister: The Government is taking a number of steps to improve the performance of the Scottish economy, where, as I highlighted in my earlier answer to Michelle Thomson, GDP per capita has actually grown at a faster rate than in the rest of the United Kingdom. Scottish Government interventions have helped to improve economic performance, and we are taking a positive approach towards investment. On Monday, a number of ministers took part in an enormously successful investment forum that was well supported by international investors in the Scottish economy, and we undertake constant dialogue with investors.”
“Despite the hindrances that those UK Government decisions place on our ability to grow the Scottish economy and to eradicate child poverty, gross domestic product per person in Scotland has grown by 10.3 per cent since 2007, compared with 6 per cent growth in the United Kingdom as a whole. Michelle Thomson: I thank the First Minister for that response and simply add that the publication noted that the poorest households in Slovenia are now better off than the poorest in the UK. Low productivity is costing workers in the UK £4,300 every year. Economic growth is the answer, so what further steps has the First Minister planned in that regard? When will plans be set out to offer Scots the opportunity to match the superior growth of other medium-sized countries that have proper fiscal powers in the form of independence?”
“The report rightly identifies economic problems that the United Kingdom continues to face. The UK is among the least generous on welfare across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK’s regional income growth is among the slowest in Europe and its weak productivity growth is costing workers thousands per year. Those are direct results of the welfare and economic choices of the current and previous United Kingdom Governments, which include the decision not to remove the two-child limit on universal credit. The report finds that removing that would be the most cost-effective way to reduce poverty.”
“I am always open to wider consideration of how we can support school staff and ensure that schools are safe places for young people to be educated in, because schools must be safe places for young people to be educated in. In some circumstances, school might well be the only safe place that a young person experiences. I am therefore very open to dialogue with Mr Cole-Hamilton on how we can take further practical measures, beyond what the Government has already announced, to ensure that we support our schools in that important work. “UK Living Standards Review 2025” 4.”
“I read with care some reflections by Gareth Southgate in the Dimbleby lecture, which I thought were significant contributions to the debate. I again reinforce—as I have done on a number of occasions as First Minister—the importance of me exercising the leadership that I need to exercise to improve the culture and behaviour of men and boys in our society today. In relation to the question of violence in our schools, Mr Cole-Hamilton correctly indicated that the Government has worked with our local authority partners to take forward the behaviour in schools action plan. That plan includes a range of actions that are designed to improve the situation, which I think that Mr Cole-Hamilton and I would probably accept has been influenced by the aftermath of Covid and the unacceptable examples of leadership that I have just highlighted.”
“Incident for incident, that level of reporting matches the trajectory of the record- breaking 40,000 reports of school violence that were recorded last year. Pupils should not be going to school afraid. Teachers deserve to know that the Scottish Government has their back. Does the First Minister think that pupils and staff feel any safer or more supported? What further practical actions will his Government take to combat violence in our schools? The First Minister: I agree with Mr Cole- Hamilton on the impact of the drama “Adolescence”, because it is leading to significant debate in our society—which I think is absolutely necessary—about the unacceptable behaviour of some supposed influencers, who are influencing very poor behaviour, among young men in particular, in our society today.”
“The Cabinet will next meet on Monday, in Kirkintilloch, where we will have the opportunity to meet local businesses, service providers and community groups, as well as to hear directly from local community members. Alex Cole-Hamilton: Since the launch of the Netflix drama “Adolescence”, everyone has been talking about the challenges that young people face—violence in schools, the rise of toxic misogynists such as Andrew Tate and online bullying. That is not just drama—it is happening here and now in Scotland, too. Last summer, the Scottish Government published a new action plan that aimed to make pupils and staff feel safe and supported. However, new research published today by my party shows that more than 24,000 violent incidents have been reported in our schools in the months since the plan was revealed.”
“Absolutely not— The Presiding Officer: First Minister, let us ensure that our language is courteous and respectful. The First Minister: Let me rephrase my point. I do not believe any of the nonsense that was purported by Mr Sarwar to be my view. We have gone through a competitive tendering process, and Ferguson Marine was part of that competitive tendering process. It follows that I believe that that yard is perfectly able to build the ships, because it was part of the tendering process. It got through that tendering process and put in a bid that was credible and could be considered. Ministers cannot operate outside the law.”
“I want the ferries to be built here in Scotland.— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear Mr Sarwar. Anas Sarwar: I want the investment and the jobs to be here in Scotland. We have world- leading shipbuilders at Port Glasgow, Govan and Rosyth. We have a publicly owned shipbuilding company, Ferguson’s, and we have BAE Systems and Babcock. I want Scotland’s shipbuilders to be able to bid on and win the contracts, but John Swinney believes that none of them are good enough to build Scotland’s ferries. What is it about the way that the SNP runs Ferguson’s and the way that the SNP does procurement that means that Scotland’s ferries cannot be built in Scotland? The First Minister: I do not believe that any of the guff that Mr Sarwar has suggested is my view.”
“I think that Scotland is able to take forward its shipbuilding activities, and we have many examples of that being the case. The Government has intervened using our economic development powers and interventions to support that over a number of years. If it had not been for the actions of this Government and the actions that I took as a minister in the past, there would be no constancy of work at Ferguson Marine, and I make no apology for putting it in that direction. Anas Sarwar: With the Scottish National Party, it is contracts going abroad. This week, it is jobs for Poland; four years ago, it was jobs for Turkey. So much for “Stronger for Scotland”; instead, it is “The SNP—Stronger for Poland” and “The SNP— Stronger for Turkey”.”
“Russell Findlay: Two ferries with a £97 million price tag will end up costing taxpayers more than £400 million and entering service at least seven years late—”
“The First Minister: The Scottish Government intervened when there was a risk that Ferguson’s would cease trading on the Clyde. We arranged for new ownership to take the yard forward. The Government subsequently took decisions that led to significant orders being placed with Ferguson’s following a competitive due process. We are in the process of concluding the small vessel replacement programme—we are in the 10-day standstill period, so I can give little detail to the Parliament on that process at the moment. Most recently, the Government has supported the work at Ferguson’s through additional investment of up to £14.2 million in the yard in order to support it and guarantee its long-term future.”
“It is for the simple reason that a competitive tendering process was undertaken to ensure that we can deliver seven new vessels for some of the smaller routes that are part of the CalMac network. That process involved companies in Scotland and in other countries, as is consistent with the terms of the procurement legislation that the Government must follow. Russell Findlay: Those vessels could and should have been built here, in Scotland. Ferguson Marine could and should be fit to win such contracts. For decades, before the Scottish National Party had anything to do with it, Ferguson Marine built ferries on budget and on time, but now, under the direct control of John Swinney’s Government, it is unable to compete. Will the First Minister tell us, frankly, who is responsible for that?”
“I am concerned to hear the details that Roz McCall puts to me. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to meet her to discuss what more can be done to address that particular case. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time. There will now be a short suspension to allow those leaving the chamber and the gallery to do so. 12:46 Meeting suspended. 12:49 On resuming— Young Carers Action Day 2025”